Rear Adm. Kristin Aquavella assumed command of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) from Rear Adm. Matt Ott in a ceremony aboard NSA Mechanicsburg, Aug. 2. Rear Adm. Kenneth W. Epps (right), commander, NAVSUP/Chief of Supply Corps, presided over the ceremony and provided guest speaker remarks. (Christopher Previc/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Kristin Acquavella became the first female commander of the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Support System during a change-in-command ceremony in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on Friday. She follows retiring the previous commander, Rear Adm. Matthew N. Ott, who is retiring after more than 30 years in the Navy.
NAVSUP WSS is the organization responsible for supplying the Navy and Marine Corps, keeping them “mission ready” at all times, according to its website. The organization operates in Philadelphia, Mechanicsburg and Norfolk, Va.
“I am fired up to be back with this great workforce, and it is a true privilege to work with you and for you in delivering combat readiness to our Fleets,” said Acquavella.
Rear Adm. Kristin Acquavella. (U.S. Navy)
Acquavella earned her commission through the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corp program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated from in 1993. She also studied in the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Executive Education Program and holds a master’s degree in management from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Acquavella commented on the organization’s mission during the change-in-command ceremony, “Our ability to surge and sustain the fleet to win in an away game is why we are the best Navy in the world!”
She previously served as a supply officer on the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Vella Gulf, USS Carl Vinson, USS Brunswick and in Iraq as a contracting officer.
Over her career, she has received numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service, Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation, Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement medals.
Rear Adm. Kristin Aquavella assumed command of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) from Rear Adm. Matt Ott in a ceremony aboard NSA Mechanicsburg, Aug. 2. Rear Adm. Kenneth W. Epps (not pictured), commander, NAVSUP/Chief of Supply Corps, presided over the ceremony and provided guest speaker remarks. (Christopher Previc/U.S. Navy)
