First District Enlisted Person of the Year for the Reserve Component Petty Officer 2nd Class Bret Perchaluk By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard “That doesn’t look right,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Bret Perchaluk said to his supervisor one August day in 2018. He had just noticed a maroon, four-door Chevrolet Impala, which appeared suspicious to him. It had heavily tinted windows and a large American flag suspended from the rear driver’s side window. The vehicle drove through the National Park Service gate to enter Fort Wadsworth, right outside Coast Guard Sector New York. Perchaluk, an intelligence specialist attached to Sector New York, and two shipmates had driven off base for a lunch break during their weekend drill. But, at Perchaluk’s request, they decided to lay low and surveil the scene. The driver exited his vehicle. Wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled up, he walked toward a park visitor center entrance. He entered, but stopped immediately after reading a sign on the door. Perchaluk then noticed that the driver walked back outside toward the corner of the building and began emptying his pockets, placing items on the ground before re- entering the building. “Immediately, I was like, that’s a magazine,” said Perchaluk. “That’s a pistol mag[azine].” The visitor center sign identified prohibited items, such as ammunition. Perchaluk’s instincts prevailed, and they called the Coast Guard Sector New York Police Department. The driver was confronted and his vehicle searched with the help of the U.S. Park Police. Perchaluk’s depth and breadth of law enforcement experience was critical to the success of preserving and processing the complex crime scene. The individual, a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was currently being prosecuted for possession of multiple firearms, dozens of rounds of different caliber ammunition, and prescription drugs. Perchaluk’s timely reactions and laser-like focus surely helped contain what could have become a dire situation. Perchaluk, who was honored as the 2018 First District Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year, works in the Department of Homeland Security. He draws on his background in law enforcement to help the American people and his shipmates. Their safety is of paramount importance to him. “We do big things all the time at work [with DHS], said Perchaluk. “To me, it was like another day at the office [that day], except it was weird doing it in a Coast Guard uniform.” Perchaluk knows his Coast Guard and DHS professions and connections intersect in a complementary manner. He said, “I’m constantly leveraging on both sides of the fence to help whoever needs help.” An optimistic and motivational leader, the Brooklyn-born, New Jersey- native strives to help his shipmates achieve their potential. Perchaluk was instrumental in ensuring that appropriate documentation was submitted for qualifying members of his unit to receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for actions they performed in support of Operation Neptune Shield. “That’s why they joined the military too,” said Perchaluk on his desire to help other service members. “To be able to say, ‘I made a difference.’” In 2018, Perchaluk was one of three reservists chosen to attend Joint Service Non-Commissioned Officer/Petty Officer Professional Development Course in Washington, D.C., for military leadership training and networking. “Having a Coast Guardsman of the caliber of Petty Officer Perchaluk on your team is like having three people,” said his supervisor Senior Chief Petty Officer Lonnie Salimone. “And for that, I am very grateful he’s on our team!” Perchaluk enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter. He is currently attending the National Intelligence University to earn a Master’s Degree in Strategic Intelligence. While juggling these many roles, Perchaluk dedicated 100 hours in 2018 to teaching adults and children Brazilian Jiujitsu and other self-defense techniques. His award was presented by First District Commander Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson. Issue 2 • 2019 � RESERVIST 25
