Photo By Lt.j.g. Martin Carey | 150320-N-OT964-360 NAPLES, Italy (March 20, 2015) U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa...... read more read more
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NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy - The U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) fleet master chief retired March 20, 2015, during a ceremony at the base theater on Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy.
Family, friends and shipmates throughout the region gathered to honor and pay tribute to the 33-year naval career of Fleet Master Chief JoAnn Ortloff.
"I am proud to have been a part of this great Navy and shaping its future," said Ortloff during the ceremony. "Hopefully I'm leaving it better than when I came in. It was great when I came in, I just hope it's a little bit better now."
To help honor Ortloff, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens (MCPON) was on hand to provide his praise.
"U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Naval Forces Africa encompasses more than 14 million square miles, 105 countries and one billion people," said Stevens. "As fleet master chief, you made a resounding impact affecting key leadership decisions. Many Sailors and families have and will continue to benefit from your innovation, passion and professional courage."
Until her retirement, Ortloff was the most senior active duty enlisted female Sailor in the Navy, beginning her naval career Nov. 10, 1982.
She began her career as an air traffic controller and was selected to the command master chief program in 2003. Since then, she has served as command master chief aboard USS Milius (DDG 69), U.S. Naval Hospital Guam and U.S. 3rd Fleet.
In May 2012, Master Chief Ortloff was selected as the NAVEUR-NAVAF Fleet Master Chief, where she continued to help lead young Sailors and set them up for success.
"You embodied excellence and your leadership will continue to guide us for many years to come," said Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. "More importantly, the people you have touched, the people you have mentored for decades will look back on the fact that they know you, and will ask themselves 'what would Fleet Ortloff have done in this situation? How would she have handled it?' That is the legacy that you leave for all of us."
As Ortloff begins a new chapter of her life, the Navy will always have a special place in her heart.
"I will always stay involved wherever Sailors are, whatever they need," said Ortloff. "But I am going to put my anchor on my door; I am going to hang up my hat. It's time."
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2016 22:02 |
| Story ID: | 191663 |
| Location: | NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Fleet Master Chief Retires After 33 Years of Service, by Christopher Hurd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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