Last modified Wed., July 11, 2007 - 04:26 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 12, 2007

Lovely Takes SBR Reins

By Ensign Christy Campbell, USS Samuel B. Roberts

Cmdr. Wally Lovely relieved Cmdr. Marc Weeks as commanding officer of USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) in a pier side ceremony on Friday June 22.

Weeks took command of USS Samuel B. Roberts in December 2005. He attended the University of Rochester, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Statistics and was commissioned as an Ensign through the NROTC in 1987. Weeks also completed Joint Professional Military Education through the Naval War College in 1994.

Weeks' ship and afloat staff assignments include: Communications and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer in USS Connole (FF 1056) from December 1987 to March 1991, Combat Systems Officer in USS Underwood (FFG 36) from June 1994 to January 1997, Assistant Surface Operations/Flag Navigator in COMCARGRU Six/COMJFKBATGRU from February 1999 to August 2000, executive officer in USS Underwood (FFG 36) from February 2001 to June 2002, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Training/Readiness in COMCARSTRKGRU 14/COMENTSTRKGRU from August 2002 to April 2005.

Weeks' shore assignments include Officer in Charge of Yard Patrol Squadron 10 from April 1991 to November 1993 and Combat Systems Officer for COMREGSUPPGRU MAYPORT from February 1997 to January 1999.

Weeks' next assignment will be to the Student Industrial College Arms in Washington, D.C.

Lovely enlisted as a Machinist's Mate in 1983. Upon earning his commission through the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program, he reported to USS William V. Pratt (DDG 44) and served as Gunnery/ Missile officer.

From July 1991 until 1994 he served as Damage Control Assistant and Chief Engineer in USS Nicholas (FFG47). Next, he served as NROTC Instructor at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute located in Troy, N.Y. In November 1997, he reported to USS De Wert (FFG 45), serving as Chief Engineer. Following De Wert, Lovely served on the staff of COMDESRON 24 and COMNAVSURFGRU Two.

In June 2002, he reported as Executive Officer in USS Simpson (FFG 56). Following an 18-month tour in Simpson, he reported to OPNAV as the Navy's Shipbuilding Account (SCN) Manager. He then attended National Defense University (NDU) / Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), graduating with a Masters of Science (MS) in National Security Strategy Resourcing.