In the Spotlight | Navy officer with Johnstown ties serves, trains below ocean surface

David Hurst, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – When Petty Officer Brandon Veney enlisted in the United States military 17 years ago, he was far from the first to serve in his family.

Veney said he has relatives serving in every branch of the armed forces. But the Bangor, Washington, resident, whose family still resides in Johnstown, is the first to serve 1,300 feet below the ocean surface.

Veney, a 17-year U.S. Navy veteran, is the son of William and Beverly Veney.

"I was born into a military family,” Brandon Veney said. “Most of the men and women in my family have served or are still serving in all branches of the armed forces. It seemed like I was destined to do the same, but in my own way, so I became the first submariner in my family.”

Veney serves as a submarine sonar technician. He’s part of a Navy sub force of Apex Predators, a fleet that conducts rapid defensive and offensive operations worldwide, Navy officials said in a media release.

A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington. Veney is stationed at the base’s Trident Training Facility (TTF) Bangor.

He now serves as an instructor, a role that gives him a chance to prepare the coming generation of submarine crewmen and women.

“I hope the knowledge and experiences that I have obtained can be a beacon for future service members to follow,” he said.

Veney said he takes pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy is one of the best ways for me to carry on my family’s pride,” said Veney. “I have bettered myself, seen so many places with amazing people and immersed myself into so many cultures. I have also fostered a deep sense of justice to defend those who cannot defend themselves and my loved ones.”

That role has taken him to some of the far ends of the globe, he said.

“I am most proud of being the first submariner in my family, and going to the North Pole,” said Veney. “I even got my parents a vial of water from there to prove it.”

U.S. Navy officials said Veney is part of a Pacific (Ocean) Submarine Force that maximizes the maritime service branch’s strengths of knowledge, stealth, agility, firepower and endurance.

And one of their greatest attributes is that they have the ability to serve on-scene, “unseen,” said Rear Adm. Richard Seif, commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.

“We are lethal, far-reaching and incredibly capable, and we deter aggression through our demonstrated advantage in the undersea domain,” he said.

Seif described the men and women of the Pacific Submarine Force as some of the nation’s “best and brightest Americans.”

“The pace of activity across the force is eye-watering, and our ability to remain on-scene, unseen, is only possible due to their hard work and critical thinking.”