Photo By Christopher Stanis | Jillian Register (left), a military spouse working as a Fleet & Family Support Center...... read more read more
Junifer Thomas, one of the Navy’s two ombudsmen-at-large, visited Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Oct. 26 and 27 to learn more about the challenges that Sailors and families face in the Pacific Northwest.
Thomas was appointed to the ombudsman-at-large roll barely over six months ago and wasted no time meeting with a range of representatives across the fleet to get a pulse on the issues and concerns. At NBK, she met with Ombudsman program representatives from across Navy Region Northwest, military working spouses, and installation Fleet & Family Readiness program managers.
As she has been making rounds through the Indo-Pacific region, and most recently up the U.S. Pacific Coast, Thomas said the top-line issues have been similar overseas or stateside, seagoing and shore commands alike.
“It’s the same, childcare and mental health,” said Thomas, whose husband, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, currently commands U.S. 7th Fleet.
Thomas also heard stories of success from the Navy community members with whom she met. Working spouses talked about the approval for extra childcare discounts for those working at the child development centers. They also highlighted the efforts in Washington State to work toward interstate professional licensure reciprocity.
"We're one of the first states to have a military spouse liaison," said Casey Reed, NBK Fleet and Family Readiness director. "We work closely with her, and she advises our state legislature."
And while military liaisons and state legislators work to improve license reciprocity, Thomas noted the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensing and certification costs resulting from relocation—also known and permanent change of station, or PCS—that cross U.S. state lines, to include overseas moves.
"Spousal employment is also one of those important issues that the military has been focusing on," said Thomas. "And one of their initiatives was to include that assistance, because if you're a lawyer or a medical provider, to get licensed (can get expensive)."
Thomas shares duties as the Navy’s top family advocate with Evelyn Honea, spouse of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) James Honea.
Together they serve as “extra eyes and ears for the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations),” as Thomas put it. They advise the CNO and MCPON on matters affecting Sailors and their families. When you improve family readiness, you contribute to a more resilient and mission-ready force.
The Navy’s Ombudsman program is all-volunteer, unpaid—from the command coordinators all the way up to Thomas and Honea. And Thomas recognizes that the incumbents work tirelessly to be the vital communication links between their commands and families.
“My desire is to help and support (Navy) families … they are an important part of the mission,” Thomas concluded. “The Ombudsman program is very important for our families and the Navy, and I hope it will continue to get the appreciation it deserves.”
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2022 12:24 |
| Story ID: | 432272 |
| Location: | SILVERDALE, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 408 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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