Pollock advances in rank
In October, Pollock reenlisted for four more years of service, which will take him to the 21 year mark of service to our country. He is pictured shaking hands with Commander of the Detroit Navy Reserve Center, Commander Matthew Johnson.
Todd Pollock, native of Versailles, was recently selected to advance to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO/E-7) in the United States Navy. This is a highly desired promotion in the enlisted ranks of the Navy among a very competitive pool of selectees.
Pollock is the son of two local, former educators, Barry Pollock and Judi Geyman, and is a 1991 graduate of South Ripley High School. Toward the end of his high school years, he spoke with a few recruiters and considered enlisting in the military but instead, in August of 1991, Pollock headed to Terre Haute to begin his freshman year at Indiana State University to study criminology and received his degree in 1996.
It wasn’t until 2008, twelve years after graduating from ISU, when Pollock decided to enlist at the age of 36. At this point in life, Pollock saw this as opportunity to pursue his original interest of being a part of our nation’s Department of Defense and he valued what that stood for.
“As a young adult I developed leadership skills and teamwork values from the influences of several coaches throughout my years of high school sports, which included Sam Durham, Bob Meyer, Kevin Mack, Jeff Huss and John Kalb- as well as college organizations- thanks to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity,” Pollock explained to the Osgood Journal.
At the time of enlistment, Pollock was working as a probation officer and saw the Navy reserves as an opportunity to utilize the leadership skills- the skills he credits those local individuals for- as well as continue to develop them and hopefully have a positive influence on those others volunteering to defend our country.
Fast forward to 2025, 17 years after enlisting, Pollock still remains active in the US Navy. After being selected to advance in rank, a series of steps including a written examination and a review of records done by a specific board which then places ranking ordered, an arduous two month training period was required for Pollock (and the others selected), which culminated in a pinning ceremony steeped in Naval tradition which was held in Detroit, Michigan. Many of Pollock’s family members were able to attend the event in which Pollock was officially pinned by his wife Chadasy.
What is one major thing that Pollock has gained from his military service? “No matter where you are in life, it’s important to understand your role and responsibilities, whether it be a student, a parent, a volunteer, an employee, or in charge of other people. More precisely, to understand the expectations of that role, and to be ready and flexible enough to appropriately change as your role changes,” Pollock answers.
In October, Pollock reenlisted to four more years of service, which will take him to the 21 year mark of service to our country. Pollock and his wife currently reside in Fremont, Ohio. Pollock has three children, Griffin (Kailyn), Sophia and Ally, along with two grandsons
