| Welcome To The Official Website For The USS RICHARD B. RUSSELL (SSN-687) |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Release Date: 10/18/2004 11:15:00 AM
By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces Public
Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Charles L. Munns relieved Vice Adm. Kirkland H. Donald
as commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMNAVSUBFOR); commander, Submarine
Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; commander, Allied Submarine Command; commander, Task
Force (CTF) 84; and CTF 144 in a ceremony here Oct. 15.
Munns told the Sailors of the submarine force that he looks forward to working with
them in making the force ready to respond to any contingency on a moment's notice.
“I see my role described, more than anything else, as a conductor,” Munns said. “I may
pick the songs and swing the baton to keep us in sync, but let there be no mistake, you
are the ones that make the music.”
“I believe that excellence takes smart people, efficient process and great equipment,”
he continued. “I am here to support you in many more great accomplishments.”
Munns sees the future of the submarine force in its people.
“As John Paul Jones said, ‘people mean more than guns in the rating of a ship,’” Munns
said. “I expect that you, like me, are here in service of our country, willing to do
whatever it takes to ensure our national defense.”
“My pledge to you,” he continued, “is to make us as efficient and effective as possible.”
Munns was previously assigned as Director, Navy/Marine Corps Intranet. He began his
naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1973 with a
Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in physics.
Munns received a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of
Colorado in December 1980 and attended MIT's Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics and
International Relations from September 1993 to June 1994.
His first command assignment was as commanding officer of USS Richard B. Russell (SSN
687) from April 1990 to October 1992. During his command, the ship was awarded a
Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy Unit Commendations and three consecutive Battle "E"
Awards.
Originally from Norlina, N.C., Donald graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1975, with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. He holds a Master's degree in
Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is also a graduate of Harvard
University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.
“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to lead the submarine force for the last
year,” Donald said. “Our ships have deployed in every area of operations throughout the
world, supporting the global war on terrorism.”
Under Donald’s command, the submarine force reached many significant milestones,
including the keel laying of two new Virginia-class submarines, PCU Hawaii (SSN 776) and
PCU North Carolina (SSN 777), and the christening of another in PCU Texas (SSN 775).
“I am confident in the future of the Force, because this country needs what nuclear
submarines deliver,” Donald added. “Whether it is the global war on terrorism, regional
crises like we have in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan or Iraq, or the emergence of another
peer competitor in the decades ahead, the stealth, flexibility, endurance and firepower
submarines bring to the fight will integrate smoothly into the Navy team.”
Donald has been confirmed by Congress to receive a fourth star and will relieve Adm.
Frank “Skip” Bowman later this month as Director, Naval Nuclear Reactors.
COMNAVSUBFOR is the advisor to Commander, Fleet Forces Command on core
submarine isses such as force structure, modernization requirements, training
initiatives and operational concept development. The establishment of COMNAVSUBFOR
improved efficiency through integration of fleetwide practices and creation of a single
voice for submarine readiness requirements, operational and technical needs.
By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces Public
Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Charles L. Munns relieved Vice Adm. Kirkland H. Donald
as commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMNAVSUBFOR); commander, Submarine
Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; commander, Allied Submarine Command; commander, Task
Force (CTF) 84; and CTF 144 in a ceremony here Oct. 15.
Munns told the Sailors of the submarine force that he looks forward to working with
them in making the force ready to respond to any contingency on a moment's notice.
“I see my role described, more than anything else, as a conductor,” Munns said. “I may
pick the songs and swing the baton to keep us in sync, but let there be no mistake, you
are the ones that make the music.”
“I believe that excellence takes smart people, efficient process and great equipment,”
he continued. “I am here to support you in many more great accomplishments.”
Munns sees the future of the submarine force in its people.
“As John Paul Jones said, ‘people mean more than guns in the rating of a ship,’” Munns
said. “I expect that you, like me, are here in service of our country, willing to do
whatever it takes to ensure our national defense.”
“My pledge to you,” he continued, “is to make us as efficient and effective as possible.”
Munns was previously assigned as Director, Navy/Marine Corps Intranet. He began his
naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1973 with a
Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in physics.
Munns received a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of
Colorado in December 1980 and attended MIT's Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics and
International Relations from September 1993 to June 1994.
His first command assignment was as commanding officer of USS Richard B. Russell (SSN
687) from April 1990 to October 1992. During his command, the ship was awarded a
Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy Unit Commendations and three consecutive Battle "E"
Awards.
Originally from Norlina, N.C., Donald graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1975, with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. He holds a Master's degree in
Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is also a graduate of Harvard
University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.
“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to lead the submarine force for the last
year,” Donald said. “Our ships have deployed in every area of operations throughout the
world, supporting the global war on terrorism.”
Under Donald’s command, the submarine force reached many significant milestones,
including the keel laying of two new Virginia-class submarines, PCU Hawaii (SSN 776) and
PCU North Carolina (SSN 777), and the christening of another in PCU Texas (SSN 775).
“I am confident in the future of the Force, because this country needs what nuclear
submarines deliver,” Donald added. “Whether it is the global war on terrorism, regional
crises like we have in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan or Iraq, or the emergence of another
peer competitor in the decades ahead, the stealth, flexibility, endurance and firepower
submarines bring to the fight will integrate smoothly into the Navy team.”
Donald has been confirmed by Congress to receive a fourth star and will relieve Adm.
Frank “Skip” Bowman later this month as Director, Naval Nuclear Reactors.
COMNAVSUBFOR is the advisor to Commander, Fleet Forces Command on core
submarine isses such as force structure, modernization requirements, training
initiatives and operational concept development. The establishment of COMNAVSUBFOR
improved efficiency through integration of fleetwide practices and creation of a single
voice for submarine readiness requirements, operational and technical needs.
| Commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMNAVSUBFOR); commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; commander, Allied Submarine Command; commander, Task Force (CTF) 84; and CTF 144 |
Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Program
Program
