Navy Reserve Launches 2011 Strategic Plan

By Robert Durand, Director of Public Affairs, Chief of Navy Reserve

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink, Chief of Navy Reserve and commander, Navy Reserve Force, released the 2011 update to Ready Now: The Navy Reserve Strategic Plan, Oct. 1.

Now in its third year of execution, the plan serves as the blueprint for building the Navy Reserve so it can effectively and efficiently carry out its mission. This year's strategic plan lays out twelve strategic initiatives and identifies who is responsible for carrying them out.

"Our strategic initiatives go right to the heart of our Navy Reserve Force Motto: "Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere.", said Debbink. "We have a solid plan that delivers real improvements in how we carry out our mission to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to our Navy and Marine Corps team, and Joint forces, from peace to war."

To read the complete Navy Reserve Strategic Plan, visit: https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil.

Jim Grover, a Department of the Navy civilian employee on the staff of the Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve, has been an integral part of Debbink's strategic planning team from the start, and has seen how the process has matured.

"We have learned a great deal in three years about how to drive positive change in the Navy Reserve, and this year's initiatives reflect those lessons learned," said Grover. "For 2011, we are concentrating our efforts on major issues requiring flag-level attention."

"What we did get right the first time, and what has guided us since, was the framework for our planning process: define the mission, articulate the vision, and identify our strategic focus areas to organize our change efforts," Grover said. "Our Strategic Plan organizes change efforts into three strategic focus areas – DELIVER a Ready and Accessible Force, PROVIDE Valued Capabilities, and ENABLE the Continuum of Service."

Debbink sees the strategic plan as a way to create fundamental changes and improvements in the way the Navy Reserve operates. It's also a useful tool for clarifying and requesting changes to laws and policies that are beyond the Navy Reserve's control.

"Our Sailors have performed magnificently in the years since 9/11, and we enjoy tremendous support from the Chief of Naval Operations, Congress and the Navy enterprises we support," Debbink said. "When we come to them with a well thought-out plan and say 'these are the things we need to fix so we can serve you better and make life better for our Sailors,' they are eager to join us in this important work."