‘El Navy’ supports Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

The Navy participated in this year’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Annual National Technical & Career Conference in Denver.

As one of the conference highlights, the first Hispanic to rise to the top enlisted position in the NAVY, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr., addressed a group of one hundred Hispanic high school and college students on Jan. 11, to discuss the opportunities the Navy offers enlisted Sailors.

He joined the Navy in 1980 without a high school diploma, and twenty six years later he addressed the crowd, and used the diploma he earned on active duty, along with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as examples of the Navy’s dedication to unlocking the potential of its enlisted force.

Campa, the Navy’s first Hispanic-American MCPON, was appearing as a guest speaker at the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) national convention pre-college dinner. SHPE, founded in 1974, is one of the nation’s leading organizations for the enhancement and achievements of Hispanic-Americans in the areas of engineering, mathematics and science.

“When I discuss education with our Sailors, I use two words: access and opportunity,” said Campa. “The Navy provided me a roadmap for success, and told me the only limits would be ones I imposed on myself.”

Campa told the students, their parents, and community and civic leaders of his recent experiences in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

“Every time I meet with our men and women serving at sea and around the globe, I get re-energized by the American spirit that lives in each of them,” he said. “They are in harm’s way every day, and all they ask for is the opportunity to do more for their country, and more in the name of freedom.”

The SHPE convention concluded January 13th and was sponsored by Navy Recruiting District Denver. According to Commander Navy Recruiting Command press information, the sponsorship affords the opportunity to demonstrate the Navy’s commitment to the development of diverse talent.

Campa told the group that the Navy offers challenges today’s generation of students could find nowhere else.

“If you seek an environment that requires a level of self-focus, of self-discipline, beyond anything you’ve ever imagined; the Navy is an option you should consider,” said Campa. “If you do make that choice that will mean access to a group of people who will astound you with their dedication to this country.”