An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

Profiles in Professionalism: GM2 Leonardo Santos

27 October 2021

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Marshall

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Leonardo Santos has not touched one gun while on four-year active duty orders at NOSC Great Lakes, IL. Instead, he has found himself helping families of Sailors who have passed away receive the honors they deserve.   “Having a role that gives me a way to impact the Navy and those who have served by giving them the honors they deserve gives me that drive I’ve never really had until now in the Navy,” said Santos.
Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Leonardo Santos has not touched one gun while on four-year active duty orders at NOSC Great Lakes, IL. Instead, he has found himself helping families of Sailors who have passed away receive the honors they deserve.
 
“Having a role that gives me a way to impact the Navy and those who have served by giving them the honors they deserve gives me that drive I’ve never really had until now in the Navy,” said Santos.
 
In 1986, Santos joined the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate and served nine years on active duty. When he decided to get out of the Navy, he found the transition difficult.
 
“I got out in 1995. I moved to Skokie Illinois, I got a job as a production supervisor and thought to myself, I miss the Navy,” said Santos. “I love wearing the uniform so I went back in 1996 as a gunner’s mate [in the Navy Reserve].”
 
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks combined with a few years of traveling for drill weekends, GM2 Santos didn’t feel like he had a purpose in the Navy.
 
“I had hit high year tenure as an E5 and transferred to the VTU (Voluntary Training Unit) where on a drill weekend, I really didn’t do much. I had heard about funeral honors and wanted to give it a try,” said Santos. “Being a Funeral Honors Coordinator is the one job that made me feel like I had finally found a purpose in the reserves.”
 
Santos found that his new role representing the Navy finally made his time and service worth it.
 
“I have work to do every day; I assign funeral [duties], or I go out and perform the ceremonies myself,” said Santos. “Out of my whole time in the Reserve and while on active duty, besides 9/11 and doing my part as a GM, my role as Funeral Honors Coordinator has given me the most meaning and fulfillment.”
-30-
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website