Navy HR Community Celebrates 25th Anniversary
By Jessica Nilsson, Center for Service Support Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I. — Senior leaders, mentors, and junior officers from across the Northeast gathered at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, on Oct. 1, 2026, to commemorate the Navy Human Resources (HR) community’s 25th birthday with an engaging and educational leadership panel and traditional cake-cutting ceremony. Established in October 2001 to deliver human capital management, education, training, and personnel readiness to the Fleet, the HR community marked its birthday by examining career paths, navigating current technological shifts, and preparing the next generation of HR leaders.
Different Career Paths, One Community
The celebration kicked off with a leadership panel discussion detailing the unexpected journeys that brought senior officers into the community. Panelists recounted transferring from traditional warfare communities including Surface Warfare and Naval Aviation. For some, the transition came through unforeseen circumstances. One panelist recalled an incident where a runaway tire struck him in the head, breaking his jaw and resulting in medical disqualification from his original aviation designator - ultimately opening the door to a rewarding career in Navy HR.
Navigating AI
As the military accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence, the panel turned toward one of the most pressing questions facing modern administration: how the rapid shift toward AI is affecting human capital management, and how the Navy can ensure it does not lose the human aspect of HR. Cmdr. Joshua Smith, commanding officer of Navy Service Center Manchester, New Hampshire, urged patience and steady discernment. "Patience! AI is not there yet – we should not rely on the information coming out of it quite yet," said Smith. "AI won't ever replace personal phone calls." Cmdr. Abaigeal Hillyard, commander of 2nd Battalion, United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) and Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Boston, highlighted how automation can be used constructively to protect one-on-one engagement. "I use AI to build efficiency so that I can have more time to have real person-to-person conversations and more human interactions," Hillyard explained. Cmdr. Dave Mundell, prospective director of Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Officer Training Command Newport (OTCN), cautioned that reliance on automated text generation carries risks. "The overuse of AI can create a loss of trust," Mundell warned. "We should use our own vocabulary in our own voice when we write. You can use it as a brainstorming tool, though."
Advice for Junior Officers: Be Accountable, Be Flexible
Turning to professional mentorship, the panel discussed the essential soft skills junior HR officers must cultivate to thrive in an evolving Navy. Leaders emphasized early ownership and personal accountability. Capt. Kerri Chase, commanding officer of Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Great Lakes, Illinois, charged junior officers to "start taking responsibility for the future of the community early." She encouraged becoming a mentor as soon as possible. Capt. (ret.) Sharon Ruest reminded officers to "take responsibility for themselves and don't expect others to do the job for them."
Smith urged officers to push beyond their comfort zones: "Be flexible. Understand that there is not just one path. And be fearless – take the hard jobs." Other panelists focused on communication and interpersonal courage. Capt. Sad Carino, deputy director for Navy Culture and Force Resilience (OPNAV N17), highlighted the necessity of speaking truth to leadership: "Have the courage to step up and share your opinion."
Capt. Dana Chapin, commanding officer of the Center for Service Support, emphasized empathy in leadership: "Have compassion. Truly show that you care."
Mundell encouraged officers to sharpen their professional knowledge and networking by attending every Human Resources Professional Development Training Course (HRPDTC) possible. One Word that Defines the Community When the panelists were asked to identify the one word that best defines what makes the Navy HR community exceptional, without exception, every panelist delivered the same answer: "People." That response captured the spirit of the 25th-anniversary celebration. While the HR community continues to adapt to new technologies, changing workforce needs and the demands of a globally deployed Fleet, its mission remains rooted in people – supporting Sailors, developing leaders and ensuring the Navy has the ready, resilient force it needs to compete and win. As the community enters its next chapter, the panel’s message to junior officers was clear: lead with courage, communicate with compassion, remain curious and never lose sight of the people behind every personnel action.
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