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 Thomas Conrad, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy aviation electronics technician, who is responsible for ensuring operation and readiness for Navy flying by maintaining some of the most complex aviation electronics systems in the world.
Conrad is a 2008 Elkhorn High School graduate and also earned a master’s degree from Creighton University in 2019 majoring in organizational leadership, business.
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 in the Navy Reserves, Conrad has spent more than a year a half working for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialist.
“As a full-time civilian employee and a Navy Reservist, finding a balance between both careers can be challenging at times,” said Conrad. “However, I have an excellent leadership team that understands and embraces military lifestyle and culture and is always willing to work with my dynamic schedule and support my career however they can.”
Conrad serves with Naval Operational Support Center Omaha and is responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining integrated electrical systems on the C-40A.
Conrad 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, Conrad is most proud of completing his master’s degree.
“Completing my master's degree has definitely been one of the greatest and most difficult challenges in my life so far,” said Conrad. “While balancing a full-time civilian career and a Navy career, this degree taught me about discipline, perseverance and time management. Through all of the long nights and countless hours spent studying, it challenged me to see the world through different perspectives, and has helped me grow into the leader I envisioned.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Conrad who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Conrad is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Navy. He showed me what it meant to have a strong work ethic, and how to embrace challenges with a positive attitude," said Conrad” “He inspired me to serve in the Navy, and I am proud to continue the tradition.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Conrad and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“To me, serving in the Navy means taking pride in your work, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, and constantly working towards bettering yourself and your teammates,” said Conrad.
Conrad is a 2008 Elkhorn High School graduate and also earned a master’s degree from Creighton University in 2019 majoring in organizational leadership, business.
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 in the Navy Reserves, Conrad has spent more than a year a half working for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialist.
“As a full-time civilian employee and a Navy Reservist, finding a balance between both careers can be challenging at times,” said Conrad. “However, I have an excellent leadership team that understands and embraces military lifestyle and culture and is always willing to work with my dynamic schedule and support my career however they can.”
Conrad serves with Naval Operational Support Center Omaha and is responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining integrated electrical systems on the C-40A.
Conrad 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, Conrad is most proud of completing his master’s degree.
“Completing my master's degree has definitely been one of the greatest and most difficult challenges in my life so far,” said Conrad. “While balancing a full-time civilian career and a Navy career, this degree taught me about discipline, perseverance and time management. Through all of the long nights and countless hours spent studying, it challenged me to see the world through different perspectives, and has helped me grow into the leader I envisioned.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Conrad who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Conrad is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Navy. He showed me what it meant to have a strong work ethic, and how to embrace challenges with a positive attitude," said Conrad” “He inspired me to serve in the Navy, and I am proud to continue the tradition.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Conrad and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“To me, serving in the Navy means taking pride in your work, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, and constantly working towards bettering yourself and your teammates,” said Conrad.
“It's a fast-paced and challenging career, but the rewards and opportunities are unrivaled by any other organization in the world.”