By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach
KEYPORT, Wash. – Tucked away on a peninsula in the Pacific Northwest, sailors and engineers are working to extend the U.S. Navy’s reach and push the capabilities of unmanned vehicles.
Chief Petty Officer Anthony Guzman, a native of Minden, Louisiana, is one of the sailors assigned to Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group (UUVGRU) 1, the Navy’s first unmanned undersea group.
Guzman graduated from Minden High School in 2008.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Minden.
“Growing up, I learned that hard work and good interpersonal skills would carry me a long way,” Guzman said. “Those have allowed me to work with others despite personal differences. It has fostered good teamwork environments.”
Guzman joined the Navy 17 years ago and now serves as a fire control technician.
“I joined the Navy to see the world,” Guzman said. “My father was in the Army, so I was aware of some of the benefits the military offered, and the opportunity to travel was the main pull toward the Navy.”
Established in 2017, UUVGRU-1 develops, tests and operates rapidly deployable unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) to further the Navy’s underwater capabilities and learn more about the sea, according to Navy officials. These unmanned vehicles can go into environments that a human crew may not be able to safely or easily reach.
Based at Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, Washington, UUVGRU-1 operates various types of autonomous vehicles, from the small Iver series vehicles to the extra large 85-foot-long diesel-electric Orca vehicle. The sailors assigned to UUVGRU-1 are able to quickly modify and adapt the UUVs to fit the tasks set for them, personifying the command’s motto to “extend the reach” of the Navy’s manned vehicles, Navy officials said.
The Pacific Submarine Force provides strategic deterrence, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning and special warfare capabilities around the globe.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Guzman has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is advancing to chief petty officer,” Guzman said. “My father retired as an E-6 in the Army, and I’m the first in my family to achieve the rank of E-7.”
Guzman serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means being an example for others,” Guzman said. “In the Navy, I can connect with people from various backgrounds and help them in different ways. I can be an example of perseverance and bring my experience and mentorship.”
Guzman is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Danielle, she endured more than I could have asked her to,” Guzman said. “She pushed me to get past some hard obstacles. I would also like to thank my mom, Tammy, for always being supportive even when she didn’t know what was going on.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/Navy-250/