New Commanding Officer of the Center for Information Dominance Corry Station, Pensacola Florida

Captain Gary Edwards relieved Captain Connie Frizzell (the first female and youngest officer ever to serve) as Commanding Officer of the Center for Information Dominance on 26 June 2009.

Captain Gary Edwards graduated from Fort Valley State College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 1985. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF).

In 1986, he was commissioned a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and was assigned to USS Saginaw (LST-1188). CAPT Edwards later became a Navy Cryptologist and was then assigned in 1991 to the Naval Communication and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS), Guam, as the Communications and Fleet Support Officer.

In 1993 he was assigned to the National Security Agency as the Branch Chief. In 1996 CAPT Edwards reported to Commander, Naval Forces Europe where he was a staff Cryptologist. In 1999 CAPT Edwards reported to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group EIGHT and embarked onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator and Anti-terrorist Force Protection Officer.

In July 2001 CAPT Edwards reported to Naval Security Group Activity, Fort Gordon - Georgia, as Executive Officer. In January 2003 he assumed responsibilities as Commanding Officer. In January 2005 he was assigned to the Joint Staff, J6. CAPT Edwards was then assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Forces Transformation and Resource office.

His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards).

CONGRATULATIONS Shipmate on achieving this SIGNIFICANT career milestone. Remember what Admiral Vern Clark said, "As leaders, we get to define who we are … the greatest responsibility that you have as a leader is that you get to teach the principles and values that we are all about."

And to paraphrase the old training guru ADM Clark once more - "You are the right man, in the right place, at the right time, with the right training to get the job done right." BZ!