Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) held a change of command ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, April 19.

Capt. Matthew Jackson relieved Capt. Joseph Rehak as commanding officer during the time-honored ceremony.

Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific served as the presiding officer of the change of command.

Brakke described the unique mission of ECRC and emphasized the path Rehak had paved to success by always relying on service standards. He quoted Rehak's often-heard refrain, "It's not Captain Rehak's way. It's not the ECRC way. It's the Navy way."

Brakke presented Rehak with the Legion of Merit medal as an end-of-tour award. Rehak commented on the efforts of the team on the mission.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with a highly professional and truly caring crew," said Rehak. "During my tenure, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center has adapted to the changing global environment in ways that have improved capability provided to the mission and better care for Sailors across the mobilization and individual augment continuum. We are making Sailors first and providing higher mission success in the process."

Rehak's next assignment is to the Pentagon as part of the OPNAV staff. Interestingly, Jackson's previous assignment he served on the OPNAV Strategy Branch staff.

Jackson recognized the unusual nature of ECRC's mission.

"I appreciate the unique nature of ECRC. We will serve over 5,000 Sailors per year who are deployed in support of a variety of Naval, joint, coalition, and special operations around the globe," said Jackson.

He also noted that while he was accustomed to thinking strategically, operationally and then tactically, his philosophy was closely aligned to ECRC's current operating focus.

"I believe in taking care of people first and always. In doing so the command's missions will be accomplished," said Jackson.

ECRC provides processing, equipping, training, certification and proactive family support to ADSW Sailors, Individual Augmentees and provisional units throughout all deployment phases in support of COCOM requirements, contingency operations, or national crises.

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