Category: United States Navy

Source: United States Navy

Approximately 30 Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners (CIVMARs) partnered with Olongapo local organizations and visited two centers for children in order to interact with children and provide donations during a community outreach event in Olongapo, Philippines, Dec. 8, 2024.

The CIVMARs were from dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) and fleet replenishment oiler ship USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204).

 
They visited the Olongapo City Social Development Center for the Girls and the Niños Pag Asa Orphanage Center. The Olongapo Social Development Center provides refuge and rehabilitation for abused and orphaned girls, while Niños Pag Asa Orphanage Center helps provide the special needs of impoverished, malnourished, and sick children and young adults with disabilities and with deformities.

The two ships collected voluntary donations and purchased items such as rice, hygiene products, towels, games, and other food items for the two centers.

“The kids are very happy to receive visitors and gifts,” said Araceli Menor, executive director and co-founder of Niños Pag Asa Orphanage Center. “You can see it in their faces. It makes them feel that they are still part of the community and that they are not left behind.”

According to Menor, the orphanage, which houses 28 kids, was established in May 1984 with a military tie. She and a U.S. Marine Corps spouse started the program by going out to various towns to provide food to less fortunate kids. It shortly evolved into the development of the orphanage.

During the visit, each center’s kids engaged in an entertainment program. While some kids sang and played musical instruments, others choreographed dance routines to showcase their unique talents.

 
“I love helping the kids,” said Larry P. Ejan, steward utilityman, Charles Drew. “It makes me very emotional, but at the same time it makes me feel good helping those who need help most. There’s a lot of ways to help. It’s not just about the money you can give, it’s also about the amount of time you can spend with them. It makes them feel like they are still remembered and part of the community.”

The Social Development Center provides a safe haven for young girls who endured abuse and neglect, and offers them a nurturing environment, education, and psychological support to help them rebuild their lives.

“These visits are very important to the kids,” said Hana Linzaga, day care worker, Social Development Center. “Some of them don’t have families that visit them. So, these visitors are like their family. Additionally, the donations really help.”

While most members of the MSC were new to participating in community outreach events, some take every advantage to participate, when given the opportunity.

 
“I always try to go when there’s a humanitarian event, and I always think it’s great,” said Lorraine Ninete, purser, Rappahannock. “I have 18 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. So, when I look at these children, they remind me of mine. I always have a soft spot in my heart for them. I see a lot of these children and I want them to know that they are loved.”

MSC Far East organized the planning, coordination and execution, while the Charles Drew and Rappahannock crew members provided the donations.

“These events are an opportunity for the kids to receive all these different blessings,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jamil A. Khan, chaplain, MSC Far East. “But for our CIVMARs, it’s an opportunity to stay a little humble and change their perspective in realizing that they do have a home, especially, when some of them are so far from loved ones during the holidays.”

MSC Far East supports the U.S. 7th Fleet and ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to U.S. forces and coalition partners, both at sea and on shore.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely engages and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the combined-joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 civil service mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and reserve military personnel.

The events support and enhance the U.S. and Philippines’ shared commitment to unity, cooperation, and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Source: United States Navy

ROTA, SPAIN – Under the operational command of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68, Naval Cargo Handling Battalions (NCHB) 10 and 1 successfully completed vertical launching system (VLS) reloads for two U.S. Navy surface combatants: USS Gettysburg (CG 64) in Skagen, Denmark, and USS Stout (DDG 55) in Brest, France, showcasing NATO interoperability and expeditionary logistics capabilities. These developments represent a critical advancement in enhancing NATO’s readiness and collective deterrence.

It was the first time a reserve Expeditionary Reload Team (ERT) conducted an expeditionary ordnance exercise (EXPORD) in a foreign country using live ordnance, and the Skagen operation was the first of its kind in Denmark. It entailed reloading Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser.

In order to secure the success of the intricate evolution, Danish military personnel joined forces with U.S. Sailors, thereby strengthening NATO cooperation.

“This vertical launch system reload event was the first with live munition, where U.S. and Danish personnel cooperated on the execution,” said, Cmdr. John Aeroe Hansen, Royal Danish Navy Command N4 Logistics, Units and Shore Installations, Supply deputy branch chief. “I am pleased that the execution went smooth and without any hiccups and look forward to enhancing this mutual logistic support.”

“The growing partnership between the U.S. Navy and the Danish Armed Forces was demonstrated by our ability to conduct VLS reloads in Skagen,” said Lt. Aaron Dillon, commander of Task Group 68.5. “Wherever our forces are deployed, this evolution guarantees that we can maintain combat readiness.”

Stout, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was unloaded and reloaded by NCHB 1 in Brest, France, demonstrating the flexibility of the U.S. Navy in utilizing NATO partner ports in non-traditional ways for vital missions.

“These reloads are more than logistical exercises,” said Lt. j.g. Justin Morgan, NCHB 1 ERT Officer-in-Charge. “They’re a testament to the capability and professionalism of our expeditionary logistics forces and our allies. Our combined strength is demonstrated by our ability to carry out this operation in various settings and with various allies and partners.”

Conducting VLS reloads at two different sites demonstrated the flexibility of expeditionary logistical units, and verified the equipment and processes required to quickly replenish ships with guided munitions at any NATO port.
“By carrying out these evolutions, we ensure we are always ready to support forward-deployed combatants in contested environments,” said Lt. Chris Garazatua, Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group liaison officer to CTF 68. “In high-end conflict, this level of readiness can make the difference.”

These activities also demonstrate the unity and capacity of NATO Allies at a strategic level.

“This type of highly complex, cross-training in cargo handling and reloading our surface combatants is precisely the kind of rehearsal that helps us achieve interoperability with our capable NATO Allies,” said Commodore Task Force 68, Capt. Jeremy Wheat. “It gives us maximum flexibility to be able to conduct these types of evolutions, regardless of ship, port, or flag patch. It is this interoperability across NATO Allies and partners that proves to be our strongest deterrent.”

CTF 68 is a part of the U.S. 6th Fleet and commands all Naval Expeditionary Combat Forces, in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces bridge the gap from sea to shore and provides expeditionary capabilities in remote, complex and austere environments.

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

The symposium, themed “Rethinking Global Security in a Complex World,” aimed to broaden understanding of complex global security challenges and the critical importance of gender perspectives across the continuum of national and international security.

“In addition to forging enduring international relationships and enabling greater appreciation for global and cultural perspectives, the WPS framework leverages the power of

our servicewomen’s perspective,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, president of NWC, while welcoming the participants. “This perspective is critical to the collective effectiveness of our warfighting team and a force multiplier as the complexity of our global environment continues to increase.”

The more than 1,300 in-person and virtual participants included military and government leaders, other national security practitioners, NWC faculty members and students, scholars and non-governmental organization representatives. These participants represented nearly 50 partner and Allied nations.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo; Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro; U.N. Under Secretary General and Special Coordinator on Improving the UN’s Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Christian Saunders; Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security; and Valerie Hudson, Ph.D., distinguished professor and George H.W. Bush Chair, Texas A&M University.

As guest of honor, President Osmani-Sadriu delivered remarks on Kosovo’s journey as a country committed to advancing the WPS agenda.

“The WPS agenda connects us across borders and unites us in shared beliefs that empower women,” Osmani-Sadriu stated. “Kosovo’s pain from the past and our ambitions for the future have made us everyday fighters for the WPS agenda as one that redefines the foundations of peace, equality, and stability worldwide.”

Del Toro offered remarks on the importance of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to WPS.

“We—men and women alike—must contribute to the meaningful participation of women in the armed forces to increase combat readiness and operational effectiveness,” Del Toro said. “By empowering women, we are not merely fulfilling a moral imperative. We are also investing in a more peaceful, prosperous, and just future for all.”

A keynote speech was delivered by Valerie Hudson, Ph.D., distinguished professor and George H.W. Bush Chair, Texas A&M University. Hudson’s strategic analysis of WPS as critical to national security was preceded by a presentation on the topic earlier this year at NWC, where she noted that national security suffers when women are not included in policy and decision-making.

“What do we see when we open our eyes?” Hudson said. “We see that the security of states is integrally tied to the security of women.”

Saunders provided data on the rise in the number and severity of sexual violence and conflict involving women and called for leaders to move beyond tokenism to real, tangible change.

“We must transform our organizations’ policies and practices to consistently embed women’s voices and perspectives at the heart of everything that we do in the areas of peace and security, and leadership is a critical aspect of that culture of transformation,” Saunders stated. “To deny women’s full and equal participation is to legitimize the same patriarchal and misogynistic culture that culminates in their exposure to sexual and gender-based violence.”

Symposium attendees participated in 10 panels and six keynote presentations supported by over 90 speakers covering a variety of topics such as strengthening maritime security, cybersecurity, civil society in defense and security affairs, cultivating allyship in the defense and security sectors, addressing gender-based violence, gender perspectives on strategic plans and operations, women in leadership and human rights.

NWC’s WPS symposium supports various strategic directives and policies, including the 2023 U.S. WPS Strategy and National Action Plan, WPS Act of 2017 and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on WPS.

“In the coming years, strategically, Resolution 1325 has to be a continued effort in the U.S. as it competes with rising vicious power and challenges to rules-based order,” Jenkins stated. “It is vital for us to remain laser-focused on building enduring security partnerships that are rooted in strong, accountable, and inclusive partnerships that not only advance WPS in policy but fully integrate its mainstream practices.”

Jenkins added that WPS is needed for the U.S. to successfully employ a whole-of-nation approach to strategic competition.

Saira Yamin, Ph.D., NWC’s Ambassador Swanee Hunt Chair of Women, Peace, and Security emphasized that WPS promotes inclusive approaches to improve security outcomes as mixed gender-teams are significantly more innovative and better able to solve complex problems.

“There is a global momentum in women’s increased participation in defense and security roles that is creating increased opportunities for security cooperation, interoperability, and integrated deterrence with partner nation militaries,” Yamin said. “Nations that invest in and draw on the abilities of 100% of their population are more resilient and secure than those who leave half of them behind. Strong women are the strongest weapons for a state and society.”

Information and ideas generated during the event will play a key role in supporting NWC’s newest course, Perspectives on Modern War (PMW), which was introduced at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. Students will leverage insights gained to critically evaluate how the diverse experiences and expertise of military, government, academic and industry leaders can inform their understanding of past leadership challenges and shape their approach to future ones.

Symposium findings, including emerging ideas on strategic competition and the future of war and diplomacy, will also be compiled and published as a resource for NWC students and faculty, other U.S. and international institutions and U.S. government and military policy and decision makers.

NWC has been committed to integrating WPS subject matter into its curriculum and faculty research since 2011 when the first WPS U.S. National Action Plan was launched.

As a leader in professional military education, NWC plays an important role in Navy and DoD support of the U.S. WPS Strategy and National Action Plan, empowering women’s meaningful participation in all phases of planning and operations to generate outcomes advancing state and human security.

As the first country to adopt a comprehensive law on WPS (Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017), the U.S. is committed to upholding U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325’s premise that the core WPS principles of women’s participation and protection are critical for effective conflict prevention and resolution, for peacebuilding, and for peacekeeping efforts.

Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The college delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision makers, educating tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging partners and allies on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war.

Source: United States Navy

The Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) conferred full accreditation status this Fall upon four resident and distance learning (DL) project management degree programs: the Master of Science in Defense Program Management (curriculum 816); the Master of Science in Program Management via NPS Online (curriculum 836); and the resident and distance learning Advanced Acquisition Studies certificate programs (curricula 217 and 218). 

In the first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy published in January 2024, new acquisition strategies in program management that will result in reduced development times, costs, and increased scalability are prioritized. For mid-career military and civilian students, NPS provides the opportunity to apply real-world experience with graduate education and research to develop innovative solutions to program management challenges.

“This accreditation allows us to showcase that we are committed to the highest standards, not only in our courses but also in our graduates, who are held to those high standards for project management,” noted Dr. Bob Mortlock, DDM associate chair. “Besides the fact that we’re the only defense-relevant graduate education program management degrees in the world, the accreditation distinguishes us from all other program management degrees and highlights our commitment to excellence in teaching and research.”

“Our students benefit because they graduate with project management professional certification that is globally recognized,” he added. “This benefits NPS, which directly translates to the Navy and ultimately to the national security of the U.S. as a whole.”

Established in 2001, the GAC is recognized as the world’s leading specialized accrediting body for quality assurance of project management and related degree programs. More than 135 project management degree programs in 22 countries around the world are currently accredited by GAC.

Degree programs that achieve GAC accreditation must demonstrate and meet the organization’s rigorous global standards of accreditation, which include an assessment of each program’s objectives and outcomes, faculty and student evaluations, onsite and online resources, annual self-evaluation, and proof of continuous improvements in project management education.

NPS’ project management degree programs are perfectly aligned with this, as noted in the GAC’s accreditation determination report.

“The interviews conducted by the GAC onsite visit team held with faculty, NPS leadership, support staff, and other university stakeholders revealed the programs have a strong focus on ensuring student success and developing competent project and program managers that are acquisition specialists ready to further their careers in their respective services,” the report’s authors observed.

“As a U.S. Navy military installation led by civilians and veterans, the programs at NPS clearly understand their target student population and have a direct link to the end application of their students’ eventual mission,” the report continued.

The authors also recognize that the term “acquisition” in the context of defense procurement does not simply denote “purchasing” something, but as noted in the GAC report, it implies “the processes involved in the conception, research, development, testing, and fielding a product, capability, or service for use by a warfighter, agency, or larger system.”

In other words, acquisition is a multi-disciplinary undertaking involving planning, risk mitigation, budgeting, contracting, and modeling and simulation, says Mortlock, all of which NPS excels at in educating new generations of program managers.

“That’s what we teach our students,” he said. “NPS is the only defense school that offers those master’s degrees that are defense relevant. We’re the only one that has our student body and our faculty that we have, and the only one that aligns that with the acquisition research program that we have.”

GAC accreditation is effective for five years, through August 31, 2029.

Source: United States Navy

LONDON — Today, Tom Cruise, the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator and staunch advocate for the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award for his dedication to the Navy. His efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform. He was also recognized for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps. Awarded by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the DPS Award is the highest honor the Secretary can bestow on a civilian outside the Department of the Navy.

“It was an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” said Secretary Del Toro. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”

Cruise has made a wide range of contributions to the Department of the Navy from 1986 to 2023. He has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps. His dedicated efforts in the film industry have significantly increased public awareness and appreciation for Navy personnel and their sacrifices. As a result, recruitment for Navy pilots surged in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past,” said Cruise. “The effort was not just on my end, but the cast and crew I get to work with on all our sets. They are what really bring the work to life.”

Top Gun: Maverick brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated younger viewers’ interest in the skill sets and opportunities the Navy provides. The success of this portrayal led to Cruise being named the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator.