By Lt. j.g. Garrison Wendlberger, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Teana Cubos, a native of Galesburg, Illinois, serves aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego, California.
Cubos graduated from Galesburg High School in 2007.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Galesburg.
“My hometown is a very close-knit community,” Cubos said. “We are very family-oriented and always build one another up. This helped me create a great sense of community for my sailors and has helped ensure I am supporting them in every capacity that I can.”
Cubos joined the Navy twelve years ago. Today, Cubos serves as a Navy counselor.
“I joined the Navy to experience the world since I am from a small town in Illinois,” Cubos said. “After graduating college, I also wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had a friend who was joining the Navy and she mentioned it could help pay back my schooling. The Air Force recruiter didn’t respond but after reaching out to the Navy recruiter, I decided it was the right choice.”
Amphibious assault ships, such as USS Essex, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group / Expeditionary Strike Group.
Resembling a small aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ships offer the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement, provide humanitarian assistance and support major combat operations. More than 1,000 serve aboard USS Essex with an additional 1,200 Marines capable of being embarked.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Cubos has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was in my previous rate,” Cubos said. “Before I became a career counselor, I was an airframer for the E-2/C-2, MH-60’s and F-18’s. In 2017, I was part of a team where I repaired so many tires that I was referred to as the ‘Tire Queen’. I am proud of that because I had an amazing team beside me and I was able to receive a Navy Achievement Medal for our efforts on the USS Nimitz.”
Cubos serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Cubos said. “It was an amazing opportunity to fulfill my mission and see the direct impact of my efforts. The opportunities I have been provided have been endless. Not only professionally, but personally, the Navy has provided so many essential friendships that mean the world to me. Serving also means reaching heights that I couldn’t have imagined as an individual and leader.”
Cubos is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom first and foremost,” Cubos said. “She supported me from the very beginning while I was establishing my career. I also want to thank the friends I’ve made along the way who help make me better every day regardless of what is going on.”
Cubos offered words of advice for those considering a Navy career.
“The military is what you make of it,” Cubos added. “Coming in with an open mind is essential. Everyone joins for a different reason, but remembering why you are here will help make the longer days more bearable. I have learned more about myself through my career than I could’ve imagined. It is one of the best decisions I have made to this day.”
***Courtesy of Megan Lemly; Navy Office of Community Outreach***
