By CE2 (SCW) Seth Weaver, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Works Department, Seabee Division
UT1 Franklyn T. Vasquez stands in the Honolulu Airport luggage claim area on May 7 with the entire NAVFAC Hawaii's Public Works Department Seabee Division having returned from a one-year Individual Augmentation tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. (Photo by UT2 (SCW/EXW) Sean McKenzie/160507-N-OF713-003)
Utilitiesman 1
st Class Franklyn Vasquez was greeted at the Honolulu Airport by the entire Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii's Public Works Department (PWD) Seabee Division upon his return from a year-long Individual Augmentation (IA) tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, May 7.
The skills and knowledge acquired by Vasquez while working as a performance assessment representative during the IA greatly assisted in the maintenance of facilities.
UT1 Franklyn T. Vasquez is greeted at the Honolulu Airport by the entire NAVFAC Hawaii's Public Works Department Seabee Division upon his return from a year-long Individual Augmentation tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, May 7. (Photo by UT2 (SCW/EXW) Sean McKenzie/160507-N-OF713-005)
"I was working as a GS-9 [federal civilian worker], taking care of bigger projects and the business side of things," said Vasquez. "I was able to make connections over there so that when I get out I can maybe start a government job for another retirement," said Vasquez.
Now that he is back home at Pearl Harbor, the Seabee Division will benefit from Vasquez s experiences, which will help the group better plan for projects and understand that time spent on IA may provide future opportunities.
Although IA billets can be challenging, they can also be career boosters and help foster the connections and skills needed to succeed now and after a Seabee's time in the Navy.
"We here in Seabee Division are happy to see UT1 Vasquez back from IA," said Seabee Division Chief Construction Electrician (SCW) Rolando Cayetano, leading chief petty officer. "He sacrificed one year away from his family, but made the best of it and did extremely well."
UT1 Franklyn T. Vasquez stands in the Honolulu Airport luggage claim area on May 7 with Lt. j.g. Jacob Springer (left) and CEC (SCW) Rolando Cayetano (right). The entire NAVFAC Hawaii's Public Works Department Seabee Division welcomed him back to Hawaii from his one-year Individual Augmentation tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. (Photo by UT2 (SCW/EXW) Sean McKenzie/160507-N-OF713-002)