SIU member Richard King has seen Operation Iraqi Freedom from the perspective of a merchant mariner, sailing in support of U.S. troops.Now, he is experiencing the mission as an activated member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. King mobilized Nov. 30 for training in Norfolk, Va. before heading to the Middle East.
“I’m excited about it,” he said while en route to Norfolk. “I’ve prayed about this, and I’m glad to be one of the guys to stand up and be counted. I definitely believe in the cause, I’m very grateful to be an American and I don’t mind at all paying back what little I can.”
King, 34, sails as an electrician with the SIU. He joined the union in 1995 after graduating from Class 540 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md.
In addition to being a First Class Engineman in the reserves, King also sails with the American Maritime Officers. He enlisted in the Navy out of high school and served four years (including during the Persian Gulf War) before joining the Naval Reserve.
The resident of East Alton, Ill. speaks from experience when he says the U.S. Merchant Marine is vital to America’s military capability. “The merchant marine’s role is extremely important. We’re able to deliver mass quantities of the best equipment our country can produce, and the quality that the seamen provide is top notch,” he said.
Throughout OIF, members of the armed forces have sailed aboard civilian-crewed U.S.-flag vessels, primarily for security purposes. “That’s the one chance for the military guys (destined for duty overseas) to have a hot meal and a good night’s sleep,” King pointed out. “They appreciate being on merchant ships; they say that all the time. And we get along great with each other. There’s a lot of respect.”
King’s wife, Christie, is a nurse who also is a member of the Naval Reserve. She is due to activate next month, likely headed for a hospital compound in Kuwait.
“We’re both goal-oriented, and she’s very supportive and understanding,” King said. “She knows I enjoy the profession of being a Seafarer. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ll ever not sail. It’s a good niche for me, and I’m a big fan of the travel. It truly is an adventure that lets you learn about cultures.”
A frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center, King said that another appealing part of his job is “it’s the one place where a guy can literally promote himself. It’s all a matter of time and ambition. If you want to go to the top, you most certainly can.”
In the Naval Reserve, King normally works as a barge ferry engineer. “Any time the equipment goes from the ship to the beach, we’re involved,” he explained.
For the current mission, however, he was joined by hundreds of fellow reservists from across the country for special training involving vessel and port security. Their assignments with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force in Iraq and Kuwait apparently will be similar to some of what the Coast Guard does in U.S. ports.
“I’m excited about it,” King concluded. “Who knows, I may even get there on an SIU ship.”
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