Story by Chief Petty Officer Monique Meeks Naval Submarine Support Center, New London
GROTON, Conn. (October 26, 2018) – Cmdr. Philip P. Castellano relieved Cmdr. Orville W. Cave II as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769), Oct. 26, during a change of command ceremony held at the Dealey Theater onboard Naval Submarine Base New London.
"Orville [Cave] is a team builder and a teacher," said Rear Adm. Michael Holland, Director, Programming Division, N80, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, during his guest speaker remarks. Holland continued on to describe how Cave's style of leadership helped to build strong teams wherever he went.
"Here's what I got when I asked for input from the crew," continued Holland. "Commander Cave possesses incredible patience. He doesn't require things does done his way. He drives ownership to the lowest level. He loves all things tactical... frequently bouncing around the control room and ship teaching a variety of things — frequently bouncing —not my words, but I am familiar with that energy and enthusiasm."
Holland summed up his descriptions of Cave by saying that Cave puts people first, helping them and incentivizing them to deal with the challenges they would face both in the Navy and in life.
"It only seems like a few weeks ago that I was heading off to boot camp; and now, 26 years later, I am ending my command tour on the great ship Toledo," said Cave. "I love being at sea and I will miss being out with the guys in the future, but it is time for me to move on."
During his remarks, Cave recognized those who had significantly impacted his career and his life — his family, friends and shipmates past — and thanked each for the special role they played in developing him into the unique leader that stood before them all today.
"To the crew, thank you for letting me be a part of your lives," said Cave. "I truly love each and every one of you as a brother or son. I will miss all of the good times we spent together and I look forward to seeing all of your successes in the future."
Cave assumed command of Toledo in July 2016 and, following the change of command, will report to Joint Staff J-33 at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he will serve as the Branch Chief for Mission Assurance.
Castellano reports to Toledo from Naval Submarine School Groton, where he served as the executive officer.
Castellano began by thanking Holland for his remarks, Cave for 'one of the least stressful turnovers ever,' and family, friends and shipmates for attending. While acknowledging the important roles his shipmates past and family played in bringing him to this point in his life, his final points were laser-focused on the crew of Toledo.
"These men are submariners," said Castellano. They are the absolute best our nation has. They are absolute experts at what they do and extremely professional. They all can and will single-handedly save the ship from any casualty and, as a team, be ready to put any enemy on the bottom. And, let's face it, are a little crazy to do this job. You are all my brothers and are the lifeblood of Toledo. As you all know, Toledo has but one priority and that is combat and to send a shiver down our enemy's spines when Toledo puts to sea. I know you will do your part. I promise to you that I will do my best every day in command for you."
GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 26, 2018) Tampa, Florida native Cmdr. Philip Castellano, the new commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN-769), is rung ashore for the first time following a change of command ceremony where he relieved North Little Rock, Arkansas native Cmdr. Orville Cave II, at the Dealey Theater onboard Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut on Friday, Oct. 26. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Hoskins/Released)