THIS MONTH NNOA CELEBRATES THE SERVICE OF MUSTANG OFFICER

CAPTAIN JESSICA D. BEARD, UNITED STATES NAVY

Submitted by CDR(sel) Desmond K. Walker, USN

“I did it the hard way…I EARNED IT!”. This phrase is the last sentence of the traditional Navy Mustang Creed. It is the closing statement of commissioning ceremonies every month for enlisted Sailors that have worked through the ranks, beginning at the deckplates, to take their place in wardrooms around the world. Forged in the fire of consistent technical performance and proficiency, the Mustang brings a technical expertise that every unrestricted line officer in executive leadership is advised to respect. With this appreciation of the Mustang contribution, I present to you our January 2020 Mustang Officer to be featured during NNOA’s yearlong recognition of Mustangs. This month, we recognize Captain Jessica Beard, United States Navy.

CAPT Beard is a native of Mobile, Alabama. CAPT Beard enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and served 8 years as a Store Keeper followed by a conversion to Hospital Corpsman. She’s been on the fast track since day one! Captain Beard began her Naval career as a Seaman Recruit at Basic Training in Orlando, Florida on December 19, 1988. Upon graduation, she reported to Meridian, MS for Storekeeper “A” school. After graduation, she reported to Naval Hospital Orlando, Florida as an E-2 Storekeeper where she worked in hospital supply and was advanced to E-4 four months later via the Accelerated Advancement Program. In 1993, she attended and graduated from Hospital Corpsman (HM) “A” school. This was possible through lateral conversion. While in HM “A” school, she was selected for the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP). She attended the University of Central Florida from Aug 1993 to May 1996 and graduated with honors. In June 1996, she attended Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) in Newport, RI. After OIS, she reported to the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda, and worked as a staff Nurse on the Mother Infant Unit from August 1996 to December 1999. She later reported to Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL and served as Charge Nurse on the Mother-Baby Unit and Labor and Delivery. She also served as Division Officer of the Nurse Call Center from January 2000 to October 2001. In October 2001, she reported to Naval Medical Clinic Annapolis where she served as Assistant Department Head of the Orthopedics Clinic until July 2005.

Also, in 2005, CAPT Beard was selected for the Duty Under Instruction (DUINS) program with a focus on Women’s Health and Midwifery. This included earning her Master of Science Degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. After graduation, she reported to NNMC as a staff Certified Nurse Midwife and was hand selected to be the program manager for the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination (SAMFE) program from June 2007 to September 2010. During this tour of duty, Captain Beard was tasked to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from June 2008 to Oct 2009 where she served as Officer-in-Charge, Police Mentor Team Medical, for Afghanistan National Security Force. In September 2010, she reported to Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where she served as staff Certified Nurse Midwife and Head of the OB/FP GMEC resident program. In July 2013, she reported to U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan as the Associate Director for Nursing Services, staff Certified Nurse Midwife and SAMFE provider. She most recently served as Officer-in-Charge, Certified Nurse Midwife and SAMFE provider, Branch Health Clinic Iwakuni, Japan from August 2015 to August 2018, where she was integral in the opening and day-to-day operations of the Navy’s, first of its kind, Branch Health Clinic with Birthing capabilities. Captain Beard is currently serving at Naval Health Clinic Lemoore, CA, as the Senior Nurse Executive, Director, Health Care Business, Certified Nurse Midwife and SAMFE provider.

What influenced you the most to pursue a commission as a Naval Officer?
Growing up in a predominantly poor community where women’s health was not a priority, I took an early interest in educating women in their health and how to properly care for themselves. Throughout the years this passion grew. I often wondered how I could continue to have a positive impact on the female population and ensure that women were informed and educated enough to effectively participate in the decisions of their own healthcare. After I joined the military and became a Labor and Delivery Nurse, I thought what better way to do this than becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?! And there is no better way to do this than in the United States Navy Nurse Corps!
Being a CNM in the Navy is exciting and fulfilling. It takes a special person with a special set of skills to be a midwife. There are ups and downs; however, I would have to say more ups than downs on a day to day basis. There is nothing more exuberant than to assist a family in experiencing the miracle of life. However, on the other hand, we often have to deal with the family of lost miracles as well. Even with these bitter sweet moments, I wake up, on most days, looking forward to coming to work and serving my patients.

What lessons, from your time as a junior Sailor and junior Naval Officer, did you learn that you applied later in your career?
I learned early as a junior sailor that my mission was going to be to help everyone I can and for those I couldn’t help to ensure that I didn’t harm them. I also learned early in my career what kind of leader I did not want to become. I knew I did not want to hold people back and I wanted to see them succeed in any career goal they set for themselves.

As a junior officer, at my very first command, as a new Navy Nurse taking care of my very first patient on Labor and Delivery, a 19-year-old in labor complained of a feeling of “doom”. She said, “Like I’m going to die,” and then she immediately coded. She was rushed back to the operating room for an emergency C-section. Unfortunately, this young mother did not make it. I wanted to just give up. Just quit. I felt like a failure. My preceptor told me there was nothing that could have been done to save this patient. I recalled that the father of the baby wanted to stay on the post-partum ward with his newborn after just losing his wife. I didn’t see a reason why he couldn’t. The charge nurse saw differently and stated he couldn’t stay. My preceptor was busy taking care of our fallen sailor, the loss wife and mother of this new young family. I was also caring for this family, the father and the newborn, so I requested that the charge nurse show me in the unit policy where it states that a father could not stay on a post-partum unit, with his newborn, after the loss of his wife during childbirth. She still refused. So, I called the Nurse of the Day and the Chaplain and plead this young family’s case, the father was allowed to stay with his newborn until they were discharged a few days later. There were a few lessons learned that day.

• Only the CO can say no, all others are recommendations.
• Never give up on your people, if they are worth the fight (if they’re doing what’s right for the betterment of themselves and the organization).
• Always do the right thing even when it may not be the popular thing. I also believe in “paying it forward”.

What was your greatest accomplishment?
I always told myself that if I make it anywhere in this Navy where I can make change, I was going to give my all and take as many people that would follow along with me. My greatest accomplishment is to be able to live that dream and to give back to as many sailors that allow me the honor of assisting them with their career goals.

What advice would you give to newly commissioned LDO’S/CWO’S shortly after commissioning?
Stay focused, remember why they sought out a commission, and seek out mentors because they are not in this alone. We are all standing by to assist them to success. It is okay to fail as long as they get up and don’t give up. I would tell them to remember that “It may be our TIME but not our TURN”!! And, always, always, ALWAYS pay it forward…that’s the best reward ever!!

What advice would you give to senior officers (O5 and above)?
Remain humble. Remember how we got to where we are and those who assisted us along our path. Remember our chiefs that “raised” and mentored us when we were junior officers and our Sailors that supported and backed us. Always stand up for what’s right for the whole over what’s popular for a few. Make change where we can for a better military where our Sailors and fellow Officers, across all branches, are proud to don the uniform and proudly serve this great nation and the amazing people that reside here. To join or recommit to an organization, such as NNOA, that supports, mentors and guides us, as senior leaders, because contrary to what’s being told, we’re never too senior for mentorship.

Captain Beard is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American College of Nurse Midwives, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida Nurses Association, Florida Military Nurses Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, and National Naval Officers Association. She is always available to support NNOA’s mission to enhance Sea Service operational readiness by supporting recruiting, professional development, and retention in an effort to achieve a diverse officer corps that reflects the demographics of our Nation.

Her personal decorations include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Army Commendation Medal, Good conduct Medal (3 awards) and other personal and service medals and ribbons.

Captain Beard could not have made it this far without the love and support of her husband Morris, children Latrecia, Ndegwa, and Monifa, and Grandchildren Gabrielle, Christian, Kamryn, Kennedi, Deuce and Gabrianna.

NNOA is honored to celebrate CAPT Beard’s career as a Mustang and appreciates her years of service to the National Naval Officers Association, the United States Navy and the United States of America.