MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriella Pauzuolis, a native of Laurel, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 16.
Pauzuolis graduated from Reservoir High Schoolin 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Laurel.
“During my transition from college to joining the Navy, I worked at a behavioral health clinic where I got to see firsthand the benefits those services had on patients,” said Pauzuolis. “It really showed me the power of paying attention to people and how kindness can help people. Here in the Navy, I feel like a personal connection with a sailor can often be overlooked. However, being able to connect with sailors goes a long way and it is an important part of succeeding at our missions.”
Pauzuolis joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Pauzuolis serves as an intelligence specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I dropped out of college and I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps,” said Pauzuolis. “My dad was a hospital corpsman in the Navy and most of my uncles and cousins on my dad’s side were also in the military.”
Members of VP 16 fly and maintain the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. P-8A aircraft around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
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.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Pauzuolis has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is being able to build personal connections with people,” said Pauzuolis. “Being a true advocate for junior sailors is what makes me the most proud.”
Pauzuolis 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 taking the good with the bad,” said Pauzuolis. “All the good things that come with serving, there are also bad. However, serving means taking the bad with the good and understanding the importance of what we are doing. It means pride and being able to hunker down and get the mission done at the end of the day. I am proud to serve my country’s navy.”
Pauzuolis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Serafina and Keith,” added Pauzuolis. “They have done a lot for me from phone calls to sending me wrapped Christmas presents on deployment. I also want to thank my husband, Dominic, for being understanding and supportive of my deployments. Lastly, I want to thank the lead petty officer at my first command, Chief Information Systems Technician Maguire. He has been my mentor and a pillar of my career. Most of the tools I have in my Navy career are from him”