JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Commander Chadwick Bryant relieved Cmdr. Raymond Drake as the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston's commanding officer during a routine change of command ceremony held at the Red Bank Club at Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station Jan. 12.
"It is a great day and a personal pleasure to recognize the accomplishments of this command under the leadership of Cmdr. Drake," said Rear Adm. Donald Quinn, Navy Personnel Command commander.
Quinn highlighted the accomplishments of NCBC during Drake's tenure including the Base Closure and Realignment expansion of the brig. The $9.8 million expansion included the addition of an 80-bed housing unit, a new Industries Building and a prisoner weight room. Under Drake's guidance, the project was completed ahead of time and under budget.
Drake also oversaw a 100 percent compliance score on the American Correctional Association's Triennial Reaccreditation Audit in 2010. In July, 2011, NCBC received four fleet "best practices" during a Chief of Naval Personnel Inspector General visit and received the highest functional adequacy rating available during the concurrent Navy Personnel Command Operational Readiness Inspection.
Drake's leadership also helped spearhead the NCBC's partnership with Canines for Service, a Department of Labor certified prisoner-trained service dog program that has placed seven prisoner-trained service dogs with wounded service members.
Drake was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishments.
Bryant is originally from Turbeville, S.C., and received his commission as an ensign in 1993 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Additionally, he has earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Jacksonville University and a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
A Surface Warfare Officer, Bryant has served on several ships, both in the U.S. and overseas. He has served as the NCBC executive officer since June 2010.
"I am both proud and excited to have the great fortune to be the commanding officer of NCBC," Bryant said. "It is a highlight of any officer's military career to assume command; however, to be able to take command of this successful team of multi-service active duty military, government civilians and contractors is truly an honor."