'Grow the Force'

WASHINGTON - Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) added two new commands to its rolls Aug. 12 in support of the Marine Corps' "Grow the Force" initiative.

Officer In Charge of Construction Marine Corps Installations West, (OICC MCI West) and Officer in Charge of Construction Marine Corps Installations East, (OICC MCI East) both stood up last week to oversee a combined value of more than $8 billion in construction needed for the Marine Corps' manning increase as part of its overall initiative to grow the force by 27,000 personnel by 2011.

Continued progress on the barracks recapitalization program is included in the construction along with bachelor quarters, mess halls, operations centers, armories and family housing.

"The establishment of these new OICCs is an example of NAVFAC's commitment to the Marine Corps to accomplish these critical construction projects within budget and on time," said Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey, commander, NAVFAC Atlantic.

Capt. Joseph A. Campbell is the commanding officer of OICC MCI West, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Cmdr. Cheryl M. Hansen is the commanding officer of OICC MCI East based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Both are officers in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. The two commands report to Commander, NAVFAC Atlantic.

The various construction projects are expected to reach completion during the next four years.