Having served for more than 11 years on active duty in our Navy with deployments to the Middle East, the Pacific Rim, the Mediterranean Sea and East Africa, I’m grateful for what I learned about the importance of strong sea power and in using smart power to exert global influence.  Though the military is just one element of national power, nothing compares to the ability to project power from a sovereign U.S. Navy vessel afloat in international waters without worrying about basing or overflight rights.

Under the leadership of President Obama, the Navy is rebuilding the fleet from 288 ships to 325 by the next decade.  For this and other reasons, it is clear to me that the President remains committed to a strong Navy and a strong national defense, despite a very challenging fiscal environment that forced difficult spending decisions. 

Though a capable military is necessary, strong national power begins at home.  The President’s track record includes needed investment in our aging infrastructure and the rescue of the American auto industry.  His vision moves us even further by doubling down on his commitment to American manufacturing, reducing our reliance on foreign oil through investment in clean energy, and investing in the most precious resource we have: American workers.

There’s one group of American workers that have already benefited from such investment and will continue to benefit under a second term: Veterans.  Starting in 2001, America increased the size of the military during a decade of conflict.  During that time, thousands of men and women joined our second-to-none, all-volunteer force – sometimes against the wishes of their mothers and fathers – and were sent to places like Iraq and Afghanistan, where they served honorably. 

A grateful nation would want to provide for their orderly transition into the civilian workforce, where their skills and dedication can be put to further use.  President Obama has done just that by signing the “Returning Heroes” and “Wounded Warriors” tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans, by increasing veterans’ employment in the federal government, and by launching the Veteran’s Job Bank and other Labor Department initiatives.

In 2008 I was fired up and squarely behind a bold vision for the future outlined by then Sen. Obama.  While some criticize the President for not doing more during his first term, I admire his persistence and resilience in the face of adversity.  Despite the challenges and setbacks, he remains faithful to his values and committed to his vision.  Simply put, he exhibits exactly the qualities I admire in a leader and in a Commander-in-Chief.

If you see things the way I do, I hope you’ll join me in working as hard as possible in 2012 to ensure President Obama can continue to build on the progress he has made.

From barackobama.com:

In a living room full of Central Florida Latinos listening to President Obama’s third State of the Union address, folks were excited to learn about the President’s response to all the negativity that has been shown in the Republican presidential debates. The President made us proud by laying out a blueprint for an America built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values. For multiple generations of Latinos, we all applauded the President’s belief that American exceptionalism is “a nation where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.”

As an Iraq war veteran, I was proud that the President has kept his promise to end the war in Iraq and is making progress in ending the war in Afghanistan. I agree that our actions on the world stage during this administration have made America a world leader again, not a world bully. The President reaffirmed his world view to “support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty." That is why we have a presence around the world—not to intimidate, but to inspire others to follow our example that opportunity for all leads to everyone’s success.

As a vet, it is also my hope that our government will keep the President’s promise to “serve our veterans as well as they've served us.” These programs support the next greatest generation by providing greater access to education, providing employers incentives to hire veterans, and providing the proper health care and fighting homelessness for those who have served. The President doubled down on these efforts by announcing a “Veterans Job Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her.”

The nation listened to the President’s plan for building an American future built to last. As a young father, I look forward to working with the President in pursuing a better future for my children. As a veteran I appreciate the President’s commitment to my brothers-in-arms that we will be welcomed home and given more than just a pat on the back, but rather opportunities to continue to serve in building a stronger America at home. The small group of leaders agreed with the President: “This Nation is great because we get each other’s backs.” Mr. President, “I got your back!”

Watch the full State of the Union here.