From the Navy to TCC

Bruce Bremer spent most of his career working electronics on Navy submarines. But while stationed in Hawaii, he became a Master Training Specialist and discovered his passion for teaching.

“I come from a long line of teachers,” said the retired Chief Petty Officer now a professor for marine electrical and marine electronics at Tidewater Community College. “My grandmother taught in a one-room school with a pot-bellied stove and a rifle on her lap to ward off the rattlers.”

After his 21-year career in the military, which earned him the Navy Commendation Medal, Bremer worked as a contractor developing training for the Navy Education and Training Command and TCOM, LP, where he created training modules for employees.

“TCC was a good fit for me because I enjoy helping people who are transitioning from one career path to another,” said Bremer, a faculty member since 2010.

He discovered a love for learning when he returned to school for his degrees. Bremer holds a bachelor’s in computer networking from Strayer University and a master’s in business from the University of Phoenix.

“I saw myself in the classroom sharing ‘sea stories’ with my students when I was in Hawaii,” he said. “It’s a real privilege to be part of their journey.”

Bremer enjoys presenting the lecture and labs in a variety of methodologies from visual to audio to tactile. He says video is key for engaging today’s student.

Bremer also brings in outside experts to address safety concerns. “We’re working with some intricate machinery, and it’s always important to remember safety first,” he said.

He also raises awareness about safety practices when dealing with real-world scenarios, a hobby he developed when working as a police technology correspondent for “Law Enforcement Today.”

“I tell my students if I could do it, you can do it. Failure is not an option.”