In the Spotlight

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handler) 2nd Class Jennifer Ceballos, from San Diego, maintains an attitude of mission first, Sailor always. Her work ethic and outlook in the Navy has led to her being recognized ahead of her peers.

“A wise Chief Warrant Officer once said to me, ‘be at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform, and you will be successful,” said Ceballos. “Those words have been instilled in my brain since then as the basic foundation of being in the military but can also be applied to anything you face in life.”

Ceballos works in Air Operations at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG), and after being at the command for over two years, has many duties and responsibilities of a Sailor well above her paygrade.

“Working in airfield management occupies most of my mornings,” said Ceballos. “I make sure I contact any and all departments to acquire the inputs they have for a daily brief. I help with quality assurance of NASSIG’s airfield by conducting a daily inspection of the runways and aprons, and assure it is safe to conduct daily flight operations all while making the necessary calls to correct anything that may prohibit it. Additionally, I produce two daily products that are sent out to the triad along with all of our tenant commands. While that takes most of my mornings up, the rest of the day I spend coordinating any events happening in the airfield, upkeep the airfield by working with Public Works to fix any discrepancies and taking care of my collateral duties.”

Ceballos holds many collateral duties at NASSIG.

“I am one of NASSIG’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates, making sure to devote my help and assistance to any possible victims needing or requiring assistance every time I am on the watch bill, and conduct divisional and departmental SAPR training when it is required,” said Ceballos. “I am currently one of two of our department’s Information Assurance Officers, and this takes priority in my daily routine because I am responsible for new sailors needing computer access to be able to conduct daily duties. I am also one of NASSIG Color Guard participants and provide the presentation of colors in ceremonies around NASSIG and its tenant commands. I also hold other collateral duties such as alternate fire warden, alternate telecommunication officer, mail petty officer and divisional vehicle coordinator.”

Her hard work has left an impression on senior SAPR VA coordinator Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate William Garcia, Port Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.

“It has been a long time since I saw the Second Class with the initiative and the motivation to get things done,” said Garcia. “Her leadership skills have flourished within the Command, allowing her to mentor Sailors in and outside the department. Petty Officer Ceballos is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to help NAS Sigonella and the tenant’s Command succeed and complete the mission. Her efforts never cease with her attitude of mission first, sailors always. She is looked up to by her senior leadership, peers, and junior Sailors throughout the Command.”

Since being in the Navy, Ceballos has achieved many goals, and one of her proudest moments was qualifying as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and her favorite part of her job is working on the flight deck during flight operations. Serving in the Navy means to be brave, said Ceballos. “For those I love, I will sacrifice,” said Ceballos. “I know all the decisions and sacrifices I make one a daily like being away from home, and choosing certain career decisions that may put other things like starting a family on hold is a sacrifice that will pay its dues in the long run. Serving to me means sacrificing now so my and mine can