No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families

Naval Academy’s first Black female commander makes history

Tiffany Lawrence
by Tiffany Lawrence
March 29, 2021
Military Families Magazine.

As the undergraduate college of our country’s naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the US. Navy and Marine Corps. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke)

ShareTweetEmail

Listening to 1st Class Midshipman Sydney Barber speak can make someone wonder if they are living up to their potential. But that’s what she does — reaches high and inspires those around her to do the same. 

Barber, 21, found purpose at a young age through community service and now is making history as the first Black female brigade commander for the U.S. Naval Academy. And this is only the beginning of her professional impact.

Barber was chosen for this role because of her outstanding ability to perform as a leader. To plow a different path than her parents, who were both in the Navy, she initially resisted joining the Academy. But Barber learned a valuable lesson as a teenager — find your purpose and let it drive you. Her journey has been packed with life-changing moments of awareness.

Barber grew up in an affluent community in Lake Forest, Illinois, but her family had a lower socioeconomic status than her peers. 

“I wasn’t going on the nice vacations and I didn’t have all the nice cars,” she said. 

Her classmates drove Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, and Teslas in their sophomore year of high school, and she didn’t have a vehicle.

“I would often compare myself to the people around me,” she said. “But I know it wasn’t till later that I realized that I have everything that I need.”

She refers to this realization as her “awakening.”

Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber, from Lake Forest, Illinois, is slated to be the Naval Academy’s first African American female brigade commander. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke.

As a middle schooler, a time when many kids are hanging out with their friends, Barber started serving at homeless shelters and soup kitchens. 

“I remember that was a very eye-opening experience for me early on in my life,” she said. She also served with the Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) and led a small group for fifth- and sixth-graders. 

“I really found my niche within my church community and within the community service clubs at my school,” she said. 

Helping people in underserved areas like inner-city Chicago, India, and the Dominican Republic fostered a heart for service and opened her eyes to what matters. 

“I saw people who were so filled with joy and passionate in their lives, not because of materialistic things or because of an abundance of money, but just because of their faith and their family and their purpose,” she said.

Afterward, she says she found a greater calling and more purpose in life by using that passion to give to others. It was the idea of service that guided her during the college selection process. 

Barber discovered that the Naval Academy was the perfect place, because of its rigorous academics and dual alignment with her goals.

Read: This helicopter pilot will be the first female air craft carrier CO. 

As Barber steps into her new role as brigade commander, she will lead over 4,000 midshipmen. Her duties will include managing their daily activities and professional training for the length of the semester. It wasn’t until 1976, 131 years after the Academy was founded, that women were admitted. Barber is one of 15 chosen to lead in the last 44 years. But most importantly, she is the first Black woman in command.

Brigade commander isn’t a role she initially set out for, but the value she places on her purpose won’t let her sit on the sidelines. Her internal push to be the best leader means jumping at any opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make others better. 

However, she still faced some doubts. 

“I thought that I had a very little chance of getting it just because it’s very competitive … The thing that really hit me over the edge is I didn’t want to be the person to count myself out and tell myself no,” she said.  

Barber pursued this position, not because of her gender or race, but because she felt like she had to pursue it. 

“It had to be because I knew that I was going to be Black and female and a great leader.” 

Barber will continue to put her heart and soul into pursuing every chance to stretch herself while simultaneously making an impact. After graduation, she will be commissioning into the Marines, where she plans to be the best.

“I never strive for a billet. I don’t strive for a position, but I definitely strive for a purpose and in the purpose where I’m going to thrive and help those around me thrive and make the world as a whole a better place,” she said. 

 

You can find this story and more in our March issue of Military Families Magazine. Download it here.

 

 

Read comments
Tags: Black History Monthnaval academyUnited States Naval Academy
Share48Tweet30Send
Tiffany Lawrence

Tiffany Lawrence

Tiffany Lawrence is a freelance writer and certified parenting strategist. She and her Marine have been married for 11 years and are the parents of twin girls. Tiffany likes to tackle difficult topics in her writing, from parenting to mental health. When she isn’t writing an article she’s drawn to other things lyrical like songwriting, but her favorite thing in the world is making new memories with her family. You can find her monthly column on Hard Conversations in Military Families Magazine.

Related Posts

Excelsior College helps service members leave no credit behind
Military Education

Excelsior College helps service members leave no credit behind

1 week ago
Navigating the student loan forgiveness program
Money

Navigating the student loan forgiveness program

2 weeks ago
UA Online rolls out new tuition grant to help military students
Military Education

UA Online rolls out new tuition grant to help military students

3 weeks ago
Military spouses thrive in STEM as instructors with Rosie Riveters
Military Education

Military spouses thrive in STEM as instructors with Rosie Riveters

1 month ago
Military Spouse Leadership Development Program seeks applicants
Military Education

Military Spouse Leadership Development Program seeks applicants

2 months ago
Coast Guard leads Cold Water Ice Diving training in Minnesota
Military News

Coast Guard leads Cold Water Ice Diving training in Minnesota

2 months ago

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • VETERAN TRANSITION GUIDE
  • MILITARY EDUCATION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC/NONPROFITS
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
  • BOOK CLUB

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
    • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Get Resources
    • Veteran transition guide
    • Military Education Guide
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our team
    • Our writers
  • Magazine
    • Get print
    • Get digital
  • Advertise
    • Get our media kit
    • CFC/Nonprofits
    • Publisher’s statement
  • Submissions
    • Pitch us
    • Submit your story
    • Book club

© 2021 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.