It’s Not a Sin to Get Knocked Down; It’s a Sin to Stay Down

Photo By James Stockman | 230615-N-LY580-1036 NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA (June 15, 2023) An aviation student at Naval Aviation Schools Command, right, asks retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear, the son of the late U.S. Navy Master Diver Carl Brashear, a question after his presentation of his father's story of adversity and resiliency at the National Naval Aviation Museum. (U.S. Navy photo by James Stockman)  

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

06.16.2023

Story by James Stockman 

Naval Education and Training Command

By James Stockman, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The son of the late Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl Brashear, the Navy’s first African American master diver who was featured in the movie “Men of Honor,” spoke with various commands at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, June 13-16.

Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear, the guest of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) and Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), shared his father’s story of adversity and resiliency with staff and students at NETC, NASC, Naval Air Technical Training Center, and Center for Information Warfare Training.

[Master Diver] Brashear was born and raised on a farm in rural Kentucky where he received a modest education. He joined the Navy in 1948 and under hostility and racism, he would later graduate from Diving and Salvage School in 1954. Brashear’s greatest obstacle, however, was proving he could still excel as a Navy diver after his lower left leg was amputated in 1966 after an accident during a salvage operation.

“My father used to always say ‘It’s not a sin to get knocked down; it’s a sin to stay down,’” said Brashear. “He overcame five hurdles to success – racism, poverty, illiteracy, physical disability and dependency – to fulfill his dream of becoming a Sailor, a master chief petty officer and a master diver.”

Capt. Edgardo Moreno, NASC commanding officer, first met Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brashear in 2018 at a Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Sailor of the Year breakfast when he just assumed command of USS San Antonio (LPD-17). Moreno was inspired by the story of Brashear’s father, and he thought it should be shared with other Sailors and Marines in support of the chief of naval operation’s Warrior Toughness initiative.

“I want to inspire our young warfighters, so they understand the connection between the Warrior Toughness core attributes – initiative, integrity, accountability and toughness – and to stress the importance of developing their warrior mindset across their careers,” said Moreno.

Warrior Toughness is a holistic human performance skillset that enhances the toughness of our Sailors with a focus on the pursuit of peak performance. The system emphasizes coequal development of toughness in the mind, body, and soul.

“Never let adversities and obstacle dictate how your life is going to be led,” said Brashear during his presentation to naval aviation students at the National Naval Aviation Museum. “Your life was never promised to be easy. It’s going to be tough, and I am so glad I have the audience in front of me today because you all have a lot in front of you as the future of naval aviation. It’s not going to be easy, but you can overcome anything with a strong mind, body and spirit.”

For additional information on Warrior Toughness, visit Naval Education and Training Command: Warrior Toughness - NETC (navy.mil).

The Navy’s Warrior Toughness training can be accessed anywhere using the Navy App Locker’s Warrior Toughness smartphone application available for download on any Android or iOS device at www.applocker.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2023
• Date Posted: 06.16.2023 13:45
• Story ID: 447411
• Location: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US