When Brian Maher is not serving his community as Montgomery Town Supervisor, he can be found serving his country as a member of the United States Navy Reserve. This endeavor has taken him all over the country and helped him become a better leader, father and man in the process.

Maher always wanted to serve in the military. While working as Director of Communications for Sen. Bill Larkin, Maher saw firsthand how Larkin’s military experience impacted his decision making and leadership, which further inspired Maher to join the Navy Reserve. When Larkin chose not to run for re-election, Maher was afforded the opportunity to become a reservist.

Maher began his time as a reservist when at boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois in July 2018. After nine weeks there, Maher traveled to Meridian, Mississippi where he began his accession training, learning his Navy job of being a logistics specialist.

Following his graduation from logistics specialist school, Maher reported to his Naval Reserve Base in the Bronx in the Fall of 2018. In the years since then, he has continued his training one weekend per month and his annual training two weeks out of the year. His training has taught him how to fire and handle weapons. There is a security component to his training, where Maher has learned how to check people’s IDs and search vehicles as well as individuals.

Maher did his annual training in June this year. This was his first opportunity to meet members of his new assigned unit, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His unit, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 8, is known for its expeditionary warfare capabilities. They provide logistical, supply and cargo ops support abroad and domestically and are primarily land based. The unit was established in response to the need for a dedicated deployable shore-based logistical and transportation support for all Navy ground and brown water combat forces.

Maher enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow sailors, who came from all over the country.

“My shipmates came from all across America to participate in this training and it was one of the most diverse groups I have ever worked with,” he said. “Our unit is made up of different races, ages and professional backgrounds. I had the opportunity to be trained by some brave and capable men and women, many of whom just recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. One thing about going away and training in the military is when we are together the only thing that matters is the mission and having each other’s back.”

Maher learned a lot from his training this year, which he plans to apply to his job as town supervisor.

“I plan to continue to take all I have learned and apply it here at home. There is so much more we can accomplish when we realize just how similar we all can be and how most of us want a lot of the same things in life,” he said on his personal Facebook page. “I know this saying is cliche but it’s true: What brings us together is so much stronger than what pulls us apart. I’m more motivated than ever to get back to work and to serve my community!”

However, Maher’s time as a reservist has already helped shape his actions as supervisor.

“I attribute my military experience to our town’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “I think without that military experience, I would not have been as well prepared to handle that crisis the way that we did over the last two years.”

Maher added that his time as a reservist has made him more disciplined, which in turn has made him a better father and community leader.

“Only one percent of our population in America decides to join the military,” he said. “That specialized training that you receive, both during boot camp and A school and throughout your time as a reservist or as a full-time member of our military is second to none.”

As of a few weeks ago, Maher’s unit changed. He was assigned to Seal Team 18 out of Norfolk, Virginia where he will report later this summer or early fall to meet his new command. Maher will spend the next several years as part of this unit, where he will have a small footprint on the logistics and operations that surround a Seal Team in the U.S. Navy. He does not see his career in the Navy Reserve ending any time soon.

“I plan to be a Naval reservist for the foreseeable future,” Maher said. “I do believe I will enlist after my initial eight-year term is up. Being able to meet and interact and serve with sailors from all over the world is something that has been a life-changing experience for me and I don’t see that ending anytime soon.”