New Navy SWO boss announced

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has nominated Navy Rear Adm. Richard Brown to the rank of vice admiral and assigned him as the new commander of naval surface forces, according to a Nov. 30 Defense Department statement.

Brown currently serves as head of Navy Personnel Command and deputy chief of naval personnel.

He will replace Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, who in September requested to retire early amid firings and Senate hearings related to ship collisions in U.S. 7th Fleet.