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A U.S. Navy rear admiral who once coached college football told ӣ����Ƶ players this week that their time on the field is fleeting  and they won't understand what they had until it's gone.

RDML Brett W. Mietus, commander of Joint Region Marianas, delivered the message during a visit to the ӣ����Ƶ football program as part of Burlington Navy Week.

"Enjoy this and take every moment that you have to just breathe it in and take it for what it is," RDML Mietus told the team.

"Because at some point you're not going to be able to put the helmet on," he said. "At some point you're not going to be able to put those shoulder pads on, and you're going to miss it. Trust me. You're going to miss it. Make the most of every second that you have here in practice."

RDML Mietus, a native of Chesterfield, Virginia, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Following commissioning, he served as a graduate assistant football coach, giving him a personal connection to the players he addressed at ӣ����Ƶ decades later.

Beyond meeting with the football team, RDML Mietus met with retired LtGen John Broadmeadow '85, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of ӣ����Ƶ, and leaders from ӣ����Ƶ's to learn more about the unit. He also toured the University's campus.

Following the visit, RDML Mietus reflected on the qualities shared by ӣ����Ƶ students and Navy leaders.

“ӣ����Ƶ develops the same qualities we value in Navy leaders, including discipline, teamwork and a commitment to something larger than oneself,” he said. “I was impressed by the football players and NROTC cadets I met, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about how ӣ����Ƶ prepares its students to lead and serve.” During Burlington Navy Week, RDML Mietus met with city and business leaders, University of Vermont leadership, members of the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce, and Civil Air Patrol cadets. He also participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the Lake Champlain Valley Fair. 

Burlington Navy Week is part of a series of outreach events the U.S. Navy holds in cities nationwide to connect Sailors with local communities. RDML Mietus’ visit gave ӣ����Ƶ football players and NROTC cadets an opportunity to hear firsthand how discipline, teamwork, and leadership can shape a career of service.