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 Anthony Orlowski, a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy naval aircrewman (mechanical) responsible for faciliating the safe and expeditious transportation of Navy personnel and supplies. Orlowski is also the command’s career counselor who helps other sailors naviagte their careers. He provides the sailors with guidance on programs both within and outside the Navy to cultivate their growth.
Orlowski is a 2004 Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts graduate and native of Buffalo, New York. Orlowski also earned a degree from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2008 majoring in integrative biology.
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 moments 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.
“I am fortunate that both my Navy command and civilian employer have a mutual respect and understanding of my responsibilities and skillset,” said Orlowski. “I am able to draw from the knowledge and experiences in my Navy career and apply them to my civilian job, and vice versa.”
As a Navy reservist, Orlowski serves with Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Tampa as a unit career counselor and funeral honors Team member. The NOSC provides administrative, logistical and medical support to sailors as well as funeral honors services.
Orlowski 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, Orlowski is most proud of earning the Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist pin.
“The process is difficult for a cross-assigned sailor and requires the sailor's dedication and the squadron's full support,” said Orlowski. “Receiving my wings was the culmination of a journey which began in boot camp and ended three years later, after numerous hours of studying, practice and participating in flight missions throughout six different countries.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Orlowski who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Orlowski is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My paternal and maternal grandfathers and my father served,” said Orlowski. “I am grateful to carry on the tradition of military service and would feel honored if my children continue the legacy of service.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Orlowski 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 allows me to fulfill a multitude of goals,” added Orlowski. “My role as a naval aircrewman affords me the opportunity to travel to places I would otherwise never see. As a unit career counselor, I am fortunate to help guide my peers toward a successful Navy career. And as a member of the funeral honors team, I am able to participate in a humbling tradition that provides an admirable and ceremonious closing to a veteran's life.”
“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 moments 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.
“I am fortunate that both my Navy command and civilian employer have a mutual respect and understanding of my responsibilities and skillset,” said Orlowski. “I am able to draw from the knowledge and experiences in my Navy career and apply them to my civilian job, and vice versa.”
As a Navy reservist, Orlowski serves with Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Tampa as a unit career counselor and funeral honors Team member. The NOSC provides administrative, logistical and medical support to sailors as well as funeral honors services.
Orlowski 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, Orlowski is most proud of earning the Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist pin.
“The process is difficult for a cross-assigned sailor and requires the sailor's dedication and the squadron's full support,” said Orlowski. “Receiving my wings was the culmination of a journey which began in boot camp and ended three years later, after numerous hours of studying, practice and participating in flight missions throughout six different countries.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Orlowski who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Orlowski is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My paternal and maternal grandfathers and my father served,” said Orlowski. “I am grateful to carry on the tradition of military service and would feel honored if my children continue the legacy of service.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Orlowski 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 allows me to fulfill a multitude of goals,” added Orlowski. “My role as a naval aircrewman affords me the opportunity to travel to places I would otherwise never see. As a unit career counselor, I am fortunate to help guide my peers toward a successful Navy career. And as a member of the funeral honors team, I am able to participate in a humbling tradition that provides an admirable and ceremonious closing to a veteran's life.”