OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Wheeler, a native of New Bern, North Carolina, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Wheeler graduated from New Bern High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in New Bern.
“I was part of the New Bern High School wrestling team and our coach, Bo Lansche, always taught us about endurance and resiliency,” said Wheeler. “He truly shaped me into the man I am today. He taught me to never quit or give up and to take the good with the bad. Because of that, I’m able to push through things and see things on the better side.”
Wheeler joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Wheeler serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to continue my family’s tradition of service,” said Wheeler. “I’m a fourth-generation sailor. My great-grandfather was a corpsman, my grandfather was a yeoman, both of my parents were corpsmen, my brothers are yeomen and now I’m a corpsman.”
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.”
Wheeler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of my time in Okinawa, Japan, where I worked in labor and delivery,” said Wheeler. “I had the opportunity to educate new parents and be there for the babies’ first moments with the moms and dads. I worked with a great team and it set an amazing foundation for my career. I’m also proud of my time with the Marine Corps Security Forces in Cuba. Getting to directly contribute to the safety and well-being of the entire base meant a lot to me. I was the only corpsman there.”
Wheeler serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means the world to me,” said Wheeler. “As a hospital corpsman, I get to serve my fellow sailors and Marines to help them get back into the fight.”
Wheeler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wrestling coach Bo Lansche,” added Wheeler. “For all the lessons he taught me and experiences he gave me and my brothers growing up.”