Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Barry Riley | 170331-N-OE749-012 (March 31, 2017) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Lee...... read more read more
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For Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Lee Kerry, multi-tasking is all just a part of a well-balanced day in the fuels shop onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).
Though he has been in the Navy for more than 10 years, the Opelousas, Louisiana native said the military wasn’t always at the forefront of his mind.
“At first I was like ‘no, it’s not for me.’ I wanted to go to college,” Kerry said. “After a few visits from the recruiter to my high school I felt like I wanted to see the world. You know? I wanted to be the first one in my family to venture off and do and see new things. Ten years later here we are.”
As for becoming an aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels) (ABF), he said the choice was pretty clean-cut and simple. According to Kerry, when it came time to pick a job the recruiter offered aviation boatswain’s mate (Handler), ABF, and culinary specialist, among others.
“The recruiter said ABF was like fueling up your car every day, except with jets”, and I said, “I want that job!”
Kerry is no stranger to hard work. As the second oldest brother of four, he spent much of his youth taking care of his younger siblings. He also played sports year-round including track, basketball, football and baseball, while somehow finding time to fit in tuba lessons with the school band.
“I tried to keep myself occupied. I feel like if you stay busy, you’ll stay out of trouble,” he said. “Some summers I used to go work with my dad, who was a cement finisher. That’s where I learned the meaning and value of hard work.”
When he is not on the flight deck supervising refueling operations, helping Sailors get qualified as enlisted air warfare specialists or studying for his advancement exam, Kerry enjoys working out, playing sports, and most importantly he says, spending time with his three children.
“My main hobby is taking care of my kids. I have a five year-old daughter, a four year-old son and a three year-old girl,” he explained. “Family… That’s the most important thing to me.”
Kerry, who is currently in pursuit of a degree in military history, said his future aspirations include being commissioned to chief warrant officer or limited duty officer, and hopes to stay in the Navy until eligible for retirement.
“My favorite part [about being an ABF] is the adrenaline rush I get running out on the flight deck, refueling those aircraft,” he said. “Every day is different out there. These ten years rolled by fast, but I’m trying to enjoy every moment of it, while hoping the next ten do too.”
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2017 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 230281 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Hometown: | OPELOUSAS, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 643 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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