MCPON Addresses Senior Enlisted Leadership

From Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) met with nearly 90 fleet, force and command master chiefs (CMDCM) who are a part of his leadership mess during MCPON's annual Leadership Mess conference in Millington, Tenn., Nov. 1–4.

MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West said Millington was chosen for this year's conference because it the Navy's largest source of policy and programs.

"I communicate regularly with the Leadership Mess through various forms of communication including my Bottom Line Up Front newsletter, emails, phone calls and social media," said West. "This annual conference is our 'meeting of the minds,' if you will, and our chance to be face-to-face in one location."

The four-day conference focused on investing in senior leadership by discussing changes in policy and programs directly with the subject matter experts as well as having a 'think tank' for initiatives affecting the enlisted force.

"The world's most powerful Navy is ever evolving," said West. "It's vital to our success that we continue to train our top leaders who will take the information received here back to their commands and pass the guidance to their chief's mess and their Sailors."

CMC 21 is one of the new initiatives the master chiefs worked on as a panel.

"CMC 21 lays out in detail the expectations of a CMC," said West. "When this pamphlet is pushed to the fleet, Sailors who aspire to become a CMC will have, in their hands, the traits and expectations to strive for, and senior enlisted leaders will know what is expected of them as leaders and that they are the benchmark of standards."

In addition to CMC 21, the leadership mess also discussed fleet issues/concerns including Perform to Serve; enlisted community management and force shaping; suicide awareness/prevention; Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, bystander intervention (Sailors taking care of Sailors); stress on the force; family readiness programs, and various briefs on safety, budget, fitness, detailing and Navy standards.

MCPON and the fleet master chiefs also videotaped a new safety video which will be available to the fleet soon and along with the leadership mess, they videotaped a 'Go Navy, Beat Army' spot for the upcoming Army/Navy football game.