CAPE MAY, N.J. – The Coast Guard’s only basic training facility, and one of the largest military bases in the region, is scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony, Friday, at 6:30 p.m.
Capt. Owen Gibbons will relieve Capt. Todd Prestidge as commanding officer of Training Center Cape May.
Rear Adm. David G. Throop, the commander of Coast Guard Force Readiness Command in Norfolk, Va., will preside over the ceremony.
Prestidge has been the commanding officer for the Coast Guard’s only enlisted accession point for more than three years where he was responsible for the initial training of nearly 20 percent of the Coast Guard’s more than 40,000 current active duty and reserve enlisted service members.
“Being the commanding officer of the training center has been a career goal of mine and I was proud to have had the opportunity to ensure our newest Coast Guardsmen’s first steps were the right steps,” said Prestidge. “The crew of the training center represents the best that our service has to offer and I was honored to have worked alongside them. I will also miss the Cape May community; however, this is the Coast Guard’s hometown so it will never be far from my heart.”
Prestidge’s next duty assignment will be as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of Human Resources in Washington, D.C.
Some of Prestidge’s notable accomplishments while stationed in Cape May include his work with the Coast Guard Community Festival Committee, which organized the inaugural, and the 2nd annual Coast Guard Community Festival, which celebrated the long and proud history the Coast Guard shares with Cape May County. Additionally, Prestidge was proud to be the recipient of the Coast Guard Civil Rights Senior Leader Award. This award recognized his commitment to a positive command climate and discrimination-free work environment.
Gibbons reports to Training Center Cape May from the Leadership Development Center in New London, Ct., where he served as the Officer Candidate School Chief. He also has an extensive operational background having served aboard numerous cutters, accumulating nearly 14 years at sea, including the CGC Point Francis, CGC William Tate and CGC Willow, where he served as a commanding officer.
"I'm truly excited to come back to Training Center Cape May," said Gibbons. "This community and the Coast Guard are so deeply connected; it’s like no other place I have experienced in my career. I am humbled that my position as the Commanding Officer will have such an impact on the future of our entire service. I am thrilled to be leading the team that will develop our recruits into Coast Guard men and women ready to conduct the Service's front line missions while serving the American public with honor, respect and devotion to duty.
More than 80 percent of the Coast Guard’s workforce started their careers at Training Center Cape May, which is also Cape May County’s largest employer and has an estimated economic impact of more than $173 million annually.
The change of command is a time-honored tradition aboard ships and shore commands. It represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. The core of the event is the formal passing of command in the presence of the entire crew, leaving no doubt as to who has assumed the mantle of authority.
The ceremony will be live streamed and can be viewed by using this link:https://livestream.com/accounts/12683109/events/5616571
Editor’s Note: Media is invited to attend. It is requested that you RSVP your attendance with CWO John Edwards at john.d.edwards@uscg.mil or by phone at 609-898-6362.