Carmen Perez Soto, from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, currently works as a Port Operations Dispatcher in the Port Operations Department onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain.
“My daily responsibilities include managing communications with homeported and visiting vessels, U.S. and Spanish Navy harbor pilots, dock masters, small boats and others,” explained Perez Soto. “I also oversee Port Operations services such as monitoring harbor activities and movements, logistical requisitions (LOGREQs), emergency response situations and maintaining deck logs of events.”
Perez Soto has had the opportunity to work in many departments onboard NAVSTA Rota since 1993, including the Commissary, MWR’s Pizza Villa and Champion’s Sports Club, NAVSUP’s Galley, and the Human Resources Office. She found herself working in key roles helping organize formal and protocol visits for figures such as the King of Spain, the Spanish Minister of Defense, Commander, Naval Forces Europe, and other VIP personnel during her time at U.S. National Support Element Madrid for Land Component Command HQ Madrid (CC-LAND HQ MD – NATO HQ) and Combined Air Operations Center Torrejon (CAOC TJ-NATO COMMAND) before joining the NAVSTA Rota Port Operations department in 2022.
“What I value most about my job is the freedom and trust my supervisors have given me,” said Perez Soto. “As this role was newly created, it was a completely new field for me. Learning about vessels and naval harbor operations was a significant challenge, but the constant support I received from day one allowed me to build, manage, and organize the position effectively for the department's benefit.”
In addition to her primary duties, Perez Soto carries out several other roles and responsibilities in Port Operations.
“I serve as the Training Coordinator, maintain records, and oversee passes, IDs, and government licensing for vehicles and equipment for all Local National employees,” said Perez Soto. “I’m also the Prime Department Telecommunications Officer, Collateral Duty Safety Officer, and the Prime Building, Pier, and Vehicles Maintenance Coordinator.”
Outside of work, Perez Soto is an active person who loves hiking, cycling, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. However, her biggest passion of all is helping those in need.
“I have volunteered for years with the Red Cross, assisting abandoned elderly individuals in hospitals and shelters, as well as the homeless in Jerez,” Perez-Soto explained. “Additionally, I led NAVSTA Rota’s ‘Toys for Tots’ charity drive for four years, coordinating donations for the Santo Ángel nonprofit organization in Jerez until 2013.”
Perez Soto is constantly pursuing new adventures and is always striving to learn something new.
“My life is filled with changes that present challenges, all of which have been opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally,” said Perez Soto. “I plan to continue embracing new challenges.”
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2025 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 489444 |
| Location: | ROTA, ES |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Team Rota: Carmen Perez Soto, by PO2 Drace Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
