Thundering applause and cheers erupted as Capt. Janet Days made history Friday when she became the first Black female commanding officer of the world’s largest naval station.
“Naval Station Norfolk, are you ready?” said Days, her voice booming through the hangar bay as she addressed dozens of sailors.
With a gloved salute, power transferred from Capt. David Dees to Days — the 51st commanding officer of the 106-year-old installation — during a change of command ceremony in a hangar bay on base.
“I wandered down the halls of (the) headquarters where my office resides and took note of the majestic pictures and leadership boards displaying the previous commanding officers of Naval Station Norfolk … As my eyes moved from name plate to name plate, it was painfully obvious that in 31 years from the day I enter the Navy, still not one person of color was displayed. And finally today, that changes,” Days said.
Days assumes the duties of commanding officer following a stint as the naval station’s executive officer, a role she took over in September 2021. She also is the first Black female to hold that position. The responsibilities that come with such a title, she said following the ceremony, is “a bit overwhelming.”
“I do recognize that my presence is uplifting and empowering… So the importance of that is to be representative, but also to show young ladies — not just African American young ladies — that the opportunities you get are all based on hard work,” Days said.
One of Days’ mentors, guiding her on her journey to commanding officer, was the now-retired Vice Adm. Mary Jackson, the only other woman to command Naval Station Norfolk. Jackson lead the installation from 2010-12, which Days’ said “laid a path for others to follow.”
“I have had amazing support across the board for my career. I know that I have a responsibility as well,” Days said.
Well wishes of fair winds and following seas was offered to Dees, who immediately assumes duties as the Chief of Staff for Commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, reporting Monday to Rear Adm. Christopher “Scotty” Gray. The executive officer position left vacant by Days will be filled by Capt. Matthew “Squeeze” Schlarmann.
Following the ceremony, those in attendance took turns wrapping Days in hugs, and young sailors waited in line to shake their new commanding officer’s hand.
Operations specialist Tanesha Carr’s eyes welled up with tears and her chin quivered as she took in what she called “history in the making.”
“It is encouraging when you see someone who looks like you in such a position of power. It gives us — Black sailors and Black female sailors — hope that we have that same opportunity,” Carr said.
Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
