At 19 years-old Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jason T. Senecal joined the United States Navy as an engineering technician. Thirty years later, he is returning to his hometown of Essex Junction for Vermont’s first Navy Week during the Champlain Valley Fair.
Navy Week is an outreach effort which brings sailors to communities through a series of performances, educational activities, community events and service projects. Sailors are visiting towns across Champlain Valley to engage with locals from Aug. 24-30.
Senecal began his military career when he was at a crossroads as a young person. Uncertain of what the future held and encouraged by community members, Senecal determined the U.S. military would give him the direction and education he needed to succeed.
“I had a lot of military mentors growing up, and not necessarily my family,” Senecal said. “Instructors in school and military recruiters in the area inspired me to do what I do and become the person I’ve become.”
Senecal first enlisted in the Army, but after successfully passing an exam, he was placed into a nuclear engineering program becoming a member of the Navy. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the program.
Senecal has since served on submarines and aircraft carriers among other boats as he rose through the ranks. After 15 years in the Navy, Senecal was selected for a commissioning program as a chief warranting officer. Now, he primarily works in quality assurance where he ensures submarines are functioning properly and are well maintained.
“Good values helped me succeed through my military career. An opportunity to [help others] do the same, even in a small way, I really wanted to be a part of that,” Senecal said about wanting to participate in Navy Week.
When Senecal heard the Navy was hosting its first ever Navy Week in Vermont, he excitedly reached out to the Navy Office of Community Outreach to see if he could participate. Taking part in Burlington Navy week allows students and community members to ask Senecal questions about what it is like to serve in the Navy as a Vermonter which recruiters might not be able to answer as thoroughly.
“It’s nice to open people’s eyes to what we do, what we can do, and what they can do,” Senecal said. “The opportunities afforded to them if they decide to do military service for the younger people, and then for the older people what and why we get up and do what we do every day. It’s nice to be able to show them what little bit we can.”
The Champlain Valley Fair will celebrate Burlington Navy Week during the fair’s opening weekend Aug. 28-31. Senecal will be available for questions and conversations at a booth. There will also be rotating Navy units, displays as well as a special Military Appreciation Day rock concert Monday, Aug. 31 at the fair grounds.
For more details on U.S. Navy Week, contact Lt. Cmdr. John Stevens at john.j.stevens4.mil@us.navy.mil or (901) 874-5590. Readers can also visit the Navy Office of Community Outreach website for more information and a complete list of all 18 events throughout Burlington Navy Week.