USA: NTTC Welcomes New Commander

Naval Technical Training Center Meridian welcomed a new commanding officer Friday, April 25 during a change of command ceremony held on the lawn of the NTTC administration building on board Naval Air Station Meridian.

Cmdr. Robert Stockton became the 21st commanding officer of NTTC Meridian when he relieved Cmdr. Brett St. George, NTTC commanding officer since May 2012.

Capt. Mark Murphy, commanding officer, Center for Service Support, was the guest speaker during the ceremony, “To the incoming, Robert, welcome to the family,” Murphy said. “I know that you will uphold the dictates of the charge of command and I have full faith and confidence in your ability to lead. To the outgoing, Brett, your two years here in command have flown by. To list everything you have achieved over that period would take the better part of the day. My intent is to highlight a few.”

After the paramount tradition of reading their respective orders, Stockton took command by speaking the words, “I relieve you, sir.” St. George relinquished command with the response, “I stand relieved.”

“I take great confidence in Cmdr. Stockton and the interactions we have had,” said St. George. “I know what I am entrusting him with and I know the NTTC organization is in very capable hands. Great beginnings are more important than endings.”

St. George’s efforts at NTTC resulted in a decline in student attrition, Under Instruction Time decreasing by more than 10 percent, and grade point averages increasing by more than 3 percent. He also led NTTC Meridian through a transition from self-paced training to group-paced instructor led training, placing experienced Sailors back in front of students. NTTC is currently experiencing a student population surge to the highest level in four years and student berthing capacity at an all-time high.

Stockton comes to NTTC from U.S. Special Operation Command where he was assigned as the executive officer for its U.S. Navy Element. During this assignment, he became a Joint Qualified Officer and certified as a professional in Human Resources while focusing on expanding the global Special Operation Forces network.

Stockton’s personal awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Army Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards.

NTTC Meridian trains 100 percent of the Navy’s Administrative and Supply “A” School personnel and graduates more than 2,000 annually.

St. George’s next duty assignment will be as the HR Active Component Officer Detailer with Navy Personnel Command on board Naval Support Activity Millington, Tenn.

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Press Release, April 28, 2014; Image: US Navy