US Navy’s Personnel Chief Pays Visit to Pensacola-Area Training Commands

The chief of naval personnel (CNP) visited Naval Education and Training Command’s (NETC) tenant commands aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Sept. 24.

This was Vice Adm. William F. Moran’s first visit to Pensacola as CNP.

As he worked his way through the aviation and information dominance training pipelines, Moran addressed Sailor and civilian questions on the current budget discussions taking place in Washington. He stressed that Navy leadership was focused on the situation and would continue keep the fleet informed on the impacts of a potential government shutdown, continuing resolution and sequestration.

“We have good people, from the CNO on down working these issues. We don’t know exactly how things will play out, but I need you to stay focused on your mission of training Sailors as we work through all of this,” said Moran. “We will do our best to keep you and your families informed as we learn more and understand what the future holds.”

One of Moran’s first stops was with senior air traffic control managers at this year’s Navy and Marine Corps Air Traffic Control (ATC) Leadership Continuum at the Naval Aviation School’s Command (NASC) auditorium. The admiral spoke to controllers about the importance of standing a professional and proficient watch. He specifically emphasized the need for integrity and character in proper watch standing.

“Being on watch and standing watch around the world for our nation is fundamental to who we are as a Navy,” said Moran. “Central to our ability to stand that watch is trust – the trust we have in each other and the trust the nation places in us as a service.”

CNP then visited Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where he spoke with students and instructors. ARSS’s intensive five-week program challenges its students with extensive physical training and helicopter deployments that include jumping from hovering aircraft and using a rescue hoist. From there, Moran toured the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) barracks and ate lunch at the NATTC Galley with students and instructors.

Capt. Alan Dean, NATTC commanding officer noted that his students genuinely appreciated getting to meet and talk with the admiral.

“Today’s visit by VADM Moran was not only an opportunity for NATTC to showcase our facilities and Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) program, but was also an opportunity for our students and staff to ask questions about policies that directly affect them and their careers,” said Dean. “Opportunities like this, to get answers to questions that directly impact them, are important and show that Navy leadership in interested in both their personal and professional development as well as taking care of their families.”

After lunch, the tour continued with the Center for Information Dominance (CID) at Corry Station, the Navy’s Learning Center that leads, manages and delivers Navy and joint force training in information operations, information technology, cryptology and intelligence. CID Executive Officer, Cmdr. John Markley commented that his staff and students enjoy demonstrating their capabilities.

“We’re very pleased to have Vice Adm. Moran on board Corry Station to meet our instructors and students and to see firsthand how CID continues to deliver the world’s finest cyber warriors to the fleet,” said Markley. “Our graduates will help the Navy meet and overcome current and future challenges.”

CNP Fleet Master Chief April Beldo accompanied Moran during his trip to Pensacola. Beldo’s previous job as NETC force master chief gave her a unique insight into the training pipelines.

“I continue to be amazed with the caliber of Sailors coming through the training pipeline, as well the instructors we have on staff , whose job it is to prepare these students for the fleet,” said Beldo. “We are preparing these men and women to be successful for when they get out to their ships, boats, squadrons and units. We have high standards for them – they are meeting those standards because they are excited and committed to serve.”

At each stop during the visit, Moran told Sailors and civilians that he needed them to continue to lookout for their shipmates-referencing ongoing efforts across the Navy on sexual assault prevention and response.

“Sexual assaults are happening in our Navy, we all know this, we have been to the training, we see the daily reporting. The only way we are going to drive the numbers down and make a real impact is through leadership and active bystander intervention. Fundamentally it comes down to leadership by example, setting the right climate and work environment, and comes down to not being afraid to step in when we see something that isn’t right.”

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Press Release, September 25, 2013; Image: US Navy