Linclon's Combat Systems Officer Retires, Reflects on 32-Year Career

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Amy Kirk | Cmdr. Derma Parsons salutes as she piped over the side during her retirement ceremony. Parsons served as the combat systems officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and retired after 30 years of naval service. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Cubano/Released)  

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, UNITED STATES

02.28.2017

Courtesy Story

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

A native of Smithfield, Illinois, Parsons grew up in a military family and has served in the Navy for 32 years.
“I was born and raised an Army brat, " said Parsons. “I had the basic understanding of officer versus enlisted. My dad, a retired Army Master Sergeant, always told my siblings and I that if we chose to join the military, we should do it as commissioned officers.”


Parsons took a slightly longer road to earn her silver oak leaf. Before commissioning as an officer, Parsons worked her way through the enlisted ranks to become a Chief Petty Officer Ocean Systems Technician (Maintainer).
“I was really curious about why the commanding officer at my first command continuously turned to an Ensign with his hard questions and solicited input and opinion from that particular Ensign,” said Parsons. “One day, I mustered up the courage to ask the Ensign why that was. He kind of laughed and explained to me that he wasn’t just an Ensign, he was an LDO. He took the time to explain what that meant, and from that point, becoming an LDO was my long term goal.”
After the realization of her professional goals, Parsons said it took her three tries before she was eventually selected for Limited Duty Officer (LDO).
“Making Chief was a huge moment for me, and it’s something I’ve never taken for granted,” said Parsons, “but being selected for LDO was, to me, like breaking the glass ceiling.”
As the Lincoln’s combat systems officer, Parsons has had oversight of the first radar antenna, NATO system operational tests, transition to CANES, and the use of satellite communications system for the first time.
She attributes a large amount of her success as an officer to the skills she developed in the enlisted side of the Navy. For Parsons, her greatest accomplishment is giving back to her Sailors by providing resources, recognizing talent and potential, and helping Sailors achieve their goals.
“The thing I love about her is her view on taking care of Sailors and being part of the Navy family,” said Capt. Dan Henderson, a personal friend and the guest speaker at Parsons retirement ceremony. “She understood that fundamental thing about all of us - we all wanted to belong to something. Fellowship is about that and she could not do that if she didn’t develop a sense of responsibility for the people who work for her.”
Performing her demanding job and taking care of her Sailors was a challenge that Parsons gladly accepted and credits her initiation as Chief Petty Officer to helping her how to overcome tough challenges and earn the respect of her people.
“Initiation taught me about Humility as a good character trait. As long as I was able to remain humble and treat others with courtesy and respect, I was able to lead my Sailors to accomplish amazing things,” said Parsons.
During her three decades of service, Parsons has worked to leave her Sailors with an understanding of the pride and responsibility they have while serving their country.
“I want my Sailors to understand that wearing the cloth of their nation sets them apart from the vast majority of the American populace, and demands that they live up to the core values – not just recite those words,” said Parsons.
“Her reputation truly proceeds her,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Mark Miller, a member of the combat systems department. “She genuinely cares about her Sailors and provides us with the support we need to succeed.”
After observing her career, it is evident her edge has paid off. At each step, she's brought with her the skills of both a seasoned enlisted and officer Sailor. To those who don't know about her extensive career, Parsons is seen and respected on the deckplates as a true leader.
“With such a rich and long career like Drema’s it would be a challenge to do it justice in the few minutes I am allotted,” said Capt. Ronaldo Ravelo, commanding officer USS Abraham Lincoln. “With that, there are two things I can definitively say about Drema. First we are all lucky to call her a shipmate. Second Cmdr. Drema Parsons embodies everything that is good about the United States Navy.”

• Date Taken: 02.28.2017
• Date Posted: 03.13.2017 11:49
• Story ID: 226647
• Location: NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US