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.
Master Chief Petty Officer Patrice Frede, a resident of Greenville, North Carolina, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy quartermaster, who serves as the senior enlisted leader at the command.
Frede is a 1980 Valley View Jr/Sr High School graduate and native of Jessup, Pennsylvania. Frede also earned a degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1984 majoring in psychology and criminal justice.
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.
In addition to serving in the Navy Reserve, Frede has worked at East Carolina University since 2007.
“It gets more and more difficult to balance civilian and service life as you move up the ranks," said Frede. "There is no way the demands of being a reservist can be fulfilled during one weekend per month.”
As a Navy reservist, Frede serves with Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic as the senior enlisted leader where her and her sailors provide support to the fleet.
Frede 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.
In addition to serving in the Navy Reserve, Frede has worked at East Carolina University since 2007.
“It gets more and more difficult to balance civilian and service life as you move up the ranks," said Frede. "There is no way the demands of being a reservist can be fulfilled during one weekend per month.”
As a Navy reservist, Frede serves with Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic as the senior enlisted leader where her and her sailors provide support to the fleet.
Frede 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.”
“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, Frede is most proud of serving on a female engagement team in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
Although my Navy career has been a roller coaster ride, I am most proud of serving on a Female Engagement Team in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
Although my Navy career has been a roller coaster ride, I am most proud of serving on a Female Engagement Team in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
“I am proud to have attained qualification as an enlisted surface warfare specialist, expeditionary warfare specialist and to be a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy,” said Frede. "Additionally I am proud of teaching at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan and serving as the senior enlisted advisor for the Friends of Africa Volunteers while deployed to the Horn of Africa."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Frede 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 contributing to the greater good, being part of something greater than yourself and first and foremost, mentoring the next generation of leaders in our Navy,” added Frede.