Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth H. Bordelon
NEW ORLEANS – Rowley, Mass., resident and Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Bob Breaker, a Reservist with Coast Guard Station Point Allerton, Mass., recently returned from an extended tour of duty for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.
Breaker was recalled to active duty in April 2012 and remained on active status for 16 months. This was his second deployment to the Deepwater response.
During his tenure on the response, Breaker initially worked as a staging area manager in Pensacola, Fla., where he coordinating the mobilization of critical resources for the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
U.S. Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Bob Breaker receives retirement shadow box, presented by Master Chief Petty Officer Eric Walstrand on behalf of the New Orleans Chief’s Mess during a retirement ceremony Aug. 23, 2013. Breaker retired from the Coast Guard after 26 years of service. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth H. Bordelon) Click for more.
Due to his considerable leadership abilities, Breaker was selected to serve as a Coast Guard liaison to the Department of Interior. In this capacity, he ensured the integrity of marine and avian habitats on the sensitive barrier islands of coastal Louisiana.
While deployed for the second time, Breaker served as the senior enlisted adviser to the federal on-scene coordinator. In this role, he was responsible for the overall accountability, health, morale, and welfare of all Coast Guard enlisted personnel assigned to the response.
Displaying unwavering commitment, steadfast leadership, and a tireless work ethic, Breaker traveled more than 25,000 miles to relay command guidance, make valuable field observations, and collect workforce feedback from a crew of 125 uniformed members across the expansive four-state area of operations.
“Being involved in the first spill of national significance has been an incredible experience,” said Breaker. “Having the opportunity to return to the response and serve as the senior enlisted adviser has been the highlight of my time in the service.”
At the conclusion of this deployment, Breaker will be retiring from the Coast Guard. Breaker joined the Coast Guard Reserves in 1987. His assignments have included Coast Guard Station Gloucester, Mass., Coast Guard Station Chatman, Mass., and Coast Guard Sector Boston. In his civilian life, Breaker serves a police officer with the Wenham, Mass., Police Department.
“I’ve had an amazing career with the Coast Guard,” said Breaker. “Serving as an advocate and a mentor to the junior enlisted and officer corps has afforded me a unique opportunity to give back to my shipmates, who have given me so much throughout the years. The Coast Guard is a tight-knit community and, at the end of the day, it’s all about the people.”
Breaker was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal for his work on the response.
