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    CENSECFOR Welcomes New Leadership

    Transition of Command

    Courtesy Photo | Capt. John H. Ferguson (left) relieves Capt. Stephen S. Erb (right) as commanding...... read more read more

    NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

    08.09.2018

    Story by Darryl Orrell 

    Center for Security Forces

    NORFOLK – Capt. John H. Ferguson relieved Capt. Stephen S. Erb as commanding officer of the Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) during a change of command ceremony held at the Decker Half Moone Center in downtown Norfolk, 9 Aug.

    The command is one of 12 learning centers within the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC). It provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year.

    There were more than 100 people in attendance that included family, friends, and colleagues to witness the time-honored tradition and seamless transition of command from one naval officer to another.

    Capt. Mike A. Whitt served as the officiating officer and ceremonial guest speaker. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Whitt enlisted in the Navy in 1983 and advanced to the rank of chief petty officer. In 1994, he was commissioned as an ensign through the limited duty officer program and worked his way to the rank of captain and where he now serves as the chief of staff at NETC.

    “I, and many others, cannot thank Scott enough for his role these last few years as commanding officer [of] the Center for Security Forces,” said Whitt. “During a time of significant change on an unprecedented scale, he has been a critical member of the naval education and training team and his steady hand at CENSECFOR will be missed. John, I am pleased to welcome you to take command of this outstanding organization. Coming from a carrier strike group, as the director of operations, you bring a fresh operational perspective—one that we always need to provide the right Sailor with the right training at the right time.”

    On behalf of the President of the United States, Whitt presented Erb with the Legion of Merit. The citation read, in part, “For exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, Capt. Erb focused his efforts on the Chief of Naval Operations challenge of achieving high-velocity learning at all levels. His staff excelled at leaning forward to seek out new methods to enhance the mastery of our Sailors [and in doing so, he] transformed traditional schoolhouse training.”

    Erb stems from a line of family naval heritage and grew up in a Navy family. He is a 1992 U.S. Naval Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Upon graduating, he was commissioned as an ensign and attended the Surface Warfare Officer School before reporting to his first assignment. He also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with distinction.

    “The Center for Security Force is unique amongst the NETC learning centers in the breadth of courses we teach and the number of Fleet customers we serve. Yet the mission remains very simple: We train Sailors to fight to win and return with honor,” said Erb. “When I arrived in April 2016, I joined a team that was world-class at delivering high-risk training to Sailors around the world, but the world is changing faster than ever before. If we are to ensure our Sailors win in the future, we must get ahead of that change.”

    Ferguson, a native of Houston, Texas, is a 1993 U.S. Naval Academy graduate. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. His most recent assignment, prior to assuming command of CENSECFOR, was serving as the operations officer for the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

    “Scott, you’re a big act to follow and in the future, I will do many things to try and clear your footsteps. I know you have done your best to set me up for success and that means a lot and I will do my best not to let you down,” said Ferguson. “To the Center for Security Forces team, I am clearly stepping into a group of professionals who are already moving at high speed, and I believe this is a great time to take command of the Center for Security Forces. I consider it a great privilege and look forward to this next chapter.”

    The ceremony also marks the closing chapter of Erb’s naval career. His career spans 26-years of faithful and honorable service to his country.

    “Whether training at-sea, leading at-sea, or commanding at-sea and then doing it again ashore, serving with distinction, [Scott,] you have touched so many lives through your service,” said Whitt. “You have constantly influenced the generations coming after you. It is an honor for me to stand here today to recognize the impact you have made and to pay tribute to the most important part of your naval career, your family. You have all contributed immensely to the preservation of freedom and peace. On behalf of a very grateful nation, thank you for your many years of service, fair winds and following seas, may God bless you all, and may God bless the United States of America.”

    Erb served on a number of surface ships during his naval career that includes an amphibious dock landing ship, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and three destroyers. Among the three destroyers was USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) in which he served as both her executive officer and then as her commanding officer. Under his command, Erb led Chung-Hoon through two independent and successful deployments to the Western Pacific.

    In addition to his remarkable service at sea, Erb also served at numerous shore commands. These include serving as an intern at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, a battalion officer at the U.S. Naval Academy, and as a deputy chief of staff of Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

    “In many ways my journey has come full circle. I spent four years trying to get out of the naval academy and twenty years trying to get back in,” said Erb. “This is the time when a Sailor going ashore shares the lessons [learned] from his time in service and so I will give it a shot. Never allow yourself be the single point of failure, build trust, and there is only one true effective way I have found to do this and that is others cannot earn your trust, you must give it freely. When presented with an either or choice, pick both—except when you should choose a third choice."

    “Recognize the times when a leader must surge demand. There are times when the leader must listen to his command through the strength of their own will and backed by their own confidence. Nearly every perceived dilemma can be solved by remembering one thing that we all learned at the beginning of our tours in basic damage control--ship, shipmate, self. Loyalty starts at the top; readiness is built from the bottom, and the smartest person in the organization is not the one with the most facts, it is the person with the best questions so ask great questions.”

    In his closing remark, Erb noted that an old adage remains true. He said, “men and women mean more than guns in the rating of a ship” and he went on to express his appreciation to those in attendance, his gratitude to those who were part of his naval journey, and that he looks forward to the next chapter of life.

    The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world that carry the motto “Where Training Breeds Confidence.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.09.2018
    Date Posted: 08.14.2018 22:49
    Story ID: 288775
    Location: NORFOLK, VA, US

    Web Views: 439
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN