U.S. Navy Band’s Top Sailor Announced

Musician 1st Class Adele Demi, of Colorado Springs, CO.

Musician 1st Class Adele Demi, a 2003 Coronado High School graduate, was selected as the Washington, D.C.-based command’s Sailor of the Year for 2022, according to Navy officials as reported in

“I’m just so honored to be selected because everyone I work with is so hardworking and talented,” Demi said. “I feel very lucky that they selected me out of all the wonderful people who work here.” she was quoted as saying.

Enlisting into the Navy was a career left turn for Demi. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s in clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, she seemed well on her way to becoming a classical musician when she learned about the Navy’s music program.

When she realized she could serve her country and pursue a music career at the same time, she decided it was too good an opportunity to pass up and joined the Navy in 2012.

“I became aware that the Navy provided one of the most stable, secure and fulfilling careers that I could possibly want,” Demi said. “I realized that this incredible opportunity was out there if I was willing to go for it. So I went for it.”

An enlisted sailor with a bachelor’s and a postgraduate degree would be atypical just about anywhere except for the Navy Band, Demi said.

“This command is really unique in that just about everybody has at least one degree in music, if not two,” she said. “That surprised me at first.”

One of the highlights of Demi’s career took place on March 6, 2022. In recognition of International Women’s Day, NBC’s “Today” show highlighted Cmdr. Billie Farrell, commanding officer of the USS Constitution. Farrell, who assumed command of “Old Ironsides” in January 2022, is the first woman to helm the warship in its 225-year history.

Demi’s band was asked to travel to New York City and play the Navy’s anthem, “Anchors Aweigh,” during the television segment honoring Farrell. When Demi was asked to conduct the band, she didn’t hesitate.

“It was an opportunity that came up at the last minute, as our jobs sometimes do,” she said. “We went up (to New York City) the night before, and the next morning, there we were, playing ‘Anchors Aweigh’ on the ‘Today’ show. It was awesome.”

The Navy Band’s travel itinerary is approaching full swing after being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Demi said. It is touring the western part of the U.S. with plans to visit Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California.

After that, Demi will prepare to join the Navy’s officer ranks. Last month, she was selected for commission as a limited duty officer. In October, she will commission as a Navy bandmaster — one of about 30 in the entire service, officials said.

Barring the unforeseen, Demi plans to make the Navy a career.

“I’m in it for the long haul,” she said. “I really believe in the mission of the Navy bands. I see the work that they’re doing, and I want to (continue to) be a part of that.”

Demi, who last year helped facilitate a nationwide audition talent search that filled 17 critical vacancies, said she’d like more people to know about the music program’s existence.

“We have the distinct honor of representing 350,000 active-duty sailors and telling their story,” she said. “I’m really proud that I’m able to do that.”

Working Together for Mental Health: The Importance of Support and Prevention in the Navy

The Navy has released a mental health playbook to guide leaders on how to broach the subject of mental health with their sailors, and how to help them access resources for help. The playbook aims to address challenges sailors have expressed, including access to services, and encourages conversations with sailors to direct them to the available services. It also highlights the importance of preventative maintenance for people. Under the playbook, naval leaders are tasked with three roles: ensuring an environment where conversations can happen, being on the lookout for signs that sailors are at risk, and helping sailors get services while allowing them to stay in the fleet.

The aim of the Navy is preventing, mitigating, or addressing mental health issues within their commands. The playbook emphasizes the importance of creating a climate of trust and respect, recognizing mental health issues, and getting people the care they need. The three key roles of leaders are identified as setting conditions, recognizing mental health issues, and getting people the care they need, and keeping them in the team. The handbook is intended to be read thoroughly and incorporated into training, with a focus on preventative maintenance for personnel. The playbook encourages leaders to eliminate the stigma around mental health concerns and to provide warm hand-offs to clinical providers.

The members at Americans for a Stronger Navy salutes this effort and we sincerely hope the best for all.

One of the areas we feel we can help is with our “Tell Us Your Story” initiative aims to support mental health by promoting an added sense of purpose for those that serve and have served in the U.S. Navy in the past.

For examlle, the Tell Us Your Story initiative is a project launched by Americans for a Stronger Navy, which aims to shine a spotlight on the stories of those who have served or are currently serving in the Navy. The initiative provides a platform for Navy personnel to share their experiences, insights, and challenges with the broader community. By doing so, it seeks to foster a sense of connection and mutual understanding between Navy personnel and the general public.

One of the key objectives of the Tell Us Your Story initiative is to promote a sense of purpose among Navy personnel. By sharing their stories, Navy personnel can highlight the important role they play in the defense and security of the nation, as well as the broader impact of their work on society. This sense of purpose can be a powerful source of motivation and resilience, particularly in challenging times.

In addition to promoting a sense of purpose, the Tell Us Your Story initiative also seeks to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by Navy personnel. By sharing their stories of personal struggle and triumph, Navy personnel can help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage others to seek support when needed.

Overall, the Tell Us Your Story initiative is an important effort to support the mental health and well-being of Navy personnel by promoting a sense of purpose and fostering a greater sense of connection and understanding between the Navy and the broader community.

Tell us Your Story – February 28, 2023

Every Sailor has a story…we dare you to tell yours.

The “Tell us your Story” focuses on the day and the life of every former and actve duty sailor’s everywhere and we invite you to participate. All stories submitted to the “Tell Us Your Story,” podcast include men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Navy an opportunity to share their stories to help educate the public about the importance of a strong U.S. Navy.

The following was found on YouTube by a member. Sailors unknown.

Tell Us Your Story – YouTube Classics February 27, 2023

Every Sailor has a story…we dare you to tell yours.

The “Tell us your Story” focuses on the day and the life of every former and actve duty sailor’s everywhere and we invite you to participate. All stories submitted to the “Tell Us Your Story,” podcast include men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Navy an opportunity to share their stories to help educate the public about the importance of a strong U.S. Navy.

The following was found on YouTube by a member. Sailors unknown.

“Call Me Maybe in The Navy” courtesy of YouTube