Joint Chiefs of Staff Senior Enlisted Advisor Visits Pensacola Training Commands

By Lt. Jonathan Bacon, Naval Air Technical Training Center Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, conducted a Town Hall Meeting for more than a thousand Sailors, Marines, and Airmen as part of a visit to Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP), May 20.

Speaking in the Naval Air Technical Training Center's (NATTC) Charles Taylor Hangar, Battaglia covered numerous issues challenging today's service members and discussed how although technology and conflict has changed, the basics of leadership and honorable service have remained constant.

Battaglia addressed the diversity in generations within the military as he spoke about "getting back to the basics." He explained that, especially now, in times of transition and change, "We can't get away from our foundations and our basics."

"Technology may change, streamline processes and make our processes easier, but we must always remember how it was done before modern technology, in case we ever find ourselves without it," said Battaglia.

Acknowledging that most of the audience members were in the "sunrise of their careers," as they attend 'A' Schools, Battaglia reminded the crowd that the "Transition to being a veteran will come to everyone at some point," and he added that "The best thing you can do to prepare for your transition from active duty to veteran is to do everything possible to get an honorable discharge."

To those in the crowd who were more senior, and perhaps closer to separation or retirement, he reminded them that "It is never too early to capture your military job skills and transfer them to a resume for use on the outside." Battaglia also reminded those in the crowd of how seriously he takes the transition from service member to veteran. "I don't want you to have difficulty finding a job, starting a business, or starting college," he said. "If you end up unemployed as a veteran, it means that I've failed you."

Battaglia encouraged the assembled Sailors to get a copy of the book, "The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces." He told the assembled group that this was a book about them. It describes what being an enlisted leader is about, defines the expectations of enlisted leadership, and expands upon the various services leadership manuals.

His final topic was resiliency. He explained that the Department of Defense programs on resiliency are not only for the service member, but for their unit, and their families. Battaglia described resiliency as "the strength, physical, psychological, and spiritual, to maneuver and navigate through adversity and stress with minimal impact, and return to an optimal level of operations afterward."

After taking a few questions, Battaglia closed by encouraging the crowd to "stay fit, stay strong, and stay resilient."

The NATTC Command Master Chief, Kirk Klawitter, said that his students and staff were very impressed with Battaglia's taking the time to share his insights and experience with them.

"Sgt. Maj. Battaglia provided my junior Sailors with a unique glimpse into how much they matter to the senior enlisted leadership in the DoD," said Klawitter. "The messages of service with honor, and enlisted leadership across the generations he presented should serve well to reinforce our Sailorization and professional pride training; we strive to instill in them on a daily basis."