By LT Jennifer Cunningham, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command Northwest
(BANGOR, Wash.) – A 1992 graduate of Sidney
Lanier High School and Montgomery, Alabama native is serving with Navy Facilities
Engineering Command Northwest (NAVFAC Northwest) in Bangor, Washington, a key
engineering command covering an 11-state region.
Cmdr. Gary “Ward” Doss, a 1997 graduate
of the University of Alabama and 2005 graduate of the University of Florida, has
served in the Navy for more than 22 years as a Civil Engineer Corps officer. He
is currently the operations officer for NAVFAC Northwest and oversees a command
of more than 1,000 service members and civilians.
Doss reported to NAVFAC Northwest in July
2016 and credits the Navy for giving him opportunities he would not have had
otherwise experienced.
“Joining the Navy has allowed me to serve with
many different people and in a variety of locations that I wouldn’t normally
have been able to in a civilian engineering path,” said Doss. “Those people and
opportunities have made me a better person.”
“NAVFAC Northwest supports the Navy’s
planning, designing, and construction programs across 11 states, which is vital
to the Navy’s mission,” said Capt. Christopher Kurgan, commanding officer of
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest. “A mission as large as ours
comes with a lot of responsibilities and challenges, but our sailors and
civilians work hard and embody the ‘Can Do’ attitude for which the Seabees are
known. I’m proud of all of our sailors here at NAVFAC Northwest, including Cmdr.
Doss.”
Doss said the Navy has given him the
opportunity to learn more about himself.
“I have learned I’m a lot more
resilient than I knew,” said Doss. “I’ve been tested in the Navy more than in
most traditional engineering jobs, but those challenges have made me a better
engineer and a better leader. Leading is my passion and I am proud to be able
to help shape the future leaders of our Navy.”
Doss’ military awards include three
Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Services Commendation Medal, two
Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement
Medal.
NAVFAC Northwest's diversified
programs support planning, design, contracting, and construction (including the
acquisition and disposal of real estate for the Navy) and assist client
activities in the application of specialized programs such as energy,
environment, and base closures throughout an 11 state region.
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