Southeast Region holds ombudsmen conference

Centered on the new Navy Family Ombudsman Program instruction, the Ombudsman Training Manual and other program updates released in May 2007, the program featured breakout groups for both the ombudsmen and command leaders. Highlighted topics were disaster relief and personnel accounting, domestic and child abuse and sexual assault intervention, and child and youth programs, as well as instructions on how to run the ombudsman program.

Karen Thompson, om-budsman for Combined Maintenance Organization, a newly-formed NAS Jacksonville command waiting on its unit identification code (UIC), learned about the ombudsman program for this first time this year. Despite her 12 years experience as a military spouse, Thompson had never received a letter, an e-mail or been introduced to her command ombudsman until January this year.

"I want to make a difference," said Thompson. "There are so many wives that are clueless. Deployments to them are mind-blowing. They shut down. They withdraw. They don't know their resources. This has reminded me of what things to get in place right away so that when we get our UIC, I'll be prepared. I would like to do a mailed letter and e-mail. You can't assume everyone has email and I want everyone to get everything."

ITC Michael Jackson, the senior enlisted leader at Personnel Support Detachment Atlanta, came to the conference to get a better understanding of the command's role and what it will require of him.

Gerri Warden, family life consultant for Fleet and Family Support Center Naval Construction Force, Gulfport, Miss., addresses regional command leaders on the importance of choosing an ombudsman, reminding them that the person they chose as ombudsman is the same person by which others will assess the command.

"Our new ombudsman couldn't be here. She is a seasoned ombudsman with about 12-13 years military experience, but I'm new to all this. I came here to get a plate of knowledge because a lot of stuff she speaks is kind of Greek to me."

Following a panel discussion on Navy Family Ombudsman Program roles, Jackson noted, "There is a better reporting system now when you have the ombudsmen asking spouses where they would go in a disaster instead of only the commands asking Sailors where they think their spouses would go."

"Being in this region in the Continental U.S., knowing the ombudsman's role in a disaster keeps us in contact with the families," said Jackson. "That brings a total peace overall."

Gerri Warden, a work and family life consultant for Fleet and Family Services Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss., addressed the command leaders in a breakout group about the importance of recruiting quality ombudsman. Warden reminded them that their pick for an ombudsman was also going to be the person that represented them as a leader in the eyes of a military spouse.

Capt. Don Burns, commander, Navy Reserve Readiness Command Southeast, addresses an assembly of ombudsmen and command leaders during the first day of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program Conference.

"Give them some guidance on what you expect from them. Let them know. They cannot read minds," said Warden, who also added that each ombudsman should be given a copy of the latest Ombudsman Program Manual, OPNAVINST 1750.F.

"We had a great turnout," said Wanda Archer, an ombudsman trainer for Navy Region Southeast who helped put on the conference. "Everyone says everything is great. They are getting lots of information."