Plenty of Sailors walk the passageways aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) carrying two-way radios, commonly referred to as "bricks," for communication purposes. These devices, technically known as hierarchical yet dynamic reprogrammable architecture (HYDRA), beep loudly, alerting the Sailor to an important message. These messages travel throughout the deckplates almost instantaneously. However, the Sailors who maintain this equipment are not nearly as visible as the HYDRAs themselves.

These Sailors work in CS-9 division of Combat Systems. They are led by their Work Center Supervisor (WCS) Electronic Technician 2nd Class Gregory Valdez, an Army and Air Force brat who claims both El Paso, Texas, and Fredericksburg, Virginia, as his hometown. Valdez has been in the Navy for 11years aboard Ike since August 2015.

"I didn't like school and I thought I could figure things out in the military," said Valdez. "I wanted to do something cool in the Navy and see the world. I like to say I'm going to make it a career, but I take it one enlistment at a time."

Valdez understands the importance of communication and tries to instill this value into his Sailors. The division takes care of two main satellite systems that keep the HYDRAs, j-dial phone lines, Internet, and off-ship connectivity running smoothly.

"People mainly know us for the HYDRAs," said Valdez. "If they got rid of our division and everything we have, you wouldn't have radios, you wouldn't have off-ship connectivity, you wouldn't be able to launch and land planes and you wouldn't be able to talk to anybody. It's like trying to coordinate something without being able to talk."

Aside from managing the HYDRA system, Valdez said his division is also responsible for all satellite communications, Navy multi-band terminal equipment and the commercial broadband satellite program.

"We provide communications for the ship to complete the mission," said Valdez. "Everything ties into each other. We're here for the ship to successfully communicate, navigate and ensure the weapons do what they do best."

Valdez said he considers himself a humble person who easily overcomes adversity and continues to move forward. This modest temperant helps him stay grounded and motivated when times get rough.

"I like to think of myself as a pretty positive person," he said. "Some people ask why are you still trying? For one, my pay keeps going up and the work itself is not bad. Keeping doing what you're supposed to be doing. It's pretty simple."

Valdez considers himself a car person so it makes sense why he chose this rate and enjoys working on the equipment when it comes to maintenance and upkeep.

"I just like electronics," said Valdez. "As a whole, I like getting into equipment and working on it. Now, I'm guiding instead of doing. As far of the rate, I really enjoy working on electronics."

Even though working on electronics is Valdez' forte, he plans to expand his skillset and take his leadership skills into the wardroom as an officer. Currently however, he hopes to promote to the rank of 1st class petty officer, before taking the dive into the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program.

In the meantime, Valdez said he doesn't consider himself the best leader, but his chain of command's decision to make him LPO tells him he has the potential to be one though and he works hard at it every day. The next time a Sailor uses shipboard radio communications, perhaps they might stop and think about the Sailors, such as Valdez, who make this possible.

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