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Promotion Means Second Change of Command at CNI/NMITC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090815-01
Release Date: 8/15/2009 12:31:00 AM

By Cathy Heimer, Naval Air Station Oceana Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Center for Naval Intelligence (CNI) and the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Center (NMITC) at Dam Neck Annex held a change of command ceremony at the Dam Neck theater Aug. 7.

For the second time in 11 months, CNI and NMITC changed command because of the commanding officer's selection to flag rank.

Capt. Elizabeth Train, selected for rear admiral, turned over command of CNI and NMITC to Capt. Donald Darnell.

"Clearly with two captains in charge of this organization who then were selected for flag, it shows you the commitment of the senior officers in the U.S. Navy of placing our very best professionals in command of the training center," explained Director of Naval Intelligence, Vice Adm. Jack Dorsett.

Train's predecessor at CNI and NMITC, Rear Adm. Norman Hayes was promoted to flag rank last year and turned over command to Train in September 2008.

The change of command also marks the first time an information warfare officer will command CNI and NMITC.

Darnell comes to NMITC after a tour at the Office of Chief of Naval Operations as the executive assistant to Dorsett. Since his commissioning through Officer Candidate School in 1987, Darnell has also served tours as the flag cryptologist for commander, Carrier Group 3; head of the Information Operations Support Branch; executive assistant to the director of intelligence at the U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii; fleet information operations officer at 3rd Fleet and command of the Navy Information Operations Command at Misawa, Japan.

During her short command tour, Train achieved many successes and those accomplishments earned the praise of Dorsett, who served as the guest speaker and has known Train for nearly 15 years of her 26-year career.

Train was presented the Legion of Merit by the ceremony's presiding officer, Rear Adm. Arnold Lotring, chief operating officer, Naval Education and Training Command. Her next tour will be as the intelligence officer for the U.S. Pacific Command, located at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

Train began by thanking Dorsett for his confidence in her and the opportunity to lead such an important mission with an exceptional staff.

"I'm pleased to report that in our mission areas, we are contributing to the Navy's success," said Train.

During his brief remarks, Darnell presented three challenges to those at his new command, which he referred to as "the cradle of naval intelligence."

"Number one – continue your focus on the fleet and on the Corps. Number two – continue to integrate innovative learning technologies and finally, continue to develop yourselves both personally and professionally. The demand for world class intelligence professionals is increasing and together, we will meet that challenge," said Darnell.

For more news from Naval Air Station Oceana, visit www.navy.mil/local/oceana.