From Jersey to Japan: One Sailor's Extraordinary Career

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What does three decades of Navy service really look like? Through typhoons, volcanic evacuations, nuclear disasters, and war deployments, Master Chief Mike Piazza lived a career most can only imagine.

From his early days dreaming of Navy service as a 13-year-old in small-town New Jersey to becoming a respected senior enlisted leader on some of the Navy's most powerful vessels, Piazza's journey reveals the extraordinary challenges and profound rewards of military service. Working his way up from Boiler Technician to auxiliary engineering roles across multiple platforms—LSTs, amphibious ships, cruisers, and ultimately aircraft carriers—his story traces both the evolution of a sailor and the transformation of the modern Navy.

During our conversation, Mike shares what it was like living through pivotal historical moments: evacuating civilians after the Mount Pinatubo eruption, responding to the 9/11 attacks while stationed overseas, and coordinating emergency operations during the 2011 Fukushima disaster aboard USS George Washington. His firsthand accounts of port-and-starboard watch rotations, Chief Petty Officer initiation, and forward-deployed operations paint a vivid picture of Navy life few civilians ever glimpse.

Beyond sea stories, Mike offers timeless leadership wisdom distilled from mentoring countless sailors. His mantra—"Attitude, attitude, attitude"—helped him navigate everything from rigorous inspections to personal challenges. His practical advice on leadership, teamwork, and professional growth applies whether you're manning a warship or leading a corporate team.

Whether you're a Navy veteran reconnecting with your heritage, a prospective sailor curious about what service truly entails, or simply someone who appreciates authentic stories of leadership under pressure, Mike's experiences illuminate the human dimension behind military service—where technical expertise meets character, and where ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through teamwork and resilience.

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