DVIDS – News – From Lynchburg to Leadership: Naval Petty Officer’s Journey to Naval Officer

Chief Petty Officer Harold Tran took a significant step forward in his Navy career with his commission as a naval officer on June 21.

For Tran, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, this milestone is the culmination of years of dedication, service and the relentless pursuit of a dream born of a desire for adventure and commitment to family.

Tran’s journey began in the halls of EC Glass High School in Lynchburg, where he graduated in 2008. With approximately 1,400 students, the school laid the foundation for his disciplined and goal-oriented character.

Joining the Navy was Tran’s gateway to new horizons. “I wanted to start a new adventure and travel around the world,” he recalls.

It was on his first ship that Tran learned about the launch program from an old mentor, a limited liability administration officer (Admin LDO). While aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69) in 2012, Ensign Timothy James explained the program to him. The seed planted from that moment grew over the years, guiding Tran’s career choices and aspirations.

In search of his aspirations, Tran pursued higher education at the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2017.

Tran chose the path of administrative officer out of a desire to make a greater impact on the community, sailors and the Navy itself.

“I wanted to make a bigger impact,” Tran said. “My motivation was my family. I wanted to give them a better quality of life while making a greater impact on the Navy.”

Its goal is to provide the highest quality administrative services and timely results so that Sailors can focus on their mission of delivering fully capable strategic assets at sea and maintaining the readiness of our warfighters.

His major impact has already begun and can be traced through his numerous achievements in previous assignments.

His deployments were extensive, including missions in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, deployments with the Ronald Reagan and the South China Sea patrol. His numerous assignments include his time spent on the USS Mustin (DDG 89) from October 2018 to 2021.

“It was my most rewarding assignment,” Tran recalls. “As a ship secretary in a forward naval force providing administrative support to over 300 crew members, this was by far my most demanding mission. It prepared me for the transition to becoming an officer.”

Most recently, as the flag writer for Commander, Naval Medical Forces, Pacific, Tran played a key role in coordinating the command’s visits to more than 20 medical facilities at home and abroad. Tran also played a key role in coordinating visits to eight research laboratories worldwide, significantly impacting the commander’s ability to integrate the research, development, training, and evaluation enterprises.

Due to his proven history of providing thoughtful and valuable advice to the command staff and his commitment to Sailors, Tran was hand-selected on several occasions by the NMFP Commander-in-Chief to fill in during scheduled absences and travel.

Tran’s standout performance at NMFP did not go unnoticed. He also received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his service. Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, commander and director of NMFP, Defense Health Network Pacific Rim, praised Tran’s achievements.

“Ensign Tran’s distinguished career is now culminated in his distinguished commission as a naval officer,” Valdes said. “I can’t wait to cross paths again in the mess hall.”
In his remarks during Tran’s commissioning, Valdes reminded him that he could expect challenges as he began his new role as a naval officer.

“It’s only going to get harder from here,” Valdes said. – But I know you well.

Tran attributes his successful transition from private to officer to a combination of humility, experience and the ability to empathize with his sailors.

“I understand the dynamics on deck plates,” he said. “Ever since I joined the Navy, I always imagined myself as an officer. I thought becoming a chief was an unnecessary step to becoming an officer. “But being on decks, being the person to whom junior sailors come for guidance, setting an example for others to follow, providing sound advice to today’s division officers or future commanders, I am proud to have become a senior petty officer in the United States Navy.”

Tran’s family, consisting of his wife Naira and children Hero and Harleen, are his main pillar of support. Reflecting on his journey, Tran recalled the personal sacrifices made along the way.

“I wanted to be someone everyone could rely on and an expert in my field,” Tran said.

But sometimes it also means time away from helping my wife raise the family. Frequent moves, inherent in military life, were a significant challenge.

“I’m sorry I have to pack up the house and have you move with me every three years,” Tran said, addressing his wife during the dedication ceremony. “I’m sorry I left you on a mission to protect the country.”

Tran continued to remind everyone of his wife’s pivotal role in his success and the person he has become today.

“While everyone in this room has played a key role in my success, my wife has played the most important role in my life,” Tran explained. “I wouldn’t be here today if you didn’t support all of my needs, and I need you for the next 10 years to fulfill my duty because I can’t do it without you.”

Mentorship has played a key role in Tran’s development. Although he hesitates to name some of his mentors, he acknowledged that those who guided him had a collective impact.

“I learned from every person I admire and created my own plan to achieve my goal,” he said.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jonathan Mangilit, one of Tran’s mentors and friend, has provided him with guidance over the past four years in pursuit of his goal.

“I’m telling you, when we first met, he wasn’t very happy,” Mangilit said. “I just told him he wasn’t ready. Just give me a chance and listen to me, and I will show you the way to achieve this goal. He took it in stride and I really liked his confidence.

Mangilit emphasized understanding the needs of Sailors and listening to their recommendations.

“As leaders, we need to take the time to listen to them and just answer their questions in a meaningful way,” he said. “If we don’t do this, we will likely lose the opportunity to grow and influence the future of our Navy.”

The trust between them as mentor and mentee boosted Tran’s self-confidence and helped him get elected as an officer.

“Your selection is a testament to the achievements you have achieved over the years,” Mangilit said. “You are exactly the type of leader we want today and tomorrow.”

As Tran prepares to take on his new role as Administrative Officer of the USS Blue Ridge (LLC 19) based at Naval Command Yokosuka, Japan, he looks to the future with clear vision and ambition.

“I look forward to serving as LDO Community Manager and Chief Warrant Officer in the future.” Tran said.

For Tran, the path to becoming a naval officer is more than just a career milestone. It is a testament to his resilience, dedication and the unwavering support of his family and mentors. His journey from Lynchburg to leadership exemplifies the Navy’s core values ​​and the power of persistence in pursuing one’s dreams.