Shreveport native serves aboard forward-deployed Navy warship in Japan
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Fireman Ethan Garcia, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Garcia joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Garcia serves as a damage controlman aboard USS Shiloh.
“I joined the Navy because a lot of people in my family served in the military,” said Garcia.
Growing up in Shreveport, Garcia attended Woodlawn Leadership Academy and graduated in 2022.
Today, Garcia relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Shreveport to succeed in the military.
“I learned the importance of having the right people around you who are trying to do better for themselves,” said Garcia.
Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
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, Garcia is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we provide a presence throughout the world and protect the country from potential threats,” said Garcia.
Garcia 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."
Garcia and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud of being forward deployed in Japan and continuing to seek new opportunities,” said Garcia.
As Garcia 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 protecting those at home and keeping our country safe,” said Garcia.
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my uncle, Staff Sergeant Michael Garcia,” added Garcia. "He was a big inspiration to me."
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport native serves aboard forward-deployed Navy warship in Japan
