Here is a photo of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacen Scotland aboard the USS Stockdale. Photo courtesy of Navy Office of Communications

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - A Sacramento native is returning to San Diego from a seven-month deployment serving aboard USS Stockdale, a U.S. Navy warship that recently conducted operations in the Middle East.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacen Scotland, a 2020 graduate of Franklin High School, joined the Navy four years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I come from a military family," Scotland said. "My dad and grandfather both served in the armed forces. My identical twin and I are currently serving now."

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Sacramento.

“My dad taught me a lot of attention to detail when I was a kid," Scotland said. "Even if it was a simple task like cleaning my bathroom or bedroom. He was always providing for my brother and me, even when it meant sacrificing his own time."

While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.

“This deployment was the ‘Super Bowl’ of my naval career," Scotland said. "It put my training and my resilience to the test. I had a good group of leaders that showed me the ropes. I feel like our ship saved a lot of lives and I’ll remember this forever!"

Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.

A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

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.

Scotland can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me because I can make my family proud and that means the most to me,” Scotland added.

Scotland's parents, Antronne and Lisa Scotland, both reside in Sacramento.