JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens, visited Sailors and Airmen at Joint Base Charleston, March 28, 2013.
The MCPON began his day at JB Charleston - Air Base with an office call with base leadership, including Col. Richard McComb, JB Charleston commander, Navy Capt. Thomas Bailey, JB Charleston deputy commander, Chief Master Sgt. Earl Hannon, 628th Air Base Wing command chief, and Master Chief Petty Officer Billy Cady, Naval Support Activity command master chief.
Afterwards, Stevens toured several commands on JB Charleston - Weapons Station, including a windshield tour of the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic.
The MCPON also toured the Nuclear Power Training Unit and Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, observing first-hand the practical education and training evolutions involved in the education of a nuclear-qualified Sailor.
"My background is in aviation mechanics. I want to understand the nuclear training pipeline and how it enables Sailors to impact the fleet after completing school and through their first shipboard qualifications," said Stevens.
The MCPON held two all-hands calls at the Bowman Center at NNPTC, one for first class petty officers and below, and the other for chief petty officers. During the question and answer periods, Sailors from both sessions questioned the MCPON on the future of Navy Tuition Assistance, manning status, same-sex partner benefits, CPO 365 training and future ship building (specifically carriers and submarines).
The MCPON charged Sailors at the all-hands calls to review and implement the three guiding principles of "Zeroing in on Excellence": developing leaders, good order and discipline, and controlling what we own.
"Zeroing in on Excellence won't take time away from the training or operations we're currently doing," said Stevens. "But it will provide us with a renewed focus. Using these principles, we will be able to balance and improve each task or activity, bettering ourselves as we better the Sailors for tomorrow."
"Today's Sailors are the most resilient, best-qualified, technically sound, driven and spirited group that our Navy and our world has ever seen," said Stevens. "This generation never ceases to innovate, generate solutions, nor do they mind bearing the burden of today's and tomorrow's uncertain world which is 70 percent covered by water. They will continue to meet the challenge afforded and responsible of the world's greatest Navy."
Stevens concluded the day by recognizing Charleston area Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard service members of the year, presenting awards on behalf of the Charleston Council of the Navy League to each recipient during a dinner at the North Charleston-Airport Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center.