Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaac Valencia, a native of Glendale, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to the “Sea Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Valencia graduated from Raymond S. Kellis High School in 2023.

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

“I learned grit, because where I’m from, you see the best of both worlds,” Valencia stated in a press release. “You see people doing really well, but you also see people who have taken a wrong turn. It taught me to be a little more gritty. I applied that to my job in the Navy. Even just getting my job, you have to stay focused and not give up when you’re going through the selection course. It’s really difficult.”

Valencia joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Valencia serves as a naval air crewman (helicopter).

“I’m proud of getting through Rescue Swimmer school,” Valencia stated. “It was the foundation to have the opportunity to save lives and do cool stuff like shoot a gun outside of the helicopter.”

The “Sea Knights” of HSC-22 fly and maintain the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime platform. Their missions include airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, combat logistics and medevac.

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

“I want to thank my mother, Griselda Valencia, for always being supportive and always willing to lend a hand,” Valencia stated. “From youth football to now, while I’m here, she’s always sending me love and checking up on me.”