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 3rd Class Leon Duran, a resident of Denver, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy master-at-arms, who is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations and keeping up good order and discipline throughout the Navy.
Duran is a 2006 John F. Kennedy High School graduate and also earned a degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver majoring in criminology and entrepreneurship.
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 100K 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.
Duran finds it easy to balance his civilian life with his naval career.
“I find that being an entrepreneur I have the flexibility to create a schedule that fits anything I need to do in life,” said Duran. “It’s all about time management.”
Duran serves with Naval Security Forces (NSF) Okinawa responsible for working in the Training Department as well as the command's Funeral Honor Guard Team.
Duran 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, Duran is most proud of when he got certified to be a coxswain.
“I am most proud of being accepted in a coxswain academy because there were many sailors who applied to go to that academy and I was one of the sailors chosen,” said Duran.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Duran who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Duran is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have one distant cousin who served in the Army,” said Duran. “However, out of my immediate family I am the only one who has served. I would like to continue this legacy for many more generations.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Duran and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy to me means opportunity,” said Duran. “Opportunity to meet new people from all across the world. Opportunity to see life through different lenses. Opportunity to connect with cultures and to see how we differ as well as how we are similar to the rest of the word.”