PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Richard Gillis serves as the Integrated Product Support (ILS) Division Administrative Assistant for the Integrated Logistics Division (S40) at NSWC Panama City Division.
Following a traditional Navy family lineage and upbringing in San Diego, Calif., Gillis enlisted in the Navy and served as a diver for more than two decades. His diving career encompassed time aboard salvage ships, service with various diving commands, and advanced training in mixed gas and salvage demolition, ultimately leading him to the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center onboard Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla.
Retiring at high-year tenure, he transitioned his expertise to the civilian sector, supporting special warfare and combatant craft as a configuration data manager and spares/inventory specialist for a local defense contractor. Following a contract restructuring that eliminated his position, he transitioned to a new administrative contractor support role serving NSWC PCD. There, he quickly adapted, applying his Navy-instilled discipline and attention to detail to master administrative and records management requirements. His effort helped him advance to his current position as an NSWC PCD Integrated Logistics Division administrative professional.
Gillis continues to play a crucial support role for the command, contributing to nearly every project and platform related to warfighter readiness, lifecycle sustainment, and critical training development. His responsibilities range from logistical tasks such as shipping training devices and managing personnel timekeeping to more complex arrangements such as facilitating travel and creating official command correspondence.
He also lives by the credos from two of his favorite military leaders: "Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be," (Douglas MacArthur) and "There aren't any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet,” (William Halsey).
According to Gillis, these sentiments resonate deeply in his service and dedication.
“I gave an oath those many years ago at the Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station, having repeated it often over the years and on multiple sides of government,” said Gillis. “Those words [still] ring true today as they did then in wide-eyed wonder, that we honorably dedicate our efforts, to include the last full measure, to support our great America.”
His meticulous management of these critical, yet often unseen, administrative tasks allow other personnel to dedicate their full attention to directly supporting the warfighter and maintaining readiness. His dedication and attention to detail directly contribute to the success of various projects and platforms, impacting lifecycle sustainment and training development for NSWC PCD.