Not many Navy civilians can say they served their nation for more than six decades; however, for a civilian assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), he can.

Frank Giordano, who served on both active duty and in the Reserves as a Seabee, 1959-1997, has applied the "Can-Do" lessons he learned during the early days of his Navy career throughout six decades of dedicated service.

"What astonished me when I got into the Seabees was how well they take care of their fellow Seabees," said Giordano, who added his favorite command was his assignment as commanding officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21.

Giordano served at more than 10 commands during his naval career.

Giordano will officially retire from the navy this month on the 75th anniversary of the Seabees. On March 5, Seabees worldwide will commemorate the 75th anniversary which established a force of more than 325,000 builders who could fight during World War II.

Giordano arrived at NECC actually before it officially stood up in 2006, and is considered a plankowner. He jokingly adds he was the first civilian to have the keys to the type command (TYCOM) spaces onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Since his arrival at NECC, Giordano has served as the logistics management officer.

Today, the TYCOM expeditionary combat forces total more than 19,000 active and Reserve component forces. Since its establishment in 2006, NECC has folded the expeditionary combat force under one umbrella of capabilities which includes explosive ordnance, Navy diving, coastal riverine, construction force, expeditionary logistics support, cargo handling, expeditionary warfare development, individual augmentee training, expeditionary combat camera support, and expeditionary intelligence capabilities.

Nearly 9,000 Selected Reserve Sailors are assigned to NECC and serve across the United States in commissioned, hardware-equipped units which train and deploy to meet operational requirements around the globe.

Serving both on active duty and in the Reserves, Giordano knows firsthand the capabilities Reservists contribute to NECC.

"When I was on active duty and in the Reserves, I had a lot of mentors who I am grateful for," said Giordano. "Fellow 'old salt' Seabees took me under their wing, and I have carried that leadership style and adapted my own traditions by mentoring others throughout my career."

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