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Navy Reserve Forces Command Holds Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081110-02
Release Date: 11/10/2008 5:48:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Hill, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command Public Affairs

NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- Navy Reserve Forces Command held a change of command ceremony Nov. 6.

Rear Adm. John Messerschmidt relieved Rear Adm. Lothrop S. Little during an official ceremony held aboard Navy Support Activity.

Little's departure from Navy Reserve Forces Command will be temporary. He will mobilize for a one-year individual augmentation to Iraq as deputy commander of Joint Task Force 134, which oversees some 19,000 detainees in the country.

Little addressed the staff about his replacement and his eventual return.

"I think all of you have done a great job working for our Reserve Force, working for our Navy and working for our nation," Little said in his speech to the assembled staff. "Keep doing the job you're doing. Give [Messerschmidt] your full support. I've appreciated you, and I plan on working with you again."

Messerschmidt takes Little's post with experience as the deputy chief of Navy Reserve.

Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Dirk J. Debbink spoke at the ceremony about Messerschmidt's capabilities to lead his new command.

"[Messerschmidt] is the right man for the job," Debbink said. "I'm proud of him for stepping in. We'll continue to provide strategic depth towards the future of the U.S. Navy. We have an opportunity to implement the continuum of service we're currently working on."

After relieving Little, Messerschmidt spoke about his predecessor and about the command left under his command.

"I just assumed command of an outstanding Navy organization with outstanding people who do outstanding work," Messerschmidt said. "That's due in large part to Rear Admiral Little's leadership. I am honored, humbled and privileged to be standing here as commander of the Navy Reserve Force."

One of Messerschmidt's most immediate tasks will be the command's move from New Orleans to Norfolk.

Little spoke to the staff about its ability to handle this task under their new commander.

"You've been mastering the move up to Norfolk," Little said. "Each person in the staff knows their job. No one needs to be micro-managed."

Debbink awarded Little the Legion of Merit Medal during the ceremony, gold star in lieu of his third award.

Commander Navy Reserve Forces Command is scheduled to move to Norfolk by mid-2009.

For more news from Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrf/.