Brian Abel, a native of Metairie, Louisiana, is a civilian serving alongside sailors ensuring the U.S. Navy maintains freedom from the ocean to the stars at Naval Oceanographic Office, an echelon command of Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command (METOC).

Abel currently serves as a public affairs officer at METOC, headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Abel previously served for seven years in the Navy as a mass communication specialist.

Abel graduated from John Curtis High School in 1999.

Abel joined the Navy seven years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I was in a dead-end job as a corrections officer with no possible way to attend college," said Abel. “When I was a corrections officer, I was convinced by an inmate who previously served in the Army to join the military, particularly the Navy, as he stated this was the best branch in the armed forces.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Metairie.

“I grew up with a lot of different cultures in my life,” said Abel. “When I was serving, there was almost ever culture you could think of that I came into contact with whether it was fellow service members or visiting other countries.”

According to Navy officials, sailors and civilians working throughout Naval Oceanography collect, measure, and analyze the elements of the physical environment (land, sea, air, space). They synthesize a vast array of oceanographic and meteorological data to produce forecasts and warnings in support of safety of flight and navigation.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Abel serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Abel has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve helped people in need during natural disasters,” said Abel. “I’m proud that I opened my mind to learn about how other people live and understand their hardships and upbringing. I’m also proud that I grew up and became a mature and responsible adult who takes care of my family and myself.”

Abel can take pride in serving America in both civil and military service.

“To me, serving in the military is irony in the fact that I sacrificed my freedom in order to be more free than I could ever imagine,” said Abel. “I’m financially stable, mentally more mature and care more about my country and the safety of American rights than I’ve ever done in my life.”

Abel is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I’d like to give a shout-out to my former high school football coach and headmaster, J.T. Curtis, who always cared about my growth as a kid into an adult and always asks about me and my family when he sees anyone in my extended family,” said Abel.

"When I left the Navy, I used my 9/11 GI Bill to attend the Los Angeles Film School where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Film Science with a concentration in cinematography graduating in 2021,” added Able. “While on active duty, I earned my Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin along with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,” added Abel.