Photo By Daniel Sanford | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/AW) Terry Scott conducts an all hands call...... read more read more
U.S Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
ABOARD USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/AW) Terry Scott paid a visit to the officers and crew of USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) Sunday, March 12.
Scott, currently visiting the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility for quite possibly the final time before he retires, arrived on board the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, where he conducted an all-hands call and enjoyed lunch with the ship's crew.
"I thought it was a learning experience," said Lake Champlain's Sailor of the Year (SOY), Culinary Specialist 1st Class Guillermo Hernandez.
Following lunch, Scott met with the ship's chief petty officers in the chief's mess. The MCPON answered questions concerning Navy Knowledge Online's accessibility at sea, the advanced education voucher program and education requirements for senior enlisted Sailors.
"Everyday, we tell the younger guys how important the job is," said Fire Controlman Chief (SW) Steve Hyche. "In the grand scheme of things, his visit helps us put things in perspective. He's a real straight shooter and that helps us see the big picture."
MCPON also took part in an awards ceremony, where he presented Hernandez with the navy Commendation Medal for his selection as Sailor of the Year. Scott also awarded the ship's newest enlisted surface warfare specialists with their qualifying pins. He then conducted an all-hands call for the entire crew.
Scott openly thanked Lake Champlain's crew for their ceaseless efforts while deployed and also about the importance of personal readiness and the six disciplines that help achieve that goal. Physical fitness, financial fitness, mental fitness, ethical and moral fitness, family fitness, and spiritual fitness are the MCPON's tools to personal readiness.
"I use these as a tool when talking to Sailors about areas of concern that affect our own personal readiness. Personal readiness equals mission readiness," he said.
According to Scott, meeting with Sailors and having an open dialogue with the crew is essential.
"Part of my responsibility is to be an advocate for our Sailors," Said Scott. "If I'm going to represent Sailors and tell their story accurately, I need to continue to take the pulse of the fleet."
While MCPON's time on board the ship was brief, he seemed to leave an impression on the crew.
"I think it's amazing that he's here," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class David McClelland. "I was just looking at an issue of All Hands magazine yesterday, and I saw a picture of him in it. Today I walk into the mess decks and, wow, there he is in person. I think it's an honor that he took time to visit our ship today."
Lake Chaplain departed San Diego on Jan. 4 and is currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf, taking part in maritime security operations (MSO). These operations set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO also deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other equipment.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2006 12:54 |
| Story ID: | 5713 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 315 |
| Downloads: | 122 |
This work, Senior Enlisted Sailor Visits USS Lake Champlain, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
