RADM Jones was recently relieved by
RADM Kilkenny
Naval Education and Training Command Changes Leadership
Story Number: NNS090814-06
Release Date: 8/14/2009 5:49:00 AM
By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) held a change of command ceremony Aug. 13 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
Rear Adm. Gary R. Jones turned over command to Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny.
The training command is the largest shore command in the U.S. Navy and provides training for all Sailors, as well as personnel from the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and students from allied nations.
"The impact of NETC on the Navy is tremendous," said Vice Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III, chief of naval personnel, who served as guest speaker. "Rear Admiral Jones has touched the lives of every Sailor in the Navy today. His dedication to their development has been the driving force behind all NETC has accomplished and his contributions will endure for years to come."
Jones said his tour of duty at NETC was one of the most dynamic assignments of his Navy career.
"I was extremely honored to work with the outstanding professionals at NETC," said Jones. "The stellar work of these people positively impacts the successful mission of every other command in the Navy. I take great pride knowing that every single Sailor in the Navy is a NETC graduate.
"In addition to our Sailors, in fiscal year 2008 we provided the same exemplary learning and development opportunities to more than 33,700 Marines, 2,200 Soldiers, 2,200 Airmen and 2,200 Coast Guardsmen. Reaching out to our allies, more than 12,000 international students from more than 150 nations attend NETC courses annually. Last year we logged more than 615,000 graduations from our courses. Am I proud of our training professionals? You can bet on it!"
Jones is also retiring from the Navy, and guest speaker Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink, chief of Navy Reserve, lauded Jones for his service to the nation.
"Sailor, aviator, strategist, scholar, statesman, mentor and most of all, leader - Rear Admiral Gary Jones has lived a life of service that has defended our nation, strengthened our alliances and educated a generation of Sailors," said Debbink.
"With a career of service spanning four decades, Rear Admiral Jones has touched the lives of tens of thousands of Sailors in a very personal way, and he now leaves the Navy in the capable hands of those he led and trained. Gary and his family have our deepest appreciation and gratitude for all the sacrifices they've made during their years of service."
There have been major changes to Navy training since Jones took command in February 2007. As the Navy's mission evolved, its training evolved as well, for example, NETC's Center for Security Forces developed the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Course that provides Sailors skills on boarding ships and tactics designed to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling; NETC training commands developed and provided specialty training in weapons, security, boat operations and ordnance disposal; The Center for Information Dominance (CID) was tasked with developing training to support deploying personnel with language skills, regional expertise and cultural awareness.
Kilkenny will assume all responsibilities for the Naval Education and Training Command. He previously served as commander of Navy Recruiting Command.
"Rear Admiral KilKenny is perfect for this job," Jones said. "He is passionate about what we do and where we are going. He has been a staunch advocate for education and training throughout his career. He did a fantastic job at Navy Recruiting Command, and I'm sure he will do an equally superb job as NETC commander."
Raised in Philadelphia, Kilkenny is a 1977 graduate of The Citadel, South Carolina's military college. He received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and was designated a naval flight officer in December 1978.
Kilkenny began his career flying the A-6 "Intruder" and later flew the EA-6B "Prowler", F-14 "Tomcat" and F/A-18 "Super Hornet". At sea he served in squadrons, ship's company and afloat staff assignments with attack squadrons, carriers, carrier air wings and carrier battle groups. He has logged more than 800 carrier-arrested landings and 3,500 flight hours in tactical jets.
His flag officer assignments include director, Aviation Plans and Requirements (N780) on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and special assistant for Naval Aviation's Human Capital Strategy on the staff of Commander Naval Air Forces. In April 2005, he assumed Command of Carrier Strike Group 10 on board USS Harry S Truman. In September 2005, he was the Joint Force Maritime Component commander for Joint Task Force Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico. In June 2006, he became commander, Navy Recruiting Command.
NETC is the Navy's premier learning organization whose mission is to educate and train those who serve, providing the tools and opportunities which ensure fleet readiness and mission accomplishment, enhance professional growth and development and enable life-long learning.
The NETC enterprise is comprised of 230 activities and commands and provides training for an average of 35,000 personnel on any given day. The NETC staff consists of more than 19,000 military and civilian personnel around the world with a budget of $1.3 billion.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.
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