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. Cmdr. Brian Petak, a resident of Lansing, New York, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy surface warfare officer responsible for training and supporting fellow reservists during monthly drills and is a team lead for watch floor operations while attached to active duty commands.
Petak is a 2003 Lansing High School graduate and also earned a technology degree from Purdue University in 2007.
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.
“One can never forget Navy service dictates that your priorities will not always be in your preferred order,” said Petak. “My wife and I balance our civilian life by reminding ourselves that there are thousands of personnel on active duty serving us at all times who get an even smaller choice in their priorities. That reminder really helps us to shake out what our priorities should be and focus on what matters most when we have the ability to choose.”
As a Navy reservist, Petak serves with Undersea Warfare Operations Schenectady providing direct support of operations in underwater surveillance and tracking of adversaries as well as strategic deterrence in an effort to discourage hostile acts and war.
“Requirements due to high operational tempo are frequently unsustainable by active duty personnel, so our command's mission is particularly valuable as we provide personnel ready to start operations and seamlessly integrate into active duty roles,” said Petak.
Petak 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, Petak is most proud of seeing others learn, grow and succeed in their careers.
“If you know something that will help someone it is your duty to share and pass along knowledge that would be lost otherwise, so I like to call it 'giving away the secrets,'” said Petak. “There are so many things that are not written somewhere and tricks of the trade that can only be communicated by coaching. I have been approached several times by personnel truly thankful for the help and it is always an extraordinary reminder that you have made a difference.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Petak, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Petak is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I come from a long line of family members who have served not only the United States, but also the United Kingdom and Canada,” said Petak. “While that is a great source of pride, it is important to encourage people who have no family history of service to consider defending our great nation. There are some excellent articles out there about the 'warrior caste' and how differences in families without a legacy of military service are deepening a divide in understanding the armed conflict that has provided for our safety and security.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Petak and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“My service in the Navy has directly contributed to the peace our world largely enjoys every day,” said Petak. “To loosely quote Richard Grenier's summary of George Orwell's sentiment, ‘people sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men and women stand ready to do violence on their behalf.’ That is what Navy service is all about.”
Petak is a 2003 Lansing High School graduate and also earned a technology degree from Purdue University in 2007.
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.
“One can never forget Navy service dictates that your priorities will not always be in your preferred order,” said Petak. “My wife and I balance our civilian life by reminding ourselves that there are thousands of personnel on active duty serving us at all times who get an even smaller choice in their priorities. That reminder really helps us to shake out what our priorities should be and focus on what matters most when we have the ability to choose.”
As a Navy reservist, Petak serves with Undersea Warfare Operations Schenectady providing direct support of operations in underwater surveillance and tracking of adversaries as well as strategic deterrence in an effort to discourage hostile acts and war.
“Requirements due to high operational tempo are frequently unsustainable by active duty personnel, so our command's mission is particularly valuable as we provide personnel ready to start operations and seamlessly integrate into active duty roles,” said Petak.
Petak 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, Petak is most proud of seeing others learn, grow and succeed in their careers.
“If you know something that will help someone it is your duty to share and pass along knowledge that would be lost otherwise, so I like to call it 'giving away the secrets,'” said Petak. “There are so many things that are not written somewhere and tricks of the trade that can only be communicated by coaching. I have been approached several times by personnel truly thankful for the help and it is always an extraordinary reminder that you have made a difference.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Petak, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Petak is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I come from a long line of family members who have served not only the United States, but also the United Kingdom and Canada,” said Petak. “While that is a great source of pride, it is important to encourage people who have no family history of service to consider defending our great nation. There are some excellent articles out there about the 'warrior caste' and how differences in families without a legacy of military service are deepening a divide in understanding the armed conflict that has provided for our safety and security.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Petak and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“My service in the Navy has directly contributed to the peace our world largely enjoys every day,” said Petak. “To loosely quote Richard Grenier's summary of George Orwell's sentiment, ‘people sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men and women stand ready to do violence on their behalf.’ That is what Navy service is all about.”