Kyren Mounsombath joined the Navy nine years ago and now serves as an operations specialist. Photo courtesy of Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO, CA (MPG) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyren Mounsombath, a native of Sacramento, serves aboard USS Oakland, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego.

Mounsombath graduated from River City High School in 2015.

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

“I learned to stay adaptable to my environment and the people I may work with,” Mounsombath said.

Mounsombath joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Mounsombath serves as an operations specialist.

“I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to college but my stepdad, Keo Thouchalanh, previously served in the Navy for 20 years as an electrician's mate and thought it would be better for me to join the Navy until I decided on what to do after my time in service,” Mounsombath said.

A Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Oakland is a fast and agile warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. Crews aboard the ship can operate unmanned aerial systems and unmanned underwater vehicles. These ships can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

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 the rich fabric of America.

Mounsombath has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment was doing live fire spotting from a helicopter on San Clemente Island,” Mounsombath said. "This helps the Navy by supporting their ground troops in doing this type of live fire weapons training."

Mounsombath serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means having the opportunities that I wouldn't have the chance to see, and it's helped me out when I wasn't sure how to move forward for myself,” Mounsombath said.

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

“I would like to thank my mother, Sally Thouchalanh, for supporting me and letting me join the Navy,” Mounsombath added.