SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Simon, a native of New Iberia, Louisiana, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Tripoli operating out of San Diego.

Simon graduated from Westgate High School in 2010.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in New Iberia.

“I learned in my hometown to be open-minded about things,” said Simon. “In the Navy, you have to be open-minded because it helps you see the world from different perspectives.”

Simon joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Simon serves as an aviation support equipment technician.

“I joined the Navy to travel the world,” said Simon.

Tripoli is an amphibious assault carrier that provides presence and power projection as an integral part of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Maritime Expeditionary Forces. Supports Marine Air/Ground Task Force requirements, from small-scale contingency operations to Expeditionary Strike Group operations to forcible entry missions in major theaters of war.

“The sailors who make up Team Tripoli really are the best the Navy has to offer,” said Capt. Gary Harrington, commanding officer of Tripoli. “We say it all the time, our Navy is nothing without the men and women who serve on the deckplates each and every day. I truly believe that the continued success of our Navy, and Tripoli specifically, is due in no small part to the contributions of our sailors.”

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.”

Simon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is getting to tour Europe for three years,” said Simon. “I am proud of that because I got to see all these different parts of the world that the Navy doesn’t normally take sailors to.”

Simon 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 gives me a sense of accomplishment because I am helping to make a change in the world,” said Simon.

Simon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my Uncle Micheal, who served in the Marines for about 40 years, for giving me advice whenever I needed it,” added Simon. “I also want to thank my parents for always being there for me.”