Sailors, civilians and contractor personnel at Navy Personnel Command (NPC) recognized the 20th Anniversary of its establishment during a ceremony Oct. 1.

“Manning the Fleet to fight and win while delivering exceptional quality of service for Sailors is the BUPERS/NPC mission, and for two decades this team has delivered,” said Rear Adm. Jeff Hughes, Commander, Navy Personnel Command. “With our eye on the horizon, we are transforming our processes and introducing the right technology to ensure we put to sea the Navy the Nation Needs while enhancing the career experience for our Sailors and their families.” 

The decision to create NPC was due to a 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendation that the Bureau of Naval Personnel move from Washington, D.C. to Naval Air Station Memphis, now known as Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee. The relocation began in mid-1995 and culminated with the establishment of NPC on Oct. 1, 1998.

Navy Personnel Command plank owner Laurie Lee Gschwend, now a human resource specialist working in civilian pay, started working with NPC before the establishment as part of the relocation team converting the future NPC buildings from schoolhouses and classrooms to administrative spaces.  Since the establishment there have been many changes, but the mission doesn’t change.

“We (NPC) frequently change and re-organize, but the mission, it never changes,” said Gschwend. “It starts with taking care of Sailors, making sure the Fleet is manned, and the support team takes care of all. The support people aren’t always in the limelight, but we all work together to accomplish the mission. The little changes happen, but the big thing – the mission – doesn’t change.”

Since standing up in 1998, NPC has gone through many organizational and technological changes, and some external events have shaped the command including the relocation of the Navy Reserve Personnel Center to Millington after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and a flood in 2010.

“The flood of 2010 was so devastating, but it was inspiring to see the Navy community – civilian, contractors and all of the military – jumping in (to help). There were no questions asked -  everyone got on a team and did what needed to be done. I was very proud to be a part of NPC,” said Gschwend, who has served under 15 different admirals during her 20 years at NPC and after a 36-year Navy career will be retiring later this year.  “Military and civilians come and go. We’re one team. The faces change but the mission just keeps going.”

As NPC forges ahead into its next decade, NPC is dedicated to modernizing its personnel system to better support Sailors so they can focus on the mission and their families.

Just last week, NPC launched the MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) Contact Center, providing Sailors enhanced customer service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to better handle their queries and transaction requests.  Launching this major transformation milestone was a great way to close out two decades in Millington, and chart the course for the future.

“There are a lot of different changes in technology and the way we do business taking place,” said Shy Graystreete, an NPC plank owner and Information Technology Specialist for the Bureau of Naval Personnel. “We still meet the mission, but are actively applying our innovative ideas to get things done more effectively and efficiently in the future.  I’m excited for this change and being a part of this team.”

For a more in-depth look at the last 20 years’ impact on the organization and how service to Sailors and units have changed with time and technology visit www.npchistory.navy.mil.

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