by CDR Sterling G. Gilliam Jr., USN
Tailhook symposiums, it is widely held, are one of the best junior officer retention tools going. Rightfully so — our Association has focused much of its efforts on making Tailhook gatherings an enjoyable, enriching experience for our young Navy and Marine Corps Aviators. They have been a huge success. JO retention is up and Tailhook’s membership rolls are swelling with much-needed active-duty “new blood.”
Less recognized is the retention value our symposium has to more senior Tailhookers, specifically those at the O-5 level who are fast approaching retirement and beginning to consider second-career options. Having relinquished command of an EA-6B Prowler squadron a year or so ago and finding myself within sight of the 20-year mark, I reluctantly confess I am now in this second category.
I arrived at the realization that Tailhook is more than just for JOs while I attended last year’s wonderfully orchestrated symposium.
Let me explain. I’m currently serving my second penance in the Pentagon, this time on the staff of the CNO. The job is immensely challenging and rewarding. That said, it’s also very tedious, as my day no longer starts with a cat shot and ends with a trap. I began to contemplate the unthinkable — retirement. Being on the verge of 20 years of service, I realized the adventure could all end with the stroke of a pen on a request for resignation.
This thinking is remarkable, because prior to the completion of my command tour I had never really considered retirement. However, trudging in from the far reaches of the Pentagon south parking lot each morning, I had plenty of time to think about what life would be like on the other side.
This new-found retirement discussion surprised my wife, who had me pegged as a lifer and had long ago made peace with that. I would have agreed with her 18 months ago. I always believed the Navy would have to throw me out to get rid of me.
Yet, despite a great career, a wonderful command tour and the prospect of future flying opportunities, I was still tempted to walk away from the profession I love so much.
Being the father of young children complicated matters. Having deployed twice before my twins’ third birthday, the toll of family separation was becoming an additional consideration. With a pair of 4-year-olds at home, I was beginning to openly wonder how many more cruises I had left in me.
I began working up scenarios as to how I was going to break this retirement news to my peers, mentors and protégés. It was not going to be easy, but I was seriously contemplating it.
Enter Tailhook 2002.
Everyone looks forward to the opportunity of going to Tailhook each year, and I was no different. Little did I know how important this year’s trip would be to me. Once in Reno, far from the surreal world of Pentagon budget drills, I immersed myself in the celebration that is Tailhook. I was again back among family — squadronmates not seen since flight school, JOs from my command tour and skippers I once served, students I had taught and instructors who had taught me.
I watched young JOs interact with legends of Naval Aviation, not realizing they themselves were fast becoming legends. I soaked up the Flag panel with the same wonderment I had at my first Tailhook symposium 17 years earlier. The hospitality suites, the camaraderie, the satisfaction of celebrating shared sacrifices of past deployments and the anticipation of future port calls reinvigorated me.
Tailhook 2002 helped me realize what exactly I would be walking away from if I retired. I know the day will come when I have to leave, but I know now that time has not yet arrived.
It has often been said that at the end of the day, it is the people that count — it’s why we stick around. Nothing could be more true when we speak of our beloved Naval Aviation and the organization that represents it so well — Tailhook.
Tailhook 2002 has again reminded me of what I already knew — if the Navy wants to get rid of me, they will have to throw me out!
See you at Tailhook 2003!
Ed. Note: CDR Gilliam is a Life member of the Tailhook Association, where he also serves as a member of the Board of Directors. He is currently assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C., and was recently selected as prospective commanding officer of VAQ-129, the EA-6B Prowler fleet replacement squadron.