Navy Pride & Professionalism Critical to Delivering Information Dominance

Photo By Wayne Boll | Rear Admiral Michael C. Bachmann, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, speaks via video to the military personnel during Navy Pride and Professionalism training.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

07.09.2010

Story by Steve Yuhas 

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)

SAN DIEGO – Although many were expecting a typical military-style PowerPoint to roll when the lights dimmed and the computer booted, members of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command were pleasantly greeted by their commander, Rear Adm. Michael Bachmann.

“You are now part of a team consisting of 12,000 dedicated government civilians, contractors and Servicemen and women whose job it is to deliver information dominance to the Fleet,” Bachmann said via video. He also stressed the need for the Sailors to work together and learn from one another because at the end of the day the bottom line is, “the Navy Pride & Professionalism course is designed to reinforce the skills, knowledge and behavior that we are not only accountable for in the Navy; but will help us excel throughout our tours and careers.”

Though Bachmann could not be at the class in person it was important for the people in the room to understand that his expectation was that they participate. For that to happen he sent his Executive Assistant, Navy Capt. Kevin Peterson, as well as one of SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific’s senior leaders, Navy Capt. Michael Carter, to provide additional opening remarks at SPAWAR’s first collaboration effort in conducting Navy Pride & Professionalism classes.

The SPAWAR Commander and his executive staff developed a course with a powerful and relevant video to summarize the importance of NP&P and why the skills being reinforced are important to all NP&P attendees – regardless of rank. SSC PAC was successful in training and mentoring personnel with the Navy’s newly implemented NP&P protocols. With the additional of the Team SPAWAR commander it was obvious to everyone in attendance that it was important that the entire team succeed.

NP&P is a course developed by the Navy’s Center for Personal and Professional Development and SSC PAC requested course evaluations from one of CPPD West’s finest facilitators. One would think that the first time a group is involved in a program as an entire team that they would be hesitant of inviting outsiders in, but not Team SPAWAR. It was an opportunity to shine and shine SPAWAR did.

The efforts made during the NP&P course held last week will lead to further improvements of the course. This includes facilitators becoming more experienced and knowledgeable and the command being ready to complete our mission using the values of the Navy as professional Sailors mindful that our conduct, our values, and our behavior are always being reviewed.

So successful was this course that my first duty as an advisor to the command on issues of equal opportunity was to advise that we implement similar, collaborative efforts across the Program Executive Offices and at the staff level.

Though NP&P is a requirement for all newly reporting personnel. Bachmann said it’s , a great opportunity to “engage in the discussion and ask questions. Your perspectives are needed and valuable to the success of the class and your Shipmates.” With topics covering everything from uniform wear and equal opportunity to our basic core values and suicide awareness – NP&P has a real role in the every day lives of Sailors across the Fleet.

NP&P is a highly productive tool to begin important mentorship and communication for all levels of military personnel. This allows a command like SPAWAR to show the differing perceptions between the enlisted and officer ranks; males and females; the many races and nationalities that make up our great Navy. Facilitating a discussion about current policies and sensitive issues stimulates growth within the organization and trust among its members. We learned early on in the day that each and every individual sees things from different perspectives and that not only makes our Navy great, but it makes it uniquely American.

Utilizing these strengths to enhance the mission is what we now call diversity. Every member of the military – regardless of rank or rate – has something valuable to bring to the table, and that value can be shared within NP&P. At SPAWAR it was and as NP&P is made part of the ever evolving and changing Fleet it is equally important for us to continue the discussions after the class is done and as Bachmann told the class, “I want every member of the team to be equipped with tools you need to have a successful tour; to support our mission; and to support our Navy/Marine Corps team and Coalition partners.”

Joshua Jackson is the SPAWAR Claimancy Equal Opportunity Advisor. He may be reached at [e-mail]. For additional information visit: www.deomi.org and http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pages/default.aspx

• Date Taken: 07.09.2010
• Date Posted: 07.09.2010 15:34
• Story ID: 52617
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US