Assistant Secretary of Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Visits Rota, Spain

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Juan M. Garcia III, visited Naval Station Rota, Spain, March 23, marking the fifth and final stop of a three-continent tour showcasing the new 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative.

While aboard NS Rota, Garcia conducted an all-hands call where he outlined the purpose of his visit: “to deliver ground truth” about program and policy changes that are affecting Sailors, Marines and their families as the Department of the Navy adapts to America’s new national defense strategy. He also said he came to deliver details about the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative and to say thank you to the DoN team in Rota.

“I wanted to say thanks and covey the message that the work you’re doing – nowhere more so than Rota, the key strategic chokepoint of the way to the rest of the world – is having global geo-political significance across the world,” said Garcia.

The secretary also discussed the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consists of five core program areas, including readiness, physical fitness, continuum of service, inclusion and safety.

During his tour of the Naval Station, Garcia focused on safety, a core areas of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, with a stop at the motorcycle safety foundation range. While there, he saw portions of the Basic Rider Course and Military Sportbike Rider Course.

“Motorcycle training has been successful, requiring an additional rider course has driven our numbers down, but we can do better,” said Garcia.

“Last year we lost 12 Sailors. Not in the war, not operating aboard ship, not operating aboard aircraft, 12 Sailors lost riding motorcycles. And of those 12, nine, had the Basic Rider Course, but had never got around to the advance bike course or the sport bike course. We’re going to close that gap. Sixty days after you’ve taken the BRC, you’ll be required to take the advanced course, so we close that loop and we don’t lose Sailors we don’t have to.”

After his stop in Rota, Garcia will return to Washington, D.C. to further Department of the Navy efforts with regard to the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative.

The 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative is connecting needs with new and existing tools and resources to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness and safety, enhance resiliency and ensure all Sailors and Marines have the best opportunity to serve in the most advanced combat force in the history of the Department of the Navy.

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Naval Today Staff, March 26, 2012; Image: navy