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.
Lt. j.g. LeAnne Burks, a resident of Green, Ohio, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy aviation maintenance duty officer, who is responsible for executing the unit’s mission and care and training of more than 350 sailors.
Burks is a 2005 Barberton High School graduate and native of Barberton, Ohio. Burks also earned a MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019 majoring in aviation.
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.
In addition to serving in the Navy Reserves, Burks has also been working at her civilian job for the past five years.
“While in the reserves and working a civilian job, it is essentially having two jobs," said Burks. “Then throw in kids, a house, family, friends, hobbies and it is a balancing act between it all.”
As a Navy reservist, Burks serves with Naval Operational Support Center Akron as an executive officer. The command's mission is to ensure that sailors are ready to deploy in the event they are called to duty. This readiness is known as the whole sailor idea that not only do they need to be physically and medically ready, but that they also need to be ready personally as well as their families.
Burks 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, Burks is most proud of obtaining her Naval Aircrewman Wings.
“I am very proud of receiving my Naval Aircrewman Wings,” said Burks. “I hit a lot of road blocks trying to obtain this qualification, but hard work and determination led me to finally being awarded my wings.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Burks, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Burks is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“The last family member to serve in the military was my grandfather in Vietnam. As a young kid he never spoke about it much and I didn't find out more until I was an adult,” said Burks. “One big reason I wanted to serve was the events that happened on 9/11.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Burks 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 means I get to serve my country and help maintain safety and freedom in a country that my children grow up in,” said Burks. “My service shows my children about sacrifice for not only yourself, but for your fellow man and how it can benefit more people than you realize in the end.”
Burks is a 2005 Barberton High School graduate and native of Barberton, Ohio. Burks also earned a MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019 majoring in aviation.
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.
In addition to serving in the Navy Reserves, Burks has also been working at her civilian job for the past five years.
“While in the reserves and working a civilian job, it is essentially having two jobs," said Burks. “Then throw in kids, a house, family, friends, hobbies and it is a balancing act between it all.”
As a Navy reservist, Burks serves with Naval Operational Support Center Akron as an executive officer. The command's mission is to ensure that sailors are ready to deploy in the event they are called to duty. This readiness is known as the whole sailor idea that not only do they need to be physically and medically ready, but that they also need to be ready personally as well as their families.
Burks 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, Burks is most proud of obtaining her Naval Aircrewman Wings.
“I am very proud of receiving my Naval Aircrewman Wings,” said Burks. “I hit a lot of road blocks trying to obtain this qualification, but hard work and determination led me to finally being awarded my wings.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Burks, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Burks is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“The last family member to serve in the military was my grandfather in Vietnam. As a young kid he never spoke about it much and I didn't find out more until I was an adult,” said Burks. “One big reason I wanted to serve was the events that happened on 9/11.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Burks 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 means I get to serve my country and help maintain safety and freedom in a country that my children grow up in,” said Burks. “My service shows my children about sacrifice for not only yourself, but for your fellow man and how it can benefit more people than you realize in the end.”