states d e t ni
r Chief Ship’s Serviceman o l i a S Angela Zamora steps into
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the spotlight while serving as the Executive Assistant for the MCPON, Fleet Forces By Ensign Amber Lynn Daniel, Navy Diversity and Inclusion Public Affairs and MC1(SW/AW) Phil Beaufort, U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs
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wenty years ago, if you’d told Chief Petty Officer Angela Zamora that she would be serving as the Executive Assistant for the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), she wouldn’t believe you. But today, after a long and noteworthy career as a Ship’s Serviceman, that is exactly what she’s doing. Born in Ecuador, Zamora left her native country in 1995 at age 15. Leaving behind all that she knew, Zamora immigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother, with the goal of becoming naturalized American citizens.
Like many immigrants, Zamora’s story is one of perseverance. After Zamora and her family left Ecuador, they moved in with her grandmother in Jersey City, N.J., and both parents began working two jobs. That determination rubbed off on their children, with Zamora earning a college scholarship. She began working toward a degree in the medical field, but life took an unexpected turn while she was sitting in a Navy recruiter’s office with her brother. “My younger brother began talking to Navy recruiters about enlisting,” said Zamora. “What I didn’t realize at the time
was that while the recruiter was explaining everything to my brother, he was also recruiting me. The idea of traveling the world and being independent was very attractive.” Zamora joined the Navy in the summer of 2000. Despite her parent’s initial concerns, on the day she left for boot camp, her family gathered to give her their full support. “My dad said, ‘You chose to go into the Navy, so you are going to have to be strong. Do whatever you need to do, but be successful at it,” said Zamora. After boot camp, Zamora excelled during her time at Ship’s Serviceman “A” school, graduating near the top of her class. “I was offered the chance to choose my first duty station out of “A” school, and they had a billet available aboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in La Maddalena, Italy,” said Zamora. “It was the best first duty station anyone could ask for, but I really thought I was going to do one enlistment in the Navy and then get out, but that first tour made me fall in love with the Navy.” After three years aboard Emory S. Land, Zamora received orders to guidedmissile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) in Mayport, Fla., as a third class petty officer. She realized she needed the advice of her senior enlisted Sailors if she was going to reach her goals and found the right chief to be a mentor. “Due to my previous sea time, my orders aboard Roosevelt were only for a year and a half, so I focused on getting my warfare pins as quickly as possible,” Zamora said.
tt The four 2011 Navy Sailors of the Year arrive along with the official party for the Sailor of the Year advancement ceremony. (MC2 Thomas L. Rosprim/USN)
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Fall 2012 • Surface Warfare magazine