MILLINGTON, Tenn. – As Americans reflect on the service of military men and women this Veterans Day, some may not realize that they are fellow residents with those who serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Fredric Gregory, a resident of Billings, Montana, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy construction electritian, who is also a funeral honors coordinator with the command.
Gregory is a 2000 Ontonagon Area High School graduate and native of Ontonagon, Michigan.
Reservists seamlessly support and actively aid military missions while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world, according to Navy officials.
“The Navy Reserve is a 100,000-strong team of sailors embedded across the fabric of society, loyal and dedicated patriots, serving both in uniform and civilian jobs, ready to defend the homeland and deploy across the world in a moment’s notice,” said Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Chief of Navy Reserve.
The Navy Reserve provides strategic depth to America’s Navy as it protects the American homeland and advances economic prosperity by preserving freedom of the seas.
“I'm lucky and self employed, so I am able to have a very flexible schedule,” said Gregory
As a Navy reservist, Gregory serves with Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Billings responsible for coordinating funeral honors.
“Our mission is to support reserve sailors, and assist them is staying mobilization ready by providing medical and administrative resources,” said Gregory.
Gregory is playing an important part 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 the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, 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 there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Gregory is most proud of being top student in his “A” school class.
“It took a lot of dedication and studying to continuously score high on tests and exams,” said Gregory.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Gregory, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Gregory is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Most of my family members have served,” said Gregory. “One grandfather landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, the other was in the Navy during WWII, one grandmother was in WAVES, my dad was in the Army during Vietnam, my sister has been in the Air Force for 22 years, my brother was in the Merchant Marines, and one of my aunts also served in the Air Force.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gregory and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being in the Navy means I get to serve my country, and community in ways that others cant,” added Gregory. “Serving means to me that the rest of the country relies on me to know my job, and perform it well to keep them safe and secure. No matter what job big or small, they all impact the Navy's mission readiness, and must be done with pride and integrity.”
Gregory is a 2000 Ontonagon Area High School graduate and native of Ontonagon, Michigan.
Reservists seamlessly support and actively aid military missions while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world, according to Navy officials.
“The Navy Reserve is a 100,000-strong team of sailors embedded across the fabric of society, loyal and dedicated patriots, serving both in uniform and civilian jobs, ready to defend the homeland and deploy across the world in a moment’s notice,” said Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Chief of Navy Reserve.
The Navy Reserve provides strategic depth to America’s Navy as it protects the American homeland and advances economic prosperity by preserving freedom of the seas.
“I'm lucky and self employed, so I am able to have a very flexible schedule,” said Gregory
As a Navy reservist, Gregory serves with Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Billings responsible for coordinating funeral honors.
“Our mission is to support reserve sailors, and assist them is staying mobilization ready by providing medical and administrative resources,” said Gregory.
Gregory is playing an important part 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 the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, 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 there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Gregory is most proud of being top student in his “A” school class.
“It took a lot of dedication and studying to continuously score high on tests and exams,” said Gregory.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Gregory, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Gregory is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Most of my family members have served,” said Gregory. “One grandfather landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, the other was in the Navy during WWII, one grandmother was in WAVES, my dad was in the Army during Vietnam, my sister has been in the Air Force for 22 years, my brother was in the Merchant Marines, and one of my aunts also served in the Air Force.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gregory and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being in the Navy means I get to serve my country, and community in ways that others cant,” added Gregory. “Serving means to me that the rest of the country relies on me to know my job, and perform it well to keep them safe and secure. No matter what job big or small, they all impact the Navy's mission readiness, and must be done with pride and integrity.”