Local Darlington man retires after 44 years of government service

News Release

September 26, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Contact: Headquarters Public Affairs Office: (202) 372-4630 After Hours: (202) 603-3281

Local Darlington man retires after 44 years of government service

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WASHINGTON -- After 44 years of dedicated service to our Nation Mr. Curtis Odom, director of Personnel Management at Coast Guard Headquarters, retired Tuesday, Sep. 26. Mr. Odom led the department for 10 years, starting April 2007, after he retired as a Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard. During his 10 years at Coast Guard Headquarters oversaw a staff of more than 180 people in the Human Resources Office, Diversity Staff, Workforce Planning Staff and the Leadership and Professional Development Staff.  

Mr. Odom served in the Coast Guard for 34 years. before starting his civilian career. He had various assignments throughout his military career including, Executive Officer, Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey and Coast Guard Support Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. While serving at the Support Center he was selected as the outstanding military officer of the year by the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Executive Board. His Coast Guard Headquarters assignments include Chief, Office of Leadership and Diversity, Reserve and Training Directorate and Ethnic Policy Advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard as a member of the Diversity Management Staff. Mr. Odom also completed a ten-month fellowship with the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group before assuming command of the Coast Guard’s only Recruit Training Center, Training Center Cape May, New Jersey. With a staff of over 500 military and civilian personnel, Training Center Cape May graduated approximately 5,000 military members each year that are assigned to Coast Guard units all over the world. He is also member of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Trustees.

Mr. Odom graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with Bachelor of Science Degree in Government. He also holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. His personal awards include two Legions of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals.

Mr. Odom and his wife Gail are originally from Darlington, North Carolina, but plan to remain in the D.C. Metro area after his retirement to be close to their sons Curtis Jr. and Cedric.

 

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