Petty Officer 2nd Class Simon Cuevas, left, receives a frocking letter during a promotion ceremony from Capt. Christina Hicks, commanding officer of Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command. Photo courtesy of Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, TN (MPG) – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to California for Sacramento Navy Week, March 17 to 23, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the City of Trees.

While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Simon Cuevas, a native of Rancho Cordova.

Cuevas graduated from Cordova High School in 2020. Upon joining the Navy, Cuevas quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Rancho Cordova were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.

“From family to friends, to teachers, every single relationship molded me into the person I have become,” Cuevas said. “My older brother, Carlos Cuevas, served as an example of extreme work ethic. My mom and dad served as a level head and kept me balanced at all times. They have been instrumental in my success in the Navy.”

Cuevas, who joined the Navy four years ago, is assigned to Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command located in Suffolk, Virginia.

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to join the military,” Cuevas said. “After four years in the Navy, the reasons for my service have grown and changed over time. With three sisters actively serving, all of us in different fields and locations, the Navy has meant family. With the amount of people I've met and relationships built, the Navy has meant friends.”

Cuevas is part of the fifth Navy Week to be hosted by Sacramento, with the last visit in 2018. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.

“Participating in my hometown's Navy Week is personally important,” Cuevas said. “From growing up wanting to leave my hometown, then having the realization there's no other place I'd rather be. I love where I'm from and it serves as a reminder that all the success I gain in my endeavors is strictly because I grew up here.”

As of March 11, Cuevas serves as an information systems technician.

“I work on securing my command networks through Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) while also troubleshooting computer software and hardware discrepancies,” Cuevas said. "I train sailors in qualifications I've achieved and mentor junior sailors. I usually work through lunch but it's mainly because work doesn't feel like work when you're surrounded by great people.”

Cuevas has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.

“My proudest accomplishment achieved while in the Navy was becoming a father,” Cuevas said. “The Navy allows me the opportunity to take care of and raise my son. With the support and understanding from my chain of command, I've been able to provide for and support my family.”

Cuevas is grateful for the Rancho Cordova community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my entire family, including my grandmother, parents and my siblings,” Cuevas added. “Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I've had the benefit of being the youngest of five and being taken care of and raised by everyone. For that, I will always be thankful for every way they impacted my life.”

 

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Sacramento.

“As we celebrate 250 years of naval tradition and excellence as a maritime nation, we recognize it’s the combination of the world’s most sophisticated weapons systems, and more importantly our highly skilled people – at sea and ashore – who provide an unmatched advantage in promoting prosperity and security, deterring aggression and protecting the American way of life,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “Your sailors continue a tradition of decisive power from seabed to space, and we’re thrilled to bring them to Sacramento so you can witness their tremendous character, competence and dedication firsthand.”

Sacramento Navy Week events include a Navy Week proclamation and recognition ceremony at the West Sacramento City Hall, Navy 250th birthday and Navy Week activations at Sacramento Kings and Sacramento Republic FC games, Navy exhibits at the California Railroad Museum, Midtown Farmers Market, Westlake Food Truck Mania, Sacramento Children’s Museum and SMUD Museum. Free live music at venues throughout the city performed by Navy Band Southwest. Sailors will also volunteer with organizations such YMCA, River City Water Alliance, Improve Your Tomorrow, YOLO and River City Food Banks, Sacramento Zoo, ReBuilding Sacramento, and Loaves and Fishes among others.