(NEWPORT,
R.I) Command Master Chief Richard G.
Curtis, Jr., a son of Punta Gorda, Florida resident was relieved as Director of the
Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) by Command Master Chief Delbert Terrell, Jr.,
during a change of charge ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island on Nov. 17.
During the ceremony, Curtis reflected on
his time as SEA Director.
As
the SEA Director, he prepared senior enlisted leaders with a solid understanding of national security
strategy, joint force operations, and leadership skills with a constant focus
on ethics, flexibility and mission accomplishment in a global environment.
The mission of the SEA is to further develop senior
enlisted leaders to give sound decision-support in command, staff, management
and leadership positions in naval, joint and multinational environments.
According to Navy
officials, the academy has been successful in preparing senior enlisted leaders
for positions of greater responsibilities since 1981. It is the Navy's
only professional military education (PME) institute for the senior enlisted
force. With the capacity to support more than 1,300 students annually, active
and reserve personnel attend the SEA from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Army
National Guard, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, as well as international service
partners.
SEA is the Navy’s premier academic institution in
educating today’s Senior Enlisted Leaders for tomorrow's 21st century
global challenges.
“The Senior Enlisted Academy is an extraordinary
institution that prepares our senior enlisted personnel for demanding
assignments leading our enlisted cadre while providing unmatched expertise and
mentorship to the other command leadership,” said Rear
Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, commanding officer of the Board of Inspection and
Survey (INSURV). “ Master Chief Petty Officer Curtis
superbly led this academy, and implemented significant improvements to the
curriculum and the quality of instruction."
The change of charge ceremony is rich in naval
tradition. The turnover of a Navy command is the formal passing of
responsibility, authority, and accountability from one director to another.
Curtis’ previous duty assignments include four Ohio ballistic
missile submarines: USS Pennsylvania, USS Maryland, USS Rhode Island and USS
Maine. He also served at Submarine Squadron 20, Submarine Group 8, and U.S.
Fleet Forces Command’s Chief Petty Officer Training Team.
During
the ceremony, Curtis was presented the Legion of Merit for his remarkable accomplishments and exceptional
leadership.
Previous
awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps
Medals and six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Throughout his career, Curtis earned three degrees. In
2001, he received an associate’s in applied science from the University of
Maryland University College. In 2009, he completed his bachelor’s of science in
adult education from Valdosta State. In 2016, he earned a master’s degree in
strategic leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia; where he
is currently pursuing a doctorate with an estimated graduation date of August
2018.
**See links
below for additional photos**
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/37656374625/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/38543827241/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/37656433445/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/24671634168/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/38487813576/in/dateposted-public/