The chief of naval personnel (CNP) visited Navy Region Northwest commands Nov. 18-19 to speak with sailors about manning, training and budget concerns.
This was Vice Adm. William Moran’s first visit to the state of Washington as CNP.
“My main priority is to get the right information to the sailors in the fleet,” said Moran who visited with sailors aboard guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 20), home ported in Everett, Ohio-class submarines USS Alabama (SSBN 731) and USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) home ported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, and Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), home ported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.
One of the many concerns addressed by Moran was the possible impact of the uncertain federal fiscal environment on sailors’ salaries.
“We are not cutting pay or bonuses,” said Moran.
He also stressed the need for sailors to take control of their careers and be aware of the career opportunities available to them.
“Programs like Career Navigator open the aperture to career options and management for both junior and senior sailors,” said Moran.
Navy Counselor 1st Class Preston Rodgers, from Odessa, Texas, appreciated Moran making the trip to engage directly with junior sailors.
“It demonstrates that he cares about us as individual sailors,” said Rodgers.
“He eased my concerns on the future of tuition assistance (TA),” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class Joe Hodge, from Detroit. “He said goals and funds have been implemented so that TA will remain available to sailors who want to further their education.”
CNP Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, who accompanied Moran during his trip, thanked Stennis’ chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) for their positive contributions to the command, and emphasized the importance of the CSADD program throughout the Fleet.
It’s more effective when you hear a fellow petty officer tell you that poor choices may cause you to lose everything you’ve earned when “you’re practicing what you preach,” said Beldo.
Moran also focused on the Navy’s zero tolerance policy on sexual assault and the importance of bystander intervention.
“If a sailor was not saluting during morning colors no one would hesitate to correct him or her,” said Moran. “That is the same response I expect every one of you to have when you see anything wrong or unethical going on in our Navy.”
He reminded sailors that he needs their help to eliminate sexual assault from the ranks of our Fleet and encouraged sailors to complete the Navy sexual assault survey.
“I ask that each one of you take the survey,” said Moran. “You have until Jan. 6 to log in and you can even take the survey from your smartphone.
“We need the Fleet’s help to truly understand our current SAPR (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response) environment.”
Before departing the Stennis, Moran thanked sailors for their continued hard work and dedication.
“This ship has been through an extraordinarily challenging tempo for the last two years and I would like to thank all of you for that,” said Moran. “However, there is more work ahead and this maintenance period is crucial to the Navy and the nation.”
Stennis is currently undergoing a Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) maintenance period at PSNS and IMF.
