OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Read, a native of Flint, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Read graduated from Clio High School in 2014.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Flint.
“Growing up in Flint, you learn to make the most with what you have,” said Read.
Read joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Read serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“My family is full of military,” said Read. "I have cousins in the Army. I also have one uncle in the Marines and another uncle who retired as a Navy corpsman. I joined to continue the tradition of family service. "
Members of VP-9 fly and maintain the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. P-8A aircraft deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Read has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud of my deployment aboard USS Nimitz in 2020 where I earned both my Surface Warfare and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Qualifications,” said Read.
Read serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Being in the Navy is an honor because I get to serve as an example of the good in life,” said Read. "This is especially important today with so much negativity in the world."
Read is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my mom, Cathy Read,” added Read. "She always kept me motivated and kept my head straight. Of course, I also want to thank my wife, Amanda, who is a first class petty officer in the Navy. I'm thankful for her offering me perspective about the good parts of the Navy and for helping me stay on course to achieve my goals."