Lieutenant John Holzer assumed command of the Navy Operational Support Center in Youngstown.
"It's a big responsibility. It feels great. Like I said, 18 years in the Navy. This is my biggest posting so far so I'm pretty excited," Holzer said.
Holzer grew up in Staten Island New York. He joined the military in 1991.
"I wanted to see the world. I had never really been out of the northeast. I had only been to New York and New Jersey. The Navy's brought be all around the world, all over the place," Holzer said.
While seeing the world and serving in the military, Holzer got a bachelors degree and several military awards.
"Discipline is probably the greatest thing, and sense of pride, serving the nation and serving out people here in this great country," he added.
Holzer is taking the place of Commander Fredrick Vincenzo. Vincenzo took command of the Youngstown navy station two years ago.
"It's been really good. It's been great. The community here is just completely the most open and inviting community I've ever been in. I never expected it. I had never been to northeast Ohio before and I'm sorry to leave," Vincenzo said.
This is Holzer's first visit to the Youngstown area, and he said he's impressed.
"When I got here a few weeks ago, you had all that snow, so that took a little bit of getting used to. I see the winters here are going to be a little bit rough, but I'm looking forward to it," Holzer joked.
He said most people are unfamiliar with the Naval center on the base, so he hopes to have a bigger community presence during his command.
"I want to let people know we're here. There is a Navy presence in this area, and I want the public to see us and who we are and what we do," Holzer said.
