SAN DIEGO – Lieutenant junior grade Elijah ‘Eli’ Vernon, a native of Riverbank, California, is currently serving aboard the U.S. Navy warship, USS Curtis Wilbur, operating out of San Diego, California.

Vernon, a 2016 Riverbank High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2020 with a degree in robotics and weapon systems engineering.

“I joined the Navy because I was looking for options that would offer the best opportunities,” said Vernon.

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

“I come from a small town, and I was involved in a bunch of clubs and other organizations,” said Vernon. “We used to say, ‘represent the bank’. I wanted to bring honor to my family and my community.”

Curtis Wilbur is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in air, surface and subsurface environments. A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 crew members serve aboard USS Curtis Wilbur. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.

With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

As a member of the Navy, Vernon is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“People often focus on the bombs and guns, but there are other softer forms of power that can be even more effective,” said Vernon. “Humanitarian assistance is very powerful in keeping the peace. We’re not global peacekeepers, but we are the face of maritime security around the world.”

Vernon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“As a division officer, I’m most proud of reenlisting sailors,” said Vernon. “Allowing me to have the honor to recite that oath for a sailor is very rewarding.”

As Vernon and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Being able to deploy and see the reason why we have a presence around the world is important to remember,” said Vernon. “It’s important to remember why we’re here and why we do what we do in support of our mission.”

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

“I’d like to send a shoutout to my basketball coach, Jeff Jennings,” said Vernon. “He was a big mentor to me. He used to tell us to look to our left; look to our right. These are the strongest relationships you’ll have unless you decide to join the military. He definitely influenced me to join the military.”

This article was contributed by Alvin Plexico, Navy Office Of Community Outreach.