From Pittsburg to the sea: A sailor’s path to a Navy warship

Chief Petty Officer Glyndale Cabrera, a Hercules High grad, serves as aviation ordnanceman aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Osborne, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy sailors serve and protect from around the globe, and every sailor got their start somewhere. Chief Petty Officer Glyndale Cabrera, a native of Pittsburg, California, serves aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, currently operating out of San Diego, California.

Cabrera graduated from Hercules High School in 2008.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pittsburg.

“Growing up, I learned from my father that I cannot let anyone change me,” Cabrera said. “He also told me to be respectful and to recognize there is a time and a place for everything.”

Cabrera joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Cabrera serves as an aviation ordnanceman.

“I joined the Navy because I was tired of my hometown and I wanted to see and experience different things and finish up my college,” Cabrera said.

Boxer, the sixth and current ship to be named for the original British gunbrig captured by the USS Enterprise in 1813, plays a crucial role in projecting power and maintaining presence for naval forces. It serves as the cornerstone of amphibious operations, capable of carrying Marines, their equipment, and aircraft to execute a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale amphibious assaults. This ship enables forces to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in littoral (near-shore) environments, providing a versatile platform for achieving strategic objectives across the globe.

Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.

Cabrera has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishments have been getting selected for chief petty officer and proving wrong the people who said I couldn’t do something,” Cabrera said. “We always hear a lot of ‘no’s,’ but I have been able to turn a lot of those into yeses through hard work and patience.”

Cabrera serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“At this point in my career, serving in the Navy means I can do anything I put my mind to,” Cabrera said. “I have a 13-year-old daughter, and it’s important she understands that.”

Cabrera is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents, Glynda and Ramon, and my brother, Ryndell Cabrera, for always being there for me,” Cabrera added. “They have always been so supportive. I also want to thank my daughter, Analisa, who has made me a better person and always puts a smile on my face.”

U.S. Navy Celebrating 250th Birthday

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.

More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/

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Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.