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Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician Denise Vola delivers remarks during a memorial held for Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, who was killed while deployed in Syria on Jan. 16. (Courtesy photo / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Sykes)
Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the Naval Academy Chapel on Friday at a memorial service for Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, who was stationed at Fort George G. Meade before she became the first female sailor killed in Syria on Jan. 16, according to a news release published on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
Cmdr. Joseph Harrison, who is commanding officer of the unit Kent reported to, spoke about Kent's leadership at the service, the release said.
"Senior Chief Kent was an extraordinary wife, mother, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, friend and valued leader in the Information Warfare Community," Harrison said. "Her strength, courage, confidence and resiliency were infectious and exactly what you want in a chief petty officer."
During the memorial service, Kent was posthumously promoted to senior chief petty officer, as well as awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon, according to the military news site.
According to the news release, Harrison said Kent was the epitome of her command's, Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66, guiding principles of people, teamwork, trust and communication.
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"The accomplishments of this rockstar are simply phenomenal. She brought the right heart-set and mind-set to everything and was a model for others to emulate," Harrison said.
After lawmakers and family demand justice, Navy changes regulation that led to Shannon Kent's deployment
The Navy is changing its waiver policy after the death of Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, the Fort Meade naval officer who died in an attack in Syria last month.
By Selene San Felice
CWA-66's command senior enlisted leader, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician Denise Vola described Kent as "a pillar of strength who we respected, loved and revered," according to the release.
Kent is originally from upstate New York and is survived by her husband and two young sons. On Dec. 11, 2003, she enlisted in the Navy and graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, in February 2004.
Her other military assignments include Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Navy Special Warfare Support Activity 2, Norfolk, Virginia; Personnel Resource Development Office, Washington, D.C.; Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, Fort Meade; and Cryptologic Warfare Group 6, Fort Meade. Kent reported to CWA-66 after the command was established on Aug. 10, 2018.
Kent's other awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.
Earlier in the week, the Navy changed its waiver policy that led to Kent's deployment to Syria after lawmakers and family called on them to do so.
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Kent was in the process of appealing the waiver denial that led to her deployment before she became the first female sailor killed in the fight against ISIS on Jan. 16. The Navy is instituting the new policy changes effective this month with changes to its medical examination and waiver system for officer commissioning programs.
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