Provided by U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Delacruz, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Region Southwest Transient Personnel Unit at Naval Base San Diego, California.
Delacruz graduated from Gar;Field High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Woodbridge.
“I used to work in a dealership in my hometown, and it taught me how to stay organized, have a plan to work hard and to challenge myself,” Delacruz said. “I’m pretty knowledgeable, and I was good at finding solutions to problems. I use this trait in my everyday tasks in the Navy.”
Delacruz joined the Navy more than five years ago. Today, Delacruz serves as a fire controlman.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to get out of my hometown to travel and see places that I had never been to before,” Delacruz said. “I also wanted to better my life and my future.”
Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, supporting more than 60 combatant and auxiliary surface ships and more than 200 shore commands. The total base population is roughly 55,000, including 31,000 military personnel and 23,000 civilians.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Delacruz has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is helping junior sailors adjust to coming on board their first ships to serve in the fleet,” Delacruz said. “Another accomplishment that I am proud of is being a part of a critical mission that helped maintain peace overseas. It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I’m helping them transition to have the mindset needed to become effective and efficient Navy warfighters.”
Delacruz 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, I learn something new every day,” Delacruz said. “It gives me a chance to serve and to also better myself as a service member and as a person. It really builds a foundation for who I am now.
“One of my short-term goals is to advance to the next rank of petty officer first class and then later on in my career, either make rank to chief or be commissioned as an officer.”
Delacruz is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother, Armylyn, my sister, Stephanie, and Andy, for being there for me as I progress both professionally and personally,” Delacruz added. “I also want to thank my wife, Sarah, and my son, Silas, for teaching me to be a better husband and father.”
