MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Damon McTeer, from New York, New York, recently started with the U.S. Navy as a civilian employee assigned to Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC), Williamsburg, Virginia.
McTeer is a 1993 graduate of Park West High School. Additionally, McTeer earned a bachelor’s degree in management studies, with a minor in contracts and acquisitions, in 2016 from the University of Maryland University College.
The skills and values needed to succeed as a Navy civilian are similar to those found in New York.
“Growing up in Harlem, NYC, wasn’t easy but it was also fun at times,” said McTeer. “It taught me to be tough and resilient, and it drove me to want something more out of life. With the support of my wife, I was able to serve my country for 24 years on active duty service.”
McTeer served in the Air Force for 24 years before retiring.
“My journey to the Air Force started with me living with my aunt and uncle at Griffiss Air Force base, located in Rome, New York, for about a year,” said McTeer. “My mom was having a hard time with my behavior and thought a change in scenery would be good for me. That would be my first introduction to the armed services.”
McTeer said his best assignment was at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, where he experienced the beautiful Asian culture and sampled the cuisine. McTeer’s most memorable assignment was his time in the Middle East, serving side by side with the Army, Navy and Marine warfighters.
“I spent four years in the Middle East and my family members would always be curious about what I did,” said McTeer. “I would reply that we tried to help and give hope to people that didn’t necessarily have the same opportunities we are afforded.”
Today, McTeer serves as a civilian supporting the Navy at NMRLC as an inventory management specialist.
“I joined the Navy’s civilian federal service because it’s another opportunity for me to continue to support my country, the warfighter, and serve alongside my sister service,” said McTeer. “The best thing about being an inventory management specialist in the medical logistics field is knowing that we are entrusted with being good stewards of the resources provided and that those resources can be detrimental to the lives of our warfighters.”
Headed by Capt. Christopher Barnes, NMRLC develops, acquires, produces, fields, sustains, and provides enduring lifecycle support of medical materiel solutions to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. At the forefront of Navy Medicine’s strategic evolution, NMRLC is well positioned to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.
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.
McTeer supports a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
McTeer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military and civil service.
“I’ve only been with the Navy for about a week, but just getting the opportunity to serve alongside these amazing folks is what I am proud of thus far,” said McTeer.
McTeer can take pride in serving America.
“Serving in the Navy as a civilian means a lot to me,” said McTeer. “It affords me another opportunity to give back to my fellow service members and gives me a front-row seat to see our upcoming future leaders.”