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Rear Adm. Blackwood Retires After Four Decades of Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081005-10
Release Date: 10/5/2008 10:52:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marcel Barbeau, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The deputy commander of Navy Region Southeast achieved a personal and professional milestone when he retired Sept 26 in a ceremony at the NAS Jax Officers' Club.

Prior to becoming a flag officer, Rear Adm. Hugo Blackwood was in command of a Reserve unit aboard USS Blakely (FF 1072); USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG 13), Naval Reserve Readiness Command; USS Inchon (MCS 12) Reserve Unit; and Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. After obtaining flag rank, he assumed duties as deputy commander, Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va. He was also deputy commander, and then vice commander, of Military Sealift Command before he assumed duties as deputy commander, Navy Region Southeast.

Although Blackwood accomplished a lot during his time in the Navy, he doesn't view his success through his rank.

"I leave feeling really good about the Navy, my career, and what I've personally accomplished," he said. "But I don't measure my success by how high I've gone in rank. I measure it by the accomplishments of those around me and of those with whom I work."

Blackwood applied to the U.S. Naval Academy before graduating high school but wasn't accepted, so he enlisted two weeks after graduation.

"My dad spent 33 years in the Army, and both of my older brothers had already joined the Navy," said Blackwood. "Dad said the military was an honorable career, but he told me to choose any service I liked, so I joined the Navy like my older brothers."

After deciding to make a career of the Navy, he reapplied to the Naval Academy and was accepted. He graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. After 39 years as an officer he still remembers his days as an enlisted Sailor.

"My greatest satisfaction was working with the guys on the deckplates, in the engine room and on the refueling rigs to accomplish the mission," said Blackwood.

He said he wouldn't have accomplished anything without his family supporting him at home.

"My wife and my family have been my biggest supporters. If you're successful in your career, then you have to give back to your family that care, that love, and that understanding, because they enabled you to succeed. Every now and then, if you have to say 'no' to a job in order to do something for your family, then you do it."

Blackwood's role model and inspiration throughout his career was his uncle, retired Navy Rear Adm. H. Granger Ewart.

"When I was in the 11th grade he made rear admiral (lower half)," said Blackwood. "My aunt took a picture of him standing in the backyard in his brand new service dress blue uniform. I put that photo on our refrigerator. While at the Naval Academy Prep School in Bainbridge, Maryland, he made rear admiral (upper half) and was visiting Bainbridge when I was a seaman apprentice. My company commander pulled me out of class, stuffed me in my whites and paraded me up to the CO's office to see him. It was really neat to spend some time with him."

When his uncle retired, he gave Blackwood this advice: "We each have a gift that we need to give back. There is no free ride here. Opportunities aren't just handed to you; you have to create them."

Blackwood took that advice to mean there's no substitute for hard work.

"If you work hard and do your best, it doesn't matter how far you go in the organization, you can always look back with pride, knowing you gave it your best effort."

After 41 years of service, Blackwood doesn't intend to abandon his contact with the Navy.

"Retirement won't end my affiliation with the Navy," said Blackwood. "I still intend to support the Navy League and become a Blue and Gold officer at the Naval Academy. It will be different not putting on the uniform and coming to work.

When asked if he regrets staying in as long as he has, Blackwood replied, "I always said I would stay as long as I enjoyed it, and I never stopped enjoying it."

For more news from Navy Region Southeast, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrse.