Petty Officer 1st Class Alyssa Blake, a native of Inglewood, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
Blake graduated from Lawndale High School in 2007.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Inglewood.
“Growing up around different types of people in a fast-paced environment like Inglewood taught me the importance of resilience, a strong work ethic, and how to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life,” Blake said. “I applied that ‘hustle’ to my Navy career early on by staying resourceful and solution-oriented, ensuring that even under pressure, I build and keep the professional relationships necessary to meet the mission and support my shipmates.”
Blake joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Blake serves as a logistics specialist.
“Coming from Inglewood, California, I was inspired to step outside of my comfort zone to travel the world and to pursue a life of adventure and personal growth that would shape my character for years to come,” Blake said. “I also wanted to represent my community on a global scale and prove that the resilience I learned at home could make me an asset to the United States Navy.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere in the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility, and combat capability of its air wing.
“The might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient, and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Blake has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of my promotion to first-class petty officer within my first five years of service,” Blake said. “To achieve this milestone, I dedicated myself to mastering the logistics specialist rating and took on leadership roles early in my career to mentor junior sailors and streamline command operations. I am proud of this accomplishment because it reflects my commitment to excellence and my ability to adapt quickly to the high standards and responsibilities required of a Navy leader.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“To me, serving in the Navy means embracing a life of discipline, resilience, and purpose while transforming my ‘hometown hustle’ into a professional career that makes a tangible impact on maritime operations,” Blake said. “It is an opportunity to be a reliable leader for my shipmates and a representative of my community, allowing me to contribute to a global mission while continuously bettering myself for the sake of my command and my family.”
Blake is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mother, my uncle, and my grandmother for their unwavering support,” Blake said. “They have consistently spoken life into me during my lowest moments and helped me become the upbeat sailor I am today. I also want to give a special shout-out to Master Chief Logistics Specialist Green, Chief Logistics Specialist Cortez, and Chief Yeoman Glenn for their mentorship and for always grounding me and reminding me of the mission, both in life and in my military career.”