Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO, CA – Petty Officer 2nd Class Rey Calvillo, a native of San Bernardino, California, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Tripoli operating out of San Diego.
Calvillo graduated from Vista High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Bernardino.
“I have learned from a young age to not take things personally and not live in the past,” said Calvillo.
“We work in a fast pace and sometimes dangerous environment where things can be misinterpreted, but it is important to know we all care for each other aboard the ship and just want to keep each other safe.”
Calvillo joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Calvillo serves as a fire controlman.
“I joined the Navy to learn new technical skills I could use for life as well as a career where I could travel and see the world,” said Calvillo.
Tripoli is an amphibious assault carrier that provides presence and power projection as an integral part of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Maritime Expeditionary Forces. Supports Marine Air/Ground Task Force requirements, from small-scale contingency operations to Expeditionary Strike Group operations to forcible entry missions in major theaters of war.
“The sailors who make up Team Tripoli really are the best the Navy has to offer,” said Capt. Gary Harrington, commanding officer of Tripoli. “We say it all the time, our Navy is nothing without the men and women who serve on the deckplates each and every day. I truly believe that the continued success of our Navy, and Tripoli specifically, is due in no small part to the contributions of our sailors.”
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.”
Calvillo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am very proud to say that after just three years I was able to pick up petty officer second class and help my junior sailors along the way,” said Calvillo.
Calvillo serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy provides me with a career as well as family and friends that will last a lifetime,” said Calvillo. “The Navy provides its sailors with a work/life balance and the peace of mind, knowing I will always have a roof over my head and three meals a day.”
Calvillo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Kristina, for her support of everything I do,” added Calvillo. “She is my biggest champion and I can always count on her.”
