VCNO Makes First Visit to Bahrain

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tracey L. Whitley, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) conducted an all-hands call with Sailors and Marines stationed at Naval Support Activity (NSA), Bahrain, Nov. 23.

This marked the first time Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III visited service members stationed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) since becoming VCNO in August.

Ferguson, along with Total Force Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning, discussed the future of the force, what is expected of Sailors today, and the importance of theater operations to the Navy and nation.  The two answered questions on a range of topics to include budget cuts, the enlisted retention board, and benefits.

"The Navy may be a smaller force, but our missions have never been more relevant than right now.  I am here with my wife because what we care about most is taking care of you and your families, ensuring that you have the right tools, training and support structure to do your job.  We really have enjoyed spending the Thanksgiving holiday with our Navy family."

Additionally, four Sailors were given the unique opportunity to be re-enlisted by the VCNO.

"I'm re-enlisting for six more years and I feel honored that the Navy's second-highest ranking officer is taking time out of his busy schedule to re-enlist me today," said Yeoman 1st Class Derrick Cunningham.

Ferguson concluded with a few words of encouragement to all those serving in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

"Around the globe, forward-deployed naval forces are making a difference," said Ferguson. "Specifically in this AOR, your incredible pride and professionalism are a model that other navies around the world try to emulate. Each of you represent the very best our nation has to offer and I thank you for your service."

After the all-hands call, the VCNO held a short meeting with spouses, Fleet and Family Support staff, and ombudsmen. The event was an open forum that allowed spouses to discuss their concerns with the VCNO directly.

"It's very important for me to take the time to thank spouses and those who support our Navy," said Ferguson. "Sailors could not do the wonderful job they do day in and day out without the support of you all."

Navy Adjusts Selective Reenlistment Program (SRB) Levels

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In response to retention requirements for critical skills, the Navy has made adjustments to the fiscal year 2011 Selective Reenlistment Program (SRB) in NAVADMIN 048/11.

SRBs are a dynamic market-based incentive designed to retain Sailors in the Navy's most critical ratings and Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC). Changes to the 135 skill and zone combinations reflected in the FY11 plan include 19 reductions and 12 eliminations; 105 remain unchanged.

"Competition for opportunities to stay in the Navy has increased," said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director of Navy's Personnel, Plans and Policy Division. "We have a portfolio of force shaping tools, including SRB, to retain the Sailors necessary to execute mission requirements. SRB is a program that is used exclusively to retain Sailors with critical skills. As reenlistment requirements are met, SRB award levels are adjusted to ensure we remain within end strength and fiscal controls."

The message also adds a provision to allow Sailors to submit SRB precertification requests prior to PTS approval; however SRB requests will not be approved until PTS confirmation is received. SRB requests must be submitted no later than 35 days prior to the requested reenlistment date.

"The SRB program has become more targeted, dynamic, and efficient," said Kurta. "Enlisted community managers continuously monitor the health of their communities and make recommendations to adjust the SRB award levels."

Sailors are encouraged to work with their command career counselors, command master chiefs, and chain of command to discuss timing of reenlistment and procedures well in advance of their End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS).

For complete information on the SRB adjustments, see NAVADMIN 048/11 at www.npc.navy.mil.

For more information from the chief of naval personnel, visit www.navy.mil/cnp.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.

Soldiers Re-enlist to Commemorate 100th Army Reserve Anniversary

By Master Sgt. Anthony Martinez, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 18, 2008 - More than 100 mobilized Army Reserve soldiers deployed in Iraq and Kuwait raised their right hands and recited the oath of enlistment in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Army Reserve, in a ceremony here today. In the grand rotunda of Al Faw Palace here, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, issued the oath of enlistment and remarked on the continued commitment Army Reserve soldiers make in reenlisting.

"In places like Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, the Philippines and Latin America, Army reservists are bringing their warrior skills and their civilian trades to the fight," Petraeus said.

"As everyone here knows," Petraeus told the citizen-soldiers, "that combination is particularly effective in the exceedingly complex environments we face today -- environments that require our troopers to be not just warriors but also diplomats, builders, trainers, advisors, intelligence gatherers, service providers, economic developers and mediators."

"Citizen-soldiers perform these diverse roles expertly, and in so doing, they demonstrate the critical role members of the Army Reserve play in safeguarding freedom at home and defending it abroad," the general added.

"Indeed, I cannot think of a better way to honor the Army Reserve's first century of service than being part of a ceremony where so many great reservists raise their right hands and commit themselves to continue serving our nation," Petraeus said.

During the ceremony, Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of Army Reserve Command, commented on the transformation of the Army Reserve over the past 100 years.

"The Army Reserve was founded in 1908, but I can tell you that the Army Reserve of 2008 is vastly different than the Army Reserve of 1908," Stultz said.

"The Army Reserve today really is an operational force, an integrated part of the Army," Stultz added. "And there's no better way for us to kick off our 100th anniversary year and to symbolize what the Army Reserve today really is than to be able to conduct a re-enlistment ceremony here in Baghdad in the palace with 100 of our Army Reserve soldiers."

For many of the soldiers here today, the opportunity to participate was about more than just re-enlisting for themselves. It was a way to honor the service of those who came before them.

"I'm just one soldier, just one average 'joe,'" said Sgt. Jonathan Britt, a 25-year-old medic from Fayetteville, N.C., mobilized with 535th Military Police Battalion.

"I've only been in for two years, so for 98 years there were people upholding these traditions, and that's one of the reasons for me to re-enlist, to uphold the tradition, honor and integrity behind that -- not for my own personal sake but for those that served before me," Britt said.

Soldiers selected to participate in the commemorative ceremony are a sampling of the more than 1,876 Army Reserve soldiers who have reenlisted over the past 12 months while deployed in Iraq and Kuwait, according to the Army Reserve Retention and Transition Office here. Army Reserve re-enlistments in Iraq and Kuwait reflect approximately 20 percent of all re-enlistments for the Army Reserve worldwide, officials said.

(Army Master Sgt. Anthony Martinez is assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Command.)

One Sailor, 280 Soldiers Re-enlist Together in Iraq

By Renanah Miles
Special to American Forces Press Service

Nov. 27, 2007 - Two hundred eighty soldiers and one sailor re-enlisted earlier this month in the Al Faw palace, one of Saddam Hussein's former homes. The palace was seized by 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., in 2003. On the division's 90th birthday Nov. 21, soldiers under its command renewed their commitment to the Army and the war on terror.

When Sgt. Patricia Daniels, of Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, Support Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, re-enlisted during Operation Iraqi Freedom III, she didn't know the significance of the date at first. "Last time I was in Iraq, ... I re-enlisted on the 21st of November, not realizing it was the 3rd ID birthday," she said.

This year, Daniels' choice to recommit to the Army on the division's 90th birthday was intentional. Daniels is deployed to Baghdad again, under the command of the Multi-National Division Center. Still, Daniels, a native of Miami, said the decision is bittersweet. While she loves her job, said, the separation from her husband and four children is hard.

"I like the camaraderie, I like the teamwork," she said of the Army. "I don't like to deploy every other year."

This year, as the ceremony fell the day before Thanksgiving, Daniels had home on her mind. She said Thanksgiving trumps Christmas in her family, and she begged her husband and children to carry on the elaborate food preparation and holiday traditions in her stead. Despite the sacrificed holiday, her conviction to serve remains unshaken. "I'm re-enlisting for the needs of the Army," she said.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Division Iraq, officiated over the ceremony.

"Re-enlisting soldiers is one of my favorite duties, one of the greatest honors I think any of us can perform," the general said.

"And it is a true honor to be with you to re-enlist 281 of you at last count, and that does include a 'Sailor of One,'" Petraeus said in a play on the Army motto.

Spc. Heidi McNeely, also with Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, re-enlisted in July. Her husband, food service specialist John McNeely, re-enlisted in a private ceremony last week.

On Nov. 21, John also joined other Multinational Division Center soldiers and affirmed his commitment. Husband and wife, both from New Orleans, joined the Army for similar reasons. "The biggest motivation was stability," McNeely said. "That's what keeps me and him going."

But being deployed simultaneously is a mixed blessing for the couple. "It's nice, ... comforting," McNeely said. "But kind of scary because we have two kids."

John's parents are taking care of the children while mom and dad are deployed. Their oldest daughter, 8 years old, is aware enough to wonder where her parents are and why they went away. McNeely said she gave her children a simple explanation. "I told them (it's) because there were people who needed help from us," McNeely explained. "I didn't go any further than that. She didn't question it. The only thing she questioned was if something was going to happen to me.

"I told her that God gave her to me," McNeely continued. "I'm not done taking care of her yet."

Both Daniels and McNeely say options for school are a factor in their decision.

Falling a day before Thanksgiving and on the day of the 3rd Infantry Division's birthday, the ceremony came as a poignant reminder of the tradition and duty that lie at the heart of soldiers' choice to serve their country.

"I don't know where this division, this great division, will be when it celebrates one century of service in 2017," Petraeus said. "But I can guarantee you that wherever it is, future 'Dog Face Soldiers' will celebrate the courageous contributions that each of you is making in Iraq today. They will proudly look at each of you the same way you look back at some of your predecessors."

(Renanah Miles is assigned to Multinational Division Center.)