okosuka Sailors Prepare for Future with Career Counselor Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Ryan Smith, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) attended the Career Counselor Symposium to better prepare themselves and those they advise for the competitive environment of the modern Navy Aug. 5-6 in Yokosuka, Japan.

More than 75 Sailors from commands throughout Naval Region Japan attended the mini-conference, which covered force shaping tools, detailing, career development tools and education opportunities.

"Events like this are important for getting career information out to our Sailors, so they have the most current information available to them," said CFAY Command Master Chief Gregory Vidaurri.

Many of the symposium attendees were not rated Navy counselors, but command appointed collateral duty counselors who work to help out fellow Sailors by answering their career-related questions and in some cases, pointing them in the right direction.

"A lot of junior Sailors do not take the time to take their career in their own hands because of all the work and knowledge required to do so; that is why career counselors are so important," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Foushee Roosevelt, a divisional counselor assigned to USS Shiloh (CG 67). "The presentation today gave me a better perspective of what should go on an evaluation. They broke everything down and laid out what you need for success."

The objective of presenters was to educate Sailors about career options and the benefits of staying active duty.

"The Navy is always changing and in order to keep up with these changes, Sailors need to be aware of new regulations and different programs that are available that could effect their careers. This symposium is going to help drive them in the right direction," said Vidaurri.