TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GREAT LAKES CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY CAPTAIN JOHN B. VLIET COMMANDING OFFICER
CAPTAIN MARK A. MESKIMEN RELIEVING OFFICER
TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GREAT LAKES HISTORY AND MISSION Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes was established on April 8, 2004 replacing Service School Command. TSC’s mission is to provide leadership and professional military development of our Sailors and functional support to Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Learning Sites in Great Lakes, including Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU), Surface Warfare Officer School Command Unit (SWOSU), NETC General Skills Training,, Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving (CEODD) and Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSWPS). TSC’s staff ensures students maintain the highest standards of personal and military conduct, while simultaneously acquiring the technical knowledge and skills necessary to perform effectively in the Fleet. Under the guidance of the Commanding Officer, TSC students receive Navay Military Training in the areas of academics, naval history and heritage, physical fitness and watch standing. TSC has an annual throughput of approximately 10,500 students, with up to 4,500 students onboard at any time from the most junior Sailor attending a two-week apprentice training class, to foreign military officers studying propulsion and ordnance systems. TSC has a staff of more than 350 personnel, including a mix of Navay Military Training Instructors, maintenance, administrative personnel and cicilian suppory staff. Education and training of TSC staff includes mentoring in the Master Training Specialist (MTS) certification as well as study programs for advancement through the Navy ranks. Nearly one third of the enlisted instructor staff are certified as MTS instructors. Due to its extraordinary professional climate, TSC has been recognized as a primary duty station for those in the enlisted community to advance their Navy careers. Community Service is a strong reflection of the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment, and TSC Sailors and staff lead by example, supporting such projects as the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), Saturday Scholars, Project Whitehat, Honor Flight Chicago and countless other community service activities. TSC has been repeatedly recognized as a top blood donor in the Chicago area LifeSource program and has received recognition in Project Good Neighbor Flagship and Personal Excellence Flagship awards. The ceremonial Color Guard, Drill Team and TSC Choir act as ambassadors in Lake County and the wider Chicagoland areas demonstrating patriotism and outstanding military bearing in parades, ceremonies and sports venues. TSC Sailors training to become tomorrow’s warfighters, selflessly volunteer their limited off duty hours to represent the best of their command, Great Lakes, and the Navy at large.
CEREMONIAL INSIGHTS SIDE BOYS Tending the side with side boys, as we know it in modern practice, originated long ago. It was customary in the days of sail to hold conferences on the flagships both when at sea and in open roadstead; also, officers were invited to dinner on other ships while at sea, weather permitting. Sometimes the sea was such that visitors were hoisted in boatswain’s chairs. Members of the crew did the hoisting, and it is from the aid they render in tending the side that the custom originated of having a certain number of personnel always in attendance. It has been reported the higher the rank, the heavier the individual; therefore more side boys. PIPING The boatswain’s mate is the oldest enlisted naval rating and the “Bos’n’s” have been in charge of the deck force since the days of sail. Setting the sails, heaving lines and hoisting the anchor required coordinated team effort and the Bos’n’s used whistle signals to order the coordinated actions. When visitors were hoisted aboard or over the side, the pipe was used to order “Hoist Away” or “Avast Heaving.” In time, the piping became a naval honor. THE HAND SALUTE The hand salute is the long established form of greeting and recognition exchanged between persons in the armed forces. This tradition can be traced back to medieval times when knights engaging in combat raised and lowered the visors on their helmets. It developed into a salute and was used by different militaries from that point on. The United States Navy and other armed forces have used the hand salute since the days of the American Revolution. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COMMANDING OFFICER “The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute, except when, and to the extent, relieved therefrom by competent authority, or as provided otherwise in these regulations.” “The authority of the commanding officer is commensurate with his or her responsibility.” “While the commanding officer may, at his or her discretion, and when not contrary to law or regulations, delegate authority to subordinates for the execution of details, such delegation of authority shall in no way relieve the commanding officer of his or her continued responsibility for the safety, well-being, and efficiency of the entire command.” Title 32, Part 700 - United States Navy Regulations COMMAND ASHORE PIN The Command Ashore Pin consists of a trident surrounded by a wreath. The insignia is worn on the right breast by all officers presently in command of units ashore.
THE CHANGE OF COMMAND HISTORY The ceremonies, customs, and traditions of our modern Navy draw their origin from ancient customs and laws of the sea begun in historic times by seafaring men and gradually merged into the British Naval Regulations in effect at the time of the American Revolution. The effect these old customs have had in the formulation of naval regulations is a marked example of the influence of tested usage. An officer about to be relieved of his command shall, at the time of turning over command, call all hands to muster. The officer about to be relieved shall read his orders of detachment and turn over the command to his successor who shall read his orders and assume command. Although the change of command ceremony you witness today is not prescribed specifically by U.S. Navy Regulations, it is an honored product of the rich heritage of our naval tradition. It is a custom wholly naval, without an equivalent counterpart in the Army and Air Force. Custom has established that this ceremony be formal and impressive, designed to strengthen the respect for authority which is vital to any military organization. The calling of all hands to quarters and the public reading of official orders stems from the days when movement of mail and people was a very slow process. This procedure was designated to ensure authorized officers held command and that all aboard were aware of the authenticity of the officer’s orders. The heart of the ceremony is the formal reading of official orders by the relieving officer and the officer being relieved. Command passes upon utterance by the relieving officer, “I relieve you, sir!” The officer being relieved responds, “I stand relieved!” This simple procedure is duplicated hundreds of times daily throughout the navies of the world as each watch officer passes responsibility for the conduct of the ship’s routine to his or her relief. The strength of today’s Navy stems in large measure from the observance of customs and traditions, each founded on need, each contributing to good order and discipline, combat effectiveness and the smooth transfer of authority. This simple ceremony observing the passing of authority and responsibility to another officer reflects the dedication of the free men and women who serve their country.
REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL S. WHITE United States Navy Commander Naval Education and Training Command
Rear Adm. White is a 1983 graduate of the University of Colorado and earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University in 2005. His career as a naval aviator includes assignments with Attack Squadron (VA) 72, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, executive and commanding officer of VFA-137, air operations officer for Carrier Group One, and deputy commander and commander CVW-5. Assignments to shore and staff billets include Naval Strike Warfare Center; Bureau of Naval Personnel; VFA125; director of the commander’s action group at United States Northern Command; director of Aviation Career Management Division (PERS 43) at Navy Personnel Command, the chief operating officer for Naval Education and Training Command and assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management (PERS-4). He also served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 (Nimitz Strike Group) completing a deployment that included exercises in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Strike Flight Air Medals, six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one with Combat "V"; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other unit citations and campaign ribbons. He has flown more than 3,800 flight hours, and has made more than 1,000 carrier-arrested landings. White became the 18th Commander of the Naval Education and Training Command on Jan. 24, 2014.
TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER GREAT d Commanding Officer - Captain John Vliet Executive Officer - Commander Kevin Halfacre Executive Director and Training Support Director - Mr. Michael Bilak Command Master Chief - CMDCM(SW/AW) Jeffrey Kirby Personnel Management Department – Ms. Jennifer Greeley Chaplain Department - Commander John Johns Student Operations – FCCM Kevin A. Belsky Logistics Management – Mr. Lamar Knudtson Legal Support Group – LT Di Donato Information Technology Department - Mr. Russel Hasley Fiscal Management – Mr. Tim Mcguire Staff Admin Officer – Mr. Thaddeus Marion Inspector General /Security Clearance Processing Manager – Mr. Chad Springberg Command Career Counselor - NC1 Reginald D. Thompson Command Climate Specialist - Mr. Craig C. Beisiegel Family Advocacy Program - ETCS Joseph Atienza Public Affairs Officer – Mr. Matt Mogle Command Safety Officer – Mr. Cody Vanderlois Physical Security/Force Protect Officer - FCC Keith Krum
T LAKES JULY 2014 -NOVEMBER 2016 e
OFFICIAL PARTY REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL S. WHITE Commander Naval Education and Training Command CAPTAIN JOHN B. VLIET Commanding Officer Training Support Center Great Lakes CAPTAIN MARK A. MESKIMEN Prospective Commanding Officer Training Support Center Great Lakes CMDCM(SW/AW) JEFFREY A. KIRBY Command Master Chief Training Support Center Great Lakes LIEUTENANT STEPHEN A. LABUE Chaplain Training Support Center Great Lakes KEVIN FORQUER Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran, ELCA Marysville, Wa
COMMAND AWARDS Training Support Excellence ‘White TS’ CNO Honorable Mention ‘Large Shore’ Personal Excellence Flagship Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic ‘Large Shore’ Personal Excellence Flagship Navy Total Force Retention Excellence LifeSource Humanitarian Service Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, Bob Feller Act of Valor for ‘Peer to Peer’ Leadership
Capt. John B. Vliet was born in New London, Conn. He enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1980 while a Senior at the Morgan High School in Clinton, Conn. Following Recruit Training Command, he completed Gunners Mate Missiles (GMM) “A” School Great Lakes in May 1982. Capt. Vliet’s first sea duty was aboard the USS Arkansas (CGN 41) in May 1982. He returned to Great Lakes in January 1986 as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Gunnery School where he was also named Sailor of the Year in 1987 of Service School Command (SSC). He reported to the USS Yorktown (CG 48) and was selected to Chief Petty Officer in Sep. 1990 and was commissioned in the Limited Duty Officer Program Dec. 1, 1991. He then headed to the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51) in February 1992. Capt. Vliet was a student at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., followed by: AEGIS Weapons System (N21) Action Officer at NSWC, Dahlgren, Va., January 1997; USS Mahan (DDG 72), May 1999; Second Marine Division, September 2003; and Assistant Operations Officer aboard the USS Nassau (LHA 4), October 2005. He also served as: AEGIS Weapons System and Undersea Warfare Inspector at the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek, Va., May 2001; Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) Officer at the Combined Joint Task Force in the Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), September 2003; Information Warfare/Operations (IW/IO) Officer at Second Marine Division (2D MARDIV) in Ramadi, Iraq, February 2005; and Leading Naval Gunfire Officer at Second Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 2004. In July 2008, Capt. Vliet served as the Commanding Officer of the Mobile Mine Assembly Group (COMOMAG) in Corpus Christi, Texas. During this tour, he was the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) of six deployable Mobile Mine Assembly Units worldwide. COMOMAG is considered “Operational Forces Command” and is the only Limited Duty Officer “CO AFLOAT” position/billet in the U.S. Navy. He next served as the Combat Systems Officer (CSO) aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in March 2010. During this tour, the Combat Systems Department received the Green “CS” and the ship received the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle “E” and U.S. Fleet Forces Command “Battenberg” Cup.
CAPTAIN JOHN B. VLIET United States Navy Commanding Officer Training Support Center Great Lakes
Capt. Vliet’s most recent assignment was as the Weapons Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, VA. He led the Ordnance Operations Department on 460 acres of secure geographical area consisting of 42 explosive storage magazines in support of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet specifically; 64 home-ported warships, 4 fastattack submarines, 18 aircraft squadrons and 326 tenant commands. On July 18, 2014, Capt. Vliet assumed command of Training Support Center, Great Lakes, Ill., the largest tenant command at Naval Station Great Lakes, the Quarterdeck of the Navy. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University (Cum Laude); Associate in Science Degree from Tidewater Community College (Magna Cum Laude); and Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase 1. Capt. Vliet’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (6th), Joint Service Commendation Medal (1st), Navy Commendation Medal (3rd), Navy Achievement Medal (7th) and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (10th).
Capt. Mark A. Meskimen, a native of Ely, Iowa, enlisted in the Navy in 1982. Following Recruit Training Command he attended Electronics Technician “A” School Great Lakes. His enlisted command tours included USS Vandegrift (FFG 48); Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Eastern Pacific in Wahiawa, Hawaii; and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). In June 1993 Capt. Meskimen was commissioned in the Limited Duty Officer Program (Surface Electronics). He then headed to USS Russell (DDG 59), as the Pre-Commissioning Electronics Material Officer, completing successful combat operations during Operation Desert Strike. He also served as: Combat Systems Maintenance Officer, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Current Operations Officer and Atlantic Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Force Protection Officer in the wake of 9/11, Joint Maritime Facility, St. Mawgan, England; and Combat Systems Officer, Force Protection Officer, Integrated Training Team Leader and the 3M Officer, USS Essex (LHD 2). During this tour the USS Essex led efforts in humanitarian operations for the devastation from the deadliest tsunami ever recorded in Indonesia. Capt. Meskimen next served as Head Combat Systems Ratings Detailer in Millington, Tenn., responsible for detailing more than 33,000 Enlisted Sailors, balancing fleet needs with Sailor desires. In June 2010 he assumed command of Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes, Ill. where he was responsible for the training and Sailorization of more than 14,000 students annually. He then reported to the USS Carl Vinson as the Combat Systems Officer. While onboard he attained all Green “CS” requirements, completed a workup cycle and CYBER inspection. Upon completion, he was assigned as the Waterfront Operations Deputy, CVN 70 and CVN 71 Project Lead at SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific overseeing all installations. On November 2016, Capt. Meskimen assumed command of Training Support Center Great Lakes. He graduated from Park University (cum laude) with a BS in Management and a Master’s Degree from Wester University in Leadership and Management. Capt. Meskimen’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (5th), Navy Commendation Medal (3rd), Navy Achievement Medal (2nd) and various unit and campaign awards.
MARK A. MESKIMEN United States Navy Prospective Commanding Officer Training Support Center Great Lakes
10 Nov 2016
Dear Training Support Center, It has been an honor and pleasure to serve along-side of each & every one of you in such a Dynamic Team! Youall are the absolute best & brightest our Nation has to offer! Thank you for your unwavering support over the past two (2) years! Best Regards,
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS
This "nautical blessing" evolved sometime during the last century, the joined phrase's precise origin unknown. "Fair winds and following seas" is often extended to a ship or person about to embark upon "its voyage in life," marking the beginning (and not the end) of a journey. "Fair Winds" -The Dictionary of American Regional English defines as a "safe journey, good for tune." An early example of its usage is found in the classic story of the sea, "Moby Dick" (published in 1851), wherein, it's written: "Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward." "Fair winds" is to add on all sails and make your way safely to home. "Following Seas"- This is defined by Bowditch's "American Practical Navigator" as "a sea in which the waves move in the general direction of the heading," and, the movement of the waves on the sur face is matched by the movement of the tide. One literally "sails with the tide." In earlier days, it was the easiest way out of port. "Following Seas" means to get underway as the tide's with you. So to wish that blessing "fair winds and following seas," basically is to say: "Have a safe journey as you proceed out of the harbor, and begin your voyage."