Rear Adm. Richard A. Brown relieved Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell as commander of Navy Personnel Command (NPC) and deputy chief of naval personnel (DCNP), Sept. 26, at Naval Support Activity Mid-South.

Whitesell temporarily assumed command Aug. 4 and is leaving NPC to take command of Carrier Strike Group 2. Prior to taking command of NPC, Whitesell led the Personnel Distribution Directorate (PERS-4) and prior to that was the Aviation Officer Distribution Division director (PERS-43).

"I've been very fortunate to work the last four years with a dedicated team in Millington," said Whitesell. "These professionals have kept the personnel engine running at high rpm (revolutions per minute). I'm very proud of how they've embraced MPT&E (Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education) transformational initiatives, and responded to Sailor needs while simultaneously ensuring the fleet was manned."

Brown comes to NPC with vast experience in the MPT&E services. That combined with his fleet experience will provide the fleet with the right Sailor at the right command at the right time.

"I look forward to the challenges ahead," said Brown. "As I return to the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education organization, I plan on taking our numerous system modernizations, fleet manning, and Sailor 2025 initiatives forward."

Brown assumed command of NPC after having served as commander of Carrier Strike Group 11. His sea tours include navigator and damage control assistant aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Charles F. Adams (DDG 2); flag lieutenant for Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 12; operations officer aboard destroyer USS O'Bannon (DD 987); operations officer aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55); executive officer aboard USS Mahan (DDG 72); commanding officer aboard USS The Sullivans (DDG 68); and commanding officer aboard USS Gettysburg (CG 64).

Ashore, he served as flag secretary for the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic/Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command; branch head for Surface Commander and Lieutenant Commander Assignments, Navy Personnel Command, Personnel Distribution Directorate; Strategy and Policy Branch head at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs); commanding officer, Surface Warfare Officers School Command and Commander, Naval Service Training Command.

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

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.