Ruben Ybarra Jr. of Superior has reenlisted in the United States Navy. On Friday, May 30, 2014, Ybarra took the Oath of enlistment and was promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class.
Ybarra is currently stationed in San Diego.
Like advancement from Seaman to Petty Officer Third Class, to receive a promotion from Petty Officer Third Class to Petty Officer Second Class sailors must complete a specialty test for their particular rating and apply for advancement every six months. Only a certain number of Petty Officer Second Class billets are available to be filled every year, and competition for promotion is extremely fierce among qualified applicants.
It has been a busy year for Ybarra: he arrived from his Middle East deployment in January and was introduced to his son, Ruben Ybarra III, born on Dec. 27, 2013; he has relocated to San Diego, reenlisted and been promoted.