Photo By LaShawn Sykes | CDR Douglas John Ribble has served the U.S. Navy faithfully for the last 24 years. ...... read more read more
In 1997, I graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. In 2006, I joined the Selected Reserves, following my time with Military Sealift Command Far East (MSCFE), where I was instrumental in supporting the Humanitarian response to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In 2017, I served at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and deployed as a Task Force Commander, responsible for managing expeditionary logistics with four detachments under my command. Two years later, I joined the Navy reserve unit for MSCLANT, serving as the operations officer and later transitioning to the executive officer in 2021. In late 2020 and early 2021, I was recalled to active duty to serve as the operations officer for MSC Pacific (MSCPAC) in San Diego, Calif. Outside of my naval uniform, I work as a value stream manager for Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar Inc. company in San Diego, Calif., where I reside with my two middle school-aged children.
What is your name and title and what role do you serve as a military staff officer with MSCLANT?
I am Douglas John Ribble; I’ve served the U.S. Navy faithfully for the last 24 years. Currently, I am a naval reserve executive officer for the Navy Reserve Military Sealift Command Atlantic (NR MSCLANT) in Norfolk, Va.
What is your reserve unit’s name and mission, and how does your role in your current job assist with MSCLANT’s mission?
The reserve unit I serve is Navy Reserve (NR) Unit Headquarters Command – MSCLANT. Our reserve mission is to provide augment support to the active duty component of MSCLANT.
When did you join the MSCLANT staff and what is unique about supporting the command?
In Dec. 2019, I joined NR MSCLANT. I was a part of the first reserve unit in charge of providing direct augment support to the active duty component of MSCLANT. The unique thing about reservists is we are able to plug in and fill in for any vacant active duty component; so that, there are no gaps in MSCLANT’s workforce.
What types of jobs have you held with MSCLANT in the past and have those jobs always been as a military staff officer?
Within NR MSCLANT, I have been the reserve operations officer and the executive officer. Yes these have always been military staff officer positions.
In your most recent assignment with MSCLANT, what hat did you wear and what role did you play?
During CSG 8’s flag ship, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in Oct. 2021, six NR MSCLANT reservists received the call to support, activating the Command Task Force 953 Watch Officer cell, which oversees the entire CTF953 watch. In my role, I was in charge of the five other watchstanders supporting four different watch rotations. I was the primary point of contact for CTF953, responsible for supporting any briefs, deliverables, and overall operational support of the CTF953 watch.
What is the best thing about being a reservist for MSCLANT?
The best part about serving as a reservist with MSCLANT is the mission is in direct alignment with my military designator as a Strategic Sealift Command officer, which supports military logistics.
What is the most challenging part about working for MSCLANT as a reservist?
Work is not challenging at all; but the location is because I don’t live in Norfolk. In fact, I am 2,734 miles away from Norfolk, residing on the West Coast in sunny California with my two children. So the big challenge is being as versatile as possible for the command.
What is your most favorite MSCLANT memory at sea?
I have several sea memories from supporting a turbo activation on the West Coast, working on-board the USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) and working directly with the chief engineer and skipper to being the liaison officer between MSCPAC and the ship in order to provide a proud educational feeling on how the ships operate with the regional planners in support of the naval missions.
What would you tell a reservist who is interested in joining MSCLANT?
This is a great opportunity to experience the logistical support aspect of the U.S. Navy, working within a professional environment with professional people who are willing to educate and grow the reserve fleet.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2021 13:48 |
| Story ID: | 409120 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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