Navy Junior Continues Family’s Legacy of Service

Courtesy Photo | Exequel and Theresa Aranas, parents of Shaquille, center, celebrate his accomplishments, including acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy. As the children of a retired Navy logistics specialist, Shaquille and his siblings have lived all over the globe. Shaquille says the Navy has presented him unique opportunities growing up. (Courtesy photo)  

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

04.30.2021

Story by Leslie Hull-Ryde 

Military Sealift Command Far East

Dad retired after 20 years in the U.S. Navy and now works as a government civilian.

Mom also serves as a government civilian who works for Military Sealift Command Far East.

Thanks to the Navy, the family lived in Italy, Southeast Asia, and several other locales.

So, what’s a graduating senior whose family is full of public servants supposed to do?

“I want to repay my country for the opportunities that I have been given for a good education and an amazing home,” said Shaquille Aranas.

“The men and women serving in the military risk their lives every day to keep our country safe and to keep providing opportunities for families such as mine.

“I want to do the same so that younger generations can gain the same opportunities that I have, if not better. I also want to leave a positive impact on the community and inspire others to do the same.”

He plans to do just that by serving as a naval aviator, hopefully flying jets.

But first, he has to graduate – from high school in May and then, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

As a member of the Class of 2025, Aranas will start his journey at the academy on I-Day, otherwise known as Induction Day. Every year on July 1, parents drop off their freshmen, called “plebes” at USNA.

During Plebe Summer, more senior students – known as midshipmen – teach the newcomers about life on the yard, which is what the campus is referred to. The month or so before the student body – known as the Brigade of Midshipmen – returns to the academy in August gives plebes the chance to get acclimated.

Aranas expects the summer experience -- and the subsequent four-year academic and leadership program offered in Annapolis -- will be demanding to say the least. He says that “suits” him.

“I know that the academy will be a challenging environment physically, mentally, and emotionally,” said Aranas who, in addition to being a top scholar, is also an athlete and artist.

“I know there are times when my body will be aching and I will be mentally drained, but I’m excited to take on the challenge.”

To prepare, Aranas has been training rigorously every morning with some of the high-performance athletes at his school. He mixes up his workouts, which may include high-intensity interval training, field training, skills and strength conditioning, and, of course, running, which he expects to do a lot of at the academy.

July will be here before he knows it, but now that he’s decided to “Go Navy,” the soon-to-be midshipman is staying focused on making his longstanding goal of serving the country a reality.

To accomplish that, initially he applied to both the Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy. While both institutions accepted Aranas, he ultimately chose to go to Annapolis.

“I am always looking for a challenge, and I believe that the Naval Academy will push me to my full potential. I believe that I will have more opportunities to build my character and become a great leader.”

• Date Taken: 04.30.2021
• Date Posted: 04.30.2021 06:37
• Story ID: 395217
• Location: U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY