Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) selected Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Laura Monroy as its fiscal year (FY) 2019 Sea Blue Jacket of the Year.
After completing Naval Training Center (NTC) in 2017, Monroy spent approximately one year on temporary additional duty assignments aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), assisting in the ships workups. She returned to FRCSW in May.
"I found out I was selected for the award while on deployment on the Stennis. I was very excited and a bit anxious to get back so I could receive it," she said. "And I'm also thankful for my mentor AT2 (Zachary) Purdie who really helped me. He taught me everything I know, and even when I wasn't with him face-to-face, he really pushed me to learn."
Monroy currently works in the intermediate-level AT shop in Building 463 where she maintains and repairs communication devices, radar systems and night vision goggles.
"She's a quick learner and the most motivated person in our shop," said work center supervisor AT2 Purdie. "She's earned all of the qualifications she's eligible for here and all of those while she was on the Stennis."
A native San Diegan, Monroy chose to enlist in the Navy in her hometown in 2016; continuing a family tradition of military service as her father and grandfather served in the Army and her brother in the Marine Corps.
" joined the Navy because it was a good opportunity for me, my family, and I wanted to see the world and hopefully be assigned in San Diego, which I've been lucky enough to do," she said.
Prior to joining the Navy, the 24-year-old Sailor attended Southwestern College for about three years and intends to complete an associate degree, then a bachelor degree while pursuing her naval career.
Monroy's advice to younger Sailors graduating NTC is to be hands-on in their rate and constantly be aware of the resources available to them.
"I'd tell them to ask a lot of questions. Anybody can teach you anything, whether it's somebody the same rank as you, or a first class who's been in for 17 years, you can learn little things from everybody, and you've got to take all of that for granted and pay attention and absorb that knowledge."
n her free time, Monroy enjoys cooking, exercising and spending time with her parents who also live in San Diego.