Leadership

Captain George A. Kessler, Jr.

Commodore, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Capt. Kessler, a native of Albany, Missouri, received his Bachelor of Science and earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1995. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, is a 2009 graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, and was a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow.

Mr. Brian Parker

Executive Director, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Mr. Brian Parker, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 1998 and was commissioned as an Ensign with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He obtained his master’s degree in Business Administration in 2008 from the University of Mary Washington.

Commander Courtney P. Taft

Executive Officer, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Cmdr. Taft is a native of Dayton, Ohio. She graduated in 1999 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and received her commission as an ensign through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. She completed her Joint Professional Military Education training at the Naval War College while earning her Master of Management and Human Resource from Salve Regina University in 2007.

Command Master Chief Robert C. Laird, Jr.

Command Master Chief, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Command Master Chief Robert C. Laird, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1999 and attended basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion of basic training, he attended Operations Specialist "A" School in Dam Neck, Virginia. He is a proud graduate of the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course Class 20070 and Senior Enlisted Academy Class 179.