Decatur Continues the Leadership Conversation at Sea in U.S. 5th Fleet

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

10.21.2018

Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs    

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

Underway, over the horizon, and in U.S. 5th Fleet, USS Decatur (DDG 73) continues to incorporate Sailor 360 trainings into the ship’s battle rhythm.
Sailor 360 is the Navy’s newest leadership training program designed to enrich the professional development of its enlisted Sailors. The program empowers commands to continue the leadership conversation at sea through command-developed trainings.
“No matter what your pay grade is, you never stop sharpening your leadership skills. It’s an opportunity to break down barriers of communication and make yourself approachable,” said Command Master Chief John Beekman.
Unique from past leadership training programs, voluntary participation is highly encouraged from all ranks, officers and enlisted.
Lt. Bryan Kauffman, a regular attendee of Sailor 360 training, reflected, “Sailor 360 plays a critical role in fortifying the relationship between the Wardroom, Chief’s Mess, and the Crew. Leadership is a continuous process of learning; Sailor 360 provides a fantastic opportunity for leaders at every level of the Command to learn from each other.”
Aboard Decatur, Sailor 360 is regarded just as equally essential to mission readiness as any shipboard training. In order to enable Sailors to tailor their trainings based on their specific needs, Sailor 360 trainings are orchestrated by various Decatur associations, such as the Junior Enlisted Association and the First Class Petty Officer Association. The trainings seek to forge a culture of ownership, authentic leadership, and positive energy aboard Decatur.
A recent training, lead by Yeoman 1st Class Petty Officer Vinnish Nair, brought in a full house. During his training, he explained the differences between a thermometer and a thermostat leader. Nair stressed, “Thermostat leaders build trust and confidence and that is the best kind of leadership the Navy needs to maintain our warfighting efforts. While deployed, we maintain a warship with a very high OPTEMPO and it is imperative that our leaders react with calm, focused, and determined leadership for junior Sailors to emulate.”
In addition to Sailor-led leadership discussions, Decatur also incorporates physical trainings into the Sailor 360 program. Decatur’s high energy physical trainings are purposed to propel Sailors towards a culture of fitness. When questioned the importance of the program, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Yajaira Ruiz replied, “Sailor 360 is about improving yourself so that you can put yourself in a better position to help others.”
Decatur is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2018
• Date Posted: 10.22.2018 02:38
• Story ID: 297191
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY