NOSC New London Changes Commanders

By Information Systems Technician Seaman Alexa Gonzalez, SUBASE Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Cmdr. Keith Powell relieved Cmdr. Matthew Stracker as commanding officer of Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) New London during a change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, March 1.

"A NOSC [commanding officer] must be a leader of his full-time staff, an exemplary member of the community, a steward of taxpayer dollars and a conduit through which reserve units get the resources they need to train and be ready," said Capt. Randy Johnson, commanding officer, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NMRA) Reserve component, who served as the ceremony's guest speaker. "A reservist that isn't ready is something that the Navy cannot afford right now."

NOSC proved its readiness under Stracker's command by scoring a 96 percent on their NRMA Reserve Component assessment, "One of the highest scores received by any NOSC this year," added Johnson.

Since Stracker's tenure began in February 2012, NOSC successfully mobilized 25 Sailors to commands in areas such as Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Horn of Africa.

"The purpose of NOSC is to make sure that its reserve personnel are mobilization ready to deploy around the world when needed and to make sure they are able to provide support to their gaining commands," said Stracker. "The biggest thing is making sure my Sailors are ready to deploy without any issues. Having zero Sailors that have failed to sail is the most important accomplishment,"

NOSC New London directs 14 units throughout SUBASE consisting of some 250 Selected Reserve Component Personnel who support commands such as the base's Naval Security Forces.

As Stracker heads to his next command at the Office of the Chief of the Navy Reserve at the Pentagon, NOSC's new commanding officer hopes to continue the command's tradition of excellence.

"I look forward to continuing [Cmdr. Stracker's] great work," said Powell. "The NOSC here has a lot of pride and a top-notch staff."

Powell was previously the Director of War Gaming at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., and is eager to take charge and continue the NOSC's vision of providing the highest quality of service and support.

"People look at NOSC in this region and can tell that New London does it right," said Powell. "I'm excited to take over such a professional organization and continue the success of providing mobilization ready Selected Reservists to the Navy."

NOSC New London is one of two NOSC commands in the State of Connecticut that drill one weekend a month and deploy Navy Selected Reservists to commands across the globe.

The mission of NOSC is to provide highly motivated, qualified and mobilization-ready Citizen Sailors to the Fleet in order to serve as the force multiplier and strategic depth necessary for the successful completion of the full range of operations of the U.S. Navy from peace to war.