Capt. Ana I. Franco retires after more than 30 years of Navy service

NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION CENTER GULFPORT, Miss. - U.S. Navy Capt. Ana I. Franco retired after more than 30 years of service during a ceremony at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Sept. 4.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Capt. Franco graduated from the University of Miami in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in November 1997 and later earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

“I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve,” said Capt. Franco. “The Navy gave me opportunities to travel, lead and work with some of the most incredible people. When I look back at my career, it is the people I served with that I will remember the most.”

Capt. Franco began her career as an assistant public works officer at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. In 2000, she reported to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 in Port Hueneme, California, where she served in several positions and deployed to Guam, Thailand and Spain.

Throughout the course of her career, Capt. Franco would serve in a variety of assignments, including as the East Coast Civil Engineer Corps accessions officer at NAVFAC Atlantic and resident officer in charge of construction in Vicenza, Italy. In 2008, she reported to Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, where she served as public works officer. Capt. Franco would later serve as executive officer at Naval Support Facility Thurmont, Maryland, also known as Camp David, from 2010 to 2012 during President Barack Obama’s first administration.

“Serving at Camp David was one of those assignments you never expect to have when you join the Navy,” she said. “To be able to work alongside such a professional group of military members and civilians to directly support the presidency was an incredible experience.”

In 2013, Capt. Franco deployed to Djibouti, where she served as force engineer and future engineer operations officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. She returned to Gulfport the following year as chief staff officer for 7th Naval Construction Regiment.

Capt. Franco assumed command of Naval Construction Training Center Gulfport in 2016, serving until 2018. Following command, she served as operations officer for NAVFAC Washington before completing assignments with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, including as Strategic Laydown and Dispersal Branch head and Infrastructure and Facilities Program manager.

Capt. Franco would ultimately return to Gulfport in July 2023 to assume command of NCBC Gulfport, where she served as commanding officer until July 2026.

During her remarks, Capt. Franco spoke about the opportunities she received throughout her career and a saying she has tried to live by.

“One of the mottos I’ve lived by for a long time is, ‘The harder you work, the luckier you get,’” she said. “I’ve been very lucky throughout my career. I’ve had great assignments, great mentors and great people around me, but you also have to be willing to do the hard work when those opportunities come.”

Rear Adm. Jorge Cuadros, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, served as the guest speaker and presiding officer during the ceremony, which brought together Capt. Franco’s family, friends and former shipmates to recognize her Navy career.

“Your true legacy isn’t written in concrete or asphalt,” said Rear Adm. Cuadros. “It is written in the hearts and careers of the thousands of Sailors and civil servants you have mentored and inspired. The junior officers who watched you and learned what ‘right’ looks like will carry your standard of excellence forward.”

“On behalf of the United States Navy, the Civil Engineer Corps, and a grateful nation: thank you for 31 years of honorable, faithful, and exceptional service,” he said. “We have the watch.”

During the ceremony, Capt. Franco also took time to recognize her family and the support they provided throughout her career.

“My family has been there through all of it,” said Capt. Franco. “Every move, every deployment and every long day. They have sacrificed just as much as I have, and I would not have been able to do any of this without them. I love them, and I am looking forward to getting some of that time back with them.”

Capt. Franco’s decorations include two Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Mississippi Magnolia Medal and the Presidential Service Badge, along with various service and unit awards. She is a Seabee Combat Warfare-qualified officer, a registered professional engineer and a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps.

The ceremony concluded with several Navy retirement traditions, including readings of “Old Glory,” “The Watch” and “The Navy Spouse.” Capt. Franco was then piped ashore, marking the conclusion of more than three decades of naval service.

“I have been incredibly fortunate throughout my career,” said Capt. Franco. “I am thankful for the people I have served with, thankful for my family and thankful that I had the opportunity to serve. I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I know I’m leaving the Navy immensely grateful for the opportunities I had.”

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