JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, October 2, 2008 5

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ByMC2(AW/SW)MarcelBarbeauNavyRegionSoutheastPublicAffairs

“The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the

stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.”

- Orison Swett MardenRear Adm. Hugo Blackwood, deputy

commander, 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, 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 per-sonally 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 for the U.S. Naval Academy before graduating high school, but wasn’t accepted, so

he enlisted two weeks after gradua-tion.

“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 grad-uated 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 work-ing with the guys on the deckplates, in the engine room, and on the refuel-ing rigs to accomplish the mission,” said Blackwood.

He said he wouldn’t have accom-plished anything without his family supporting him at home.

“My wife and my family have been my biggest supporters. If you’re suc-cessful 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 some-thing for your family, then you do it.”

Blackwood’s role model and inspi-ration 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 back yard in his brand new service dress blue uni-form. I put that photo on our refrig-erator. While at the Naval Academy Prep School in Bainbridge, Md., he made rear admiral (upper half) and

was visiting Bainbridge when I was a seaman apprentice. My company com-mander 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 affilia-tion 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 uni-form 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.”

It’s flu season:

You know the drillByS.WardCasscells,M.D.AssistantSecretaryofDefenseforHealthAffairs

The kids are settled in at school and autumn is in full swing. Along with creating new Halloween cos-tumes and deciding where you’ll celebrate the holi-

days, please make time to vaccinate yourself and your family against the flu bug.

Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious disease that can range from mild- to life-threatening. Each year about 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of the flu. The best way to protect against influenza viruses is to get vaccinated every year, by either an injected vaccine or a nasal spray.

DoD requires flu vaccines for all active duty, Reserve and National Guard members, as well as all health care personnel at military treatment facilities, to ensure the health and safety of our service members.

In addition to your flu vaccination, always remember to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, stayhome when you are sick, and avoid contact with people who are sick.

Vaccinations for NH Jax-enrolled patients 9 years and older will be held in the main conference room on the hos-pital’s second floor, adjacent to the NEX Snack Bar.• Oct. 6, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.• Oct. 7, 2- 8 p.m.• Oct. 8, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.• Oct. 20, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.• Oct. 21, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.• Oct. 22, 2- 8 p.m.

Flu vaccine is recommended for children ages 5-18. Children under the age of 9 enrolled at the NH Jax should visit the immunization clinic within their primary care enrollment site.

For more information call (904) 542-4677, option 4 or visit online at NavalHospitalJax.med.navy.mil.

Adm. Blackwood closes a chapter

RearAdm.HugoBlackwood

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