Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear: A Distinguished Military Journey

WETSU: a BattleshipNJ Podcast

WETSU: a BattleshipNJ Podcast
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear: A Distinguished Military Journey
Nov 26, 2025 Season 1 Episode 22
Battleship New Jersey

On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear—son of Navy legend Master Chief Carl Brashear, the first Black U.S. Navy Master Diver whose life inspired the 2000 film Men of Honor.

Phillip reflects on his own distinguished military journey, from his early years in the Navy to his transition into the Army, where he became a helicopter pilot and amassed more than 2,600 flight hours during deployments to Bosnia and Iraq.

He shares what it was like growing up as the son of an American icon, the 25th anniversary of Men of Honor, his recent recognition as an Honorary Chief Petty Officer by the MCPON, and his deep commitment to the Battleship New Jersey’s Chief Petty Officer Heritage Academy—now in its 18th year and the largest CPO Heritage Academy for the Naval Reserve in the nation.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with a remarkable leader carrying forward a family legacy of service, resilience, and honor.

WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey podcast is proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative ELEC 825.

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Episode Artwork Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear: A Distinguished Military Journey 23:31 Episode Artwork Mikie Sherrill: From Naval Aviator to being elected New Jersey's next Governor 12:18 Episode Artwork Bill Kraus: The Co-Founder of Mission BBQ's personal connection to the company's mission 23:13 Episode Artwork George Leone on Leading the Charge of Homecoming 250 This Fall 31:36 Episode Artwork Governor Phil Murphy: A Candid Conversation on his Work for the State of New Jersey 25:51 Episode Artwork RADM Blackmon: A Conversation with Vice Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command 42:21 Episode Artwork CDR Skip Leeson: Sea Stories from the CO of the Battleship's Beirut Reserve Unit 39:20 Episode Artwork Paul Stillwell: From USS New Jersey Veteran to Author & Historian 57:19 Episode Artwork Ryan Szimanski: A Curator's Journey 47:48 Episode Artwork Ken Kersch: From Vietnam Plankowner to Museum Overnight Encampment Director 46:53 Episode Artwork CDR Carne Livingston: The Hands-on Perspective of a Seasoned Commander 58:16 Episode Artwork Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, USAF, and her Dual Role in State and Federal Operations 59:34 Episode Artwork Asw. Melinda Kane: Turning Grief into Purpose & Public Service 42:22 Episode Artwork Tim Parlatore: Service, Leadership, and a Return to the Fleet 1:04:42 Episode Artwork Chris Lehman, PhD: Insights from the Reagan Administration & a Military Legacy 45:20 Episode Artwork CAPT Kent "Brewski" Smith: Firsthand Experiences with the Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle 42:26 Episode Artwork CDR Steve Halle: Helping Build the Legacy of USS New Jersey 1:03:47 Episode Artwork Captain Joe Benton III: Navigating Giants as a Veteran Docking Pilot & Strategic Sealift Officer 43:21 Episode Artwork Admiral Reason: Commander, Battle Group Romeo & USS NEW JERSEY Veteran 46:01 Episode Artwork Bill Brown: From Navy SEAL to Veterans Advocate 1:00:00 Episode Artwork Congressman Norcross: U.S. Representative & Founding Member of The Home Port Alliance 27:13 Episode Artwork Rear Admiral Ronald Tucker: Final Commanding Officer of Battleship NJ 37:13 Episode Artwork WETSU: Season 1 Trailer 0:48