Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Natalia Murillo | TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2024) Tampa brothers, Jason Garcia, left, and Jordan Garcia, pose...... read more read more
TAMPA, Fla. – Having family support during life-changing decisions is invaluable and having them by your side as those choices unfold is truly a gift. Tampa Bay area brothers Jordan and Jason Garcia have both recently enlisted in the Navy and qualified for positions in the Nuclear Propulsion Program. They will embark on their journeys together in November 2024.
“I think it’s something we’ll be able to look back on, whenever we finish bootcamp, and say ‘wow, we accomplished that together,’” said Jordan Garcia. “We’ll be able to create memories together.”
One day while hanging out at the beach with his family, Jordan stepped away for a moment to make a call to the local recruiting office— a decision that would change his life, and his brother’s, forever.
Jordan shares that his interest in the military was sparked by a casual conversation with his younger brother, Jason, who expressed his dream of becoming a pilot one day.
That conversation inspired Jordan to explore the possibility further.
“That opened my eyes to the possibility of joining the military,” said Jordan. “This was also at the same time that the company I worked for went bankrupt, so I was kind of searching for job security and I think that the military is a good option for that.”
America’s Navy offers cutting-edge training in more than 130 essential fields, including healthcare, electronics, nuclear engineering, aviation and more. There are over 150 roles to choose from with every single field open to both men and women.
“Speaking with the recruiters, they opened my eyes through sharing their experiences and it made me realize that, ok, this is not only something that I can do but that there are opportunities that will reveal themselves to me through the process,” shared Jordan.
With world-class training, opportunity to pay for college and advanced degrees, access to the best health care in the country, retirement plans and tax incentives, Navy Active-Duty benefits are the most competitive out there.
Younger brother Jason Garcia attended the meeting with recruiters to listen and gather information for the family. What he heard resonated with him, and he recognized the chance to build a solid foundation for his future through military service. Inspired by Jordan, Jason decided to enlist and serve alongside his brother.
“I’m going to go to school for cyber-security, and I figured why don’t I do that in the military,” he said. “They’ll pay for it; chances are that I will be able to get through the education faster and like (my brother) was saying, the job security is amazing.”
The Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program requirements are amongst the most demanding. Working with some of the most advanced science, technology and engineering, this field requires not only a strong learning ability but also high capacity for knowledge retention.
NTAG Miami Nuclear Field Coordinator Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Carl Lindau played a crucial role in assisting the brothers with their Navy Advanced Programs Test, an important step in qualifying for the Navy’s Nuclear field.
“With the nuclear program, a lot comes from understanding, not from memorization,” said Lindau. “These two gentlemen have a drive for learning more and to growing their level of knowledge, so out in the fleet I would be happy to see either of them, preferably both of them, working with me.”
NTAG Miami Commanding Officer Cmdr. Johnny Lykins, Jr acknowledges the brothers’ preparedness for the challenges to come, emphasizing that both individual determination and a strong support network are essential for success in their Naval careers.
“Our mission is to find not only the best and brightest applicants but also resilient men and women.” Stated Lykins. “Jordan and Jason Garcia have demonstrated their readiness for the challenges ahead. A strong support system is essential for a Sailor’s long-term success, and I wish these young men a fulfilling journey in their Naval careers.”
These two young men have a supportive team.
“I couldn’t have been prouder,” said Joe Garcia, father to Jordan and Jason. “That’s just what I kept telling them. For (them) to be willing to go to work for your country and defend all of us, I was just proud.”
The brothers’ stepfather, Mike Bosko, recalls the family’s surprise when Jordan and Jason decided to enlist together. Their mother, Leslie Bosko, initially had some reservations about their choice.
“I do not come from a military background,” said Bosko. “We are not a military family. So, I did my research, and I definitely feel more comfortable now. They are so excited about it.”
The brothers are collaborating to prepare both physically and mentally for the boot camp challenge ahead. Jason notes that they’ve been spending more time in the gym, focusing on their swimming, and diligently reviewing materials like the Eleven General Orders and the Sailor’s Creed to stay on track with their studies.
Being in this journey together provides the brothers with the motivation to succeed not just in Boot Camp but beyond. Jordan Garcia encapsulates their bond with a heartfelt sentiment for his younger brother, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other every step of the way.
“When I think of us joining together, I want to be a pillar of support for him because I know that he will be that for me.”
Curious about America’s Navy? We can help! Go to https://www.navy.com/contact-us/find-a-recruiter to find your local Navy recruiter today.
| Date Taken: | 10.28.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2024 16:54 |
| Story ID: | 484062 |
| Location: | TAMPA, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | MIAMI, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tampa Brothers Prepare to Ship Out, by PO1 Natalia Murillo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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