Naval Support Activity Washington CO Reflects on Time at Helm

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- As the commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) transitions over to civilian life, Cmdr. David Varner reflects on his tenure as the person in command of six fence lines. Varner understood the responsibility of his new position, as it was also his first shore command.

Before commanding NSAW, Varner served as the operations section head at the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), United States Strategic Command. He was responsible to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for monitoring and providing situational awareness of worldwide U.S. forces and federal agencies.

"When I got here, I was commanding officer of Naval Support Activity North Potomac, and then six months later it was merged with Naval Support Activity Washington, so it became an O-6 major command with an O-5 at the helm," said Varner. "There were some challenges for me, but looking back, I wouldn't change anything. I certainly don't know everything, but I sure know a whole lot more than after I graduated from 17-days of triple-S L [Shore Station Senior Leadership] class."

The Naval aviator and former member of the Blue Angles knew NSAW would be different from his previous billets. While Varner was in command of NSA North Potomac, the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission merger of North Potomac and NSAW took place. Coordinating the merger of the two commands was a daunting task, but Varner said he took it in stride and viewed it as a formative experience, and one of his greatest achievements while CO.

"I think for most folks outside looking in, they might see some accomplishments like the BRAC transfer of Potomac Annex, and when I look back at a tangible accomplishment like that, it was fun and it was hard," said Varner. "But the challenge made it that much more fun. When I came in, we knew we had this transfer coming up. So my team and I briefed Adm. [Patrick] Lorge on our plan, and a year later it was done. I will look back on that as a huge accomplishment because of the scale of it and the level of cooperation it required. But once you got all the right people in a room and you got folks talking, that's when things started happening. And it's those kinds of experiences here that I will remember."

He compared his command here to previous leadership positions he held in the Fleet, most notably while serving as an aviator.

"One big difference I've noticed from being a tactical aviator to command leadership is that when you're an aviator things happen fast, and in an instant you can see the fruits of your labor - did you hit the target or not. But when you get a little higher up and get more responsibility, things happen a lot slower," said Varner. "And when I talk about Potomac Annex and that BRAC, it happened slowly. But the big challenges, when you finally make it through, offer big rewards. And those are the ones you talk about."

Varner credits the open access to leadership and the experience of his staff and the other personnel at NSAW that have made his time here so memorable for him.
"I think it has been confirming that if you go into any job with an open mind, some leadership capabilities, start asking questions, and trust the people on your staff, you'll get through," said Varner.

While he prepares for his upcoming retirement, Varner also reflects on the sense of community that NSAW offered at his last installation.

"In my time here, I've been constantly impressed at the level of service that our personnel provide," said Varner. "The community service they participate in, being able to do more with less, I'm very proud to have lead a command of community-oriented Sailors and civilians who are always willing to donate their time to the region. And I applaud them for that."

The NSAW change of command ceremony will be held at the Washington Navy Yard April 26.

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/ndw/.