Vice Adm. Brad Collins assumes command of Navy shore enterprise

Commander, Navy Installations Command held a change-of-command ceremony in which Collins assumed leadership from Gray after a three-year tour, with Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby presiding.

“The Navy sustains and projects maritime operations from its shore installations, and our ability to win in combat depends on what happens ashore,” said Kilby. “It’s not just about platforms. As the CNO says, ‘Our installations are where we build our most important weapon system – the Sailor.’ For CNIC, taking care of Sailors, Marines, and their families is not a collateral duty; it’s what CNIC does every day.”

Gray’s tenure included a reorganization of the Shore Enterprise, the designation of CNIC as the Navy’s Shore Type Commander, and initiatives to improve quality of service for sailors and their families.

Managing a $9.5 billion annual infrastructure portfolio, Gray modernized shore management with requirements-based budgeting and expanded use of data analytics. He also oversaw the integration of more than 10,700 billets across public works departments, defense fuel support points and the Navy Petroleum Office.

To tighten operational alignment with the fleet, Gray established Task Force Shore within the Pacific Fleet Maritime Operations Center and bolstered the Navy’s global posture, including support to the AUKUS partnership at Naval Support Activity Stirling and major infrastructure investments in Guam, Spain and homeports across the fleet.

Quality-of-service initiatives under Gray included funding for unaccompanied housing and fitness center upgrades and providing free Wi-Fi in barracks and galleys. CNIC also expanded the Military Childcare in Your Neighborhood-PLUS program by 500 percent, adding 10,000 community childcare fee-assistance spaces and cutting the Navy’s overall childcare waitlist by nearly 5,000 children.

Gray will next serve at the Pentagon as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Navy Sustainment, leading a newly established office to integrate and synchronize capabilities. “As I transition to my new role as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Navy Sustainment, I am taking the lessons of the Shore with me to the Pentagon,” said Gray. “I know what it looks like when the Shore is under-resourced and the friction it causes. In this new capacity, our work together will continue—unifying our logistics, infrastructure, and base operating capabilities so that we can better support the fleet, empower the industrial base, and build on the momentum we have created across the Shore Enterprise.”

Collins, who previously served as CNIC chief of staff, brings extensive regional and shore leadership experience, having commanded Navy Region Northwest; Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central; and Navy Region Hawaii. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to assume command of CNIC,” said Collins. “CNIC’s regions and installations provide the foundation that enables our fleet, supports our Sailors and families, and ensures the Navy is prepared to meet future demands. My focus will be on delivering reliable, responsive support to the people and commands that depend on us.”

Collins said his priorities include continuity across the enterprise, resilience and sharpening CNIC’s operational focus. “As we move forward, we will stay focused on strengthening that foundation in practical, meaningful ways,” Collins added. “We will continue improving how our regions and installations deliver support to the fleet, the fighter, and the family. That means staying close to the mission, understanding where friction exists, and working across the enterprise to solve problems in ways that make a real difference at the deckplate level.”

CNIC oversees worldwide U.S. Navy shore installation management and quality-of-life programs, supporting warfighting readiness across 10 Navy regions and 71 installations with a workforce of about 63,000 personnel.