Thursday, July 17, 2008

A visit to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

080717-N-6566M-025 YOKOSUKA, Japan (July 17 2008)--Pacific Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Tom Howard visited USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and discussed new Navy uniforms, liberty policies, and revised chief petty officer evaluations with ship's company and 7th Fleet Staff Sailors on the ship's mess decks. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Thom W. Burke and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fleet Master Chief Howard,
I am confused about the walking and talking on cellphones while in uniform policy. It seems that the instruction just goes back and forth on this one. What is the policy?

Mooring Lines said...

Shipmate,

Great question. In June 2007, a Navy Uniform Information Newsgram stated that "Navy policy authorizes Sailors to walk and talk on cell phones whether command issued or personal, this includes the use of the wireless technology. However, attention and or consideration should also be given to professional appearance. As in the case of the “Blue Tooth” having a device hanging off the ear while not being used distracts from a professional appearance and as such should be properly addressed. In short, the ear is not an appropriate place to mount/hang a cell phone that is not in use."

This had and continues to create a ton of discussion and I will tell you, there is nothing about walking and talking on a cell phone while in uniform where a Sailor can maintain proper military bearing or a professional appearance. And to have a "Bluetooth" device hanging off your ear whether in use or not is no different than any other unauthorized device hanging off your uniform.

Whenever I see someone walking and talking and simply tell them, "either walk or talk, don't do both" and everyone I've ever told that to has in fact either stopped walking or stopped talking.

Have a great Navy day and thanks for your service.

Respectfully,
Fleet Howard