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Supply Corps Officer Retires With More Than Three Decades of Service
Story Number: NNS130628-21
6/28/2013

By Kari Hansen, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville Corporate Communications

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Cmdr. Tom Dailey asked permission to go ashore for the final time during his naval career at the Officer's Club Pavilion aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Friday, June 28.

The ceremony hosted more than 100 people, some of whom had traveled from across the country and globe, to celebrate Dailey's retirement after 33 years of active naval service.

Dailey had worked as the executive officer of NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville since June 2011. During his tenure at NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, his hands-on management entailed leading more than 900 military, civilian and contractor personnel providing premier regional logistics support to 17 sites, 49 fleet units, and two industrial activities in seven states, throughout the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean.

A native of Dracut, Mass., and the son of Joseph A. Dailey Junior, many of Dailey's family members were in attendance during the milestone observance including his wife and daughters. Donna Dailey was honored and officially retired as a "Navy wife," and his daughters, Tiffanie and Fiona were recognized for their contributions and sacrifices during the ceremony.

For the officer, who said the proudest achievements of his career were the many opportunities the navy gave to serve the country for 33 years, the sparkling ceremony backdrop and waterfront view of the St. John's River was keenly fitting. "I learned how to be a chef, a leader, an officer, as well as raise a family, receive a first-class education, and see the world," said Dailey.

A former mess management specialist, Dailey's enlisted career had been filled with more sea tours than shore assignments including serving aboard: USS Constellation (CV-64) homeported in San Diego, Calif., from 1980 to 1982; USS Midway (CV-41) home ported in Yokosuka, Japan, from 1982 to 1984; USS Pegasus (PHM-1) home ported in Key West, Fla., from 1984 to 1987; and finally serving overseas aboard United States Naval Air Forces Atsugi, Japan from 1987 to 1990.

Dailey earned his officer commission through the Limited Duty Officer Commissioning Program in August 1990. His officer assignments include serving as the: wardroom/food service officer of the USS Independence (CV-62), homeported in San Diego, Calif., later changing homeports to Yokosuka, Japan, from 1991 of 1994; officer-in-charge of the Navy Food Management Team in San Diego, Calif., from 1994 of 1996, (during which he became the first Navy officer to become a Certified Executive Chef by the American Culinary Federation); primary assistant to the supply officer for services on board the USS Independence (CV-62), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, from 1996 of 1998; director, Industrial Support, at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Ship Repair Facility, in Yokosuka, Japan, from 1998 of 2000; supply officer, USS Port Royal (CG-73), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from 2000 of 2002, (deployed in support of combat operations on the Global War on Terrorism); rating assignment officer, Navy Personnel Command, in Millington, Tenn., from 2002 of 2003; and on the staff of Commander Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as the fleet readiness officer from 2003 to 2007.

Dailey's previous tour before becoming the executive officer at NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville entailed serving as the Director of Navy Food Services, at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), in Mechanicsburg, Penn., from May 2007 to June 2011.

Although much of Dailey's time assigned at NAVSUP was spent in Mechanicsburg, he did spend October 2008 to May 2009 as the Logistics Department Head at the Base Command Group at Al Asad Airbase in Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support to I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces.

Dailey is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and Naval Aviation Supply Officer and bears both pins, which recognizes members who have attained a high level of professional expertise and are qualified to lead others. He is also a Fleet Marine Force qualified officer.

Dailey's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), Joint Services Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (four awards), and the Navy Good Conduct Medal (three awards) among other unit and campaign commendations.

As the Daileys collectively prepare for naval retirement, the family is excited for Tom's future. Tom Dailey plans on translating his skills, experience, and expertise acquired from his naval service into civilian employment by opening his own consulting and marketing business. His company will launch by the end of the year and will serve the national and local Jacksonville area.

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville, one of seven Fleet Logistics Centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to the fleet, shore, and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift command, and other Joint Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsup/.