Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Camilo E Fernan | Chief Electrician's Mate Harley Gaddy poses for a portrait photo at Recruit Training...... read more read more
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Meet EMC Harley Gaddy! Chief Gaddy is an #ElectriciansMate currently working as a #recruitdivisioncommander (RDC) at the Navy’s only #bootcamp
Eight years ago, EMSN Gaddy was walking down a pier and looking up at his first ship.
“My first thought was, holy crap. That’s big. My first ship was very, very intimidating. I was on the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship. Just the sheer size of it alone was overwhelming. And I remember walking into the hangar bay, and I’m thinking I am never going to learn what everything on the ship is.”
Gaddy did learn quite a bit. EMC recently picked up LDO, or Limited Duty Officer, as an engineer. LDOs are different from chief warrant officers (CWOs). Both are former enlisted with specific knowledge and skills beyond what is normally expected of chiefs, but LDOs have a different degree of responsibility and higher rank.
“I love my rate, I get a lot of job satisfaction from my rate. My career has actually been very, very fortunate. One of the unique things for electricians is that we touch everything on the ship. I have the very fortunate opportunity to work with every rate on the ship, because at some point, somebody needs an electrician.”
Chief’s unique involvement with his ship’s community gave him the satisfaction of helping his shipmates and getting support for his junior #Sailors . It’s a practice he wants to continue after the Navy.
“When my career with the Navy comes to an end, I have every intention of moving back home to #NorthCarolina and running for office within one year.”
EMC has wanted to be a United States Senator since high school.
“My life’s ambition is to be involved in politics is the same reason why I joined the Navy. I wanted to serve this country. I want to serve the citizens and the people of this country to make it better. I think we’re very fortunate to be Americans and especially having travelled to other places in the world. You gained a deeper appreciation for the freedoms and liberties that we have here in America.”
Gaddy says he worked in the civilian sector before joining, and realized there were also great opportunities for experience and travel after speaking with a recruiter. He brings those stories of time at sea to his recruits now as an RDC.
“I’ve given a lot of hard work and dedication to the Navy, and it’s paid off. The thing I will tell any junior Sailor, any recruit, is you get out of the Navy what you put into it. I think that the Navy gives every Sailor an opportunity to serve and be educated.”
In 8 years, Gaddy has completed an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and recently finished a master’s degree using the Navy’s Tuition Assistance program. He credits his grandparents and parents for instilling a good work ethic in him.
“Probably the most important person to me is my granny. She’s always been there my entire life. I am who I am today because of her. And my parents, I’ve always had strong moral support from them and my sister.”
Chief plans to visit his sister and his new niece for the first time since last year. He enjoys reading and completing school work with his free time.
“I’m a strong believer in it. Reading to develop yourself, it gives us other experiences that are necessary to be successful leaders.”
#Hooyah EMC Gaddy!
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2021 16:56 |
| Story ID: | 396869 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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