Photo By Patricia Rose | Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor Commanding Officer Capt. Christine Sears presents the...... read more read more
(OAK HARBOR) The Sailors and civilians of Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor (NHCOH) wished Command Master Chief Jeffery L.J. Dell “Fair Winds and Following Seas,” in a retirement ceremony conducted on Friday, Nov. 3 after more than 30 years of faithful and honorable service to the United States Navy.
“I’m astonished to end my 30 plus years of service as a command master chief,” said Dell. “That younger me could never have imagined where this job would take me or the privilege and sense of honor wearing the uniform would bring. With over 30 years of experiences, it’s hard to nail down the highlights or convey what I’m most proud of.”
Dell recalls how he saved lives, either through intervention after injury, or by lending a compassionate ear to a tortured soul away from home for the first time. “No matter the case, they were all “family” to me, my Shipmates, and it was my privilege to serve them as we together served something much bigger than ourselves,” said Dell. “As many lives as I’ve saved over the years, they saved my life many times over. Each time they came to me, trusted me above all others in their most vulnerable state or called me "Doc”, it validated my life’s work and made all the sacrifice worth it.”
Dell, a native of Waycross, Georgia entered the Navy and attended basic training at Recruit Training Command, and Hospital Corpsman “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois in January 1988.
As an Aerospace Medicine Technician, Dell’s early sea assignments include tours with VAQ-135, the Black Ravens, deploying onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). He also completed a tour with the maritime patrol squadron, VP-47, the Golden Swordsmen, with multiple deployments to the FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet areas of responsibility.
Shore assignments took Dell to the Aviation Survival Training Centers in Jacksonville, Florida and Barbers Point, Hawaii as an Aerospace Physiology Technician, Aviation Water Survival Instructor and In-Flight Medical Technician with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Transitioning from Aerospace to Surface medicine, Dell attended Field Medical Service School and Surface Forces Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) School in San Diego, California. Follow on sea assignments include USS PREBLE (DDG 88) as Senior Medical Department Representative, and USS PELELIU (LHA 5) as Health Services Leading Chief Petty Officer.
Dell also served as Program Director, Surface Forces IDC School and as the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's Enlisted Specialty Leader for Surface Forces IDCs.
Prior to reporting to NHCOH as the Command Master Chief, Dell served as Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet Headquarters Senior Enlisted Leader and Fleet Hospital Corpsman.
He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, CMC/COB Course Class 136, and holds a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from The George Washington University.
He is entitled to wear the insignias of Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. A Master Training Specialist, one of Dell’s last accomplishments before retirement was to author a new Navy Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) that was eventually developed by Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command. Dell’s PQS brainchild is now mandatory for all hospital corpsmen graduating from the new “A” School curriculum and assigned to a Navy military treatment facility.
The recipient of the 2011 Commander, Naval Surface Forces’ Leadership Award sponsored by The Navy & Marine Association, Dell's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign awards.
Dell continues to educate and inspire as he urged Sailors to never lose sight of why they joined the Navy and always find time to reflect and rejuvenate, especially in regard to family. “I leave with regrets, but only a few,” Dell said. “I regret the work unfinished. The years go by fast and before you know it, you're being piped ashore for the last time. I regret not being a better Shipmate, husband, father, and son. I could never get the work-life balance just right. I gave it all to the Navy. Now that I've done my part to support and defend the Constitution and provide for the common defense of our Nation; now that I've put it all on the line to form, a more perfect union, what I look forward to most in retirement is enjoying some of that Freedom I endeavored to protect for so long. It’s time to spend time with my “first" family.”
Though Dell retired from the Navy, his service continues through the example he set and the leadership he instilled in his fellow Sailors and Marines. “The Navy offered me tremendous opportunity that I would never have had in the civilian sector, or in the other services, said Dell. “As an IDC, the Navy trusted me and afforded me the privilege to practice medicine. I led the healthcare team of the largest combatant hospital afloat, as well as the healthcare operations for a Fleet. What an Honor is has been to be an IDC.”
Dell's retirement ceremony hosted over 250 Sailors, civilians, friends and family members who all joined to wish him farewell. The presiding officer was NHCOH’s Commanding Officer CAPT Christine Sears, who spoke highly of Dell's character and years of service. "This is a hard day for the Navy in general and for NHCOH in particular as we say goodbye to Command Master Chief Dell," said Sears. "A great leader, role model and consummate shipmate, we will all miss the example you provided each and every day."
Fleet Master Chief Terrence Molidor served as the event’s guest speaker and shared some humorous anecdotes before getting serious in his praise for his Shipmate. “Jeff is a shining example of the Navy core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. If there was a book we could open and point to the picture of the Corp’s best Master Chief, Jeff’s picture would be there” said Molidor.
When asked what he would miss most, Dell answered, “That's easy, my Shipmates!” He continued, “There’s no greater privilege than to serve something other than self with folks who are striving to achieve the same thing. We stand up every day in the face of adversity and all manner of challenge. We hold a steady course to face the storm, when others head away from the storm. We answer every call and value what truly makes this the greatest Navy and nation on Earth. That's my people, that's my family, and that is what I will miss most! And the Hospital Corps, I will miss the Hospital Corps.”
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2017 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 254274 |
| Location: | OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 2,299 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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