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Command, career end on a high note
Buduo takes over from Stubits at Indian Head
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by EMILY BARNES
U.S. Navy Capt. Neil Stubits holds his retirement American flag after it was presented to him at his retirement ceremony during the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center change of command ceremony at the Indian Head Village Green Pavilion. Stubits was relieved of command of Indian Head Division NSWC during the ceremony. Seated behind him are U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joseph Campbell, left, and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. James Shannon.
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On Friday, U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew Buduo III assumed command of Indian Head Division Naval Surface Warfare Center during the change of command ceremony at the Village Green Pavilion.
Buduo relieved U.S. Navy Capt. Neil Stubits. Friday not only marked the end of Stubits' command at the Indian head base, but also his retirement after 27 years in the Navy.
During the ceremony, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. James Shannon, NSWC commander, presented Stubits with the Legion of Merit for his "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commander, Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, Md., from July 2006 to Nov. 2009," as stated in the citation.
While in command, Stubits "realigned the command's safety program and instituted the voluntary protection program … he gained Navy and community support for a new facilities strategic plan that consolidates and improves the efficiency of operations and provides the command with the next generation of energetic system development capabilities."
In his change of command speech, Stubits thanked all in attendance and left people with one thought.
"As I look back on my career … I had the opportunity to interface with almost 16,000 people," he said. "The real important part is that the vast majority of those 16,000 people had a great deal of influence on my success and failures. … I think the message is we are not an island and as managers, supervisors and workers we succeed and fail together with the people around us and the people we interface with. … It is my belief that the interaction with the people is what makes us healthier and stronger as a command and unit."
After the speech, Buduo relieved Stubits of his duties.
Buduo will be the 48th commander of IHDIV NSWC and serve the 49th term.
"I've been very impressed by the energy, dedication and knowledge of the people and the scope and breadth of the programs and research we support," he said."I urge you to remember that all we do is in support of those brave men and women who are either deployed overseas or who will shortly be deploying overseas. Our job is to provide them the weapons, equipment and procedures that will allow them to perform their mission and return home safely."
Buduo, a Massachusetts native, received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physics from St. Lawrence University in 1984 and was commissioned upon graduation from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla., in October of that same year.
He previously commanded the NSWC in Panama City, Fla., from September 2006 to October 2009.
"It's an honor to work in a place with such a long history — 120 years of supporting the nation not only during times of war but also in preparation," he told a reporter after the ceremony.
After Buduo's speech, the change of command ceremony transitioned into Stubits' retirement ceremony.
Chaplain K.C. James, a Pennsylvania native who served with Stubits and Campbell in Norfolk, Va., read "Olde Glory" as retired Army Lt. Col. Bob Wolfenden, assistant vice president for alumni relations from Lehigh University, Stubits' alma mater, presented his retirement flag. The flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol, the state of Pennsylvania, the state of Maryland and IHDIV NSWC.
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