Navy admiral’s leadership training began with Tar Heel soccer

In August, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Kristin Acquavella ‘93 assumed command of the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Systems Support from Rear Admiral Matthew Ott ’04 (MBA), also a Carolina graduate. Ott previously took command of the role from another Tar Heel, Rear Admiral Ken Epps ’02 (MBA).

“It’s kind of unusual,” Acquavella said. “During the change of command, we brought up how wild it was to have three Tar Heels in command, one after the other.”

Acquavella’s path to this historic role is just another step she’s made in her life and career, a path carved out in no small part thanks to her time at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Acquavella grew up in a family who put heavy emphasis on military service. Her grandmother served in World War II, her uncle was a Navy master chief, and her father retired as a Navy captain, making Acquavella feel “predisposed” to serve.

When Acquavella arrived at Carolina, though, soccer was uppermost in her mind. For four years, Acquavella played under the tutelage of legendary women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who announced his retirement in August. Acquavella and her Carolina teammates — including Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Sarina Wiegman — won four consecutive NCAA championships and lost only one game in four years.

Acquavella played soccer for four years at Carolina alongside players like Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly. (Courtesy of Naval Supply Systems Command)

“I would argue that my experiences playing soccer laid the groundwork for all the things you expect in the military,” Acquavella said. “How to work hard, how to push yourself to the limits, and putting your trust in other people.”

While Acquavella loved the impact soccer had on her life, she began looking for career options outside athletics. This led her to the campus ROTC. After an intensive summer boot camp in Newport, Rhode Island, she started her junior year by balancing her newfound ROTC duties with her soccer commitments and her academic workload.

After graduation, she was commissioned at the Naval Armory before joining the Navy Supply Corps. She took six more months of required education in Athens, Georgia, before being stationed on her first ship in Sasebo, Japan.

“Being a Navy brat, I had been overseas before,” Acquavella said. “But I had never been to Japan, and it was a great culture and a great ship I was stationed on. It was great to live there for my first tour.”

Acquavella’s naval career has since taken her everywhere from Virginia to Hawaii as she received the rank of admiral. Now, in her role as Commander of Naval Supply Systems, she has the distinction of being the first woman to have this duty in an organization that’s more than 100 years old.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s still a ‘first’ when we’re in the year 2024,” Acquavella said. “However, I am a firm believer in the merit-based system. I don’t really see my advancement in terms of gender, but rather a validation of my success in the highly competitive arenas, whether it’s sports or the military.”

For Acquavella, that success began — and will continue — with lessons learned at Carolina.