Rear Admiral Hughes takes over as NRC commander

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command
Story by Seaman Brandon Martin

Date: 09.04.2015
Posted: 09.04.2015 16:20
News ID: 175336
Rear Adm. Hughes takes command of Navy Recruiting Command

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) bid farewell to one admiral and welcomed aboard another at a change of command ceremony held Sept. 4 at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South.

Rear Admiral Jeffrey W. Hughes relieved Rear Adm. Annie B. Andrews as commander of NRC.

Andrews has led NRC since August 2013 and earned the Distinguished Service Medal for her successful tour as the top recruiter in America’s Navy. During her tour at NRC, Andrews directed over 7,400 officers, Sailors, civilians and contractors in more than 1,477 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations around the globe.

Under Andrews, Navy Recruiting Command recruited more than 62,522 of America’s best and brightest men and women and commissioned more than 4,004 officers into the United States Navy while providing the best accession fit requirements in history.

In a message to the command, Andrews thanked her Navy Recruiting Team for their hard work, initiative and unwavering dedication to the mission.

“Thank you for all that you’ve done, all that you do, and what you’ll continue to do long after today,” said Andrews. “Thanks to you, I have had an amazing tour. Our recruiters maintain, build, and support our Navy of tomorrow. We have the highest quality of Sailors serving today because of what you do every day in those small towns and cities. ”

Hughes is reporting to NRC after a successful tour as Executive Assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98).

Hughes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University. He also graduated with a Master’s of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

With a wealth of experience in aviation, Hughes looks to use his own unique background to help NRC further reach their goal of recruiting the 21st Century Sailor.

“To the recruiting nation, I am honored to serve among you, entrusted to deliver to the fleet our most treasured asset--our Sailors,” said Hughes. “We will move forward with vigor and the energy necessary to meet our Navy’s expectations of us. To be successful, we will be a transformative, learning and agile organization.”

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bill Moran served as the presiding officer for the change of command ceremony and Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michelle Howard gave remarks as the guest speaker for the event.

Also in attendance was Retired Rear Adm. Lillian E. Fishburne, the first African American woman to reach the rank of rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Andrew’s retirement ceremony was held immediately following the change of command.

“I couldn’t be at a better place to end my career where I saw every day America’s best, serving and finding America’s finest to uphold democracy for the future of the fleet and the future of America,” said Andrews. “Rest assured, I know you have the watch!”

NRC consists of a command headquarters, two Navy Recruiting Regions and 26 Navy Recruiting Districts which serve more than 1,477 recruiting stations across the country.

NRC’s mission is to recruit the best men and women for America’s Navy to accomplish today’s missions and meet tomorrow’s challenges.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, visit us on the web, www.navy.mil/local/cnrc/; on our Youtube channel, U.S. Navy Recruiter; on Facebook, www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting; and on Twitter, @usnavyrecruiter.