By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center
Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- In a Change of
Charge ceremony at the Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN) July 6 day, Command
Master Chief (AW/SW) Susan Whitman took over for Command Master Chief (AW/SW)
Dominick Torchia as the enlisted liaison to Rear Adm. Brian Prindle, Commander,
NAVSAFECEN, and as the go-to safety advisor for all Sailors and Marines.
Prindle noted the important role of the
command master chief (CMC) during the ceremony.
"In the person of the CMC, there is
someone committed to the key responsibility of telling the commanding officer
what he or she needs to hear, whether or not they want to hear it," he
said.
In noting Torchia's unique
accomplishments during his role, Prindle said the renewed focus on safety and
risk management throughout the fleet tops the list.
"He has made this position and
integral part of what the master chief petty officer of the Navy and the Fleet
master chiefs think about on a daily basis."
In his remarks to NAVSAFECEN military
and civilian staff members, Torchia, who is now the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
CMC, said the command's mission is an important one for the nation's defense.
"This command plays the most
important role in saving the resources and lives that allow mission readiness
and the preservation of our great nation's freedom," Torchia said.
"It the mishaps that don't occur that show our impact."
Whitman, who reported to NAVSAFECEN
after serving as CMC onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) said she is excited
to be in the safety business.
"Safety is finally making
headway," she said. "It's an important focus in the Secretary of the
Navy's 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative and this gives us the teeth
needed to continue building a culture of safety throughout the Navy and Marine
Corps."
Whitman said she is looking forward to
meeting Sailors and Marines around the fleet and being their advocate in all
matters regarding safety and risk management.
"I will work very hard to ensure
safety is a part of every conversation I am engaged in," she said.
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