SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Wallinsobek, a native of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50 located in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
“I joined the Navy for job stability, the ability to finish college and for the opportunity to travel,” said Wallinsobek.
Growing up in Soldiers Grove, Wallinsobek attended North Crawford High School and graduated in 2009.
Today, Wallinsobek relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Soldiers Grove to succeed in the military.
“Something I learned from my hometown is the importance of the small things,” said Wallinsobek. “The military says you don’t make the mission without the people. If you don’t take the small things seriously, when a large thing comes along it can be harder to handle.”
These lessons have helped Wallinsobek while serving at Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 50.
The CMV-22B is the Navy’s version of the U.S. Marines’ V-22 Osprey. It is designed to replace the C-2A Greyhound, which has provided logistical support to aircraft carriers for four decades.
CMV-22Bs are vertical takeoff and landing tilt-rotor aircraft, which have an increased operational range, faster cargo loading/unloading, increased survivability and enhanced communications compared to the C-2A Greyhound.
According to Navy officials, the mission of the CMV-22B is to provide timely, persistent air logistics for sustained carrier strike group lethality, anywhere in the world.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola. One year later six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally, and today women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft. According to Navy officials, our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
As a member of the Navy, Wallinsobek is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy makes sure the sea lanes are safe for travel for everyone,” said Wallinsobek. “The ability to freely transit the ocean and conduct trade internationally in places like the South China Sea is important.”
Wallinsobek has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The thing I’m most proud of, so far, is making the rank of E-6 in a six-and-a-half-year timeline,” said Wallinsobek.
As Wallinsobek and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“For me, serving in the Navy means that my family is taken care of,” said Wallinsobek. “I have housing. I get to travel from station to station. I don’t have to worry about them having health care. I get to pursue my love of aviation.”
Wallinsobek is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank AE1 Eaton,” said Wallinsobek. “He was at my first command as a petty officer second class in Japan. He did everything by example. He didn’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. That’s the kind of person I try to be for younger sailors.”