He was working for a food company in the Dominican Republic when the doctors told him a tumor had been discovered in his daughter's left eye.

Faced with the toughest decision of his life, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Carlos Trejo had a choice to make.

"The doctors told us our daughter had an 85 percent chance of losing the vision in her affected eye if we agreed to go through with the operation in the Dominican Republic," Trejo said. "We didn't like those odds, so I moved my family to the United States. When we got here, the doctors told us that they could remove the tumor with a 15 percent chance of my daughter losing her vision; as opposed to 85."

Even though the surgery was being performed in the U.S. and the odds were in his family's favor, the procedure was nerve-wrecking for Trejo.

"I remember being very nervous and praying a lot to God," Trejo said. "I asked God for the doctors to do an amazing job and thankfully they did."

Trejo then took it upon himself to give back to the U.S. for saving his daughter.

"I joined the Navy," Trejo said. "It's been a win-win for me because the military life really fits me and TRICARE makes it easier for me to not worry about my family's medical needs."

Moreover, Trejo has grown as a person by embracing the Navy way of life and learning from other Sailors.

"The most important thing the Navy has taught me is leadership," said Trejo. "I've learned to lead by reflecting the Navy core values."

Trejo posts quotes around his kitchen to remind himself and his Sailors of the ingredients they need to achieve success.

"My favorite quote is 'without commitment you cannot start accomplishing your goals, but more importantly, without consistency you won't be able to finish them,'" said Trejo.

Trejo said he uses the nuggets of wisdom he's been given throughout his Navy career and lets them marinate in his mind in order to improve himself as a person.

"I'm trying to give this recipe to success to everyone I meet," Trejo said. "I'm not just doing my job and giving 100%. I'm giving more than 100% so I can be an example and make a change in other people's lives."

From humble beginnings as a food company employee, Trejo is now the personal chef for Harry S. Truman's Commanding Officer, Capt. Nicholas Dienna.

"Petty Officer Trejo is an outstanding Sailor and fantastic chef," said Dienna. "Each time we have guests, his magic from the kitchen is always the main attraction. And, more importantly, he is great example of humility and professionalism for other Sailors."

"I just want to thank all the leaders and Sailors who lifted me up and guided me to where I am today," Trejo said with a smile. "I'm thankful every day to this country and to the Captain for being so supportive."

Truman is deployed as part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.

For more information about Truman, visit www.facebook.com/USSTruman or www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.



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For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.