Phillips, Brandon, FT1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
Both sides of my family are heavy in the Service and/or LEOs; it was a natural decision.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined as an FC, pretty much as my Recruiter's replacement. Half way through A-School the FT Detailer (FTCS Cox) came and talked to us about joining the Submarine Force and since I had orders for Sea Sparrow in Norfolk (most likely CVN duty) I cross-rated to FT.

I went to the USS Alabama Blue in Bangor, as an FT3 for 5 and a half years. Did 5 Patrols; 2 TREs, 3 ORSEs, and numerous Exercises and Operations. I had a chance to go to the Houston in PH/Guam for a couple years but passed since I was stationed at home.

Spent the worst two years in my life in Puget Sound Shipyard as SEWS/Paint/Habitability LPO and spent duty days as a TM or MT.

Shore duty was at SLF/SubTraFac Norfolk as an Instructor. Made E6 on the 5th exam after missing previous two by 0.75 and 2 points. Scored 86th% with no NAMs and a 3.6 eval. Qualified Instructor, Instr. Evaluator, Course Supervisor; Six courses, operator & evaluator of four FC systems and Master Training Specialist.

Separated 16MAY11 after 10 years and four months.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
None live fire. Five strategic deterrent patrols; Battle Group JTFX, and SSGN / Spec Ops Testing.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
SLF Norfolk. Could not have survived the shore tour without the great group of STS1s and FT1s in our office. Department touch football, and "lunch" at Camp Allen Gun Range

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
CO questioned me on how I knew the specs on a specific target, off the top of my head, and I told him (in front of the XO, Nav, and piloting party) that, "It was my job and at XXXXXX yards I don't have the time to look it up..."

I always got flack for being a quiet FT, but it saved me from the times when I did act like an old-school FT.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Submarine Warfare Dolphins. Enough said: either you get it or you don't.
MTS would be second.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My first LPO FT1 Jay Palmer and sea dad FT3 Rossi who taught me how to be a real FT.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Drills are just that:drills. So when we had a spark in the laundry, it was "all hands on deck." By the time I made it from the Torpedo Room to MC3L all of A-Gang was in the p-way, in their skivvies, with extinguishers.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Looks like will be in the Oil Industry and an Electrical Technician aboard a drillship or rig.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Plan on joining Sub Vets.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Great mentors or not, golden child or whipping boy; your career is yours to manage.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
4, 10, 20 or 30 years; we are not in forever. Plan early.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Found a few friends that weren't in another social site.

DMR