Sometimes it's hard to believe that more than 26 years have passed since I joined the Navy. What began as a four-year adventure has turned into a passionate and fulfilling career of service. I joined the Navy primarily to "get out of town," to do something different from my high school buddies. I was never much for following the crowd or the well-worn path. I had a sense of adventure, and the Navy seemed like a great starting place.
The military lifestyle was a good fit. My parents had instilled in me a solid foundation of core values and discipline, which made the transition from civilian to Sailor relatively easy. I was raised on an Illinois farm and learned early in life what hard work was and to start the day at 0400. My father's admonition that "anything worth doing is worth doing right and deserves full effort," was on the mark. I applied his advice to every assignment I received, no matter how insignificant or unimportant it may have seemed. Dedication, commitment, and performance resulted in opportunities. Before long—within what seemed a short 15 years—I climbed the advancement ladder as a hospital corpsman from E1 to E9.
During my initial tour I knew the Navy would be my career. I recall the first time I spotted a female master chief. I was a third-class petty officer and felt as if I had spotted some rare near-extinct bird. Although I never spoke to her, she motivated me. She was proof that I could be a master chief, too; proof that I could reap the rewards the Navy had to offer if I continued to apply my father's advice. The first four years were full of tremendous opportunity including a six-month medical augment deployment to Antarctica and advancement to second-class petty officer. There was no way I could leave after four years. I had found my place in life and was excited about the next opportunity. I reenlisted with the goal to become a master chief petty officer and, who knows, maybe even the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Why not?
Ask and You Will Receive
Shipboard assignment opportunities were not easy to come by in the 1980s. Women were primarily limited to service on support ships such as tenders, oilers, and research vessels. Depending on one's rating, the limitations could be even greater. I longed for a shipboard assignment. After all, I was a Sailor and wanted to experience the essence of the Navy. I also knew if I could get a ship assignment it would improve my opportunities for further advancement. Shipboard billets for general-duty female hospital corpsmen were very limited, but opportunity could be improved with the right specialty training. I took the advice of my mentors and became a preventive medicine technician. Once out of school, I asked . . . no, I begged for a ship assignment. In 1988, I reported to my first ship, the USS Acadia (AD-42), as a first-class petty officer.
Assignment of women to ships then was largely based on rack or bunk availability and not necessarily available billets. Although I was billeted into a valid vacancy, the ship did not have an available rack. So, my first two weeks on board the Acadia were spent bunking on the medical ward. This didn't bother me in the least because I had what I wanted—assignment to a ship. I completed two deployments on the Acadia with the second in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. I transferred from the ship as a chief petty officer with eight years of service. My mentors were right.
Stay Persistent
Shipboard opportunities greatly increased for women after Desert Storm with the opening of combatant ships. I was a senior chief nearing the completion of a shore tour hoping to garner an opportunity to return to sea. I was notified about the integration of women on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and asked if I was interested in filling the Medical Department leading chief petty officer billet. There was no hesitation. The opportunity to return to sea on a combatant while filling a pinnacle position for a senior hospital corpsman . . . well, it couldn't get any better than this! I thought I won the lotto.
The Kitty Hawk was the first aircraft carrier to integrate women into ship's company. This was prompted by an integrated wing assigned to deploy with her. At first, there was no long-term plan to have women permanently assigned. The orders for the majority of the 50 enlisted women on board were for only two years compared to the standard three to four years. As time passed, it became clear that women could perform as well and contribute equally to the ship's mission success as their male counterparts. Certainly, there were some rough times on board but that comes with any change. The integration became permanent and expanded throughout the Fleet. I transferred from the Kitty Hawk after the completion of a deployment and selection to master chief.
I reached one of my major career goals, advancement to master chief petty officer; a level reserved for only one percent of the enlisted force. Up to this point I had been blessed with a very exciting and rewarding Navy career. I never felt I had to work harder than my male shipmates to receive due recognition. I simply exercised my father's advice, followed the guidance of my mentors, and took advantage of opportunities. Was I competitive? Heck yes! I was extremely competitive with myself and driven to make a difference. Was I challenged by my shipmates? You betcha! But I would not compromise my goal or my values for someone else's satisfaction.
Don't Settle for Contentment
I was hungry for the next level of opportunity. Don't get me wrong, master chief is a great level, but I longed for more. I desired to make a significant difference and have a voice strong enough to impact Navy-wide change. So, the next logical move was the Command Master Chief (CMC) program. I applied and was selected.
I negotiated with the detailer for my first CMC assignment. It was standard practice then, as now, that a first CMC tour would be an operational assignment. I was excited about heading back to sea. Unfortunately, getting those orders, even as a CMC, was not as easy as one would think. Again, although there were billets available, the issue came down to rack availability—female rack availability. I couldn't believe it. After all these years and increased chances for women to serve at sea, I felt robbed of opportunity because the Navy hadn't nailed down the assignment of women to ships independent of rack availability. This remains an issue today throughout the Fleet and a source of frustration for many enlisted women.
Persistence and patience prevailed. My first CMC assignment was to the USS Supply (AOE-6). It was exactly what I asked for—a ship. I didn't care where it was or what type it was. I was the only female chief on board with a Chief's Mess of approximately 30. The ratio of men to women in the mess wasn't a concern as I had held leadership positions before with a predominately male crew. My concern was the crew and ensuring their success in meeting the ship's mission. This tour proved to be one of my greatest challenges and, at times, a most troubling experience. I fought frequent undermining and testing by a group of chiefs in the mess, including a trusted fellow master chief. But I wouldn't let them get the best of me. I stayed strong, stuck to my convictions, and led the mess as expected. The funny thing is that every one of my mentors said that my greatest challenge would be the Chief's Mess. I found it hard to believe them, but they were right. I admit there were days when I questioned my chosen path, but I wouldn't give in and cede what I worked so hard for. In the end, the Supply was a most rewarding tour. Being tried and tested revealed my true convictions and made me a better CMC. I was ready to take on the next opportunity.
The Supply was decommissioned after my one year on board. Having built a solid reputation as a strong action-oriented CMC, I was recommended and selected as the next CMC for the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the Seventh Fleet Command ship homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. The opportunities that came with this assignment were beyond expectations.
My career was tracking well. Opportunities were abundant and always seemed to come along at the right time. My passion to serve and personal drive remained constant. There seemed to be a direct correlation between my commitment to serve and opportunities presented. Each step along the way I felt greatly blessed and immensely humbled by the opportunities I had been afforded. I was proud. I loved the Navy and my Sailors and knew I took the right path 20 years earlier.
Pay Attention to Signs Along the Way
The Blue Ridge was a two-year assignment that, if all worked out as planned, would leave me competitive for the Commander Naval Surface Force, Pacific Force Master Chief position. I saw this as the next logical career step and essential to being competitive one day for MCPON. Little did I know there was another plan brewing for me.
About eight months into the tour I was asked to submit a package for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) Force Master Chief job. I thought, "BUMED?" That wasn't in my plans. I had left the medical community and was on a different career path. Remember my adventurous streak? I wanted to break new ground and be an example for our Sailors, showing them that background didn't matter when it came to reaching their goals—performance was the key. My sights were set on being the SURFPAC Force Master Chief. In fact, I was stubborn in my convictions and pursuit of the next career step. But this did not mean it was the right one.
My seniors persisted in pushing the BUMED job. I resisted for some time, but found myself very troubled by the decision to stay the course I set. I spent many sleepless nights thinking about the opportunities presented. As strange as it sounds, I questioned if I was making the right decision. There must be something to this, I thought. Maybe my path was not the right path. Once I decided to apply for the BUMED job, I was at peace again. This was clearly the sign pointing me in the right direction. Resisting the natural flow of destiny becomes very troubling and turbulent until we make the appropriate course correction.
I was selected for the position and became the first woman to reach that level—one of 13 Force Master Chiefs in the Navy at the time. This was a milestone achievement not only for me but for our Navy. In many ways my selection provided hope for female Sailors and expanded their career possibilities. It was proof that hard work and dedication will reap just rewards no matter who you are. I served as the BUMED Force Master Chief from 2002 to 2006 and led the emotionally charged rating merger between hospital corpsmen and dental technicians.
Listen to Sage Advice
I was now at a major crossroad in my career and found myself seriously considering retirement. After 24 years of service I had reached a position that anyone would have been proud to hold. It was near the end of my tour and next level opportunities weren't apparent. Maybe this was my stopping point; my destination and purpose in the Navy was complete. Down deep I wasn't settled with retiring. The unrest returned and I sought the sage advice of the MCPON and other close mentors.
MCPON asked me to take the OPNAV CMC position. This was a priority fill because of an unplanned loss of the prior CMC. Frankly I had no desire to go to OPNAV but MCPON assured me it would be a beneficial career experience. Because he asked me to go, I was more than happy to do so. He also encouraged me to submit a package as his replacement. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that but I knew there was an overwhelming expectation that I would apply. I was the senior enlisted female in the Navy and role model to many women. I had the duty and responsibility to apply on their behalf as much as mine.
My transfer from BUMED to OPNAV and slating for MCPON happened all at once. In addition, the U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Fleet Master Chief position was also slated and candidates sought. The opportunities went from famine to feast. Although I was asked to apply for the Fleet position, I had to pass after accepting orders to OPNAV. Plus, there was MCPON. I hated turning down the Fleet opportunity but knew it was the right move.
After two months at OPNAV, I received notice that I didn't make the final interviews for MCPON. Although a bit disappointed, I relished the experience and knew I had enough time in service remaining to apply one more time. I thought the next couple of years were set until the Director, Navy Staff (my boss) directed me to apply for the USFF Fleet Master Chief position. At first I thought she was merely suggesting I consider the Fleet job but her persuasive direction to put a package together meant she was serious. I followed orders and applied. The MCPON was right, OPNAV was a beneficial career experience.
You Can, Too
Another career milestone and historic event for the Navy was my selection as the USFF Fleet Master Chief in July 2006. I became one of four Sailors, and the first woman, holding the position of Fleet Master Chief. This was another first for enlisted women and the Navy as no other service had an enlisted woman serving at an equivalent four-star command level. The selection was also significant on another point. Recall my background as a hospital corpsman. This is a rating viewed as merely support and not one commonly seen as an operational, sea-centric profession. Despite this, a support person was selected to lead and represent operational force Sailors. This is added proof that no matter who you are or what your background is "you can, too" achieve your career goals in the Navy if you take advantage of the abundant opportunities available. There are no limits except those placed by yourself.
My tour as the Fleet Master Chief was short lived, but what I have found over the years is that when the mission is complete and the purpose fulfilled another opportunity will present itself. As such, MCPON Joe Campa requested that I join his staff and stand-up the CMC Management Office. I couldn't refuse. This was another great opportunity to make a difference and serve our Navy.
As I look back over my 26-year career I am simply amazed at the evolutionary changes which have taken place to shape today's Navy. Opportunities have never been better for those willing to take advantage of them. It makes no difference if you are a man or a woman. If you are willing to grasp the opportunities the Navy has to offer and give it your full effort, then success will be yours. The question is, are you willing?