NAVAL SUPPORT FACILITY REDZIKOWO, Poland (Dec. 3, 2016) – Naval Security Officers are experts in shipboard, expeditionary, installation, and nuclear weapons security. They train their sailors to protect people and assets. From this designator, however, very few make it to the rank of captain.
In fact, only two have had the distinct honor of being selected for captain and only one has been entrusted with all of the authorities commensurate with command. It is only fitting that the Navy’s newly established installation, Naval Support Facility (NSF) Redzikowo, Poland, will tout the first security officer, Capt. Ricky Gilbert, to assume the mantle of command
Gilbert enlisted into the Navy as a boiler technician in 1982. He eventually became a Boiler Technician Chief and instructed steam engineering courses for division officers and department heads in Newport, R.I. From there, he was selected into the limited duty officer program for surface engineering where he advanced to the rank of LCDR and served as Chief Engineer onboard the USS Juneau (LPD 10). In 2004, he was selected for a lateral conversion from engineering to security, where he promoted to captain in 2016 and became the senior security officer in the Navy.
With his unique and extensive experience, he will now command NSF Redzikowo, which will enable the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System, Poland. As a persistent shore presence for the U.S. Navy in Europe, NSF Redzikowo will cooperate with Polish forces to strengthen relationships in order to increase peace and security throughout the region.
“This is a great opportunity to be able to be a commanding officer of an installation,” said Gilbert. “I’m hoping it sets the precedence for other security officers to follow the same path.”
With the extensive skillsets that security officers gain throughout their career, Gilbert says much of their training and experience allows them to be very competitive and if applied correctly prepared to command an installation.
“By the time that our security officers make captain they have the requisite skillsets, and a very solid foundation,” said Gilbert. “I hope I am just the first of many security officers who are given the opportunity for the charge of command.”
During the next year of his command, Gilbert plans to focus a large part of his energy in strengthening relationships in Redzikowo.
“My focus is to continue to build a great Redzikowo team. We have incredible professionals assigned to the base with MDA [Missile Defense Agency], and the Army Corps of Engineers. We will continue to focus on the mission and move forward as one team. Our security forces will train and work with our Polish Force Battalion counterparts to ensure we continue to protect our people and assets. Staying focused on the mission is important, but I will also ensure the men and women of the base experience and appreciate the great culture, the history, and the people of Poland. I want our personnel to look back on this tour and say ‘What an incredible experience! That was a great opportunity and a fantastic tour!’; if I do that, I have succeeded. ”
Lt. Kyle Strobeck, NSF Redzikowo security officer, has a unique connection with his leadership, in that for the first time, he shares a similar security training and background with his commanding officer.
“Having your CO in the same designator is inspiring,” said Strobeck, “and Capt. Gilbert is paving the way for future 6490s to take command.”
During the change-of-command ceremony, Rear Adm. Rick Williamson, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) assured the Polish and American audience of his confidence in Gilbert. Williamson stated that Gilbert has the experience and technical acumen to keep this project on track and to build a strong team to keep the installation safe and secure.
“Capt. Gilbert has experience that makes him uniquely qualified for this assignment,” said Williamson. “He is the United States Navy’s first physical security specialist to be selected for command of a shore installation.”
Capt. Chris Landis, the out-going commanding officer, told Gilbert at the change-of-command how confident he was leaving the command with him. “In my humble opinion, you are the right man for this job, and I am proud to turn this command over to you.”
NSF Redzikowo's operations enable the responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region EURAFSWA’s mission to provide services to the Fleet, Fighter, and Family. To ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia, EURAFSWA provides operational platforms ashore that enable U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where and when they are needed.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.14.2016 04:07 |
| Story ID: | 217633 |
| Location: | NAVAL SUPPORT FACILITY REDZIKOWO, PL |
| Web Views: | 312 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, First security officer CO assigned to NSF Redzikowo, by PO2 Joseph Bishop, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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