By Megan Lemly, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Epperly, a native of Delran, New Jersey, serves the U.S. Navy at Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1, operating out of San Diego, California.
MILITARY NEWS: Delran native serves with Seabees in the U.S. Navy
Thursday, March 13, 2025
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Epperly graduated from Burlington County Institute of Technology in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Delran.
“I learned in my hometown the importance of being on the straight and narrow and taking initiative,” Epperly said. “In the Navy, these lessons help with leading and training sailors.”
Epperly joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Epperly serves as an equipment operator.
“I joined the Navy because I was a plumber and I wanted to follow in my family's footsteps of service,” Epperly said. “Both my grandfathers and my dad served in the Navy.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Epperly has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is receiving a Flag Letter of Commendation from the two-star admiral at Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, for building his outdoor gym,” Epperly said. “I am proud of that because it was my first major Seabee project and I got to do it as E-3. It taught me how to be more of a leader.”
Epperly serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means pride in what I do,” Epperly said. “It has definitely made me a better and more well-rounded person.”
Epperly is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my wife for helping me study for my warfare device, for always being there for me when I go on deployment and for holding it down at home,” Epperly added.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Delran.
“I learned in my hometown the importance of being on the straight and narrow and taking initiative,” Epperly said. “In the Navy, these lessons help with leading and training sailors.”
Epperly joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Epperly serves as an equipment operator.
“I joined the Navy because I was a plumber and I wanted to follow in my family's footsteps of service,” Epperly said. “Both my grandfathers and my dad served in the Navy.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Epperly has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is receiving a Flag Letter of Commendation from the two-star admiral at Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, for building his outdoor gym,” Epperly said. “I am proud of that because it was my first major Seabee project and I got to do it as E-3. It taught me how to be more of a leader.”
Epperly serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means pride in what I do,” Epperly said. “It has definitely made me a better and more well-rounded person.”
Epperly is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my wife for helping me study for my warfare device, for always being there for me when I go on deployment and for holding it down at home,” Epperly added.