From the King Street Chronicle: Sacred Heart Greenwich Alumnae Answer the Call to Serve

Alumnae pursue their purpose in the United States Navy

by Claire McMonagle ‘27, Co-Features Editor

Throughout the years, alumnae from Sacred Heart Greenwich have pursued careers in the United States (US) military. 
The military consists of six different branches, including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, according to usa.gov. Sacred Heart Greenwich alumnae have taken the leadership skills and values instilled in them and used these tools in their efforts of joining the military. Commander (CDR) Katie (McGurty) Hutter '01 and Lieutenant (Lt.) Christiane McCabe '12 graduated from Sacred Heart Greenwich and now serve in the Navy.

Sacred Heart Greenwich employs the Goals and Criteria to educate young people to foster a world reflective of Christ’s heart, according to sacredheartusc.education. Specifically, Goal III, a social awareness which impels to action, and Goal IV, personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom inspire young women to act just and make change in the world. These goals encouraged alumna CDR Hutter to pursue a career greater than herself and a journey that ultimately led her to find the Navy.

CDR Hutter was a part of the Naval Reserves Officer Training Corps (NROTC) while attending the University of Notre Dame. NROTC introduced her to the challenge of balancing rigorous academics with exposure to military life. While in NROTC, she worked out twice a week and typically wore her uniform once a week. After graduating in 2005, CDR Hutter completed two years of flight training, and spent eight years flying the MH-60R helicopter. She then attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and received a Master’s Degree in Naval Strategy. CDR Hutter acquired years of experience flying different types of planes and helicopters, and now lives in London, England, where she is an operational planner at North Atlantic Treaty Operation (NATO) Maritime Command.  CDR Hutter commented on the supportive culture of the Navy.

“People from all over the country, [are] called to a higher purpose, a mission bigger than themselves," CDR Hutter said. "I love leading and growing every day with every challenge. I love the support you receive from the military community--we understand the hardships and have each other’s backs no matter what.There is a camaraderie in the military you truly don’t experience anywhere else. It could be five years since you have seen someone, you spend ten minutes filling in the gap of time, and you are back to being friends that see each other everyday.”

Similarly, Lt. McCabe is currently serving in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer.  She attended Bates College where she became involved with the Navy after graduating from Sacred Heart. During that time, she volunteered as a Catholic teacher on the Pacific Island of Yap in the Federal States of Micronesia. She became interested in joining the Navy when she heard stories from Sailors and Marines of the leadership. Lt. McCabe wanted to use her experience and intellect to create a positive impact at any level and in any project she works on.

In her current role as a Surface Warfare Officer, she is in charge of leading sailors in specialized subject areas, such as navigation, seamanship, gunnery, and engineering.  She rotates between serving at sea and onshore, depending on the project she works on. Lt. McCabe is currently working on a project with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. With this project, she is contributing to long-term planning to look after Sailors in their future service.  However, when she is at sea, she manages maintenance and personnel and conducts training and inspections.  Lt. McCabe shared an experience she endured in the Navy and how it helped her develop in a new position.

“My first assignment put me in charge of a rough and tumble division; composed of approximately 25 people – all but one were male – of vastly different socio-economic backgrounds from me," Lt. McCabe said. "Relying on the work ethic I built at Sacred Heart, I set the standards I wanted them to meet.  Unfortunately, I did not communicate it well. Results? They hated me.  But I never stopped living the example I wanted them to emulate. I learned new ways to emphasize intellectual values and personal growth, garnering respect from my Sailors, peers, and superiors. With time they bought into my plan and started to advance.  Since then I have continued refining my communication methods to better meet people where they are, while still showing them where I want them to be.”

CDR Hutter's and Lt. McCabe's views are their own and not representative of their respective Departments or Organizations.

Featured Image by Claire McMonagle '27

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