SURFLANT hosts commander’s symposium

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, UNITED STATES

12.09.2014

Courtesy Story

Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic

Story by MC3 Ellen E. Hilkowski
SURFLANT Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Taking care of Sailors, ships, and leaders was the theme of the Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) leadership training symposium held Dec. 3, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

More than 230 commanding officers, executive officers, command master chiefs, and other waterfront leaders attended the symposium which focused on the importance of personal and material readiness.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao opened the symposium with the statement: “I hear you. What if?” This tagline was designed to encourage the attendees to voice their concerns and issues as well as share potential solutions and lessons learned.

"Before you can get to warfighting you have to deal with the basic block and tackling of shipboard life," said Gumataotao. "You, my triads, are my point in making sure this is embraced down to the most junior Sailor in the surface force.”

Focusing on SURFLANT ships, Sailors, and leaders, the event included briefs on maintenance issues; sexual assault; prevention of destructive behaviors; sound shipboard operating principles; and shipboard safety practices.

“What we want leaders to take from this is the importance of formative and continued education and training,” Capt. Tim Spratto, SURFLANT Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness Assessment and Class Advocacy said while discussing procedural compliance. “We are here to provide tools without increasing the burden on leadership. This will facilitate measuring, tracking and communicating compliance.”

During an open forum discussion on maintenance, the group shared best practices and lessons learned during a ship’s maintenance period. These included holding daily meetings in the work spaces on the ship; getting sub-contractors as well as the prime contractor involved in production meetings; and to successfully foster positive working relationships with non-military personnel, like giving a coin to a shipyard worker to recognize their efforts.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens also attended the training symposium and discussed the top concerns that he hears from Sailors around the fleet.

"They want to know about the lengths of maintenance and yard periods, as well as future deployment lengths,” Stevens said. “They also have a lot of questions about the current evaluation system, uniforms, and their pay.”

Stevens also discussed other fleet-wide issues such as; sexual assault and suicide prevention; the ability to find solutions to alcohol abuse; maintaining good order and discipline; novel issues like the use of spice; and leadership development across the ranks.

“As Naval leaders, we are our Sailors ‘ceiling.’ It all starts and stops with us and we have a responsibility to increase our ability to lead. But just as importantly, we have a responsibility to increase our Sailor’s capacity – their ceilings,” Stevens said. "Whatever you want your Sailors to be, be it. Because in many ways they will become who you are.”

The SURFLANT Force Judge Advocate, Capt. Keith Gibel, also developed a brief for the group on the importance of sound leadership, by understanding and mitigating vulnerabilities. His brief addressed ethical decision-making, having positive ways to deal with stressors, and utilizing trusted advisers as integral components to maintaining the moral compass.

The message, as relayed by Gumataotao, was that he knows it is very difficult to be a leader and that there is a lot of pressure to get it right. But above all, we need to remember that it’s a privilege to lead and that Sailors should always come first. It is a leader’s job to take care of Sailors and accomplish the mission. But to do that, Sailors must feel good about themselves and what they’re doing. Otherwise, they are at risk for destructive decision-making.

"We cannot foster an environment that encourages destructive behavior. We're doing well; we just need to do better," said Capt. Chuck Marks, the U.S. Fleet Forces Sexual Assault Prevention Response Officer (SAPRO).

He spoke at length on how sexual assault and destructive behaviors impact the fleet. The Navy is focusing its efforts to ensure victims of sexual assault are cared for and protected as well as making sure they are being heard. Efforts include process changes to help expedite sexual assault investigations.

While these issues were being discussed with the command triads, a parallel gathering for their spouses took place in an adjacent part of the convention center. There they received social media guidance; briefings from the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society; the Fleet and Family Service Center; and Navy Safe Harbor. That agenda featured dialogue about a variety of issues facing Navy families, such as lifestyle stressors and coping resources.

"It’s difficult without support," said Capt. Tim Oswald, SURFLANT force chaplain. “So to be the spouse of a Naval professional you really have to be onboard with what they do.”

More than 35 spouses gathered to learn about problems impacting the fleet and the resources available to help correct them. They received this training in order to better support their active duty spouses and help them to be better leaders.

"When you think of work-life balance, they have a critical role," said Cmdr. Elisabeth Vagnarelli, SURFLANT SAPRO. "They're taking care of the home front through efforts like the Ombudsmen program, leaving triads with one less thing to worry about."

Following a full day of briefings, presentations and discussions, Gumataotao closed the annual symposium keying in on the importance of humble leadership.

"Today is our day and we have the watch," Gumataotao said. "If we're going to criticize, we must criticize ourselves. Don't speak about yourself or your office; speak about the well-being of our Navy and our Sailors. All I ask is that while you're here in our Navy, is that you give it all you have."

• Date Taken: 12.09.2014
• Date Posted: 12.12.2014 12:43
• Story ID: 150188
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US