My remarks at my Navy promotion ceremony

Cmdr. Rosie Goscinski administers the oath of office to me in a Navy promotion ceremony Sept. 24, 2021 (photo by Mike DiMestico).

I know some people prefer reading over watching so below are the remarks from my promotion ceremony Friday. I posted them because I hope the words might inspire others to be of service and give back. We all play a part in making a difference, no matter how big, or how small. Special thanks to Rena Lewis, David Bartley, and Ben Tisdale for reviewing what was my first prepared speech.

Thank you, Rosie, for the kind introduction, and hello everyone. I know we have some celebrating to do (and a dance floor in our future) but I wanted to take this special moment to share a few brief comments about my journey in the Navy and the important people who helped guide, encourage and support my path. I want to thank Rosie again for graciously agreeing to administer my oath. She exemplifies everything that’s right about the Navy, leadership, and just overall how to be a courageous human being. I am so blessed that our paths crossed. Harry, you are my rock, my soulmate, and the reason I look forward to each day. The life we get to share together is such an amazing gift, and it’s unreal that midlife I found such a strong, caring, and thoughtful man. I also want to give a grateful shout-out to my parents Charles and Carolyn Pickard, who raised me with the moral compass I have today and who are always cheering me on.

Now, while this ceremony may seem as if it’s about celebrating me, I prefer to see it as a celebration of the Navy and the people who serve. In my 25 years of service, I have been able to experience events that have shaped the course of history. From being on the aircraft carrier that commenced operations during the conflict in Iraq to assisting Navy Seals, Army Special Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to end terrorism, my service and that of many others who serve our nation is a testament to the human spirit and the extraordinary things that ordinary people can accomplish by working together.  

Harry Carpenter and Nick Balice change out my shoulder boards from lieutenant commander to commander (photo by Mike DiMestico).

It’s an outcome that I never would have imagined growing up in Columbus, Ohio, a town not too familiar with military service and frankly with me on a path that looked more like jail time than one where I would have a tremendous opportunity to give back. I can remember one evening out with friends where they looked at me with great curiosity and wondered how somebody like me who resented authority, partied every night, and carelessly threw money away on expensive clothing was going to join the military, embrace additional responsibilities, and take orders. Thankfully, I had a few friends who despite my dead-end prospects at home encouraged me to enlist and while not knowing anything about the Navy, I took the plunge.  

I joined the service following a tradition that goes back 245 years born out of a desire for freedom. Freedom to operate as an independent nation. I celebrate that freedom, and I never take for granted our mission as a Navy. In fact, our mission statement explicitly states that alongside our allies and partners, we defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free. It goes back to our history of a nation to decide for ourselves how we wanted to be governed and it’s a value I hold dear. It’s also why I join causes that advocate policy changes using legislation to push that change. We all have that responsibility as citizens to exercise our rights to peacefully and respectfully debate public policy. We can be civil and disagree, but we must always put kindness and empathy first.

The leaders I have most admired had those traits and were not afraid to fail, they empowered their teams, and they passed along their knowledge. These were the kind of leaders I knew I wanted to one day become. I took the lessons they gave me and used the leadership and responsibility at whatever pay grade I was at to make the Navy and myself better. After all, we all play a part. That’s why we are here. Our overall purpose as a society is to elevate those around us and raise our collective consciousness. I will continue to pass forward my lessons learned and best practices so that one day when I retire from the Navy, those coming behind me will be best prepared to take my place. That’s the cycle of life.   

Putting on the commander cover (photo by Mike DiMestico).

 I will close with a story about Ron Deanne, who unfortunately could not be here today. Ron is a dear friend of mine and a seasoned contractor who assisted us aviation electricians while on deployment when we faced a maintenance discrepancy beyond our expertise. One day, while stuck in the back of our S-3B Viking aircraft toiling away in the stifling heat in the Middle East fixing a Flight Control Unit, Ron asked me what I wanted to do. It was the height of the war in Iraq and tensions were high in my work center due to the stress of being in a combat zone. I could barely think about what I was doing each day, let alone my future. I looked at him and was confused. What did he mean? I was taken aback, got defensive and told him I was working on my Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification. At the time, I was qualified to inspect the aircraft before they launched off the flight deck and in my mind wasn’t I doing everything I was supposed to do? He looked at me in his kind and gentle way and simply said, “No, what are you doing to get to where you really want to be in life because this isn’t it for you Theresa, and you have to take what you love doing and use that as a way to be of greater service.” Well Ron, I think I figured it out. And, I have you and so many others to thank for helping me get here and will continue learning and growing from the seeds that you all firmly planted, in my heart, in my mind, and in my life for which I will be grateful. Thank you all so very much.