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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 12:09 am
Class “zero-five-zero” made it. We earned our seats at our graduation from the Defense Information School (DINFOS). We were an unusual class comprised of many college graduates which made things all the more competitive between us. In many ways expectations at the schoolhouse had become greater because of us. We stuck together as a team unlike many of the prior classes. We were friends, colleagues, and enlisted sailors striving to become Mass Communication Specialists. We shot video day and night. We learned advanced photography within a matter of weeks. We learned the inner workings of Adobe programs and created our own websites. We scrutinized our news stories for style guide mistakes. We learned all this as quickly as we possibly could because the United States Navy entrusted us to tell its story.
Soon thereafter, my friends and I were all on planes headed for different places all across the world. I received orders to a small island seven degrees south of the equator. This island, known as Diego Garcia, is the Navy’s best kept secret. Its location within British Indian Ocean Territory makes it a hub for replenishment in support of regional conflicts. Submarines and aircraft continuously transit through. As a sailor working at the American Forces Network I acted as a radio personality informing and entertaining all service members here.
“Good Morning Diego Garcia! This is Seaman Luis Rodriguez also known as DJ Louie here on the midday show! Hopefully you all had a wonderful weekend. Anyone out there participate in the four on four volleyball tournament yesterday? I sure had a lot of fun and hopefully you did too! Well anyways, I have four hours of great music and vital command information coming your way so stay tuned on the world famous power 99.1! Up next, Mat Kearney with “Nothing Left to Lose.”
For the duration of my one year tour I was instrumental in putting service members in touch with home. Due to the island's remote location many service members dealt with emotional hardship. I often provided information on suicide prevention, how to get in touch with counselors and chaplains, and resources to deal with stress and anxiety. The slogan “One Team, One Island, One Mission,” was huge here. Boosting morale and keeping people actively involved within the community was vital for the atmosphere here. Maintaining this environment was my responsibility. It was my job.
Receiving comments such as, “You played my favorite song,” or “Cool interview with the retired NFL players,” really brightened my day. Representing the people here is what put a smile on my face and it was my mission. Ever since my time at DINFOS, I have thought about how, “Everyone has a story to tell and it’s your job to tell them all.” A few significant stories that I covered aboard Diego Garcia were the service members running a marathon in support of the victims from the Boston bombings, the sailor who overcame alcoholism and was promoted, and the hard-at-work Seabees building an extension to the ship store.
My small contribution to the service members here has been rewarding. I often think about how many people I speak to on their drive to the airfield that soon after deploy to war zones. The last song or message they hear was from my doing. I may just be a pawn in this great game of chess, but I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
As Captain Matthew Vandersluis the Commanding Officer of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia told me in an interview, “I expect them [the sailors here] to understand they wear the cloth of the nation and this isn’t just a job. No matter what you’re doing on the base, whether you’re the commanding officer or doing a routine admin task— this is important to our country. This base is vital and we’re out here in the Indian Ocean for a reason. It’s an honor to be here and be a part of this nation and this uniform and service.” His words struck me. It may not come across the same in writing, but I found them inspiring.
Serving my country has been my greatest accomplishment. I knew in signing my name on that dotted line that I would have to adapt to an unfamiliar lifestyle. I joined because I believed I would come out a stronger, more disciplined, and virtuous person. Going to law school has been something I have been thinking about for the last five years. When I graduated college at twenty years of age I did not believe I was ready. I did not think I had the maturity, discipline, or work ethic required of a law student. I have gone searching for these attributes and in looking for them I have traveled all over the world. With my new mindset and views I believe I am prepared for anything life may throw at me.
Soon thereafter, my friends and I were all on planes headed for different places all across the world. I received orders to a small island seven degrees south of the equator. This island, known as Diego Garcia, is the Navy’s best kept secret. Its location within British Indian Ocean Territory makes it a hub for replenishment in support of regional conflicts. Submarines and aircraft continuously transit through. As a sailor working at the American Forces Network I acted as a radio personality informing and entertaining all service members here.
“Good Morning Diego Garcia! This is Seaman Luis Rodriguez also known as DJ Louie here on the midday show! Hopefully you all had a wonderful weekend. Anyone out there participate in the four on four volleyball tournament yesterday? I sure had a lot of fun and hopefully you did too! Well anyways, I have four hours of great music and vital command information coming your way so stay tuned on the world famous power 99.1! Up next, Mat Kearney with “Nothing Left to Lose.”
For the duration of my one year tour I was instrumental in putting service members in touch with home. Due to the island's remote location many service members dealt with emotional hardship. I often provided information on suicide prevention, how to get in touch with counselors and chaplains, and resources to deal with stress and anxiety. The slogan “One Team, One Island, One Mission,” was huge here. Boosting morale and keeping people actively involved within the community was vital for the atmosphere here. Maintaining this environment was my responsibility. It was my job.
Receiving comments such as, “You played my favorite song,” or “Cool interview with the retired NFL players,” really brightened my day. Representing the people here is what put a smile on my face and it was my mission. Ever since my time at DINFOS, I have thought about how, “Everyone has a story to tell and it’s your job to tell them all.” A few significant stories that I covered aboard Diego Garcia were the service members running a marathon in support of the victims from the Boston bombings, the sailor who overcame alcoholism and was promoted, and the hard-at-work Seabees building an extension to the ship store.
My small contribution to the service members here has been rewarding. I often think about how many people I speak to on their drive to the airfield that soon after deploy to war zones. The last song or message they hear was from my doing. I may just be a pawn in this great game of chess, but I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
As Captain Matthew Vandersluis the Commanding Officer of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia told me in an interview, “I expect them [the sailors here] to understand they wear the cloth of the nation and this isn’t just a job. No matter what you’re doing on the base, whether you’re the commanding officer or doing a routine admin task— this is important to our country. This base is vital and we’re out here in the Indian Ocean for a reason. It’s an honor to be here and be a part of this nation and this uniform and service.” His words struck me. It may not come across the same in writing, but I found them inspiring.
Serving my country has been my greatest accomplishment. I knew in signing my name on that dotted line that I would have to adapt to an unfamiliar lifestyle. I joined because I believed I would come out a stronger, more disciplined, and virtuous person. Going to law school has been something I have been thinking about for the last five years. When I graduated college at twenty years of age I did not believe I was ready. I did not think I had the maturity, discipline, or work ethic required of a law student. I have gone searching for these attributes and in looking for them I have traveled all over the world. With my new mindset and views I believe I am prepared for anything life may throw at me.