USS Mitscher welcomes new ombudsman

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic
Courtesy Story

Date: 11.03.2015
Posted: 11.12.2015 12:27
News ID: 181771

By Ensign Shade, USS Mitscher Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) welcomed Julie Farris as the new command ombudsman Nov. 3.

Ombudsmen are spouses of Sailors who volunteer for the position and are appointed by the commanding officer. The ombudsman program was started by then Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt Jr. in the 1970s as a way to improve communication between commands and the families of Sailors. Today, while advances in technology have increased the speed at which Sailors can communicate with their families during deployments, the ombudsman continues to play a vital role in establishing and maintaining a path for official communication between the command and its family members.

Julie Farris, wife of Chief Electronics Technician Dustin Farris, is already familiar with her new responsibilities, having been an ombudsman at two of her husband’s previous commands.

“I look forward to working with the families of the USS Mitscher,” said Julie Farris. “Being an ombudsman allows me to help the families as best I can.”

Cmdr. Milciades Then, Mitchser’s commanding officer, is excited about having Farris be his representative to the Mitscher families.

“The ombudsman is an integral part of every Navy command,” said Then. “I am glad we are gaining Mrs. Farris, who has such a wealth of experience.”

Mitscher personnel and family members interested in contacting Julie Farris can do so via email at mitscher.ombudsman@gmail.com or online at www.ombudsmanregistry.org.

For more Mitscher information, please visit the ship's website at www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg57 or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/USSMitscher.