Ontario Native Serves Aboard Guided-Missile Cruiser in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Erica R. Gardner, Navy Office of Community Outreach
U.S. Navy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— PEARL HARBOR – An Ontario, California, native and 2011 A.B. Miller High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Port Royal.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Tovar has served in the Navy for one-and-a-half years and is a U.S. Navy quartermaster aboard guided-missile cruiser operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

A Navy quartermaster, Tovar is responsible for navigating the ship.

Tovar credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Ontario.

“I was taught to be patient, disciplined and make the best out of every opportunity,” said Tovar

Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. According to Navy officials, their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Tovar is most proud of earning a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the USS Chung-Hoon.

“I was rewarded for working hard during my underway with them,” said Tovar

A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea Navy officials explained. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons systems.

Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Tovar is serving in a part of the world taking on a new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades. The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world’s population, many of the world’s largest and smallest economies, several of the world’s largest militaries, and many U.S. allies.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Tovar and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“It’s an honor to serve and since no one in my family has served, it feels great to be the first,” added Tovar. “Being able to be a part of the best military in the world is amazing.”