SANTA RITA, Guam – A 2013 Centro de Bachillerato Tecnolologico Industrial y de Servicios (CBTIS) no. 155, Baja California, Mexico, graduate and National City, California native is providing a critical maintenance capability to the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific as part of a hybrid crew of sailors and civilian mariners working aboard the expeditionary submarine tender, USS Frank Cable.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Gilberto Arechigaguzman is a hospital corpsman aboard the Guam-based submarine tender, one of only two such ships in the U.S. Navy. The Frank Cable and its crew provides maintenance and resupply capabilities both in port and at sea.
A Navy hospital corpsman is responsible for the prevention and treatment of disease and injury, assisting health care professionals in providing medical care to personnel, conducting preliminary physical examinations, performing medical administrative, supply and accounting procedures, and maintaining treatment records and reports.
“I enjoy my job because I’m capable of taking care of people who are injured or sick,” said Arechigaguzman. “I’m there for them and care for them and if I can’t help them I will guide them to get the help they need.”
Arechigaguzman credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in National City.
“My family taught me to never give up and always keep moving forward, give 100 percent of what you have,” said Arechigaguzman. “Always have a good attitude towards other people.”
Guam is also home to four Los Angeles-class attack submarines, Frank Cable’s primary clients, but the ship can also provide repair and logistic services to other Navy ships like cruisers and destroyers. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, temporary berthing services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
With a crew of more than 600, Frank Cable is 649 feet long and weighs approximately 23,493 tons.
According to officials at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy personnel forward-deployed to Guam are part of the world’s largest fleet command and serve in a region critical to U.S. national security. The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. All told, there are more than 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the Pacific.
The integrated crew of sailors and civilian mariners builds a strong fellowship while working alongside each other. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.
“The best part about being on this ship is getting to know an entirely new culture of people I wasn’t used to,” said Arechigaguzman. “Getting to know new people, travel, and meeting new people is such a great experience.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Arechigaguzman is most proud of being accessible to those in need.
“I strive in giving people my time, volunteering and coaching in sports,” said Arechigaguzman. “I enjoy seeing how people can get the help or guidance and develop. I like to know that I was a positive impact on their life.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Arechigaguzman and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“As soon as I joined I felt like the Navy is a giant family, the camaraderie we have is the best,” Arechigaguzman said.
