OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Lt. Garrett Green, a native of Palos Park, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
 |
| Photo by Ashley Craig |
Green graduated from Marist High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Palos Park.
“I come from an Irish Catholic family,” said Green. “My hometown is surrounded by faith and people of service. Palos Park is a small suburb but I received a top notch education that allowed me to excel and problem solve. The Navy is similar. You are given the tools to problem solve but ultimately it is all in service to others.”
Green joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Green serves as an intelligence officer.
“I was a high school teacher and was inspired by educating others,” said Green. “The Navy was an opportunity where I could continue to instruct junior sailors while also making new friends. I saw that the Navy was full of hard-charging people who were motivated to grow and be something more. I wanted to be surrounded by that culture and have not been disappointed.”
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.”
Green has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishments in the Navy aren’t related to awards or ribbons,” said Green. “My role is support. Whenever I pass timely information up the chain through a phone call, email or briefing and it helps our decision makers I see that as an absolute win. At the same time, when I can support my sailors with their personal lives or professional development even as I am growing personally and professionally, I feel greatly rewarded by that.”
Green serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The day I received the phone call that I was selected for Officer Candidate School was the best day of my life,” said Green. I was so proud to join a tradition of warfighters that willfully leave their homes to strive for something greater for our country. It may be cliché but for me the Navy is about the people next to me. I love my sailors, airmen, Marines, soldiers, contractors, etc. We come together to execute our mission and hopefully have some fun along the way. I have met so many unique, talented and incredible people in the Navy and it has meant everything.
Green is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I would like to thank my parents who instilled discipline and morality into my heart,” added Green. “I would also like to thank all the sailors who helped me become who I am today. My recruiter, my DIVOs, DH’s, peers and enlisted sailors. It is tough learning the Navy life but our culture is 100% about helping those in need and I have been grateful for all I have received. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the most important person in my life, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gives me the strength, moral courage and grace to be a better naval officer.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Palos Park.
“I come from an Irish Catholic family,” said Green. “My hometown is surrounded by faith and people of service. Palos Park is a small suburb but I received a top notch education that allowed me to excel and problem solve. The Navy is similar. You are given the tools to problem solve but ultimately it is all in service to others.”
Green joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Green serves as an intelligence officer.
“I was a high school teacher and was inspired by educating others,” said Green. “The Navy was an opportunity where I could continue to instruct junior sailors while also making new friends. I saw that the Navy was full of hard-charging people who were motivated to grow and be something more. I wanted to be surrounded by that culture and have not been disappointed.”
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.”
Green has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishments in the Navy aren’t related to awards or ribbons,” said Green. “My role is support. Whenever I pass timely information up the chain through a phone call, email or briefing and it helps our decision makers I see that as an absolute win. At the same time, when I can support my sailors with their personal lives or professional development even as I am growing personally and professionally, I feel greatly rewarded by that.”
Green serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The day I received the phone call that I was selected for Officer Candidate School was the best day of my life,” said Green. I was so proud to join a tradition of warfighters that willfully leave their homes to strive for something greater for our country. It may be cliché but for me the Navy is about the people next to me. I love my sailors, airmen, Marines, soldiers, contractors, etc. We come together to execute our mission and hopefully have some fun along the way. I have met so many unique, talented and incredible people in the Navy and it has meant everything.
Green is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I would like to thank my parents who instilled discipline and morality into my heart,” added Green. “I would also like to thank all the sailors who helped me become who I am today. My recruiter, my DIVOs, DH’s, peers and enlisted sailors. It is tough learning the Navy life but our culture is 100% about helping those in need and I have been grateful for all I have received. I would also be remiss if I did not thank the most important person in my life, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gives me the strength, moral courage and grace to be a better naval officer.”