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| 2018 Pottsgrove graduate Blake Strain |
GULFPORT, Ms. – “We Build, We Fight” has been the motto of the U. S. Navy’s Construction Force, known as the “Seabees,” for more than 75 years.
Seaman Recruit Blake Strain, a 2018 Pottsgrove High School graduate, builds and fights around the world as a member of naval construction battalion center located in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Strain is serving as a Navy equipment operator, who is responsible for performing tasks involving operation of automotive, materials handling, and construction equipment.
Strain credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Pottstown.
“Responsibility, honesty, and a good work ethic are things that I took with me into the Navy and help me succeed every day,” said Strain.
Building in austere environments can be a challenge. Fighting in harsh conditions can also be a challenge. Building in austere environments while fighting in harsh conditions takes a special kind of person with a great deal of perseverance and determination.
The jobs of many of today’s Seabees remained unchanged since World War II, when the Seabees paved the 10,000-mile road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe, according to Lara Godbille, director of the U. S. Navy Seabee Museum.
For more than 75 years Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They have also supported humanitarian efforts using their construction skills to help communities around the world. They aid following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Strain is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Strain is most proud of graduating boot camp and his technical training "A" school.
“It was challenging,” said Strain. “I took it day-by-day and I'm still getting a lot of training and constantly learning new skills.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Strain, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Strain is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have a lot of family members who served in the military and that had a great influence on my decision to join the service,” said Strain.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Strain and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“This is a very close-knit community and everybody looks out for each other,” said Strain. "Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride in helping others and at the same time it's helping me to grow as a person.”
Strain is serving as a Navy equipment operator, who is responsible for performing tasks involving operation of automotive, materials handling, and construction equipment.
Strain credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Pottstown.
“Responsibility, honesty, and a good work ethic are things that I took with me into the Navy and help me succeed every day,” said Strain.
Building in austere environments can be a challenge. Fighting in harsh conditions can also be a challenge. Building in austere environments while fighting in harsh conditions takes a special kind of person with a great deal of perseverance and determination.
The jobs of many of today’s Seabees remained unchanged since World War II, when the Seabees paved the 10,000-mile road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe, according to Lara Godbille, director of the U. S. Navy Seabee Museum.
For more than 75 years Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They have also supported humanitarian efforts using their construction skills to help communities around the world. They aid following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Strain is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Strain is most proud of graduating boot camp and his technical training "A" school.
“It was challenging,” said Strain. “I took it day-by-day and I'm still getting a lot of training and constantly learning new skills.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Strain, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Strain is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have a lot of family members who served in the military and that had a great influence on my decision to join the service,” said Strain.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Strain and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“This is a very close-knit community and everybody looks out for each other,” said Strain. "Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride in helping others and at the same time it's helping me to grow as a person.”
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