Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Lt. Tia Nichole McMillen, a Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, native, commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 2011 to continue a longstanding tradition of family service.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants,” said McMillen. “Now I fight to bridge the gap between the American public and the giants we welcome home.”
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, McMillen serves at Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, McMillen serves at Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
“The most challenging aspect is being away from family and missing so much of my son's 8th grade year,” said McMillen. "The most exciting aspect of serving in a forward-deployed operational capacity is knowing exactly why I come to work every day. We know our mission, we excel at providing crisis response to the Middle East area of operations, and every day is challenging and rewarding.
McMillen, a Northern High School graduate, is a public affairs officer at Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“Public affairs officers advise and guide leadership on internal communication, external communication, media relations and community relations,” said McMillen. "We provide appropriate access to credible sources, we share consistent, timely, and transparent facts about the Navy and our strategic intent, and, ultimately, we bridge the gap between the Navy, the American public and our international audiences
McMillen is a part of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, an integrated naval headquarters. As the only forward-deployed standing integrated Navy and Marine Corps force, TF 51/5 executes operations, responds to contingencies and crises, and conducts theater security cooperation at sea, from the sea, and ashore in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Marine Corps Forces Central Command.
McMillen credits success at Task Force 51/5, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Dillsburg.
“Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, is the best small town in America,” said McMillen. "We break bread together, we work hard together, we celebrate together, we succeed together. Dillsburg taught me that each and every person has a story and is an integral part of our community, just as each and every Sailor and Marine has a story, a unique background, a sense of pride in what they do--and I try to create that sense of belonging--that home away from home--for whatever team I'm assigned to
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways. To meet this mission, in May 2016, Commander U. S. Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) signed a memorandum of understanding that agreed to integrate the staff s of CTF-51 Naval Amphibious Force and 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The result was TF 51/5, a fully integrated command that operates at sea, from the sea, and ashore in order to ready the force, shape the environment, engage partners, and conduct expeditionary operations.
“I am tasked with the responsibility to communicate with key target audiences including, but not limited to, Sailors and Marines, their families, media, host nation officials, allies and partners as well as the U.S. public,” said McMillen. "A well-executed public affairs program directly contributes to the command’s mission by ensuring unit personnel understand their role, manages open communication between senior leadership and the troops, which helps to improve morale by keeping unit personnel and their families informed."
Serving in the Navy means McMillen is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality, and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though McMillen has earned great distinction in her commands, communities, and career, she is most proud of honoring her fallen comrade.
"I'm most proud of wearing the uniform that week to comfort his family and accept his dog tags they bestowed; to give him his final salute as he was my first salute when I commissioned; to orate "Old Glory" at his graveside while his comrades folded the red, white, and blue and presented our nation's colors to his heartbroken mother," said McMillen. "I'm most proud of serving alongside real heroes who shall never be forgotten.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, McMillen and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Even on days when you get ahead, there's a bigger fight to win the next day," said McMillen. "It never ends. And as a result, you can't quit. You have to keep showing up for your team and you have to do it with grace, intelligence, and tenacity. And, perhaps most importantly, it's never about me. The second it is I should hang my cover and head home. It's about our Sailors and Marines. It's about the mission. And if that isn't motivation, what is?”
McMillen, a Northern High School graduate, is a public affairs officer at Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“Public affairs officers advise and guide leadership on internal communication, external communication, media relations and community relations,” said McMillen. "We provide appropriate access to credible sources, we share consistent, timely, and transparent facts about the Navy and our strategic intent, and, ultimately, we bridge the gap between the Navy, the American public and our international audiences
McMillen is a part of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, an integrated naval headquarters. As the only forward-deployed standing integrated Navy and Marine Corps force, TF 51/5 executes operations, responds to contingencies and crises, and conducts theater security cooperation at sea, from the sea, and ashore in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Marine Corps Forces Central Command.
McMillen credits success at Task Force 51/5, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Dillsburg.
“Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, is the best small town in America,” said McMillen. "We break bread together, we work hard together, we celebrate together, we succeed together. Dillsburg taught me that each and every person has a story and is an integral part of our community, just as each and every Sailor and Marine has a story, a unique background, a sense of pride in what they do--and I try to create that sense of belonging--that home away from home--for whatever team I'm assigned to
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways. To meet this mission, in May 2016, Commander U. S. Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) signed a memorandum of understanding that agreed to integrate the staff s of CTF-51 Naval Amphibious Force and 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The result was TF 51/5, a fully integrated command that operates at sea, from the sea, and ashore in order to ready the force, shape the environment, engage partners, and conduct expeditionary operations.
“I am tasked with the responsibility to communicate with key target audiences including, but not limited to, Sailors and Marines, their families, media, host nation officials, allies and partners as well as the U.S. public,” said McMillen. "A well-executed public affairs program directly contributes to the command’s mission by ensuring unit personnel understand their role, manages open communication between senior leadership and the troops, which helps to improve morale by keeping unit personnel and their families informed."
Serving in the Navy means McMillen is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality, and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though McMillen has earned great distinction in her commands, communities, and career, she is most proud of honoring her fallen comrade.
"I'm most proud of wearing the uniform that week to comfort his family and accept his dog tags they bestowed; to give him his final salute as he was my first salute when I commissioned; to orate "Old Glory" at his graveside while his comrades folded the red, white, and blue and presented our nation's colors to his heartbroken mother," said McMillen. "I'm most proud of serving alongside real heroes who shall never be forgotten.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, McMillen and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Even on days when you get ahead, there's a bigger fight to win the next day," said McMillen. "It never ends. And as a result, you can't quit. You have to keep showing up for your team and you have to do it with grace, intelligence, and tenacity. And, perhaps most importantly, it's never about me. The second it is I should hang my cover and head home. It's about our Sailors and Marines. It's about the mission. And if that isn't motivation, what is?”