WASHINGTON, D.C. –
The
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) bid farewell to Capt. Jesse Black and welcomed Capt. Randy C. Cruz during a time-honored change of command ceremony, June 13.
Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus presided over the ceremony noting Black’s accomplishments during his command.
“He is an Olympic athlete of solving hard problems. He is the guy you call in to build the team,” Rothenhaus said. “The team at the lab is really good at keeping that North Star with an optimistic sense of urgency.”
Black, who assumed command in July 2023, oversaw a range of groundbreaking research programs supporting Navy and Marine Corps missions. During his tenure, NRL advanced capabilities in space systems, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and climate science—reinforcing its reputation as a world-class research institution.
In his remarks, he repeatedly reinforced collaboration and teamwork.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” he said. “At NRL, we believe the future of naval power is built together – with the ingenuity of industry and the purpose of service.
When we collaborate, we’re not just building systems – we’re building capability that saves lives, deters conflict, and ensures our forces have the decisive edge. The most powerful technologies are the ones shaped by mission, hardened by need, and delivered by partnership.”
Cruz, who joined NRL as the executive officer in 2023, became the Lab’s 43rd commanding officer. He brings more than two decades of operational, technical, and leadership experience to the role. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cruz is a career naval flight officer and a graduate of both TOPGUN and the United States Naval Test Pilot School.
He echoed Black’s sentiment of teamwork.
“It is with great humility and honor that I take command of this amazing laboratory,” Cruz said. “We are a group of professional technical experts in our field. That is the foundation of who we are, and it is our strength. What’s even more inspiring is how we work together as a team. We will take on challenges and hard problems together.”
Cruz’s career includes command of the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117), leadership of developmental flight test programs, and a key role in delivering the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to operational status. He has also served ashore as a senior mission planner at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, a project officer at VX-20, and as an advanced weapons and tactics instructor.
In 2018, Cruz was selected by NASA as a senior advisor, where he contributed to the safe return of American astronauts launching from U.S. soil. He later served as Executive Assistant and Assistant Chief of Naval Research, helping shape science and technology policy for the Department of the Navy.
With more than 2,900 flight hours and numerous awards, including five Meritorious Service Medals and the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award, Cruz is widely respected for his leadership, technical acumen, and dedication to service.
“One of the many things that makes this laboratory unique is that the Navy officers selected to lead NRL are not restricted to a specific background,” said Dr. Bruce Danly, NRL Director of Research (DOR). “Over the years, the varied backgrounds of senior officers at NRL have truly strengthened the relevancy and quality of our research.”
NRL's DOR and Navy Commanding Officer (CO) share executive management responsibility for the Laboratory. By Navy requirement, the CO is responsible for overall Laboratory management and the usual functions of command. The DOR is responsible for the technical program, its planning, conduct, and staffing.
Danly thanked Black for his stewardship and partnership and then welcomed Cruz as Commanding Officer.
“Your energy and ideas have propelled the Laboratory forward, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds, and the history we will contribute to in the next few years,” Danly told Cruz in his remarks.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or
nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil. Please reference package number at top of press release.