Chief Petty Officer Franklin retires after 20 years of naval service

Kenneth D. Franklin, the son of Reather Franklin and a graduate of Britton's Neck High School Class of 1991, entered boot camp at Recruit training Command Great Lakes, Ill., in September 1991.

After completing boot camp, he reported to Gunner's Mate Class "A" school at Naval training Center in  Great Lakes. He graduated "A" school in  June of 1992 and was assigned to th USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in Norfolk, Virginia. While aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, GMSA Franklin was promoted to Second Class Petty Officer. He was among a 50 Caliber Gun Team member which escorted the Army's 10th Mountain Division to Haiti in 1994.

In 1996, Petty Officer Franklin transferred from the USS Eisenhower to Mark 45 5-inch 54 Caliber class "C" School at Fleet Training Center Damneck, Virginia. Upon completion, he reported to the USS Thorn (DD988) in Portsmouth, Virginia. While aboard the Thorn, he was promoted to Leading Petty Officer. He was also the 5-inch 54 Caliber Mount Captain of Mount 51, which was the primary gun of the ship. As Mount Captain, he led is gunnery crew through the sinking of the former USS R.K. Turner, which was turned into a reef off the coast of Florida. 

In 1998, Petty Officer Franklin was selected for the Enlisted Education Advancement Program. He attended Thomas Nelson Community College and graduated with honors in 2000 with an Associate's Degree in Administrative Justice. After completing college, he entered Instructor's School and taught Magazine Sprinkler System Operation and Repair.

Following the terrorists attacks of 911, Petty Officer Franklin was ordered to report to the USS Seattle (AOE-3). The USS Seattle was ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf in support to Anti-Terrorism Operations. While there the USS Seattle completed over 300 supply missions to American and NATO forces. In 2004, Petty Officer Franklin was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. He was awarded a Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medal for assisting in the rescue of nine Iraqi sailors from a sinking ship in the Persian Gulf.

After the decommissioning of the USS Seattle in March 2005, Chief Franklin reported to the Center for Surface Combat System in Damneck, Va. He was the Gunner's Mate 5 Vector Model Rate Lead, which made him responsible for developing the rating exams. He was also the lead instructor for Mark 45 5-inch 54 Caliber Gun System. He instructed over 40 students on the operation, maintenance, and repair of the gun system. In 2008, Chief Franklin transferred to the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) as CG Division Leading Chief Petty Officer. In that position, he coordinated 8 ammunition on-loads. He qualified all shipboard personnel on the 9mm service pistol, M-6 service rifle, M-240 machine gun, and 50 caliber machine gun. Chief Franklin and his gunnery team executed numerous 5-inch 54 caliber gun shoots and the USS Donald Cook was regarded as having the best gunnery team of all east coast ships. He led his team through a perfect naval surface fire support operation. Chief Franklin's naval service includes: 6 deployments, one Navy Marine Corp Commendation Medal, seven Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medals, six Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Medals, two Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals, two Armed Forces Service Medals, five Southwest Asia Service Medals, two NATO Service Medals, Naval Expert Pistol Medals and Naval Expert Rifle Medal. He also qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists and Master Training Specialists. Chief Franklin's retirement ceremony was held June 17, 2011, at Vista Point, Naval Station in Norfolk, Va.

He officially retired in September after 20 years of loyal service. He is now attending Regent University in Virginia, seeking a bachelor's degree in government.