Navy Recruiting Command Holds Change of Command

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 7, 2026)— Navy Recruiting Command held a change of command ceremony in Millington, Tennessee, Aug. 7, marking the transfer of leadership from Rear Adm. James Waters to Rear Adm. Forrest Young.

Young assumed leadership of the Navy's nationwide recruiting enterprise following Waters' nearly 28-month tour, during which the command reversed recruiting challenges and achieved consecutive years of historic recruiting success.

Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, presided over the ceremony, which brought together Sailors, civilians, family members, and colleagues from across Recruiting Nation and the Fleet to celebrate the change of command, a time-honored Naval tradition.

Vice Adm. Jefferey Czerewko, Chief of Naval Personnel, was the guest speaker. "Recruiting repeatedly demanded decisions that crossed boundaries among manning, medical standards, waivers, policy, resources and accession requirements,” said Czerewko. “[Waters] never treated those seams as someone else’s problem. I gave him room because he had earned trust. He used that trust to give room to the people below him. That is how authority should work in a fighting organization: leaders establish intent, understand risk, remove barriers and trust trained people to execute."

Under Waters’ leadership, Navy Recruiting Command fundamentally transformed how it recruits America's next generation of Sailors. By leveraging data-informed decision making, streamlining accession processes, removing unnecessary barriers, modernizing recruiter tools and strengthening partnerships across the Fleet, the command recovered from historic recruiting shortfalls to achieve record production.

During his tenure, Navy Recruiting Command exceeded its Fiscal Year 2025 active-duty enlisted recruiting goal and followed that achievement by identifying enough Future Sailors to meet the Fiscal Year 2026 shipping requirement months ahead of schedule. The command also rebuilt the Delayed Entry Program, significantly reduced medical waiver processing timelines, modernized recruiter technology, and strengthened operational readiness across its nationwide recruiting force.

His parting words to Recruiting Nation were ones of inspiration.

"To Recruiting Nation – keep asking ‘why’,” said Waters. “Keep removing barriers. Keep trusting one another. Keep investing in excellence. Never lose sight of the young American sitting across the desk from you because that young person may someday command a submarine, lead a carrier strike group, treat wounded Marines, or stand where one of us stands today. You never know whose life you are changing.”

With the assumption of command, Young brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job having served in various operational and leadership roles including most recently asCommander, Carrier Strike Group Eight.In accepting command, Young expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Recruiting Nation and build upon thestrong foundationestablishedby his predecessor.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join this exceptional team," said Young. "Our strength lies in our teamwork and the trust we build with one another. Trust enables initiative, honest communication, and allows us to adapt to our operating environment. I look forward to earning your trust.”

Navy Recruiting Command consists of 26 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups, two Navy Recruiting Regions, five Reserve Talent Acquisition Groups, Navy Recruiting Reserve Command and more than 5,000 Sailors, civilians and contractors serving across the United States and around the world. The command is responsible for recruiting the diverse, highly qualified men and women who will serve as the next generation of America's Navy.

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