Vice Adm. William F. Moran, Chief of the U.S. Naval Personnel and Fleet Master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo, the Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (MPT&E) fleet master chief, visited the guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) while in port at Naval Base San Diego, Nov 20. Moran and Beldo met with command leadership and then gathered the entire crew to address a variety of issues that affect the Wayne E. Meyer Sailors on a daily basis including advancement, retention, compensation, and other career issues.
In his address to the crew, Moran congratulated Wayne E. Meyer Sailors on a successful deployment, and discussed the shift that would be occurring in both operational tempo and overall dynamic while the ship is in port. He also discussed the Optimized Fleet Readiness Plan (OFRP), which he said will hopefully create a more steady and predictable schedule for the Navy’s surface forces.
Both he and Beldo fielded a series of questions addressing major changes to the Navy’s training process, vital manning issues, and individual expectations for their upcoming career milestones.
The two leaders then met with the junior members of the wardroom and chief petty officers in order to discuss specific issues regarding their careers.
“It was enlightening to hear Vice Adm. Moran’s insight on the changing pace in the Western Pacific, and how I can expect those changes to affect my career as a Surface Warfare Officer,” said Ensign Christopher Lomax.
Other junior officers and chief petty officers who had the opportunity to attend these discussions echoed Lomax’s sentiments and were happy to provide with their own opinions regarding their specific areas of responsibility.
“We are so fortunate that we were able to host Vice Adm. Moran and Fleet Master Chief Beldo, and the information and insight that they provided to our Sailors, CPO Mess, and division officers were truly invaluable,” said Cmdr. Randy Van Rossum, Wayne E. Meyer’s commanding officer.
USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) was named after the late Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, who is regarded as the “Father of Aegis” for his service as the Aegis Weapons System Manager and later his development of the Aegis Shipbuilding Project Office.
Wayne E. Meyer recently returned from a deployment in the Western Pacific and is currently in its homeport of San Diego.
Press Release; Image: Wikimedia