Meet the 1st Black woman behind the world’s largest naval base

so this is the

largest

naval

base

in the

world

, right, and you are the first African American

woman

to be named commander in chief of this

base

. What does it mean to be the first? It means I'm not the last. I always take the first and then. It's one game after another, as Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, Captain Jenna Days, manages nearly every aspect of the base that is home to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet with more than 56,000 military personnel, 63 ships and submarines, 18 squadrons and an average of 1,150 ship movements. per year it almost feels like a small city, think of it as if you were a mayor, everything to manage the infrastructure, the provision of public services, all the support services, not to mention the operational component and the personnel that come to the space, so he is one of the people who inspired. you to pursue a career in the military is your dad absolutely there is a little girl growing up and your dad is an army man I saw how people responded to him and that's why my dad had a big influence on me joining the army raised by a single father when he was sent to Vietnam Captain days and his brothers were temporarily placed in foster homes until he returned and you know, you realize, and even for me as a father, the love that he had for you without the sacrifice it required and being in the military was a means and a way for him to keep us well, thank you, he served as a destroyer squadron and aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower where he served two tours for Operation Enduring Freedom including a deployment to Afghanistan.

I served aboard destroyers which would have been unheard of in the early 90's because these ships go into combat today 30 years later women serve in a multitude of capacities in the Navy days I was given a tour of Norfolk

naval

ships from the patrol boat. A perspective for me. This is the

largest

naval ship in the

world

. Base, yes, never, never, no activity in action Happening here 24 7. Ships arrive, we repair ships, we supply ships and maintain, we train, our reach is wide, how do you advance and navigate in a world like this when you don't see no one else opening those trails.

I had wonderful mentors. They just weren't women and they said you'd be great at this. Do you even think about it when sometimes you're the only one who looks like you in a room? I'm so used to that out there, yes, I see it, but it doesn't bother me because whatever my purpose is for being there, I'm going to do my job. His impressive resume includes being the commanding officer of the USS McFall, a warship. and he says there have been challenges along the way, he's had moments where people would ask and say you know who's in charge here and you say it's me.

I had a case where the pilot boarded the ship, approached my executive officer and said hello. Captain, are we ready to go and I heard I said we absolutely are, we're ready to go, let's do it. He turned red, I don't think it was intentional, but I think it's the norm now, after more than a month. Captain Days' new job is still getting used to the attention and says young African-American sailors often ask to shake your hand, want to shake your hand, and say they're so proud of you and it took them a little while to do it. . like they sink and women, all-purpose women who come up and shake your hand and take your hand and don't let go of your hand.

I want to raise my family and make them proud and also let the ladies know that you can do it. Do it Chanel, what a great interview you have with her. Do you just point out the moment you knew your life was about to change? You were about to be in charge and at the helm now was absolutely incredible. I have a fantastic one. team at Naval Station Norfolk and you don't get there overnight, yes you know it's a path you take as you go through various tours, you have Defenders people supporting you and the amazing team that works with you is absolutely a team sport, but taking command and Naval Station Norfolk is probably the epitome of my career, as well as adoring companion.

I wanted to ask you about that because I mean you've really risen through the ranks in every way, but in command of a warship we were just talking, you're saying in a lot of ways it's Highlighting the Pinnacle absolutely absolutely, the Navy assigns you an enormous amount. of responsibility, but trust that not only are you going to execute the mission but that you are going to bring those sailors home and you are going to take care of them and that means absolutely everything to me and to the commanders who are afloat, commanders who are In squadrons, commanders who own submarines, the children of the Nations are a responsibility, we can go out and fulfill that mission. and take care of them is absolutely something I will never forget it is incredible in that sense there are so many beautiful young girls and young women here in our Plaza and women no doubt watching at home what advice would you give to someone who may be in a predominantly male field but still So they want to break barriers and be pioneers.

First of all, always sit in the front row, don't sit in the back row, make your questions feel comfortable and make them feel uncomfortable because often you will feel uncomfortable if that is your passion stay there have a voice be bold and don't stop wow you know I was curious about your leadership style some people lead from the front of the boat because they want everyone to see them some people stay in the back and we watch what's going on what's your what's your style it's about people this is a matter of people we are absolutely warriors but we cannot fulfill our mission if we do not understand, know and can understand the complex cities of what each individual brings to the table that the Navy is exceptionally diverse and that is why we take advantage of it and make sure that we take it into account.

My leadership style is people, understanding my team working through them, the tools that the Navy gives me to be able to do that. for them so they can leave home and be deployed for weeks and months and their families can know that we have taken care of them and that we will bring them back safe and sound. Oh, captain days, wherever you are. leader, we're following a lot, absolutely, that was great, thanks for watching, don't miss today's show every weekday at 11 a.m. m. ET, 8 Pacific on our streaming channel today all day to watch, visit today.com all day or click. the link here