“Nicole, what can I say? You are an amazing XO, leader, naval officer, and human being.”
With those words, Cmdr. Calvin S. Beads handed over the reins of Navy Talent Acquisition Group New England during a change of command ceremony on November 6, 2026. Held at the Marine Detachment onboard Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, the event marked the transition of leadership as Beads was relieved by Cmdr. Nicole Scherer.
Capt. Todd Levant, commodore of Navy Recruiting Region East, presided over the ceremony and served as the guest speaker. During the event, Levant presented Beads with the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his performance while serving as both commanding officer and executive officer for the command.
The Numbers Behind a Three-Year Tenure
NTAG New England oversees enlisted and officer recruiting operations across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York from its headquarters in Boston. Stepping into the command role, Scherer—who hails from Malvern, Pennsylvania—pointed directly to the operational output generated under her predecessor’s watch.
“The numbers tell the story of your impact: under your tenure these past 3 years, this command sent roughly 4,000 Sailors and Officers to the Fleet,” Scherer remarked during the ceremony. “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.”
Throughout his farewell remarks, Beads shifted focus away from his own accolades and toward the enlisted personnel and officers who handle day-to-day recruitment across the region’s seven states. He expressed full confidence in Scherer’s ability to guide the command forward, calling her an exceptional leader who consistently ensures that Sailors and civilian personnel have the resources required to succeed.
“Never forget your job matters and you are important,” Beads told the gathered personnel. “Be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. I am proud of each and everyone one of you. It has been an honor of my lifetime to serve as your commanding officer.”
