Longest Serving Sailor’s Career Honored

About 250 people gathered at Norfolk Naval Station to celebrate the 42-year Naval career of Capt. Stephen T. Smietana, the longest-serving sailor in the Navy. Smietana’s retirement coincided with the disestablishment of his command. The Naval Security Group will become part of the Naval Network Warfare Command, command spokesman John Donaldson said. Smietana, a Florida native, joined the Navy just before combat operations in Vietnam. He graduated from boot camp in November 1963. At the ceremony, Rear Adm. Ned Deets hailed Smietana for his service and noted that he was in second grade when Smietana joined the Navy, Donaldson said. Smietana’s career included stints at 18 duty stations in five countries.