NAVSTA’s Commanding Officer recognized at MEAC’s Badge of Honor Night

ByMassCommunicationSpecialist 2ndClassEmilyCasavant

NORFOLK,Va NavalStationNorfolk’s (NAVSTA)commandingofficerwasrecognizedbytheMid-EasternAthleticConference(MEAC)duringBadgeofHonornight atthe2023MEACBasketballTournament held at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va March9.

Badge of Honor Night is dedicated to salutingmilitary,police,andfirstresponders

“We think her story is amazing and she deserves to be recognized at our tournament,”saidOhinGaston,executiveassistant to the commissioner (MEAC) “We are a conference made up of Historically Black CollegesandUniversities.”

Capt.JanetDaysisthefirstBlack,female commanding officer of the world’s largest naval installation, NAVSTA Since becoming commanding officer of NAVSTA Norfolk in February 2023, Days has been thesubjectofmultiplenewssegmentsand public events to recognize and discuss her achievements “It is overwhelming and humbling,” said Days “The support and well wishes received have been amazing and the genuinecongratulatorynotesshowthatsomany have a tremendous amount of respect for thosewhowearthenation’scloth!”

DuringtheMEACevent,Dayswasseated with her husband on the guest of honor viewing stage. She was given the Badge of Honor award during half time followed by many guests waiting to meet her and congratulateher “Itisimportanttoneverlosesightofyour purpose; selfless service, caring for and advocatingforothers,”saidDays Days began her military career in the Army, later joining the Navy and commissioningthroughtheEnlistedCommissioning Program. Before reporting to Naval Station Norfolk, Days was the CommandingOfficerofUSSMcFaul(DDG74).

“WeweretrulyhonoredtohaveCaptain Days at the game, said Gaston. It was a realtreatforourfans,andstudentathletes.”

NORFOLK,Va (March 9,2023) Commissionerofthe Mid-EasternAthletic Conference (MEAC),Sonja Stills,presents Commanding Officer,Naval Station Norfolk,Capt.Janet Days,with the Badge ofHonorAward during the MEAC tournament quarterfinals at ScopeArena in Norfolk,Va March 9,2023.Badge ofHonorNight is held annuallyduring the MEAC tournament to salute military police,and first responders.(PHOTOBYMC2

EMILYCASAVANT)