May is Military Appreciation Month, and the TECO Veterans Alliance (TVA) is proud to honor the service and stories of our team members. This week, we spotlight Steven Kane, Aero Maintenance Specialist/Supervisor at Bayside Power Station, as he shares how his time in the U.S. Navy helped shape his journey—both personally and professionally.
In general, describe your daily role/responsibility while in the military.
I was a Fire Controlman First Class Petty Officer and served for 12 years in the U.S. Navy. As the lead Spy Radar technician on Tico Class Cruisers and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers, I was responsible for the operations and maintenance of the radar that painted the air picture for the carrier battlegroup.
What were some of the reasons that you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
I saw it as an opportunity to serve my country, receive a technical education and travel. I chose the Navy because of the advanced electronics training, and my love for the water.
What are some of the things you remember about adapting to military life?
I really did not know what to expect, being a small-town boy from Northwestern Pennsylvania. I had to grow up fast since I was given a lot of responsibility at a very young age. I had the opportunity to work with others from all different backgrounds and parts of the world.
In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (right), Steven posed by the USS Antietam (CG-54), a Bunker Hill Class Guided Missile Cruiser, which is the ship he served on during the Gulf War.
How did you tell your family and friends that you were joining the military?
I was extremely excited to announce that I was leaving smalltown America with many adventures awaiting.
What are some things you remember most about your deployment?
16-hour workdays were the routine. I remember the camaraderie, friendships and the cohesiveness of a strong shipboard crew that functioned like a well-oiled machine.
How did you stay in touch with family and friends back home while you were deployed?
I wrote and received a lot of letters, some of which could have been in transit as long as a month so lots of news was way less than current. Regardless, I always looked forward to “mail call” on the ship.
Can you describe how you felt coming home from combat?
Once home, it seemed like everything moved in slow motion for a bit. Everything during the first Gulf War was very fast paced.
How did military service change you?
It provided me with positive direction as well as opportunities to excel based on hard work and merit. It built my character through motivation, discipline and repetition. I developed several lifelong friendships, and a sense of esprit de corps that will be with me as long as I live.
How does your past military service impact your job at TECO?
I honed many of my skill sets during my military service, including technical training, leadership and management. It also afforded me the ability to provide technical expertise to TECO and the Outage & Project Management department to manage the Aero Derivative Fleet in top-working order and maintain maximum availability and longevity for many years to come.
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
The military is very rewarding. Like anything else, you get out of it what you're willing to put in. Life is challenging sometimes, yet very rewarding.
Steven with his wife Dianna, and son Nate.
