Philip Thompson

I joined the Navy Reserves while I was in college studying civil engineering. After graduation, I went to Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and then to Civil Engineer Corps Officer School in Port Hueneme, CA.

My first assignment was in Guam as a new Civil Engineer Corps ensign (O-1), where I had 400 civilians working for me. I also had a large budget and responsibility for maintaining all Navy and Marine buildings and housing on the island. In my second year, I managed a budget of $4 million and a large number of civilian workers as the Activities Civil Engineer (ACE).

I enjoyed the public works side of civil engineering. For my next assignment, I went to the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. There, I directed facility maintenance forces, maintained three runways, two outlying airfields, roads, water, power, transportation, and everything needed to keep the base operating year-round. My most memorable tour was at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where I directed contractors who were building a water desalinization plant and an addition to the power plant. My greatest satisfaction came from completely remodeling every home on the base. We gutted and remade hot, uncomfortable houses into modern, fully air-conditioned units. It was really appreciated by the Navy and Marine Corps personnel and dependents living at Guantanamo.

At the Pentagon now, I am responsible for monitoring Navy planning and construction in the entire continental United States. Looking back on my entire military career, it’s been 22 years of fun.