Page 31 - San Diego Woman Magazine

UNDER THE C OL ORS

others," said Bryans. "I wanted the eyecare benefits available military readiness, strength-
to do something truly mean- to them through the Defense ening alliances and reforming
ingful with my time, and sup- Health Agency, is the best part business practices in support
port my various family mem- of my job. I'm in a position of the National Defense Strat-
bers serving in the Navy (as a to help, and I wake up every egy.
SWO, a Seal and a Seabee). I morning intending to." "The Navy is a guardian
had been contemplating join- NMRLC Det NORA York- standing tall to protect the
ing for close to a year. Amidst town provides standardized, American people," said Bryans.
the beginning of the COVID-19 modular, scalable combat ser- "In the current world-wide po-
outbreak and losing my job at vice support and medical/den- litical climate, it seems we're
the time of 26 years old, with a tal capabilities to an advanced edging ever closer towards
wife and very young daughter, base environment across the another full-scale war. When
I took it as a sign from God to entire range of joint military deemed necessary, the Navy
take the plunge." operations. will be called upon to defend
Skills and values learned in With more than 90 percent America and her interests any-
San Diego native the Navy are similar to those of all trade traveling by sea, where in the world at a mo-
and 95 percent of the world’s ment's notice."
found in San Diego.
named Bluejacket of "I've learned many lessons international phone and inter- Bryans has many opportu-
the Quarter serving growing up that have been net traffic carried through fiber nities to achieve accomplish-
invaluable here," said Bryans. optic cables lying on the ocean ments during military service.
with Navy Medicine "My father, a retired Capt., in- floor, Navy officials continue to "I'm proud of every pair of
Readiness and stilled the value of respect for emphasize that the prosperi- spectacles I create and send to
those above and below. I was ty and security of the United a service member, dependent
Training Command taught that a successful lead- States is directly linked to ready or retiree somewhere around
er is not made by himself, and sailors and a strong Navy. the world," said Bryans. "There
By Naval Surface Warfare Center by leading from the front you “Maintaining the world’s is a pilot, submariner, soilder,
Indian Head Public Affairs Office can truly make change by ex- best Navy is an investment in sailor, Marine, airman or NATO
ample. My old boss at Boucher the security and prosperity service member somewhere
YORKTOWN, Va. - A San Brothers, Americo, taught me of the United States, as well out there relying on the glasses
Diego, California, native was many things. Why be good, as the stability of our world,” we provide in order to do their
recently named Blue Jacket of when you can be great? Titles said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief job."
the Quarter serving with Navy don't make leaders, actions do. of Naval Operations. “The U.S. As Bryans and other sailors
Medicine Readiness and Train- All eyes on us, on and off the Navy—forward deployed and continue to perform missions,
ing Command Detachment, job. Our equipment and our integrated with all elements of they take pride in serving their
Naval Ophthalmic Readiness service is our brand, protect it national power—deters con- country in the United States
Activity (NMRLC Det NORA) with everything you have." flict, strengthens our alliances Navy.
Yorktown, Virginia. Bryans serves as a hospital and partnerships, and guar- "Serving in the Navy is a ser-
Bluejacket of the Quarter is optician corpsman responsible antees free and open access vice to others," added Bryans.
awarded to a junior sailor who for assisting health care profes- to the world’s oceans. As the "I'm thankful for all it's done
exemplifies outstanding ded- sionals in providing medical United States responds to the for my family. It's ultimately a
ication to duty and superior care to Navy personnel and security environment through job ensuring my brothers and
performance by going above their families. integrated deterrence, our sisters in arms are prepared for
and beyond their assigned job. "Working as an optician Navy must continue to deploy the future conflicts and chal-
Hospitalman Thomas Bry- corpsman, I get to see the im- forward and campaign with a lenges we will collectively face.
ans, a 2013 Coronado High pact the glasses I make has on ready, capable, combat-credi- Doing that job to the fullest of
School graduate and current the service members receiving ble fleet.” my abilities means everything
student at Musicians Institute, them," said Bryans. "Being a Serving in the Navy means to me."
joined the Navy two years ago. net force for good by educat- Bryans is part of a team that is Bryans parents both reside
"I joined the Navy because ing sailors on eye health, how taking on new importance in in Imperial Beach, California.
I wanted to serve and support glasses correct vision and all America’s focus on rebuilding

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