St. Augustine’s Marc F. Williams now wears the title of Rear Admiral, serving as Deputy Commander of the Navy Closure Task Force assigned to close Hawaii’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility

St. Augustine Naval Officer Marc Williams promoted to Rear Admiral

St. Augustine’s Marc F. Williams now wears the title of rear admiral, serving as deputy commander of the Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill (NCTF-RH) onboard the USS Arizona Memorial located on the shores of Hawaii.

According to recently released official documents, Rear Adm. Williams is assigned to safely close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in conjunction with the NCTF-RH which was established by the Department of the Navy as an “enduring commitment to protect the community and the environment.”

Sporting 25 years of service as a Naval Seabee, the rear admiral will tackle what’s being described as a difficult engineering problem, one that he feels uniquely qualified to complete.

“We know what we need to do,” he said.

Rear Adm. Williams described the Navy’s Seabee — the Navy’s construction battalion assigned to build temporary and permanent infrastructures at U.S. military locations across the globe, including Antarctica — as having a can-do mentality that can adapt and find safe workable solutions.

The documents also noted that the secretary of defense approved the establishment of the Navy Closure Task Force on Nov. 6, and Williams assumed the role as its deputy commander within the month. Rear Adm Williams and the task force will remain on location until the mission of safely closing Red Hill is completed.

Rear Adm. Williams earned a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) located in Annapolis. The rear admiral also holds an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. The longtime St. Augustine resident is a designated Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist; a licensed professional engineer in Virginia; and a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. Affiliated with the Navy Reserve since 2006, he’s led missions in San Diego, Washington D.C., Iraq, Afghanistan, Albania, Kosovo, and Jebel Ali, Arab Emirates.

Accolades include the Legion of Merit; three Meritorious Service Medals; a Joint Service Commendation Medal; three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals; two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; an Army Achievement Medal; and numerous unit and campaign awards.

When not on active duty, Williams works for Cigna Health.

We caught up with Williams to discuss his thoughts on temporarily leaving the palm trees of St. Augustine for the palm trees of Hawaii.

The St. Augustine Record: With travelling all over the world, how did you pick St. Augustine as your home?

Rear Adm. Williams: My wife, Pam, and I consider St Augustine our home not only because it’s the longest place we’ve ever lived as adults, but it’s the first place we’ve lived where we don’t want to ever leave. Our daughters grew up in St. Augustine. Between 2013 and 2021, I coached my daughters, Mackenzie and Ryleigh, during softball season and during travel ball. I served on the CSA board from 2019-2020. I also coached the Liberty Pines Academy softball team in 2015. We will return to St. Augustine once my mission in Hawaii is completed.

The St. Augustine Record: What motivated you to join the U.S. Navy?

Rear Adm. Williams: I am third generation Naval officer. My grandfather served during WWII as a battleship sailor and my father served in the early 60s before working at the Naval Aviation Depot in North Island. The first “Top Gun” movie came out when I was 11, so that was a factor too. Math was my favorite subject, and I was mechanically inclined and curious so majoring in engineering was a natural marriage.

The St. Augustine Record: When does the assignment actually start?

Rear Ad. Williams: The task force is assuming responsibilities for Red Hill from the current Joint Task Force-Red Hill in early spring of 2024. NCTF-RH is engaging in continuous conversations and in formal and informal forums with the Hawaiian people, regulatory agencies, and various experts and officials to keep stakeholders informed as the Navy works to safely and deliberately close the RHBFSF.

The St. Augustine Record: How does it feel to be handpicked to such a prestigious assignment?

Rear Adm. Williams: When the Navy calls, I answer. I’m honored and privileged to serve in the leadership role of such an important mission. Hawaii is a premier place with a rich and welcoming culture, one’s that’s unique and filled with the aloha spirit. I’m excited to get to know the people, explore the islands, and welcome visitors to this beautiful place.

The St. Augustine Record: What is your role at Cigna Healthcare?

Rear Adm. Williams: My role at Cigna is within the eviCore Healthcare. I served as the managing director for operating effectiveness — think “work smarter, not harder.” The organization is dedicated to finding ways to accomplish the task at hand better, faster, and cheaper. I worked from my home office in St. Augustine and traveled to clients across the United States.

I’m aiming to bring a similar mindset to my current Navy position. We need to get the Red Hill facility closed quickly and efficiently, but most importantly, safely and the right way while being good stewards of the environment.

The St. Augustine Record: Tell us about the mission.

Rear Adm. Williams: I was selected as deputy commander for the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill to execute the permanent closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. This is a coordinated effort with the community, the state of Hawaii, and federal stakeholders. We are focused on ensuring that the process of closing a unique facility is efficiently and safely executed. It’s another way that the Navy keeps America safe along with deterring foreign aggression and defending sea lanes.

It’s a different aspect to the Navy’s primary mission on protecting America at sea while working alongside our allies and partners to defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free.

This mission is a great example of the Navy’s, well, all military facets, diverse missions completed by people and talent from all walks of life, not just warfighters, but scientists, engineers, medical professionals, lawyers — all working toward a common goal.

The St. Augustine Record: As a mentor and a role model, what would you say to the students of St. Augustine?

Rear Adm. Williams: First and foremast, I’d tell every student that nothing in life that’s worth doing. or that’s truly impactful, is easy. There’s simply no substitute for hard work. Also, time is our most valuable resource, so take nothing for granted. Life has very few absolutes. Because society’s foundation is built on intellectual curiosity, we need to be open to different perspectives and thoughtfully consider them, instead of being perversely unyielding and unwilling to listen.

The St. Augustine Record: What would you say to students contemplating a career in the Navy?

Rear Adm. Williams: The Navy is a a wonderful place to figure out a chosen profession, and to do so while being a part of something important, including defending American freedoms and protecting its citizens. Your perspective on the world will broaden, you will learn teamwork, and, individually, you will grow professionally, personally, and emotionally. We are a military made of volunteers, so I encourage everyone able to serve to ask himself or herself — “if not me, then who?” 

The St. Augustine Record: What are some of your fondest memories of St. Augustine?

Rear Adm. Williams: Night of Lights!; the JAGs, Shrimp and Icemen games; playing golf and tennis at Marsh Creek Country Club; spending countless hours at the softball fields, dinners and drinks with friends; and just being at the beach.

Click here for more information about the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.