A Houston, Texas, native serves at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chief Petty Officer Elicio Catalan joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Catalan serves as an air traffic controller.

“I wanted to do something bigger,” said Catalan. “I was the first one in my family to join the Navy. I had a tough background and needed to get out and find something that had meaning.”

Growing up in Houston, Catalan attended Tomball High School and graduated in 2002. Today, Catalan finds the values in Houston similar to those needed to succeed in the military.

“I learned that no matter how low you may feel in that moment, there’s always better things,” said Catalan. “I don’t take anything for granted. I came from nothing, and the Navy enables us to learn and master a skill.”

These lessons have helped Catalan while serving at NAS Jacksonville.

On Oct. 15, 1940, NAS Jacksonville was officially commissioned, and became the first part of the Jacksonville Navy complex that would also include NAS Cecil Field and Naval Station Mayport.

According to Navy officials, the mission of NAS Jacksonville is to enable warfighter readiness focused directly on support of operational units aboard the base and throughout the fleet.

NAS Jacksonville consists of more than 100 tenant commands and is one of the largest employers in the area. It contributes to the growth and prosperity of Northeast Florida with an economic impact of more than $2 billion annually.

Serving in the Navy means Catalan is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“We are here for defense and protection,” said Catalan. “That’s the purpose of ships deploying to keep our country protected.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.

“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”

There are many accomplishments that come with military service, and Catalan is most proud of being selected to chief petty officer.

“Making chief is a huge milestone for an enlisted person,” said Catalan. “It’s an elite group to be deemed good enough to be a part of.”

As Catalan and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“The Navy means everything to me, and I learned a very valuable skill,” added Catalan. “My whole life has been the Navy. The Navy has provided for me and my family. The Navy has pushed me and allowed me to grow, mature and gain wisdom, and every day we get to pass that along to others.”