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    NAS Kingsville welcomes new ombudsman

    NAS Kingsville welcomes new ombudsman

    Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Sandra Arnold | Meet Melissa Smith, Naval Air Station Kingsville's new ombudsman.... read more read more

    KINGSVILLE, TX, UNITED STATES

    11.26.2014

    Courtesy Story

    Naval Air Station Kingsville

    NAS KINGSVILE, Texas – Most Sailors are familiar with the role ombudsmen serve at each base, but if you are new to the Navy, a single Sailor or a military spouse you might be surprised to learn about the resources ombudsmen offer.

    “The Ombudsman Program offers a wide variety of resources available for Sailors and their families both attached to deployed and shore duty commands,” said Melissa Smith, Naval Air Station Kingsville ombudsman. “I can help connect individuals with a variety of programs such as incoming families needing options for childcare or local school information, new moms find resources such as baby boot camp and more. I’m always available to help provide options to ease the transition into military life and make the experience of being part of a military family easier.”

    In 1970, Adm. E.R. Zumwalt Jr., then chief of naval operations, created the program to improve communication between commands and the families of Sailors who served in them and in 2006, Adm.
    Michael G. Mullen re-emphasized the importance of the program and signed an updated instruction highlighting the requirement that all Navy families have access to an ombudsman.

    “It’s a great way for families to have a link to the higher chain of command, especially in an emergency situation,” said Smith. “I’m available 24/7 and serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families.”

    Appointed by Capt. Christopher Misner, commanding officer of NAS Kingsville, Smith says she chose to volunteer for this vital role in an effort to continue her family tradition of supporting military service.

    “I had a desire to be involved and offer a helping hand,” said Smith. “My husband is an active-duty Sailor, my father served on active duty in the Navy, my grandfather was in the Army and my cousins are in the Marines, so I understand the challenges and sacrifices that comes with this life and want to help facilitate communication between the command and its family members.”

    A native of Oklahoma, Smith graduated from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management and owns her own photography business. She and her husband, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class John Smith, relocated to Kingsville, Texas, in January 2014 from Norfolk, Virginia, and enjoy volunteering with the Keep Kingsville Beautiful organization in their free time.

    You can contact her at naskombudsman@gmail.com and by phone at (361) 522-5741. Learn more about the Navy’s Ombudsman Program at http://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/
    fleet_and_family_support_program/ombudsman_program.html. For more information about NAS Kingsville visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nas_kingsville.html.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.26.2014
    Date Posted: 11.26.2014 11:21
    Story ID: 148910
    Location: KINGSVILLE, TX, US

    Web Views: 156
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN