How A Royal Navy Educator Built A Life Of Service
Anne Miller McCaffrey, a Royal Navy veteran and honorary captain, reflects on her near-40-year journey in the armed forces — from joining the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1987 to becoming a pivotal advocate for inclusion and service. She recounts a time when women couldn’t be pregnant, married, or gay without losing their jobs, and shares how she navigated those constraints by channeling her energy into sport, particularly football, where she helped establish the first formal women’s team in the Navy. Her story is one of quiet resilience, transformation, and purpose — from being one of just 1% of women in the Navy to now leading the North of the Royal Navy’s flagship facility, HMS Eaglet, where she manages safety, events, and community outreach. She reveals that her motivation wasn’t just duty, but a deep love for people, adventure, and the chance to create change — even if it meant living a 'double life' for years. As Armed Forces Day approaches, she calls for a broader understanding of the military’s role in protecting global infrastructure, not just combat.
Women in the Royal Navy were banned from being pregnant, married, or gay until the year 2000 — a reality Anne navigated by focusing on sport and career.
Anne helped create the first formal women’s football team in the Navy in the 1990s, paving the way for equal opportunities and sponsorship today.
She joined the Royal Navy Reserves in 2012 after 24 years in the regular service, choosing a role that allows her to go home every night and build a family.
Her current role as facility manager at HMS Eaglet involves hosting schools, veterans, and ship’s company events — blending safety compliance with community connection.
The military protects critical civilian infrastructure like shipping lanes and undersea cables — not just for war, but for global stability and modern life.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the We Are Power Podcast
Introduction to the We Are Power podcast and its mission, with a focus on celebrating female role models through the Northern Power Women Awards.
A 40-Year Journey in the Royal Navy
“I think I'm going to write a book at some point, to be honest.”
From Plymouth to Gibraltar: A Global Career
Anne recounts her early postings across the UK and abroad, including roles in Portsmouth, Gibraltar, and Sandhurst, highlighting the breadth of her service.
The Power of Sport in Service
“When work wasn't going so great, I'd do sport that would lift me back up again.”
Building the First Women’s Navy Football Team
“We set a team up. We had some challenges along the way but let's say because of what we did then, the girls that play football now for the Navy are treated exactly the same as the men.”
“40% of our food comes in through the shipping lane, so they need to be protected.”
“We set a team up. We had some challenges along the way but let's say because of what we did then, the girls that play football now for the Navy are treated exactly the same as the men.”
“Um, I suppose some people would say I lived a bit of a double life. Um, and the energy to do that was, um, well, it was quite tiring.”
Host
Guest
Royal Navy
organization
Anne Miller McCaffrey
person
Women's Royal Naval Service
organization
HMS Eaglet
organization
Wimbledon
other
Northern Power Women Awards
organization
Michelle Pascoe
person
RAF Halton
organization
Dartmouth
place
Tom Cruise
person
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