USS Stout Holds Change of Command
11 June 2021
NAVSTA NORFOLK -- Cmdr. Rich Eytel was relieved by Cmdr. Tammy McCreary as commanding officer of USS Stout (DDG 55) during a ceremony at the museum battleship USS Wisconsin, in downtown Norfolk, June 11.
The socially-distanced, intimate ceremony included close family and friends and was live streamed on the Stout’s Facebook page for loved ones unable to attend.
Eytel assumed command of Stout in February 2020. Under his leadership, Stout surpassed the previous Navy record of 206 days at sea, reaching 215 consecutive days at sea due to operational requirements and the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. In doing so, the West Orange, N.J., native expertly maintained Sailor morale, proficiency, and operational readiness during a novel and strenuous deployment through the 2nd, 5th, and 6th Fleets.
During its record-breaking deployment, Stout completed the Navy’s first-ever mid-deployment voyage repair period, something usually accomplished during a port visit. With Eytel at the helm, the ship earned the ‘Battle E’ award from Destroyer Squadron 26. Post-deployment, Eytel successfully executed national-level tasking throughout Stout’s sustainment phase and ushered the ship into its Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) period.
He previously served aboard USS Nicholas (FFG 47), USS Monterey (CG 61), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). Eytel’s next assignment will be to lead the operations department at Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
An Oklahoma native, newly-inaugurated Commanding Officer Cmdr. McCreary returns to Stout, having served as the executive officer during her previous tour. She takes command as the Stout crew continues its DSRA.
“I am honored and privileged to be able to return to Stout to serve you as your commanding officer,” said McCreary, addressing the crew. “I look forward to accomplishing great things together.”
Stout was named for Herald F. Stout, an Ohioan who served in both World War II and Korea. He was well decorated following an illustrious career, earning two Navy Cross awards for outstanding service as commanding officer of USS Claxton (DD-571) and Destroyer Squadron 23 in the Solomon Islands.
Stout was commissioned in 1994, is the fifth Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and is homeported in Norfolk, Va.