tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61906387602117847722024-03-13T04:08:19.466-10:00Mooring LinesStaying Tied to the FleetMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-10286931806091767142010-02-18T05:52:00.002-10:002010-02-18T06:47:33.819-10:00FLTCM Tom Howard visits with Everett Sailors<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S31u-rJ21WI/AAAAAAAAAFI/P5bPCIgdXyA/s1600-h/Everett.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S31u-rJ21WI/AAAAAAAAAFI/P5bPCIgdXyA/s200/Everett.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439625947948438882" /></a><br />By MC3 Crishanda Underland<br /><br /> Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Tom Howard visited Naval Station Everett to speak with Sailors at the Navy Operational Support Center Feb. 9.<br /> Howard held an All Hands call for the Sailors of Naval Station Everett and then a separate presentation for Sailors who have completed or were about to embark on Individual Augmentee (IA) billets.<br /> For the All Hands, Howard answered questions of Sailors about the Navy including IA missions, Uniform Regulations, and how the Navy works and how the Sailors can change it for the better.<br /> Advancement was a topic that was brought up and gave Howard a chance to explain the importance of preparing oneself for the advancement exam.<br /> “If you are up for the exam this coming cycle and not already studying for it you are doing yourself a disservice,” said Howard. “You want to sit down in front of your exam and know in your heart that you did everything humanly possible to prepare yourself for that test.”<br /> Howard talked about Tuition Assistance, why Sailors should take advantage of it and pursue an education while in the Navy.<br /> “It’s not rocket science,” says Howard. “We want you to help us help you.”<br /><br /> One of the questions raised was about the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) and when and where they could be worn.<br /> Howard explained that the NWUs could be worn on base anywhere unless the Sailor worked in a certain area of the Front Office based on location and command.<br /> As an example, NSE Command Master Chief Schanche pointed out to Sailors that for NSE, as they didn’t work on the same deck the Commanding Officer does and weren’t in a front office or customer service environment, they can wear the NWUs. Those that work in the specified areas wear the Service Uniform.<br /> “I think our Sailors look good in the Navy Working Uniform,” says Howard. “I think they like to wear it.”<br /> On the subject of looking professional, cell phone usage in uniform was brought up.<br /> “I personally don’t think that there is anything professional about walking and talking on your cell phone when in uniform,” says Howard.<br /> The IA gathering was meant to be a chance for Sailors to share their experiences and concerns regarding the IA program. Questions about training, financing, and other aspects of such missions were brought forth and discussed by Howard and the rest of the group.<br /> “US Navy Sailors are doing things today that no other service does,” says Howard. “We have Sailors serving on ships, our Navy; Sailors in our Airplanes with our Air Force; and Sailors serving on the ground side-by-side our fellow Marines and Soldiers. The sky is the limit for us.” --Fleet sendsMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-88417733588682715682010-01-09T06:39:00.002-10:002010-01-09T06:44:48.093-10:00Ms. Gigi Craig - Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyYL2bszI/AAAAAAAAAFA/dStj6lyHJ9E/s1600-h/P1010014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyYL2bszI/AAAAAAAAAFA/dStj6lyHJ9E/s200/P1010014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424781879735464754" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyX-eXYzI/AAAAAAAAAE4/HGhenNsFvLc/s1600-h/P1010013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyX-eXYzI/AAAAAAAAAE4/HGhenNsFvLc/s200/P1010013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424781876144857906" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyXuLmI6I/AAAAAAAAAEw/bxcPd8fjUEA/s1600-h/P1010012.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/S0iyXuLmI6I/AAAAAAAAAEw/bxcPd8fjUEA/s200/P1010012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424781871771165602" /></a><br />Shipmates,<br /><br />We had the awesome opportunity last night as we begin to bid farewell to an awesome Shipmate. Gigi Craig who has been with Kings Dominion for (it’s OK Gigi, I would divulge exactly how long!) at least 12 years is starting a new chapter in her life. Gigi for those who do not know, is the Kings Dominion Corporate Sales rep and more importantly to us, the Military Affiliation Representative.<br /><br />Gigi came up with the idea about 11 years ago to have Kings Dominion sponsor and host a CPO day during the Chief Petty Officers Induction and the event has developed into an event along the east coast in which approximately 3500 Chiefs and family members have begun to take part in. This past year, there were 5 retired MCPON’s and current MCPON Rick West in attendance as well as 10 Fleet or Force Master Chief’s and over 40 Command Master Chief’s in which the CPO selectees were able to listen to the wisdom, experience and advice prior to their entering the Mess. “Real” Chiefs were also able to listen to the Navy’s Senior Enlisted and unanimously, they stated they wished they had something like this when they were selected.<br /><br />Gigi was presented and honored as a Honorary Chief Petty Officer back in 2000 and based on what she has meant to the Chief’s Mess and done for the Sailors and their families, in coordination with the MCPON, Gigi was presented, pinned and celebrated as an Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer during a CMC/spouse social event Friday night at Oceana’s CNATTU ceremonial hangar bay. <br /><br />Gigi, we’re all thankful and proud of what you’ve meant to the Chief’s Mess and wish you favorable winds and following seas during your transition. ---Fleet sendsMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-37687055470634418362009-12-30T07:49:00.000-10:002009-12-30T07:56:05.883-10:00Reviving the Chiefs' MessLeaders,<br /><br />An interesting read below for your awareness. Please share this with your respective CPO Mess's and take the opportunity to sit in on their post read discussions. As I do site visits with commands over the next couple of months, my conversations in the mess will center around some of the things Captain Eyer (ret) mentions. His question "If we are even asking these questions, are we not by extension certifying that some problem exists?" seems to me to be ill stated. In any organization we have to continually ask ourselves "Are we hitting the mark?", "Are there things we should be doing differently to attain better results?", and to me the best question to always ask of a single Chief or the mess in general, "Given what you currently have in manning, training and money, how do we best utilize these to attain mission accomplishment, thus success, without burning out our Sailors?"<br />Some additional specifics that should be answered by each Chief based on the questions imbedded in the paragraphs below:<br /> <br />Q: Is the typical Chiefs' Mess nowadays ineffective? Why?<br />Q: Is there a delta in what was historically required of your mess and what is required today?<br />Q: Is your Chiefs' Mess able to overcome the weakest CPO's in the mess?<br /><br /><br />Some of the questions the retired Captain asks:<br />Q: If a decline [in the Chiefs performance and abilities to meet the standards] exists, what is the cause? <br />Q: Is it the result of some change in the individual Chief? <br />Q: Is it somehow connected to changes in how Chiefs' Messes are organized and led? <br />Q: What has happened to drive these changes, and is the benefit of those changes worth the cost?<br />Q: What does the Chiefs' Mess assure in this ship [command]? <br />Q: What do they [the Chiefs and Chiefs Mess] provide that requires little or no officer involvement?<br /><br />The retired Captain takes a few mis-aimed shots at our selection of Chiefs and Command Master Chiefs. Although I read his comments with eyes wide open, I disagree with his assessment that we need to exercise more care in how Chiefs today are selected and the screening process in how CMC's are selected.<br /><br />CMC's for the most part have reached the pinnacle of their professional source rating and without consideration for compensation or the opportunity to move up in promotion status, thus garnering higher pay, once selected they take on the additional requirement of enlisted responsibility and accountability with virtually no ability to "revert back" should the Command Master Chief role be more than they bargained for. <br /><br />I'll close with the retired Captains last point. The expert operation of our ships [and all commands] and the leadership and training of our junior officers and young Sailors IS our priority today as it has been for as far back as I can remember. I don't believe we've lost our way, but I do believe we must continue to "Self-Assess" the sum of our parts (the Chiefs' Mess) and the Chiefs themselves both individually and their ability to work within and better the mess, which provides us the way ahead and ensure our Navy has the Sailors and units needed for years to come.<br /><br />I look forward to your comments and have placed this in my blog http://mooringlines.blogspot.com/ so everyone can track comments posted by others.<br /><br />Feed the engines Shipmates, I intend to go into Harms Way.<br /><br />V/R,<br />Fleet Howard<br /><br />FLTCM(SW/AW) Tom Howard<br />U.S. Fleet Forces<br /><br />"It cannot be too often repeated that in modern war, <br />and especially in modern naval war, the chief factor <br />in achieving triumph is what has been done in the way of <br />thorough preparation and training before the beginning of war."<br />~Theodore Roosevelt: graduation address, US Naval Academy, June 1902<br /> <br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Reviving the Chiefs' Mess<br /><br />By Captain Kevin S. Eyer, U.S. Navy (Retired)<br /> <br />First, I am obviously not a chief petty officer, nor have I ever been one. But I have been a voracious consumer of chiefly product for 27 years. Thus, I think I am qualified to advance informed opinions regarding how well chiefs, writ large, are carrying out their responsibilities at sea.<br /><br />Some believe that the Chiefs' Mess-the corpus formed by all the individual chiefs assigned to a ship-is somehow greater than the sum of its parts. We see the Chiefs' Mess as a powerful engine, deeply embedded in the ship and able to move critical levers with a collective flex of its will.<br /><br />But today, this is not what really happens. Rather, the typical Chiefs'<br />Mess nowadays is by and large ineffective. Perhaps more correctly, it is not doing what it was designed to do nor what it historically did.<br /><br />Of course, some would emphatically disagree with this assessment. But when asked on what metric they base their glowing views of Chiefs' Mess performance, it becomes apparent that they don't have much to offer.<br />Mostly, their disagreement reflects an admiration for individual chiefs rather than an evolved idea of how a given Chiefs' Mess produces desired effects.<br /><br />This lack of introspection regarding what is commonly referred to as "the backbone of the Navy" is somewhat understandable. After all, this topic is an uncomfortable one for many. In the end it may be easier to go along with the accepted idea that the chiefs, both individually and collectively, are the foundation on which all success in ships is built.<br />To look unblinkingly at what may be a downward trend seems an uncomfortable-even disloyal-indictment of sorts. If we are even asking these questions, are we not by extension certifying that some problem exists?<br /><br />Demonstrable evidence, however, does point that way. While the recent trend of poor Inspection and Survey (INSURV) performance is merely a single example of a decline in Chiefs' Mess efficacy, it is a significant one. One would be hard-pressed to find a chief who would not firmly agree that INSURV, which is fundamentally a material inspection of a ship and her equipment, is mostly the responsibility of the Chiefs'<br />Mess. After all, the chiefs own, maintain, and operate all the examined equipment and systems. Commanding officers are ultimately responsible, but it is naive to think that the Chiefs' Mess is not the fulcrum on which the success or failure of INSURV rests.<br /><br />This is not to suggest that this overall decline in performance can be attributed only to a shortfall in chiefly effect. Other important causes can and should concern us. Still, it seems certain that one of the key reasons must be a diminution in the capability of the Chiefs' Mess to meet the prescribed standard.<br /><br />So, if such a decline exists, what is the cause? Is it the result of some change in the individual chief? Is it somehow connected to changes in how Chiefs' Messes are organized and led? More important, what has happened to drive these changes, and is the benefit of those changes worth the cost?<br /><br />From Technician to Generalist<br /><br />The truth seems to be that chiefs are now less technically expert in their respective ratings then they were in the not-too-distant past.<br />Schooling has been drastically and regularly cut at every level for some time now. Since they know less, why would anyone presume that they can maintain complex systems as well? Why should it be a surprise or an embarrassment that the results of INSURV are not flattering?<br /><br />Average electronics-based technicians now are mere shadows, technically speaking, of their predecessors from the 1980s and 1990s. In those days, technicians spent months, if not years, learning the equipment and the system, inside and out, before they even arrived in a ship. Prior to the mid 1990s, all electronics-based technicians went to Advanced Electronics Technical Core (AETC) School before they even arrived at their respective "A" Schools. AETC lasted for six months and covered fundamental electronics topics, ranging from AC and DC current to solid state, digital, and superhetrodyne circuits. Students even learned how to solder, which may sound trivial, but isn't.<br /><br />AETC is now self-paced, computer-based, and typically completed quite easily within a month. It is an empty shell. Further, the content of "A"<br />school, where the technician begins to work specifically on rating topics, has been trimmed, too. We no longer teach students fundamentals of synchro and servomechanisms or motors and generators. Rather, we teach "black box" replacement. This goes for only a discrete group of highly technical ratings, but similar changes have taken place in virtually every rating, technical or not. In short, our chiefs, through no fault of their own, have arrived, over time, at a place where they simply know less about their equipment.<br /><br />Further compounding this reduction in formal education, and for complex reasons tied to concerns like retention and new distribution paradigms, enlisted technicians are no longer rigorously detailed into rating-related billets as they transition from sea to shore duty. Sonar technicians are just as likely to be sent to non-technical billets at a naval hospital or bachelor officers' quarters as they are to be sent to an Afloat Training Group or school house where they would train others.<br />We also no longer send technicians to regional maintenance centers, where in the past they helped to repair equipment on ships, learning immeasurably along the way. Now, we contract that job out to civilians.<br /><br />Can we therefore suppose that this sort of approach wouldn't interrupt the technician's professional building process? Can anyone imagine that we are not creating a situation in which those shore-based technicians, quickly becoming senior enough to soon assume positions of at-sea leadership, will be returning to ships having forgotten much and learned little? <br /><br />Interpreting the Signals<br /><br />All of us respond to the signals transmitted by the system. If we believe that to succeed we must go to non-technical positions or that we need to get a degree of some sort, then this is what we will do. We all want to succeed, and if we are told by word or signal that to do so we must check specific boxes, then those most competitive will make sure the boxes get checked. Who is thinking about, much less looking at, the opportunity cost?<br /><br />What seems to be required to become a chief today is what might be termed "broadening." What have you done, other than spend time at sea, working in your rating? Have you done a tour as a recruiter? Have you trained those recruits? Do you have a suitably varied service record?<br />More important, where is your degree? And what, by the way, do you do to improve your local community?<br /><br />If you don't have compelling answers to these questions, your chances of being selected begin to dim. Our Sailors get this. On the other hand, being a technical expert in and of itself is no longer a path to success, no matter how invaluable you may be. Since 1990, not a single senior chief sonar technician, trained as an acoustic intelligence<br />(ACINT) expert (the absolute creme de la creme of our antisubmarine experts), has been selected for master chief. Expertise in one's assigned rating is not rewarded, and this observation is not wasted on our young Sailors.<br /><br />There are only so many hours in a day, and it makes sense that if you are pursuing that degree or coaching little league, it is probably true that you are taking that time out of learning how to be technical expert or honing your managerial and leadership skills. The truth of this gets submerged today. In our promotion deliberations, if we conclude that you have good evaluations, you must be a fine technician and an experienced leader, even if you haven't spent much time working at either.<br /><br />This is not to suggest that these other pursuits aren't worthy. But it does suggest that the efficient, safe, and professional operation of ships and the provision of consistent leadership to the Sailors who serve is more worthy. It is, after all, why we even have chief petty officers in the first place.<br /><br />Is the Sum Still Greater than its Parts?<br /><br />Even though individual chiefs are less expert in their respective tasks, they do bring a more broad perspective to the Chiefs' Mess when they arrive. Is this counterbalancing the loss of technical acumen? Is the synergy-which may have, in the past, meant that the sum exceeded the parts-still there?<br /><br />Two legitimate questions to ask in any command are: "What does the Chiefs' Mess assure in this ship? And what do they provide that requires little or no officer involvement?" The captain should be able to ask the Chiefs' Mess to take care of something important, and in an idealized world, that would be the end of it. Actually, the captain shouldn't even have to ask. The chiefs would know what needed to be done, without signal, simply through their collective breadth of knowledge and experience.<br /><br />This is not what happens. The sum is no longer greater than its parts, and that collective engine of expertise and experience is faltering.<br />Indeed, to guarantee success it has become necessary to find some new engine to bind and drive forward motion. Short of that synergistic Chiefs' Mess, the disconnected nodes and fragments and individuals of a ship are now, we hope, driven in the right direction by a few individuals who vary, ship-to-ship or unit-to-unit. Certainly, some of these driving individuals may be chiefs, but the idea of the Mess being the engine that organizes and informs all activity is not generally the case.<br /><br />Who Leads the Chiefs' Mess?<br /><br />In the past, leadership of the Mess fell to the "alpha" chiefs of any given Mess. The strongest leaders were typically highly experienced, highly respected senior and master chiefs. They drove and bound the Mess, teaching their juniors and junior officers, too, and setting the ship's agenda. That has changed. Simply being a natural leader has been deemed insufficient, and so the command master chief (CMC) position was established.<br /><br />The idea was to professionalize and align leadership of the Chiefs'<br />Mess. Unfortunately, it appears that the characteristics necessary for selection to the CMC program are not necessarily yielding the sort of leadership that may be required to ignite synergy. We now have leadership that may be aligned with approved Navy views, but we have also experienced a concomitant loss in the sort of charismatic leadership that was the natural order in the past.<br /><br />To become a command master chief-the single official leader of the Chiefs' Mess in any command-one must apply for selection. It might seem counterintuitive, but no board looks at the universe of chiefs and picks only those deemed to be best of the best. Rather, CMCs are selected only from the pool of applicants, whoever they might be. It makes sense that there may be a difference, and there probably is, between some of the chiefs who want to be a CMC and some of the chiefs who are ideally suited but for whatever reason don't apply.<br /><br />With regard to selection, candidates should be qualified in multiply warfare areas (even if this dilutes you in terms of experience; many of the chiefs you lead could have more time in, for example, combat ships than you do). You should also have a good record, as measured by competitive performance. But how do we know if you can lead other chiefs? Surely we all have served with command master chiefs who were disastrously ill-equipped to lead the complex and disparate people who make up the Mess.<br /><br />While being a CMC may be broadly analogous with being a commanding officer, the process for sorting the elect from the manque is different.<br />Command boards at least get to see how an officer has done across a range of at-sea leadership billets. For officers, the standard is and always has been sustained superior performance at sea, as measured by performance in increasingly complex leadership positions. On the other hand, how can a board know if a chief has the right leadership characteristics? How can a board know whether it has the best possible competitors for the few CMC billets chosen in a given year? Do they even consider whether the applicants have spent time at sea? We all have worked with CMCs who have little, if any, sea time.<br /><br />Reversing the Decline<br /><br />Several connected issues have had an impact on the decline in performance of the Chiefs' Mess. First, we have established policies and procedures that have diminished the technical expertise that chiefs bring to the Mess. Second, it is not evident that having broad, degree-bearing chief petty officers has in some way made up for the diminution in technical acumen; consider INSURV results. Third, we have established a Mess leadership position that probably does not assure only the best of the best are chosen to preside over individual Messes.<br /><br />At a minimum, we need to exercise more care in how chiefs are groomed and selected and what messages we are transmitting to them along their path. We should be careful to more clearly reward attributes that have historically been desirable in chief petty officers; recognized leadership, technical expertise, sea time. These chiefs, and only these chiefs, should be rewarded with the privilege of serving in afloat Chiefs' Messes. From these select few we should select those qualified to lead the other tigers.<br /><br /><br />As for Chiefs' Mess leadership, commanding officers should be given a quota-a very small quota-of CMC nominations each year. The small number would limit the amount of "gifting" that could occur, and it would save the CO from endlessly justifying himself to those not nominated. From this pool, the immediate superior in the chain of command would select a smaller number of people for ultimate CMC training and assignment. This method would almost guarantee that only the right chiefs ever get to be CMCs.<br /><br />Further, selection as command master chief should not guarantee repeat assignment to CMC billets. After all, while some will arrive truly ready for the job and some may eventually grow into it, others will be simply not up to the task, and they never will be. These should be prevented from further CMC assignment, but this is not what happens now. Indeed, a provision in the rules allows for CMCs to be transferred, without prejudice, out of a troubled situation. This esoteric rule was probably implemented to guard the reputation of the CMC community, but it only serves to guarantee that "once a CMC, always a CMC." In the end, it is far easier to fire a captain for incompetence than it is to fire a command master chief.<br /><br />This discussion, of course, only scratches the surface. Other significant questions remain to be addressed, and should be. Evidence suggests that the Chiefs' Mess is not doing what we want it to do. And that means a public dialogue needs to be undertaken. After all, if the expert operation of our ships and the leadership and training of our junior officers and young Sailors is not our priority, then we have truly lost our way.<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Captain Eyer commanded the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51), USS Shiloh (CG-67), and USS Chancellorsville (CG-62). He retired in 2009.<br /><br />(The original article is in the January 2010 Proceedings from the U.S. Naval Institute. The article is available online for Naval Institute members to read and comment at http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/story.asp?STORY_ID=2170.)Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-76678805627031088062009-12-22T03:38:00.004-10:002009-12-22T03:47:14.780-10:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SzDN3LZRuNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/FthqxoFUsSA/s1600-h/IMG_2825.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SzDN3LZRuNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/FthqxoFUsSA/s200/IMG_2825.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418056699562014930" /></a><br /><br /><br />21 December 2009<br />Maritime Warriors, Shipmates one and all,<br /><br />While most of the world is close to home celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah this holiday season and looking to bring in a New Year, I want to tell you “Thank You” for what you’re doing and where you’re doing it at. The sacrifices that you and every Sailor who’s ever worn our uniform make cannot be overstated.<br /><br />No matter whether you serve in non-traditional Navy roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Guantanamo Bay or Southern Philippines or the more maritime role in a scheduled or surge cruise, your individual and combined efforts are making a difference during this global war on terrorism.<br /><br />We are all on the forefront of naval history during this period of time and you find yourselves away from your loved ones as you execute the mission assigned. Whether your mission is a part of an internment facility, a provincial reconstruction team, medical support, counter-IED, security on an off-shore oil platform, base or staff support or the myriad of missions or assignments throughout the world, you are in the thoughts, hearts and prayers of Shipmates, family and friends back home.<br /><br />For your spouses and/or family members who continue to sacrifice on the homefront,<br />they too are heroes in more ways than the average American can relate too. Their continued effort leading and taking care of issues back home are more than most will ever know or understand. As my own wife Lesia and kids have done, they make it possible for you and me to focus all of our attention on the mission at hand.<br /><br />You are patriots dedicated to the preservation of freedom and democracy. You do it with<br />no expectation of reward or even thanks. You continue to do it today for the same reasons Sailors have done it for over 230 years, because it’s our calling and because now we all have Shipmates that are counting on us to watch their back and perform that which is expected of us. <br /><br />Keep up the extraordinary work you are doing. I am honored to serve with you during this important time in our nation’s history. May God bless you, your families, our Navy and our country and keep you safe as you go into Harm’s Way.<br /><br />My sincerest gratitude,<br /><br />//S//<br /><br />Tom Howard<br />Fleet Master Chief<br />U.S. Fleet Forces CommandMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-62234823207510918402009-12-04T04:05:00.001-10:002009-12-04T04:05:50.840-10:00Shipmates, was posed with a question I thought I would pass to you for consideration.<br /><br />"One of FRA's special committees is considering a new support program concept for spouses of deployed Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who may be in need of individual laptop computers for use in communicating with their respective deployed spouses. The Association would seek a corporate sponsor for the program and promote and administer same. In conjunction with this concept, can you please provide some insight on the computer needs of enlisted spouses to enhance communications with their respective deployed service members? And if this is not a viable program concept, are there other enlisted spouse/service member needs to which a new program may be developed?<br /><br />Love to hear from those of you who have an opinion on this!Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-33272748477983519442009-10-10T10:23:00.002-10:002009-10-10T10:27:38.375-10:00NWU - Camoflague for the deck<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/StDuJzvcHOI/AAAAAAAAAEI/1DfdP2i61O0/s1600-h/NWU.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/StDuJzvcHOI/AAAAAAAAAEI/1DfdP2i61O0/s200/NWU.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391070606237900002" /></a><br />Shipmates,<br /> Heard people talking about why the particular camoflague pattern for the new Navy Working Uniform? Think the attached photo tells it all! Have a great day and thanks for all you do! --Fleet sendsMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-23633494923618161072009-09-08T15:22:00.001-10:002009-09-08T15:42:53.516-10:00Honor Bound - Sexual Assault PreventionHey Shipmates,<br /><br />Returned a short while ago from the first day of the DON Sexual Assault Prevention Summit in DC. Opening remarks were provided by Secretary Mabus who talked about the importance of the Chief’s Mess and Staff NCO’s to set the tone within a command and provide an atmosphere of non-retribution. He mentioned that research has shown a lack of understanding of what sexual assault is and the difference between sexual assault and sexual harassment. <br /><br />Following the SECNAV was Ms. Claudia Bayliff, Esq. who is an attorney and educator who works on issues related to violence against women. Her brief was extremely informative.<br /><br />The Chief Of Naval Operations was accompanied by Mrs. Roughead and he spoke about the correlation of our Core Values: HONOR and the summit banner of “Honor Bound”; COURAGE and how it relates to those who come forward or intervene; and COIMMITTMENT to addressing and correcting the activity.<br /><br />I’ll add that our effectiveness as a unit is our ability to trust each other to watch our back or “cover your six” at times of high interest or combat. Sexual Assault tears away and erodes the very trust within that unit.<br /><br />In addition, we have to continue to stress the deglamorization of alcohol as most if not all sexual assaults happen under the influence of alcohol. <br /><br />A few additional talking points:<br />. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program is a top priority for the Secretary of the Navy. Navy and Marine Corps leadership are committed to eliminating sexual assault and ensuring that the goals of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs are achieved by all commands, responding to victims, and holding offenders accountable. <br />. We work toward these goals by sustaining a robust sexual assault prevention and response policy, identifying and eliminating barriers to victims reporting, ensuring that care for victims of sexual assault is available and accessible, and by providing continuous, relevant, and effective training and education on sexual assault prevention for our Sailors and Marines.<br />. The impact of sexual assault on Navy and Marine Corps readiness dramatically effects morale, unit cohesion and operational readiness. It is the most under reported violent crime in society. It is incompatible with Navy and Marine Corps ethos and core values, and high standards of professionalism. <br />. A multi-disciplinary approach is critical for effective prevention, victim response, and offender accountability. The key stakeholders include the command, BUMED, NCIS, Judge Advocate General, Training Command, Chaplains, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs).<br />. Victims who receive advocacy, medical, legal, investigative and counseling services are more likely to participate in the legal system than those who do not. One of the strongest predictors of conviction is the victim's participation in the process. Fleet sendsMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-14989717461386134662009-07-19T22:42:00.002-10:002009-07-19T22:47:36.216-10:00NC of the Year<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SmQvFVMhovI/AAAAAAAAAEA/P0XPSOb6RRM/s1600-h/NC1+Verner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SmQvFVMhovI/AAAAAAAAAEA/P0XPSOb6RRM/s200/NC1+Verner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360461225113264882" /></a><br />Hey there Shipmates,<br /><br />Wanted to tell you of a great opportunity I recently had to recognize one of our great Sailors. On Friday, 26 June, I found myself onboard USS NITZE with none other than NC1 Verner, the ships Senior Sailor of the Year. You may remember NC1, she was also one of the finalists for the USFF Sea Sailor of the Year competition as she was the SURFLANT Sea SOY.<br /><br />NC1 Verner was recognized by the Navy Counselor Association at their recent symposium as the Navy Counselor of the Year to go along with her many achievements. <br /><br />When I met with her this day, I was accompanied by some very big fans of NC1’s. My staff CMC, CMDCM Andre Green, my Administrative Assistant, YN2 Michelle Flood, the Fleet Counselor for USFF, NCCM Kevin Sullivan and the SUFLANT Force Navy Counselor. While meeting with NC1, I asked her why she thought she has been so successful and her reply was;<br />"For me, being successful within my career has come with a lot of hard work and dedication. In fact, it has meant a lot of hard work and dedication from many others as well. My faith has been paramount; and the commitment from my shipmates, family, and friends has come second to none. Personally, I am driven. Professionally, I am focused. Spiritually, I am grounded. Socially, still a work in progress, although I do believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. <br /><br />I've always been driven and have tried to do everything within the best of my ability. Realizing that time passes by quickly, what else do we have to show about who we are than the contributions we make today. To me, life should be filled with purpose. Why do anything if not the intent to be committed and do it well? I am not satisfied with being mediocre at anything. Someone said it best, "You either meet my standard, or exceed my standard!" I choose to do both! <br /><br />Obviously, being successful isn't an easy task. Assuming numerous collateral duties in addition to my job as Independent Command Career Counselor has been very challenging to say the least. However, I do believe the approach we take toward helping accomplish the mission and reaching our goals is what makes it all so rewarding. My mindset is this: Mind over matter; Obstacle – Resolution; Challenge – Overcome; Pessimist – Realist; Critical – Ignore; Constructive – Listen; Tired - Pray for strength; Laziness - Not an option… <br /><br />At the end of the day, I know that I have given my all. Hopefully my efforts will have helped a shipmate reach a new height within their career, within their life, and or to find their purpose." <br /><br />Shipmate, we’re all proud of you and look forward to hearing more about your interactions with Sailors! Bravo Zulu – Fleet sends.Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-47013925175285827092009-06-08T01:49:00.003-10:002009-06-08T02:04:40.913-10:00Aloha Pacific and hello Atlantic!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/Siz9tDEW_7I/AAAAAAAAAD4/admj2e80tho/s1600-h/usffc.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/Siz9tDEW_7I/AAAAAAAAAD4/admj2e80tho/s200/usffc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344925808141467570" /></a><br />Aloha Shipmates,<br /><br /> I wanted to take a moment and wish all our Sailors in the Pacific Theatre, a place my family and I have called home for the last 7 1/2 years, a fond farewell. We’ve taken our last tour and moved to U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia and set up a home in the local Hampton Roads area.<br /><br /> Our time in theatre was one of the most memorable times in our 27 year career. To have spent time in Sasebo and Yokosuka Japan, traveled throughout Asia and then a 23 month tour in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the home of U.S. Pacific Fleet, was in a word, “incredible.” The Sailors, Marines, Navy civilians and family members are among the elite of the U.S. Navy and set the tone for the rest of our service. Those operating in the FDNF (Forward Deployed Naval Forces of the Western Pacific) exercise leadership 24/7 every day of the year, and I can’t thank them enough for their daily sacrifices.<br /><br /> As we begin our last tour I’d like to put on the record a few things. As I told the Sailors (Second Chance Sailors on CARL VINSON) the other day when one of them asked me who I worked for, “I work for you. I was hired by Admiral Greenert to report to him and his staff the challenges our Sailors face, the state of the force he commands, and to state the expectations of Sailors to Sailors for the U.S. Navy to remain the very best Navy the world has ever had, but I work for you, the Sailor to hear your concerns and issues and at the end of the day, make life a little better than we found it.” The life of our Sailors in many ways is much better today than it was 20 years ago, but some of the demands we have on our Sailors are the hardest they’ve been in many years. I am committed to identifying areas we need to address and fixing them. The team of Master Chiefs throughout the USFF domain are an incredibly talented and experienced group of professionals and working with them in support of the MCPON, there’s nothing we can’t get done.<br /><br /> So secure for sea Shipmates, we’ve taken in all lines and the course we’ve plotted will take us through Sea State 9. -Fleet sends <br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_state#World_Meteorological_Organization_sea_state_code"></a>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-68408704573363324832009-04-28T13:45:00.007-10:002009-04-28T17:06:06.975-10:00Pacific Fleet Sailor Of the Year<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SffCwr_HC4I/AAAAAAAAADo/bTQbqh3ARTo/s1600-h/SOY+2009+MISSOURI.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SffCwr_HC4I/AAAAAAAAADo/bTQbqh3ARTo/s200/SOY+2009+MISSOURI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329942825713208194" /></a>Aloha Shipmates,<br /><br />We recently finished our PACFLT Sailor Of the Year (SOY) competition and just like previous years, this years 8 finalists were great examples of “Deck-Plate Leadership.”<br /><br />Our candidates go through a rigorous selection process having to go through competition from the Department level, to the Command level, to the ISIC level and then the TYCOM level. Our eight finalists consisted of four that would compete for the Sea Duty selection and four who would compete for the Shore Duty selection. The SOY chosen for Sea duty is eligible to be meritoriously promoted to Chief Petty Officer during the CNO program in July and the Shore SOY chosen will compete at one more level, that being the VCNO Sailor of the Year competition later in May, held in Washington, D.C.<br /><br />Our Sea SOY’s and the reporting command they represented: <br />Representing Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific, Shipmate - Air Traffic Controller First Class Alea Creighton; <br />Representing Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, Shipmate - Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Christopher Green. <br />Representing Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, Shipmate - Religious Programs Specialist First Class Patrick McCormick. <br />Representing Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Shipmate - Special Warfare Operator First Class Marcos Ybarra. <br /><br />Our Shore SOY’s:<br />Representing Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Shipmate - Operations Specialist First Class Terrish Bilbrey. <br />Representing Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, Shipmate - Aviation Electronics Technician First Class Ethan Clark. <br />Representing Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, Shipmate - Religious Program Specialist First Class Patricia Hernandez. <br />And representing Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific, Shipmate – Hospital Corpsman First Class James Nicholson. <br /><br />Trying to select just one from each stellar group was much like trying to select which Sailor looks the best from a group consisting of members from the U.S. Navy’s Ceremonial Guard!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SffCw5fa05I/AAAAAAAAADw/TlSnEWLOqlo/s1600-h/SOY+2009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SffCw5fa05I/AAAAAAAAADw/TlSnEWLOqlo/s200/SOY+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329942829338383250" /></a><br />In the end the board (consisting of the Force Master Chiefs from AIRPAC, SURFPAC, SUBPAC, and CMC’s from 3rd Fleet and MARFORPAC selected Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Christopher Green as the Sea SOY and Hospital Corpsman First Class James Nicholson as the Shore SOY.<br /><br />These eight candidates are the representatives of 100,000 E6 and below Sailors throughout the Pacific Fleet and the way they carried and handled themselves were as true professional Sailors. Congratulations to all our Sailors who wear the uniform in this all-volunteer Navy! I couldn’t be prouder of each of you. –Fleet sends.Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-41991766140027981712009-04-21T06:35:00.001-10:002009-04-21T06:37:14.811-10:00What's happened to the "Mess?"Shipmates,<br /><br />Thought it relevant for me to send this out to you for your interest as I received the original from a friend of mine in Japan who didn't know Paul Harvey's version of "the rest of the story."<br /><br />Much like some of the emails that surfaced a year ago regarding a CPO select in one of our regions, there is always a second version of the story that needs to be heard before passing judgment.<br /><br />John Heck is a heck (no pun intended) of a CMC and is doing great things in GHW BUSH.<br /><br />Sail safe and thanks for leading Sailors and taking care of the issues they and their families have. Fleet Sends<br /><br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Pharr, Fred FORCM COMNAVAIRLANTN004 <br />Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:38<br />Subject: FW: RETIRED CPO PRIVLEDGES<br /><br />Morning All, many of you may have received or heard of the below email<br />recently generated by retired Chief Petty Officer Brian Harman, a MARMC<br />worker embarked onboard CVN 77 for Acceptance/Sea Trails. Below is Chief Harman's email and CVN-77's CMC response and sincere APOLOGY for this simple misunderstanding. I only ask that those who forwarded the original email, please read and forward the CMC's complete response and possibly see this issue from all sides. There is much blame to had, including Chief Harman, his employers embark policy and indeed CVN-77. Our Navy and every Chiefs Mess honors and respects the Chiefs that have served our Great Navy and Nation, they are and will always be WELCOMED in our Chiefs Mess. V/R, FORCM Fred Pharr Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Heck, John W., CMDCM [mailto:cmc@cvn77.navy.mil]<br />Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 16:08<br />Subject: RE: RETIRED CPO PRIVLEDGES<br /><br />FORCE -<br /><br />I'll dispense with the adjectives and just give you the meat of the issue which resulted in this Chief's e-Mail.<br /><br />Never in my wildest dreams would I turn away (or allowed to be turned-away) any Active or Retired CPO from our Chief's Mess. This was a mistake and my sincere apologies go out to the individual involved.<br /><br />GEORGE H W BUSH has been to sea a total of four (4) days.<br /><br />During the first two (2) days (builder's sea trials) the ship had<br />approximately 900+ Civilians aboard from various agencies and companies, as well as 200+ Active Duty (in Uniform) from different commands all around the country. Everyone was here for different reason and purpose, whether they were here as a Northrop Grumman employee, or as someone sent here to inspect a particular system, the types of jobs numbered in the hundreds. The reason I mention this is because everyone has an employer, or a Chain of Command somewhere who issues rules and guidance. The guidance that everyone received at check-in was similar to what all Ship Riders are supposed to receive (Where berthing is located, Man overboard muster locations, EEBD Indoctrination, locations of where the Mess decks, CPO Mess and Wardroom are located, etc). The group at-large received briefings by<br />their various employers or Chains of Command (where applicable), but they were also issued security Badges which indicate where their messing arrangements are located. It is the responsibility of everyone to know (and go) to where those locations are at mealtimes.<br /><br />During our Last Underway, it became a free-for-all in the CPO Mess anyone who wanted to come down, did so with no control or sanity check. The food was gone, the place was a wreck, and our FSAs and CSs were rode hard until we could get them some additional help from the other Departments. In the Mess, we were expecting an additional 220 guests (on top of the ships crew) but received more than 350 at each mealtime until we got the situation under control. We also had to secure the Mess at different times of day and night just to get it cleaned-up, because it was becoming a "Lounge" for certain riders, and in a state of disarray at different times. I can go on and on about this, but I'll stop at this point and give credit to our young Sailors who were the ones who stood out and helped keep the place at the standard where it needed to be. The Chiefs helped by challenging the guests who they<br />didn't know. And by the way these youngsters maintained our Mess without complaining of all the extra hours either in the Mess (or in taking care of cleaning up all of our berthing compartments afterwards).<br /><br />The lessons we received out of this were of crowd control. We needed to actually post MAs outside the Chief's Mess to check credentials and<br />basically validate who was allowed in and who wasn't. People who couldn't produce a security badge that said "CPO Mess" on it, or produce some other type of proof that they are a CPO, were not admitted. Not addressed before this underway period was the necessity of having a better accounting of the Active and Retired CPOs to expect, because we really didn't have as good a visibility on that as we would like.<br /><br />Basically what we had were three distinct groups of folks:<br />- Workers who were authorized guests, whether their badge said that or not.<br />- Workers who were guests of the ship and were supposed to be elsewhere.<br />- All CPOs in uniform.<br /><br />Fast-forward to this previous Underway period - (2) days (of acceptance<br />sea trials and INSURV) - we were expecting roughly the same numbers,<br />possibly less, approximately 700+ Civilians and about 200+ Active Duty. <br />Again, the group at-large were supposed to receive briefings by their<br />various employers or Chains of Command, as well as get their Security<br />Badges. During this two-day U/W, several came in the CPO mess with retired Chief's credentials, and even though these workers were programmed (by their employer) to eat in the general mess, we made an allowance for these workers to eat in the CPO Mess anyway. The effect strained the CPO Mess above 250 guests, without any extra support, but we handled it. That wasn't a problem.<br /><br />Not having good visibility on exactly HOW MANY we were supposed to get, and understanding how unique these sets of circumstances were (this will probably never happen again with this many riders) - that WAS the problem. We could not get an accurate count from all the different agencies, commands and workers who were coming, with the understanding that any Chief would be allowed to enter the Mess, whether badged correctly or not.<br /><br />Somewhere in all of this, this particular situation had slipped through the cracks. The MAs who were told to do their job did it to the best of their ability and checked everyone's credentials. They turned-away several people who without proper badges. This individual should have been allowed to enter the Mess.<br /><br />Concerning the CPO (Retired) who generated this email, I never met him. At no time was I ever contacted by him, his employer, or by anyone else<br />associated with MARMC - or - in their group. I carry a radio.<br />I am mobile and available. I honestly feel bad that he got turned away, and I should have been called when it happened. That was not supposed to happen. He DOES have an open invitation to come back. Bottom line here is that it would have been an easy situation to diffuse, had he Simply contacted me. In his conversation with CSCM he didn't show his I.D., so I probably would have told him to eat in the General mess also. I consider this an isolated event.<br /><br />Since I have been on board (23 Jan), I have had three CPO Hail and<br />Farewells, numerous CPO Meetings (the Whole Mess), and one CPO Dining-Out in downtown Norfolk. I constantly go to the Mess for meals and business. I am also doing CPO Career Development Boards. If there are two CPOs who don't know me, then I'd like to know what commands they are from (because they were not part of this one).<br /><br />I'll close this by saying (again) that everyone who comes aboard this ship, if they are a CPO, active or retired, they are welcomed in the Mess. To outside agencies who employ retired CPOs, it might matter to them (because - we observed - that they are assigning retired Chiefs to other areas of the ship, and not the Mess, that's a contributing factor. It could be their employers DO know that these workers are retired Chiefs, therefore do not badge them correctly.<br /><br />Now if it were me - and I mean no disrespect to anyone - I would have gotten my badge fixed before it became a problem. Or - if not other recourse and located the Ships CMC and asked what's up?<br />v/r CMDCM(AW/SW/FPJ) John W. Heck USS GEORGE H W BUSH (CVN 77)<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Harman, Brian R CTR MARMC, 282<br />Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 8:27 AM<br />To: EVERYONE IN HIS DISTRIBUTION LISTS<br /><br />Joe, Tony, Curran, Don, Joel, Ed and Ted,<br /><br />I just got back from the Acceptance Trials on CVN-77, I checked<br />onboard at 0500 and thought I would grab a cup of coffee in the mess.<br />Low and behold there was security posted at the hatch to the chief's mess and since my riders card said general I wasn't allowed to enter. After badgering security long enough they left me pass, once in the mess I asked the MDMAA where the caterer was and he pointed towards the mess lounge, inside I found Master Chief Askew (CSCM I think) I asked about if I could eat chow in the mess being a retired CPO, not only did he say no that I couldn't eat but I was permitted in the mess at all.<br />He told me that there was to many of ya, I was suddenly not a retired CPO but a ya.<br /><br />After being talked to like a FN and treated like a dog, I was exiting the mess at flank speed with flames coming from both ears to talk to<br />someone, anyone, I stopped 2 chiefs and asked who the CMC was and where I could find him, I got the same answer from both, "I don't know" at that exact moment I realized that my mess isn't my mess anymore, when the hell did the comrade, fellowship and brotherhood change to me, me, me!!!<br /><br />When I was frocked to chief on the Truman I left the frocking<br />ceremony and reported the mess where I became the mess caterer, I can tell you one thing no retired CPO or Retired E-7 and above from any branch was ever turned away or even paid for a meal, I owed them that much. The ship saying there was to many people to let all retired CPO's in the mess is bullshit, I hosted a bring your boss to supper and also bring a blue shirt to supper quit often on the Truman and I could run 800 people thru the line in less than 3 hours.<br /><br />2 years ago I went to my oldest son's graduation from Marine Corp<br />boot camp at Parris Island and I was welcomed with open arms there, and when I see him at Camp Legune I retired status is excepted well.<br /><br />Last week I went to Fort Jackson to my youngest son's Army<br />graduation and was recognized and honored during the ceremony for being a retired vet.<br /><br />Has the new Navy flushed away centuries of tradition and thrown our<br />retired CPO's away, I think so.<br /><br />You have my permission, and I encourage you to forward this to<br />anyone you see fit. I'm pissed, embarrassed and ashamed of what is happening to my mess. R/ ICC(SW) Brian R. Harman (Retired)Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-52135322789987204392009-03-31T15:12:00.010-10:002009-04-01T11:06:23.447-10:00Happy Birthday, chiefs!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SdLEfWp5_vI/AAAAAAAAAC4/_I9UqLy8qBg/s1600-h/anchors3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 167px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SdLEfWp5_vI/AAAAAAAAAC4/_I9UqLy8qBg/s200/anchors3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319530152814313202" /></a><br />I want to piggyback on MCPON West’s birthday message sent out March 30 via Navy.mil.<br /><br />In his message, which can be found at <a href="http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43884">www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43884</a>, MCPON West reminds us first and foremost we should take a moment and truly reflect on “the honored traditions of our mess and the heritage associated with it.” <br /><br />But, I ask you, what is our heritage? What are our honored traditions? Sure, we can stand up and list all of those who have served as MCPON or proudly stand up and talk about the path senior-enlisted Sailors have taken to become the chief. But, really, what is our most-honored tradition? <br /><br />MCPON West spelled it out clearly for us all in his birthday message as he looked back upon MCPON Billy Sanders and the status of the Navy during Sanders’ tenure as our MCPON. Our most-honored tradition is keeping our ranks filled with the best possible people. Shipmates, there is NO room for mediocrity! We must hold ourselves and the Fleet to the highest of standards.<br /><br />Bottom line here as MCPON Sanders wrote and MCPON West reminded us: “It’s time to be Navy.” <br /><br />It’s time get back to the basics of what it is that has made the U.S. Navy chief petty officer mess the backbone of the greatest Navy in the world. And, there is no better time than our birthday to make that happen.<br /><br />Fleet sends.<br />cpf.fleetfeedback@navy.milMooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-65918075216777952132009-03-31T12:26:00.001-10:002009-03-31T15:30:48.190-10:00Are you connected in the Information Age?With the introduction of the computer into modern warfare, the Navy jumped head first into the "Information Age". As quickly as this brought the Sailor to mission critical information, it also brought a surge of data back on the Sailor ten-fold. <br /><br />But how does one avoid drowning in this growing arena? How does one reach out to shipmates for a lifeline to stay connected and in touch?<br /><br />Connections are made at a lightening fast pace and just blinking might make you miss the next 'big thing'. We have email and we created websites, then the world went and made their own spaces (aka MySpace), now you gotta put your face out there (Facebook) and since when did you Tweet (aka Twitter) in the Navy, let alone allow Yammering (aka Yammer) or Jabbering (aka Jabber) of our shipmates? Even now, just to talk to FPCON, instead of picking up the phone, you put on your Command and Control headset to DCO-in (Defense Connect Online). Think “World of Warcraft” in the office!<br /><br />In a community as diverse and distanced as the Navy, there is just as many different ways of staying in touch. There's not only information pull (users going to get the information they need), but an information PUSH, flooding the Sailor with avenues to explore. <br /><br />So how does one stay in contact at sea or in combat? World Wide Web today truly does capture the world - connectivity now goes where you go, not the other way around where you have to drag it after you. Sometimes it just comes looking for you! Thanks for your sacrifices and for your service. Fleet sends.Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-32363307826790512202009-03-11T10:30:00.003-10:002009-03-11T10:33:06.751-10:00Chiefs on Deck -- Reality vs. Myth<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/Sbgf_L9qFBI/AAAAAAAAACo/t76x88VOnrk/s1600-h/web_080513-N-0807W-001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/Sbgf_L9qFBI/AAAAAAAAACo/t76x88VOnrk/s320/web_080513-N-0807W-001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312030930887119890" /></a><br />Hey Shipmates, I want to talk today about reality vs. myth when it comes to deckplate leadership.<br /><br />Our recollections of the way things were done will often determine how things are done in the future. These recollections or stories can have either a positive or negative effect on what we do and who we are. If they’re serving our needs well, there’s no need to change them. However, when the story is a myth and has become so much a part of our unconscious being that it drives our behavior, then it’s time to break the myth and bring the story back to its true reality.<br /><br />I’m talking about “chiefs on deck!”<br /><br />First let me state the myth: “Back in the day, if I ever saw my chief out of the goat locker, it meant I or one of my shipmates was going to get his or her butt chewed.”<br /><br />Now the reality: “My chiefs were always in the spaces.” They were constantly checking the cleanliness and preservation of the equipment and ensuring the spaces they were responsible for were properly maintained. They were routinely seen with the division officer (DIVO) or the leading petty officer (LPO), wheelbook in hand, pointing at things and writing stuff down, presumably adding to the laundry list of things that needed to be done.<br /><br />They were “mentoring” before any of us knew what the word meant and certainly before it became part of our Navy terminology. They were helping develop the young junior officer into a good officer who could become a great DIVO with the tools to be a successful department head and beyond. To the LPO who had seen this going on for years as he came up through the ranks, he was finding our exactly what the chief was writing down in his wheelbook. They were finding out how things were prioritized based on the operational schedule and maintenance requirements.<br /><br />The good LPO only needed to do this a few times with the chief before he realized that if he did these things himself, he would be doing the things “the chief did” and subconsciously preparing himself to put on anchors. The great LPO never waited for the chief to ask how things were going or what the status was on a specific work project, he provided the chief routine updates. The chief in turn provided updates to the DIVO so he too could provide the same to the department head. It’s a well-maintained capstan of information going round and round.<br /><br />The thought that if the chief is always on deck she was considered micro-managing the LPO, never crossed anyone’s mind because the chief was ALWAYS on deck. If my job was to work with one or two other seamen to repaint a bulkhead, I knew either the chief or my supervisor was going to be inspecting the progress at every juncture. When we finished needle-gunning, someone was going to inspect to see if the job was ready to sand. When we finished sanding, someone was going to inspect to see if we were ready to prep. Once that was done, we were ready to prime. When the chief or LPO was sure that all these steps were completed satisfactorily, like had been done for years before, we painted it and then, that too, was inspected for holidays. Were we micro-managed? Nope! We were being taught the proper ways to do our jobs. In reality, we were being mentored on what was needed to do to be ready to put on a chevron of a petty officer.<br /><br />As it pertains to our myths, I’ve heard it stated this way: the more we repeat them to ourselves, the more powerful they become; the more powerful they become, the more they determine our behavior; the more we behave as if they are true, the more they will become self-sustaining prophecies.<br /><br />So to all our chiefs, flush the myth down the crapper and get back on deck. Your Sailors need you and our Navy expects it. If you’re in the goat locker, I expect it’s for a cup of coffee, chow or you’re telling one of your fellow chiefs that his spaces look like they haven’t seen a broom since Moby Dick was a minnow!Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-54766254358409296262009-02-20T08:26:00.002-10:002009-02-20T08:29:49.792-10:00USS CONSTITUTION<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SZ72Mzo2XeI/AAAAAAAAACQ/GdAIXKHmWGo/s1600-h/CONSTITUTION+CPO"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304948110969429474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SZ72Mzo2XeI/AAAAAAAAACQ/GdAIXKHmWGo/s320/CONSTITUTION+CPO%27s+Week+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow shipmates, it’s been too long since I posted here and wanted to say first sorry.<br /><br />Had a been traveling quite exclusively the last several months and simply wanted to catch you up on where I’ve been and some of the common concerns from our Sailors. I'll hit some of the places I've been in separate blogs and then capture the concerns in a final one.<br /><br />First where have I been. Each year a group of our CPO Selects are provided an opportunity to spend a week working the rigging onboard “Old Ironsides”, USS CONSTITUTION (the only ship in commission without a hull number)! This was my first visit with them and one I will never forget. For the soon to be Chief Petty Officers, I would believe it was thus far the highlight of their careers.<br /><br />I spoke to them about leadership, and their responsibility to develop their Sailors. A favorite quote of mine has always been: “Leaders take people where they want to go, great leaders take people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be!" That’s our charge as leaders in our Navy. To see in our Sailors what they may not see in themselves, and then help them achieve more than they believed they could.<br />For now Shipmates, that’s it. Thanks for serving and thanks for your great sacrifices you and your family make on a daily basis. Fleet Howard </div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-57663759182938639072008-08-26T13:22:00.001-10:002008-08-26T13:28:50.800-10:00Motorcycle Safety - CPO Call to ActionShipmates,<br /> I want to take a minute and talk about motorcycle safety. As many of you know this has been on the forefront of all safety messages for several months now. However, we are still not doing our part as Sailors in ensuring we are adhering to the rules and regulations governing this extremely important safety matter. If you own a motorcycle of any sort, it is your responsibility to have the proper personal equipment (PPE) and the proper training to operate that bike. Whether you ride the bike on base or off, PPE and training are required. <br /><br /> This is my challenge to you … if you have not told your chain of command that you have a motorcycle, you’ve got to do it now! Your Chief or Chiefs will ensure you have the tools needed to be ready to ride that motorcycle. When I say tools, I mean training. <br /><br /> We continue to lose Sailors and Marines in what are preventable accidents. There is no coming back from a fatal miscalculation on a motor-bike, no matter how cool it felt while you were motoring down the road. Nobody thinks it’s going to be them. Tell that to your buddy who just bought a “crotch rocket” and can’t wait to get it on the highway.<br /><br /> On another note, the Navy and Marine Corps have teamed with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and developed a course tailored to sport bikes. Check out this promotional video and learn more about properly preparing yourself for sport bikes. <a href="http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/ashore/motorvehicle/motorcycle/MSCRad.asp">http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/ashore/motorvehicle/motorcycle/MSCRad.asp</a><br /><br /> Also, if you want more information on motorcycle safety, check out the Navy Safety Center Web site at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.safetycenter.navy.mil/ashore/motorvehicle/motorcycle/default.htm">www.safetycenter.navy.mil/ashore/motorvehicle/motorcycle/default.htm</a><br /><br /> Bottom line, Shipmates! Safety is everyone’s issue! So, let’s take a round turn and take care of this issue. Your life and the life of your Shipmate’s depend on it. Fleet Howard sends.Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-35338249391351644972008-08-26T13:12:00.004-10:002008-08-27T08:53:55.024-10:00Field Training Exercise with the Bees!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSQOMIW66I/AAAAAAAAABk/HxSEjQScymY/s1600-h/JERRV+Crew.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238970839987579810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSQOMIW66I/AAAAAAAAABk/HxSEjQScymY/s320/JERRV+Crew.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey Shipmates,</div><br /><div>Wanted to let you know I just had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with our "Can Do" warriors of NMCB 40, UCT 2, 30th NCR and 31st SRG during their FTX in Northern California.</div><br /><div>It was great to see these "dirt Sailors" setting up camps, ensuring perimeters are maintained and simply doing what they do best, "They Build, and They Fight!"</div><br /><div>On my last day, I had a chance to join a convoy as they prepared to move camp from one location to another. The JERRV ride was an incredible display of American technology and our Sailors who have been trained to drive, navigate and fight from them are inspirations to us all. Pictured here with me are CM1(SCW) Johnson (on the left), and UT3(SCW) Milne on the right. There were also a few other BEES in the vehicle I had the privelage to meet, who are not pictured.</div><br /><div>Shipmates, your dedication and sacrifices make me proud to be among you and call us all Sailors! Fleet Howard</div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-22502663399868287602008-08-26T12:56:00.003-10:002008-08-26T13:12:11.141-10:00Concert On The Avenue<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSNsbz2r1I/AAAAAAAAABc/7lEc01m6ZHM/s1600-h/COTA+event+Aug+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238968061057740626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSNsbz2r1I/AAAAAAAAABc/7lEc01m6ZHM/s320/COTA+event+Aug+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey Shipmates,</div><br /><div>On August 12th, Fleet West (USFF Fleet Master Chief) and I had the opportunity to travel to our nations capital and represent MCPON during the Concert On The Avenue (COTA) event.</div><br /><div>This event is conducted, I believe six times between Memorial Day and Labor Day and is performed by the National Capital Region Navy Band and our Navy Ceremonial Guard at the Navy Memorial with a pre-concert reception at the Naval Heritage Center Museum.</div><br /><div>Because this particular concert is in August, it presents a great opportunity for the newly selected Chief Petty Officers from the surrounding area (Naval District Washington and OPNAV) to attend. There were approximately 65 of our soon to be newest Chiefs present and it was exciting to be in their company.</div><br /><div>As I mentioned, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard was part of the event and as they do wherever they go, they represent the Navy in a truly fantastic way. Sailor's coming straight from Boot Camp or maybe their first "A" school, they are the epitome of Navy Pride & Professionalism and Military Bearing! Along with the Navy Band, they are the highlight of the evening.</div><br /><div>Our Navy band, regardless of which one we're talking about, is renowned for their ability to get the audience invloved and make passers-by stop to listen and ultimately dance to the tunes. This day was no different. I would guess, there may have been 300 hundred or more local residents and tourists to our nations capital in attendance, many getting their first impression of our Navy. I'm proud to say, there's no way they could have been disappointed.</div><br /><div>Shipmates, ya'll make me proud to be a Sailor! Fleet Howard </div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-27196907397974449292008-08-26T12:47:00.002-10:002008-08-26T12:56:27.063-10:00Fallon, Nevada<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSJ8z0wh-I/AAAAAAAAABU/vYyu4XwjS1c/s1600-h/NAS+Fallon+SAR+flight.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238963944335378402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SLSJ8z0wh-I/AAAAAAAAABU/vYyu4XwjS1c/s320/NAS+Fallon+SAR+flight.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey Shipmates,</div><br /><div>Recently I had a chance to visit with the Sailors of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, NAS Fallon, Nevada and the Pacific Strike Fighter home at Lemoore, California. It was great to walk passageways, hangar bays and command spaces and talk with America's heroes.</div><br /><div>One particular Sailor I had the pleasure of meeting was AW1 (AW/NAC) Michael Pilarski,<br />NAS Fallon SAR Team LPO. He was one of the many heroes during the recent major flooding which took place outside of Fallon. AW1, er, my apologies, Chief select Pilarski, I was honored to spend some time with you. You're the consumate professional and your efforts that day as well as those of your squadron undoubtedly saved many lives (and cats!). BZ and it's a pleasure to call you Shipmate! Fleet Howard</div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-66326232094914492212008-08-15T11:29:00.004-10:002008-08-15T11:57:27.194-10:00Yokosuka Japan and PT with the Chiefs<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SKX7Yfv0tYI/AAAAAAAAABM/dHRlI7zFg6I/s1600-h/CPO+Run+in+Yokosuka+July+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234866540145587586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SKX7Yfv0tYI/AAAAAAAAABM/dHRlI7zFg6I/s320/CPO+Run+in+Yokosuka+July+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On 17 and 18 July I was back in Yokosuka. It had been just over a year since I left Japan and it was great to be back amongst the heart of the Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan. Here I had another chance to PT with well over 100 Chiefs on the new Yokosuka artificial turf field. We had a great session followed by a short run and then an opportunity to talk briefly with the gathered mess.<br /><br />I visited with Sailors from the USS PROVIDENCE, STETHEM, MUSTIN, COWPENS, SHILOH and BLUE RIDGE before meeting with the advance party of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON.<br /><br />While talking with the local Japanese outside the fence line, they are very excited about the arrival of the GEORGE WASHINGTON later this summer early fall. </div><div><br />Walked through the “Honch” one evening and met a Sailor from the MUSTIN who was there with his new bride and actually had his parents visiting from Boston. I spoke briefly with he and his folks and told them how proud we were to have their son stationed at the tip of the spear there in Japan. Can not state it enough, how incredibly proud I am of all our Sailors and service members who volunteer to defend this great country and then ship-out and serve far from home. So many of our Shipmates sacrifice much being forward deployed that others may never know unless you’ve been there and done that. P.O. Finn, thanks for your service Shipmate and doing what you’re doing! I’m proud of you.</div><div></div><br /><div>Sail safe Shipmates! Fleet sends.</div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-2924789170560569842008-08-15T11:27:00.000-10:002008-08-15T11:29:04.477-10:00Okinawa Japan16 July had me visiting with our warrior Sailors down in Okinawa. I had a chance to have breakfast and a discussion with the CMC’s and CSEL’s followed by all hands calls with a deployed VP squadron from AIRLANT (Florida), Sailors from Camp Shields and a lunch with the Chiefs Mess. Finished the visit on White Beach at a re-enlistment and Sailor of the Quarter awards ceremony for Port Operations. Great job Shipmates!Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-5123228945959380852008-08-15T11:23:00.001-10:002008-08-15T11:27:21.842-10:00Sasebo Japan and USS HARPERS FERRYOn 14 and 15 July, I had the chance to visit Sasebo Japan for the first time since being assigned as the Fleet Master Chief. During the trip I was able to PT with many of the CPO’s at Nimitz field and visited the Sailors of USS PATRIOT, the deployed detachment of NMCB 133, the USS HARPERS FERRY, USS DENVER, USS ESSEX, Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division and ACU 5. <br />While on HARPERS FERRY I had the chance to meet and talk with a Sailor who was working as an FSA (Food Service Attendant) in the scullery. BMSN Farmer is a perfect example of what I talk about all the time with Sailors. What makes a champion prize fighter a champion prize fighter? His ability to get up off the canvass one more time than he’s been knocked down. BMSN Farmer had made some mistakes early on and if she didn’t turn herself around (get back off the canvass), she would have undoubtedly been kicked out of the Navy. The Shipmate I saw was a squared away, happy Sailor who simply decided, through counsel and engagement from her chain of command, to make the best out of every situation and she is being recognized as a top performer. She may make additional future mistakes and have challenges, but her character and heart as well as her respect for our Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment will certainly support her as she “gets back off the canvass!” Shipmates, you WILL make mistakes and have challenges, but every one of us will be known by how we face the adversity and whether or not we decide to get back up.<br />I’m proud of you BMSN Farmer, great job Shipmate.Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-82975807160873211662008-08-01T10:34:00.001-10:002008-12-11T21:21:30.245-10:00Congratulations new Chief Petty Officers<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SJNzgHsB1wI/AAAAAAAAABE/yc-i3XyZtrg/s1600-h/CPO+Anchor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229650587964004098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SJNzgHsB1wI/AAAAAAAAABE/yc-i3XyZtrg/s320/CPO+Anchor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Shipmates,<br /><br />NAVADMIN 177/08 (FY09 Navy Reserve Component E7 CPO selectees) and NAVADMIN 213/08 (FY09 Navy Active Component E7 CPO Selectees) was recently released and has listed our newly selected Chief Petty Officers.<br /><br />Congratulations to each of you selected and I look forward to meeting you throughout my travels both in the Pacific Fleet AOR as well as the rest of our Navy.<br /><br />Your selection means you are indeed ready to lead our Sailors at the next level and we have the expectancy of this leadership 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in uniform or civilian clothes.<br /><br />As MCPON Campa stated in his recent To The Deckplates, "One clear indicator of the difference between a Chief and an E7, is Induction participation." Look at these next six weeks as an extended Career Development Board and understand that on September 16th, you will be joining the ranks of Chief Petty Officers who have for 115 years before you, had anchors pinned on their collar.<br /><br />Once again, congratulations Shipmates and we look forward to you joining our mess!<br /><br />Sail safe,<br />Fleet </div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-1689220344008007452008-07-17T15:21:00.003-10:002008-12-11T21:21:30.571-10:00A visit to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SH_wjUO0YuI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Bem18rd-L7M/s1600-h/080717-N-6566M-025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224158582290014946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SH_wjUO0YuI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Bem18rd-L7M/s320/080717-N-6566M-025.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br /><div></div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190638760211784772.post-26908621985575515302008-07-09T16:25:00.002-10:002008-12-11T21:21:31.072-10:00"Standing Orders"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SHVzgOFOVVI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QFujtgdkFGA/s1600-h/Missouri-Arizona-CVN.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221206340378973522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKJ0fzqHlHw/SHVzgOFOVVI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QFujtgdkFGA/s320/Missouri-Arizona-CVN.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Aloha Shipmates,</div><div>Once again, welcome to the Mooring Lines blog. </div><div> </div><div>As I mentioned in my initial post, this blog is for you. Before we truly get started talking about your concerns, issues, ideas, thoughts and more, I would like to remind you that, although this blog is not on the navy.mil domain, it is still an official Web site. With that said, I would ask that the following "Standing Orders" be honored here:<br />1. This site is an official Navy Web site, and plans are to relocate it to a .mil domain in the near future.<br />2. Contributions to the content are voluntary and are not part of any Sailor's official duties. Posts and photographs will be reviewed prior to posting.<br />3. No information is posted that is not deemed acceptable to release through normal public affairs channels.<br />4. This Web site will comply with all policies and laws regarding the privacy of service members and their family members.<br />5. This site, including the comment areas, will not be used to air dirty laundry or circumvent your chain of command.<br />6. While a general disclaimer is included at the bottom of every page, every effort will be made to identify when a writer is expressing his or her own opinions and when he or she is reiterating an official policy.<br />7. We will not offer personal opinions on, or enter into debates about, our superiors, the government officials or bodies listed in Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or partisan political issues. Commenter's will be similarly moderated.<br />8. Comments are moderated, and, when possible, commenter's who appear to violate any of these Standing Orders will be given the opportunity to amend their comments. In the event differences of opinion cannot be resolved, we reserve the right to delete comments.<br />9. No advertising or merchandising for a commercial purpose is permitted on Mooring Lines. Links or comments for a commercial purpose will be deleted.</div>Mooring Lineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03312472026795580913noreply@blogger.com4