GREAT LAKES, Illinois — April 21, 2025 — In the heart of the U.S. Navy's Surface Warfare Engineering School Command at Great Lakes, one Houston native is turning precision and perseverance into a powerful career. Seaman Apprentice Alan Reyesluna, a proud Houstonian, is making waves as he perfects his technical skills at the Machinery Repairman (MR) "A" School.

Reyesluna was recently captured hard at work operating a lathe, skillfully machining components as part of his final project — a milestone that symbolizes both his academic achievement and readiness to serve the fleet. As an MR, Reyesluna is joining the ranks of some of the Navy’s most versatile and highly trained technical experts, responsible for fabricating replacement parts and repairing vital ship systems to ensure mission success.

The path Reyesluna has chosen is no small feat. Machinery Repairmen are the unsung heroes aboard U.S. Navy vessels — working behind the scenes with lathes, mills, grinders, and other sophisticated machine tools to craft precision parts when mechanical failure isn’t an option. Whether on shore or deployed across the globe, MRs are a critical force in maintaining the Navy’s operational strength.

Hailing from Houston, a city long known for cultivating engineering talent and technical excellence, Reyesluna embodies the spirit of resilience, ingenuity, and service that defines both the Navy and the Bayou City. His journey from the heart of Texas to the cutting-edge classrooms and shops of Great Lakes is a shining example of the doors that military service can open — offering hands-on experience, world-class training, and the foundation for a promising future.

As National Community College Month highlights the importance of practical education and pathways to upward mobility, Reyesluna’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of how Houston’s young leaders are using military service as both a stepping stone and a service to something greater than themselves.

The U.S. Navy continues to seek dedicated individuals like Reyesluna — men and women ready to hone their skills and tackle real-world challenges while serving their country with honor.

From Houston to the high seas, Seaman Apprentice Alan Reyesluna is proving that hard work and hometown pride can fuel success on a global scale.