MPT&E Senior Enlisted Complete Tour in NAVCENT AOR

Photo By Daniel Sanford | CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (Sept. 28, 2006) – U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ U.S. 5th Fleet Command Master Chief, Chief of Naval Operations-Directed Master Chief (SW/AW) Kelly Schneider, fields questions during an All-Hands Call at Camp Lemonier, Sept. 28. Schneider organized a weeklong familiarization trip for senior enlisted leaders from the Navy's Manpower, Training and Education (MPT&E) command. The focus of the tour was to visit with Sailors operating within the Middle East region and familiarize themselves with the roles of "boots-on-ground" Sailors. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford.  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

10.01.2006

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sanford 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Daniel Sanford
U.S. Naval Forces, 5th Fleet PAO

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – Master Chiefs from Manpower, Training and Education (MPT&E) completed a weeklong familiarization tour of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's (NAVCENT) area of responsibility (AOR), Sept. 28, following a two-day visit to naval assets in Africa.

After visiting Sailors in numerous locations, such as Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, the tour's final stop was Africa where they visited Camp Lemonier in Djibouti and Camp Hurso, in Ethiopia. Both locations are operated by Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).

While in country, the master chiefs met with Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, who recently arrived at Camp Hurso and are beginning major construction projects in support of the facility. They also toured Camp Lemonier and conducted an all hands call for its Sailors, many of whom are individual augmentees (IAs)

"CJTF-HOA is full of non-traditional Navy billets and mission sets that the Navy has traditionally not been involved in," said Schneider. "With the broad range of jobs our Sailors are doing here, I think the master chiefs will be able to go back and no matter what group of Sailors they're talking to officers or enlisted, be able to articulate the missions, challenges and benefits our Sailors encounter here in the AOR."

"It's important that senior enlisted understand these aspects because our Sailors are interested, concerned, and they're asking questions," added Schneider. "They know they'll eventually play a part in the AOR. They know it's not if, it's when."

During the hour long all hands call, Schneider, along with the MPT&E master chiefs, fielded questions concerning special pays for Seabees and Sailors filling certain IA billets, remissioning, deployments, and many other MPT&E-related queries.

"I think a lot of questions were answered today," said Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW) Roblyn Carroll, who works at Camp Lemonier Customs office and hails from Stuttgart, Ark. "They were very enthusiastic about helping and ensuring that changes will be made for the better."

"It's nice that our decision makers are concerned about us, and I appreciate the time they took to speak with us," agreed Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jennifer Lee, a native of Dale City, Va., who works at Camp Lemonier's Expeditionary Medical Facility.

The questions and concerns voiced by these Sailors, along with those they've met throughout the AOR, will help the master chiefs better understand the needs of "boots-on-ground" Sailors.

"I think Sailors' biggest fear about serving as an IA is the unknown," said CNOCM (SS) John Walker, command master chief of Navy Personnel Command. "I think this opportunity to tour the region will help us paint a more accurate picture for Sailors interested in knowing more about serving in the AOR."

"I thank Master Chief Schneider for having the vision to bring us here so we can see the things that he sees," said CNOCM (SW/AW) Evelyn Banks, command master chief of Navy Recruiting Command. "We can now take everything we've learned back with us and help ensure our Sailors receive the resources they need to continue their mission, no matter which part of the AOR they're stationed."

"There's no doubt we met the tour's objective," said Schneider. "The Sailors appreciated [MPT&E's senior enlisted] being there. Frankly, I think we need to get more enlisted leadership to come over here to see, feel and taste this AOR.

"I think if more military in CONUS took the time to tour this AOR, they'd have a better grasp and awareness of what we do," he concluded. "And that would result in more attentive support to the war effort."

• Date Taken: 10.01.2006
• Date Posted: 10.02.2006 13:19
• Story ID: 7879
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ