NOSC Ventura County completes mobilization preparations

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
Courtesy Story

Date: 12.06.2013
Posted: 12.19.2013 18:53
News ID: 118498
NOSC Ventura County completes mobilization preparations

Story by Chief Yeoman Ryan Arnoldussen, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC), Ventura County

PORT HUENEME, Calif. - Navy Operational Support Center Ventura County, located on Naval Base Ventura County, hosted an intensive week of mobilization preparations for Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 14, Dec. 2-6.

Eighty-five sailors from NOSCs Ventura County, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif., Alameda, Calif., Tucson, Ariz., Salt Lake City and San Jose, Calif., completed a multitude of deployment requirements. Some of the prerequisites included updating personal, career and medical records ensuring they were fully ready for mobilization.

To meet these requirements, NOSC Ventura County organized a pre-mobilization workshop. This event was coordinated by Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF) Danielle Casavant of NOSC Ventura County. Casavant worked with NCHB 14 and the commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Mobilization Team in planning and executing the event.

“This was a challenging week, but all the hard work paid off,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Mark Palafox, NOSC Ventura County. “I am so glad to have worked with our NCHB 14 sailors here at NOSC Ventura County and help them prepare for their upcoming mobilization.”

According to Palafox, sailors completed comprehensive expeditionary screening checklists, 90 percent of their online training courses, verified their security clearances, as well as many other deployment readiness training requirements.

After the NOSC mobilization screening is completed, the next step in preparation is for each sailor to process through Navy Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS) in Norfolk, Va. While assigned to the NMPS, each sailor will complete their individual requirements and final deployment screenings.

The NMPS is the final verification point that all orders and expeditionary requirements are completed before the sailor moves into the training phase of mobilization.

"We work hard with sailors to complete all expeditionary deployment requirements early because it prevents mobilization fall-outs and greatly reduces processing time through NMPS," said Capt. Ronald Oswald, commanding officer, NOSC Ventura.

Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Andrew Keller, Navy Reserve Command, Naval Installation Command, Mobilization Team, said he was especially pleased with the results of the mobilization preparations and commented that he appreciated the efforts of the precise planning and leadership it took to make this week a success.

“I thought the NOSC staff was not only professional, but highly positive and always eager to help,” said Keller.

Casavant noted the efforts of the staff working together to provide the most efficient service feasible.

"Without all the tireless effort of the NOSC sailors, this event would not have been possible," she said.

"This week has been a tremendous success thanks to your efforts,” said Rear Adm. Sandra Adams, deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. “Thank you for your hard work!"

Adams recognized 14 sailors from NOSC Ventura County, CNIC Mob Team, and NCHB 14 who played a key role in completing an enormous amount of work for this mobilization during the end of the week captain's call.

NOSC Ventura County conducts training, administration, and execution of Navy Reserve policy for approximately 1,200 Selected Reserve sailors in 39 administratively assigned reserve units.