NEW YORK - Sailors, staff and guests of Navy Recruiting District (NRD) New York gathered at the Fort Hamilton Army Reserve Center in Brooklyn March 18 to take part in a change of command ceremony where Cmdr. Jason Sticht relieved Cmdr. David Byrd as their commanding officer.
“Today we are part of a time-honored tradition of transferring command of a Navy unit from one officer to the next,” said guest speaker Capt. William Cox, commander of Navy Recruiting Region East.
Between August 2014 and March 2016, NRD New York shipped nearly 2,400 enlisted Sailors to boot camp and wrote 2,700 new contracts.
“I would say that you’ve set the bar pretty high for the rest of the region skipper,” said Cox. “Nice job.”
Cox took the time to speak to the more than 200 recruiters and support personnel gathered in the room.
“As the Navy’s frontline ambassadors to the communities and the schools in your district, you represent honor, courage and commitment,” said Cox. “I say this with confidence, because during station visits I occasionally get to meet some of the future Sailors that you’re working with. They’re always so excited and eager to start their journey and it’s because of your leadership, mentorship and the dignity and respect you treat each and every one of them.”
“You change lives,” said Cox. “And in doing so you ensure our nation’s Navy has the highest quality men and women it needs to meet the mission of today, and of tomorrow.”
After receiving an award for his efforts in command, Byrd took time to address those who he had led for nearly 20 months.
“I learned early in my career that if you take care of your Sailors and their three, what I call most basic wants, they will perform to the best of their ability under any condition, including the changes in recruiting,” said Byrd, a native of Marion, North Carolina.
He called these wants ‘supporting recruiters’ and said he focused on promotions, education opportunities and family time during his tour. He also added recognition and highlighted how members of the district were able to gather most months and see each other being presented awards.
“I just want to reemphasize the strides and success this district has had; from in the top five in August of 2014, to number one of 13 recruiting districts in the east coast for an entire year,” said Byrd. “That is monumental!”
Byrd said the successes NRD New York had over adversity took the hard work and dedication of his Sailors and the recruiting processing staff, as well as the sacrifice of their families at times.
Byrd joined the Navy 31 years ago and advanced through the enlisted ranks to become a chief petty officer prior to being selected for officer through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1994. Prior to his command in New York, he completed tours at sea on frigates and destroyers, and time ashore with the Naval War College and U.S. Special Operations Command.
“As I depart for my last tour in the finest service, I remind all of you of the most important building block of command and control and successful organization; in this service or any other,” said Byrd. “And that is of trust, and the absolute necessity to build it, earn it and give it to those you lead and whom lead you.”
After assuming command, Sticht, from Minneapolis, Minnesota and a graduate of Burnsville Senior High School, thanked Byrd for his dedication and commitment during his time as commanding officer.
“Today I assume the responsibility of commanding officer,” said Sticht. “The moment the commodore put my command pin back into position, I again became intimately familiar with the feeling and weight of command.”
Sticht said he could feel the heavy weight of responsibility, the true gravity of the moment and the clarity of task as he stood in front of the command and ceremony guests.
“Every member of this command matters to me,” said Sticht.
Navy Recruiting District New York was established in 1972 to help create an all-volunteer naval force and consists of 40 recruiting stations covering an area of 7,700 square miles.