GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Cmdr. Shaun Fischer was relieved by Capt. Roy Henkle as commanding officer, Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC Great Lakes), during a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Great Lakes, June 27. 

Both military and civilians guests assembled to wish “Fair Winds and Following Seas” to Fischer and his family as he departed after two years in command at SCSTC Great Lakes, and to welcome Henkle as the new commanding officer. 

Rear Adm. Jennifer Couture, commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), was the guest speaker for the event.

“Shaun, you have been a driving force at Great Lakes,” said Couture.  “Since July 2020, you have led and guided a staff of more than 400 military and civilian personnel who have trained over 12,000 Sailors across 22 courses of instruction.  You assumed command during a global pandemic but ensured all four of your schoolhouses continued to train Sailors while also protecting your workforce and their families. Under your watch, Great Lakes has more than excelled. Thank you to you and your team for shaping our future generation of Sailors into warfighters.”
 
Fischer, a native of Ormond Beach, Florida, was presented his third Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding leadership and numerous accomplishments.  He led the planning, coordination, and execution of the Training Support Center Great Lakes’ disestablishment and assumed additional responsibility for more than 2,500 students, 142 staff members, and eight barracks.  His decisive actions enabled continuity of accession level training and ensured the safety and well-being of 3,000 Sailors serving under his command.  Additionally, he oversaw the installation of the Virtual Operator Trainer (VOT) for Operations Specialist (OS) “A” School and Fire Arms Training Simulator, which provide students the opportunity to participate in virtual simulations where they are placed in the same scenarios they will experience aboard their ships.
 
During his remarks, Fischer thanked and attributed his success as commanding officer to his staff. 

“Thank you for your diligence and dedication to the training mission,” he said.  “Your commitment during my tenure cannot be emphasized enough.  SCSTC Great Lakes is critical to the fleet. Preparing the next generation of warfighters with the right skillset and mindset is of the greatest importance and I thank you for what you do each day for our Navy and our great nation.  I am honored to have led and mentored you, privileged to work alongside you, and proud to call each of you my shipmate.”
 
Capt. George Kessler, Jr, commodore, SCSTC, served as presiding officer.
 
“Shaun, you and your team have played a vital role in leading and training our warfighters to fight and win,” said Kessler.  “I wish you and Patricia ‘Fair Winds and Following Seas’ and the best of luck in Yorktown, Virginia as the officer in charge of the Navy Munitions Command.  I know you will continue to support our Navy and our Sailors delivering lethality to the Fleet.”

Kessler also commented on the future of SCSTC Great Lakes under new leadership.

“Roy, welcome back to the SCSTC domain,” he said.  “I am confident that you will continue to build upon the accomplishments of the SCSTC Great Lakes team ensuring our Sailors have the tactical competence and proficiency needed to execute the mission across the spectrum of operations in today’s challenging environment.”
 
Henkle, who is not new to the domain, having served as officer in charge at SCSTC Det Southwest, formerly CSCS Det San Diego, is looking forward to being part of the SCSTC team again.  He recently served aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as the combat systems officer and understands the detailed workings of SCSTC’s global training force. 

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, and one of the two senior 6120s in the Navy, Henkle is ready to train Sailors with an outstanding team. 

“Our job is to train the future of this Navy and I am thrilled to embark on this extraordinary journey with you,” he said.  “I have full confidence in the ability of everyone here to continue to excel at our mission, and I cannot ask for a better team.”
 
Established in 2004, the former Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes was renamed Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC Great Lakes) in November 2021 as part of a large internal realignment effort within the SCSTC domain. 
 
SCSTC Great Lakes trains over 10,000 Sailors annually across 22 courses of instruction in four schoolhouses. SCSTC Great Lakes is responsible for 24-hour supervision, leadership and professional development for over 2,500 students at any given time. Here, Sailors develop their technical knowledge and skills, while continuing to benefit from professional mentoring that will sustain them throughout their naval service. 

SCSTC Great Lakes implements culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a Surface Warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets of building the kill chain and closing the fire control loop.
 
For information about SCSTC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC      
 
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