PORT HUENEME, Calif. (June 18, 2020) – Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 held a change of command ceremony in which Capt. Matthew Riethmiller, a native of Columbus, Ohio, relieved Capt. David McAlister, as Commander, NCG 1, on Naval Base Ventura County, June 18.
 |
| Capt. David H. McAlister, out-going commodore, passes the flag to in-coming commodore, Capt. Matthew C. Riethmiller, right, during change of command ceremony. |
In a traditional NCG 1 change of command, companies of the Group’s ten subordinate units would parade the grinder with colors of their commands. Today however, the ceremony was much simpler without the usual pomp and circumstance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no subordinate units participated in the traditional way, instead witnessing the entire event via livestream along with hundreds of other Sailors, Seabees, and civilians using social media platforms.
The change of command was solidified by the passing of the unit’s colors from McAlister to Riethmiller, a tradition amongst Naval Construction Force units.
After the passing of the colors, Riethmiller addressed his command of over 4,700 personnel to include civilian and contractors, via social media for the first time as their new commanding officer.
“Ceremonies are about celebrating heritage, which is important, we will never ask our Seabees and their families to sacrifice when unneeded.” said Riethmiller. “Today’s ceremony, while one of the strangest that I have taken part in, serves at the foot of those people and protects our members and their families.”
Riethmiller, a graduate of The Ohio State University, began his naval career as the Assistant Public Works officer of Naval Air Station Mississippi. His pervious duties include: Company Commander, NMCB 3; Aide to the Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division; Assistant Public Works Officer, Norfolk Naval Station; Operations Officer, NMCB 11; Energy Action Officer, Chief of Naval Operations Shore Readiness Division; Assistant Operations Officer and Integrated Product Team Blue lead, NAVFAC Washington; Public Works Officer, Naval Base Coronado Complex; Commanding Officer, NMCB 5; and Operations Officer, NAVFAC Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.
Riethmiller finished his speech with a look ahead, “My philosophy is simple. Be the best at the thing the free world needs the most. How do we do that? By serving one boss: not me, not the admiral and not the Pacific Fleet, but instead the second class petty officer, the crew leader, or the fire team leader. Those sailors and their people will build everything our nation needs to defend and defeat the evil in the Pacific.”
NCG 1 prepares Pacific Fleet Naval Construction Force (NCF) units to conduct expeditionary and deliberate construction in support of Combatant Commanders and warfighter requirements. They do this through combat and construction training; equipment and maintenance training; and the logistical and mobilization support of their subordinate units.
NCG 1 exercises administrative control over ten U.S. Navy construction units.