Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN – Petty Officer 3rd Class Marisol Arreola, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, serves the U.S. Navy in Japan.
Arreola graduated from Rancho Cucamonga High School in 2007.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are like those found in Rancho Cucamonga.
“My hometown has a small-town feel, and I learned the importance of being good to people,” said Arreola. “This has helped me in the Navy because the Navy’s values reflect small-town America. It’s very family minded.”
Arreola joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Arreola serves as a musician.
“During COVID times, I was teaching music online and working on my master’s degree in voice pedagogy online,” said Arreola. “I joined the Navy because I was motivated to get out there and travel and perform outside the U.S.”
According to Navy officials, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka empowers forward-deployed U.S. and Allied Forces while providing superior support to military members and their families.
Arreola serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Arreola has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of being selected as Blue Jacket of the Year,” said Arreola.
Arreola can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means performing the same show as I would for a vice admiral as I would for a kid in Thailand,” said Arreola. “It’s giving the best American show we can give because they deserve the best equally.”
Arreola is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my sister who is a dentist in the Navy,” added Arreola. “She was also stationed in Japan and she encouraged me to explore the option of being a Navy musician.”
