JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
"Keep Rowing...Lean into it." The first time Commander Stephen Jones, commanding officer, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Charleston, said this to his staff of 18 personnel; a mixture of active duty, full time support and two civilians; he was clearly charting the NOSC's course under his command. His vision, to keep moving and push forward, fittingly ties into the mission of the Navy Reserve, "To deliver strategic depth and operational capability to the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Forces." Simply put, the NOSC's mission is to provide support and customer services to approximately 280 selected reservists who are a part of any one of 15 units. The units supported by NOSC Charleston are:
· Volunteer Training Unit 0703
· Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 Company B Headquarters
· Marine Logistics Group Supply Company 451
· Marine Logistics Group Supply Company 453
· Naval Supply Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain Detachment A
· Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 11, Air Cargo Company
· Expeditionary Communications Detachment Four A
· Navy Security Force, Naval Weapons Station Charleston
· Navy Reserve Mobile Mine Assembly Unit 6
· Operational Support Unit
· Coastal Riverine Squadron 10, Company B 1st Platoon
· Operational Health Support Unit Naval Hospital Jacksonville Detachment O
· Cargo Afloat Rig Team II
· 4TH Medical Battalion Headquarters and Service Company Detachment 5
· Space and Electronic Warfare Systems Command 407
Today's Navy Reserve is the most combat and operationally experienced force in decades. In any given week, more than 20,000 Navy Reserve Sailors - one-third of the force - are providing support to the fleet. The reserve units assigned to NOSC Charleston have diverse and valued impact on Joint Base Charleston and the community by providing support to Department of Defense (DOD) components world-wide. NOSC Charleston's featured expertise ranges from expeditionary patrol boat forces, anti-terrorism and force protection teams, to building and handling of the fleet mine stocks in support of war plans. By adhering to the mission of the Navy Reserve, NOSC Charleston ensures all service members are up-to-date on all medical and dental requirements, general military training and mobilization requirements.
To accomplish the mission, the NOSC draws upon the extensive military skills and abilities embodied in each Reserve Sailor. Additionally, emergent Navy requirements have offered opportunities to directly tap the civilian skills of the force as well. This combination forms the richness of the Navy Reserve and adds value to their service in strategic and operational capacities. For example, during Operation TOMADACHI where the United States Armed Forces assistance operation to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the Navy Reserve mobilized Sailors with civilian nuclear engineering expertise and Japanese language proficiency. This type of opportunity is becoming more common in the ever-changing global environment where the need to rapidly deliver specific skills may exceed the active duty component's inherent capabilities. The Navy Reserve's value is maximized when the military and civilian expertise of our Sailors can be employed together. This is how we reach full potential and how we will make the greatest impact on the future; leveraging the total capability of our sailors and capacity of the reserve force to meet the Navy's mission.
In summary, NOSC Charleston's actions and resources fully align with the goals and strategic initiatives as directed by the Chief of Navy Reserve. We value every Sailor and recognize their service time can vary from a few days per year to full-time. Therefore our policies, processes and administrative systems are transparent and seamless, making it easier for Sailors and their families to serve and provide the necessary contribution when their nation calls.
"Keep Rowing...Lean into it."