Munford, Tennessee Native Serves Aboard USS O’Kane (DDG 77)

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Elisha Smith | 211021-N-MR124-1084 RED SEA (Oct. 21, 2021) Navy Counselor 1st Class David Butler, a native of Munford, Tennessee, serves aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77), Oct. 21, 2021. O’Kane is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Elisha Smith/Released)  

GULF OF SUEZ

10.21.2021

Story by Seaman Elisha Smith 

Carrier Strike Group ONE - CSG 1

Munford, Tennessee Native Serves Aboard USS O’Kane (DDG 77)
Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Elisha Smith

GULF OF SUEZ (Oct. 4, 2021) – Navy Counselor (NC) 1st Class David Butler, a native of Munford, Tennessee, serves as a career counselor and leading petty officer (LPO) of the administrative department aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77). He reported to O’Kane in early 2020 and is responsible for helping Sailors with career guidance and support, and with overseeing daily tasks of the administrative department.

“Human resources is what I do,” said Butler. “It’s all about professional development. I guide sailors in the direction they want to go.”

On a daily basis, Butler counsels Sailors through career decisions like reenlistments, choosing orders for an upcoming permanent change of station (PCS), and changing their field of work. Butler also helps Sailors in their careers after the Navy.

“I think my favorite part of my job is the ability to impact Sailors and their families,” said Butler. “I help them transition into the civilian side, help them with resumes, medical benefits, GI Bill, and getting their education.”

Butler enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2010. Before becoming an NC, Butler was a hospital corpsman, serving as a field medic with the U.S Marine Corps.

“Getting my enlisted fleet Marine force specialist warfare pin has been my proudest moment in my Navy career by far,” said Butler. “Being boots on ground with the Marines was a very cool experience in general. I got to fast rope out of helos [helicopters], work in a shock trauma unit. I learned how to put together and take apart .50 cals and a lot of other guns.”

With his own unique Navy experiences under his belt, Butler is not only helping other Sailors with their careers, he is also evaluating his own next career goal.

“I’m weighing my options right now,” said Butler. “One of my goals is to make master chief. If that doesn’t work out I’m also working towards commissioning as an officer for the medical service corps.”

Butler was the senior sailor of the quarter from April to July of 2021 and attributes his success to the skills he’s learned in the Navy.

“The Navy has given me a lot of tools to succeed like discipline and structure in my life,” says Butler. “Discipline is the most important thing. If you can start and finish something in life it really helps you out. Even with working out, you don’t want to do it but the Navy has given me the discipline to do it every day even when I don’t want to because I’m a warfighter. The enemy isn’t sleeping so neither are we.”

O’Kane is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

For more information about USS O’Kane, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/csg1

• Date Taken: 10.21.2021
• Date Posted: 10.21.2021 09:30
• Story ID: 407664
• Location: GULF OF SUEZ
• Hometown: MUNFORD, TN, US