Beth Carlin ’14, ’17 MA, ’26 PhD, is a Navy veteran, a member of the Navy Reserve, and a scholar of American literature.
Senior Chief Carlin took time away from her role as Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement at UNCG to participate in International Naval Review 250 this past July 3-8 in New York. It was the largest maritime and military event ever hosted by the United States and included over 100 ships, over 100 aircraft, an estimated 13,000–17,000 military personnel, and an estimated 500-600 distinguished visitors, including foreign heads of Navy, foreign heads of Air Force, and senior government leadership from allied and partner nations.
“We worked 14-22 hour days, but folks were in high spirits,” said Carlin.
She led the Javits Center transportation team in Manhattan, coordinating bus arrival, liaising with ATF canine units, sending buses out for transportation support, and supervising the movements of around 40 U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen who served as trusted agents for each vehicle.
Carlin, whose Ph.D. in English focused on 19th century ships and sailor writing, was engaged with the event personally as well as professionally.
“The best event for me was an invitation-only reception onboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, which will be decommissioned later this year after 50 years afloat,” she said. “It was incredible: a Blue Angels flyover and a front row seat to the parade of sail, where all of the partner nations’ tall sailing ships come up the Hudson River as part of the International Review of Ships.”
Being on the Nimitz was also special for another reason, Carlin said. “I did three cruises on the Nimitz from 2005-07. A ship is a little like college, in a way, only there aren’t usually any reunions or opportunities for “alumni” to go back. I heard Nimitz was decommissioning in the spring and had been following her progress from her homeport of Bremerton, Wash. to Norfolk, Va. I was so excited to find out that they’d added a final port call for her — at International Naval Review 250.”
The unexpected stop gave Carlin the chance to board the Nimitz one last time on the 4th of July.
Story by Mercer Bufter, University Advancement.
Photography courtesy of Cpl. Xavier Alicea; Beth Carlin.