Navy Sailor retires after 22 years for faithful service
24 October 2022
Norfolk, Va --
After 22 years of dedicated service, which included several deployments and countless sacrifices, YN1 (SW/AW) Jeannette Bryant officially retired from the U.S. Navy on Thursday, October 20, 2022, surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues at the Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation ( HQ SACT ), located in Norfolk, Virginia.
"Before we begin the ceremony, we are going to send YN1 Byrant right." said Master Chief Tameeka Washington. The ceremony began with a traditional African dance to set the mood for the theme of the ceremony titled "Coming to America." The official guest speakers for the ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer April Jackson and Lieutenant Commander Alex Torres (ret). reminisced about their time serving with Bryant onboard USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) and regaled the audience with several examples of Bryant's upstanding character. CAPT Davide Aamodt, Chief of Staff Navy Warfare Development Center (NWDC), presented her with several awards including letters from the former Presidents and certificate of retirement.
Bryant took to the podium to express gratitude to her fellow Sailors, Chiefs, as well as officers and leadership with whom she has served. The most heartfelt moments came when Bryant thanked her family members, one by one, for their sacrifice and loyalty throughout her extensive career. She also dedicated her retirement flag to her late father.
Petty Officer Bryant said, "21 years ago I joined the world's finest organization the United States Navy. Thank you God for allowing me to even make it up this far." she added, "Thank you to my family and church family for being the BACKBONE I needed to get through those long deployments. There is nothing like family and I'm truly grateful for all of you."