In August 2005, Edgil reported to Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific in Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. Despite being advised by his peers not to go, Edgil wanted to break away from the norm.
“I had just served on three ships back to back and was just finishing my first shore duty,” said Edgil. “I saw the billet for COMCAM when looking at sea duties. I had a lot of people tell me not to go because I would be the only Gunner’s Mate there, but I wanted to try something different.”
Although unaware at the time, Edgil was preparing to make Navy history. After making it clear to the command that he was only interested in deploying, rather than simply facilitating a gun range, he was given an opportunity to train as a combat photographer.
“I went through the old system of what Mass Communication Specialists learn today,” said Edgil.
Following a deployment, Edgil’s chain of command asked him if he realized what he had accomplished.
“Cmdr. Naystatt [my officer in charge] had asked me if I realized that I was the first ever Gunner’s Mate to deploy as a combat cameraman,” said Edgil.
To Edgil, he had simply done what he could to serve his country while being able to do something he loved.
“Photography is a passion of mine,” said Edgil. “To be able to do that was amazing.”
Edgil’s career did not plateau here. However, his accomplishments at COMCAM paved the way to making Chief Petty Officer soon after. After deploying in Iraq, Edgil became a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) at Great Lakes, Ill., where he received the RDC Distinguished Leadership Award.
This pattern of excellence followed him all through each tour until he retired in Guam as the Weapons LCPO on the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40).
Edgil doesn’t consider himself to be somebody who left behind a legacy in both the Gunner’s Mate and Mass Communication Specialist rates. His experiences painted him with a color of humility and practical wisdom, traits that many strive for as leaders.
“I can say, without a doubt, that my tour with COMCAM was my favorite,” said Edgil. For over 240 years Sailors have been making history.
With today’s advancements and two centuries of achievements, it seems unlikely that somebody could still be “the first” for something. Yet Edgil, through his hard work and drive to seek the next opportunity, has left his mark on naval history as the first Gunner’s Mate to deploy as a combat photographer.
Frank Cable, forward deployed to Guam, repairs, rearms and reprovisions deployed U.S. naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
For more information on Frank Cable, find us on Facebook at USS Frank Cable (AS 40), or http://www.csp.navy.mil/frankcable
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2018 03:04 |
| Story ID: | 281439 |
| Location: | ABERDEEN, MS, US |
| Hometown: | ABERDEEN, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Mississippi Native Retires from Navy; Leaves His Legacy, by PO2 Randall Ramaswamy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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