MCPON visits sailors aboard Leatherneck

Photo By Cpl. Michael Curvin | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West greets a Sailor from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan, during his visit at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 10, 2009. While touring the camp and meeting with Sailors, West commented on his focus on troop morale, accomplishments and lessons learned that could impact the Navy in the future.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

09.14.2009

Story by Cpl. Michael Curvin 

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Afghanistan — Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West visited Sailors, Sept. 10.

During his visit, West held a town hall meeting, giving sailors and Marines a forum to ask questions. He focused his comments prior to the question-and-answer session on the morale of his Sailors, their accomplishments in Helmand province and what lessons learned could be applied to improving the Navy in the future.

West told the Sailors what he expected from them, in addition to highlighting what he does for them, saying he approaches his job with emphasis on putting 'eyes on the target' so he can see operations here.

"I'm not going to come as a [Seabee] down here and build your huts," West said jokingly. "But, the bottom line is that I work for you."

West told the sailors and scattering of Marines in attendance he continually saw military bearing, professionalism, and a positive work ethic from them.

"I am very impressed with the caliber of Navy Sailors and Marines that are out here right now," West said. "Everywhere I go the enthusiasm and the can-do spirit are absolutely deep. It's amazing to me."

The current population of sailors and Marines are of excellent character, according to West. He is impressed by the quality of both branches, which he's observed for more than 28 years as an enlisted sailor.

"You guys are rock solid, ready to go and you got your eyes on target," West said. "You know what? You're a lot sharper than I was when I first came in the Navy in 1981."

The joint operations between the Navy and Marine Corps continue to be just as solid now as they have been over past years, according to West. He advised his sailors though that their support will be increased to the other branches as well.

"We're expanding," West said. "I've seen sailors embedded alongside our Army brothers and sisters. It's the way we're operating. The Navy and Marine Corps have a long history, and it is a good history."

At the close of the meeting, West restated his sense of pride in the accomplishments of the sailors who saw to a multitude of construction projects aboard Camp Leatherneck. He wrapped his visit to Leatherneck with dinner alongside his sailors before leaving to visit Camp Bastion's Role Three Medical Facility.

West talked to the patients, both military and civilian, and presented a wounded Marine with his MCPON challenge coin. He has plans to come back here in the future to spend more time with individual units.

In his final words to the sailors and Marines here, West ended by saying simply, "thank you."

• Date Taken: 09.14.2009
• Date Posted: 09.14.2009 09:55
• Story ID: 38733
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF