Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Chief Petty Officer
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Current/Last Primary NEC
BM-0000-Boatswain's Mate
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Boatswain's Mate
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Primary Unit
2009-2012, MESD-711, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 7 (MSRON-7)
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Service Years
1992 - 2012
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Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Decommissioning
Operation Enduring Freedom
Order of the Shellback
Order of the Golden Shellback
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1992-1993, HQ, RTC Great Lakes, IL (Company Commander/Staff)
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1993-1995, USS Independence (CV-62)
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1995-1998, USS Boxer (LHD-4)
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1998-2000, USS Valley Forge (CG-50)
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2000-2003, CNO - OPNAV
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2003-2006, USS Frank Cable (AS-40)
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2006-2008, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC)
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2008-2009, NSY Portsmouth Detachment San Diego, Portsmouth Navy Yard
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2009-2012, MESD-711, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 7 (MSRON-7)
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2012-2012, Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 1 (MESG-1), Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF)
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Reflections on CPO Bates's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I lived in a small town and wanted something more than just factory work.
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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?
At first I wanted to join as a trumpet musician but decided not because I wanted to explore my options. I was trained as a Deck Seaman and enjoyed the Boatswain's Mate rate. I was selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 2004.
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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?
The closest to enemy danger I came was on-board the USS Valley Forge (CG-50). We were conducting VBSS Operations (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) in the Persian Gulf. We would pull anchor every morning, launch the Helo in the air, track down the nearest suspicious Vessel and stop them. We worked with the Navy Seals driving MK-5 boats who would circle the Vessel once the Helo spotted them. We would drop anchor on our ship and launch the VBSS Team via the RHIB boat. We would muster up all the Vessel's crew, check their manifestation, and then search the entire Vessel, opening up all cargo container units, and look for whatever illegal items we were instructed to search for.
The scariest part was you didn't know if the crew was hiding anything or if they had weapons. We had to watch each other's back and keep our eyes and ears open at all times while searching the Vessel. The heat index was 126 degrees on a breezy day and those Vessels did not have AC. (Imagine the sun reflecting off the hot steel up on the topside decks). Our RHIB boat was traversing back and forth between our Ship and the Vessel every 30 minutes bringing water. You could not drink enough water with all that gear on and crawling around those miserable maintained Vessels for three or four hours at a time.
We conducted VBSS Operations for three months before we rotated out of Theater.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
This is a hard question because each duty station has fond memories. You meet all new people every duty station and start all over. Constant change is the culture of the Navy. People always rotate and so does the leadership style, procedures, and your morale. Boot Camp was my least favorite. All other duty stations and assignments were challenging and rewarding. A sense of accomplishment came from each and everyone one of them.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Making Chief and going through the CPO Induction process. Making Chief allowed me to really make positive change up and down the Chain-of-Command. I created a a professional work environment that allowed so many other Sailors to show their true potential and succeed.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received Commendation and Achievement Medals for doing my job. I got the most satisfaction writing awards for others and handing them out at the award ceremonies. Watching my Junior Sailors faces light up with accomplishment and a sense of pride was my most significant achievement.
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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?
In 2002, (all at the same award ceremony), I received a promotion to Boatswain's Mate First Class, received an Unsung Hero award, and a Recognition Letter of Excellence from the Under Secretary of the Navy for outstanding gate guard watch standing duties. I stood so proud that day and shook the Admiral's hand extra hard.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Command Master Chief Joe R. Campa and Master Chief Darryl L. Brandt. Joe demonstrated Leadership through action just how Chiefs are supposed to conduct business and lead Sailors. His speeches inside the Chiefs Mess were inspirational and he motivated every Chief to do what is right. The impact he made on me inspired me to do the same for all of my Junior Sailors. Darryl was a one-on-one personal inspiration by laying out a path for you to follow that lead directly to success. He knew what to say and was not afraid to lay into you if you got off of path. He left no room for failure on your part. Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.
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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?
Getting caught gun-decking at PMS. Leadership scared me so bad of losing my rank, letting my Sailors down by demonstrating poor behavior and judgement, and made me feel such a let down that I vowed to never willingly do wrong again.
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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?
I'm just getting started post military. However I want to start at the bottom and work my way up again.
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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?
To always do what's right or don't do it at all. Always inspect the work because you get what you inspect and not what you expect. Set the standard for others to follow. Keep it professional at all times. Recognition may not come right away but you will be recognized when the quality work is completed. Give credit where credit is due.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Not all leadership styles are good. Take the good from each style and apply it to your leadership style. In today's Navy, good isn't good enough. You have to be Excellent or Outstanding. You can't just show up and do your job (i.e. punch in on the clock and then punch out at the end of the day). Choose your friends wisely. Save all the money you can because it pays off in the end.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Navy |
The shadow box and profile allows you to setup your accomplishments and put them in a page to always come back and reflect on your success. *J*
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