MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) – September 10, 2015 — The Navy’s top personnel officer is visiting Sailors this week assigned to Bahrain as well as those units deployed to the Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in the Middle East.
“This visit is important for me to hear what’s on Sailors’ minds and listen to their concerns,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bill Moran. “These men and women are where it matters, on the Navy’s front lines conducting a variety of operations and it’s imperative I understand how the personnel policies we create in Washington affect our Sailors, especially those forward deployed.”
So far, Moran has met with Sailors assigned to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s headquarters, as well as those stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Moran discussed a variety of topics including the Meritorious Advancement Program, uniform changes, advancement results, compensation, and many of the Navy’s new personnel initiatives during a series of all-hands calls and meetings with Sailors.
“My commitment to you, is to ensure to the best of my ability, that we have personnel policies that are focused on trust, balance and stability,” Moran said. “We’ve come a long way in manning the fleet and bringing in high quality Sailors. New initiatives that support empowering commanding officers, timely recognition of talent, and more transparent processes are part of that effort.”
This visit marks the second time Moran has visited Sailors in the U.S. 5th Fleet as CNP.
Moran will also visit Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the coming days as well as other U.S Navy ships at sea and aircraft squadrons before returning to the U.S.
As the Chief of Naval Personnel, Moran answers to the Chief of Naval Operations on matters of the Navy’s manpower readiness. He also serves as the deputy chief of naval operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training Education/N1) and oversees the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Personnel Command, Naval Education and Training Command, and Navy Recruiting Command.