Honor Bound - Sexual Assault Prevention

Hey Shipmates,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A few additional talking points:
. 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.
. 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.
. 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.
. 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).
. 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 sends

NC of the Year

Hey there Shipmates,

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.

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.

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;
"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.

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!

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…

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."

Shipmate, we’re all proud of you and look forward to hearing more about your interactions with Sailors! Bravo Zulu – Fleet sends.

Aloha Pacific and hello Atlantic!

Aloha Shipmates,

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.

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.

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.

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