Killeen native promoted to leading petty officer with Navy’s maritime security force

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (KWTX) — A Killeen native is serving with the U.S. Navy’s expeditionary force, protecting coastal waters and ports around the globe.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Deleon serves as a hospital corpsman with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 2, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The 2018 Florence High School graduate joined the Navy five years ago after deciding college wasn’t the right path for her.

“I went to college and realized that it wasn’t for me; I wanted to do more,” Deleon said. “I went to paramedic school, and that’s when COVID hit. That’s when I decided to join the Navy.”

Deleon said her upbringing in Killeen prepared her for military service.

“I grew up in a very strict household, and that taught me a strong work ethic,” Deleon said. “I was taught you’re not entitled to anything, you work for everything.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Killeen, according to Deleon.

Deleon was recently selected as Leading Petty Officer, a role that speaks to the level of responsibility entrusted to her.

“I think my proudest accomplishment is my continued military bearing,” Deleon said. “I was recently selected as LPO, which speaks to the level of responsibility entrusted to me.”

She credits Chief Fernando Avillon as an important mentor during her career.

“I have a chief, Fernando Avillon, who’s been an amazing mentor for me,” Deleon said. “Even though he’s not my current chief, he still helps me out.”

Deleon said her Navy service is helping her work toward future goals.

“Being in the Navy has given me the opportunity to follow in my dad’s footsteps to eventually become a police officer,” Deleon said.

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