FROM SEABEE TO STATE SENATOR

by Senator Mike Rush
Senator, Massachusetts, Norfolk and Suffolk District
Seabee Ambassador

Some of my earliest memories involve the military, and hearing firsthand stories of service, sacrifice and the Seabees. Growing up in Boston’s West Roxbury neighborhood, I had not one, not two, but three neighbors who were Seabees who served in Vietnam. And right under my own roof were more remarkable people. My father was a Navy veteran who was in the Korean War. My father’s two older brothers, his two older sisters’ husbands, and his older sister all served in World War II.

I remember talking with my father about his time on a ship, and about the Seabees. He said what’s incredible about the Seabees isn’t just their proud tradition and many contributions, but that as a young sailor you get to learn a trade as well. The first words that come to mind when I think of these men and women — people like my father, uncles, aunt and neighbors — are history and honor. And it’s my great privilege to be able to share in that tradition.

For more than 20 years, I’ve served in the US Navy Reserves, and am currently an Intelligence Officer assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence. My Navy career began in 1994, when I went through active duty boot camp. When I completed boot camp, I was given an option to either be assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy or to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27. Without hesitation, I chose the Seabees.

I don’t believe I would still be in the Navy today if not for the Seabees. At my home port, South Weymouth Naval Air Station, where we drilled, I had the opportunity to meet many folks whose civilian life involved the construction trades and, often, owning their own construction companies. They were so dedicated to the mission of being a Seabee and getting the job done. To me they were larger than life. They could build anything. Sometimes, some of them didn’t have what you might call a perfect “military bearing,” but there was something impressive about that, as well.

Senator Rush, proud Navyman.

I stayed in the Seabees for eight years, and enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed the people I worked with. I enjoyed the projects and the places I went, including Puerto Rico and Jamaica, where we rebuilt a schoolhouse and constructed a new building for the Jamaican Defense Force. That spirit of camaraderie continues to this day, and each and every Seabee I worked with lived up to the ‘Can Do’ motto. When they were given a task or a mission, it was completed with pride, honor, commitment and courage — the Navy core values. I was always in awe, because the Seabees set out to exceed expectations, and did just that.

When my enlistment came to an end, and I was working as a teacher on the civilian side, I had a friend in the intelligence field who said they were looking for people to join. So I took the foundations that the Seabees had given me, and got a commission as an officer in the intelligence community. I’m proud to say I am an Iraq War veteran, and was deployed in support of Operation New Dawn. While in Iraq, I served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP) and was assigned to a US Army Special Forces Military Transition Team, working with Iraq Counter-Terrorism Services, the Headquarters Command for Iraq Special Operations Forces (ISOF). The Seabees laid the groundwork that made this all possible.

Senator Rush with fellow members of the military.

My experience as a Seabee is also key to my work now as a State Senator in Massachusetts, where I make veterans and their service a priority. I have the privilege of being Chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, which works to make sure veterans in my state continue to get the very best services possible, which they so richly deserve. My colleagues on the committee and I know that a lot of our veterans struggle with serious issues including substance abuse, and mental and physical health problems. I am proud to say that Massachusetts is number one in the nation in the services and benefits we provide to veterans, and we will continue to support them, advocate for them, and educate the public. I see evidence all the time of just how important that education component is.

We live in a country where currently less than one percent of our entire population is serving in the military. Often, when I’m speaking with students, I’ll ask if they know anyone serving in the military. Most times, very few — if any — hands are raised. And, while there are 40 Massachusetts State Senators, I am currently the only veteran among them. That makes it all the more important that we keep the incredible stories of the Seabees and their contributions alive, and the 75th anniversary is the perfect time to do just that.

Senator Rush with students from local New England schools.