Capt. Joshua C. Himes relieved Capt. Robert W. Witzleb as commanding officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency's Navy Element May 26, in a ceremony at DIA's headquarters on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

In addition to leading thousands of Navy officers and sailors as DIA's Navy Element commander, Witzleb directed the Joint Military Intelligence Training Center and the Academy for Defense Intelligence during his tour.

"Captain Witzleb genuinely cares for the people and the mission," said DIA Director Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, who served as presiding officer for the ceremony. "That's what makes him a premier captain in the Navy." Stewart went on to thank Witzleb's family for being team players and supporting him throughout his time as commanding officer.

During Witzleb's tenure he helped sailors achieve warfare qualifications through an expanded Enlisted Information Warfare Qualification Program and aggressively led the re-structure and execution of the Navy element's annual personnel performance reporting process. The restructuring ensured Navy personnel were properly recognized for their contributions, remained competitive with their fleet-wide peers and dramatically improved the agency's talent recruiting and management.

Stewart also had some friendly advice for the incoming Himes, "Don't mess it up. I want you to advance the football."

Himes, previously the deputy director for intelligence at the Joint Special Operations Command, said he looks forward to reinforcing success and discovering opportunities to move the command forward. He also added that his top priority is to ensure sailors have what they need to be successful.

DIA's mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries and operating environments that delivers decision advantage to prevent and decisively win wars. Nearly 50 percent of DIA's 16,500 employees are stationed outside Washington, D.C., at national intelligence centers, combatant commands, combat zones and defense attache offices worldwide in more than 140 countries.