A Peoria native is supporting the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific Northwest.

Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Spilker serves in the Navy assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 9 at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington, homeport of west coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.

Spilker graduated from Sunrise Mountain High School in 2007.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Peoria, according to a news release.

“One lesson I have learned is to keep a positive attitude,” Spilker said. “Working at a gas station, I was in many difficult situations that taught me to continue to have a positive outlook no matter the environment I was in. I continue to keep this mindset in the Navy.”

Spilker joined the Navy 19 years ago and now serves as an information systems technician.

“I joined the Navy to travel and see more of the world,” Spilker said. “I have been to many beautiful places during my career in the Navy.”