EP Native, Senior Chief David Clauss, Serves Vital Role in Navy Reserve

By Lt. j.g. Dale Eng

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – David Clauss plays an active role in recreating history for future generations, but he also helps shape it as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and Bronze Star Medal awardee in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Clauss joined the Navy on active duty shortly after graduating from East Providence High School in 1982. He transitioned from active duty to the Reserve 26 years ago and relishes in the opportunity to serve his country when asked to do so.

“I adhere to the Navy core values [of honor, courage, and commitment] and abide by them in all that I do; it is ingrained in my lifestyle,” said Clauss. “I still love putting on the uniform and contributing to the Navy.”

As an electronics technician, Clauss serves with the Naval Operational Support Center in New London, Connecticut. When not in his current uniform, Clauss dons a World War II era military uniform to bring history to life with the Northeast Association for the Preservation of History by participating in events across New England, as well as upstate New York and Pennsylvania.

With multiple deployments and mobilizations of his own in the past 12 years, Clauss has played a vital role to military operations in the Middle East, thus helping shape recent history through his service and accomplishments in uniform.

“An accomplishment I am proud of was being deployed to Afghanistan as a Navy Individual Augmentee (IA) where I was part of an embedded training team to Camp Clark in the Khowst Province, which was virtually at the ‘spear point’ of operations very close to enemy territory,” said Clauss. “Withstanding enemy IDF attacks frequently and participating in many mounted combat patrols, I am extremely proud of the fact that all the rjunior Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen under my supervision returned from the combat area safe and sound. The Bronze Star Medal that I received was a testament to the actions and accomplishments of my junior personnel.”

Vice Admiral Braun, Chief of the Navy Reserve, is proud to lead such a talented and dedicated group of Sailors. “The commitment of our talented Sailors to the Navy, their shipmates and their community is truly inspirational,” said Braun. “Their continued dedicated service in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Force lends credence to our motto: ‘Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere.’”

March 3, 2015, marks 100 years of the United States Navy Reserve. Throughout the year, Navy Reserve units will be celebrating the accomplishments of Reserve Sailors past and present.

Find out more about the celebration at http://navyreservecentennial.com/.