JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Cmdr. Carl W. Brobst relieved Cmdr. Brett A. Pugsley as commander Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston during a change of command ceremony conducted aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) on Dec. 8.
The time-honored ceremony marked an end to Pugsley’s leadership of the command. He reported to the brig in Nov. 2014 as the executive officer and then took over the command position in June 2016.
The mission of Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston is to provide the security, good order and discipline, and safety of pre-trial and post-trial prisoners; to retrain and restore the maximum number of personnel to honorable service; and to prepare prisoners for return to civilian life as productive citizens. The Charleston staff consisting of more than 200 Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Army active duty military and civilians.
Vice Adm. Andrew L. Lewis, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations served as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
Rear Adm. Richard A. Brown, commander of Navy Personnel Command (NPC) and deputy chief of naval personnel (DCNP), recognized Cmdr. Pugsley for his service to the organization and presented him with Meritorious Service Medal for his service to the organization.
"Commander Pugsley brought the Charleston brig its ninth consecutive American Correctional Association accreditation, said RADM Brown. This was on top of the daily demands of an organization responsible for the housing, safety and management of prisoners across all branches and ranks of the armed services. Under Commander Pugsley's leadership the brig team provided a positive environment to support rehabilitation through a wide array of life skills training, academic support, individual and group counseling and crisis intervention action where appropriate. The Charleston brig is a superior example of the effectiveness of our Navy and joint team"
Pugsley thanked friends, family and the NAVCONBRIG Charleston’s staff for supporting him throughout his tour at NAVCONBRIG Charleston.
“It has been the absolute honor and privilege of my naval career to serve with you over the last three years, especially as your Commanding Officer. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and comradery. You have made this the most enjoyable and rewarding set of orders of my naval career. I am very proud of what this outstanding command has been able to accomplish as a team,” said Pugsley.
While in command of NAVCONBRIG Charleston, Cmdr. Pugsley led the multi-service Navy Brig through an impressive three years, focusing on the brig’s core missions, readiness and quality improvements. In addition to the Brig earning a record ninth consecutive 100 percent compliance score during the triannual American Correctional Association audit, it also achieved a successful first Prison Rape Elimination Act audit and scored the highest possible ratings during the 2017 Navy Corrections Operational Readiness Inspection. His commitment to excellence led to the Brig being awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Chief of Naval Operations Retention Excellence Award for 2015.
After assuming command of NAVCONBRIG Charleston during the ceremony, Cmdr. Brobst thanked Pugsley and spoke of his plans for furthering the ongoing initiatives and innovation taking place throughout NAVCONBRIG Charleston.
“It’s an honor and privilege to have command of such fine Service Members and Civilians that keep our facility functioning so professionally,” said Brobst. “I look forward to the next 18 months together and doing great things for our Brig.”
Brobst, a native of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, is the twentieth commanding officer of NAVCONBRIG Charleston. He is a 2004 graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida and earned a Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Prior to assuming command of NAVCONBRIG Charleston, Brobst served as the Brig’s executive officer reporting in May 2016. As a surface warfare officer his sea tours included the USS Vicksburg (CG 69), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Underwood (FFG 39), USS Moosbrugger (DD 980) and before his commission in 1997 through the Seam-to-Admiral Program, he served aboard the USS Doyle (FFG 39) and USS Milwaukee (AOR 2).
Following the ceremony, Pugsley retired from the Navy after serving 20 years, including three as the NAVCONBRIG Charleston commander.
“He was honored to serve twenty years as an aviator in the United States Navy and would do it all over again,” said Pugsley. Thank you all for coming and God Bless”
For more new from Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, visit the NAVCONBRIG Charleston website: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/correctionprograms/brigs/charleston/Pages/default.aspx