GULFPORT, Miss. — Chief Petty Officer Kelly Murphy, a native of Carbondale, Illinois, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Construction Battalion 14 in Gulfport, Mississippi, home to the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Murphy graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 2008.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carbondale.
“My hometown is diverse, so I learned that everyone comes from a different background and effective communication is the most important tool for success,” Murphy said.
Murphy joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Murphy serves as a builder.
“I joined the Navy to honor my family’s military history and pursue a career in construction,” Murphy said. “I had a grandpa in the Army, and I wanted to keep my family name in the military. I also watched a lot of HGTV shows about building homes for families who lost them, and I realized through research that I could live my dream of traveling and building things in the Navy.”
Navy Seabees, formally known as naval construction forces, provide a wide range of construction in support of operating forces, including roads, bridges, bunkers, airfields and logistics bases. Additionally, they provide responsive support for disaster recovery operations, perform civic action projects to improve relations with other nations, and provide anti-terrorism and force protection for personnel and construction projects.
Whether serving in the construction force or in a supporting role, the sailors in Gulfport personify the “Can Do” attitude of Seabees and are ready to serve and support warfighters globally.
Murphy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I view my recent promotion to chief petty officer as a hard-earned and significant milestone in my career,” Murphy said. “Earning my anchors was no easy task, and now that I am here, I take great pride in my new role as a mentor to all junior sailors.”
Murphy serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I view my service as a personal commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders and leaving a lasting, positive legacy,” Murphy said. “Serving means I can help make a difference; with junior sailors under me, I have the opportunity to provide personal and professional guidance so that future generations might want to follow in my footsteps.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
Murphy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I am incredibly grateful to my parents, Richard and Marsha Murphy, for their unwavering trust in my decision to serve,” Murphy said. “I didn’t really consult them before I joined, and they never tried to talk me out of it. My dad passed away a few years ago, but they both supported me every day, and my mom continues to be that support for me now.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Murphy graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 2008.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carbondale.
“My hometown is diverse, so I learned that everyone comes from a different background and effective communication is the most important tool for success,” Murphy said.
Murphy joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Murphy serves as a builder.
“I joined the Navy to honor my family’s military history and pursue a career in construction,” Murphy said. “I had a grandpa in the Army, and I wanted to keep my family name in the military. I also watched a lot of HGTV shows about building homes for families who lost them, and I realized through research that I could live my dream of traveling and building things in the Navy.”
Navy Seabees, formally known as naval construction forces, provide a wide range of construction in support of operating forces, including roads, bridges, bunkers, airfields and logistics bases. Additionally, they provide responsive support for disaster recovery operations, perform civic action projects to improve relations with other nations, and provide anti-terrorism and force protection for personnel and construction projects.
Whether serving in the construction force or in a supporting role, the sailors in Gulfport personify the “Can Do” attitude of Seabees and are ready to serve and support warfighters globally.
Murphy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I view my recent promotion to chief petty officer as a hard-earned and significant milestone in my career,” Murphy said. “Earning my anchors was no easy task, and now that I am here, I take great pride in my new role as a mentor to all junior sailors.”
Murphy serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I view my service as a personal commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders and leaving a lasting, positive legacy,” Murphy said. “Serving means I can help make a difference; with junior sailors under me, I have the opportunity to provide personal and professional guidance so that future generations might want to follow in my footsteps.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
Murphy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I am incredibly grateful to my parents, Richard and Marsha Murphy, for their unwavering trust in my decision to serve,” Murphy said. “I didn’t really consult them before I joined, and they never tried to talk me out of it. My dad passed away a few years ago, but they both supported me every day, and my mom continues to be that support for me now.”