New officer takes charge at Millington Navy base

MILLINGTON, TENN. — A new officer has taken charge at the Millington Navy base in West Tennessee.

The Commercial Appeal reports Capt. Douglas H. Walker recently became the commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Mid-South. The base serves as the recruitment and human resource hub for the Navy.

Orders are routed through the installation, which serves not only active Navy personnel but veterans.

“Anywhere there is a sailor, their orders were written in Millington,” said Mass Communications Spc. 1st Class William Jamieson, a spokesman for the installation.

Walker assumed control from Capt. Stephen M. Fimple, who was appointed to the position in 2011.

“I tell you, I could not be happier. It is exciting. It means a lot to me personally … and as a sailor and an officer,” Walker said. “What makes a difference between here and anywhere else in the United States is the community support for the base.”

The base has changed its priorities since it opened in 1917 to serve as an aviation school for pilot in World War I. It now has more than 7,000 enlisted and officer personnel, civilians and full-time contractors. In addition, there are about 40,000 retired sailors in the area, which the base also serves through its human resources center.

“Being commanding officer is generally the pinnacle of their career,” Jamieson said.

Fimple was praised for making the base more energy-efficient during his time there. He plans to move to Washington with his wife and children.

Walker says his biggest challenge will be to continue to provide the same level of services in the face of budget cuts.

“It is a challenge for everybody in the United States, not just me, not just for NSA Mid-South, but is across the board. Now, it isn’t a challenge we can’t overcome,” Walker said.