USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) leadership, ombudsmen and their spouses joined area commands to thank ombudsmen for their continued support during an appreciation dinner at the Virginia Beach Convention Center Oct. 3.
Ombudsmen dedicate their time to support service members and families from commands throughout the Navy, lending support and assisting when they have questions or concerns.
“The ombudsmen do a tremendous job for our families,” said Ike Command Master Chief Sheila Langejans. “They are the first line of assistance for Sailors. Their job is really, really hard because they have a wide range of conversations when families are upset or scared or don’t know what to do.”
Because emergencies can happen at any time, ombudsmen act as a 24-hour helpline, ready to respond to any situation.
“I became an ombudsman to help the people, to help families,” said Cynthia Anguiano, an Ike ombudsman. Anguiano said she became an ombudsman to help Ike Sailors find the answers they needed.
The Navy offers Sailors and family members support across multiple platforms, such as the ombudsman program and family readiness groups (FRGs). Anguiano said ombudsmen and FRGs help each other by both assuming responsibility for the well-being of Sailors and their families.
The ombudsman program was started by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt in 1970 to create a reliable source of communication between commands and the families of Sailors. Ombudsmen are responsible for helping commanding officers maintain the morale, health and welfare of Sailors throughout the fleet. Ombudsmen provide background and contact information to Sailors, informing them which resources are available to them, such as day care, mechanical assistance and funeral services.
Approximately 700 people attended the dinner, which was funded by supporters and by the Navy League.
[mappress] Press Release, October 08, 2013