Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Butler | 210816-N-WU807-1026 MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 16, 2021) Command Senior Chief Donald...... read more read more
MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 26, 2021) -- A Manila, Philippines, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the deployed Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) that pulled into the port of his hometown, 6-7 Aug.
Command Senior Chief Donald Alvarado was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Tucson, Ariz., where he graduated from high school in 1996, moved back to the Philippines to attend De La Salle University, and finally moved back to the United States to join the U.S. Navy in 1999.
“Initially, I joined for free education and the opportunity to travel the world,” said Alvarado. “But in reality, I wanted to be disciplined, I wanted to be challenged, and I wanted to be able to do my best and be part of something bigger than myself.”
Now, Alvarado is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Charleston.
“I am the direct advisor to the Commanding Officer on the formulation and implementation of policies, morale and welfare, command climate, training, and enforcement of good order and discipline for USS Charleston Gold Crew,” said Alvarado.
On Aug. 16, the Charleston stopped in the port of Manila, and was the first commissioned U.S. Navy warships ship to do so since 2019.
“Manila is one of the best ports to visit in the Pacific,” said Alvarado. “A wide variety of cuisines, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and the best tourist attractions. Unfortunately, we were not able to see much of what Philippines has to offer due to COVID-19 restrictions currently in place, but overall, I am humble and appreciative of the opportunity given to us to visit Philippines.”
Even with the restrictions from COVID-19, Alvarado said he was able to get plenty of value from his visit.
“I am ecstatic to be from the Philippines and to be visiting my home town for a port visit,” said Alvarado. “I am reminded of what I was taught prior to joining from my elders- toughness, humility and to be happy. Combining that with what I have learned since I joined the Navy 22 years ago, I know to appreciate the things that really matter the most- your family, friends and shipmates. These are the people that keep me afloat.”
The Philippines visit is a continuation of the relationship as treaty allies, and furthers the friendship, partnership and alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines. The U.S. routinely participates in 300 bilateral engagements a year, from expert exchanges to ship visits, to component exercises and major training exercises such as Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) and Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama.
Charleston is on a rotational deployment from San Diego, under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, supporting Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7. Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2021 07:45 |
| Story ID: | 403861 |
| Location: | MANILA, PH |
| Hometown: | MANILA, PH |
| Hometown: | TUCSON, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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