YORKTOWN — Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown held a change-of-command ceremony Thursday at the training facility in Yorktown.
During the ceremony, Capt. Scott D. Benson transferred command of the training center to Capt. Scott A. Rae under the supervision of Rear Adm. W.M. “Joe” Raymond, commander of the Coast Guard Forces Readiness Command.
The facility trains Coast Guard members and federal, state and local agency personnel to enhance mission readiness.
Prior to taking command of Training Center Yorktown, Rae served as the Joint Interagency Counter Trafficking Center Director as well as the senior Coast Guard Liaison Officer at the U.S. European Command Stuttgart, Germany.
During the ceremony, Raymond congratulated Benson on a successful tour serving as the commanding officer of the training center.
“Over the past year, he transformed the Coast Guard’s largest training center into a center of excellence, through the creation of community of practice platforms and the implementation of rating apprentice programs to customize “A” schools for the boatswain’s mate and marine science technician ratings, revolutionizing the approach to delivering training by shifting away from the classroom, toward the point of performance,” said Raymond. “His exceptional efforts have enabled the Coast Guard to maintain a high level of operational readiness and carry out all of its 11 statutory missions around the world.”
Benson, who plans to retire from the Coast Guard after 27 years of service, said the women and men of Training Center Yorktown are the most caring and dedicated group he ever had the privilege to serve alongside.
“I am so proud of them and the work they do to ensure mission success in providing our services to our shipmates across the Coast Guard as well as our international partners,” said Benson.
