By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana, Navy Office of Community Outreach

As Americans reflect on the service of military men and women this Veterans Day, some may not realize that they are fellow residents with those who serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Havier Coleman, a resident of Matteson, Illinois, supports and defends freedom around the world, as a Navy boatswain’s mate who is responsible for being a supervisor for an assembly plant.

Coleman is a 2002 Carver Area High School graduate and native of Chicago.

Reservists seamlessly support and actively aid military missions while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world, according to Navy officials.

“The Navy Reserve is a 100K strong team of sailors embedded across the fabric of society, loyal and dedicated patriots, serving both in uniform and civilian jobs, ready to defend the homeland and deploy across the world in a moment’s notice,” said Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Chief of Navy Reserve.

The Navy Reserve provides strategic depth to America’s Navy as it protects the American homeland and advances economic prosperity by preserving freedom of the seas.

In addition to serving in the Navy Reserve, Coleman has worked at his civilian job for the past six years. He balances his civilian life with his part-time Navy service by dividing his time in half between his military and civilian obligations.

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As a Navy reservist, Coleman serves with Naval Station Rota 0169 responsible for being a security manager.

Coleman 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, Coleman is most proud of continuing his Navy career until he retires and his promotions.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Coleman and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“Serving in the Navy is everything I can dream of,” added Coleman.

This article originally appeared in The Chicago Crusader.

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