Navy Vice Adm. Stephen Tedford, Defense Contract Management Agency director, remembers Sept. 11 and reflects on how that day affected him personally and national defense efforts.

“I was an instructor at the Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. We all went home that day very confused, obviously very concerned and trying to figure out what had just happened. It was a time in my service that I certainly never expected. We fell back and relied on our training in the military, and I would say that the civilian workforce found immense purpose in everything that they were doing.”

Editor’s note: DCMA’s “Remember 9/11” is a campaign reflecting on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the lasting impact 25 years later through stories of remembrance, resilience and service. We invite you to share your story by emailing the DCMA Public Affairs inbox. DCMA Public Affairs hopes to share as many stories as possible but cannot guarantee every submission will be published.

Watch Vice Adm. Tedford's video remembrance