Sailor retires in Afghanistan after 22 years of service

Photo By Lance Cpl. Christopher Paulton | Petty Officer 1st Class Rodney Bracey, Regimental Combat Team - 7 religious program specialist, is presented awards and recognition letters from high-level commanders by RCT-7 Headquarters Company first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Luis Hernandez, and the retiring officer, Cmdr. Andrew Wade, RCT-7 chaplain, during a retirement ceremony, March 21. Bracey retired from the Navy after 22 years of faithful service. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher Paulton)  

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

03.21.2010

Story by 1st Lt. Joseph Reney 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP DWYER, HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - After 22 years of dedicated service, Petty Officer 1st Class Rodney Bracey, religious programs specialist, retired from the United States Navy and was honored during a ceremony here, March 21.

During the ceremony, Bracey was presented with a Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, a letter of appreciation from President Barack Obama, a letter of retirement from the chief of the Chaplain Corps, transfer orders to the fleet reserve and a triangularly folded American flag representing his unwavering and committed service to his country.

Navy Cmdr. Andrew Wade, Regimental Combat Team-7 chaplain and retiring officer for the ceremony, talked a moment about Bracey following the formal ceremony.

"I've had two great honors since I've been here; to be with [3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment] before they entered into the battle of Marjah; praying with them — and to retire RP1 Bracey," said Wade.

Wade also commented on Bracey's extraordinary naval experience.

"There are not many people in the Navy that can tell you they have served on five different ships," said Wade.

Bracey, preceding his retiring officer's comments, spoke to his audience about a time when he experienced a tough moral dilemma as a young seaman. He explained how he had held firm to his values, never compromising himself and what he believed was right and good.

"Never compromise your integrity," said Bracey from Danbury, Conn.

All who made comments during and after the ceremony continue to harp on the single fact that Bracey had the option to retire two years ago when he hit his 20-year mark, but did not because the Navy and Marine Corps needed him - and partly because he didn't want to leave without a proper sendoff.

Bracey said he wasn't going to have a retirement ceremony, but when he went home, he saw the many things that comprised his career in the Navy including a picture from boot camp, and he had to complete the collection.

After the ceremony and formal speeches concluded, Col. Randall Newman, RCT-7 commanding officer, pulled everyone in a tight circle and shared his thoughts on Bracey.

"He could have said, 'I don't have to go,' but he put our regiment first and foremost," said Newman, referring to the fact the Bracey had volunteered to deploy with RCT-7 to Afghanistan as their religious programs specialist. "When you talk about selfless service, you talk about RP1 Bracey."

Bracey enlisted in the Navy August of 1988. His tours of duty include the USS Iowa, USS L.Y. Spear, USS Nashville, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, USS Santa Barbara, Naval Weapons Station Charleston/Goose Creek, SC., USS Port Royal, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif., and RCT-7. His awards include three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals and two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals. He is a graduate of Danbury High School, and is currently enrolled at Ashford University for Business.

Bracey's plans for retirement include riding his Harley Davidson XR1200 and opening a donut and coffee shop in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

• Date Taken: 03.21.2010
• Date Posted: 03.22.2010 08:48
• Story ID: 46996
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF