Robert Nosek Derived from a combination of family history, patriotism and the hopes of a new challenge, Lt. Robert Nosek has found his way from private physical therapy practice to the U.S. Navy.

Nosek spoke with The Bee on Monday morning from aboard the USS Truman in the Gulf of Oman. He and his colleagues are serving on the aircraft carrier, which is part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Aircraft are flying combat missions into Afghanistan in support of operations on the ground, according to Navy officials.

A 1999 graduate of Lancaster High School, Nosek has been in the Navy for about three years. Before enlisting, he was a traveling physical therapist in the southern United States. He now serves as the USS Truman’s physical therapist and health and wellness promotions officer, addressing the crew’s aches and pains and mending wounds as needed while coordinating fitness, smoking cessation, drug abuse prevention and other programs.

This is Nosek’s first deployment, and he has been at sea for several months and expects to be abroad several more months before returning to his home port in Norfolk, Va. Specific timeframes are difficult to pinpoint, he said.

The decision to enter the Navy came about as Nosek considered several factors, including a family history of service to the country, with his grandfather serving during World War II and several uncles also joining the military.

“It’s my time to do my bit,” Nosek said.

“Ideal patriotism” also weighed into the decision as Nosek reflected on the terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. He also is satisfied that he can use his trade to help the country in a challenging role.

Much of his family remains in Western New York, including his parents, Stephen and Eileen Nosek, and brother, William, in Lancaster and his other brother, Andrew, in Cheektowaga.

In addition to his family, he said the food ranks high on the list of what he misses when he is away from home.

“The first thing I do when I come home to Western New York, especially to Lancaster, is eat,” he said.

In closing his message from sea, Nosek sent words of assurance to those who await his return.

“I want to wish everyone back home well,” he said. “I’ll be home as soon as I can be.”

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