MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to Missouri for Branson / Springfield Navy Week, Aug. 25 to 31, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Ozarks.
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While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the state, including Lt. Cmdr. Chris Kirkpatrick, a native of Springfield, Missouri.
Kirkpatrick graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2001. Upon joining the Navy, Kirkpatrick quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Springfield were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of a hard work ethic and once you commit to something, you don’t quit, no matter how hard it gets,” Kirkpatrick said. “See it through until it is completed.”
Kirkpatrick, who joined the Navy 24 years ago, is assigned to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Texas.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country; there is honor in serving with and for your fellow countrymen,” Kirkpatrick said. “Service means personal and professional sacrifice for a greater reason. Being able to serve my country has been quite the adventure and has shaped who I am as a person. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Kirkpatrick is part of the first Navy Week to be hosted by the Springfield and Branson communities. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
“Being able to pass on my experiences and tell what I have learned from the many opportunities the Navy has given me,” Kirkpatrick said. “I hope it inspires future generations of patriots to take the oath and serve their country faithfully.”
Today, Kirkpatrick serves as the operations officer at NIOC Texas and is a department head.
“I lead a 150-sailor department and a 350-member joint service organization in day-to-day operations that span the entirety of the globe,” Kirkpatrick said. “When I’m not doing that, I fly a desk, pushing mountains of paperwork in between my frequent and illustrious coffee breaks.”
Kirkpatrick has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person and make a difference in the lives of others.
“I have so many things that I’m proud of, but what I’m most proud of has to be commissioning as a naval officer after spending 11 years in enlisted ranks,” Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick earned a degree in computer programming from Southwestern College in 2011 and is working toward a degree in cybersecurity analytics and operations from Penn State University.
Kirkpatrick is grateful for the Springfield community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to communities like Springfield and Branson.
“From securing shipping lanes to deterring threats across the globe, the U.S. Navy has safeguarded our freedoms for 250 years,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “Ninety percent of global trade moves by sea, and the Navy ensures goods, energy, and critical resources reach American businesses and families. Navy Weeks bring the fleet to communities that may not see or interact with the Navy every day, giving Americans the chance to meet the sailors who stand watch 24/7—from the depths of the ocean to space, cyberspace and beyond. We’re excited to bring this experience to Springfield and Branson, and connect the community with their Navy’s essential role in defending our way of life.”
Throughout the week, sailors will participate in community service projects with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Springfield, Ozark Food Harvest, Convoy of Hope, Springfield Community Gardens and Dickerson Zoo. They will also engage with local students through STEM-focused sessions and presentations at Truman Elementary, School of the Ozarks and Branson High School. Navy Band Great Lakes will perform live at venues across the city, bringing Navy pride and energy to the Branson/Springfield community.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Springfield-Branson-2025/