Navy Talent Acquisition Group New England Changes Leadership in Newport
Navy Talent Acquisition Group New England held a change of command ceremony on November 6, 2026, where Cmdr. Calvin S. Beads was relieved by Cmdr. Nicole Scherer as commanding officer. Capt. Todd Levant, commodore of Navy Recruiting Region East, officiated the transfer of command as the presiding officer. The event took place at the Marine Detachment onboard Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island.
During his farewell speech, Cmdr. Beads thanked officer and enlisted personnel and expressed confidence in the incoming leadership. “Nicole, what can I say? You are an amazing XO, leader, naval officer, and human being,” Beads said. He noted that Scherer cares deeply for Sailors and civilians, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.
Capt. Levant presented Cmdr. Beads with the Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony to recognize his service as both commanding officer and executive officer of NTAG New England. Beads also addressed the recruiters directly before stepping down. “Never forget your job matters and you are important,” Beads said. “Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished.”
Three Years of Fleet Impact and Recruiting Scale
Cmdr. Scherer, who hails from Malvern, Pennsylvania, illustrated the extent of her predecessor’s leadership during the ceremony. Under Beads’s three-year tenure, the command sent roughly 4,000 Sailors and officers to the fleet, according to Scherer’s remarks. That is nearly enough to man an entire aircraft carrier.
“Somewhere out there, a flight deck is full, a galley is staffed, and a ship is ready to get underway because of your leadership and the work of this team,” Scherer said, thanking Beads for setting the conditions for future success.
Headquartered in Boston, NTAG New England oversees enlisted and officer recruitment across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York.
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