Phyllis Barber
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Armed Services YMCA
Master Chief (Retired) Phyllis Barber serves as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director for Armed Services YMCA. She became the first female President of the San Diego Navy League in its 65-year history. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation and the San Diego Navy League. She transitioned from active duty to the civilian sector after 23 years of service.
Phyllis reported to active duty and completed recruit training in Bainbridge, Maryland. She reported back to Bainbridge for Yeoman ‘A’ School. Thereafter, she reported to Naval Schools Command in Norfolk, VA, as an Administrative Clerk in the Administrative Office, then later as the Yeoman to the Training Officer.
Naval Schools Command was merged with Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, Va. where she was assigned to the Administrative Office of the Electronics ‘C’ School. During this tour she went from YNSA to YN2. Next she was transferred to Keflavik, Iceland to the Icelandic Defense Force. There she worked in the Operations Department as the Classified Material Custodian. She was responsible for handling of NATO classified for all the commands in Keflavik. During this tour she was promoted to YN1 and transferred to Pearl Harbor, HI, to the Staff of Commander, Naval Logistics Command, where she worked in the Fleet Facilities Department. She was responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Military Construction database for the Pacific Fleet. Also during this assignment, the command received its first Word Processing System. She was responsible for the training of all staff personnel.
She was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, where she was attached to the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff. She served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for the National Strategic Target List in support of the nation’s nuclear war plan. During this tour she made Chief. Then back to Hawaii, she was again assigned to the Staff of Commander, Naval Logistics Command. During this tour she was responsible for running the Flag Office with a staff of 14 Yeoman. She also helped with the processes of disestablishment of the command and during this interim she assumed the duties Administrative Officer and Flag Secretary. She advanced Senior Chief Petty Officer during this tour.
Phyllis then transferred to San Diego, where she was assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Center (BUDS) as the Administrative Officer and also responsible for the Student Control, which consisted of 400 students on a continuing basis. During this tour she was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer. Then from BUDS, she spent her last tour at Naval Training Center San Diego, where she was the administrative assistant to the Commander of the Base.
Her personal awards consist of Joint Service Commendation Medal (two), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two), Meritorious Unit Commendation (two), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (five), National Defense Service Medal (two), Navy and Marine Corps Oversea Service, and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Ribbon.
Phyllis was born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, and graduated from North Country High School in Newport, Vermont. She holds two master’s degrees: one in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and the other in Human Resources from Chapman University. Also, she completed both her bachelor’s degree and associate degree in Business. She is married to Larry Barber from Okmulgee, Oklahoma. They have one son, Bryan and they now reside in San Diego.