Sea Cadet Experience:
Lieutenant Lou Perkins joined the Tomcats in 2015 along with his daughters. He has held several different positions during his time in the unit, including Medical, Operations, Training and Executive Officer of the Training Ship Tomcat. In 2019 he became the Executive Officer of the Tomcat Squadron and in 2021 he became the Squadron's Commanding Officer. LT Perkins began as an Instructor and after meeting his time in service requirement, he was promoted to Warrant Officer, a rank he held from April 29, 2017 until January 14, 2022. While LT Perkins had many opportunities to promote further in rank, he has chosen to remain a Warrant Officer as it is a rank that can only be held by an officer who served in the military at a rank of E6 or higher. Since this rank reflected his military service and there are only a limited number of Warrant Officers in the Sea Cadets, he was reluctant to change. However, after taking Command of the Tomcat Squadron, he felt promoting would better reflect his service in the Sea Cadet program. During his time with the Sea Cadets, LT Perkins has staffed many advanced trainings. He staffed Recruit Training several times as a Division Commander, once where his Division was named Honor Division of the training. He has also staffed Flagship, and as Division Commander of Master at Arms and Tactical Medical Training at Fort Custer. 2017 and 2018 he received the "Old Ironsides" award from the cadets of the Training Ship. Most recently he staffed as both a Division Officer and the Officer in Charge over Recruit Training, Fort Custer. Military Experience: LT Perkins served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1992 and in the Michigan Army National Guard from 1992 to 1996. He returned to active duty in 1996 and finally retired in 2004 for a combined service of 24 years. Duties included Combat Engineer, Combat Lifesaver, Petroleum Supply, Unit Supply and Armorer, Military Police and Recruiter. During his service, WO Perkins was a unit training NCO and readiness NCO. In 1991 he was named NCO of the year for the 3rd Infantry Division as well as many other awards during his service including the Expert Pistol and Rifle Award. He was deployed to Germany, Japan, Holland, Italy and stationed across the US. Civilian Experience: LT Perkins works as a Critical Care Paramedic, Fire Fighter, Instructor Coordinator, EMT Instructor, Field Training Officer and previously as a SWAT Medic attached to Warren PD and Reserve Police Officer for the city of Center Line. He also worked a short time as a Flight Medic. He was named Fire Fighter of the Year 2017 for the Ira Fire Department and is involved with community service teaching fire safety in local schools and as a CPR instructor. He is married and his wife is also a Sea Cadet Officer. They have one daughter in the program and a second who is now in college. |