CNO, MCPON Praise Service Sailors in the Middle East

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041010-N-9563N-003 Manama, Bahrain (Oct. 10, 2004) - Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Vern Clark, talks to Sailors during an all hands call for U.S. Navy ships pier-side in Bahrain. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Phillip A. Nickerson Jr. (RELEASED)

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CNO, MCPON Praise Service Sailors in the Middle East
Story Number: NNS041013-14
Release Date: 10/13/2004 5:51:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Jason Trevett, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/AW) Terry Scott met with Sailors assigned to USS Spruance (DD 963), USS Juneau (LPD 10), and tenant commands from Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain Oct. 10 during a tour of the Middle East region.

The CNO held an all hands call on the pier to thank the crew for their service at the tip of the spear. He also discussed present and future policy changes to the fleet that he says will transform how the Navy operates.

“You are living in a Navy where it is OK to challenge the assumptions about why we are doing things the way we are doing them,” said Clark. “I want you to bring forth your ideas about how we can make this Navy a better place.”

The two leaders congratulated new chief petty officers aboard, saying their service is more important now than ever to the future of the Navy.

“Large proportions of our chief’s community have college degrees,” said Clark. “We are looking for chiefs that are continuing to grow and are anxious to grasp on to more responsibility for the way the command is run.”

Clark also said that continuing education is vital to the growth of the Navy at all ranks, officer and enlisted.

Scott told the destroyer’s crew that they are witnessing an incredible time for the U.S. Navy, and that more changes are happening now than in the last 30 years combined.

“As we continue to look at new mission areas and new platforms,” said Scott, “we are looking at new ways of ensuring that our Sailors will perform the roles needed for our nation in the future.”

After the crew had an opportunity to ask the CNO and MCPON questions, Clark closed his remarks by thanking the crew for their contributions to their country.

“Thank you for your service, thank you for your commitment, thank you for believing in the principals and values that makes our nation different," Clark said. "The belief in freedom and democracy, and being one of those people who believes in it so much they are willing to stand up and say ‘sir’ and make a difference.”

Spruance Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jerome Hamel said he believed that many of the things Clark said really hit home with his Sailors.

“I think that one thing the CNO stressed, that I know my Sailors are seeing, is that there is a competition in the fleet -- competition for jobs, competition for billets, and that each individual Sailor needs to make a commitment to stay on top of their career path,” said Hamel.

Before his pierside all hands call, Clark stopped to thank Coast Guard Sailors aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Baranoff (WPB 1318). Spruance, formerly commanded by Clark, has been deployed for four months in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship is scheduled to decommission in March.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc.