The keys to a successful military career? Inclusivity, listening, and open mindedness, says Kitchener (left).

ALUMNus Profile

ROY KITCHENER ‘84

CO M M A N D E R O F T H E U. S . N AV Y

As the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group 2, Roy Kitchener, ‘84, is no stranger to the act of active listening. With 13 ships, 11 subordinate commanders, and 12,000 Sailors and Marines under his guidance, the ability to truly hear someone is a skill he values every day. It’s also a skill that is becoming harder and harder to come by in this world, according to Kitchener. He sees much of the divide between the world’s 26

people, many of whom actively label themselves as liberal or conservative, as a refusal to really listen to opposing ideas. To him it seems that people nowadays are more “caught up in the minutiae” of issues that should really be approached from the concept of the larger picture.

train of thought, really challenging us to think through different topics and be inclusive,” Kitchener explained. “I really enjoyed that about Unity. You’ve got to have that. I’ve run into it in a couple of other places, but never quite like it was there.”

But without his time at Unity, he could have been one and the same.

“Unity taught me to be open minded. Find your passion. And don’t be afraid -- just jump after it and see where you end up.”

“Back at Unity, professors exposed us to every different

For Kitchener, joining the Navy was one of those “just jump

UNITY MAGAZINE SUMMER 2017