Taking Command

I recently went one on one with Navy Commander Dr. Corinne Devin.

When I asked her to describe her journey, she told me, “Dedication, Communication, Results - with a genuine smile on my face, and my office adorned with my beauty pageant crown hanging beside my Navy uniform.  I am a doctor, an officer, and… a beauty queen. Specifically, I’m an orthodontist, Commander, and 2020 International Ms. Dentistry and duty run in my blood. My father, also a dentist, inspired my love of service and teeth, and I followed his footsteps becoming a Navy officer - a heritage that goes back to the Revolutionary War and earned me a Daughters of the American Revolution college scholarship. While I continue my service as a Navy orthodontist based off-base, I have a passion for working with civilian kids and their moms. Whenever I can, I moonlight in private practices, using my strengths as a compassionate communicator (with a confidently feminine charm) to help improve the self-esteem of my patients, one orthodontic procedure at a time. I have lived in and visited over 50 countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, including my deployment with the United States Navy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad, Iraq where I took care of the smiles of over 25,000 active duty, contractors and Iraqi security forces.  After practicing for three years as a general dentist, I was selected to attend the elite Tri-Service Orthodontics Residency Program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. While in residency I competed and won the title Ms. Texas, then after graduating won Ms. United States 2012, and internationally won Ms. Galaxy 2014, Ms Earth 2018, International Ms. 2020.  The titles allowed me the opportunity get involved with local communities, speaking at events including elementary schools where I mentored young girls and showed them that they can be and do anything- from beauty queen to Navy officer to orthodontist. I continued to balance my two passions, serving as the keynote speaker at the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Conference to over 1,000 middle school girls for the Department of Defense in Japan. I believe that being well rounded in a multitude of areas can inspire, motivate, and place the seed of determination into our youth and their peers.”

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. ​How did you get here? ​What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth? 

Corinne: For me it started with a eight-year-old girl who was in pain and came on a mobile dental van to see my dad for an exam when I was volunteering at home in Reno Nevada during my college break. When I saw how much pain she was experiencing and knew that was 100% preventable that was the moment I knew I wanted to go to dental school. However, at the time I was not getting the grades I knew I needed to get into dental school, and I had no idea how I will pay for it. I was told by my school counselors that I didn’t have what it takes to get into the school and so I made it my mission to do everything I could to increase my grades and also change your major that would allow me to highlight my talents as a communicator and a compassionate provider in applying for dental school. Four years later I got into dental school, but I quickly learned I had test anxiety. It was so bad that I was failing every first exam and that even though I was on a scholarship provided by the Navy I was about to lose it all if I wasn’t able to make a major change quickly. It was one of my professors, Dr. Galbreath, who pulled me aside and taught me how to retake exams. Her along with several other professors’ mentor me and coached me into being not only pass but do so with honors and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. 

Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned from your journey to date? What advice do you have on innovative ways we can accomplish goals we may have that are off of the beaten path? 

Corinne: To be extraordinary you must be willing to do what others won’t do. Never give up. There is always a way to make the impossible possible. I have learned very quickly to humble my pride and to ask for help until I get the help I needed. It’s tough to do especially when you don’t know where to start but that’s where you have to learn to be constantly vulnerable and ask. In turn, there are other people who will look at you and will ask you the same things and I always tell people to pay it forward

Adam: You are part of a small percentage of women in the armed forces and an even smaller percentage who serve as Commanders in the U.S. Navy. What are your best lessons for women from your experience working and excelling in a male dominated organization? And what are your best tips for men in male dominated companies or industries on how to best engender a climate that allows women to feel comfortable and be best positioned to succeed? 

Corinne: Whenever you go to your new command make a point to get to know people first. Get familiar with the instructions, and guidance’s so you know where the lines are drawn in the sand. I’ve learned very quickly that there are three key people who will make my tour successful. The first is a public affairs officer. They handle all community outside related events. They are your advocate especially if you were there for them.  Next is the Judge Advocate General known as a JAG, lawyer.  They are the expert when it comes to anything legal and I have found them incredibly beneficial when there are questions about activities or areas that I would like to explore. They are also the go to people for my leaders and I saw my leaders love it when officers are proactive and ensuring that they are looking out for their bosses’ best interest. Lastly is my IT, computer guru group.  Let’s be honest, technology is a whole another language and if you have someone who speaks it perfectly, they can make or break or world. 

I was told by Admiral Bono that “you don’t have to give up who you are to be what you want to be.” She was a three-star admiral former surgeon, mom, and wife who literally showed that you can do it all but just not all at once. She taught me that to succeed quickly you have to do the jobs and volunteer for the least popular areas in the military.  However, when you want greatness you must go outside your comfort zone and when you do, you will succeed ten-fold. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level? 

Corinne: Learning from others. By taking classes, constantly educating themselves whether it’s thru seminars, book, conferences, networking you name.  No one is born a leader, they become a leader, and must be in that infinite game where they see the finish line but never quite reach it in their quest of a great leader. 

Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have been around and what have you learned from them? 

Corinne: Mentors early in my career told me sacrifice now and spend the rest of the life enjoying what you love.  Never be afraid to ask the question, put your name in mix, ask for more.  The extraordinary are fueled by why and don’t wait for permission to start. Success is when you fall and learn how to pick yourself back up. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders? 

Corinne: Cultivate a culture of balance and peace.

Focus on progress not perfection

Be present in everything you do. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading and managing teams?

Corinne: Learn to listen. Listen to understand and not just respond. Very often as leaders we want to jump in immediately as soon as we hear problems when honestly our team just wants us to sit back and listen. Very often I find that if you’re the last person to speak, the answer will be revealed and you will be a hero.

Adam: What are your best tips on the topic of work/life balance? 

Corinne: Have a morning routine where you start the day doing something for you. For me, that means waking up at 4:30am and getting a workout in. It’s my cup of coffee, my sense of peace, but for you it may be something different. Knowing that I did something where I took care of myself mentally and physically is what helps keep me going strong throughout the day. 

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received? Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Corinne: In the military, I move every 2 to 3 years. It makes it hard because the moment that I feel settled and rooted, life has a new roller coaster ride for me. One of my patients and former chief told me “you’ll never know where you meet your next best friend.” I truly believe that especially since I was a bit nervous coming to Italy. However, I have not only met a best friend here but people who are like my parents and friends who will be with me for the rest of my life.