How Bremerton's Blythe Blakistone became Navy's first woman commanding special forces
BREMERTON — Blythe Blakistone's love for science was apparent when, as a teenager, she'd venture to Armin Jahr Elementary School to tutor younger kids in her free time.
But where could she place that passion in a career? Through some friends in the Navy, she once visited residences housing top brass at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, built in the late 19th century.
"I said to myself, 'I want to live in one of those one day,'" Blakistone said in a recent interview with the Kitsap Sun.
More than 20 years later, Blakistone has made history in her own Navy career. Praised by her colleagues for that enduring enthusiasm, the 1997 Bremerton High grad and Navy commander became the first woman to command a tactical communications team supporting San Diego-based Navy SEALs and other military special forces.
"It feels really good to be part of that," said Blakistone, who just transitioned out of the command following two years at the helm.
Tactical Communications Command 1 or TCC, is part of the Naval Special Warfare Group that "mans, trains and equips" the nation's most elite sailors. Blakistone's role was in leading the team that supports those SEALs and all the Navy's forces by "providing tactical communications in all environments and levels of conflict."
“We are the voice of the nation’s most elite warfighters,” Blakistone said in a news release. “I am privileged to be in a position overseeing sailors operating at the forefront of technology to maintain an edge over our adversaries.”
Blakistone said her role isn't just about women rising to leadership. Those with different backgrounds bring a "unqiue perspective" and provide what she called an "operational edge."
Blakistone also bears the distinction of being from Bremerton. Many sailors come to Bremerton in the Navy. She joined it here and followed the service elsewhere.
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Her family has deep roots in Bremerton; her great-grandfather, Ole Oraker, emigrated to the city from Norway. She still has the sword he received for his service in the Spanish-American War.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Blakistone served on the USS Chosin, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, and the USS Kidd, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, during and after the Iraq War. She also served as a combat systems officer on the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
In 2013, she decided to switch paths in the Navy, redesignating as an information warfare officer. That set the stage for her to break the gender barrier at a special forces command.
"I made the change because I wanted better technology, bringing technology to the fleet, and then also the cyber aspect. At (TCC-1) I love that we are doing experimentation and bringing that new technology forward to the mission," she said.
Blakistone's next duty will be in a supporting role of Information Warfare Command at North Island in San Diego. She noted that she couldn't do the job without the support of her family.
“It has been incredible to watch Blythe lead over the past two years,” said Capt. David Abernathy, commander of Naval Special Forces Warfare Group 1. “She is exactly the officer we need in our toughest situations — her strong character, sharp intellect, and innovative spirit are second to none.”
Today, there are more than 135,000 active and reserve duty and civilian women that serve in the Navy. Increasing numbers of positions have become available to women in recent years, including serving aboard submarines.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Bremerton native first woman to command Navy special forces unit
