The United States of America is a country of opportunity and dreams for people coming from different corners of the world seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
One of these people is Chief Logistics Specialist Ubaldo S. Huaromo, who has served in the
U.S. Navy honorably for more than 24 years. Born in
Ancash (Peru) on May 16, 1966, he immigrated to the U.S. in August of 1988 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1996.
Stationed onboard
Diego Garcia, Huaromo is the Fleet Logistics Center Senior Enlisted Leader, and is currently the Material Management Division Leading Chief Petty Officer and Transportation Officer.
Huaromo is a proud American and a proud chief, who considers it an honor to be one of "the few, the chosen."
After acquiring a job in a travel agency, he was able to come to the U.S., arriving in Maryland in 1988 on his own. Huaromo spoke little English and worked multiple jobs before following his favorite quote by the late President John F. Kennedy that says "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," and enlisted into the military service of his adopted country.
He has had a long naval career, originally coming in as an undesignated airman recruit at 30 years old.
"I always had in mind to join the Armed Forces, and I never thought that dream would ever become a reality," Huaromo expressed.
He eventually struck aviation storekeeper, which transitioned to storekeeper and then logistics specialist, the current name of the rating.
After enlisting in the Navy, Huaromo brought his wife and two children from
Peru to the U.S. He made E-5 in three years, and was considered a Sailor on a fast track to success. He went on to be selected as 2011 Sailor of the Year for Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, Site Rota (Spain).
Shortly after, the Peruvian-born was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in August 2012. He said that it wasn’t only the Navy that made him chief, but the Sailors he’s served with, both junior and senior.
"The Navy only selects the best of the best to be a chief, and I was one of them," he stated. "I never thought I was going to be able to achieve this rank."
As a chief, Huaromo said that mission comes first, his Sailors second, and himself last.
"For me, working under Chief Huaromo has been really exciting especially since he’s been in the military for 24 years," Logistic Specialist Seaman Apprentice Adrian Marquez remarked. "He's always passing down a lot of knowledge to me and letting me know how I can better myself and be a better Sailor."
"I'm not the typical Peruvian or American, nor the typical Peruvian-American," Huaromo stated. "I'm just me, a low profile and humble chief who thinks and cares about others first before I think and care about myself. Militarily, the mission comes first. Everything else is secondary."
He also affirmed that to him money isn't everything, and what makes him happy is doing a job well so he expects his Sailors to do the same.
"Whenever I make a mistake, I know that he won't get too mad at me right away," Marquez expressed. "Instead, he'll communicate with me and let me know how I can do better."
Huaromo said that he and his Sailors work together, coming up with new ways to complete the mission.
"I always tell my Sailors to find what you love to do. Once you find it, do what you are supposed to do, and be where you are supposed to be, and have a good and positive attitude," he noted. "With that, you will be good but, maybe, not good enough to get promoted quickly and move up in rank."
Huaromo tells his Sailors that if they want to be promoted quickly and move up in rank, they must be better than their peers, and go above and beyond expectations.
Marquez also said that he feels lucky to have Huaromo as his chief, saying that he is always positive and looks out for all his Sailors.
"I will truly miss my Navy, my great Navy! The Navy of the United States of America, the most powerful naval force of the world. God bless America now and forever," he expressed.
After having the opportunity to seek out a better future for himself and his family and falling in love with the United States of America, Huaromo is retiring from the Navy in December 2020 after more than 24 years of honorable service.