She spent the past three decades ascending the ranks of the U.S. Navy.
And although Cindy “C.J.” Jaynes retired this month as a rear admiral, the Westmoreland County native plans eventually to get a new job in the field she specialized in: aeronautical engineering.
“I still have a lot of energy,” the 57-year-old said in a recent interview.
Born in Greensburg and raised in Vandergrift, she became the 79th woman in the 241-year history of the Navy to achieve the rank of rear admiral as well as the first female flag officer in the field of aerospace maintenance.
Among the decorations she earned were the Distinguished Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Along the way, she also received multiple degrees, including a master’s of business administration from Norwich University in Vermont, as part of an online program.
At the moment, she is settling into civilian life, spending time with her teenage daughter at their home in southern Maryland and working at a nearby horse farm.
Working at the farm four days a week, she said, is like a “childhood dream,” one that involves building horse jumps and cutting grass.
Adm. Jaynes retired after 33 years of active duty. She finished her last duty with the Navy in April, as executive officer of anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs.
It was an expansive role, responsible for more than one-third of all Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, including all Marine helicopters, even the presidential one.
And, it was the culmination of a highly decorated career that she began in her mid-20s, shortly after she received a master’s degree in mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At the time, she was teaching math there.
She had planned to serve for only four years, starting as an aviation maintenance officer, but by the onset of the Persian Gulf War, she had reached the rank of lieutenant. Although she never saw combat, she distinguished herself, taking on new roles every two to three years.
“I had one of the best jobs I could’ve possibly had,” Adm. Jaynes said. “I’ve accomplished everything I was going to accomplish.” Referring to her retirement, she said, “It was just time to think about doing something different.”
She would like to work as a corporate executive in the aerospace industry.
“There’s a lot more for me to do, in a different setting,” she said.
Under Defense Department policy, she must wait a year before working for an employer that contracts with the branch she served in.
In the meantime, she plans to stay in Leonardtown, Md., and see her daughter, who is going into 11th grade, graduate from high school.
Jake Flannick, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: June 3, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
