Four deployments and the desire to continue serving By MURIEL J. SMITH Posted:05/03/10
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So far, it's cost him more than three years away from his young children, a divorce, a change of career and four chances at being killed or maimed in a war zone.
But still, PO First Class Gerard Travers doesn't regret for one nanosecond his decision 20 years ago to join the Navy Reserve. Nor does he object to giving up one weekend a month, every month, to spend at NOSC Earle at the Leonardo waterfront preparing and ensuring he, like every reservist, will be ready to go when called.
This August, he has to make a decision one more time whether he wants to continue to be in the Reserves and support his country, prepared to go still one more time into a war zone. He's still undecided, he says. But unless something drastic happens to change his mind, it appears he'll sign on for another six years with a goal of making Chief.
Travers isn't a warmonger. He isn't after glory or medals, and he don't stay in the Reserves because of the benefits.
In contrast, he believes the United States of America is the greatest country in the world, he's already earned his share of medals, even though doesn't talk about any of his wartime experiences. He does praise the USA, the strength of the military and agrees the benefits the country gives to its military volunteers, both when they are in service and after, are superior to anything else he has ever known.
For himself, one of the benefits is the fact he has earned a tuition-free college education. Before the Navy, he was in college at his own expense and was studying political science. But circumstances changed and he did not earn his degree. Today, he's back in college, this time studying to be a high school Social Studies and American history teacher.
Still, that isn't his reason for staying in the Reserves. "I've always had a strong desire to serve my country," he said, "maybe it's inherited from my grandfather who was a Sailor in World War 1, or my father who was a Coast Guard captain. I feel I owe it to America. And after earning my degree, I can also share knowledge of the country and inspire young people."
Travers candidly, sadly but firmly asserts that it was the four deployments, all four since 9-11, especially the third, that was a major cause of the breakdown of his marriage. "It is a lot to ask of anyone," he said, "but it was definitely a major factor."
His children felt it as well, he says sadly. Now 13, 11 and 9 years of age, his two sons and one daughter remain close to him. But he only gets to see them two weekends a month. With a third weekend each month dedicated to the Reserves, he spends his fourth weekend studying towards that degree and trying to pull together everything else he has missed. During the week, Travers is at his job with United Parcel Service.
A member of the VFW post in West Chester, Pa, Travers spends time with fellow vets but still doesn't share the experiences in places like Afghanistan where he was in the TASK group overseeing detainees, or his experiences serving on patrol boats with Inshore Boat Unit 24 or when he was with Cargo Afloat Rig Team 1 replenishing ships underway. He just talks about his dedication to his "greatest country in the world."
Considering all the down sides he has experienced; his divorce, his career change, his deployments and his membership in the type of unit that doesn't allow for many promotions, what would be his advice to young people about joining the Reserves or active military?
The serious-faced, good-looking Sailor doesn't miss a beat in answering. "I'd tell every young man or woman, ‘look at it, look at the benefits, look at the opportunities, and look at the chance to defend your country, then make your own decision.' " For his own children? He smiles, knowing his two sons are already showing interest in following in their dad's footsteps, knowing we are a nation involved in two wars, and knowing the price he himself has already paid for his volunteer duty. "I'd support their decision, whatever it is."
