SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Shane Regenold, a graduate of Ridgeview High, serves aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.

Equipped with a full flight deck and more than 60 aircraft, including attack fighter jets and helicopters, aircraft carriers are among the largest warships in the world.

Regenold joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Regenold serves as a personnel specialist.

“I joined the Navy for the benefits, including education opportunities,” said Regenold.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.

“I learned the importance of hard work and to always be respectful to others,” said Regenold.

Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere in the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility, and combat capability in its air wing.

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 America's rich fabric.

Regenold serves a Navy that operates forward, worldwide and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together, we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Regenold has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’ve earned two Navy Achievement Medals (NAM),” said Regenold. “I earned the first NAM for my work during an inspection last year. The most recent NAM I earned for my primary job working with personnel.”

Regenold can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy offers the opportunity to meet so many different people making similar sacrifices to support the mission,” said Regenold.

Regenold is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my wife, Midori, for always being there for me and supporting me in my career,” Regenold said. “I’d also like to thank my parents, Tracey and Patrick, for their love and support. They’re only a phone call away and were one of the people who originally encouraged me to join the military.”