MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- “All we want is a better life for you,” said the parents of a Navy machinist’s mate assigned to Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit 2, before he joined the Navy in 2001.
Born and raised in San Joaquin Valley, Calif., Petty Officer 3rd Class Edgardo A. Castillo, claimed that he has found that better life in the Navy and is especially enjoying his duty aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
Castillo’s parents migrated to the United States from Mexico when they were both young adults, settling in the small town of Earlimart, Calif. Immediately, the Castillo family began to grow — first with the birth of Edgardo, then two more boys and a girl.
“We didn’t travel much as kids or get to do anything that spectacular,” said Castillo of his life back home. “Had I not joined the Navy, I think I’d probably still be in the same town in California, working in the agriculture business, like my father.”
In high school, Castillo studied drafting and said he has always had aspirations of being an architect — some day.
“My teacher, in high school, picked me out as having some sort of gift for drafting, so given the opportunity, I’m planning on continuing with that dream.”
Castillo is currently working on getting assigned to the Navy’s school for draftsmen in San Francisco where he can take his dream to the next level and find a place to “hang his hat,” but in the meantime, Castillo said he enjoys “hanging 10” and exploring the island every weekend, here in Hawaii.
“There’s no way anyone could get stationed here and not enjoy the tour,” said Castillo. “I talk to my friends back at home every once in awhile, and I can tell they are still doing the same thing they were doing when I left four years ago. You might say they are a bit jealous.”
Whether he’s body boarding on Oahu’s North Shore, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay or towing wake boarders behind a speed boat in Kaneohe Bay, Castillo makes sure to take advantage of every single thing Hawaii and the island of Oahu has to offer.
“I can only think of what I would have been doing if I didn’t join the Navy,” said Castillo. “Probably exactly what my brother is doing right now — going to a community college, maybe picking grapes in the field.”
According to Castillo, his friends back at home would never receive the benefits the Navy offers, and his parents still have to fight for many of them.
“The medical, dental and other benefits we get are just not really an option for many who work in agriculture,” said Castillo. “There’s no comparison to any job in my hometown.”
Castillo watched his parents raise him and his younger siblings with very little extra money, so travel and vacationing wasn’t an option for the Castillo family.
“I wanted something more — just like my parents wanted for me. I wanted to travel, to see the world. Now I’ve been in only four years, and I have seen more than I thought I’d ever see.”
Castillo visited several U.S. states for the first time while getting his initial Navy training completed in San Diego, where President George W. Bush once visited his unit to get transportation to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. From there, Castillo received orders to MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, where he was sent immediately on deployment to the Middle East.
“We visited much more than just the desert, though,” said Castillo. “During our trip, we must have visited ten to fifteen different countries along the way, before returning to Hawaii. I’m really glad I got to deploy, even though my parents were really concerned and worried for me.”
According to Castillo, enjoying everything this island has to offer is his number-one priority before taking his next plunge into whatever life and the Navy may bring.
“I have things I want to accomplish in life,” said Castillo, “but one thing I can be sure of is that my parents are proud of the decisions I’m making today as a Sailor, and I’m happy to be where I am. I think it’s fair to say that I have that ‘better life’ my parents always wanted for me.”