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 Casey Curtis, a resident of Westfield, Indiana, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy hospital corpsman, who is responsible for filling the needs of 68 sailors who provide medical and dental services and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in their personal careers.
Curtis is a 2003 Coconut Creek High School graduate and native of Coconut Creek, Florida.
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 in the Navy Reserves, Curtis has worked as a fire lieutenant for the past four years and has worked as a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years.
“Being a full-time husband, father and public servant all while being a citizen sailor, is not an easy task,” said Curtis. “I have a great employer who allots me dedicated paid time away, and an amazing wife who understands the need for me to serve.”
As a Navy reservist, Curtis serves with Expeditionary Medical Facility Great Lakes One, Detachment R and is the leading petty officer of the medical detachment. The mission of our medical unit, is to ensure the 575+ sailors and Marines assigned to the unit are medically and dentally ready to support any operation when called upon.
Curtis 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, Curtis is most proud of earning his Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist Pin.
“This pin took blood, sweat and tears. I was the sole sailor being interviewed and tested which is normally done with multiple sailors,” said Curtis. “I achieved this while serving in combat operations in Afghanistan. This is a coveted pin that not many are able to wear.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Curtis, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Curtis is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I am a third generation U.S. Navy sailor. My grandfather served in WWII and my father was a SeaBee in Vietnam,” said Curitis. “It is an honor to continue to weave the cloth of freedom, paving the way for our continued freedoms. I am hoping to not be the last U.S. service member in my family, as it is a way of life, full of honor, traditions, and a strong foundation a college could never give you the opportunity to build.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Curtis 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 not about me, it is about our way of life, and about the freedoms we hold dear to our hearts,” said Curtis. “I want my kids, and eventually their kids, to continue to live in freedom. I am a patriot, it is in my blood, it is who I am.”
Curtis is a 2003 Coconut Creek High School graduate and native of Coconut Creek, Florida.
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 in the Navy Reserves, Curtis has worked as a fire lieutenant for the past four years and has worked as a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years.
“Being a full-time husband, father and public servant all while being a citizen sailor, is not an easy task,” said Curtis. “I have a great employer who allots me dedicated paid time away, and an amazing wife who understands the need for me to serve.”
As a Navy reservist, Curtis serves with Expeditionary Medical Facility Great Lakes One, Detachment R and is the leading petty officer of the medical detachment. The mission of our medical unit, is to ensure the 575+ sailors and Marines assigned to the unit are medically and dentally ready to support any operation when called upon.
Curtis 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, Curtis is most proud of earning his Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist Pin.
“This pin took blood, sweat and tears. I was the sole sailor being interviewed and tested which is normally done with multiple sailors,” said Curtis. “I achieved this while serving in combat operations in Afghanistan. This is a coveted pin that not many are able to wear.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Curtis, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Curtis is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I am a third generation U.S. Navy sailor. My grandfather served in WWII and my father was a SeaBee in Vietnam,” said Curitis. “It is an honor to continue to weave the cloth of freedom, paving the way for our continued freedoms. I am hoping to not be the last U.S. service member in my family, as it is a way of life, full of honor, traditions, and a strong foundation a college could never give you the opportunity to build.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Curtis 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 not about me, it is about our way of life, and about the freedoms we hold dear to our hearts,” said Curtis. “I want my kids, and eventually their kids, to continue to live in freedom. I am a patriot, it is in my blood, it is who I am.”