By Gary Rice
Public Affairs Specialist

They work at the very nerve center of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Depot Cherry Point, in what may be the busiest and most hectic workspace at the command – the front office. But according to Juli Cosgrove and Dewana McGee, the quick pace, constant demands, and many challenges they face each day are what they enjoy most about their jobs.

“There is never a dull day,” Commanding Officer’s Secretary Cosgrove said. “Because we interact with so many people from both inside and outside the depot, we have to be flexible and ready to change gears frequently. It really keeps us on our toes.”

“This is an interesting and exciting job,” Executive Officer’s Secretary McGee added. “It’s certainly never boring. There’s always a lot of things going on, and we have to be able to maintain our focus.”

In their jobs, Cosgrove and McGee take care of official correspondence and protocol requirements, arrange for travel orders and reservations, schedule appointments and meetings, coordinate command visits of dignitaries, create presentations, and handle all aspects of the administrative operation of the front office.

Though her primary role is to support the CO, Cosgrove also acts as lead secretary to the command department secretaries. And McGee also takes care of the 10 people of the command element. This includes clocking, maintaining personnel folders, and coordinating training. Both ladies wear many hats and have learned to deal with the many distractions and often frantic pace of the front office.

“Sometimes it gets kind of crazy,” McGee said, “but I like the fact that this position gives me the chance to see the big picture of what is going on at the depot.”

NAVAIR Depot Cherry Point provides maintenance, engineering, and logistics support on a variety of aircraft, engines, and components for all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Employing almost 4,000 people, the depot is the only source of repair within the continental United States for many jet and rotary wing engines. It is the Navy’s center of excellence for rotary wing aircraft, providing engineering and logistics support for all Navy helicopters.

“I really enjoy the communication and management parts of the job,” Cosgrove said, “and I thoroughly enjoy being a secretary. This job enables me to understand the depth and intricacy of the command.”

Cosgrove was born at Camp Lejeune, the daughter of a career Marine. She attended Carteret Community College after high school and earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science. After college, she worked in several secretarial jobs before entering federal civil service as a secretary with Facilities Maintenance aboard the air station. She started working at the depot 15 years ago as a clerk typist in the action center of the Powerplants Division, and later took over as division secretary. She has been in her current position for seven years and has worked for five COs.

McGee has been at the depot three years. Prior to becoming the XO’s secretary, she worked as the Research and Engineering Staff Office secretary and the Avionics Department F-4 Team secretary and training coordinator. Before coming to the depot, she worked as a secretary at Facilities Maintenance and as an insurance agent in Morehead City. She was born down east in Straits, N.C., near Beaufort. A graduate of East Carteret High School, she is currently attending night school at Carteret Community College and intends to complete a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also plans to go on to get a master’s degree.

As far as hobbies, both Cosgrove and McGee are moms who spend a lot of time with their children. Cosgrove has a teenage daughter and does volunteer work for the school system. She also likes to work out and read. McGee has three young children, two boys and a girl.

“The people in this office are very family oriented,” McGee said. “It’s a pleasure to work with people who share strong family values and are understanding of family priorities.”

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts.

Photo Caption: Front office secretaries Juli Cosgrove (left) and Dewana McGee in the Commanding Officer’s office at the NAVAIR Depot Cherry Point. (Photo by Gary Rice)