Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Johnson | PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 20, 2022) – Electronics Technician 3rd Class Ruben Solic, from...... read more read more
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A Hollywood, Florida, native and 2013 graduate of Hollywood Hills High School is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ruben Solis joined the Navy in 2018 as an electronics technician and is now forward-deployed aboard Barry to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
“My dad always wanted me and my brothers to go military,” said Solis. “At the time I joined, I was too caught up in the hustle and bustle of working in Miami. You can really get lost in the pursuit of money instead of enjoying time and the Navy helped me separate that.”
Solis said he chose electronics because it’s a field that affects virtually all aspects of modern life.
“Electronics is the future,” said Solis. “The further we progress, electronics will always be at the forefront of technology and the improvement of humanity, from sky scrapers to super computers to cars that drive themselves.”
As an electronics technician aboard Barry, Solis is the supervisor of a division responsible for maintaining and repairing the ship’s external communications equipment.
“Our division is responsible for millions of dollars of equipment,” said Solis. “It puts a certain amount of pressure on you, but it also forces you to develop your ability to handle stress. I’m a challenge seeker, so it’s a perfect fit for me.”
Solis acknowledged the challenges associated with shipboard service, but offered his perspective on how to overcome those challenges.
“The biggest thing is resiliency,” said Solis. “You have to be able to go through the hard times, trust the Sailor next to you and believe that any problem can be solved in some way, shape or form. Adaptability and resiliency go hand in hand, both are needed to overcome adversity.”
Solis said in his five years in the Navy, one thing has impacted him above all else.
“Honestly, friendship,” said Solis. “You could know someone for two weeks and become friends for a lifetime. On the ship, all you have is each other and I don’t know how many of us would be here if it weren’t for that.”
Barry is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.
| Date Taken: | 08.23.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2022 02:58 |
| Story ID: | 427908 |
| Location: | PHILIPPINE SEA |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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