NORFOLK, Va. –
“What I like most about my job is that I can break out of my shell to do something else that I don’t do on the civilian side,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Brandon L. Hillyard.
For Hillyard, breaking out of his shell has brought him from his home in Fort Worth, Texas, to the horn of Africa, supporting Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti at the base Visitor Control Center.
Through increasing leadership roles in his civilian position running a rock quarry back home, Hillyard built up the motivation to take on more responsibility in the Navy, including volunteering for a mobilization. “The amount of responsibility I’m given there has helped me seek more in the Navy and at Camp Lemonnier.”
Improving himself as a person Hillyard says was his main motivation to join the military, who started his career as an active duty Marine.
“I faced some disciplinary issues during high school and decided that joining the military would help me progress into becoming a better person, which it has,” Hillyard said. “Initially, I joined the Marine Corps and became an engineer.”
After completing his initial enlistment, Hillyard still felt called to serve his country and joined the Navy Reserve.
“I’m most proud of this deployment for the opportunity to enhance my career by obtaining my in-rate qualifications on patrolman and patrol supervisor,” he said. “By serving in the VCC work center supervisor position, I’ve been able to show my leadership potential.”
Master-at-Arm’s 1st Class William K. Lindon, the VCC leading petty officer, said Hillyard has been a motivated team player and a recognized expert on VCC operations. Lindon also attributes an improved efficiency of the VCC, an updated office layout, and improved records management to Hillyard’s work.
Hillyard credits his team for his success. “I am successful because of my peers and chain of command providing me the mentorship and guidance, but more importantly, believing in me and my capabilities to lead,” he said.