| Service Photo |
Service Details |
|
|
|
Current Service Status
USN Veteran
|
Current/Last Rank
Petty Officer Second Class
|
Current/Last Primary NEC
BM-0000-Boatswain's Mate
|
Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Boatswain's Mate
|
Primary Unit
1997-1999, BM-0000, NAVSUBASE New London/Groton
|
Service Years
1994 - 1999
|
| Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Order of the Rock
|
|
|
|
|
|
What are you doing now:
__________________________________________________________________________________
"...UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE." Admiral Chester Nimitz
 
|
| |
Other Comments:
THE FOLLOWING MEMORIAL PROFILES WERE CREATED AS FOLLOWS:
 WORLD WAR II (1941-1945)
Sailors who were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on December 7, 1941
Sailors who were killed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
Sailors who were killed aboard the USS Indianapolis CA-35 on July 30, 1945
Sailors who were killed at the West Loch Explosion on May 21, 1944
 KOREAN WAR (1950-1953)
Sailors who were MIA/KIA/POW during the Korean War that did not have any Next of Kin located
Sailors aboard the USS Pirate AM-275, who were Killed in Action on October 12, 1950
Sailors aboard the USS Pledge AM-277, who were Killed in Action on October 12, 1950
Sailor aboard the USS Ozbourn DD-846, who was Killed in Action on December 24, 1950
Sailors aboard the USS Partridge AMS-31, who were Killed in Action on February 2, 1951
Sailors aboard the USS Walke DD-723, who were Killed in Action on June 12, 1951
Sailors aboard the USS Brush DD-745, who went Missing in Action on September 26, 1951
Sailors aboard the USS Ernest G. Small DD-838, who were Killed in Action on October 7, 1951
Sailors aboard the USS Barton DD-722, who were Killed in Action on October 7, 1951
Sailor aboard the USS Samuel N. Moore DD-747, who went Missing in Action on November 6, 1951
Sailors aboard the USS Sarsi AT-111, who were Killed in Action on August 27, 1952
Sailors aboard the USS Barton DD-722, who were Killed in Action on December 16, 1952
|
| |
|
|
|
Reflections on PO2 Cervantes's
US Navy Service
|
| |
|
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
What influenced me the most to join the military was a photo of a US Soldier who was captured in Somalia and stripped of his clothes and tied like an animal and was pulled through the streets naked. Someone in the AP took a photo of the Somali's beating his naked body. As a high school kid, I cut that photo out of the newspaper and put it in my wallet. I carried it with me for almost 7 years until I lost my wallet falling overboard on my patrol craft in rough weather.
|
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
My original career path was to become the Chief of Naval Operations. My nickname used to be CNO. From my time as a "Crank", I would get decorated white cook hats with 4 stars on it. I had applied for a couple of OCS programs in my time. Big Dreams!
|
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
We were in support of all operations in Bosnia while in Italy. Those were times when the world kinda put up a blind eye to the inhumane killings going on there.
|
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There were two that stand out. My first was when I met Admiral Mike Boorda. Cool, calm and collected, the Seaman to Admiral met me, shook my hand and said when I grow up I could have his job. His stars were my focus. The second, December 26, 1995. Our ship had broken its moor in over 100 mph winds with a submarine alongside. We had no power to move the ship and were basically tied to the pier with 1 chain and a few pieces of rope. Not good.
|
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My first Navy Achievement was for the events of December 26, 1995. We took charge of the ships duty crew to save our asses. We could have drifted out to sea with no power and we would have been hosed in the middle of the night. Who knows what could have happened out there.
|
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Well, Admiral Mike Boorda stands out as the little man who moved up to do big things. The second was a BM1 named Mauricio Rueda. He was the BM that did it all and I wanted to do it. I did most of it by the time I made 3rd, so that was good. I still talk to him once in a while. Good man.
|
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Well, all the duty nights in La Maddalena on the boat runs, boat crews, good people, good times. I do, however, recall several times where those times were too nutty for the military. Is there any statute of limitations? Ha Ha!
|
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
My time was not really affiliated with what I did. I am a retired homicide detective and now work for TWS as a computer administrator. Back when I was in the military we didn't have the Internet. But overall, I have to say that I did it all. I was a firefighter, a military servicemember and a cop. I wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, but someone said you have to have a law degree.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It taught me that anyone, regardless of where you come from, can make a life for yourself. I grew up in Los Angeles and knew I didn't want that lifestyle and the Navy offered to get me out of there. I would never have changed that. One of the best decisions I have ever made.
|
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Stay strong and learn as much as possible. Never give up on school, always read, always keep disciplined and don't let anyone or anything hold you back.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
We had a tight group from overseas and still do to this day. TWS has fostered many friendships that we have to this day. Social media is everywhere, but where the line is drawn is when you have credible clean sites that offer those memories to be told the way they happened. TWS offers that avenue. DS 1/4/18
|
|
