CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Selena Brackrog, a dental technician and native of Spring Hill, Florida, was recognized as the Camp Lemonnier Member in the Spotlight, for the week of Sept. 16, 2019. Located in an austere environment, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti is a U.S. Navy base located in the Horn of Africa and is the only enduring U.S. military base on the continent of Africa.
“I am extremely proud of Petty Officer Brackrog and congratulate her on her nomination as the Camp Lemonnier member in the Spotlight,” said Master Chief Andy Gray, command master chief of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. “It’s not easy being deployed from home to an environment like the one we have here, but Petty Officer Brackrog exemplifies the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment and is an outstanding representative of our command and our nation.”
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti provides, operates, and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness and security of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel for regional and combatant command requirements, enabling operations and providing stability in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African Nations relations.
Brackrog, a 2014 graduate of Central High School, credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in a military family. She comes from two generations of military service, but is the third in her family to join the Navy.
“My mother’s strength was my motivation for joining the Navy,” said Brackrog. “I witnessed a strong woman who continued to be a mom, while serving our country when she deployed to Iraq for 18 months.”
“My mother’s strength was my motivation for joining the Navy,” said Brackrog. “I witnessed a strong woman who continued to be a mom, while serving our country when she deployed to Iraq for 18 months.”
A key element of the Navy that the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is dependent upon 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 near a coast, and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“We demand the highest standards from our sailors both professionally and personally,” said Capt. Ken Crowe, commanding officer of Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti. “Petty Officer Brackrog is the epitome of these standards and her exemplary behavior is an example of how all military members should carry themselves every day as an ambassador of the United States of America at home and abroad.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Brackrog is currently enrolled in college and is two classes away from her associate’s degree and plans to continue her studies to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nutrition.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Brackrog and other sailors stationed at Camp Lemonnier know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I love working in the dental community because it’s a lot of one-on-one time with the service member and I get to learn a lot about them,” said Brackrog. “So when I am around base, I see so many familiar faces and feel like I know everyone.”