Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Johnson | PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 4, 2022) – Damage Controlman 2nd Class Quiana Quezada, from...... read more read more
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A Norfolk, Virginia, native and 2015 graduate of Granby High School is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Quiana Quezada joined the Navy in 2019 as a damage controlman and is now forward-deployed aboard Barry to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
“I come from a military family, so the Navy was a pretty familiar thing for me,” said Quezada. “One of the reasons I joined the Navy was that I really wanted to travel. I’ve had the opportunity to be stationed in Hawaii, which was awesome, and to travel to Bahrain and now Japan.”
Quezada said she chose to enlist as a damage controlman after talking to family members with prior Navy experience.
“It was good having family with military experience so I could talk to them and make an informed decision on what might be the best option,” said Quezada. “My uncle was an engineer and was really helpful and wanted to make sure that I chose what was best for me.”
Damage controlmen are charged with a wide range of responsibilities, especially when assigned to a forward-deployed ship. Quezada said responding to casualties is among the most rewarding of those responsibilities.
“When things happen and we have to respond to help protect equipment or the ship itself, there’s a certain kind of energy,” said Quezada. “Everyone comes together and is motivated and ready to take on anything we might be up against.”
Damage controlman do much more than just respond to casualties and according to Quezada, some of the most important tasks are just part of the daily routine. As part of her daily watch checklist, Quezada takes lube oil samples and inspects them to make sure they meet quality standards.
“Routine checks are important because things can change very quickly on the ship,” said Quezada. “Things can be fine one minute, then go wrong the next. Taking samples ensures we are good to operate and helps keep equipment in working order.”
Quezada said one of the most valuable tools she has developed during her time in the Navy is knowing how to respond in the right way at the right time.
“I think it’s important to know how to work with different people and different environments and know how to adapt to something new every day,” said Quezada.
Barry is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2022 23:34 |
| Story ID: | 434259 |
| Location: | PHILIPPINE SEA |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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