MCPON Testifies before Congress on Quality of Life

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW) Jennifer A. Villalovos

April 14, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) and senior enlisted leaders from all the services testified before Congress April 14. They appeared before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction.

MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West, along with the other top senior enlisted leaders from the Marines, Army and Air Force, discussed quality of life, recruiting and retention, Reserve force, and veteran affairs issues.

"In my first year, I have made it known across our fleet that our Sailors and their families' quality of life is of vital importance to operational readiness and mission effectiveness," said West in his opening statement.

"The engine that drives our great Navy is our Sailors with their families' support. They truly define who we are as a Navy and a nation. We are a global force for good."

In his written statement, West said the United States Navy has been tasked with emerging missions that were not foreseeable less than a decade ago, along with more frequent and often longer deployments and those that are individual versus unit deployments. Preparing Sailors and their families to anticipate, understand and cope with Navy life and intensive operational tempo is critical to mission success.

Navy's Homeport Ashore program, bachelor and Navy family housing, and, childcare continuum of care were other important issues that were brought up to the congressional subcommittee. West said that as the environment of Sailors and their families changes, along with global requirements and world events, new and better ways to support Navy families must be continuously searched.

"It is no source of contention for Sailors to deploy from their loved ones. Deployments are what we do; but, we should never underestimate or take for granted the incredible sacrifices our Sailors and their families make for the good of our nation as they meet the unusual demands associated with the Navy lifestyle," said West.

West discussed the Navy's current operations and told the committee as of April 1, 39 percent of the Navy's force is underway, and approximately 23,000 Sailors are in the Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), more than 50,000 Sailors are on station around the world.

"We have Sailors on the ground excelling in new missions and Sailors above, on and under the world's ocean executing our maritime strategy's core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support," said West. "Between our traditional maritime requirements, counter-piracy operations and the many non-traditional missions we have adopted in support of overseas contingency operations … Your Sailors are making a difference everyday."

MCPON periodically testifies before Congress along with the senior enlisted leaders of the other services. This was his third appearance before the congressional committee.