[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CAPTAIN KRISTINE GEDDINGS

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise to recognize a dedicated 
patriot, sailor, wife and mother: CAPT Kristine Geddings, U.S. Navy. I 
had the privilege of getting to know Captain Geddings when she served 
in my office on Capitol Hill as a legislative fellow, and I have 
continued to follow her career. I am pleased to offer this tribute to 
her achievements.
  Before joining the Navy, this remarkable lady spent 15 years as a 
housewife and mother. As her daughter entered high school, and having 
gained her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of North 
Florida, Captain Geddings decided upon a Naval Career, and applied to 
and was accepted into Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI. At the 
age of 34, she was one of the oldest cadets to ever graduate from OCS, 
yet she met all the qualifications, including physical requirements, 
that were designed for cadets closer to the age of her daughter.
  By the time her granddaughter Amber commences sixth grade this fall, 
Captain Geddings will have retired from active duty after 23 years of 
service in the United States Navy. Captain Geddings has served the 
Nation and the Navy faithfully and well over these many years. Her 
personal leadership, intelligence, stewardship, and compassionate 
commitment to her sailors and the United States Navy mark a career most 
worthy of our recognition.
  Captain Geddings' initial assignment was to Patrol Squadron Thirty, 
Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL, where she served both as personnel 
and legal officer. She next reported to Naval Management Engineering 
Center, Detachment Jacksonville as a Management Analyst and team 
leader. During this tour, she completed her Master of Arts in 
Administration through Central Michigan University.
  Next, she was assigned to Navy Recruiting District, Jacksonville, FL, 
where she took on the most challenging assignment in recruiting, the 
Enlisted Programs Officer. Seeking the next most challenging job in 
recruiting, she accepted the job of executive officer of the recruiting 
station in New Orleans, LA. Finally, in 1998, Captain Geddings assumed 
command of Navy Recruiting District, Richmond, VA, where she led 192 
recruiters and support personnel in 42 recruiting stations spread over 
5 States to be named Navy Recruiting Command District of the Year, 
bronze. On her watch during these years as a Navy recruiter, the Navy 
won its ``Battle for Talent.'' Because of the efforts of recruiters 
like Captain Geddings, the Navy did more than just maintain the status 
quo. They brought the Navy a high quality sailor, and because of that 
high quality sailor, the Navy's retention, readiness, and quality of 
life were improved.
  Captain Geddings accepted orders to Naples, Italy on the staff of 
COMFAIRMED in 1989. That very same year, her husband Gerry retired from 
the Navy after 20 years of service, and their daughter Michelle was 
married to her husband, Trace Wilson. After her tour in Naples, and 
follow-on assignment as a student at Command and Staff College, 
Quantico, VA, and Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA, Captain 
Geddings completed her Joint Professional Military Education.
  In 1996 she was selected for the Legislative Fellows Program and 
reported to Washington, DC, for orientation at America's oldest public 
policy research institution, the Brookings Institution. The remainder 
of her fellowship, she served as my Legislative Assistant for Veteran's 
Affairs. Captain Geddings reported to the Department of the Navy, 
Organization, Management, and Infrastructure Team as a Senior Analyst 
and as administrative aide under the Deputy Under Secretary of the 
Navy.
  In December 1999, Captain Geddings served on the Joint Staff, and was 
assigned as a Joint Education Planner in J-7, Operational Plans and 
Joint Force Development, with primary responsibility as the Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff's representative for the Department of 
Defense Centers for Regional Security Studies. It was during this tour 
of duty that the attacks of September 11, 2001, on the World Trade 
Center and the Pentagon occurred. Shortly thereafter, Captain Geddings 
reported to the OPNAV staff in July, 2002, as the Head, Joint, and 
Contingency Matters and N-1 Planner.
  It is a great honor and personal privilege for me to recognize the 
exemplary service of CAPT Kristine Geddings and her family today. She 
is an individual of uncommon character, and an amiable personality who 
will be sincerely missed. I wish her and her family fair winds and 
following seas as she closes her distinguished military career. I also 
wish them continued success and happiness they so well deserve.

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