Region bids Brown farewell

To some, she has been the person who governs a vast region, but to her staff, she has been a tireless naval leader in pursuit of excellence and the eradication of domestic violence and abuse. They know her as a leader with dignity, integrity and a deep concern for Sailors and their families.

Evocative of the courageous Eleanor Roosevelt, Brown's message on the prevention of domestic violence as a readiness issue has been unapologetic and refreshingly direct. ''Adm. Brown has been a uniquely powerful leader and the driving force behind the Navy's Domestic Violence Policy,'' said Sandy Jones of Navy Region Southeast Community Services Department. ''Her relentless commitment and courage, along with her encouraging voice has put prevention and education at the forefront. The Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence is where it is today because of her commitment and positive leadership.''

Recently, CNRSE, the city of Jacksonville, Duval County, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport signed a domestic violence pilot project called the Coordinated Community Response. The program was sponsored by the Department of Justice and according to Brown ''is a huge step in the furtherance of increased domestic violence victim safety and increased domestic violence offender accountability for our military in Duval County. That is something for us to be proud of as well.''

Whether it's addressing domestic violence, implementing a new policy or addressing the issue of right readiness at the right cost, Brown has tried to be consistent and constant and walked the extra mile to ensure the warfighters were well taken care of. ''To be a leader, one has to care for the Sailors and civilian men and women that make this Navy of ours the best in the world,'' Brown stated.

''Today, as I look back at my three years here, I am confortable that the region is ready for the many challenges it faces. Our strategic business processes are in sync with the Chief of Naval Operations and Commander, Navy Installations (CNI) and we have been a leader in the implementation of the Navy's Human Capital Strategy,'' she continued. ''Navy Region Southeast is a dynamic entity with exceptional leaders at every level of the organization. We know our mission, know where we are going and we are ready to face the challenges of tomorrow knowing that we are a very capable team.''

It's that type of leadership and genuine concern for her Sailors that earned her praise from CNI Rear Adm. Christopher Weaver.

''Rear Adm. Annette Brown has done a superb job of guiding Navy Region Southeast through all of the transformation brought about by the standing up of the CNI enterprise,'' stated Weaver. ''She has been a great leader in helping to create a robust matrix organization to support our fighting forces better while reducing redundancies and limiting costs.''

Weaver went on to explain Brown's performance by adding, ''I appreciate very much this kind of outstanding performance by a proven Navy leader. I have enjoyed working with her very much and wish her well in her future endeavors.''

Tomorrow, Brown will be presented with the prestigious Navy Distinguished Service Medal on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, which reads in part, ''Rear Adm. Brown vision and pioneering achievements resulted in significantly enhanced operational support and enterprise-based business efficiencies for 15 installations in an eight-state, geographically dispersed region.''

''Using her unique business acumen, she established a Regional Business Organization that incorporated analytic rigor to all budgetary aspects of shore installation management and helped achieve the Sea Enterprise objective.''

Brown, who credits her mom, Ann, for her success said, ''My mom taught me about discipline and efficiency early on, which helped me focus on pursuing a career after college.''

''Another good piece of advice my mom gave me was to finish what you start and do whatever you do to the best of your abilities. My mother is a woman who has always been ahead of her time,'' Brown added.

''Ann Brown is a naturally intelligent woman, a real people person with a lot of common sense. My deceased dad, Ward, a former naval aviator, was the one who inspired me to join the Navy. Dad and mom were a wonderful pair,'' Brown continued.

Brown started her military career in 1974 after completing Navy Officer Candidate School.

Immediately after being commissioned an ensign, she reported to the U.S. Air Facility, Sigonella, Sicily, Italy.

''I didn't know what to expect at my first assignment,'' Brown said. ''However, it proved to be challenging and magical all at once. I paid attention to and learned from the chiefs. It was a great place to be an ensign.''

Following a tour on the staff of the Commander, Pacific Fleet, Brown volunteered for the Women in Ships Program and was immediately assigned to USS Prairie (AD 15) as the operations officer and navigator.

It was during this tour that she qualified as a surface warfare officer.

''My fondest memories are of sea duty,'' said a nostalgic Brown. ''Being assigned on board a Navy ship was very exciting for me. And being a Navy lieutenant on a ship made it even better.''

Moving steadily up the career ladder, Brown served on the staff of Commander, Navy Surface Forces Pacific from 1982-84. Her next three tours of duty were with the Military Sealift Command (MSC).

After serving with MSC in San Diego and Washing-ton, D.C., she served as commanding officer, MSCO Bremerhaven, Germany; directing the shipment of U.S. Army vehicles and equipment through northern European ports in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Brown has had numerous other assignments, including being the chief of staff for Commander, Naval Base Seattle and commanding officer Naval Station Everett.

She then reported to the staff of Chief of Naval Operations as the director of Shore Installation Management Division (N46). From there, she was assigned as the assistant commander, Navy Person-nel Command (Personal Readiness and Community Support), Millington, Tenn. and in Oct. 2002, reported to Jacksonville as Com-mander, Navy Region Southeast.

When asked how she felt about retiring, she replied, ''It's time to move on and although I will miss this job, I will miss the people around me even more. They are what have made my 31-year journey fun and I thank each and everyone who helped me along the way,'' Brown stated.

Brown then paid tribute to her chief of staff for the last two years, Capt. Lawrence Cotton.

''Through all of my comings and go-ings, he kept the staff fo-cused. I am very grateful for his inte-grity, steadfast leadership and wise counsel,'' Brown said.

''There are a gazillion people in service to our country today. There-fore, I rather they don't remember me, but focus on the warfighters. They are the ones fighting for our freedom,'' she said.

''You don't serve in a manner that they will miss you when you go, but you serve in a manner that they don't miss you when you go. This way, you will know that you have done a good job because the foundation you created is solid and will withstand change,'' she continued.

Brown, who calls home wherever her husband Pete is at, plans to sail around the world with him.

In closing Brown said, ''I feel privileged to have served in the U.S. Navy in the defense of the nation I love so dearly. I am honored to have finished it in Jacksonville where the citizens so openly support our military.''