By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Diamond Kyles | Community Updates
Petty Officer 3rd Class Rene Rodriguez Valdez, a Phoenix native, is serving aboard USS Kentucky as part of the U.S. Navy’s submarine force, continuing a tradition of undersea service that dates back more than a century.
Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez graduated from Alhambra High School in 2015 and joined the Navy three years ago. He currently serves as a sonar technician aboard a submarine.
His decision to enlist was influenced by experiences growing up in Phoenix and by a Vietnam veteran who lived in his neighborhood.
“I wanted to inspire people back home to see that they can do some amazing things even growing up in a challenging environment,” Rodriguez Valdez said. “Having a neighbor who was a Vietnam veteran, I was able to see how proud he was about his time in the military, and I wanted that feeling as well.”
As a sonar technician, Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez is among the sailors who volunteer to serve in the Navy’s submarine force, according to a Navy release.
“I joined the Navy to challenge myself to do difficult things,” Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do the things I had seen in the movies and video games I used to watch growing up.”
The Navy operates three primary classes of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines. These vessels conduct missions that include strategic deterrence, intelligence gathering, surveillance, special operations support and maritime defense.
Navy officials describe the submarine force as a key component of national security and maritime operations. The Pacific Submarine Force supports strategic deterrence, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, reconnaissance, intelligence collection and special warfare missions around the globe.
Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said his greatest accomplishment in the Navy is the support and pride he has brought to his family.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is making my wife and family proud of me,” Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said.
The Navy continues to emphasize the importance of recruiting and retaining personnel from communities across the country because global commerce and communications rely heavily on secure maritime operations and undersea infrastructure, according to a Navy release.
Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said serving in the military gives him a sense of purpose and responsibility.
“Serving in the Navy means I am doing my part and serving my country,” Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said. “I am proud of the work I am doing in the Navy.”
Looking ahead, Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said he intends to continue serving as long as he feels he is making a positive impact.
“I plan on continuing my career in the Navy until I feel satisfied with what I have accomplished,” Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said.
Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez also credited his wife, Jenesis Leon, for supporting his Navy career.
“I would like to thank my wife, Jenesis Leon,” Petty Officer Rodriguez Valdez said. “She always pushed me to continue getting better in the Navy and in life. When I have bad days, she is the motivation I need to continue to grow in the Navy.”
