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This year, the U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday. In honor of that milestone, they are highlighting some of their service members - including Petty Officer 1st Class Kaela Diaz, a native of Dripping Springs. Diaz serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU-4), operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Diaz said that the values she learned growing up have helped her to succeed in the Navy.
“I was raised by a single mother with an unmatched work ethic,” Diaz said. “She worked multiple jobs to support me. My aunt is also a strong woman who pushed herself to be successful and independent.”
Diaz joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Diaz serves as a mineman.
“My family has a strong military background which is a big reason I joined the Navy,” Diaz said. “My dad is a former Marine, my grandfather was in the Navy, I had a cousin in the Air Force, and my uncle was in the Army. I also wanted to be independent.”
Diaz said that her military service has helped her to achieve that and more.
“Serving in the Navy has helped me grow as a person and enabled me to care for my children to the best of my ability while providing them a future,” Diaz said. “My proudest moment in the Navy is when I reenlisted in 2014 and was able to give my daughter money for college through the Montgomery GI Bill. Another proud moment during my time in the Navy was when my son was born in July 2020, and my next one will be when my daughter graduates high school next year.”
Diaz is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Ken and Amy Overby, for pushing me to join the military as it was truly the best thing for me to do,” Diaz said. “I thank them for the tough love. And a big thanks to my aunt, Kym, for helping me prepare for boot camp.”
