NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – The two culinary specialists were all smiles as they sat together in the flag mess of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) headquarters, July 21.
“His name is Ariel,” said Master Chief Culinary Specialist Arturo Luna. “Like the mermaid,” he laughed along with his younger brother, Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Ariel Luna, who reported to NAVCENT July 18, and will take over as the enlisted aide. Arturo is the N0 division senior enlisted advisor, and has been stationed at NAVCENT since June 2012.
They were born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines, with two other brothers and three sisters. One of those brothers, Anthony, is a retired Senior Chief Logistics Specialist.
Arturo and Ariel have encountered one another a few times during their naval careers. They began their journeys together when they reported aboard Naval Station San Diego for basic training June 19, 1991.
“They found out we were brothers and separated us into different divisions,” said Ariel. “Obviously, if we got into any trouble the last thing they would want is for my brother to come to my defense or vice versa.”
Following boot camp they went their separate ways and later on as 2nd class petty officers, they found each other in close proximity once again while stationed aboard Naval Station Alameda, Calif. Arturo worked at the base galley and Ariel worked in the barracks. Ariel said when they weren’t together they always found a way to work together. “We have always called and asked each other for advice,” said Ariel. “If one of us had a function, needed an idea, or if one of us had a problem, we’d call the other and work through it together.”
They said now that they’re working side by side, the teamwork will come even more easily. Through their various experiences in their extensive naval careers, they will bring their own brand of leadership to NAVCENT.
“The thing that’s most different now is the wealth of knowledge the two of us have,” said Arturo. “We’ve both been around the world and mentored not only CS’s, but Sailors from all rates, all ranks and duty stations all around the globe. Together, we can take our combined knowledge and share it with the Sailors here in 5th Fleet.”
“A lot has changed since we joined,” said Ariel. “The way the Navy operates and the ways Sailors operate are very different now, but the one thing that never changes is the importance of teamwork and striving to always better ourselves. My brother and I will take the teamwork we’ve had since we were kids and use it to make this strong NAVCENT team even stronger.”