The secretary of the Navy spoke about his experiences serving in and leading the Navy at an awards ceremony in the Jack Morton Auditorium on Monday.
Carlos Del Toro, who earned a master’s in legislative affairs from the Graduate School of Political Management, said service to the United States both in and out of the Navy has been a key part of his life and encouraged others to serve their country in any way they can. GSPM hosted the event to award Del Toro with the GSPM Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors a life of public service.
Del Toro served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years before retiring in the early 2000s at the rank of commander. In 2021, he was sworn in as the secretary of the Navy, where he is responsible for overseeing both the Navy and Marine Corps, according to the Marine Corps website.
Liesl Riddle, dean of the College of Professional Studies, welcomed an audience of about 35 people — including University President Ellen Granberg and members of the GW Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps — to the event and said she is “proud” to give this award to an “extraordinary” leader like Del Toro.
“I am personally thrilled about this event, not only because we have the opportunity to honor Secretary Del Toro’s remarkable achievements, but we also get to hear from him directly,” Riddle said.
Riddle then introduced Granberg, who said “these events” are more than just a chance to come together but are opportunities to hear from and connect with successful GW community members.
“These events are more than just gatherings,” Granberg said. “They’re moments for students, faculty, alumni and leaders from across the country and around the globe to come together and connect with and learn from people at the forefront of their fields, including many of our GW alums.”
Granberg said Del Toro “embodies” what it means to be a GW graduate and that he has dedicated his life to the “betterment” of the United States. She said Del Toro’s career aligns with the values of the University.
“Secretary Del Toro’s distinguished career in the military and in the private sector reflects GW core values, integrity, excellence and service,” Granberg said.
In his address, Del Toro said he was born in Cuba but fled to the United States when he was nine years old. He said after his father was arrested for protesting the Cuban government and was released on bail, his family received emergency visa status from the United States and traveled to Miami before eventually settling in New York City.
Del Toro said his parents’ sacrifice of working two jobs each was what afforded him the opportunities he had. He said they inspired him to serve in the military.
“Their service and sacrifice instilled in me a desire to give back to this great nation, which took us in at a time when we were most vulnerable,” Del Toro said.
Del Toro said his years in the Navy, working at the White House and running his own business — an engineering firm he started with his wife after retiring from the Navy — gave him the financial and managerial experience he needed for when President Biden asked him to be the secretary of the Navy.
“I’m proud to lead each and every sailor, Marine and civilian in our department today,” Del Toro said.
Del Toro said military service jobs are “fundamental” to American democracy and that the country is supported by those in public service. He encouraged the audience to serve, whether “in uniform or not.”
“Our nation has truly built upon millions of individual acts of valor, courage and service at home and abroad throughout our nation’s history, each of us serving today carries the legacy of those that served before us,” Del Toro said.
Following his speech, Del Toro sat down with Riddle for a conversation about his professional life and a question and answer session in which he said the lessons he learned while studying at GW have aided him throughout his career. He said the Navy employs people from all professions, not just sailors and Marines.
“There isn’t any profession that we don’t do in the United States Navy,” Del Toro said. “So do you want to be a nurse? You can become a medic in the United States Navy. You want to be a doctor? We can make you a doctor.”
When asked about how he has balanced aiding the sailors he leads while also maintaining his own career progression, Del Toro said he has the “greatest job” on the face of the earth and that he will serve as long as the president wishes him to.
“It’s such an extraordinary job because you get such a huge satisfaction out of it, right?” Del Toro said. “I draw my energy from those I serve, our sailors, our Marines, their families.”
