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.
Capt. Candace Eckert, a resident of Phoenix, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy Fleet Support Officer, who is responsible for supporting the sailors and officers in the Northwest region by leading the qualification program for Navy Reserve Commanding Officers; mentoring reserve leaders; and supporting events that prepare sailors for overseas deployment and recognize their return home.
Eckert is a 1978 Oakdale High School graduate and native of Oakdale, California. Eckert also earned a degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1982 majoring in computer science.
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.
“It's difficult to balance my civilian life with my Navy service,” said Eckert. “There are important life events that I've missed due to Navy obligations, but my family and my employer both support my service. This support is critical, as none of us could do what we do without support from our families and employers.”
As a Navy reservist, Eckert serves with Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command responsible for providing oversight, comprehensive support and guidance to 16 sites across 11 states, from Alaska to Minnesota, ensuring sailors are prepared to serve and deploy with the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Force, which includes the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Eckert 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, Eckert is most proud of strengthening the rule of law while deployed to Iraq and receiving the Bronze Star.
“I was deployed to Mosul, Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq, and served with soldiers, Marines and civilians to improve judicial transparency by establishing terrorism courts in the provinces,” said Eckert. “This involved working with the Iraqi Judiciary to provide security and facilities to enable them to conduct trials and deliver verdicts in safety. Prior to our efforts, the Iraqi criminal justice system had collapsed because judges and their families were targeted and killed by terrorists.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Eckert, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Eckert is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My husband, James 'Skip' Lind served in the Navy and my father served in the Army Air Corps,” said Eckert.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Eckert 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 deeply meaningful for me,” added Eckert. “My Navy experience has strengthened my leadership capabilities, provided a deeper understanding of different places and people around the world, and given me more confidence to stand up to things that are not right. It has allowed me to challenge myself, grow and be part of something bigger than just my own career.”
Eckert is a 1978 Oakdale High School graduate and native of Oakdale, California. Eckert also earned a degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1982 majoring in computer science.
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.
“It's difficult to balance my civilian life with my Navy service,” said Eckert. “There are important life events that I've missed due to Navy obligations, but my family and my employer both support my service. This support is critical, as none of us could do what we do without support from our families and employers.”
As a Navy reservist, Eckert serves with Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command responsible for providing oversight, comprehensive support and guidance to 16 sites across 11 states, from Alaska to Minnesota, ensuring sailors are prepared to serve and deploy with the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Force, which includes the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Eckert 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, Eckert is most proud of strengthening the rule of law while deployed to Iraq and receiving the Bronze Star.
“I was deployed to Mosul, Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq, and served with soldiers, Marines and civilians to improve judicial transparency by establishing terrorism courts in the provinces,” said Eckert. “This involved working with the Iraqi Judiciary to provide security and facilities to enable them to conduct trials and deliver verdicts in safety. Prior to our efforts, the Iraqi criminal justice system had collapsed because judges and their families were targeted and killed by terrorists.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Eckert, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Eckert is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My husband, James 'Skip' Lind served in the Navy and my father served in the Army Air Corps,” said Eckert.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Eckert 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 deeply meaningful for me,” added Eckert. “My Navy experience has strengthened my leadership capabilities, provided a deeper understanding of different places and people around the world, and given me more confidence to stand up to things that are not right. It has allowed me to challenge myself, grow and be part of something bigger than just my own career.”