Silver Bluff High School Graduate Promoted to Commander in U.S. Navy

Photo By Julius Evans | Cmdr. Shikina M. Tellis receives her silver oak leaf, pinned by her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Charles Tellis, in the promotion ceremony held Sept. 7, 2012, at NMLC in Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.  

FREDERICK, MD, UNITED STATES

09.07.2012

Story by Julius Evans 

Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA

FREDERICK, Md. - Cmdr. Shikina M. Tellis, daughter of Joseph and Agnes Nealious of Aiken, S.C., was promoted to the rank of commander Sept. 7, at her organization, the Naval Medical Logistics Command, stationed aboard Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.

Tellis is the Operational Forces Support deputy director where she oversees the day-to-day operations required to provide medical equipment and consumable lifecycle logistics services to the Naval Operating Forces.

Presiding over her promotion ceremony, Capt. Keith L. Sykes, Naval Supply Systems Command, Assistant Commander for Acquisition Logistics, Washington, DC, expressed to more than 100 family members, friends and co-workers how Tellis performed at her previous command. He said she left in her wake a trail of success that featured standing processes and procedures, mentoring relationships that have nurtured numerous budding careers, and an attention to detail that separated her from her peers.

"It is because of your tenacity that the Navy Supply Corps is confiding in you the trust to wear the uniform and to assume the duties of a commander in the United States Navy," Sykes said.

Tellis thanked Sykes for his comments and thanked everyone who brought her 'informal yet memorable day and ceremony to life.'

Although the program says this moment in time is about me, I say this moment in time is about each of you. As I look across this room and see your faces, I can sum my feelings up in three words…. I AM BLESSED,” she said. “It is because you took the time to mentor, to listen and to share your words of wisdom that I stand before you today. For that, I thank you!”

Tellis is a 1992 graduate of Silver Bluff high school. She then went to the University of South Carolina – Columbia in 1997 where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. She was subsequently commissioned in the United States Navy that same year.

Tellis served aboard USS Supply (AOE 6), USS Detroit (AOE 4), and USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and completed deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of Operations Southern Watch, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. She also completed a joint deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a qualified Surface Warfare Officer. Her shore duty assignments were in Norfolk, Va., and Washington. She reported to Navy Medical Logistics Command in April 2012.

Her awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign awards.

She is married to Lt. Cmdr. Charles Tellis and they have three children.

• Date Taken: 09.07.2012
• Date Posted: 09.26.2012 15:42
• Story ID: 95327
• Location: FREDERICK, MD, US