Retired U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Pens Strong Endorsement For Couture's State House Run
I was thrilled when I recently saw Travis Couture’s announcement that he is running for the Washington State House of Representatives in the 35th District. I had the pleasure of getting to know Travis during his service aboard the USS ALABAMA when I was Commanding Officer from 2009 to 2012.
Travis was a great shipmate and exceptional sailor in every sense of the word. I was extremely fortunate to have him on our submarine’s team. As a young sailor Travis demonstrated the virtues that would make him a great representative for his community - a great sense of optimism, a commitment to improving his community, an energetic and curious mind, a pragmatic approach to problem solving, and a firm commitment to the fundamental standards that we stood for as a ship and a Nation.
From the very beginning, Travis punched above his weight as a leader in the hardest working division on the submarine. His remarkable effectiveness was due to his ability to learn fast and motivate his team to higher levels of performance. His relentless curiousity and his sincere interest in his crew were essential in building a strong team on a solid foundation of trust.
Submarine service can be very challenging and it was during many of these critical times that Travis proved his resilience and sense of optimism. Regardless of the demands placed on the crew, I could always rely on Travis to be the one showing up to greet any challenge with a smile and faith that the team would either find a way or make one.
I wish Travis all the best and urge the people of the 35th District to send Travis to Olympia as their next Representative!
CAPT Chris Kline, USN (Retired)
Commanding Officer, USS ALABAMA (B) Aug 2009-May 2012