Rodney Burley always planned to serve his country, but what led him to a career in the U.S. Navy had more to do with finding his own path within his family.

“I always wanted to serve, but I had two brothers who were in the Air Force, so I wanted to do something different,” recalls Rodney. “So I decided to go into the Navy right out of high school.”

He first started out as a surface sonar technician, where he worked on, operated, and maintained all the sonar gear. Then he got a commission after 12 years in their limited-duty hosting program. He was an electronics officer at that point, and that’s what he did for most of his remaining time.

“Eventually, I laterally transferred to what they called the information professional community, so again, still working with communication systems, such as satellite communications, computers, radars, all that kind of stuff.”

Rodney entered the Navy as an E-1, advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7), then received a commission and advanced to the rank of Captain (O-6) before retiring after an impressive career. Those whom he served with became his closest friends during his 41 years of service in the Navy.

“I’ve got friends that I’ve known for the entire 40-plus years of service,” says Rodney. “They are a big part of my life and our social group. We’re all part of the Navy family.”

Looking back on his career, he has many really good memories.

“I really enjoyed my time on the aircraft carriers watching the planes take off and land,” recalls the Navy veteran. “Watching those young kids out there on the flight deck, you know, moving planes around and working. It was just incredible.”

Rodney spent a year in Iraq with the Army on a boots-on-the-ground mission, which he says was interesting. He was also the commanding officer of the naval communication telecommunication station in Bahrain in West Asia, which he really enjoyed.

Growing up fishing in Michigan and, of course, a career in the Navy, it isn’t surprising that Rodney has been into boating his entire life.

“In the Navy, I was on boats all the time. Big boats, but still boats,” says Rodney. Now that I’m retired, it’s time to get out there and enjoy the water on my own boat with my wife.”

Rodney and Debbie have been married for 44 years. They were married shortly after he completed boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. She has been his biggest supporter, so that’s why finding a boat that works for both of them was so important. Debbie has a hard time getting into a traditional boat as she is currently battling breast cancer, which led them to a Viaggio pontoon boat, which they purchased recently.

“I took her out on a pontoon ride last summer, and she just loved it because it’s much easier for her to access,” explains Rodney. “And the beauty of this one from Viaggio is that it has a fishing setup in the back. So I can go out and have fun with the family, and then I can just go out and go fishing.”

The couple’s Viaggio X22R was purchased through the Boatcraft dealership in Traverse City, Mich.

“The boat buying experience from Boatcraft was really easy,” says Rodney. “Cameron Belanger is a great salesman; he was amazing.”

The area received heavy snow late in the season, followed by heavy rains that flooded the Burleys’ basement.

“We had water in our basement for over three weeks as we pumped it out. So when we took delivery of the boat, I jokingly said, ‘Well, we got the boat now. How do I get it into the basement?’ So, yeah, I have some work ahead of me to fix up our basement, but it can wait until after boating season.”