Petty Officer first class Kimberly O'Neal, a native of Glendale, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Southwest Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego.

O'Neal graduated from Maryvale High School in 2017 in Phoenix. She joined the Navy six years ago, and today serves as a engineman.

“I was looking to explore other options and to see the world,” stated O'Neal in a press release.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Glendale, she said.

“From my parents, I learned the importance of structure and always doing the right thing,” O'Neal said.

SWRMC is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command that provides ship maintenance, modernization, technical support and training for the Pacific Fleet.

NAVSEA manages more than 150 acquisition programs and has more than 75,000 civilian and military employees at 33 activities in 16 states and three overseas continents.

Approximately 90% of global commerce travels by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables,

O'Neal said she is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my mom for always praying for me wherever I go,” O'Neal said. “I also want to thank my dad for his support and always being willing to listen to me.”