U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM (May 5, 2024) – Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Madrid, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is serving with Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 in support of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75 in Guam.
Madrid graduated from Green Run High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Virginia Beach.
“My dad became a Navy chief back when I was still in middle school,” said Madrid. “So the hard stuff in Navy life came pretty easily for me because I lived with a certain level of discipline. I was already prepared for what it would be like.”
Madrid joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Madrid serves as a construction electrician.
“I’m from a Navy family, and I wasn’t particularly good at school,” said Madrid. “So I joined because I like being a ‘grunt,’ I guess. With the Seabees, we’re working in construction. We’re working on projects, I’m good at taking orders, I’m content with just getting stuff done.”
CTF 75 executes command and control of assigned Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the 7th Fleet area of operations. They plan and execute Naval Construction, Expeditionary Logistics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Maritime Expeditionary Security, and Exploitation in support of Commander, 7th Fleet for crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and major combat operations.”
The Mission of CTF 75 is to command and control assigned Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the 7th Fleet area of operations; serve as the forward Navy Expeditionary Force Headquarters for crisis response and major combat operations; plan and execute the full spectrum
Expeditionary combat, combat support, combat service support operations in order to execute Commander 7th fleet lines of operation.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Madrid serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Madrid has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud to always be working on multiple projects,” said Madrid. “I’m an electrician, but I’ve had the chance to also do a lot of out-of-rate work. I’m just happy to be able to contribute to the military’s construction mission in a lot of different ways.”
Madrid can take pride in serving America through military service.
“When you’re serving, every day brings something different,” said Madrid. “You find a new reason to motivate you every time you put the uniform on. You’re helping the person to your right or left, you’re working on new things, you’re taking on volunteer opportunities. It keeps you on your toes.”
Madrid is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, of course, and my neighbors, too,” added Madrid. “They told me all about the cool stuff they did as Seabees and they got me interested in the value of developing my understanding of a skilled trade within the service.”
By Navy Office of Community Outreach