Last modified Fri., November 13, 2009 - 02:19 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 12, 2009

MCPON calls fleet and force leadership conference

By Clark Pierce, Editor

MCPON(SS/SW) Rick West introduces Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, who welcomed 53 master chiefs from around the world Nov. 3 to the fleet and force leadership conference at NAS Jacksonville. Photo by MC2 Gary Grainger

More than 50 of the Navy's most senior enlisted leaders from around the world gathered at NAS Jacksonville Nov. 1-6 to participate in the inaugural Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Fleet and Force Conference.

"This is my first major conference for fleet, force and region master chiefs. Like me, they each work for an admiral, and we're here to reshape the mess by raising the level of conversation among our leadership," said MCPON(SS/SW) Rick West. "We set an aggressive agenda that focuses on a range of deckplate and family issues. Our expert speakers range from flag ranks - including Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson - to master chiefs and civilian subject matter specialists."

After welcoming remarks by Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, West and his master chiefs rolled up their sleeves to increase their knowledge on topics such as:

Warfare qualifications - "We want it mandatory for young Sailors. When you see a Sailor with a warfare device on his or her chest, you know that Sailor has met the requirements to combat or save that ship, their shipmates or themselves," said West.

Safe Harbor/Wounded Warrior/Combat Casualty Care

Suicide Prevention

Personal Financial Management

NWU - "Thanks for your deckplate leadership in getting our Navy Working Uniform worn correctly in the fleet. Thanks to Navy Exchange and the uniform board, we're rolling out ahead of schedule in every region," said West.

Family Readiness/Deployment Support

Sexual Assault

Ombudsman Support

Physical Readiness

UniformGram - "This new communications tool will soon be issued with rules for apparel and accessories like backpacks, purses and earphones. Ball caps may not be worn with NWU because they just don't look good. As for coveralls, I want to get them back on ships and in hangars," said West.

MCPON(SS/SW) Rick West welcomes his boss, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, to a dinner event Nov. 4 that was part of the MCPON Fleet and Force Conference at NAS Jacksonville. Photo by Clark Pierce

He continued, "Our success will be gauged through deckplate leadership, with a significant focus on junior enlisted development. One key will be the level of conversation between all our leaders. In the U.S. Navy, every chief in the mess has a voice and I view this conference much the same way. Like a chief's mess, candor is valued and each point of view carries equal weight."

West stressed, "Communications is key - but you have to choose the right media. I'm fond of saying that I'm not a 'big meeting' guy because today's technology allows us to push information out via so many different channels. When I send something out to the fleet, my expectation is that it hits the deckplate and gets down to our junior Sailors. On the other hand, there may also be communications where I ask you to 'hold this close' so it's received only by a select audience. As many of you know, I also have a Facebook page where Sailors can directly communicate with me. But I also get questions from high school students considering a career in the Navy - and that's something we can all engage on."

When West asked attendees how they liked the Navy tri-base area in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, he received a hearty "hoo-yah!"

At his fleet and force conference Nov.4 at NAS Jacksonville, MCPON(SS/SW) Rick West congratulates Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery FORCM(FMF) Laura Martinez for receiving the 2009 Pioneer award at the recent Women of Color Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Conference in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Clark Pierce

"I'm somewhat amazed that we have a few folks who have not been here before - but that's good, because you get to meet some fine people and see how things are laid out here. You'll see why people stationed at Jacksonville, Mayport and Kings Bay enjoy their military lifestyle so much - in fact, it's hard to get them out of here. Special thanks go to Jeff Hudson, NAS Jacksonville command master chief, and Joe Curtain, Navy Region Southeast command master chief, for pulling this conference together so successfully," said West.

Force Master Chief (FORCM)(SCW) Mike Holdcraft of Seabees, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, DC, networks with FORCM(FMF) Ronney Wright of Navy Reserve Force, Norfolk, Va., and FORCM(EOD/EXW/SW/AW) Farris Foresman of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Norfolk, Va. while attending the MCPON Fleet and Force Conference at NAS Jacksonville Nov. 4. The five-day conference included visits by the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson and focused on deckplate concerns. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Monica R. Nelson Photo by MC1 Monica Nelson