Williams graduated from Taylor High School in 2022.

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

“I learned growing up the importance of responsibility and respect,” said Williams. "My mom, Cedricia Gonzales, always stressed the importance of these values, which served me well in the military. Responsibility and respect just come naturally to me thanks to how my mom raised me."

Williams joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Williams serves as an electronics technician.

“I joined the Navy to give back to those who have given so much to me,” said Williams.

The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.

While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.

“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”

In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.

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.

Williams serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.

"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."

Williams has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I'm proud that I made it through 'A’ School (technical training),” said Williams. “I was grateful to make it through this school because it taught me a lot and included a lot of challenges.”

Williams can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy provides an opportunity to protect those I love and other Americans,” said Williams.