Command of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command was passed on to another inside the gates of John C. Stennis Space Center Wednesday morning.
Rear Admiral Brian Brown is moving to a new position within the agency, and was replaced by Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet during the change of command ceremony.
Guest speaker Admiral Bill Gortney said Gallaudet is a great leader who will do great things.
“I’m very comfortable with where this command is headed,” Gortney said.
During Brown’s command the agency dealt with a number of hardships, one of which involved budget cutbacks.
In spite of the shortfall, Brown’s leadership ensured the work conducted remained relevant, Gortney said.
Brown said the agency’s success during his command is due to the hard work of the Navy’s staff. He said the key was to be in the right place at the right time to meet the right challenges.
Not everyone gets to say they are not only a scientist, but a naval officer as well, Brown said.
“I get carried away with parent-like pride for the work that you do,” Brown said to his staff during the ceremony.
Brown felt assured that under Gallaudet’s leadership the agency is on a solid path.
Gallaudet quoted a previous commander by saying the Naval Oceanography’s objective is to provide home field advantage during away games, and he is honored to take up the reigns to continue that mission.
The Naval Oceanography’s budget is only a quarter of one percent of that of the entire United States Navy, but they are still able to do great things.
“I like to think we are the Bruce Lee of the Navy,” Gallaudet said. “Very lean, very agile but we punch above our weight.”
His motto going into this command is that while the agency faces a number of adversities, the adversities that break some, cause others to break records.