Steindl assumes command of Naval Service Training Command

In a traditional naval ceremony held in front of USS Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Rear Adm. David F. Steindl took command of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) from Rear Adm. Clifford S. Sharpe yesterday. The Commander of Naval Education and Training (NETC), Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
    NSTC oversees all initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, with the exception of the officers produced by the U. S. Naval Academy (USNA). This training includes the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at more than 150 colleges and universities that either host NROTC units or have cross-town enrollment agreements with a host university. NSTC also oversees Officer Training Command (OTC) in Newport, R.I., Recruit Training Command (RTC) at Great Lakes, as well as the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) citizenship development program at more than 630 high schools worldwide.
    During Sharpe's tenure, NSTC completed a 12-year, $770 million overhaul at RTC. At OTC, Officer Candidate School (OCS) was revitalized with major changes to curriculum, ensuring OCS training was consistent with what is currently being taught at the USNA and in the NROTC units. Officer candidate class size was balanced throughout the year in order to give senior officer candidates an opportunity to develop leadership skills while guiding and mentoring more junior classes. This early leadership experience gives the officer candidates a better grasp on the challenges and opportunities they will have as ensigns in the fleet.
    NSTC helped reinvigorate the NROTC program with the introduction of two new units at Tuskegee University and Arizona State University, as well as the development of a new cyber-option NROTC scholarship program. The cyber-option scholarship program is a key part of a comprehensive Navy strategy to attract, recruit and develop elite cyber professionals needed to operate securely and effectively in cyberspace.
    NSTC also has continued to refocus new midshipmen into math, technology and science degrees. In NJROTC, NSTC has continued to emphasize citizenship and leadership development with more leadership academies at various Navy bases around the country and the holding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Seminars, or STEM Camps, at numerous universities across the nation.
    Several NSTC programs or organizations were recognized in three prestigious civilian awards during Sharpe's command. NSTC was recognized with a 2010 annual American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Award in May. NSTC training initiatives played a part in NETC being presented with a Best Practices and Outstanding Initiatives Award at this year's February Training 2010 Conference & Expo in San Diego.
    Just recently, RTC was presented with an Honorable Mention in the prestigious 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility Aug. 5 in Chicago.
    "It has been an honor and privilege to be the commander of Naval Service Training Command," Sharpe said.
    "I continue to be amazed by the more than 44,000 civilians that volunteer to serve in our Navy, the more than 1,000 NROTC midshipmen that are commissioned each year, and the 2,500 new officers produced by Officer Training Command (OTC) in Newport."
    Sharpe said the credit for NSTC's successes goes to the men and women assigned to each command or program, especially those in charge of molding and turning those civilians into sailors.
    "There is a reason why the enlisted recruit division commanders, drill instructors and staff officers are considered the 'best of the best,' because, simply put, they are. These dedicated instructors, mentors and sailors work tirelessly 24 hours, seven days a week and 365 days every year to insure we are sending the best possible sailors to the fleet. They are the real credit to the successes of NSTC," he said.
    "We are continuing to work hard to develop the technologies and curriculum to keep up with the current state of the fleet. We have seen exciting benefits to our training with the addition of computer simulators coupled with follow-on training. I'm confident under the direction of Rear Adm. Steindl that NSTC will strive for continuous improvement in training techniques and procedures."
    Sharpe will report as commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, embarked on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
    "Rear Adm. Sharpe, your legacy here at NSTC is an exceptionally skilled force which is working throughout the fleet to support operations. Navy Training enables the successful execution of the Maritime Strategy. Rear Adm. Steindl, your challenge is to continue to provide the formidable maritime force our fleet requires to successfully defend and preserve this nation," Kilkenny said.
    Steindl, from Stillwater, Okla., reports to NSTC following assignment as the director of the Surface Officer Distribution Division in Millington, Tenn.
    Steindl received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Following graduation he served as damage control assistant and main propulsion assistant in USS Crommelin (FFG 37), propulsion plant examiner for the Pacific Fleet Propulsion Examining Board, engineer officer in USS Cowpens (CG 63), executive officer in USS Ross (DDG 71), commanding officer in USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), and commander, Destroyer Squadron 7. During his command tour, John Paul Jones (DDG 53) was awarded the 2001 Spokane Trophy and the 2001/2002 USS Arizona Memorial Trophy. Steindl served as Sea Combat commander during USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group's maiden deployment to the Arabian Gulf. He has completed one Mediterranean and six Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployments, including Tomahawk Land Attack Missile strikes in support of Operations Southern Watch, Allied Force/Noble Anvil and Enduring Freedom.
    Assignments ashore include serving as the flag aide to the commander in chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, assistant captain detailer in the Surface Officer Distribution Division, Special Actions Division chief in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff, and executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy (installations and environment). He holds a master of arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.