Navy Commanding Officer Speaks To Groton Students

Capt. Darlene Grasdock, the first woman commanding officer to oversee repair and shipbuilding at Electric Boat, told students at Northeast Academy Elementary Wednesday that she grew up on an isolated Montana ranch, then discovered opportunity where she didn't expect it.

"Every day, you've got to do your best. Make your best effort," she told the 130 students, teachers and volunteers gathered at a school assembly.

Grasdock, 45, who lives in Gales Ferry, grew up on a ranch in Montana 8 miles from the nearest neighbor and 30 miles from the town school. She rode the bus an hour and a half each way to school every day, and started in special education classes because she hadn't attended kindergarten.

Her parents couldn't afford to send her to college and had not gone themselves, but they valued education, she said. She said they also taught her responsibility and demonstrated by example how to invest in your community.

In high school, Grasdock said a counselor encouraged her to apply for a scholarship, and she went on to graduate from a Montana college with a bachelor's degree in engineering science.

She joined the Navy after recruiters visited the school. Twenty-two years later, her service has included work in Iraq, where she helped with projects like schools and sewers.

"At the time, I didn't really think it was an opportunity and I didn't really want to go," she told the students. But she said it became the most rewarding experience she's had. She added that others in the military have impressed her, including a 17-year-old soldier who saved other soldiers.

"Ask yourself who you want to be," she told the students. She added, "No matter how young you are, you can make a difference."

Students said they were impressed by her story.

"I learned that you just never give up," said Morgan Bates, 9.

"She had to drive 30 miles to get to her school. That's like, far," said Giovanni Valentine, 9.

Christian Cloutier, 10, said his father is in Afghanistan in the Air Force. He's been there three months and comes home in March, he said. 

Cloutier said he thought about the young soldier Grasdock mentioned. "She's brave, because she went in when she was 17," he said.

"I think it was really inspirational," said Suki Sasic, 9. "I was like really surprised that she came from a ranch and came to the Navy."