Kevin Tierney:  

Life Chief Photographer's Mate (AW/SW) KEVIN H. TIERNEY I entered the Navy's Delayed Entry Program in late 1985 and reported for basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in August 1986. This saved my life and kept my dad from breaking my neck. Those that know me well enough understand. Upon graduation from boot camp in October 1986, I was assigned as an undesignated Seaman to the Battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62), home ported in Long Beach, Calif., becoming a naval photographer. My 4-year tour aboard New Jersey included two Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments, going to Korea, several months in Australia, Hawaii, etc. Too long to mention how many countries I've been to. In July 1990, I transferred to Fleet Imaging Command Pacific Philippines, Naval Air Station Cubi Point, where I was assigned as a photographer. I was in the Philippines during the massive volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, very long story. In September 1992 I transferred to Fleet Imaging Facility Pacific, Naval Air Station Alameda, just outside of San Francisco, where I was assigned as a photographer. In February 1994, I transferred to Fleet Imaging Command Pacific Guam, Naval Air Station Agana, Micronesia. A beautiful place and where I met the current Mrs. Tierney. During this tour I was awarded Shore Sailor of the Year for 1994 and earned my associates degree from University of Maryland. I also received the Ancient Order of the Chamorri award from Gov. Madeline Bordallo, the highest civilian award given by the commonwealth of the Marianas Islands for outstanding volunteer service to the people of Guam. In February 1997, I transferred to Enlisted Navy Recruiting Orientation School, Pensacola, Fla. Upon graduation, I reported to Navy Recruiting District Albuquerque, which was decommissioned and changed to NRD Phoenix where I worked as a field recruiter in Tucson, Ariz. During this tour I completed the Dept. of Labor Journeyman program in counseling, I was also awarded the Captain Donaho Newsletter Award, first place, for best Navy recruiting publication in the nation. After a successful tour of recruiting duty I transferred to Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md., attending and graduating from photojournalism school. After graduating I transferred to Combat Camera Group Pacific where I worked as the photojournalist dept. supervisor, deploying in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, covering humanitarian relief efforts in An Nasiriya, Iraq. While at Combat Camera I completed the Department of Labor Journeyman Program in still photography and also won Military Photographer of the Year, Director’s Award 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2005, I was selected as Chief Petty Officer, one of the last three photographers in the Navy before the job changed to Mass Communication Specialist. In December 2006, I graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from National University in general studies, with an emphasis in history and literature. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in management. My awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6 awards), Army Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal (5 awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards); Volunteer Service Medal, and numerous other unit and campaign awards. My wife Anjali and I reside in Phoenix, Ariz.; we have two children, Kendra and Kevin II. Other than all that, I haven't really been doing a whole lot in the last 22 years, ha, ha. Remember, these are just very brief highlights. Those that knew me in high school wouldn't recognize me today. You would pass me on the street and not even know it. I'm a completely different person today co...Expand for more