Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Alan Robertson | 190802-N-SL179-1077 NORFOLK (August 2, 2019) -Machinist's Mate 1st Class Keron Reid,...... read more read more
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For a majority of people, it takes years to find what it is that truly makes them happy. Some are able to find happiness on accident, but for this Sailor serving onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), happiness was found in an open field during a pick-up soccer game in his native town of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
For engineer, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Keron Reid, Bataan’s auxiliary division leading petty officer (LPO), is happiness of soccer also bleeds into his ship as head coach for Bataan’s soccer team.
He says the passion for soccer started at the young age of seven.
“My school mates and I would play soccer using the oranges and grapefruits that we would pick from the trees and practice rolling them up the hill,” explained Reid. “My friends soon realized that I was fast with the ball, and I was so captured with the fun that I was having that I did not understand how good I was for such a young age.”
This was the only the beginning of what would become a lifelong commitment to the game of soccer and the principles that it would teach. Many days were spent by a young Reid practicing the skills of his favorite players. A couple of years later Reid was able to achieve his first major success.
“By the time I was 9 years-old, I was playing on the senior team with the 14 and 15 year-old players,” said Reid. “During the very first game that my team took a part of, there was an injury to one of the mid-fielders and I was subbed in. I scored the very first goal and we won the game. I felt elated by the early success that I had against players who were so much older than myself.”
Experiencing success at 9 years-old, instilled a high level of confidence in the abilities of Reid and his coaches were able to envision what he could provide to the team.
“My coaches recognized the skills of the great players that I would emulate,” says Reid. “They had the vision and understanding how to best utilize my skills. This motivated me to achieve more.”
As with many student athletes, Reid found that he needed to find a balance between his love of soccer and his parents desire for him to succeed in school.
“When I made it to high school my parents wanted me to stop playing so I could prioritize my school work,” said Reid. “They stressed academics. Parents in Jamaica push their kids to become doctors, lawyers, pilots or accountants. I am an accountant’s clerk by profession with a degree in banking and finance from the University of the West Indies.”
The drive to always give your all has brought Reid far in life. He now passes those same lessons on to his junior Sailors, players and those he mentors.
“I tell my players that they have to have heart,” said Reid. “With anything you do you must give it your all if you wish to excel or reach your potential. You live it, love it and make it your life style.”
Fireman Jean Larose, who was born in Haiti and works in Bataan’s engineering department, recalls his first encounter with Reid and the lasting impression he left him about personal and professional achievements in the Navy.
“The first time we spoke was my second day on the ship,” said Larose. “He was already giving me training on how the Navy works, how to be successful and other general knowledge to help me adjust. I followed those early lessons and it set me up for success.”
Prior to coming to the United States, Reid spent six years as a member of the Jamaican army. The time he spent as an enlisted member of the army was vital to forming his current leadership style.
“Key virtues of discipline, respect and standards were taught to me from the beginning,” said Reid. “My job here is to make myself better than I was yesterday so that I can make my Sailors better than they were. I look for what motivates Sailors so I can guide them to excel.”
Reid understands that by providing an environment built for his Sailors to thrive that they will work harder both in the shop and as a part of the ship.
“I present my Sailors the opportunity to get qualifications all over the ship,” said Reid. “If they want to get qualified to do something they need to talk to me and I will find the time and opportunity for them to achieve their goals.
Working as an LPO is only a small part of the responsibilities that Reid has. He is also a departmental career counselor, command sponsor and provides training for Sailors qualifying in the Enlisted Surface Warfare prorgram. As a leader Reid knows it is just as important to give back to the community. This is a lesson that he lives by as well as teaches to other Sailors.
“Some of the things that he stressed the most was having a professional appearance, to be respectful and to give back to the community,” said Larose. “He has showed me places that I can go be a volunteer. Currently, I volunteer at elementary schools where I play music for kids and read stories as part of the after school program.”
“Outside the ship I work to provide food and clothing for the homeless,” said Reid. “I cook on Saturdays and drive around to give them the food. I also donate to the Children’s Cancer Society and participate in a community garden in New York. It is important that once you receive a blessing to pass it forward to the next individual.”
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2019 15:55 |
| Story ID: | 334928 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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