Category: Defense

Source: United States Navy

Hanlon, who commissioned in the Navy from Arizona State University in May 2017, reported to VAW-120 Jan. 31, 2021. 

“It takes a courageous and patriotic person to devote their life to the selflessness of serving in the armed forces,” said Cmdr. Martin Fentress Jr., Commanding Officer of VAW-120 “Hyrum embodied those characteristics and will be truly missed by his family and the Hawkeye community. We sincerely appreciate the public respecting the family’s privacy during this difficult time as they mourn his loss.” 

The U.S. Navy continues to coordinate with state and local officials on the salvage planning efforts of the E-2D aircraft. The health and safety of the local community is a top priority during recovery efforts; overflight aircraft confirmed no pollution or discharge of fuel in the area. Salvage operations are expected to proceed in accordance with standard procedures which consider all environmental impacts.   

The cause of the mishap remains under investigation. 

Source: United States Navy

In honor of Women’s History Month, Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) collaborated with the Army War College to host “Beyond the Glass Ceiling – Women Leading in the Military,” a panel discussion with over 100 virtual attendees, Mar. 12.

The panelists were invited to discuss their career successes, challenges and triumphs….and educate attendees on career shaping experiences, said Julie Marchese, a member of the NAVSUP WSS Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee in Philadelphia during her introductory remarks.

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lizette G. Welch, Navy Cmdr. Rebecca L. Young, Army Lt. Col. Robin E. Ernstrom, Air Force Lt. Col. Stacy N. Slate, and Amber D. Tucker, a DoD civilian, represented a broad range of leaders from the Department of Defense. They shared their experiences as women in leadership roles as well as, advice and personal examples of their unique leadership journey. The discussion covered a broad range of topics from mentorship to balancing life while achieving career goals.

The panel began with the topic of mentorship. Panelists advised others to have mentors as well as diversity within your mentorship circles if possible.

“I’m a true believer in having more than one mentor and also that there should be diversity in your mentors even in the people you mentor and in your mentors for yourself,” said Ernstrom.

Slate encouraged women to seek senior female leadership for assistance. “If you’re looking for some mentorship, come seek a senior female leader out,” Slate said. “We don’t know that you are out there and that you’re wanting mentorship.”

Many professionals struggle to balance family obligations with their commitment to a military career. The panelists offered some advice. Young advised to refrain from comparison with others.

“I think that each of our success looks different, particularly when we are married, when we have children, when we’re trying to serve our country, and currently have ailing family,” she said. “I think we need to compare ourselves to us and gauge our success based on what we are capable of doing.”

Slate agreed, “I think running your own race is important.” She continued, “not one leader has the same career path as to how they got to where they are today.”

Several panelists offered thoughts on diversity and what women can bring to teams. Tucker cited a recent Harvard Business Review article that found, “having women on teams improves team processes and collaboration, right? That’s what women do. We collaborate, we bring communities together, we bring our families together, and we bring friends together.” Tucker also highlighted the importance of using a network to help achieve your career goals.

Welch used the analogy of a toolbox with many different tools in it, each capable of solving different problems, to highlight the importance of diversity in teams. “If you limit yourself to one tool, you’re not going to be able to put your project together as best you can, it’s going to be off-kilter,” she said.

All the panelists agreed leadership support and flexibility in an organization was important for many reasons including continuing to support single parents regardless of gender, fostering a positive climate and setting an example of realistic work-life expectations for those in the command.

“Your subordinates are dealing with real life things,” Welch said. “And when they see these examples of your humanity, and how you can still be able to be in leadership position, they’re able to connect with that regardless of gender, regardless of race… I don’t have to sacrifice my humanity in order to be successful in this organization.”

NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupwss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON (NNS) – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of the Indonesian Navy Adm. Yudo Margono, at the Pentagon, March 30.

This was their first meeting, during which the two leaders discussed the importance of maritime security and exchanged views on regional and global security issues.

“Working alongside our Allies and partners has never been so important. Today’s maritime challenges require interoperability and presence,” said Gilday. “Together we will continue to keep the maritime commons open and free as we promote the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.”

The two leaders exchanged views about security issues in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of the U.S.-Indonesian bilateral relationship.

“The purpose of this visit is to enhance relationships and partnerships between the two navies that have been well established so far,” said Margono. 

Gilday emphasized a commitment to continuing dialogue and building upon our strong bilateral defense relationship.

“For more than 70 years, Indonesia has been a valued partner,” said Gilday. “There is a strong strategic partnership between Indonesia and the U.S. and I am grateful for our long history of collaboration, cooperation, and training,” said Gilday. 

Gilday and Margono also reviewed progress made in recent years in military-to-military cooperation to increase exercises and training, as well as regular defense policy dialogues.

U.S. and Indonesia operate together around the globe regularly. Indonesia has been part of the CARAT exercise series since it began in 1995. After 27 years of annual training events between the armed forces, CARAT Indonesia remains a model for cooperation that has evolved in complexity and enables both navies to refine operations and tactics in response to both traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges.

The U.S.-Indonesian relationship is strengthened through training. For the first time, Indonesia has two midshipman attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

Source: United States Navy

The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) small business community will be attending Sea-Air-Space 2022, April 4-6, 2022 in National Harbor, Maryland and the 2022 Navy Gold Coast Conference, September 6-8, 2022 at the San Diego Convention Center. Small businesses with manufacturing and/or repair capabilities are encouraged to meet with the NAVSUP small business team at these events.

In support of these engagements, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (WSS) has compiled a list of items that are candidates for additional source development. Vendors can obtain the source development candidate list and instructions on how to proceed here: https://sam.gov/opp/cf86d7e256424a25838348f19a4fef81/view.

Additionally, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk has posted their FY22/FY23 Long Range Acquisition Forecast.  The forecast listing can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/060367b11b5e4be89c4e682f0fcb1284/view.

“This release further advances our initiative to improve proactive communication with industry on upcoming requirements,” said NAVSUP Office of Small Business Director Chris Espenshade. “The earlier we can communicate mission requirements, the better we can position small business industry partners to compete. The FLC Norfolk and NAVSUP WSS procurement missions are critical to the Navy’s sustainment success, so it’s imperative we leverage the intangibles small business brings to the fight.”

Industry partners should upload their capabilities or interest to the NAVSUP Interested Vendor/Capabilities Portal (https://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/business_opps_vendor_form/) prior to onsite discussions.

Companies unable to meet the team at these upcoming engagements but have repair capabilities can reach out to:

NAVSUP is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Source: United States Navy

This legacy of service has matured immeasurably over the last 129 years, but the core expectations of our Mess remain the same today as they did in 1893.  This sentiment was best captured in an essay entitled “A Message to Garcia” by Elbert Hubbard; much like 1st LT Rowan, our Chief Petty Officers are not ones to incessantly question or lack conviction, but instead take the commander’s intent and simply get the job done – “to ‘do the thing’ and carry a message to Garcia.”  It is our initiative, our willingness to boldly lead and perpetuate a culture of excellence focused on achieving best-ever performance – that is our true legacy.  It has stood the test of time, and lies at the heart of what our officers expect from us – and what our Sailors demand of us.

Leadership is not an easy endeavor. Among other things, it requires tough decisions that not everyone will agree with, even though Chiefs specialize in building consensus among leaders with disparate points of view.  Honor, integrity, duty and self-discipline infuse our every action, in such a way that those decisions we make and actions we take will survive the scrutiny of hindsight.

In difficult environments and often facing tremendous odds, our Chiefs work together to improvise solutions and win – this is what makes our Mess so strong.  We are far stronger, wiser and more lethal together, and it is that unity of effort that a CO is expecting us to deliver on.

We do not celebrate ourselves, as we are professionals who do this difficult work every day.  That said, this particular day provides us the chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie of our herd as we remind each other of our shared history – the events that have shaped our development.  More importantly, it affords us the opportunity to strengthen our internal ties – so critical to leveraging our unique organization and ensuring our Navy prevails in any mission our Nation requires.

Russell L. Smith
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy