MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Keller, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is deployed aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort, supporting Continuing Promise 2025.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rylin Paul, USNS Comfort |
Continuing Promise 2025 is an exercise focused on humanitarian assistance, medical readiness, and goodwill with six nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The exercise runs from June to August, and more than 1,000 personnel participate.
Health services offered during Continuing Promise 2025 include general surgery, dental screenings and treatment, preventive medicine, medical evaluation, public health training, veterinary care and vision screening.
Keller graduated from Deer Park High School in 2003. Additionally, Keller earned a bachelor’s in music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Cincinnati.
“Growing up, I took lots of music lessons from tremendous teachers throughout Cincinnati,” Keller said. “I also performed in hundreds of Cincinnati symphony concerts.”
Keller joined the Navy nearly eight years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I always felt a desire to serve, especially as a musician,” Keller said. “I’m following in the footsteps of my grandparents and my wife’s grandparents who served, some even as musicians.”
Keller played a key role in supporting the exercise as a musician.
“Musicians are here to support the medical mission by bringing people together with the power of music,” said Keller. “I am the sound engineer for the band. I put the wonderful sounds the musicians make through speakers.”
This is the 16th Continuing Promise mission. Since 2007, medical personnel have treated more than 601,000 patients and performed approximately 7,300 surgeries. When combined with veterinary services, subject matter expert exchanges, engineering projects, community relations events and band performances, Continuing Promise has positively impacted more people in partner nations than any other deployment series in U.S. Navy history.
“My fellow band members strongly encouraged me to volunteer for the mission, due to the scope and impact it has on those it serves,” Keller said. “It is two-fold for me because it makes my team proud back home and teaches the communities that we are here to help.”
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.
Keller has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of performing at Fleet Week New York,” Keller said. “The sheer number of audience members and the enthusiasm they showed taught me a bit more about the importance of Navy music and the difference it can make in the lives of others.”
Keller 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 has allowed me to raise a beautiful family, and apply a craft or skill that I’ve honed for decades to give back to the country I love,” Keller said.
Keller is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.