A sailor from Lexington Park, Maryland, has advanced to the rank of chief petty officer (select) while serving aboard a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship based in California.
Chief Petty Officer (Select) Kashiro Aoyama serves on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex, which operates out of San Diego. Aoyama graduated from Great Mills High School in 2010 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in public health from Purdue University in 2024.
Aoyama joined the Navy 14 years ago and works as a hospital corpsman, providing medical support to sailors and Marines. Hospital corpsmen assist in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury, offering care in settings ranging from ships to clinics and field operations with Marine units. They handle tasks such as administering medications, performing emergency procedures and supporting health care professionals in delivering medical services.
The values Aoyama learned in Lexington Park have shaped his naval career. “When I was working construction with my dad, which always gave me joy, I learned that regardless of what the job is, you stay humble, remember where you came from, and stay hungry,” Aoyama said.
His decision to enlist stemmed from practical needs. “I joined the Navy because I could not afford to pay for college, and enlisting gave me the option to have the Navy assist in financing my education,” Aoyama said.
In March 2024, while serving as a hospital corpsman first class, Aoyama received the Senior Sailor of the Quarter award aboard the USS Essex, presented by the ship’s commanding officer during an all-hands call on the flight deck. The ship was in a maintenance period at the time, focused on upgrading key systems.
The USS Essex plays a vital role in naval operations, serving as the foundation for amphibious missions. It can transport Marines, their gear and aircraft for tasks including humanitarian aid, disaster response and amphibious assaults. The vessel supports rapid deployment in near-shore areas and accommodates about 1,200 Navy personnel plus up to 1,800 Marines. Resembling a small aircraft carrier, it enables strategic goals worldwide.
As of July 2025, the USS Essex underwent a change of command, with Capt. Russell Everitt assuming leadership from Capt. Wayne Liebold. Under Liebold’s command, the ship ranked first in several maintenance and aptitude metrics. Recent activities have included safety and maintenance preparations, reopening the galley after renovations and conducting routine in-port operations in San Diego. The ship has a history of deployments, including a maiden voyage in 1994 with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and support for United Nations withdrawals from Somalia in 1995.
This year marks the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday, highlighting its legacy since 1775. Navy officials state, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
Officials note that 90 percent of global commerce moves by sea, with internet access depending on secure undersea cables. They stress that U.S. prosperity ties to recruiting and retaining diverse talent.
Aoyama has achieved milestones in his service. “My proudest accomplishment comes from my sailors succeeding,” Aoyama said. “I wouldn’t have the success I’ve had if it weren’t for them. Seeing them win, overcome doubts, and achieve goals they thought they couldn’t is always rewarding.”
He views his Navy role positively. “Serving in the Navy has been one of my greatest blessings,” Aoyama said. “It’s given me opportunities to see the world while also being able to take care of my family in many ways.”
Aoyama credits family for his path. “I want to thank my father, Jorge, may he rest in peace,” Aoyama added. “He was my biggest supporter and always wanted the best for me. The sacrifices he made to give me a better life, and the advice and guidance he imparted, I can never repay. I only hope that I am half the man he was. I also want to thank my wife, Morgan, who has been my rock and the greatest mother I could have for our two children.”
Lexington Park’s ties to the Navy run deep, centered on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, commissioned in 1943. The base spans 6,400 acres at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, serving as headquarters for Naval Air Systems Command and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. It focuses on testing, evaluation and acquisition for naval aviation, hosting the Atlantic Test Range and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
The station grew during World War II and evolved through the Cold War, acquiring land via eminent domain. Today, it supports about 25,000 personnel, including military, civilians and contractors, making it a major employer in St. Mary’s County. Lexington Park developed around the base, with many residents connected to naval activities.
Southern Maryland has a tradition of producing Navy personnel. In 2020, a Lexington Park native and 2003 St. Mary’s Ryken High School graduate returned from a seven-month deployment aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, having served in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. Such returns underscore the region’s ongoing contributions to naval service.
Base operations include fitness programs, family support and recreational facilities, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to personnel welfare. Transportation to the area involves major airports like Baltimore/Washington International, about an hour away, with local transit options in St. Mary’s County.
Aoyama’s journey from construction work in Lexington Park to leadership on a warship illustrates how local roots support national defense efforts.
