Monday, January 10, 2011

New Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Selected

By Capt. Robert Durand, Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The next Navy Reserve Force master chief was announced by the chief of the Navy Reserve Jan. 6.

Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink announced that Command Master Chief Christopher T. Wheeler was selected as the next Navy Reserve Force master chief.

Wheeler will relieve Navy Reserve Master Chief (FMF) Ronney Wright as Navy Reserve Force master chief in June 2011.

"Command Master Chief Wheeler was chosen for this important job from a group of highly motivated, professional and qualified candidates," said Debbink. "I will rely on his insight and counsel to ensure that our Sailors, their families and their civilian employers have what they need to carry out our mission and to live up to our Navy Reserve Force motto - 'Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere.'"

Wheeler's focus as force master chief will be taking care of the Navy Reserve Sailors he works for.

"Taking care of Sailors is what this job is all about, and Master Chief Wheeler is a deckplate leader who knows and cares deeply for our Sailors," said Wright. "Serving in this job is a tremendous honor and an awesome responsibility. Command Master Chief Wheeler is eager to take on this challenge."

Stewardship to the citizen-Sailors who man the Reserve Force is high on Wheelers priorities.

"I believe this job is about being an honest steward for the Navy Reserve Force, and I pledge my stewardship to Vice Adm. Debbink and all of our Navy Reserve Sailors," said Wheeler.

Wheeler currently serves as the command master chief of Naval Air Force Reserve and as staff command master chief for Naval Air Force.

The Navy Reserve Force master chief is responsible for advising the chief of Navy Reserve on matters affecting the morale, retention, Sailor development and general well-being of the 53,000 enlisted personnel of the Navy Reserve. The force master chief is also charged with ensuring active communications throughout the force and instilling a sense of heritage and active support of Navy core values to all Sailors.

Wheeler will be the 14th Navy Reserve Force master chief. The mission of the Navy Reserve is to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to our Navy and Marine Corps team, and Joint forces, from peace to war.

No comments: