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 1st Class Nathanial Lackey, a resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy electronics technician, who is responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing various electronics equipment.
Lackey is a 2002 Camden County High School graduate and also earned a degree from Excelsior College in 2016 majoring in nuclear engineering technology.
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 with the Navy Reserves, Lackey has been working for Alcon for three and half years.
“I am up front with my family, friends and employer about my service, and they all support me 100 percent,” said Lackey
As a Navy reservist, Lackey serves with Navy Reserve Commander Task Force 69 Undersea Warfare Operations Atlanta as a unit leading petty officer responsible for any missing leadership in the unit to ensure that the unit functions are at peak efficiency. The command coordinates with allies to conduct submarine missions.
Lackey 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, Lackey is most proud of being a plank owner for two submarines.
“I did two new construction tours for two separate submarines, and I became a plank owner for both,” said Lackey. “I received my Submarine Surface Warfare qualification, my Dolphins, during the first tour.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lackey, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Lackey is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have a lot of family members who have served or are still serving in the military,” said Lackey. “Both of my grandfathers served in the Navy, my parents both served in the Navy where they met in A School. I enjoy the traditions, and I have great pride in being able to continue to live by them and maintain them.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Lackey 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 is one of the most defining things that I have ever done,” added Lackey. “I wake up every morning with pride for my service and my country.”
Lackey is a 2002 Camden County High School graduate and also earned a degree from Excelsior College in 2016 majoring in nuclear engineering technology.
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 with the Navy Reserves, Lackey has been working for Alcon for three and half years.
“I am up front with my family, friends and employer about my service, and they all support me 100 percent,” said Lackey
As a Navy reservist, Lackey serves with Navy Reserve Commander Task Force 69 Undersea Warfare Operations Atlanta as a unit leading petty officer responsible for any missing leadership in the unit to ensure that the unit functions are at peak efficiency. The command coordinates with allies to conduct submarine missions.
Lackey 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, Lackey is most proud of being a plank owner for two submarines.
“I did two new construction tours for two separate submarines, and I became a plank owner for both,” said Lackey. “I received my Submarine Surface Warfare qualification, my Dolphins, during the first tour.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lackey, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Lackey is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have a lot of family members who have served or are still serving in the military,” said Lackey. “Both of my grandfathers served in the Navy, my parents both served in the Navy where they met in A School. I enjoy the traditions, and I have great pride in being able to continue to live by them and maintain them.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Lackey 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 is one of the most defining things that I have ever done,” added Lackey. “I wake up every morning with pride for my service and my country.”