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 Blake Brown, a resident of Vermillion, South Dakota, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy intelligence specialist, who is responsible for keeping sailor’s information up to date.
Brown is a 2017 Central High School graduate and native of Rapid City, South Dakota. Brown also is currently attending college and is completing a degree in accounting and spanish.
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.
Brown manages being a full-time student with his military service by staying organized.
“I keep a journal that keeps me on track with my life with school and with the Navy,” said Brown. “I try to get all I can get done during drill weekends but I am able to make time if I need to during non-drill weekend days.”
As a Navy reservist, Brown serves with Naval Operations Support Center Sioux Falls. The mission of the Naval Operations Support Center is to generate mobilization readiness by providing administrative services, training support and world class customer service to reserve personnel in support of surge and operational requirements for the Navy and Marine Corps team, and Joint Forces.
Brown 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, Brown is most proud of completing A and C school to become an intelligence specialist.
“I am very proud of receiving this accomplishment because it took many long days and hard work to make it to graduation,” said Brown.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Brown, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Brown is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have had a couple family members serve in the military but not much of a legacy,” said Brown. "I enjoyed hearing their stories of their service and I had to experience it for myself.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Brown 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 experience a different way of life, gain new disciplines, get financial help with college and travel the world,” added Brown.
Brown is a 2017 Central High School graduate and native of Rapid City, South Dakota. Brown also is currently attending college and is completing a degree in accounting and spanish.
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.
Brown manages being a full-time student with his military service by staying organized.
“I keep a journal that keeps me on track with my life with school and with the Navy,” said Brown. “I try to get all I can get done during drill weekends but I am able to make time if I need to during non-drill weekend days.”
As a Navy reservist, Brown serves with Naval Operations Support Center Sioux Falls. The mission of the Naval Operations Support Center is to generate mobilization readiness by providing administrative services, training support and world class customer service to reserve personnel in support of surge and operational requirements for the Navy and Marine Corps team, and Joint Forces.
Brown 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, Brown is most proud of completing A and C school to become an intelligence specialist.
“I am very proud of receiving this accomplishment because it took many long days and hard work to make it to graduation,” said Brown.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Brown, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Brown is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have had a couple family members serve in the military but not much of a legacy,” said Brown. "I enjoyed hearing their stories of their service and I had to experience it for myself.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Brown 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 experience a different way of life, gain new disciplines, get financial help with college and travel the world,” added Brown.