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USS Bataan Celebrates Pride Month
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class T. Levi Decker
NORFOLK, Va. – The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) held a LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration on the mess decks of the barge on June 21, 2021.
During the celebration, Sailors were treated to speeches from Commanding Officer Capt. Bryan Carmichael and guest speaker Master Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Courtney Barber.
Pride Month is designed to provide the Navy an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our workforce and reaffirm our commitment to equity and respect for all.
“Our society today is more open and tolerant than past generations, but we still have a long way to go,” said Carmichael. “Embracing diversity and inclusion is critical to recruiting and retaining the force of the future.”
The celebration promoted diversity, equity and inclusion in policies, programs and operations.
“We must recognize that our openness to diversity is one of the things that allow us to be the best in the world, and we must make sure that everyone who’s able and willing to serve has the full and equal opportunity to do so,” said Carmichael. “If you can meet the job standard, you should be able to do the job. If a person qualifies in every way for service, then they should not be denied the honor of defending our great nation and the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Equity and diversity are critical elements of Navy-Marine Corps readiness.
“Just be who you are,” said Barber. “When you start to exude confidence and when you begin to accept and love who you are truly at your core it will start to show to those around you.”
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2021 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 399878 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, USS Bataan Celebrates Pride Month, by PO2 Travis Decker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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