NAVFAC EURAFCENT Ombudsmen assist families on three continents

Photo By Lisa Woodbury Rama | BAHRAIN (Nov. 1, 2021) Caitlin Jarvis, Ombudsman for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT), has a photo snapped with her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Russ Jarvis, Deputy Public Works Officer, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, during a recent public works department family day. Jarvis, one of three NAVFAC EURAFCENT Ombudsmen, provides military family assistance in an area of responsibility spanning three continents. NAVFAC EURAFCENT plans, builds, leases and sustains facilities and provides essential base operating services and capabilities in the Europe, Africa, and Central Command theaters to enable U.S., NATO forces and partner nations to meet national defense objectives. (Photo courtesy of Caitlin Jarvis/released)  

ITALY

11.16.2021

Story by Lisa Woodbury Rama 

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe Africa Central

NAPLES, Italy (Nov. 16, 2021) - November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices our military families make and highlight programs and services available to assist them. Keeping families informed when your command spans three continents is one of the challenges for the leadership triad at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT). Fortunately, leadership has a dedicated team of volunteer Ombudsman standing by to keep the information flowing.

The Ombudsman Program is a Command operated program intended to improve communication between the Command and a Sailor’s family members. The primary focus of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program is to provide information and referral services to the families.

NAVFAC EURAFCENT currently has three Ombudsmen serving the command, Leigh Sanford and George Bettasso in Naples, Italy and Caitlin Jarvis in Bahrain.

All three serve the entire command across eight Public Works Departments (PWDs) in Europe, Djibouti (Africa) and Bahrain.
Their commitment towards doing all they can to assist the command and the families is evident.

“They all hold the highest standards of professionalism, patience, reliability, and confidentiality and provide our families with the tools and information necessary to have a successful Navy family,” said Seabee Master Chief John Smith, NAVFAC EURAFCENT Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

Ombudsmen are special people often called upon to serve as sounding boards; provide shoulders for families to lean on; arrange urgent child-care and a myriad of other activities that may arise – day or night. They help form the impression of the command for the military families they assist.

"I have spent a great deal of one-on-one time working with sailors, veterans, and military family members and love helping others,” said Caitlin Jarvis, PWD Bahrain Ombudsman. "When the opportunity to serve as a NAVFAC EURAFCENT Ombudsman here in Bahrain became available, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to continue serving sailors and their families that may be dealing with the uncertainties and typical challenges of living overseas.

Jarvis went onto say, “This motivated me despite never serving as an Ombudsman before or being stationed overseas. Many sailors are away from their loved ones, but my hope is that I can assist family members whether they are living in Bahrain or back in the states. I hope to improve communication and help refer families to community resources that are available."

That communication includes serving as a conduit between the command and the military families.

"My job as an Ombudsman is to ease the burden that families often carry by connecting them to resources. When there is not an adequate resource, or if problems arise, Ombudsmen act as the voice for the families to the command. I encourage families to use their Ombudsman and to reach out with any problem, big or small," said Leigh Sanford, a NAVFAC Ombudsman since Jan. 2021.

Seabees are working hard throughout the NAVFAC EURAFCENT area of operations. Knowing their families have an Ombudsman to connect them with senior leadership and available resources; introduce them to other military families and provide them with current command information provides additional peace of mind so they can focus on the mission.

NAVFAC EURAFCENT plans, builds, leases and sustains facilities and provides essential base operating services and capabilities in the Europe, Africa, and Central Command theaters to enable U.S., NATO forces and partner nations to meet national defense objectives.

• Date Taken: 11.16.2021
• Date Posted: 11.16.2021 10:22
• Story ID: 409395
• Location: IT