Chief Petty Officer Maurice Tanjuaquio, a native of Oceanside, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group operating out of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Tanjuaquio graduated in 2004 from El Camino High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oceanside.
“If you see something wrong speak up,” Tanjuaquio said. “I also learned to always be on time. Both of these were important life lessons that helped me in my Navy career.”
Tanjuaquio joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Tanjuaquio serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy to better my life,” Tanjuaquio said. “I wanted to do something that would give me independence.”
Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia, is made up of more than 3,300 personnel assigned to three regiments and seven battalions across the United States. Its mission is to deliver worldwide expeditionary logistics with active and reserve personnel to provide a wide range of supply and transportation support critical for peacetime efforts, crisis response, humanitarian and combat service missions.
Serving in the Navy means Tanjuaquio is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important because we have ships in the water around the world that are helping defend our country,” said Tanjuaquio said. “We’re ready to respond to any conflict if it were to happen.”
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Tanjuaquio has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making chief,” Tanjuaquio said. “I always wanted to achieve this rank, and it feels good to finally make it. My uncle was a senior chief and another uncle is currently serving as a senior chief.”
As Tanjuaquio and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means being proud of what you do,” Tanjuaquio said. “I’m able to take care of sailors, whether it be medically or mentally. It makes my day when someone comes up and says, ‘I really appreciate you taking care of me.’”
Tanjuaquio said he is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my aunt, Rufina Pine,” Tanjuaquio added. “She’s a retired chief hospital corpsman and has been one of my most important supporters. She’s always been by my side telling me for years that I was going to make chief. It meant a lot that she believed in me.”
— By Alvin Plexico,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
OsideNews and North Coast Current offer military outreach offices the opportunity to share news about local service members by submitting press releases for publication. They can be sent to osidenews[at]northcoastcurrent.com.
