Hoisted into his protective suit, not unlike the Arthurian Knights of the Round Table, Commander Chris Cassidy prepares to be launched into outer space as the second Navy SEAL in NASA’s history to ever leave Earth’s orbit. Commander Cassidy’s education and professional training have made him a mission specialist on the Space Transportation System 127 (STS-127) crew that will upgrade the International Space Station (ISS). Cassidy’s determination, integrity and humility put him in a class of heroes rarely seen in today’s society.
Cassidy graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1993 and later went on to earn his Masters Degree in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2000. Not one to slouch, Commander Cassidy spent the interim time as a highly trained Navy SEAL. His story should serve as an example to the youth of our great nation. As Cassidy puts it, “I was really blessed with great mentors and folks who kind of guided me when I was [at] the SEAL Teams … There are so many opportunities that exist in the Navy … the biggest thing is: Do your job and do your job well.” Good advice, Commander, in any profession.
More Than Blessed
True to his modest nature, Cassidy tells listeners, “The goals in my career really just seemed to sort of happen. You know, good coincidence, timing and luck kind of play a lot into it.” That may be so, but the history behind Cassidy’s accomplishments tells a story of hard work, dedication and determination. During his 10-year career as a Navy SEAL, Cassidy has served as an executive officer and operations officer of Special Boat Team 20, Platoon Commander at SEAL Team Three in Coronado; and Platoon Commander after returning to SDVT-2.
In addition to his professional talents and leadership skills, Cassidy successfully completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., where he was awarded status as the Honor Graduate. He has served in Afghanistan and the Mediterranean, where he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and two Bronze Stars with combat ‘V’ for missions with the Army 10th Mountain Division on the Afghan/Pakistan border. In recognition of his patriotism, professionalism and charismatic personality, Cassidy was granted the rare and prestigious honor of being made an honorary member of the 10th Mountain Division by its soldiers.
A Boy Scout At Heart
The first Navy SEAL ever launched into space was Captain William “Shep” Shepherd, now the Head Science Advisor of U.S. Special Operation Command (USSOCOM). According to Shepherd, “Chris is kind of an anomaly! He’s a pretty exceptional guy and I think he is somewhat modest about his own capabilities.”
As a Navy SEAL, Cassidy’s skills did not appear at first glance to be what NASA was looking for. SEALS are known for their deadly Special Operations activities and survival skills. When asked why a Navy SEAL would want to go into space, Cassidy smiles and replies with his characteristic modesty, “I’m asked that question a lot. The misconception is that to be an astronaut, you have to have been a pilot or have time as a pilot of some type of aircraft, and that’s just not true … the [fact] is anybody can apply to be an astronaut! There are very basic requirements, you know? A bachelor’s degree in some technical field… maybe a few other ones pertaining to eyesight and height and weight and that sort of thing. But, when you come right down to it, pretty much anybody can apply.”
That may be so, but Cassidy is certainly not “pretty much anybody.” He was accepted into NASA’s Astronaut Candidacy Program in 2004 and is scheduled to launch this month to work on the International Space Station. There is clearly no limit to what this man can accomplish. After outer space, there will be no telling where he will go.
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Photo courtesy of army.mil
