Serving in the U.S. Navy can be challenging and difficult, especially for family members of service members. Realizing there was a need for a liaison between family members and the command, a person that has the tools and resources to help family members during emergencies and other events, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., instituted the Ombudsman Program in 1970.
“Ombudsmen serve a critical role as the communications link between command leadership and the Sailors’ families,” said Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Command Master Chief Brent Blalock. “Ombudsmen are also an important resource for our families, supplying information about and referrals to military and civilian support organizations like Fleet and Family Support Centers, American Red Cross, Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, chaplains, medical facilities, and legal assistance offices. These organizations are valuable resources in obtaining assistance for command family members.”
Sept. 14 is set aside each year for Ombudsman Appreciation Day. This is a time for commands to show their gratitude to their ombudsman for the sacrifices made and the countless hours dedicated to helping Sailors and their family members.
NNSY Shipyard Commander Capt. Dianna Wolfson showed both her own and the shipyard’s gratitude by presenting NNSY’s Ombudsman, Leah Sanders, a letter of appreciation and a vase of flowers.
“Leah Sanders’s outstanding efforts were integral across our entire command and have contributed to improving the quality of life for the men and women of America’s Shipyard and their families,” said Wolfson.
Sanders has been in the position since January. Although this is her first tour as a command’s ombudsman, she brings life experiences with her like the time when she needed support while her husband was deployed.
“The birth of my first child had complications. With my husband deployed, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. With the help of his command’s ombudsman, I was able to have a video call with him which helped a great deal,” said Sanders.
Fresh out of high school in Atlanta, Ga., Sanders joined the U.S. Navy to become a hospital corpsman. She is the third generation in her family to serve in the military. During her four years of active duty, she met her husband, Electrician’s Mate Nuclear Second Class Michael Neville, who is currently stationed at Navy Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department (NRMD) located at Naval Station Norfolk. After her enlistment was over, she got out of the Navy to pursue other goals. Currently she is working on her Master’s Degree to become a pathologist assistant.
“I still wanted to serve the Navy in some sort of capacity after I got out. Becoming an ombudsman was the perfect opportunity to do so,” said Sanders.
Sanders went through Fleet and Family Center’s one-week ombudsman training program. She was given the tools and resources needed to run a successful program. She was trained on confidentiality, working with the command’s military leadership, and learned how various organizations can help her help the Sailors and their families.
“I’m here for married Sailors, single Sailors and their families. No problem is too small to address,” said Sanders. “What might be trivial for one, might be a big emergency for another and there is nothing wrong with that. That is what I’m here for.”
If you are a Sailor or family member who needs assistance, you can contact Sanders at 757-636-494 or email Ombudsmannnsy@gmail.com. All conversations and actions are kept confidential.
| Date Taken: |
10.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: |
10.19.2021 06:56 |
| Story ID: |
407530 |
| Location: |
PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: |
156 |
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