Military Affairs

In her role as head of Military Affairs, Jennifer visited nearly 20 military installations in Florida. She gained firsthand knowledge of the military installations challenges and worked tirelessly to address all of their issues. She traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressional and Pentagon officials to advocate for Florida's $65 billion military economy and defense industry. Jennifer's efforts resulted in increased military positions, military construction funding and increased defense contract opportunities for Florida's businesses. Jennifer was particularly active in protecting Florida's military installations from encroachment and has helped move several projects that not only stopped development near military activities, but continues to protect and conserve Florida's precious natural lands and waterways.

Being fiscally responsible, Jennifer worked with the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget to deliver a slimmed down Department of Military Affairs budget reducing it by over $1 million without impacting the core mission of the National Guard.

In 2007 Verizon installed a cell phone tower on the military installation at Avon Park Air Force Range but never activated it. Avon Park Air Force Range is a 106,000 acre military training facility located in Polk and Highlands County in south-central Florida. Cellular coverage on the range was very poor to none. The base commander asked for Jennifer's help as Verizon was blaming Highlands County for not approving the activation and the County blamed Verizon for not activating the tower at installation. Jennifer was able to get all parties together to work with Highlands County Commission to receive approval for the tower's activation. Highlands County Commissioners unanimously approved activation and Jennifer followed up with Verizon to get the tower activated in 2012. This connection was critical to the safety and security, military personnel morale and communications at the testing range.

Jennifer is the embodiment of the American Dream. She came to America at age eight from Trinidad West Indies. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 18. At a time when women were not the norm in her chosen field of aviation maintenance, she rose through the ranks from an enlisted (E-1) Jet Mechanic and retired as a highly decorated (0-4) Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer after 20 years.

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer S. Carroll, USN
Lieutenant Commander Jennifer S. Carroll, USN

Jennifer announces road expansion to support military base at Hulbert Field
Jennifer announces road expansion to support military base at Hulbert Field

Jennifer gets repositioning briefing from Marine Corps Support Activity Blount Island
Jennifer gets repositioning briefing from Marine Corps Support Activity Blount Island

Jennifer meets with Sgt Velazquez and the 869th-669th Eng Company prior to Deployment
Jennifer meets with Sgt Velazquez and the 869th-669th Eng Company prior to Deployment

Jennifer speaks out against losing defense jobs<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Stellar  Military Service! Here is what some of her senior Commanding Officers had to  say about Jennifer:</p><p><em>"Most respected and reliable  Command Duty Officer. Possesses complete knowledge of procedures and always  exercises sound judgment."</em><br>
  Captain  R.D. Resavage<br>
  Quality  Assurance Officer<br>
  NAS  Jacksonville</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>"Exemplary management of 183  assigned personnel led to an unprecedented 78% mission capable rate. Her  remarkable ability to identify, organize, motivate and unify is unsurpassed and  without peer."</em><br>
  Commander  R.P. Coonan<br>
  Commanding  Officer<br>
  NAS  Jacksonville</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>“Unsurpassed management and  administrative skills. Continually demonstrates uncommon initiative, intense  professional drive and an unwavering commitment to excellence. My top junior officer,  always doing the toughest jobs flawlessly.”</em></p><p>Captain  Charles Cramer<br>
  Commanding  Officer<br>
  NAS  Jacksonville</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>“Her inspirational leadership and keen understanding of operational and maintenance requirements have assisted in achieving numerous accolades and successes.  Action-oriented, she intelligently identifies problems, develops solutions and implements timely corrective action.”</em></p><p>Commander E. C. Waller <br>
Commanding Officer <br>
VP-49
</p>
Jennifer speaks out against losing defense jobs

 

Stellar Military Service! Here is what some of her senior Commanding Officers had to say about Jennifer:

"Most respected and reliable Command Duty Officer. Possesses complete knowledge of procedures and always exercises sound judgment."
Captain R.D. Resavage
Quality Assurance Officer
NAS Jacksonville

 

"Exemplary management of 183 assigned personnel led to an unprecedented 78% mission capable rate. Her remarkable ability to identify, organize, motivate and unify is unsurpassed and without peer."
Commander R.P. Coonan
Commanding Officer
NAS Jacksonville

 

“Unsurpassed management and administrative skills. Continually demonstrates uncommon initiative, intense professional drive and an unwavering commitment to excellence. My top junior officer, always doing the toughest jobs flawlessly.”

Captain Charles Cramer
Commanding Officer
NAS Jacksonville

 

“Her inspirational leadership and keen understanding of operational and maintenance requirements have assisted in achieving numerous accolades and successes. Action-oriented, she intelligently identifies problems, develops solutions and implements timely corrective action.”

Commander E. C. Waller
Commanding Officer
VP-49

Jennifer  and Assistant  Secretery of The Airforce Terry Yonkers
Jennifer and Assistant Secretery of The Airforce Terry Yonkers

Jennifer  meeting with Base Commanders to address base encroachment issues and other military needs
Jennifer meeting with Base Commanders to address base encroachment issues and other military needs

Jennifer meets with National Guardsmen at the National Guard Armory
Jennifer meets with National Guardsmen at the National Guard Armory

Jennifer  meets with Rafter Ranch to Study the Northern Everglades to help prevent base encroachment
Jennifer meets with Rafter Ranch to Study the Northern Everglades to help prevent base encroachment

Jennifer visits with 7th Special Forces Group
Jennifer visits with 7th Special Forces Group

Jennifer  at groundbreaking as she announces expansion of Sikorsky job expansion in Florida
Jennifer at groundbreaking as she announces expansion of Sikorsky job expansion in Florida