NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Courtesy Story

Petty Officer Shannon Hamilton, from Corona, Calif., shared her excitement to have breakfast with Mabus. "I thought it was awesome he came out here to show his support to all the Navy personnel out here helping the Army."

The Navy has recently increased the number of Sailors that deploy to overseas locations like Afghanistan, also known as individual augmentee deployments. A typical IA deployment is for one year and deploys Sailors to nontraditional locations in support of U.S. and Coalition forces.

Mabus' visit, although brief, greatly increased troop morale for those he met. Mabus discussed missions, deployments and college football, among other things, with Sailors and Marines during the visit.

Marine Lance Corporal Sean O'Donnell, from Augusta, S.C., was grateful for the visit, "I'm glad to see that he came out here to support the troops, making sure people are doing the things they need to be doing. I'm proud that he came and had breakfast with us on Thanksgiving Day."

The Secretary of the Navy is responsible to conduct all the affairs of the Department of the Navy, to include recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing and demobilizing. SECNAV is responsible for the making and execution of policies and programs that are consistent with the national security policies and objectives established by the President and the Secretary of Defense.

After sharing a Thanksgiving Day breakfast, Mabus left Camp Eggers for other stops in the area, during his holiday visit with Sailors and Marines.

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