Born at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Petty Officer Rodarte moved around with his active duty Air Force parents until settling in Converse, Texas and graduating from Judson Senior High School in May of 2004. After graduating from West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va., he enlisted in the United States Delayed Entry Program and arrived in Great Lakes for recruit training on Jan. 5, 2015.
Following graduation from Naval Recruit Training Command, where he earned the World Wars Merit award, he reported to Mass Communication Specialist “A” School in Fort George G. Meade, Md. where he also served as a section leader in the enlisted barracks to other “A” school students.
In October 2015, Petty Officer Rodarte reported to his first duty station, Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) West at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Calif. Shortly after, January 2016, he was selected to deploy with amphibious assault ship USS BOXER (LHD 4) for the 2016 Western Pacific Patrol of COMPHIBRON One. During this deployment Petty Officer Rodarte advanced to Petty Officer 3rd Class. He also earned both his surface and aviation warfare specialist qualifications while aboard the ‘Golden Gator’. For his work during this patrol he was nominated and selected as the command’s Blue Jacket (Sea) of the 3rd quarter, fiscal year 2016.
In June 2016, he advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class and within days of being frocked, he set sail for his second full deployment. Selected for an independent assignment aboard guided-missile destroyer USS PINCKNEY (DDG 91), Petty Officer Rodarte earned a surface warfare qualification from the destroyer platform. For his work on this patrol, he was nominated and selected as NPASE West’s Sailor of the 3rd Quarter, fiscal year 2017.
During his tour at NPASE West, Petty Officer Rodarte was selected for multiple independent assignments. Among these are sea phase aboard guided-missile cruiser USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) for RIMPAC exercise, Waco Navy Week, Houston Navy Week, Invictus training camp for Team US in Port Hueneme, Calif. and a temporary duty assignment aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS SOMSERSET (LPD 25).
In October of 2018, Petty Officer Rodarte transferred to serve as leading petty officer, Public Affairs department of Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
His personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Flag Letter of Commendation (2), and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2).
