WASHINGTON (NNS) — Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert released a video message to the fleet recently about the passage of yet another continuing resolution (CR) and what that means for the fleet.
In the video, the Navy’s top admiral discussed the CR extension that the President signed last week putting legislation into effect that will restore Defense Department funds through September.
What was projected to be a $9 billion shortfall in the Navy’s operations accounts will be halved according to Greenert. He explained in the video that the Bill will take care of four and a half billion dollar shortfall in operations and that the Navy will have to adjust. He also stated, that sequestration, the reduction of spending in all accounts, remains in place.
“We’re going to move ahead in a very deliberate fashion and decide what’s important and fund those most important things,” said Greenert. “Money will be distributed to the fleet and important operations can get underway.”
Among those priorities Greenert said that the Navy’s bills will be paid, deployed operations will remain funded and some restoration and modernization projects will return.
“So what does this mean to you? For our Sailors, this means your pay will be stable as it has been, our manpower accounts have been stable throughout this turmoil,” said Greenert. “We’re going to get our family readiness programs and MWR programs back on track where they need to be. PCS will remain stable throughout all this, so moves should continue apace.”
Despite other branches reducing access to tuition assistance, Greenert stated that he will fight to keep education benefits for Sailors intact.
“Tuition assistance is still at 100 percent, and I’m working to keep it at that level,” said Greenert. “That’s where I think we need to be.”
Greenert thanked the Navy civilian workforce for their patience during the turmoil of the last couple of months. “Remember we’re a team here and we can’t function without your dedication,” said Greenert.
“As you may know our furloughs are being reduced from 22 to 14 days,” said Greenert. “The Secretary of the Navy and I are working with the Department of Defense staff to keep that as low as possible.”
Greenert stressed that with a balanced approach to spending, careful planning and the dedication of all hands, the Navy will be able to successfully navigate these tumultuous fiscal times.
“I want you to remember to focus on Warfighting First, Operate Forward and Be Ready,” said Greenert. “Thank you for your patience, thank you for your professionalism, thank you for your service.”
Greenert’s video message can be viewed in its entirety on his blog: http://cno.navylive.dodlive.mil/