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Last Friday I had the honor of attending the retirement ceremony for CDR Dean Wilson, US Navy. I have known Dean for about 4 years, since we worked together on a data fusion project for the E-2C. We kept in touch, and to make a long story short, he will be starting to work at BAE Systems on October 1. We at AIT couldn’t be more excited to have him join the group. So, I was invited to attend his retirement ceremony at Patuxent River.

The ceremony was held in a hangar, with an E-2 as the impressive backdrop. Probably 100 of his family, friends and colleagues attended. The ceremony had both a personal and very formal tone at times. There were funny stories, for example how Dean met what would become a lifelong friend, because his future wife and one of her closest friends sent a joint care package to Dean and this fellow while they happened to be deployed on the same ship. There were also very formal moments, like Presidential Commendations, awards and the flag ceremony.

I can’t help but appreciate the closure that such a ceremony allows. The Navy is not just a job, it is a lifestyle for the person and for his/her family, so it does seem fitting to recap the highs and sometimes the lows, that transpired over his 26 years serving in the Navy. It’s a shame that most non-military people don’t get the chance to reflect on where they have been, what they have learned, how they have grown, and who they have become, at least not surrounded by friends and family as this venue provided.

Many thanks were expressed for support, encouragement, friendship, and opportunities, both by Captain Bell (who was the guest speaker) and CDR Wilson. Not only were the stories and comments personally interesting, but they all provide a foundation for working with Dean that I would not otherwise have. I appreciated learning how his inquisitive nature grew, how he tackled challenges, what he expects from leaders. I got to meet his wife and son, who will be moving with him to Boston in a few weeks.

A particularly moving conclusion to the ceremony was reading “The Watch” as CDR Wilson walked across a red carpet, with sideboys stationed on either side. The symbolism reflected how British Naval officers would relinquish their command, assured that someone else had relieved their watch and assumed their command. The outgoing officer would be rowed to shore by the team of sideboys the Boatswain had mustered, and as the pipe sounds, the sailor comes ashore.

I spoke with Dean today, and he mentioned how great it was to have so many friends and family attend, that he had a rousing party with all the family afterward, and how excited he is to embark on this next phase of his career. They are selling their home, preparing to move, and having said their farewells to the Navy lifestyle, are gearing up to settle in to life in Boston.