Seaman Jairo Mercadomora, a native of Santa Ana, California, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship in Japan. He attended Foothill High School and graduated in 2021.
Having joined the Navy two years ago, Mercadomora expressed his reasons for enlisting, stating, “I joined the Navy to explore the world and to try new things in life while gaining experience in a technical field.”
Currently, Mercadomora serves as a sailor aboard the USS America. He acknowledges that the skills and values he learned in the Navy align with those he experienced in Santa Ana. “A lesson I took from the people I grew up with was always keeping an open mind to any scenario,” he shared. “Having an optimistic attitude really changes how you view life and how well you perform on the job.”
The USS America, an amphibious warship, facilitates the embarkation, transportation, and landing of U.S. Marines for various warfare missions. Navy officials emphasize that these ships possess inherent capabilities that allow them to be rapidly deployed for humanitarian and contingency missions.
As a member of the Navy, Mercadomora plays a part in a world-class organization committed to maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, enhancing warfighting capabilities, and sustaining combat-ready forces in alignment with the National Defense Strategy. “The Navy contributes to national defense by showing our relations with other countries,” Mercadomora noted. “The Navy builds trust and security around the world by showing our presence and force.”
Mercadomora’s service in Japan is as a member of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, operating alongside allies and partners to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This region falls under the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which holds the largest area of responsibility worldwide. Admiral Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, emphasized the fleet’s dedication to defending against threats to the nation, its allies, and its partners’ security, freedom, and well-being.
Throughout their military service, Mercadomora and fellow sailors are presented with numerous opportunities to achieve accomplishments. “My proudest accomplishment so far would be the contribution to my department during aviation maintenance inspection,” Mercadomora shared. “Our department received a score of 92 percent in 2022. Being supportive and guiding my peers also builds strong relations in the work center.”
As Mercadomora and his comrades continue to train and undertake missions, they take pride in their service to the United States Navy. “Serving in the Navy gives me the opportunity to explore more of the world,” Mercadomora expressed. “Visiting different parts of the world as your job sounds like a dream. Always having something to do makes time go by a mile a minute.”
Mercadomora expresses gratitude to his cousins and brother for their assistance in making his Navy career possible. “They helped me through any task I have had, and they have been very helpful with anything that I have questions about,” he added.
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