OKLAHOMA CITY- Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Chief Petty Officer Maria Garcia, this story began in San Antonio, Texas, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
“I learned growing up the importance of having family to support you,” Garcia said.
Garcia graduated from Christian Academy of San Antonio in 2012.
Garcia joined the Navy 11 years ago.
“I joined the Navy for the educational benefits and to travel the world,” Garcia said. “Since joining, I’ve earned my associate degree and have completed about 75% of my bachelor’s degree in human resource management. I’ve also been to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Bali, Saipan and the Philippines so far.”
Today, Garcia serves as a personnel specialist in Oklahoma City. Garcia supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.
The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Garcia has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of making chief last year,” Garcia said. “However, I’m most proud of meeting my husband in Japan in 2015. He’s also in the Nav. We’ve been married for eight years and have three children.”
Garcia serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy offers a great opportunity to mentor sailors to help them surpass their goals,” Garcia said.
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my husband, Christian Garcia, for always sticking by my side,” Garcia added. “I also want to thank all my family back home in San Antonio for always supporting me.”