Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Navy
Rivera serves aboard the USS Dewey.
By Senior Chief Yeoman James Thorson
Petty Officer 2nd Class Josephine Rivera, a native of Ozone Park, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Rivera joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Rivera serves as an operations specialist aboard USS Dewey.
“I was the first to join the Navy from my family,” said Rivera. ”I wanted to create my own path and gain experience on my own.”
Growing up in Ozone Park, Rivera attended Richmond Hill High School and graduated in 2011.
Today, Rivera said she relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Ozone Park to succeed in the military.
“Growing up in New York I worked two jobs and went to college which taught me how to be a team player,” said Rivera.
Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of war-fighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Joy/Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 2nd Class Josephine Rivera
A Navy surface ship is capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or expeditionary strike groups.
Jobs aboard a U.S. Navy ship are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times.
As a member of the Navy, Rivera is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive war-fighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy supports national defense by ensuring freedom of navigation on the seas,” said Rivera.
Rivera serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend – across all domains – any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”
Rivera and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of earning a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for saving another sailor’s life,” said Rivera.
As Rivera and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” said Rivera. “The Navy has helped me overcome some difficult situations.”
Rivera is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my grandfather,” added Rivera.
