MCPON meets NAS Jacksonville Sailors

" I love being out here on the deckplate and anytime I can, I will," said West. "I want to see what Sailors are doing and how they're doing it. I want to get a pulse for the day-to-day operations on the base."

While aboard NAS Jax, West received a brief from Sailors at NAS Jax Air Operations and toured Hangar 1000 where he visited with Sailors from VP-16 and VP-45. He also had lunch with a group of hospital corpsmen from Naval Hospital Jax and base Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW/SS) Jeff Hudson at the Flight Line Café

During West's visit with Sailors at hanger 1000 the main topic of discussion focused on the new Navy Working Uniform (NWU), worn by West. West expressed that the uniform is comfortable, durable and is a uniform that all the Sailors can be proud of. (Photo by ATAA Adam Thomas)

. While at Hangar 1000, West answered many questions from service members about when the new Navy working uniform (NWU), worn by West during his visit, could be worn out into public. West replied, "That's up to the Sailors wearing it. When Sailors can show their chief petty officers that the uniform is worn correctly and when the force master chief comes to me and says, 'All of our Sailors are properly trained,' then I am more than willing to make a recommendation to the chief of naval operations (CNO) that we consider revising the policy on manner of wear."

"When civilians see the NWU, I want them to say, 'that's a Sailor and he looks sharp,' with no discredit in any way," added West.

"MCPON's visit was very uplifting," said AO2 Bobby Welch of VP-45. "He addressed our questions and concerns about the NWU and showed us that he truly is concerned with the issues facing the deckplate Sailor."

West also fielded questions from Sailors about his plans for force shaping. "I want to create opportunities in the Navy. It breaks my heart to see the great, hard-charging, first class petty officers who can't promote in rank because we're too overmanned in the E-7 to E-9 ranks. I want a Navy where we have the opportunity to promote, but I also want Sailors who want to be where they're at and want to work hard while they're there," explained West.

While at hanger 1000 West met with many Sailors including VP-45s AO2 Bobby Welch (left) and VP-45s AM2 Travis Holloway (right) with whom he discussed the daily operations and responsibilities of the squadron. (Photo by ATAA Adam Thomas)

"It won't be an overnight change," continued West. "It takes some time once force shaping at the senior enlisted level begins. There are too many hard chargers not getting promoted, from the senior enlisted level down to the youngest petty officers, and I expect opportunities for them to open up as the senior ranks thin from the top down." "The MCPON's visit was extremely positive," said Hudson. "A lot of our Sailors needed to hear from and shake hands with the MCPON. I don't think there's anyone unimpressed with the fact that he's a deckplate leader. He remembers where he came from and he's going to do a great job of representing the enlisted Sailors to the CNO."

"This is a great base and the Sailors seem well-prepared to face the challenges ahead.

Sailors of today's Navy are extremely hardworking and do a lot of good things that need to be captured," expressed West. "Many times, people tend to focus on the negatives but there are so many good things going on. Our Navy has never been challenged as much as it is today, but I will tell you that never before have our Sailors performed as well as they are right now."

During his visit with VP-16 Sailors West trades challenge coins and accepts a command ball cap from CMDCR (AW/SW) Adrian Andrews. A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organizationÕs insignia or emblem and is carried by the organizationÕs members or is used as a Command Coin by high-ranking military officers. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. (Photo by ATAA Adam Thomas)