Transportation 2024: CAPT. JANET H. DAYS

In February 2023, Days made history as the first Black commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base, after serving as executive officer since 2021. Naval Station Norfolk supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and employs 89,000 military personnel and 52,000 civilians. 

A Chicago native, Days graduated from Old Dominion University and received her commission through the Navy’s ROTC. She holds a graduate degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and earned the Naval War College command and staff diploma. She also is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at Joint Forces Staff College.

A surface warfare officer who has received awards for meritorious service, Days was deployed twice, and she served in Afghanistan as the Joint Staff J-7 liaison officer to the International Security Assistance Force headquarters. In Norfolk, Days says one of her top priorities is to connect the base and the surrounding community and maintain and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

UPDATE: Days retired in August 2024, after press deadlines for 2024-25 edition of the Virginia 500. In January 2025, she was announced as Suffolk’s next economic development director. Days was succeeded as commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk by Capt. Matt Schlarmann, who had previously served as the station’s executive officer.