USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) At Sea -- When the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Norfolk in August, Vietnam veteran Paul Durbin, a Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) instructor, rode along for what was supposed to be only eight weeks and would soon turn into the remainder of deployment.
Durbin, originally from North Rose, N.Y., was teaching for only four months when he found out he had been drafted by the Army in Jan. 1967. The 24 year old shipped off six months later for schooling to become a military policeman (MP).
“I arrived in Vietnam Dec. 7, 1967,” recalls Durbin. “I was there for a year and once it got around that I was a teacher they took me from being an MP to a more administrative type setting.”
Once Durbin finished his two years in the Army, he went on to teach everything from seventh grade math to college calculus.
“I spent many years with mixed feelings about the war in Vietnam,” explained Durbin. “More recently, I knew I wanted to be able to serve again, but this time without carrying a gun. My sister-in-law, who is retired from the Navy, told me about NCPACE and suggested I look into it.”
Durbin went on to teach aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in May 2010, then joined up with Kearsarge on Veterans Day.
“It was supposed to be only one eight week course, but once I got here I knew I wanted to extend.” said Durbin. “I have a sense of fulfillment that I haven’t felt in decades. It’s like I am getting to serve all over again.”
Durbin’s motivation and love for the job shows through when he’s teaching in the classroom.
“He is always willing to help his students,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Christiana Sanchez. “He is an inspiration to me not just because he is a great teacher, but also because he gets the most out of life and tries to experience everything.”
Durbin has only been working with NCPACE for nine months, but he is certain it is something he would like to continue doing after this deployment.
“I figure I will take a couple months on shore when we wrap up deployment then I will try to leave again in October of this year,” Durbin said. “The only stipulation I have is the ship has to have a flight deck that I can run on.”
The 67 year old has physical endurance that would make most Sailors and Marines half his age jealous. Having run over three dozen marathons, Durbin stays in shape by running three times a week on the flight deck and takes advantage of all the MWR sponsored 5K runs.
“I have been running for 46 years,” said Paul. “It keeps me active and focused, and it gives me purpose and quality of life.”
Besides the classroom and 5K runs, Durbin can be seen walking around the ship socializing with Sailors and Marines.
“When I run into him in the passage ways I always greet him and he likes to talk to everyone on first names basis,” said Sanchez. “I’ll say ‘Hi Paul,’ and he always says ‘steadfast.’ It’s like his catch phrase.”
“Steadfast means to stay intensely focused on your goals,” explained Durbin. “For me I stay focused on my journey as a philosophy and math teacher. Staying focused on your goals is very important in life.”
Durbin is an inspiration to many Sailors and Marines on board, but for him the feeling is reciprocated.
“Being aboard Kearsarge is very fulfilling for me,” said Durbin. “It is inspiring and such an honor to serve alongside people who exemplify strong minds and bodies.”
