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The United States Naval Academy is one of the most prestigious military schools in the country, and for the first time, a woman of color is leading their ranks. In early January, Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids took office as the Naval Academy Superintendent, becoming the first Latina and woman to oversee the school. She is the 64th person to have held the position since the school opened in 1845.
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Davids is a surface warfare officer and a graduate of the Naval Academy’s 1989 class. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Oceanography degree, which she has implemented into her military service.
Davids has served in several capacities at sea throughout her Naval career, holding just about every position, from electrical and communications officers to command positions on major ships. She was the first Hispanic woman ever to command a naval ship and has deployed and held leadership positions in support of numerous overseas missions, including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. For the latter two operations, Davids commanded USS Curts to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf and commanded USS Bunker Hill as the air defense commander for the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. Her most recent operational assignment was as Commander, Nimitz Strike Group/Carrier Strike Group 11.
Additionally, Davids spent much of her career as an aide or advisor to higher-up positions within the U.S. Navy, working directly with the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs and the Deputy and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, among others. Her combined service on land and sea eventually earned her the rank of Vice Admiral, a three-star commissioned officer rank and soon after, she took on the senior command position as Acting Commander of the Naval Surface forces.
Davids’ commitment to the U.S. Navy has earned her numerous decorations throughout her service, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Davids was also the 2008 recipient of the National Latina Organization’s “Las Primeras” award as the first Hispanic female to command a warship in the U.S. Navy.
In tandem with her high-ranking post with the Naval Surface forces, Davids is one of the most qualified candidates to hold the position of Superintendent of the Naval Academy. Upon her confirmation, Davids stated:
“I am beyond honored to become the 65th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, and I look back on the experiences of those before me to guide the way ahead. In the lasting words of Navy legend Admiral Grace Hopper, who in 1985 spoke to my Plebe Class, ‘A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. Sail out to sea and do new things,’ which we will do together. I look forward to the exceptional semesters, moments and experiences we will share.”
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