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Thanksgiving visit motivates Sailors:
Navy's top leader answers tough questions
By LT Lisa L. Brackenbury, Public Affairs Officer, Commander, 
Amphibious Group One

ARABIAN GULF (November 26, 1998) - Sailors of the USS Belleau 
Wood Amphibious Ready Group recently had the unique opportunity 
of spending Thanksgiving day with our Navy's highest ranking 
officer, as well as the highest ranking enlisted man.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jay Johnson and Master Chief 
Petty Officer of the Navy, MMCM(SS/SW/AW) James Herdt, took time 
from their holiday plans to visit the crews of USS Belleau Wood 
(LHA 3), USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and USS Germantown (LSD 42), all 
under the command of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, as well 
as some of the other ships currently on station in the Arabian 
Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Their visit focused mainly on thanking sailors for their 
dedication to duty during the holiday season, but also for their 
incredible efforts during the ships' recent five-day turnaround 
in White Beach, Okinawa.  The ARG had just completed Exercise 
Foal Eagle in Korea, when it received orders to onload the 31st 
Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, and proceed immediately to 
the Gulf.

"I know this deployment was not scheduled, and I also know what 
you did to recycle yourselves after just completing Foal Eagle," 
said Admiral Johnson.  "The task came and you answered the call.  
The Belleau Wood ARG and the 31st MEU were the right choice for 
the job." 
The CNO's top priority during his 24-hour visit was to talk to 
sailors, both one-on-one, and during the all hands admiral's 
calls held on each ship.  During these sessions, the admiral 
responded to sailors' questions on a variety of issues, 
including manning, retention and recruiting efforts, as well as 
education.  Of particular focus was the issue of pay increases.
"We're about to submit a fiscal year '00 budget.  As part of 
that budget, we've asked for a 4.4 percent pay increase in order 
to further decrease the pay gap," said Admiral Johnson.  "I have 
never seen more interest and concern of people in Washington 
D.C. for your pay and pay raises."
The CNO also recognized the problem of manning shortfalls 
throughout the Navy, especially overseas.
"We're short at sea, and we're short at forward deployed Naval 
forces.  It's a Navywide issue," said Admiral Johnson.  "Our 
recruiters are doing a wonderful job, but increasing our manning 
depends on more than just adding people to the force.  We have a 
distribution challenge as well, and that's not easy to change."  
The CNO added that the pendulum is slowly starting to shift - 
last October the Navy actually exceeded its ascension goals.  
"Things are getting better, but it's going to take six to 12 
months to get this fixed."
In addition to answering tough policy questions, the CNO and 
MCPON took the time to reenlist several sailors, as well as give 
out awards.  
"It was honor, as well as an exhilarating experience being 
presented my NAM (Navy Achievement Medal) by the Navy's top 
man," said DK3 Edward C. Manaois, stationed onboard USS Belleau 
Wood.  "When I first found out the CNO was going to present my 
award, I was stunned, but at the same time, excited."

Some sailors from the three ships had the opportunity to sit 
down with the CNO for their Thanksgiving meal, making the 
occasion extra special.  MM1(SW) Robert E. Ramsdell, took the 
opportunity to ask the CNO a few questions.
"The admiral and I talked about the ARGs of the future," said 
Ramsdell.  "He said that the future ARG would have three ships - 
an LHA or LHD, an LSD, and an LPD of the new LPD 17-class that's 
coming.  He also mentioned that back in Washington D.C., they're 
really impressed with what the Belleau Wood did with the 
turnaround [in Okinawa].  There's no other military in the world 
that could do that."
Ramsdell went on to say how impressed he was with the CNO, and 
what a morale boost it was for sailors to be able to meet and 
talk with the Navy's highest-ranking admiral.  "It's a real 
morale booster for the crew.  They see someone of his stature 
coming to the Gulf to see them, and it shows them that someone 
is looking out for them," said Ramsdell.  "He could have been 
home with his family for Thanksgiving.  There's nothing that 
said he had to be out here."
RM2 Jared C. Isch of the Belleau Wood agreed.  "I think it was a 
pretty encouraging visit.  It helped everyone to realize that 
we're out here for a good cause," said Isch.  
The CNO completed his visit with some encouraging and true-to-
heart words: "Your service out here in the Gulf at this special 
time of year means our shipmates will be able to spend the 
holidays with their families," said Admiral Johnson.  "It means 
that they'll make this same sacrifice for you next year.  
Remember, this is what it's all about.  Take care of each other. 
You have a lot of great opportunities ahead of you."

                       -USN-