Local & Region
American Legion honors sailor who credits superiors for achievement.
Despite diligent effort that has reaped well-deserved rewards, a 10-year veteran sailor here lavished praise on her commanders for helping her attain the demeanor that recently earned her accolades.
“Remember nobody makes it alone so I thank all the leaders who helped me in making it to the top,” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Susana Saenz at the Naval Air Facility El Centro.
Saenz won the 2017 American Legion Auxiliary Department of California Active-Duty Servicewoman of the Year for the state region in the Salute to Service Women category representing the U.S. Navy on June 23. She was nominated by U.S. Navy veteran Kim Vincent.
“We are very proud of her,” said Vincent. “Susana joined the American Legion Auxiliary Bradley-Keffer Unit 138 Holtville over a year ago. She inspires me when I see her in the community. She is very professional.”
Saenz was also nominated for the national level and won on July 11. She travels to the 97th annual Auxiliary Convention, August 22 to the Reno/Sparks Convention Center to be presented with her award.
“You know what, I prayed on it,” said Saenz. “I thought it was meant to be. After nominated, I said, we’re going to Reno. I was just proclaiming on it (like you do through faith). I joke around sarcastically and then it turns out to be true and I thought, it’s amazing.”
And for Saenz, success seems to breed more success. On Monday she was promoted to petty officer first class. Confiding she was humbled by the promotion, Saenz noted everybody has a grander function in life and she is being used for a larger purpose through the military. Yet she never forgot where she came from. She always looked up to her older sister who was passionate about everything and family oriented. But Saenz has a lot of mentors in the Navy and she is really grateful to her officer in charge.
“Lt. Blake Whetstone is officer in charge of my command at NAF,” she said. “I really thank him. I work for him as a career counselor and it is a very demanding job. For him to keep me at this position, he has shown faith in me.”
Yet her auxiliary work is off-duty participation she must juggle with base responsibilities as well as caring for her 9-year old son Reymundo. “I really believe in the mission of the auxiliary but most of their work the public doesn’t see, like fundraising for the Veteran’s Day Parade,” she said. “But we also contribute to care packages for vets groups and do fundraisers for vets’ families going through hospice or Easter baskets of toiletries for veterans in retirement homes.”
And if Saenz carries any bias, it is only for the Navy, the best branch of service, she insisted. And that is because the Navy is advancing more opportunities for women in service. “But there’s never been a woman as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, that’s my goal,” said Saenz.
After three years at NAFEC Saenz feels, “I’m just holding down the port.” In a few months’ time she will ship out on the USS Boxer, a mini-carrier with aircraft such as Ospreys and Harriers.
“I look forward to the challenges that await me,” she said. “I can’t wait to get back to the fleet.”