Reserve Forces Command moves to Norfolk

Courtesy Photo | Rear Adm. Mark S. Boensel, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, speaks at the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new Navy Reserve Forces Command Headquarters at Naval Station Norfolk, March 24. The command will bring about 450 military and civilian employees who are responsible for readiness, oversight and training of reserve Sailors.  

NORFOLK, UNITED STATES

03.24.2009

Courtesy Story

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

NORFOLK, Va. – Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command celebrated moving its headquarters from New Orleans to Norfolk with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new location, March 24.

The move was intended to better align the Reserve force with the Chief of Naval Operations priorities, further integrate the Reserves into all aspects of the war fighting mission and allow them to become more accessible to U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

"This move was part of a strategic alignment," said Vice Adm. Peter H. Daly, deputy commander, USFF." It's actually a validation; by moving them closer to us it shows the importance of the Reserve forces in all of the Navy's missions."

Navy Reservists can be found conducting operations all over the globe. Since September 11, 2001, more than 54,000 reservists have been mobilized to fill more than half of the Navy's individual augmentee assignments.

"We want the Navy Reserve to be a provider of choice for essential naval warfighting capabilities and expertise," said Rear Adm. John G. Messerschmidt, commanding officer, CNRFC.

The new global operational headquarters will house about 450 military and civilian employees who will manage and support the more than 68,000 Reserve Sailors and ensure their readiness to support naval operations.

"A move like this is tough, but I've noticed that the morale is extremely high," Messerschmidt said. "The staff is just ecstatic about moving into this new space."

The ceremony highlighted the Reserve forces continuing contributions to the Navy's operational capacity.

"I really can't say enough about the men and women who volunteer in the Navy Reserve," said Daly. "They're essential to the mission and we really couldn't get by without them."

• Date Taken: 03.24.2009
• Date Posted: 03.26.2009 14:40
• Story ID: 31647
• Location: NORFOLK, US