Navy High-Speed Wi-Fi Reaches Milestone for Global Unaccompanied Housing

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Commander, Navy Installations Command Headquarters Public Affairs |

The Navy's initiative to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all Navy-owned and -operated unaccompanied housing is 90% complete, with the service now available in 865 of 962 buildings since the rollout began in November 2025. 

The program, a partnership between Commander, Navy Installations Command and the Navy Exchange Service Command, continued its worldwide expansion with service going live across bases throughout the continental United States, Europe, Asia and the Pacific region. 

Driven by a dedicated focus on improving the quality of service, well-being and operational readiness of sailors, the effort ensures warfighters remain connected to family, support networks and educational resources while stationed abroad and in the United States.

"Reliable connectivity is an important part of sustaining the force and ensuring sailors have the support they need to remain ready and resilient," said Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, deputy chief of naval operations for sustainment. "This milestone demonstrates the Navy's continued investment in the infrastructure and services that enable our people to focus on the mission, wherever they serve." 

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Collins, Navy Installations Command commander, said the command will sustain the initiative's momentum through completion and continue pursuing improvements across the shore enterprise. 

"Across 71 installations, our responsibility is clear: deliver the safe, resilient and reliable shore infrastructure and services sailors need to succeed," he said. "Completing this Wi-Fi initiative remains a priority, and we will build on this progress to raise the standard of service, strengthen quality of life, and ensure our shore enterprise keeps pace with the needs of a ready naval force." 

The remaining 10% of unaccompanied housing facilities located in isolated regions, such as Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean, are scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2027. 

The program continues to offer filtered free Wi-Fi and subsidized high-speed upgrades without long-term contracts or termination fees in full compliance with the Military Honor and Decency Act of 1996. 

Program managers report network operations continue to run smoothly, and sailors experiencing connection issues are encouraged to contact the service provider help desk for immediate support. For more information on the program and availability, sailors can visit www.navymwrsinglesailor.com.

NEXCOM Celebrates Black History Month

By Kathleen Martin, Navy Exchange Service Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va., hosted a diversity event Feb. 16 celebrating Black History Month.

The program highlighted the many contributions of African American women and African American history through storytelling, music and dance.

NEXCOM associates gathered to hear Crystal Hatton depict the evolution of African American women. She spoke of the pioneers in the nation's history, including Sojourner Truth and the many other significant contributors who played an important role in the evolutionary process.

"There are so many nameless and faceless women who didn't make the history books, but who had an incredible impact on the evolution of African American women," said Hatton. "Today we remember and celebrate our mothers, our sisters, our teachers, and many others who have had an incredible impact on history and our lives and we look forward to the continued journey."

The group also learned of the connection of historical West Africa to the religious expressions of African Americans through songs and music in during a presentation by Corey and LaQuita Marie Staten of Atumpan - The Talking Drums.

"Through history music and song, we can tell the history of African Americans through the years," said Corey Staten. "Griots, or African storytellers, have used music to tell their stories beginning with the African drum to blues to rap."

NEXCOM's CEO's Council for Diversity coordinated the event as part of its ongoing mission to promote and integrate diversity through the development of associates, mentoring and initiating outreach to our Navy community.

"Events like these provide an opportunity to learn and highlight how our differences make us stronger, more cohesive and more effective," said retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, NEXCOM chief executive officer. "It is truly our diversity that makes us stronger as a command, as a Navy and as a nation."

Navy Exchange Service Command Names New Chief Executive Officer

By Kathleen Martin, Navy Exchange Service Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) and the worldwide Navy Exchange System NEXCOM welcomed its first chief executive Jan. 11.

In this position, retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi is responsible for the oversight of 104 Navy Exchange facilities with nearly 300 stores worldwide, 40 Navy Lodges, 158 Ship's Stores, Navy Clothing Textile and Research Facility and the Uniform Program Management Office.

"I am very pleased to have Rear Adm. (retired) Bianchi on our team," said Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, commander, Naval Supply Systems Command. "He brings a wealth of experience to the table, and I have great confidence that he can lead NEXCOM into the future."

In March 2011, NEXCOM's flag billet was converted to a senior civilian position per the Secretary of Defense Track Four Initiatives Decision memo. Rear Adm. Glenn C. Robillard, Supply Corps, transferred in August 2011 after serving as the 29th and final commander of NEXCOM.

Bianchi is the first civilian chief executive officer of this organization. He joins NEXCOM after a distinguished 29-year military career as a Navy Supply Corps officer. Bianchi attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Navy ROTC scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. Upon graduation in 1982, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Supply Corps. He earned a Master's degree in Business Administration with distinction from Harvard University in 1992 and completed the Wharton School of Business Executive Development Program in 2003. Bianchi served in various senior leadership positions including assistant deputy chief of Staff for Fleet Readiness and Fleet Supply officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command; deputy commander for Aviation, Naval Inventory Control Point; military advisor to the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics & Materiel Readiness); and supply officer, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

NEXCOM's four independently functioning programs generated over $2.6 billion in sales in 2010 and provided $48.4 million to the Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. NEXCOM's mission is to provide authorized customers quality goods and services at a savings and to support Navy quality of life programs. NEXCOM is an Echelon III command within the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Enterprise.

NEX Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Remain at All-Time High

By Kristine M. Sturkie, Navy Exchange Service Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced the NEX Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) survey remained at an all-time high of 83 for the second consecutive year Jan. 10.

On average, the overall retail industry score is 76. The CSI survey is used to determine how the NEX can better to serve its customers.

"We've been surveying our customers since 1998 to find out areas where we are doing a good job as well as those areas that need improvement," said Michael Conner, NEXCOM vice president, marketing insights. "It's a great tool for us to use to see if the areas we're focusing on, like merchandise selection, are working. We know it is because our score continues to increase in that area. In contrast, it also shows us the areas we still need to work on, such as problem resolution."

The focus NEXs put on PREMIER Customer Service over the past year had a positive impact on both its customers and the CSI score. Scores for store environment rose two points while associates and checkout rose one point each. Other increases in scores were in returns, pricing, sales flyer and merchandise, all which rose one point each. Based on this information, top priorities for 2012 will again be on merchandise, pricing and sales flyers.

Eighty-four percent of the NEXs worldwide had a score of 80 or above while the remaining 16 percent of NEXs had scores 70-79. For the second year in a row, there were no NEXs with scores below 70. Districts in the continental United States remained the same while overseas districts rose one point. NEX districts scores for 2011 were Hawaii and Mid-South remained the same at 86 each; Tidewater rose one point to 85; Western and Guam rose two points each to 85; Southeast and Northwest remained the same at 83 each; Northern remained the same at 82; Japan decreased one point to 81 and Europe rose four points to 80.

"Statistically, it will be difficult to increase our score year after year," said Conner. "So looking forward, we will be looking more to maintain this high score of 83 and making sure we're delivering the best possible products and customer service to our customers."