Rear Adm. Balisle Tapped as Next NAVSEA Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Phillip M. Balisle has been nominated as the next commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington D.C., according to an announcement made by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on June 11, 2002. Upon Senate confirmation, Balisle will also be promoted to the rank of vice admiral as he assumes command of the Navy's largest systems command. Balisle, a native of Idabel, Okla., is currently serving as Director, Surface Warfare Division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon. He was commissioned in 1970 after graduating from Oklahoma State University. At sea, he commanded the destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 993), the cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Battle Group. He also previously served as NAVSEA's vice commander. Balisle will succeed Vice Adm. Pete Nanos, who is retiring June 26 after 35 years of naval service. NAVSEA's mission is "Keeping America's Navy #1 in the World," by providing the Navy operationally superior and affordable ships, systems and ordnance throughout their life cycle, for today, tomorrow and the Navy after next. NAVSEA manages more than 130 acquisition programs, which are assigned to six affiliated Program Executive Officers and various headquarters elements. The nearly 46,000 NAVSEA team members serve the Fleet in four shipyards, the undersea and surface warfare centers, nine supervisors at major shipbuilding locations and the headquarters.