Today’s Rotary meeting was well attended with many guests and Rotarians from other clubs. Those gathered were treated with a presentation by Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett.
Rear Admiral Barrett graduated from Boston University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and received her commission as a U.S. Navy officer aboard USS Constitution that same year. She holds Master of Arts degrees in Management, National Security/Strategic Studies, Human Resources Development and a Master of Science in Information Management.
Rear Admiral Barrett is the Navy Cyber Security Division director based at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. She has held operational assignments including tours at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet; commander, 2nd Fleet, Carrier Strike Group 2, Multi-National Forces Iraq, Carrier Strike Group 12; Standing Joint Force Headquarters United States Pacific Command; and deputy director of current operations at U.S. Cyber Command. Her shore assignments include tours at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Stations in Jacksonville, Cecil Field and Puerto Rico; senior Navy fellow at the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association; Allied Commander Atlantic Systems Support Center Norfolk, Naval Personnel Command, Chief of Naval Operations Task Force Web; commanding officer, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic; and chief of staff, Navy Information Forces Command.
Rear Admiral Barrett made an engaging presentation regarding the state of the nation’s Navy and its vast worldwide operations.
First, a few statistics. More than 328,000 people are serving in active duty roles in U.S. Navy, of which some 55,000 are officers, 268,000 are enlisted. There are 97,000 serving in the Naval Reserves, and nearly 210,000 civilian Navy employees. There are 284 deployable battle force ships with plans to bring that number to 350. Those ships consist of aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, cruisers, littoral combat ships, destroyers, and submarines.
Rear Admiral Barrett spoke about the importance of free trade to the nation and the vital role the Navy plays in keeping sea-lanes open to commerce. With 20% of U.S. jobs tied to global business, 20% of manufacturing jobs dependent on trade, and 28% of all agriculture employment linked to global commerce, it is easy to understand why the Navy must protect and defend international trade routes, through which 90% of all international commerce must travel. Rear Adm. Barrett went on to explain the crucial role the Navy plays in protecting Americans and the country from threats beyond the seas. Threats in cyberspace are her particular area of expertise.
U.S. Navy personnel serve on the frontlines, defending the U.S. from perils posed by computer hackers, and those who wish to employ other non-traditional and less obvious weapons. As the speed of converging technologies changes business and the lifestyles of people throughout the world, our military must anticipate and prepare for threats that could not have been imagined even a few short years ago. While the investment in ships and weapons of war are crucial, the Navy must be ever vigilant to protect these resources from cyber-attack. The same can be said of every investment made in America.
Rear Admiral Barrett portrayed an image of equal parts strength and intelligence. Her optimism about the state of the Navy and confidence about the future of our nation was infectious. All were glad she was able to join us.
You would be wise to check other parts of this bulletin for announcements about activities (golf!) and opportunities to serve our club (President Shawn says there no fewer than nine opportunities a week for you to help!)
See you next week at Rotary!