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MCPON Takes Deckplate Leadership Message to the Far East
Story Number: NNS070620-07
6/20/2007
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Bill Houlihan, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Education, professional growth and development, and deckplate leadership were the main topics of conversation when Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr., visited Sailors aboard Navy facilities in Singapore, Guam and Okinawa June 11-17.
During the course of his first visit to the Far East since taking office in July, Campa spoke with more than 2,500 personnel in a variety of venues. Standing on the flatbed of a truck addressing Seabees at Camp Shields in Okinawa, MCPON told them he’s seen the results of their work in every place he’s visited.
“Everywhere I go, in every theater, I run into a group of Seabees and I’m consistently impressed with the work you do under some of the most challenging circumstances,” Campa said.
Campa’s visit coincided with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7’s final days on Okinawa as they were turning over responsibilities there to the incoming battalion, NMCB 3. He addressed the history and the significance of that process.
“The off-going unit has a sense of pride in knowing they’ve met the mission, while the oncoming has equal pride and confidence in knowing they’re ready to assume the watch. Whether it’s ships passing one another going off and on station, or two Seabee units turning over in Okinawa, that exchange of responsibilities has always been key to our success as a Navy.”
In Singapore, Campa addressed the Sailors at Logistics Group Western Pacific and told them the support they provide in that region is critical.
“Our Navy has a global mission, and you’re playing a vital role in carrying it out. Your importance in this region can’t be overstated as you continue to support ships operating in this area of responsibility.”
During an all hands call there, Campa was asked about removal of the associate degree requirement for chief petty officers eligible for promotion in fiscal year 2011.
“All our policies have good intentions,” he said. “But sometimes it’s hard to predict the second and third-order effects. If this policy had stayed in place a large number of chiefs deserving of consideration by selection boards would have been disadvantaged.”
Campa added that education will always be viewed as a critical ingredient to a Sailor’s success, and that the Chief of Naval Operations’ recent decision to grant advancement points for petty officers with degrees reinforces the value the Navy places on education.
As he did in Okinawa and Singapore, MCPON set aside an hour to speak with chiefs assigned to units on the island of Guam. He stressed the importance of deckplate leadership and how that translates into combat-ready Naval forces. He said that by staying mindful of that, the fleet will be prepared for any contingency.
“We exist to fight wars, to win wars. It’s why we train, and it’s how we develop our Sailors. It’s why we exist as a Navy," said Campa.
Campa’s trip concluded June 16 at the Hospital Corpsman 109th Birthday Ball where he served as guest speaker.
For more news from the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/mcpon/.