About Praxedes Cotrina

I immigrated from Peru in 1994 with no English, no money, and no clear path — just a belief in hard work and a deep desire to serve. Three years later, I joined the U.S. Navy. That decision led to over 24 years of active-duty service, 11 deployments, 8 PCS moves, and a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Early in my career aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), I was part of the first rescue team that responded to the terrorist attack on USS Cole in October 2000. We worked to stabilize the ship, prevent it from sinking, and bring it back to the U.S. — an experience that shaped my view of duty, leadership, and sacrifice.

I later served at Trident Refit Facility Kings Bay, deployed aboard USS O’Kane, and then aboard USS Winston S. Churchill. In September 2010, while operating in the Gulf of Aden, the ship responded to a disabled skiff carrying approximately 85 Somali and Ethiopian migrants. We provided humanitarian assistance by supplying food and water and attempted to tow the skiff to safety. Tragically, the next day, while transferring supplies, the skiff capsized and sank, leaving all 85 passengers in the water. Despite immediate search and rescue efforts, 13 drowned, 61 were rescued, and 8 remained missing. This mission is a sobering reminder of the risks faced at sea and the profound responsibilities of Sailors.

In 2004, I was honored as the SUBLANT Shore Sailor of the Year, and in 2007, I commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer. I trained and led Sailors at Great Lakes, where in 2015, I bought a home sight unseen while stationed remotely — an experience that gives me unique insight into what military families truly face during PCS moves.

I later deployed aboard USS WASP during Operation Odyssey Lightning in Libya, where we executed critical strike missions to dismantle ISIS positions. My final assignment was with INSURV (Board of Inspection and Survey), where from 2017 to 2022, I inspected nearly every ship in the fleet. If you served on a warship during that time — there’s a good chance we met.

But behind every title and deployment was the reality of Navy life:
Cross-country relocations, last-minute orders, four kids in tow, and caring for an aging parent with Alzheimer’s — all while standing the watch.

Today, I’ve taken that lifetime of experience and built a new mission:
Helping Sailors and military families navigate PCS moves, VA loans, and homeownership with clarity, honesty, and zero pressure.

Whether you’re moving across the country or across the world, you don’t just need an agent —
You need someone who’s been in your boots.

This isn’t about business — it’s about mission. I’m here to serve those who serve. No cost. No pressure. Just real help, from someone who’s lived it.