New JECC Navy Reserve Element Commander Attains "the Next Level"

NORFOLK, Va. — Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), a multi-service unit made up of military planners, tactical communications and public affairs specialists, is highly sought-after for the specialized services it provides to combatant commanders and other mission partners.

The command is also sought out by service members from across the country who strive to be the best in their respective fields and seek opportunities to lead in a joint environment.?Reservists play a crucial role in fulfilling the JECC’s mission, which is carried out by its subordinate elements, the Joint Communications Support Element and the Joint Planning Support Element.

One of those reservists is U.S. Navy Captain Michael Chin, who recently assumed command of the JECC’s Navy Reserve Element.????

Although he quickly became a fully qualified submarine warfare officer and nuclear engineer after completing officer candidate school in 1996, he has pursued a diverse number of assignments that began with deployments from Groton, Conn., to commanding the Seventh Fleet Detachment at Newport, R.I. More than halfway through his career, he put his boots on the ground during a deployment to Afghanistan.?Most recently, he was chief staff officer for the Titan Support Site on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. As he broadened his experience, he became more involved in planning, and those experiences led Chin to seek opportunities with the JECC.

“When I was over at the Seventh Fleet Planning Unit, several mentors mentioned that this was ‘the next level’ above maritime planning,” said Chin immediately after relieving Captain Jennifer Meeks, USNR, as commanding officer of the NRE.?

“If you can get in,” he added.?

“The JECC has a very good reputation, and this is a very career-enhancing billet to have,” said Captain Meeks, who led the roughly five dozen members of the Element, all of whom are officers from across the country possessing maritime planning expertise and its various subdisciplines, for the last year and-a-half.?

“It has been my greatest privilege to serve the JECC in this capacity,” she added.

Although the JECC’s origins stretch back two decades to the Standing Joint Task Force Headquarters concept and Joint Task Force forming is still a core part of its mission, its NRE members could find themselves performing a variety of missions preparing the response to emergencies or other short-notice requirements from Department of Defense and other U.S. government partners.?This makes a diverse background a must.

“I’m a submariner in my day job,” said Capt. Chin. ?“I wear dolphins, of course, but I’ve done two deployments with SOF [special operations forces].?I just completed a joint deployment in Djibouti with special operations as well, where we actually worked with some of the teams that were sent by the JECC, so I got to see them in action.”

“I feel I’m more than ready,” Chin added. “I’ve got the education, background.?I’m ready to go.?Put me in, coach.”

Presiding over Chin’s assumption of command was Major General Stephen Jost, USAF, commander of the JECC.??

“First of all I love being in a joint assignment because I get to learn something new every day about the services and their cultures,” said Jost, who has led the JECC for the last six months.?“And all the services, I would say, have their own caveats. But that’s a great problem to have, because they’re very unique, and I’m just honored to be a part of that.?

“The second thing I will say is that there is no shortage [of education and background experience] in the JECC,” Maj. Gen. Jost continued.?“This team here is no different than the other reserve elements that I have in terms of recruiting.?What that means is there’s always a seamless transition from one leader to the next.?And I know that I’ve benefited from one great leader,” Jost said, gesturing to Capt. Meeks. ?“And I’m going to benefit from another one,” he said, gesturing to Capt. Chin.?“So it’s great to have Mike onboard this morning and it’s great to be a part of it.”

“I’m super excited to be here,” said Chin.?“I had been trying to get into the JECC for several years and I finally got the job, so I’m looking forward to this opportunity and moving the ball past where Captain Meeks pushed it.” ??

“I think Captain Meeks has done a fantastic job as interim commander for the Naval Reserve Element,” said Brigadier General Kimberly Hamilton, USAR, JECC’s vice commander, who was also present for the event.?“As a planner she’s been working with NATO and she’ll continue to support the Navy Reserve Element as a planner while Captain Chin takes the lead and commands the reserve element.?I’m looking forward to having the fresh blood onboard, but you also have the experience staying onboard with you if you have any questions.”

“I think it’s a good opportunity,” concluded Hamilton.?“Good exchange.?And we get to keep both of them.”