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 2nd Class Sarah Paplow, a resident of Urbandale, Iowa, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy logistics specialist, who is responsible for maintaining military supply stores to include purchasing and procurement, shipping and receiving, invertory management and the issuing of equipment, repair parts, consumables and hazardous materials.
Paplow is a 2003 Indianola High School graduate and native of Indianola, Iowa. Paplow also earned a degree from University of Northern Iowa and Webster University earning a bachelor’s degree in textiles and apparel and marketing and a master’s degree in human resources management.
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.
“Balancing civilian life and the reserves can be tough at times,” said Paplow “The most important thing in balancing your military career and civilian career is to ensure clear communication with both entities and to complete tasks in a timely manner.”
As a Navy reservist, Paplow serves with Naval Operational Support Center Des Moines and is cross-assigned to Fleet Logisitics Center Sigonella. She is responsible for supporting and enhancing sailor career management, retention and career development. Her command provides logistics, business and support services to U.S. Naval and Joint Forces through partnerships and sound business practices to ensure readiness with material accountability.
Paplow 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, Paplow is most proud of being a part of the ceremonial guard for two years where she performed at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery and provided tours to the general public and foreign dignitaries at the Pentagon.
“I'm very proud that I was selected in bootcamp to be a part of a special duty assignment,” said Paplow. “During my time in Washington D.C. I had to work extremely hard to not be great, but exceptional. This landed me the opportunity to represent the U.S. Navy at the Pentagon.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Paplow, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Paplow is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandpa served in the military, but unfortunately I never had the chance to meet him,” said Paplow. “I would love to create a legacy for generations to come. It is not only a privilege to be a part of the less than one percent of the U.S. population that has served in the military, but to be a female serving in the military as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Paplow 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 means I get to be apart of something bigger than myself,” added Paplow. “I get to travel the world and experience cultures firsthand while supporting the mission.”
Paplow is a 2003 Indianola High School graduate and native of Indianola, Iowa. Paplow also earned a degree from University of Northern Iowa and Webster University earning a bachelor’s degree in textiles and apparel and marketing and a master’s degree in human resources management.
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.
“Balancing civilian life and the reserves can be tough at times,” said Paplow “The most important thing in balancing your military career and civilian career is to ensure clear communication with both entities and to complete tasks in a timely manner.”
As a Navy reservist, Paplow serves with Naval Operational Support Center Des Moines and is cross-assigned to Fleet Logisitics Center Sigonella. She is responsible for supporting and enhancing sailor career management, retention and career development. Her command provides logistics, business and support services to U.S. Naval and Joint Forces through partnerships and sound business practices to ensure readiness with material accountability.
Paplow 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, Paplow is most proud of being a part of the ceremonial guard for two years where she performed at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery and provided tours to the general public and foreign dignitaries at the Pentagon.
“I'm very proud that I was selected in bootcamp to be a part of a special duty assignment,” said Paplow. “During my time in Washington D.C. I had to work extremely hard to not be great, but exceptional. This landed me the opportunity to represent the U.S. Navy at the Pentagon.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Paplow, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Paplow is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandpa served in the military, but unfortunately I never had the chance to meet him,” said Paplow. “I would love to create a legacy for generations to come. It is not only a privilege to be a part of the less than one percent of the U.S. population that has served in the military, but to be a female serving in the military as well.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Paplow 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 means I get to be apart of something bigger than myself,” added Paplow. “I get to travel the world and experience cultures firsthand while supporting the mission.”