KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Petty Officer 3rd Class Detrick Robertson is the most junior religious program specialist serving at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
The son of Shirley Robertson and Lyndon Keyes, Robertson grew up in a small town called Aurora, N.C. and graduated from Bertie High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 9, 2003 serving as an undesignated seaman for 22 months before putting in a package to become a religious program specialist.
Robertson is currently deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 to southern Afghanistan. One half of the battalion's religious ministries team, Robertson and his chaplain provide religious support to a battalion of 500 plus Sailors.
At a January ceremony at KAF for the 31st anniversary of the religious program specialist rating, Robertson had a chance to reflect on his Navy career in front of chaplains and Army chaplain assistants from units throughout southern Afghanistan.
"Many think that we are just bodyguards for the chaplain, but protecting the chaplain is just one of our tasks," said Robertson. "We are religious program specialists; our tasks consist of various fundamental areas of support such as operating libraries, religious offering, religious education and religious program support, administration and logistics."
Robertson is currently a student at Liberty University where he is pursuing a degree in Religious Studies. He has been enlisted in the Navy for six years and plans to become a commissioned officer. His passion is helping Marines and Sailors as they serve in both war and peace.
"I believe it is a calling, a calling to support Marines and Sailors with their religious beliefs. [We] impact lives by providing and supporting religious worship," said Robertson about his service as a religious program specialist. "It is our sincerest hope that we not only support our Marines and Sailors, but we also leave our fingerprints upon their lives to make the [Naval] combat team more proficient."