Naval officer from Brooklyn helps Pacific Fleet ships

U.S. NAVY — BROOKLYN NATIVE STEPHANIE LOPEZ SERVES THE U.S. NAVY, assigned to the Afloat Training Group San Diego (ATGSD) in California. A 2014 graduate of Curtis High School (Staten Island), Lopez, who was commissioned in 2018, said she joined the Navy because she wanted to attend college. She received the Minority Serving Institution scholarship and graduated from Texas Southern University, which enabled her to commission into the Navy as an officer.

Brooklyn native Stephanie Lopez is a commissioned Navy officer currently serving in San Diego.
Photo credit: Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

ATGSD plays a crucial role in maintaining a highly trained and prepared naval force, contributing to the Navy’s ability to respond to various threats and carry out diverse missions. ATGSD’s role extends to evaluating and certifying all Pacific Fleet ships to ensure they meet the evolving standards required for naval and joint combat operations.

Lopez observes that the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Brooklyn. “I learned to never forget where you’re coming from,” Lopez said. “With everything I’ve done in the Navy, I took a piece of New York with me to shape my leadership style and how I interact with others.”

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