MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. j.g. Erick Lamar Badger, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant junior grade while serving with the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) in Millington, Tennessee.
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Lt. j.g. Erick Lamar Badger receives new rank pins during a promotion ceremony at the Navy Office of Community Outreach. (Photo by Ethan Carter, Navy Office of Community Outreach) |
Badger graduated from Southview High School in 2011.
Badger was inspired to join the military by family members who also served.
"I come from a family of military service members," Badger said. "My grandfather, father, sister and uncle were all in the Army. So, I always knew that at some point I’d end up serving in the military. The opportunities it presented were already apparent to me, so I went with it."
Today, Badger serves as a public affairs officer (PAO) and event planner with NAVCO.
“As a PAO and event planner, I help bring the Navy to places without significant Navy presence,” Badger said. “Our goal is to educate and let the people know what the Navy is doing for them.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fayetteville.
"The biggest things my upbringing taught me were pride, loyalty and sacrifice," Badger said. "Pride in what you do and what you represent, knowing that you stand for more than yourself. Having loyalty to what you do on a daily basis, and turning that into discipline because you have the obligation to. Sacrifice, because as a service member, you make big sacrifices regarding family and the time we have with them. I learned most of what I know from my mother. My mom was a huge role model for me. Everything I have done, I dedicate to my mom because she raised me in a way that made me who I am. She taught me to have pride in myself and my community."
Badger joined the Navy 14 years ago as an enlisted sailor and served aboard four ships in San Diego and Japan, and completed a tour of shore duty in Great Lakes, Illinois.
“When I joined the Navy, I joined as an undesignated deck seaman and I did a lot of manual ship labor, a lot of the less enjoyable jobs," said Badger. "Then I became a ship serviceman, a barber. Throughout my career, I always had a feeling that there was more out there for me, that I wanted to do more and leave behind a legacy that was bigger than what was right in front of me.”
Badger earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2021 and commissioned from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 2023.
“When I first started out, I never thought it could be possible for me to be an officer, coming from the deck department,” Badger said. “But if you believe in what you can do and apply yourself, if you do the hard work and the necessary things, you can accomplish anything. So, for anyone who doesn’t believe in their ability to progress from wherever they are, the best thing you can do is take a chance. Make your dream a reality.
“Most of my experience in the Navy was in the barber shop, so my slogan since I became an officer has been, ‘From the barber shop to the war room.’ Another motto of mine is, ‘Always bet on yourself.’ I have both quotes on my personal commissioned coin.”
NAVCO connects Americans with their Navy. With most of the Navy's personnel and equipment logically concentrated on America's coasts, NAVCO oversees a number of community outreach programs designed to bring America's Navy to cities throughout the country that do not enjoy a significant Navy presence.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Badger has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I’ve had too many accomplishments for me to name," Badger said. "There have been so many experiences in the Navy that I never thought even for a second that I’d get to have, coming from where I did. I think exposure to new things and learning are the biggest accomplishments anyone can get in their life. In the Navy, we all come from such different backgrounds that there are infinite possibilities for growth."
Badger serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy exposed me to so many different things I had no idea existed prior to joining,” Badger said. “It gave me so many chances and pathways. All of the experiences transformed me forever.”
Badger can take pride in serving America through military service.
"It’s truly a tremendous honor and a privilege to serve amongst the men and women who dedicate themselves to serving our country on a day-in, day-out basis, and who have such immense pride and loyalty," Badger said. "I am proud to humbly say I share a creed with so many amazing people. I’ve been fortunate to serve alongside some of the best sailors out there."
Badger is grateful to others for helping make a career in the Navy possible.
“There are too many people to thank individually, because so many people in the Navy were influential along my journey,” Badger said. “They helped me to believe in myself, to push myself to be the best even when I didn't want to be and to maintain focus. I could not be here without the leadership, mentorship, guidance and friendship of everyone I’ve met in the Navy.”
Badger offered advice and encouragement to children and teens pursuing their goals.
“To all the kids back home, you can be more than what your surroundings allow you to be,” Badger said. “The best investment you can make in life is in yourself. The power of belief is real. Always believe that you can accomplish anything. You have to work like your life depends on it. Don't get caught up in what's going on in your hometown, think of your future, trust your gut and believe in yourself. Go after everything. If you fail, it's OK. Just get up, brush off your shoulders and keep going. You can be anyone you want to be as long as you try, but you have to try first.”
NAVCO connects Americans with their Navy. With most of the Navy's personnel and equipment logically concentrated on America's coasts, NAVCO oversees a number of community outreach programs designed to bring America's Navy to cities throughout the country that do not enjoy a significant Navy presence.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Badger has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I’ve had too many accomplishments for me to name," Badger said. "There have been so many experiences in the Navy that I never thought even for a second that I’d get to have, coming from where I did. I think exposure to new things and learning are the biggest accomplishments anyone can get in their life. In the Navy, we all come from such different backgrounds that there are infinite possibilities for growth."
Badger serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy exposed me to so many different things I had no idea existed prior to joining,” Badger said. “It gave me so many chances and pathways. All of the experiences transformed me forever.”
Badger can take pride in serving America through military service.
"It’s truly a tremendous honor and a privilege to serve amongst the men and women who dedicate themselves to serving our country on a day-in, day-out basis, and who have such immense pride and loyalty," Badger said. "I am proud to humbly say I share a creed with so many amazing people. I’ve been fortunate to serve alongside some of the best sailors out there."
Badger is grateful to others for helping make a career in the Navy possible.
“There are too many people to thank individually, because so many people in the Navy were influential along my journey,” Badger said. “They helped me to believe in myself, to push myself to be the best even when I didn't want to be and to maintain focus. I could not be here without the leadership, mentorship, guidance and friendship of everyone I’ve met in the Navy.”
Badger offered advice and encouragement to children and teens pursuing their goals.
“To all the kids back home, you can be more than what your surroundings allow you to be,” Badger said. “The best investment you can make in life is in yourself. The power of belief is real. Always believe that you can accomplish anything. You have to work like your life depends on it. Don't get caught up in what's going on in your hometown, think of your future, trust your gut and believe in yourself. Go after everything. If you fail, it's OK. Just get up, brush off your shoulders and keep going. You can be anyone you want to be as long as you try, but you have to try first.”