Rhode Island Native Reenlists in Sierra Leone

Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Traupman (left) shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, The Honorable June Carter Perry at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown after reenlisting into U.S. Navy service for an additional three years Feb. 3. Traupman, who first enlisted in 1994, was working as a representative of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa, providing assistance and training of Maritime Domain Awareness Surveillance Systems in conjunction with the Sierra Leone navy.  

02.11.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy – Rhode Island native and operations specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Petty Officer Brian Traupman re-enlisted into U.S. Navy service for an additional three years Feb. 3 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Traupman, who first enlisted in 1994, was re-enlisted by the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, The Honorable June Carter Perry in Freetown during a short trip to the area, one of at least 25 trips to Africa he's made since Sept. 2007 assisting developing partners with securing their coastline and harbors.

"This re-enlistment was truly one of a kind," said Traupman. "This is where I spend my time throughout Africa, so it seems fitting."

Traupman was working as a representative of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa providing assistance and training of Maritime Domain Awareness Surveillance Systems in conjunction with the Sierra Leone navy.

He will continue this work, including frequent trips to Africa, until June when he transfers to Newport, R.I., for work at the Naval War College there.

• Date Taken: 02.11.2009
• Date Posted: 02.11.2009 06:10
• Story ID: 29890