Lake View Grad Serves Aboard One of Navy's Most Versatile Combat Warships

MAYPORT, FL -- A 2016 Lakeview High School graduate and San Angelo, Texas, native provides key support as part of combat operations aboard future USS Billings, stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

Seaman Ruben Roman serves as a mineman responsible for detection and disposal of unexploded ordnance. 

Roman credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in San Angelo. 

“I was taught to enjoy life and finish strong no matter what comes your way - good or bad,” said Roman. 

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused- platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. 

The ship’s technological benefits allow for swapping mission packages quickly, meaning sailors can support multiple missions, such as surface warfare, mine warfare, or anti-submarine warfare. Designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated mission modules. 

According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one. Following an 18-month training pipeline, sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping onboard. 

Roman is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs. Roman said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times. 

“I have done three advanced training schools,” said Roman. “I am very proud of the hard work I have put in to gain so much knowledge in my career field.” 

Roman is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy. 

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.” 

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon capital assets, Roman and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. 

Serving in the Navy, Roman is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities. 

“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me,” said Roman. "I feel very privileged to serve because not everyone can serve in the military. It's a humbling thing to do.”