AAAA ARTICLE – “History Repeats Itself” – March 3, 2016

CW4 Phillip Brashear carries a blessing and a burden, but that’s what comes with being Carl’s son. The blessing is having a father that everyone loves and respects. The burden is having your career in the shadows.

Phillip’s father was Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) and Master US Navy Diver, Carl Brashear (1931-2006), whose story as the US Navy’s first African-American Master Diver was portrayed in the movie Men of Honor. His character played by Cuba Gooding Jr.

In March 1966 Carl was severely injured and suffered an amputation of his leg during a deck accident on a naval vessel. It took a team of dedicated medical professionals more than two years to get him back up on dive status so that he could achieve his goal to be the first African- American Master Diver. He said, “It’s not a sin to get knocked down; it’s a sin to stay down….I ain’t going to let nobody steal my dream.”

CW4 Phillip Brashear began his service when he joined the US Navy Reserve in 1981 and performed duties as a jet mechanic and flight crew member. He loved flying. He wanted to be a pilot but didn’t have a degree. In 1989 Phillip’s service with the Navy ended and service in the Army began when he joined the Virginia Army National Guard. A year later he went to flight school.

Upon graduation Phillip was assigned as an UH-1 Huey pilot to A Co 2nd Battalion, 224 Aviation Regiment. Along the way he got a UH-60A/L Blackhawk transition and the Maintenance Test Pilot Course. He was assigned to B Co for deployment to Iraq in 2005 where the unit executed air assault and VIP missions.

After a wonderful career Phillip retired from the National Guard while working as a Weapon System Support Manager for Defense Supply Center in Richmond, VA. Feeling that he still had service to give he joined the US Army Reserves and was assigned to 5-159th Aviation Regiment at Ft Eustis, VA and got transitioned into the CH-47D Chinook. He was assigned as the Rear Detachment Commander because the unit was in the final stages to deploy to Iraq when he arrived.

On June 26, 2014, CW4 Brashear was given a routine instrument check ride as part of his annual qualifications at Ft Eustis, Va. He said that he did so well on the flight that he treated himself to a 4 mile run the morning after. Later that morning he had his annual flight physical appointment.

Like most major life events this one was a surprise. Phillip was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation or A-Fib. This not uncommon heart arrhythmia immediately produced a down slip. He was prescribed blood-thinning medicine and waited for his next appointment.

In July 2014, at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va., Phillip received what he called “the Frankenstein treatment” otherwise known as cardioversion. The naval cardiologist, CDR Michael Spooner MD recognized Phillip’s name. The doctor said he had treated Phillip’s father years ago when his father needed cardio care at the Navy facility- funny how things happen that way. The same military doctor that tended to Carl Brashear also treated his son.

CW4 Brashear got his upslip in October of 2015 and completed his F model CH-47 Chinook transition at Ft Rucker, AL. LTC (Dr.) Christopher James Army Flight Surgeon at Ft Eustis, VA “quarterbacked” Phillip’s treatment all the way through by translating medical jargon into English, giving options, recommendations, and scheduling appointments. CW4 Brashear said, “Military medicine squared away both my father and me and kept my career going just like it did my father’s [career]. Some people don’t trust military medicine. Here are two cases where it came through to keep our careers going.” History really does repeat itself! CW4 Phillip Brashear is a new member of AAAA’s Colonial Virginia chapter.

Author’s Note: Two items. First, this author strongly recommends going to Carlbrashear.org to read more about Phillip’s father’s career and the 501©(3) fund set up by the family. Second, CDR Spooner says cardioversion is not as bad as people think. It involves low voltage and conscious sedation.

CW5 (Ret) Dave Cooper AAAA Vice President for Membership