By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SASEBO, Japan - Seaman Juliana Castro, a native of Houston, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy in Japan.

Castro attended Alief Taylor High School and graduated in 2022.

Castro joined the Navy one year ago.

“I joined the Navy to explore and get a chance to see new places and meet new people and help those who need help,” said Castro.

Today, Castro serves as a master at arms with Commander Fleet Activity Sasebo.

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.

“I learned that whatever you give, you're going to get it back,” said Castro. “I also learned you never know where a person is coming from, there's a lot more to their story."

According to Navy officials, Commander Fleet Activity Sasebo empowers forward-deployed U.S. and Allied Forces while providing superior support to military members and their families.

Castro serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence," said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. "Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend - across all domains - any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being."

As a member of the Navy, Castro is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to national defense because the Navy definitely provides support all around,” said Castro. "We protect our land, our waters and our people."

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

“Serving in the Navy means growth, adulting and taking that step in life,” said Castro. "Entering the Navy was a change for the better and for my future."

Castro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank Byron Conner,” added Castro. "He was a retired master at arms and a lieutenant. He definitely took me under his wing and pointed me in the right direction. He was always there for me when I needed advice."