Navy Public Affairs Support Element Celebrates First Change of Command

NORFOLK, UNITED STATES

06.26.2009

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Maddelin Hamm 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

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NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy Public Affairs Support Element held the time-honored naval tradition of a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, June 26.

NPASE, the only public affairs unit in the Navy with a commanding officer, bid a formal farewell to Cmdr. Chris Sims, departing commanding officer, and welcomed the promotion of Cmdr. Scott E. Norr from executive officer to commanding officer with a ceremony marking NPASE's first-ever change of command.

"This tour here at NPASE is by far the best, most personally rewarding tour anyone could ask for. I was clearly lucky to have been a part of such an outstanding organization," said Sims.

Sims, a native of Kosciusko, Miss., said he was proud to have worked with such an outstanding community of public affairs specialists.

"Nowhere else does a public affairs officer get the chance to work so closely with as many absolute public affairs professionals," said Sims. "They are the ones who made this such a rewarding tour. Their hard work and going above and beyond to tell our Navy's story is what has made us known on the waterfront."

Sims also had kind words for his successor as commanding officer.

"XO, it's your turn now to take the command the rest of the way. I have no doubt and no one here should doubt either, that this command will be in extremely capable hands under Cmdr. Scott Norr," said Sims. "His operational background, mustang upbringing, and exceptional leadership will unquestionably continue to move NPASE down the right path."

Norr, a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, began his tenure as commanding officer of NPASE by thanking family and friends who attended and expressing his appreciation toward Sims.

"The past two years have been busy; you've turned a loosely knit unit into a top-notch expeditionary public affairs and visual information command," said Norr. "You sir, were the right man at the right time. I thank you for your efforts, dedication and vision. It was a pleasure and honor to work both with you and beside you."

Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, IV, the Navy's chief of information who leads the public affairs community of more than 2,500 active, reserves and civilian communication professionals, spoke at the ceremony highlighting Sims' accomplishments while serving as NPASE commanding officer for nearly two years.

"Being the commanding officer of the Navy Public Affairs Support Element, or NPASE, is no small matter, and I am very fortunate to have had Cmdr. Sims in charge down here for almost two years," said Thorp. "Under Cmdr. Sims' command at NPASE, NPASE had an unprecedented 94% retention rate, 85% warfare qualification rate and 64% enlisted advancement rate. Those numbers are a direct result of selflessness and humility on the part of leadership."

After highlighting Sims' accomplishments, Thorp informed Norr of the "big shoes" he now has to fill.

"The bad news first: You have some mighty big shoes to fill. The good news is that you have the experience, leadership and drive to fill them," said Thorp. "You are ready for this awesome responsibility. This guy has earned his command, and I know he is going to take the great things Cmdr. Sims has done and continue to build."

NPASE was established in December 2008. Originally known as the Fleet Public Affairs Center, the command has grown and evolved substantially. NPASE is unique in that it is the Navy's only public affairs command led by a commanding officer. The command was established to support carrier strike groups and expeditionary strike groups via sea operational detachments, to provide support to regional public affairs offices and to provide contingency support for emergent operations.