SAN DIEGO – Lt. Cmdr. Rick Vetter, a native of Gurnee, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy at Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1 operating out of San Diego, California.
Vetter graduated from Warren Township High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gurnee.
“I was part of the stage crew for technical theater, which is where I learned about set construction,” Vetter said. “That laid the groundwork for me wanting to find a construction job that allowed me to work with my hands. The Navy offered me just that.”
Vetter joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, Vetter serves as a civil engineer corps officer.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve,” Vetter said. “I also really enjoy the leadership aspect and the ability to serve something greater than myself. It is fulfilling and interesting work that I get to do with great people.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Vetter has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of being the combat engineer for a special operations task force on a deployment in Africa during COVID,” Vetter said. “I am proud of that because it was a challenging environment, but our team overcame any obstacles we faced, and we made headway on our mission of combating violent extremists.”
Vetter serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way of life,” Vetter said. “You are serving a greater good and holding yourself to a higher standard than others around you. Every day you need to put on the uniform and set up your game because you are representing something bigger than yourself.”
Vetter is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Sarah,” Vetter added. “She is also a civil engineer corps officer and she understands what I go through. I want to thank my parents, Dave and Julie, as well for raising me to be independent. They have also been comfortable with my moves and missing holidays. Lastly, I want to thank all the mentors and chiefs I’ve worked with along the way who have been patient and diligent with me. You take a little something from everyone.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Vetter graduated from Warren Township High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gurnee.
“I was part of the stage crew for technical theater, which is where I learned about set construction,” Vetter said. “That laid the groundwork for me wanting to find a construction job that allowed me to work with my hands. The Navy offered me just that.”
Vetter joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, Vetter serves as a civil engineer corps officer.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve,” Vetter said. “I also really enjoy the leadership aspect and the ability to serve something greater than myself. It is fulfilling and interesting work that I get to do with great people.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Vetter has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of being the combat engineer for a special operations task force on a deployment in Africa during COVID,” Vetter said. “I am proud of that because it was a challenging environment, but our team overcame any obstacles we faced, and we made headway on our mission of combating violent extremists.”
Vetter serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way of life,” Vetter said. “You are serving a greater good and holding yourself to a higher standard than others around you. Every day you need to put on the uniform and set up your game because you are representing something bigger than yourself.”
Vetter is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Sarah,” Vetter added. “She is also a civil engineer corps officer and she understands what I go through. I want to thank my parents, Dave and Julie, as well for raising me to be independent. They have also been comfortable with my moves and missing holidays. Lastly, I want to thank all the mentors and chiefs I’ve worked with along the way who have been patient and diligent with me. You take a little something from everyone.”