"It is my sincere hope that I have female officers and enlisted Sailors of Lt. Kelly Pisano's caliber onboard when I take command of my next ship," said Capt. Kevin Meyers, executive officer of the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS), Naval Station Newport.

Meyers was speaking about Pisano's selection as the Rhode Island Military Woman of the Year 2015.

Meyers, who is scheduled to take command of pre-commissioning unit Tripoli (LHA 7), was addressing a gathering of over 30 Military Women Across the Nation (MWAN) (formerly WAVES) Unit #118 members; colleagues from SWOS; guests from the Rhode Island Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans Administration; Jewish War Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; New England MWAN Unit #158 and relatives of the honoree who came up from Connecticut to help celebrate her accomplishment.

The luncheon in honor of Pisano was held, June 16, at the Newport Officers' Club at Naval Station Newport.

This is the sixteenth year the RI MWAN Unit #118 has honored one outstanding active duty military woman selected from throughout the state of Rhode Island in recognition of outstanding individual achievements and service to community and country.

Active-duty members from all branches of military service were eligible for consideration including Rhode Island National Guard and Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and active reservists. Consideration of the award included military bearing, performance, specific accomplishments, involvement in extra professional activities, both in service and in the community.

Pisano is currently an instructor at SWOS's International Directorate. By the nature of her assignment and her regular contact with foreign officers, her words and actions represent not only the Navy, but the United States as a whole.

Pisano performs her duties exceptionally well, remaining aware of cultural sensitivities while educating students on the curriculum and also furthering the State Department's mission of Security Cooperation by illustrating facets of American life to foreign officers.

She displays an unending passion for education and is truly dedicated to teaching her students.

Capt. Dennis R.D. Boyer, commanding officer of Naval Station Newport, was guest speaker at the luncheon and said, "On board the ships, no one cares whether or not our shipmates [are] male or female. In fact, no one cares about color of skin, sexual persuasion, or religion."

"The only concern is related to whether or not our shipmates could pull their share of the load and if not, what could be done to help," Boyer said.

Boyer also added, "Competency matters. By competency I mean knowledge, skills, and ability. [There is] no question our military has evolved to become a better, more effective fighting force. In my opinion it is because, on the deckplates, we focus on the mission and being ready to conduct combat operations ... on the deckplates of our ships and submarines at sea, competency matters and we welcome those who have it."

"With those who can pull their share of the load regardless of whether or not they wear a skirt, we are a better, more capable fighting force because we rely on the most talented people to serve -- both men and women," Boyer said. "Lt. Pisano, I know your competency will take you far in the fleet; BZ (Bravo Zulu) on your accomplishments thus far, shipmate."

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