# Theresa Carpenter *Navy Veteran, Contributor* Cmdr. Theresa Carpenter (U.S. Navy, ret.) is a 29-year veteran whose career spanned aircraft maintenance, surface warfare, and public affairs leadership, including service as NATO’s Chief Public Affairs Officer at Allied Maritime Command. She deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom as an aircraft maintainer and later as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG-59). She is the creator and host of the Stories of Service podcast and is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Leadership at the University of San Francisco. ## Recent Articles - [I served nearly 30 years fixing aircraft, driving warships, and explaining policy. The Survivor Benefit Plan still blindsided me.]()