Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Visits Naval Station Great Lakes

From Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U. S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, visited Naval Station Great Lakes to participate in a town hall meeting with military and civilian staff and family members here, Sept. 5.

The visit was hosted by Rear Adm. Rich Brown, commander of Naval Training Service Command (NSTC).

At the town hall meeting America's top general was met by U.S. Army Major Gen. Daniel Krumrei, Adjutant General of the State of Illinois; U. S. Army Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes, Jr., Assistant Adjutant General-Army of the Illinois National Guard; and U. S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Clayton W. Moushon, Illinois Air National Guard's Chief of Staff. Capt. William Bullis, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, introduced the chairman and his wife to a very large Ross Auditorium audience.

Dempsey discussed a number of issues facing today's Armed Forces. He discussed current operational tempo and current hot spots around the world - from China and Russia to Iraq and Afghanistan. He answered numerous questions from the Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen in attendance.

"We've talked about a lot of problems here today but as long as America's has it's best and brightest serving in its military and when we get the future wrong you'll probably be able to pull our fat out of the fire," said Dempsey.

The town hall meeting was attended by more than 800 Sailors, government civilians, and contractors working at Great Lakes. The naval station is the home of Recruit Training Command, the Navy's only boot camp and Training Support Center Great Lakes.

"I was impressed with the questions from some of the younger Sailors," said retired Master Chief Electronics Technician Pamela Jacobsen, an electronics instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes (CSCSUGL). "(Our leadership) needs to see how bright and patriotic our Sailors are. I think it helps them get refreshed and I think it's really important for these generals and admirals that visit to see America's best and brightest that are right here in Great Lakes."

Jacobsen was one of many audience members to ask the general a question. Hers was about the budget. Others asked the Joint Chiefs chairman about the downsizing of the military, retirement incentives, the reserve force, Navy contractors and the current situation with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Many at the town hall meeting said it was great to have one of the nation's top military leaders visit the Naval Station.

"I found the chairman to be refreshingly relatable in his delivery and 'plain talk' approach to some of our biggest concerns as service members and Americans," said Senior Chief Yeoman Matt Brennick, a staff member at the Reserve Readiness Center (RCC) Midwest.

"I thought there were a lot of questions on everyone's minds," said Seaman Sierra Grassman, 20, from Ponca City, Okla., and a staff member for Naval Station Great Lakes. "It was good to finally get some official perspective instead of rumors."

Jacobsen also thought it was very important to have the military top leadership visit Great Leaders and see how today's young Sailors are inspiring and dedicated.

"It's on the front gate its 'The Quarterdeck of the Navy' and I think our leaders need to see from the ground up how impressive the kids that are volunteering for military service," said Jacobsen. "I think (the general) did a great job answering the questions. I sense he felt at home. He was able to share with us what he goes through on a daily basis and I think he has one of the toughest jobs in the country."

Before the town hall meeting, Dempsey had lunch in the USS Arizona recruit barracks galley at Recruit Training Command (RTC) and toured facilities on RTC and Training Support Center (TSC).

At the lunch Dempsey was met by Capt. W. Douglas Pfeifle, RTC commanding officer and discussed command operations with Brown and 11 staff members from RTC. According to Gunner's Mate 1st Class William Ferenczy, a small arms marksmanship trainer (SAMT) instructor at RTC, it was an honor to sit and have lunch with Dempsey.

"It's not every day you get to have lunch with the top ranking officer in the military," said Ferenczy. "He gave us a unique perspective on everything from how other services conduct their basic training to global conflicts around the world."

He then visited the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Diving Learning Site, on Naval Station Great Lakes.

The Center provides preparatory training for all EOD, Navy Diver, and Dive Med Tech Candidates through an introduction to ORM, CPR, Dive Physics, Physiology, Charting, Physical Fitness, and Aquatic Adaptability Training to promote success in Apprentice School pipelines.

"General Dempsey's visit to CEODD Prep was a great opportunity to showcase the Preparatory Course's unique curriculum and to show the general the degree of physical and mental toughness required of an EOD Technician or Navy Diver," said Master Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Paul Canen, officer in charge at the center where prospective Navy Divers and EOD Sailors learn the basics of their future ratings, or jobs, as they prepare for EOD and Dive Schools in Florida.

"His visit allowed the prospective candidates to put a face on the highest levels of the chain of command, and his question and answer time with the students showed the regard those at the very top, who have already passed through a SPECOPS training pipeline, look upon those just beginning the journey."

Dempsey also met and was welcomed by Capt. John Vliet, commanding officer of Training Support Center (TSC). Vliet briefed the general on the role of TSC and how they provide 24 hour supervision, training and mentorship to over 3,000 18-25 year old new accession Sailors. TSC also provides functional support to Naval Education and Training Command's five Learning Centers on Naval Station Great Lakes.

Naval Station Great Lakes, the largest military installation in Illinois and the largest training station in the Navy, hosts the Navy's only Recruit Training Command. Each year approximately 37,000 men and women complete the requirements to become enlisted Navy Sailors at the Navy's only boot camp. Naval Station Great Lakes is also home to the Navy's technical training schools for surface warfare excellence supported by Training Support Center Great Lakes. Yearly, more than 13,000 students attend these initial and advanced training schools where they learn the basic skills of their Navy jobs.