MCPON, USS San Diego CO: Broaden the talent pool, bring up new leaders

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Woody Paschall | Capt. Amy N. Bauernschmidt, the commanding officer of USS San Diego (LPD 22), met with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russel Smith during MCPON’s visit to the ship. Bauernschmidt and Smith discussed a range of topics including talent management and critical elements of crew readiness, such as sleep cycles and circadian rhythms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Woody S. Paschall)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

10.22.2019

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Woody Paschall 

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith visited USS San Diego (LPD 22) Oct. 22.

During the visit, Smith toured the ship and met with the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Amy N. Bauernschmidt, and members of the crew.

Smith’s visit with Bauernschmidt included dialogue on developing the Navy’s future leaders by promoting and highlighting diversity in senior ranks, assignments and positions. 

“I have two target audiences: command master chiefs -- and in the wardroom, captains and one-star admirals,” Smith said. “We need to groom talent and push it forward. We need to identify how these senior leaders would provide major command support, and we need feedback from one-star admirals and captains about what we need to provide for their leadership development.”

Bauernschmidt previously served with the Department of State as a military advisor in the Office of Global Women’s Issues tackling the unique challenges minority groups face holding them back from full and meaningful participation in government, the economic sector and other parts of society and has experience overcoming the cultural headwinds underrepresented groups face.

“Some of the early conversations around lifting the second round of combat exclusions for women were led by people in the special warfare community,” Bauernschmidt said. “Their admirals were saying then ‘it’s value added.’ Broadening the pool of candidates to include more groups puts the best people in positions to succeed.”

Smith said Sailors should strive to achieve their career goals regardless of historical gender, race or ethnicity norms for Navy jobs and positions.

“Sailors need to be able to look at their leaders and say ‘I see something of myself in that person. I could get there one day, too,’” Smith said. “We have to take an active role in opening that talent pool and bringing the best candidates forward. It’s not about promoting women. It’s about providing a fair and equal opportunity for any Sailor who feels like they have an opportunity to achieve.”

• Date Taken: 10.22.2019
• Date Posted: 10.25.2019 18:37
• Story ID: 349332
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US