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TOP PRIORITY

New Leader at CNIC

ice Adm. Mary M. Jackson re- initiative goes beyond the call of
Vlieved Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith duty and his leadership is above
at a change of command ceremony for reproach.”
Commander, Navy Installations Com- Smith, a native of Green’s
mand (CNIC), on March 31, 2017, at Farm, Conn., received his
the Washington Navy Yard. commission from the U.S. Na-
The ceremony included the pre- val Academy in 1983 and was
sentation of colors by the U.S. Navy designated a surface warrior of-
Ceremonial Guard color guard, the na- ficer in 1985. His career includes Jackson Smith
tional anthem by the U.S. Navy Band, service aboard five surface
and remarks from guest speaker Chief of combatants and five shore assignments, tions Command,” she said. “What we
Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson. including serving as deputy executive do affects the lives of so many military
“While here, I’ve witnessed firsthand assistant to Commander in Chief, Allied personnel, civilian employees, retirees
the tremendous dedication of our civilians Forces, Southern Europe/Commander in and their families around the world,”
and sailors who support the fleet, war- Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, with Jackson said. “It will be a privilege and
fighters and their families,” said Smith. additional support to the Joint Forces an honor to continue to serve.”
“It has been one of the greatest honors of Commander, Operation Allied Force and Jackson is a native of Wimberley,
my life to serve the Navy as commander, Commander, Joint Task Force Noble An- Texas. She received her commission from
Navy Installations Command.” vil during NATO’s operations in Kosovo. the Naval Academy in 1988, and was
Smith served as the head of the He also served at the U.S. Naval designated a surface warfare officer in
Navy’s entire shore infrastructure for Academy as 4th Battalion officer and 1989. Jackson holds a graduate degree
approximately two and a half years and Plebe Summer officer in charge. His pre- from George Washington University in
was the fifth commander of CNIC since vious command tours include the guid- engineering management, and is quali-
the command’s inception in 2003. CNIC, ed-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans fied as a joint specialty officer.
also known as the Navy’s Shore Enter- (DDG 68), Naval Base San Diego, Navy Her career includes service aboard
prise, includes 11 regions, 71 installations Region Hawaii, Naval Surface Group five surface combatants and various shore
and 912 special areas, which include Middle Pacific, Navy Region Southwest, assignments. Jackson commanded USS
transmitter sites, missile ranges, schools, and Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. McFaul (DDG 74) and Naval Station
naval magazines and fuel storage sites on “It’s important to understand our Norfolk. Most recently, she served as
nearly 1 million acres of land. The Shore CNIC mission,” said Smith. “We de- Commander, Navy Region Southeast,
Enterprise is staffed by approximately liver shore-based products and services headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., prior
53,000 military and civilian personnel to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter to taking command of Navy Installations
around the world. and support the family. This effort di- Command.
rectly contributes to Admiral Richard-
SMITH COMMENDED son’s vision for maintaining maritime Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, center, commander
Richardson commended Smith for his superiority.” of Navy Installations Command (CNIC), de-
dedicated service while serving as com- livers remarks during the CNIC change of
mander of Navy Installations Command. JACKSON WELCOMED command ceremony onboard the Washington
“I take tremendous pride in the ex- Smith welcomed Jackson as the Navy Yard. With Smith are, from left, Rear
ceptional job Smith has done as CNIC,” incoming commander, who said she is Adm. Charles Rock, commandant of Naval
said Richardson. “I asked him to stay in delighted to be in Washington as the District Washington; Chief of Naval Opera-
the Navy and serve on my staff as deputy new CNIC. tions Adm. John Richardson; Vice Adm. Mary
chief of naval operations for fleet readi- “I am humbled to represent the ded- Jackson; and CNIC chaplain Capt. Gary Clore.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class
ness and logistics, because his personal icated professionals of Navy Installa- Taylor N. Stinson)

4 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2017