Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes said farewell to one commanding officer and welcomed a new one during a change of command ceremony, July 13, at Naval Station Great Lakes, when Cmdr. Ricardo G. Enriquez relieved Cmdr. Scott Dancer as commanding officer.

Speaking at the retirement ceremony that attracted over 200 spectators, Capt. Frank Castellano, Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) commanding officer, discussed Dancer's numerous accomplishments for the CSCS domain.

"Scott's leadership, motivation, and knowledge enabled him to significantly contribute toward CSCS command-wide improvements in curriculum and instructor standards," Castellano explained. "Vital to Scott and the future of the fleet, he executed the 'Sailor First' mission at CSCSU Great Lakes. Scott told me his favorite aspect of being in the Navy has been and always will be helping his Sailors succeed. Since June 2016, he provided quality training to over 14,600 of the Navy's newest Sailors, drove a 79 percent qualification rate for master training specialist (MTS) which culminated in 101 qualifications, and improved 17 of 23 of his command climate categories. In addition, his endless motivation resulted in 66 enlisted advancements, five personnel selected for the limited duty officer/chief warrant officer commissioning programs, and 24 first class petty officers promoted to chief petty officers."

Fully understanding the important task of training student Sailors who will continue the proud tradition of the Navy, Enriquez stated how privileged he feels to take on the responsibilities.

"Proud, honored and grateful are all the words that describe my feelings on being the commanding officer of CSCSU Great Lakes," Enriquez said. "I understand the scope of responsibility of the command and understand how what we do here impacts the fleet. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a chance to represent those Sailors before they continue on with their Navy career."

Enriquez enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1986, completed recruit training in Orlando, and was promoted through the ranks to senior chief petty officer before commissioning as an ensign under the limited duty officer (LDO) program in 1999.

Enlisted assignments included guided-missile cruiser USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), where he was a plankowner and completed the ship's first deployment and historical port visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; submarine tender USS Holland (AS 32); Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, where he was selected for promotion to chief petty officer; and amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

Assignments following his commissioning included aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Kearsarge; amphibious transport dock USS Trenton (LPD 14); Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2; USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); Headquarters Commandant, United States Joint Forces Command; USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV); and most recently, service as branch head for Navy Personnel Command (PERS)-414, LDO/CWO detailing.

"Commander Dancer and the CSCSU Great Lakes team handed me a well-oiled machine," Enriquez said. "Although, I'm not surprised; the staff is incredibly professional, capable and efficient. We will continue to support the fleet, train and provide the most important asset - our Sailors. We'll make improvements where we need to as a team to ensure we put out the best curriculum to our Sailors, so they can succeed based on the requirements."

Dancer served as commanding officer for CSCSU Great Lakes since July 2016.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the outstanding team of professionals at CSCSU Great Lakes," Dancer said. "They successfully executed over $32 million in capital investments to modernize curriculum, classrooms, and training equipment. They also supported, and continue to support, block learning; Ready, Relevant Learning; and comprehensive review team recommendations and implementations, but the most impressive aspect is that they executed all of this with zero disruptions to training."

Dancer served in the enlisted ranks as a data systems technician and was commissioned under the LDO program, surface electronics designator in January 1999.

Other assignments include USS Ford (FFG 54) as Electronics Readiness Officer, Commander Carrier Group Six (CCCG 6) as Electronics Materiel Officer, USS Momsen (DDG 92) as Electronics Material Officer, and Combat Systems Officer of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
Ashore, Dancer served as the N4 and N6 at Regional Support Organization Pacific Northwest, Naval Recruiting District Seattle as the executive officer, training officer, and officer recruiter, and Naval Ocean Processing Facility Whidbey Island as the N6.

Following a 34-year Navy service career, Dancer will be retiring.

"As of late, I have been telling students at INDOC and graduation that I am envious of them," Dancer said. "Their careers in the Navy are just starting and mine is coming to an end. Enjoy it, before you know, it will be over."

In closing comments, Castellano praised Dancer's Navy career, wishing him success in his future endeavors.

"Scott, I want to offer my personal congratulations to you and let you know that you made a significant, positive impact on the Sailors that you led along with your many shipmates, both officers and enlisted," Castellano said. "Thank you for your knowledge, inspiration, and drive. As your navy career comes to a close, I wish you, Terri [wife], and the entire Dancer family 'fair winds and following seas'. Congratulations shipmate on a career well-served."

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.