Navy Softball Champion Has Aspirations for Becoming a Chief

 May 10, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have shaped the history of the United States and have had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May the Defense Department joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Salas, said this month is special for him. He was born in Guam, is of Pacific Island heritage and was raised in Visalia, California.

About 15 years ago, Salas decided to join the Navy to serve and protect the freedoms Americans enjoy, he said, adding that he also joined to better himself.

From 2007 to 2010, he served on the USS Whidbey Island, a dock landing ship, as an engineman. After that, he served aboard the USS Chafee, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from 2011 to 2014.

While stationed there, Salas said the Navy converted his rating to machinist mate.

After another assignment at Everett, Washington, Salas said he's now aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, based in nearby Bremerton. He works in the reactor department.

Besides working in his military occupational specialty, Salas has also been a member of the All-Navy Softball team since 2018.

During the 2018 season, he said his team was co-silver medalist for the Armed Forces Tournament and, during the 2019 season, Champions of the World Sports League Military Tournament, of which each team member received championship rings.

"What I have learned from playing softball is that it is okay to lean on your fellow teammates for help," he said. "It also taught me how to create an everlasting bond with my teammates because we are all there putting in the work so that we can go home with our heads up high. 

"I've learned no matter how bad you or another teammate fails, try and pick them up and encourage them to learn from the failure and continue to strive," he added.

Salas said his future goals are to earn a college degree and get promoted to chief.