Petty Officer David Hill-DeStefano, has been serving in the United States Navy for seven and a half years. 

Being a part of the Navy, he works tremendously hard as a boatswain mate. On the USS Chung-Hoon ship, he helps handle the ship, anchors, moves equipment, paints the ship, and replenishes at sea. 

 Hill-DeStefano describes his job as “making sure everything is under control and doing whatever it takes to protect the ship.”

He was inspired by another Navy recruiter to join the Navy, who told him to go with his gut feeling. 

 “I didn’t want to live my life filled with regrets,” says Hill-Destefano. 

With taking the opportunity he was given, his life has been incredibly affected by the military. Whether it comes to the camaraderie and friendships he has made, or the places he’s been able to travel to, it has had a positive impact on his life. 

Throughout his deployment, he has been to Taiwan, Guam, Oman, and Djibouti. His favorite place he has been to is an island off Africa, Seychelles. Traveling has opened his eyes to so many different cultures and new experiences in his life.

Hill-Destefano emphasized the importance of having a strong support system by your side when getting through your deployment. He explained that relationships “may fade out, but it’s who is by your side” through it all that matters. 

His wife has been his strongest supporter throughout his experiences in the military. She encourages him to try his hardest and has never left his side throughout these tough decisions. She was the one who ultimately encouraged him to join the military.

Hill-Destefano also has a daughter who understands his job and the importance of it and supports him.  

Being a part of the military is more than just a career, but a commitment. It takes a lot of courage for a person to pursue this lifestyle. Hill-Destefano chose this path as a way to serve his country and has never regretted his decision.