Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Johnson | PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 10, 2022) – Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Erick...... read more read more
Subscribe
A Chicago native and 2015 graduate of Muchin College Prep is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Erick Garcianava joined the Navy in 2021 as a Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) and is now forward-deployed aboard Barry to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
“Before I joined the Navy, I was an emergency medical technician,” said Garcianava. “COVID was hitting Chicago pretty hard and I was getting kind of burned out. I didn’t want to stop caring about or helping people, so I decided to serve my country in any way I could.”
Garcianava said he chose to enlist as a Hull Maintenance Technician because the required skillset has a wide variety of applications.
“Welding in particular is a very needed trade that pays well and you can really do a lot of things with it, both personally and professionally,” said Garcianava.
One of the most rewarding experiences he has of being in the Navy, is being able to mentor other Sailors.
“Some people are eager to learn and I can teach them and help them get out of their comfort zone and do new things,” said Garcianava.
According to Garcianava, helping others develop their skills is gratifying, but he also recognizes the guidance and mentorship he has received from his fellow Sailors during his time in the Navy.
“The Navy is successful in many ways because of teamwork,” said Garcianava. “My favorite part of being out here is the people. I love working with them. If it wasn’t for them, I would have given up long ago. They keep pushing me and I really enjoy 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.
U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2022 19:58 |
| Story ID: | 429262 |
| Location: | PHILIPPINE SEA |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Chicago Native Serves Aboard USS Barry (DDG 52) While Conducting Operations in the Philippine Sea, by PO1 Gregory Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
