Source: United States Navy
SAN DIEGO- Planning and preparations are being finalized for the 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a multinational exercise involving 29 nations and more than 25,000 personnel, set to run June 27 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
Source: United States Navy
Formerly known as the Navy Medicine Business Operations Training Symposium (NMBOTS), the summit marked the first in-person gathering since 2019. Over three days, 80 attendees participated in discussions about the Navy Medicine 2027 Campaign Plan, challenges of forward sustainment in complex environments, and fostering collaboration within the Navy Medicine logistics community.
“I can’t think of a more exciting time to be in Navy Medicine with the new capabilities that are coming online,” stated Rear Adm. Rick Freedman, the U.S. Navy Deputy Surgeon General. “We have an incredible opportunity to integrate medical logistics with other maritime functions for distributed maritime operations.”
Presenters communicated goals outlined in the campaign plan, reviewed past, current, and future efforts to maintain medical logistics readiness, identified areas for improvement within the community, and the event was able to strengthen relationships and encourage collaboration while providing career development opportunities.
“Attending the Navy Medicine Logistics Summit for the first time after five years in the Navy has been truly enlightening,” said Lt. Anthony Bah, the material management department head at the U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Iwakuni, Japan. “The demos, particularly their transition and the imminent sunset of certain systems by 2027, have sparked a keen interest in logistics for me. I now recognize the importance of investing in technology and acquiring IT skills, not just for medical logistics but to broaden my capabilities. This summit has motivated me to pursue a path of continual growth and adaptability in my military career.”
The event provided a platform to highlight the essential role of logistics in maintaining medical readiness and supporting quality healthcare and patient safety of Navy personnel around the world.
“The senior leadership’s passion is palpable, and rare in today’s environment,” concluded Navy Medicine’s 2023 Logistician of the Year, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Curtis Smith, from 2nd Medical Logistics Company. “I’m determined to carry this commitment back to my workplace, instilling it in my junior Sailors. It’s about igniting their potential, fueling their growth, and passing on the torch of inspiration.”
The summit recognized the dedication and achievements of outstanding individuals across various categories: Enlisted Supply Technician of the Year Logistics Specialist 1st Class Curtis A. Smith, Junior Logistician of the Year Lt. Sarah R. Chombeau, Operational Bio-Medical Equipment Technician of the Year Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Michael Lorenzo Nugpo, Cross Functional Team of the Year Operations, Design and Logistics Team, Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Cmdr. Robert A. Edgar Award for Military Operational Medical Logistician of the Year Lt. Cmdr. Anthony P. Ochiltree, Senior Shore-Based Medical Logistician of the Year Lt. Cmdr. Elena V. Williams, Shore-Based Bio-Medical Equipment Technician of the Year Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rick E. Brown, Civilian Medical Logistician or Supply Technician of the Year, Laurie Beck, and Civilian Medical Equipment and Technology Professional of the Year Eric B. Jones.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
Source: United States Navy
For the seventh straight year, the North Carolina Department of Labor recognized the command’s commitment to safety by awarding Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) the Gold Award, the department’s highest workplace safety honor. During a recent ceremony in Greenville, the depot also received four Million Hour Awards for its safety performance in 2023.
To meet the Gold Award standard, an organization must have had no fatalities during the award year, and also post a days away, restricted or transferred (DART) rate at least 50 percent below the industry average. For FRCE, that means the aircraft maintenance industry. The Million Hour safety awards are given to employers each time they accumulate one million employee hours with no injuries or illnesses involving days away from work.
FRCE Executive Officer Capt. Randy Berti said the state’s continued recognition of the command’s safety program is significant because it indicates that safe work practices are built into the everyday processes at the depot.
“Winning the North Carolina Department of Labor’s Gold Award for the seventh year running demonstrates just how integral safety is to our operations at FRC East,” he said. “This isn’t a one-time recognition or a blip on the radar, but a sustained push that requires effort every day, from all levels of the workforce.
“But the most important outcome of our safety management system isn’t the recognition the command receives, it’s keeping our workforce safe and healthy,” Berti continued. “Our number one asset at FRC East is our people, and we want to ensure we send them home safely to their families every night. Protecting our people is key.”
The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) Safety Awards Program recognizes private and public firms throughout the state that achieve and maintain good safety records. The program is designed to stimulate interest in accident prevention and promote safety in the workplace. The program began in 1946 and now extends to more than 5,000 firms. FRCE won its first Gold Award for 2017’s safety record, and has continued to earn the honor every year since.
FRCE Compliance and Quality Department Head Amy Morgan said the outcome of the command’s proactive safety campaign speak for themselves in terms of results. At FRCE, the safety culture focuses on instilling a sense of ownership through education; top-down emphasis on the importance of workplace safety; and continuous improvement of an already-robust safety management system.
“Arriving at the command’s current safety posture really has been a journey, and implementing the policies and procedures that are now in place has been incredibly impactful in terms of reducing injuries and bringing a culture of safety to the forefront,” Morgan said. “We have made enormous strides in workplace safety over the past 20 years, but we aren’t content to rest on our laurels; we continue to proactively seek out opportunities for improvement so we can work toward our ultimate goal of zero workplace injuries. That might seem like a stretch goal, but I do believe we can get there as long as we keep making incremental improvements while we continue this journey.”
FRCE’s current focus on safety as a core tenet of the depot’s operations began in 2004 with the adoption of an internationally recognized standard for health and safety management systems, and has continued to grow and change with the command. Before this transformation began, however, the depot’s safety record was less than stellar. In 2002, for instance, FRCE saw more than 800 Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recordable incidents; now the depot sees fewer than 30 OSHA-recordable injuries per year, Morgan said.
Participation in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) has also been a driving factor for the sustained improvement in workplace safety at FRCE, she noted. VPP focuses on preventing fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system of hazard prevention and control; worksite analysis; training; and management commitment and worker involvement. FRCE began the VPP process in 2006 and became the first naval aviation command to attain VPP Star Site status in 2019, then achieved Star Site recertification in 2023. The Star Site designation is the highest level of recognition in the VPP program and is awarded to employers who demonstrate exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards.
“Participating in the VPP program really has been a game-changer for FRC East, and allowed us to take an even more proactive approach in assessing and preventing potential hazards before they become an issue,” Morgan explained. “As we worked toward achieving and sustaining our VPP Star Site status, a natural outcome is that the members of our workforce have, as a whole, become much more conscientious and aware in terms of safety and risk management. As we have seen, increased understanding of the risks associated with our industrial environment has naturally led to better safety outcomes.”
According to Safety and Occupational Health Division Director Angelo Owens, the depot’s existing safety standards are reinforced by additional measures including vigorous enforcement of personal protective equipment requirements and training that goes above and beyond Navy and Defense Department regulations. With only 10 safety specialists on staff, it’s important for other members of the workforce to be trained, educated and informed about safety best practices, he said.
“Safety truly is a collaborative effort, and it takes everyone working together to mitigate risk and protect the workforce,” Owens explained. “It’s important that we all do the right thing, from proper risk assessments conducted prior to completing a task to wearing appropriate personal protective equipment like safety shoes, gloves and bump caps while completing that task. It’s all there for a reason, and it all makes a difference.”
In addition to the North Carolina Department of Labor’s Gold Award and Million Hour awards, the Chief of Naval Operations recently announced FRCE as the winner of its Shore Safety Award in the Large Industrial category and Aviation Safety Award, both for 2023. In 2022, FRCE’s safety program was recognized as the best in the Department of Defense with the Safety and Occupational Health Management System Achievement Award, presented by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.
Source: United States Navy
Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007 and the second aboard USNS Burlington. The mission will foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.
The focus during each mission stop will be working alongside partner nation medical personnel to provide direct patient care and technical expertise in community clinics to improve medical readiness, strengthen partnerships, and enhance the combined capabilities of the U.S. Navy and partner nations to respond to public health disasters and humanitarian crises. 30 U.S. Navy medical professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, dentists, optometrists, and biomedical technicians from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC Portsmouth, NMRTC Jacksonville, NMRTC Great Lakes, NMRTC Pensacola, NMRTC Camp Lejeune) and Naval Medicine Readiness and Logistics Command bring their expertise to this year’s iteration of Continuing Promise.
“During Continuing Promise 2024, we’re working side-by-side and step-by-step with our partners,” said Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Commander. “Our investment into the region is our enduring relationships, and we are committed to ensuring improved interoperability and collaborative regional security together. We gain so much by this opportunity to serve alongside true professionals.”
The Continuing Promise team includes a U.S. Army veterinary team from the 248th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service Support), which will collaborate with host nation colleagues to provide direct public health education and animal care at local veterinary organizations in-country. U.S. Navy Seabees from Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 1 will assist in host nation led community engineering projects. U.S. Navy experts will host seminars and training exercises with host nation civilian officials and military professionals covering disaster preparedness and response. These exchanges aim to support host nation facilities, improve readiness, and empower local and national officials with the knowledge and experience to act with confidence during emergencies.
“Actions certainly speak louder than words and Continuing Promise 2024 will certainly demonstrate that,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Maloney, Continuing Promise 2024 mission commander. “It is a way for us to collaborate and work alongside our partners in the Caribbean, Central and South America and make a positive impact in local communities at each stop.”
Continuing Promise will also continue its popular series of seminars on the prevention of gender-based violence in support of the mission’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative.
WPS is a United Nations (UN) initiative that started with UNSCR 1325 signed in 2000. The UN resolution is a public acknowledgement that women are more adversely impacted by conflict and crisis, and including women in security planning will lead to a more peaceful world.
Continuing Promise will feature the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, “Uncharted Waters”. The band will embark on USNS Burlington to conduct classes at community schools, collaborate with military and civilian musical organizations in partner nations, and entertain local communities with concerts at each mission stop. This cultural exchange aims to strengthen community ties and foster goodwill.
USNS Burlington is an expeditionary fast transport (EPF) operated by Military Sealift Command and crewed by 26 Civil Service Mariners led by Ship Master, Capt. Tyler Driscoll. The crew composition follows a commercial model of bridge and engineering watches. The ship is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of regional transport of personnel and cargo lift, providing combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances. Burlington will bring the personnel, equipment and supplies necessary to conduct the Continuing Promise mission, as well as act as the mission’s logistics and command hub.
USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability. Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.
Source: United States Navy
Talking to your child about their bodies and sexual health is important in their healthy development from childhood to adulthood.
Commander, Navy Installations Command’s (CNIC’s) Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) help families overcome the negative stigma of these discussions through a series of webinars titled, “SHAPE” (Sexual Health through Approachable Prevention and Education).
“SHAPE webinars are designed for parents and caregivers who are seeking information on how to discuss sexual health and development with their child,” said Amy Fustino, MSS, MLSP, LCSW, clinical analyst with CNIC. “It’s also for parents who have a child who has exhibited or is impacted by problematic sexual behavior or PSB-CY (Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth).”
SHAPE gives parents and caregivers information and tools to effectively respond to their child’s sexual behaviors and questions. Facilitators teach parents appropriate terminology to identify body parts in discussions with their child, using person-first language to express behavior and promote healing in incidents of PSB-CY.
SHAPE was developed to help parents and caregivers become proactive partners to support healthy child sexual development and prevent or reduce problematic sexual behavior. The webinars give parents age-appropriate responses with factual and honest conversations.
“What you say to a nine-year-old is completely different than what you would say to a teenager; however, it should always be factual and honest,” said Fustino. “These classes give parents the information to understand what is normative and expected at each age and builds their confidence by providing specific examples on how they can respond to their child at various ages.”
Fustino added a child’s sexual development is a vital aspect of a child’s overall growth, covering biological, psychological, and social dimensions.
“Despite its importance, many parents feel ill-equipped to talk about this sensitive subject confidently,” she said. “Often, discussions are delayed until a child reaches puberty, yet research indicates that early and frequent education, beginning as early as two years old, produces the best results.”
By supplying parents with accurate information and age-appropriate communication strategies, parents will in turn, be able to empower their children to grow in supportive environments where they can explore their development and sexuality, set boundaries, and confidently seek assistance. Additionally, such education enables parents to identify and address signs of abuse or problematic behavior, thereby safeguarding their children’s well-being.
SHAPE gives parents the tools they need to proactively talk with their children about sexual health and development topics through demonstrations, videos, and practical exercises.
SHAPE is a modular course that allows learners to attend sections most relevant to their child’s age group. For example:
This parenting curriculum was designed to be in person at your local FFSC but has now been modified to be offered virtually.
“I think this program helps to bridge the gap. Frankly, this is a difficult topic for most and this curriculum helps to make it approachable,” said Fustino. “This curriculum represents a fundamental step towards fostering healthy sexual development and mitigating problematic behaviors and instances of abuse in children.”
Fustino, with more than a decade of experience with CNIC, stated if parents are not teaching their children and having these discussions about sexual development and sexual behavior, they will learn from someone or somewhere else.
“Today’s kids live in a world where so much can be found online, which is not safeguarded. As parents, we need to ensure that what they learn and are exposed to is appropriate,” she said. “Parents should be proactive in supporting their child’s sexual development in the same ways that they support other areas of their development. When parents encourage open communication and understanding from an early age, children are better equipped to assert their rights, comprehend appropriate relationship boundaries, and seek assistance if feeling uneasy or unsafe.”
SHAPE’s goal is to furnish parents with the tools necessary to educate their children on body autonomy, boundaries, and consent, so they can prevent and reduce the risk of sexual behaviors, abuse, and exploitation. Armed with accurate information and support, parents can navigate distress, secure assistance for their children, and foster a positive outlook for the future.
To learn more about the SHAPE webinars and register:
For more information contact your installation’s FFSC at FFSC Directory (navy.mil).