NPC FORCM Hits the Deck Running

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) LaTunya Howard, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

May 25, 2010 - MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Arriving from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), new Force Master Chief (FORCM) (AW/SW/NAC) Jon Port, Navy Personnel Command (NPC), had to take charge of his post and deliver. Naval Support Activity Mid-South was hit by flash flooding, May 1 during Port's first week on the job.

"It was important to be focused on the right things; I had Sailors without homes and Sailors that needed to be fed and that was the priority," said Port. "Our number one priority was to get every one of our Sailors and their families back in a home and make sure that they were taken care of in every way we could."

While taking care of his Sailors, Port's main objective, providing personnel services to the fleet, wasn't far from his mind.

"We set the most-needed systems back on-line as quickly as we could to support the Navy," said Port. "We understood that when we came to a standstill, so did most of the Navy."

"We are the personnel center of excellence. Manpower moves, lives and breathes by what we do here. We understand that," said Port.

He said his focus in this job is what it has always been; it's on fundamentals and a strong foundation. Being brilliant-on-the-basics counts the most.

"I've always said to Sailors, when an organization forgets its foundation and loses focus on its core values, it's doomed to fail. In our case, it is our Sailors creed, the 11 general orders of a sentry and Navy regulations," said Port.

Port advises deckplate leadership to remember from whence they came.

"I live by the mantra of 'the chief among you shall be servant to all.' I've always looked at my Sailors as family and even more so when my children joined the Navy."

Port's four children, one daughter and three sons, all have an affiliation with the Navy.

"My daughter is married to a Sailor, my oldest son served and is now home from serving the Navy. My middle son is a Seabee and my youngest son leaves this summer to begin his training."

"It's critical from my perspective that we as leaders look out for the next generation. We can't do that if we are self-absorbed, focused on our own advancement or issues, or focused on our retirement or our next job," said Port. "We are charged with the professional development and mentorship of young Sailors and officers. This is as fundamental at this command as in any command."

Port describes himself as a walk-about leader. He says he sets aside time to read e-mails or return calls but he feels being available to members of the command in their spaces is important.

"I look forward to serving this command and all members attached to it," said Port.