Petty Officer 2nd Class Kapri Besser, a Glendale native, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.

Besser joined the Navy over seven years ago. Today, Besser serves as a cryptologic technician (technical) aboard USS Makin Island.

“I joined the Navy because I needed a place where I could grow, learn and do more than just be a student in college,” Besser said. "My father was in the Navy. I saw what he accomplished and thought I could do the same."

Growing up in Glendale, Besser was a 2016 graduate of Apollo High School.

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Glendale.

“My hometown taught me that family just isn’t blood-related,” Besser said. "My parents worked with people we considered family and I carried that on. I also grew up learning to be accepting of everyone, and that has come with me everywhere that I've gone."

These lessons have helped Besser while serving aboard USS Makin Island.

Makin Island is an amphibious assault ship. According to Navy officials, these types of warships embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.

Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.

Besser and her fellow sailors have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is seeing how far I've come since starting my career,” Besser said. "I've had extremely difficult experiences that I’ve pushed through to keep moving forward. I've stayed kind-hearted through experiences that could have hardened me."