USA: NAVFAC Welcomes New Deputy Commander

Rear Adm. Paula C. Brown reported for duty as the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) deputy commander and deputy chief of civil engineers, before receiving her second star at a promotion ceremony Oct. 30 at NAVFAC headquarters in the Washington Navy Yard.

NAVFAC is a global organization that manages the planning, design, construction, contingency engineering, real estate, environmental, and public works support for U.S. Navy shore facilities around the world.

“It’s hard to describe how much pride I have serving our country and our great Navy in these challenging times,” said Brown. “I am very humbled by this honor, and I will do my absolute best to help NAVFAC and all the Reserve Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officers under my watch.”

Before coming to NAVFAC headquarters, Brown served as the deputy commander of First Naval Construction Division in Little Creek, Va.

The old adage “coming full circle” certainly applies in this case, as Brown started her Navy career in Washington D.C. as an ensign working for the former NAVFAC Command Chesapeake Division.

A Washington state native, Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., and was a direct commission to the CEC in July 1982. She reported to active duty in Washington D.C. from October 1982 through December 1986. She completed a Master’s degree at George Washington University in January 1987 and subsequently affiliated with the Navy Reserves in 1988.

Her command tours include commanding officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18 from 1999 – 2001, when the battalion was awarded the Pacific Battle E, and commander, First Naval Construction Regiment, Port Hueneme, Calif., from 2003 – 2005. Brown was mobilized as the commander, 30th Naval Construction Regiment (rear) for seven months in Pearl Harbor with the Pacific Seabees, and then served as commander, 30th Naval Construction Regiment (forward) in Iraq from September 2005 to March 2006.

Returning from her Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, she became the commanding officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, contingency officer in charge of construction, then served as deputy chief of staff for Engineering, commander Naval Forces Korea.

Brown also served a six-month active duty tour as vice commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific in 2009. Her first flag officer assignment was as deputy commander, First Naval Construction Division.

She has filled a variety of positions including being recalled to active duty during Desert Shield/Storm and has had staff tours with the First Naval Construction Regiment, 31st Naval Construction Regiment, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18, Third Naval Construction Brigade, Engineering Field Activity Pacific and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters.

A qualified Seabee Combat Warfare officer, Fleet Marine Force qualified officer, and Defense Acquisition Workforce Level III contracting officer, Brown has completed Joint Professional Education levels I and II, earned the Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Battle E, Navy Unit Commendation and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Brown is a registered civil engineer in both Oregon and California and an environmental engineer in Oregon.

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Press Release, November 01, 2013; Image: Navy