First class petty officers throughout the Pacific Northwest came together for training, mentorship, and networking opportunities during the four day Navy Region Northwest First Class Leadership (NRNW FCPO) Symposium May 15-18, 2017.
The third annual event encompassed various topics ranging from generational leadership and naval heritage to evaluation writing tips and scenario based leadership training.
“I believe the event went great. Many shipmates from all over the region have come up to me and stated they were amazed at how good the information was and look forward to passing on what they have learned to their commands,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Chad Witts, NRNW FCPO Symposium Chairman. “This training may have been for first classes, but the fruition of this event will be years later when we have successfully passed on our knowledge to the next generation of Sailors.”
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West kicked off event with a motivational speech that ended with his signature ‘Hooyah’ cheer.
“I will tell you I am pumped to be here and to see all of you taking this great opportunity to learn and grow,” said West. “The networking opportunity gained here is extremely valuable and important”
The U.S. Pacific Fleet Chief Petty Officer Training Team (FCPOTT) provided multiple scenario based and discussion type training designed to energize Sailors to become more effective leaders by focusing on leadership responsibilities, key Navy programs, team building and leader development.
“We try to re-energize chiefs, first classes, and the wardroom,” said Command Master Chief Greg Renick, assigned to the FCPOTT. “We gather them together and we try to go back to the basics. We try to remind people of what they are supposed to be doing in their roles.”
The training was more of a facilitated discussion requiring Sailors to get into groups and talk about topics, such as ways to improve Navy programs and leadership choice scenarios. They then presented their answers to the group.
“It brings a different perspective,” said Sonar Technician (Submarine) 1st Class Brian Gay. “I think the vast amount of backgrounds that we see, not only with the chief petty officer training team, but with any of the presenters here gives us the opportunity to have our eyes opened to different ways of doing things.”
Heritage took center stage when retired Navy Capt. John Woolston, a USS Indianapolis (CA 35) survivor and World War II veteran, spoke of his experiences and the importance of knowing naval history.
“I think most people wonder sometimes how much they can take. We [survivors] really know. When you read the story you’ll see we know exactly how much we can take,” said Woolston. “Stories like ours have to be told. They have to be because we don’t want to have it ever happen again. We need to learn from it.”
Woolston’s harrowing tale of survival riveted the audience. His ship was sunk just days after delivering parts of the first atomic bomb, and resulted in the single greatest loss of life at sea in the history of the Navy. He shared on spending four days in the ocean, watching hundreds of his shipmates succumb to wounds due to exposure, salt water sickness and shark attacks. His years of service and experience as a ship architect and lead designer of the Thresher class submarine was impactful to many.
“I have spoken to many veterans but Mr. Woolston’s story was such a unique lesson on man’s will to survive. He is the epitome of naval heritage,” said Witts. “I think it is imperative to tell his story so we can learn from it and share it with our junior Sailors and shipmates.”
Organizers planned a mandatory networking bar-b-que in conjunction with multiple chief petty officer associations and the United Service Organizations (USO) hoping to spur lines of communication between the 177 participants.
“My favorite parts of the symposium were the networking lunch at Trident Lake and hearing USS Indianapolis survivor Captain John Woolston's story,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Jessica Pullen. “It allowed us to meet and share our experiences with fellow Sailors from the region, as well as take advantage of a very rare opportunity to hear about a historical event from a person who lived it.”
Pullen added that she was highly impressed with the leadership symposium and stated, “The First Class Symposium was far better than I even imagined, there were so many ‘golden nuggets’ of information that were given to us by the variety of talented and experienced leaders. The speakers had an immediate impact on me and gave me the opportunity to share with my department and command the information that was given to us.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2017 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 235691 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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