In a ceremony filled with tradition, pride and honor, Rear Adm. Robert Sharp relieved Rear Adm. Elizabeth Train as Director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office and Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence, April 7.

"I am truly humbled and honored to be standing here today," Sharp said, "Humbled and honored to be sharing this stage with the impressive iconic group of public servants, who together have spent so many years protecting and defending our nation."

He said he was excited about leading the world-class professionals of the NMIO and ONI.

Sharp previously served as director for intelligence (J2) at U.S. Special Operations Command. Sharp's operational tours include deployments with USS Ranger, Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked on USS Constellation, and Carrier Group 2 embarked on USS Harry S. Truman. He conducted multiple deployments to Afghanistan as a J2 of a Special Operations Task Force, leading joint, inter-agency intelligence professionals supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ceremony attendees included Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare and Director of Naval Intelligence Vice Adm. Ted Branch; and Commander Fleet Cyber Command/ 10th Fleet Vice Adm. Jan Tighe.

Clapper described Train as a truly quiet professional who elevated the National Maritime Intelligence Center to a higher level.

"Liz has shown a remarkable ability to navigate through demanding customer sets," Clapper said, "and more importantly has created a template for others to continue her work and for other offices to replicate in other domains."

Howard praised Train and Sharp for their leadership in Naval Intelligence.

"When it comes to excellence in Naval Intelligence and thwarting adversaries, Rear Adms. Elizabeth Train and Robert Sharp have set the standard for a new generation," Howard said.

Howard called Sharp her "piracy fighting buddy" who has led a distinguished career. He is "a perfect person to build upon the successes already established here at ONI."

"For 31 months, Elizabeth Train has led one of the world's premier intelligence agencies," Howard said. "Over the course of her outstanding naval career, Elizabeth Train has built her temples. We can see that these temples have been built upon three words: collaboration, courage, commitment. You may recognize these as the core values of the national intelligence community. They have defined Elizabeth Train on her journey."

Train said throughout her career, she's been asked what was her best job.

"I have always responded, honestly, the one I was in at the time," she said. "It just doesn't get any better than this."