Petty Officer 2nd Class Paulo Bautista, US Navy

For Petty Officer 2nd Class Paulo Batista, a 40-year-old sailor from Lakeland, Florida, the journey to service was anything but conventional. It was a battle fought with the unwavering belief that he could achieve his dream—no matter how long it took.

Paulo’s dream began in high school, where he fell in love with JROTC. But life had other plans. After graduation, he became a full-time caretaker for his father, whose battle with cancer demanded Paulo’s attention and love. When his father passed, Paulo made a promise: to pursue his dream of serving in the military. But first, he needed to become his authentic self. Transitioning was not just a personal milestone but a necessary step before pursuing a career where he could serve as the person he truly was.

“It took six years to get in. I deeply learned the process of what needs to happen,” Paulo shares. “Every crazy situation was thrown at me.” From navigating outdated policies during the first Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members to working through nearly 20 recruiters, Paulo refused to give up. A fateful meeting with a master chief changed everything, connecting Paulo to a supportive recruiter and a path that led to his enlistment in October 2022. “When I got to wear my camouflage for the first time, I looked down to see my last name on my chest. I cried. It was the biggest moment of my life.”
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Now serving as an Intelligence Specialist, Paulo continues to make an impact, not only within his command but also across the broader military community. He has helped four other transgender individuals enlist, paving the way for a more inclusive future. “The stories of people following right behind me keep me hopeful,” he says. Reflecting on his journey, Paulo credits his father’s resilience and belief in him as his guiding light. “Dad, I didn’t let my dream go to waste. I’m in the Navy.”

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