CNO Visits NAS Key West

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Morales, Naval Air Station Key West Public Affairs

KEY WEST, Fla. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert visited Naval Air Station Key West for an all-hands call and tour of enlisted housing, Aug. 27.

Greenert's visit was part of a Southeast U.S. tour, which included stops at Southern Command, Joint Interagency Task Force-South, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Central Command, and Special Operations Command. At each of the stops Greenert met with leadership and Sailors to listen and learn what was on their minds.

During an all-hands call, Greenert reenlisted 19 Sailors and presented awards to 11 Sailors and one civilian assigned to NAS Key West and its tenant commands. Being reenlisted by the CNO was a unique experience, according to Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Jesse Oakes, of NAS Key West.

"I feel it's a very rare opportunity; something that you don't get to do every day," said Oakes.

Oakes' wife Kurumi and other reenlistee family members present were called up by Greenert to join their Sailors as he presented them with their certificates of reenlistment.

After the reenlistment and awards presentation Greenert thanked Navy civilians, Sailors and their family members for their service in Key West before continuing on with the big picture of today's Navy and where Key West comes into play.

"This place is incredibly crucial to our training," said Greenert. "We can do our most advanced air wing tactics here and here is where we will develop our future for our air wings. Key West is a part of our future, as far out as I can possibly see."

The CNO took questions from Sailors concerning personnel detailing, the CNO's Navigation Plan, commissioning programs, selective reenlistment bonuses and upcoming changes to the final multiple score on advancement exams.

Greenert ended the visit with a call to be good shipmates.

"Lastly, we've got to take care of each other," he said, imploring the audience to be vigilant in suicide awareness and overall mental health in order to keep our Sailors and Navy strong.