Amarillo native retires from Navy after 30 years of service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 30 years of service, Rear Adm. Brent Scott, Chief of Navy Chaplains, retired in a ceremony on May 16 at Admiral Leutze Park aboard the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

An ordained minister endorsed by the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, Scott is a native of Amarillo and a graduate of West Texas A&M University, as well as the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Duke University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.

The ceremony began with the official party making their way to the stage under an overcast sky and light rain. After an invocation and a performance of Amazing Grace, Adm. Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, shared a few words about Scott. Gilday remarked he was most impressed with Scott’s courage, judgement, integrity, and  dedication.

“From the moment he swore the oath three decades ago, he has been a beacon of light and a consummate leader in our Navy,” Gilday said. He also indicated that, through Scott’s efforts, the Navy is will be more resilient in heart and mind for years to come.

Scott quickly shifted credit to the men and women of the Navy Chaplain Corps during his remarks.

“This is my tribe,” he said as he fought to suppress tears. “These enablers of spiritual strength are the men and women who have thrust themselves in the middle of the muddle with Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen. I am forever indebted to you and will spend the rest of my days grateful for you and your service and support,” he said.

Scott then welcomed Rear Adm. Carey Cash to the flag officer community and praised him for his previous work.

“I could not have asked for a more engaged and effective commanding officer of our schoolhouse, your selection as the next deputy [Chief of Chaplains] is one of the best decisions made by our Navy in the past decade and I mean that,” he said.

To his successor, Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, he remarked, “Greg, I have run my leg of the race and now it is your time, he said. “I could not have asked for a better deputy, an advocate, an example of careful thought,” he said. Scott expressed full confidence in Todd leading the team in an effective and impactful way.

Scott then spoke of his family, thanking each of them for their support throughout his career, stifling tears as he mentioned Marilyn, his wife of 40 years.

“We have had the blessing of an enduring journey that began when we were 15. We have chosen some pretty risky things in life and you have been with me all the way, through sickness and in health.”

Scott said he is not sure what the future will look like, but they will figure it out together.

“What we do on that horse farm called Patriot Hill in the years to come, we will do together and with way fewer meetings than I am accustomed to,” he said. “You are my center of gravity and all the roses in Texas pale in comparison to the one I plucked 40 years ago from the Lone Star State.”

Rear Adm. Scott and Marilyn plan on using their farm in rural Virginia as a ministry to military members and veterans.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo native Scott retires from Navy after 30 years of service