By Megan Brown
Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ramiro Perez, a native of Lemon Grove, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.
Perez graduated from Meycauayan National High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lemon Grove.
“I learned in Lemon Grove to be a good citizen,” said Perez. “In the Navy, it is important to act professionally and to be a good representation of service members.”
Perez joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Perez serves as a logistics specialist.
“My sister served in the Army and she was medically retired,” said Perez. “I joined the Navy because I felt like it was my turn to serve since she had done her part.”
Members of HSM 35 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and at¬tack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the se¬curity 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.”
Perez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of making the rank of petty officer second class in three years and becoming Sailor of the Year at Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific,” said Perez. “I am proud of being promoted because I knew it showed me I was capable of doing more than I thought and I am proud of earning Sailor of the Year because all my hard work paid off.”
Perez serves a Navy that op¬erates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means maintaining readiness so I can be 100% able for whatever the Navy needs me to do,” said Perez.
Perez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mentors Logistics Specialist 1st Class Aguila, Chief Petty Officer Mattox and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Silipino, for being such great role models to me and for guiding me,” added Perez. “I also want to thank my mom and my sisters for always being there for me, for supporting me, and for understanding all the sacrifices I have to make for the career path I chose.”
