Capt. Pat L. Williams of the U.S. Navy has retired after 35 years of service and was honored with a June 14 ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.
Williams, a native of Webb and a graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, is the daughter of Vera Williams and Otha Mac Williams of Webb. She now lives in the nation’s capital city.
At the time of her retirement, Williams was assigned as deputy director/comptroller of Field Support Activity at the Washington Navy Yard.
Her most recent previous assignment was as chief diversity officer at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where she served from May 2014 until June 2017.
She began her Navy career as a yeoman in August 1984, and was appointed an honorary chief petty officer in May 2013 by the master chief petty officer of the Navy.
Williams was commissioned via Officer Candidate School in July 1989.
Key leadership positions included command of the San Antonio Military Entrance Processing Station; director of civilian/military manpower and personnel/task force management at Navy Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C.; and Naval Academy director of admissions, which included her part-time appointment to the faculty as an ethics course instructor.
Williams has served on the chief of Naval Operations’ staff within N12 as leader of Total Force Manpower Requirements and Joint & Medical Manpower Requirements Management. While serving as flag aide to the commander at the Navy Recruiting Command in Washington, D.C., Williams also made ceremonial contributions as a White House social aide.
Williams graduated cum laude, University Honors Scholar from Mississippi State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, with a master’s degree in National Security Affairs - Area Studies (Western Hemisphere).
A graduate of the Command and Staff College, Naval War College, in Newport, Rhode Island, with a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, she also has received other academic degrees and certifications..
She was presented with the Managerial Leadership Award at the 15th annual Women of Color Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Conference as a tribute to her recruitment and development work as director of admissions at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Among other awards received by Williams are three Legions of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Navy Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Recruiting Ribbon and the Navy Marksman Pistol Ribbon.
IN THE PHOTO: Capt. Pat L. Williams, a native of Webb, was recently honored upon her retirement from a U.S. Navy career that spanned 35 years. (Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel)
