Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes said farewell to one commanding officer and welcomed a new one during a change of command ceremony held Dec. 19, when Capt. David Dwyer relieved Capt. Edward Heflin as commanding officer.

Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), presided over the ceremony.

“Today is an opportunity to recognize that formal transfer of authority between Capt. Ted Heflin and Capt. Dave Dwyer,” Cozad said. “And Capt. Dwyer, as I told you just before the ceremony, you have an impressive crew of officers, chiefs and Sailors ready to help you take this mission to the next level.”

Fully understanding the important task of training student Sailors who will continue the proud tradition of the Navy, Heflin felt privileged for his time at TSC.

“When I came in two-months ago I really had one goal that I shared with many folks in this room and that was to be value added to this team and to do everything I could during my time here, whether that would be a couple weeks, couple months, or longer, to set this command up for success and to set Capt. Dwyer up for success,” Heflin said “I appreciate all the support and all the great work you have done during my time here. I know Capt. Dwyer is taking over an awesome team and I look forward to continue supporting TSC and be an advocate for the Sailors that we all are focused on developing and delivering to the fleet.”

Capt. David Dwyer entered the Navy via the delayed entry program in August 1984 and attended boot camp at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. Following boot camp graduation, he reported to Service School Command at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., and completed his new accession fireman apprenticeship training. On Sept. 16, 1994, he advanced and was initiated as an engineman chief petty officer. Dwyer was selected for the engineering limited duty officer program on Feb. 1, 1996. He earned a Master’s in Business Administration at the Excelsior College School of Business and Technology.

Dwyer’s officer sea duty assignments include chief engineer aboard USS Chinook (PC 9); damage control assistant aboard USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41); diesel engineering readiness officer in charge in Commander, Amphibious Group Two; chief engineer aboard USS Austin (LPD 4); main propulsion inspector at President of Board and Inspection Survey; and main propulsion assistant and chief engineer aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) where he was awarded the 2010 Commander, Naval Surface Forces Leadership Award.

Ashore, Dwyer served as engineering LDO and chief warrant officer (CWO) detailer in Millington, Tennessee; an individual augmentee as detainee officer in charge at the Joint Information Center, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; commanding officer of dry dock Dynamic (AFDL 6) in Little Creek, Va.; surface LDO and CWO assignment branch head (PERS 414) in Millington, Tenn.; and commanding officer of Surface Warfare Officers School Command Unit in Great Lakes, Ill. He most recently served as the deputy commander at U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, Yokosuka, Japan.

“I chose TSC Great Lakes as the command I wanted to be at; there was no negotiating orders,” Dwyer said. “It is an honor and privilege to be here and I’m looking forward to working with everyone to move that ball down the field. There is a ton of talent here and I understand and absolutely believe in the mission. For now, we have some short term goals of moving Sailors out safely for the holidays, looking out for and taking care of Sailors who couldn’t go on leave, and taking care of yourself during the holidays. Think about what you have done this past year and set goals for the new year, reset your clock, recharge your batteries, and think how you can make TSC a better organization. It is truly an honor to work with you, for you, and alongside you.”

In closing, Cozad addressed the command staff.

"Our Navy looks to you to lead and develop your Sailors into the toughest Sailors in the world; confident and ready when they join the fleet,” Cozad said. “To the men and women of TSC Great Lakes; for your mission – I thank you. You have my full trust and confidence to accomplish your mission with our nation’s most precious asset."

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