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U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC)

Acting Commander Rear Adm. Kimberly Walz relinquished command of Military Sealift Command to Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson

by Jennifer Hunt
14 November 2025
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is piped aboard during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
SLIDESHOW | 10 images | 251113-N-TF680-1759 Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is piped aboard during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is piped aboard during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
251113-N-TF680-1759 1 of 10
Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is piped aboard during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
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Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks during Military Sealift Command’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks during Military Sealift Command’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
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Laurie Beth Sargent, Human Resources Officer, Military Sealift Command (MSC), listens to remarks during Military Sealift Command’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Laurie Beth Sargent, Human Resources Officer, Military Sealift Command (MSC), listens to remarks during Military Sealift Command’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
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Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), reads his orders during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), reads his orders during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
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Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), right, renders a salute to Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and assumes the role of commanding officer during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), right, renders a salute to Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and assumes the role of commanding officer during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), right, renders a salute to Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and assumes the role of commanding officer during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, prospective Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), right, renders a salute to Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and assumes the role of commanding officer during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy Photo by Ryan Carter)
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
251113-N-TF680-1234 7 of 10
Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy Photo by Ryan Carter)
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is congratulated by Rear Adm. Kimberly A. Walz, Deputy Commander, MSC, after MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marks the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Benjamin R. Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), is congratulated by Rear Adm. Kimberly A. Walz, Deputy Commander, MSC, after MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marks the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy Photo by Ryan Carter)
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Rear Adm. Kimberly A. Walz, acting Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
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Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) - Rear Adm. Kimberly A. Walz, acting Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivers remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marked the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter)
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NORFOLK, Va. - Rear Adm. Kimberly Walz turned over command of Military Sealift Command to Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 13.
 
Walz will return to her position as Acting Deputy Commander of MSC after serving as Acting Commander since Oct. 8, 2025. 
 
Nicholson becomes the 30th commander of MSC after serving as the assistant deputy of Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. His previous Flag Officer assignments included Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two; Commander, Joint Region Marianas, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Task Force West; and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Official for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau.
 
"I am deeply honored to assume command of Military Sealift Command and to join the men and women who keep the Navy and our nation moving across the world’s oceans," said Nicholson. "As we stand aboard one of our newest ships of the MSC fleet, I am amazed at the journey which has taken me from Kings Point to my dream job, leading Military Sealift Command. To our entire team, thank you for what you do every day.  I look forward to serving alongside you, learning from you, and championing the mission we all share.”
 
MSC directs and supports operations for approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, perform a variety of support services, and move military equipment and supplies to deployed U.S. forces. MSC’s workforce includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and reserve military personnel.
 
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