Photo By Robert Lindee | NSWC PCD commanding officer Capt. Paul Stence Jr. awarded Geri A. Kohler the...... read more read more
To ensure active-duty personnel--including National Guard and Reserve military members--at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) can effectively support the fleet, their health and well-being are paramount. NSWC PCD recently recognized a team member for her exceptional dedication to these service members.
Geri Kohler, NSWC PCD military liaison, manages a wide range of responsibilities for both active duty and reserve military personnel, such as budget forecasting, program funding, and administration of military personnel policy. For her contributions to the command’s military personnel, she received the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Kohler conveyed feelings of shock and humility upon being awarded.
“I was fighting to keep my composure and not turn into a sobbing mess,” she said. “I know the effort that went into the preparation of this award and am so thankful to everyone who made this possible for me.”
Kohler said what she enjoys most is serving the warfighter.
“[As a veteran] I remember what it was like trying to complete the mission, manage a career, and most importantly, family. Their mission is very difficult and sacrificial; most have come from high operational tempo assignments serving our country and are here to decompress,” said Kohler. “It is an honor and privilege to be able to take anything I can off their plate and make things as easy as possible for them.”
In her role, Kohler manages a diverse portfolio, simultaneously fulfilling the roles of Military Manpower, Personnel Force Innovation (PFI) manpower, military pay and personnel officer, military administrative officer, and military educational services officer. In addition to these responsibilities, she oversees budget and financial administration for active-duty personnel. This complex and demanding workload encompasses a wide range of critical functions, all of which directly impact the readiness and well-being of NSWC PCD active duty contingent.
She has also built a robust support system within the command, profoundly impacting those she serves. Service members from the NSWC PCD Dive Locker credits her unwavering support as fundamental to their ability to consistently achieve mission success, exceed safety standards, and execute challenging, high-risk missions. This sentiment was further validated by a recent Defense Equal Opportunity Climate survey, where enlisted personnel participating in focus groups praised her as a critical backbone of NSWC PCD military contingent.
“Mrs. Kohler single-handedly manages all personnel and administrative functions for NSWC PCD's active duty contingent, ensuring their seamless integration and operational readiness, as evidenced by a 98 percent medical readiness rate and nearly 600 mishap-free high-risk diving operations in 2024,” said Capt. Paul Stence, Jr., NSWC PCD commanding officer. “Her exceptional support and meticulous attention to detail, including managing the significant growth of the PFI program, directly contributes to the command's mission success and high safety standards, including a top third percentile ranking for diving safety.”
Through her dedicated coordination across the Department of Defense, Kohler ensures the well-being of NSWC PCD assigned active-duty personnel, allowing them to focus on their mission with the confidence that their careers are expertly managed.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2025 12:41 |
| Story ID: | 501384 |
| Location: | PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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