By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan,
Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Hawaii
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Navy Munitions Command East
Asia Division (NMC EAD) held a change of command ceremony on Aug. 14 aboard the
Battleship Missouri Memorial, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH).
Capt. Edward M. Galvin relieved Capt. Michael J. Singleton
as commanding officer during the official ceremony.
During the ceremony, Capt. Mark Springer, Commander NMC and
NMC Pacific, served as the guest speaker and Navy Chaplain Cmdr. Jeffery Logan,
commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, provided the invocation. JBPHH
Honors and Ceremonial Guard presented the colors.
Singleton took command of NMC EAD Hawaii in April of 2012.
As a commanding officer of the East Asia Division, he oversaw operations in
support of fleet units and operational forces in the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of
responsibility (AOR) with subsidiary detachments in Sasebo and Yokosuka as well
as units in Guam, Okinawa, Atsugi and Misawa and Diego Garcia annex.
"I did not have this vision for myself, it was a dream
I didn't dare to dream, leading a major command on my final leg of my soon to
be ending thirty-eight year naval career," shared Singleton. "But
once I got in the seat, I realized it was unquestionably the best job I ever
had and I don't know if I will ever top it."
Singleton spoke of his duties and the importance he placed
on making sure that his Sailors and civilians were taken care of.
"It was very important for me to keep the command
operational, keep the staff manned at proper numbers and provide outstanding
service throughout our units and detachments," said Singleton about his
time at the command. "I made sure I was always available. And seeing my
Sailors being promoted or commissioned, and civilian employees being promoted
and recognized is most memorable to me. This position was not about me, it was
about the people I worked with."
Singleton began his carrier in the Navy in October 1976 as
an enlisted Sailor, advancing in the service to a high-ranking officer. Over
the years he actively participated in the Mustang Round-Up Limited Duty Officer
and Chief Warrant Officer recruiting drives, leading by example, helping and
guiding Sailors to success in their military careers. Sailors under his command
praised him for his leadership.
"We have probably the most supportive chain of command
a Sailor can ask for," said Information System Technician 2nd Class Derek
Pebler. "We are a small command, so we saw Capt. Singleton every day and
he always showed utmost care for his personnel, always making sure we are safe
and secure and enjoy our work. I cannot think of a better CO [commanding officer]."
Singleton is planning to retire later this year, making NMC
EAD Hawaii his last tour.
"I feel that I accomplished everything I could. [There
are] few more things that I would have liked to accomplish but it is time for
me to go and Capt. Galvin can take charge and carry on."
According to Singleton, his relief is more than capable of
doing the job.
"I believe, Capt. Galvin is a great leader and I have
no concerns in passing the command to him. He is a great officer and I fully
expect him to lead and exceed every expectation. He will have a great staff to
support him and he will be successful."
During presentation of awards, Springer presented Singleton
with a Legion of Merit Medal for outstanding services and achievements. Upon
receiving his award, Singleton, as his final act as a commanding officer,
surprised two of his Sailors by awarding Logistics Specialist 1st Class Alvin
Norman with the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Yeomen 2nd Class
Ciatta Tucker with the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
In his farewell remarks, Singleton thanked his command and
his Sailors and civilian employees, reiterating their importance to success of
the command and the Navy as a whole.
"I thank you all for your support and dedication,"
said Singleton. "But also for the goodwill with which you have performed
your duty. Fair winds and following seas to you all."
After the reading of official orders, Galvin said he was
honored to relieve Singleton as commanding officer and promised the unit would
continue to build on his legacy.
"I do not think you could find a better place to hold a
naval change of command than on the mighty Missouri," said Galvin in his
address. "Capt. Singleton, I would like to thank you for the full support
you have provided me through my transition here at East Asia Division. I know I
have big shoes to fill, however, I am confident that NMC EAD will continue to
excel based on the high standards, good example and leadership you have
provided during your tenure."
Galvin also addressed the men and women of the command as
their new leader.
"I am proud to have the opportunity to lead this
command. I look forward to working with each of you as we support the extremely
important mission of providing fleet ordnance support to our warfighters based
throughout our area of responsibility," said Galvin. "Based upon the
professionalism, competence, determination and drive that I have witnessed
throughout the command, I am confident that we will not only handle any
challenges that may come over the horizon, but excel at the important mission
we have been entrusted to carry out."
Galvin plans to dedicate his first steps as commanding
officer to familiarizing with command functions and learning about its
challenges, as well as establishing good rapport with Sailors and civilian
employees under his leadership.
NMC EAD Hawaii is responsible for ordnance delivery to
ships, submarines and aviation squadrons based in Japan, Hawaii, Diego Garcia
and Guam. Command's mission is to provide command, control and administrative
support to NMC EAD units and detachments, which provide quality and responsive
logistics, expert technical and material support of ammunition management and
ordnance system components to Fleet customer
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