NORFOLK, Va. –
Handling bombs, missiles and rockets in the ordnance field, retired Master Chief Cecilia Daley can affirm the importance of following all of the rules and regulations. Daley joined the Navy in 1976 through the delayed entry program as an aviation ordnanceman. After graduating AO ‘A’ School and then through years of mastering her trade, she became the first female master chief aviation ordnanceman in the Navy. Through a career working side-by-side with explosives, it makes sense when Daley says safety was always imperative to the completion of any of her missions.
Daley has been in the business of safety for a long time. Clocking in 23 years of active duty service with the Navy, including being named among the first group of women assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 1994 when combat ships first became open to women, she survived and succeeded in what was and is still known as a male-dominated rate, often setting the precedent for others to follow.
Although retired from the Navy and away from the exploding parts, she has continued her focus on proper procedure as the Reserve force safety director for the past 10 years.
Communicating, listening, providing guidance and making policies are her starting points for promoting safe and healthy workplaces. “Think before you act,” she said. “Have a plan. Identify, assess and consider potential dangers, and make good decisions when implementing risk management.”
Daley says she strives to inspire all those she works with to ask one question, “What would Mrs. Daley do?” The answer for her is always the same, “Think safety first.”
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