By Master Sgt. Michel Sauret RICHMOND, Va. — Every time he straps on the leather band of his watch in the morning, Phillip Brashear remembers his father. “My dad’s famous saying is, ‘It’s not a sin to get knocked down. It’s a sin to stay down,’” Brashear said. Those words are engraved on the back of a Swiss limited-edition wristwatch, surrounding the iconic image of a Mark V diver suit helmet. The watch was manufactured in honor of Carl Brashear, the first African-American master diver in U.S. Navy’s history who lost his leg during a Read More…

The February Radio Media Tour (RMT) highlighted the accomplishments of American servicemen and women who have left their mark on history, especially through the lens of an Army Reserve Soldier with a strong family legacy of service. Chief Warrant Officer Phillip Brashear spoke with radio stations across the country to share the extraordinary African American Soldiers who have – and continue to – show courage in defending our nation. The RMT also helped to increase awareness about the U.S. Army Reserve as a champion of diversity. There were 15 radio interviews, including three nationally broadcast interviews, that Read More…

Thomas O’Neill won second place in the 2019 Pierce Callaghan Project Competition for his insightful research project on Carl M. Brashear. His research covered Brashear’s early childhood, military career, biographical film, and the Naval Services Diving Section founded in his home country of Ireland. He also included hilarious navy themed jokes and beautiful artwork dedicated to Brashear’s diving legacy.

   By John Groth July 11, 2019 Three-quarters of the way through the opening ceremony of the 39th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) in Louisville, Ky., emcee Phillip Brashear decided to go a little off script. After Paralyzed Veterans of America President (PVA) David Zurfluh had finished his speech in the Kentucky International Convention Center ballroom Thursday night, Brashear, the third of three sons of the U.S.’ first African-American Navy master chief diver Carl Brashear, could’ve just raised the microphone stand up. Instead, he chose to keep it down the last 15 minutes. After all Read More…

Brashear Foundation Presents 5th Annual ‘Navy Diver of the Year’ By Tony Palm Keyport, Washington May 7, 2019 Brashear Foundation President and Founder, Phillip M. Brashear, son of the legendary Navy Master Diver made famous in the bio-picture ‘Men of Honor’, presented the annual ‘Navy Diver of the Year’ award today to BU1 Joseph L. Hawthorne, USN at a ceremony during the Military Divers Training Continuum inside the U.S. Navy Undersea Warfare Museum, Keyport, WA. Attending the ceremony was the U.S. Navy’s Superintendent of Diving and Salvage, Washington Navy Yard, DC, CAPT Keith W. Lehnhardt, Read More…

Son of famous Navy Chief speaks at Kenner gathering By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Breckenkamp | 80th Training Command (TASS) May 3, 2019 “A son never forgets.” You may recall this line from the movie “Men of Honor,” based on the true story of the late Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl Maxie Brashear, the first African-American master diver and master chief in the United States Navy. Following in his father’s footsteps, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Phillip Maxie Brashear also never forgets. Like his father, Phillip Brashear joined the military. At the age of 56, Phillip, a UH-60 Weapons Read More…