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Vol. 24, No. 7 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 02.18-02.24.16
Navy’s third MCPON passes away
The third Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Robert J. Walker speaks to last class of operations specialists to graduate from the Center for Surface Combat Systems unit Dam Neck.
Naval Station Norfolk hosts Navy Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council By MC3 Jeanyra A. Mateo Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs
U.S. Navy photo NORFOLK
Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs WASHINGTON
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Robert J. Walker died peacefully the evening of Feb. 15 surrounded by his wife, Fran, and family members. He was 87. Walker became the third MCPON Sept. 25, 1975. He relieved John D. Whittet and held the job for four years before Thomas Crow assumed duties in September of 1979. Walker was born in Baldwin, New York, and joined the Navy at the age of 19 in 1948. He attended radarman “A” school in Boston and was assigned to the destroyer USS McKean (DD 784). Eight years after joining the Navy, Walker was advanced to chief petty officer. In 1961, he was selected for senior chief and two years later for master chief. From 1970 to 1972, he served as the senior enlisted advisor and leading chief for combat systems training at Fleet Combat Direction Systems Training Center, Dam Neck Annex. In November 1974, Air Force Atlantic Commander Vice Adm. Frederick H. Michaelis surveyed his master chiefs for the job of master chief petty officer of the force, and he selected Walker. Walker was selected for MCPON in June 1975. During his time in office, he directed chief petty officers toward what he described as the five “Principles of Pro-
Lincoln Sailors celebrate African American History Month
fessionalism” – technical expertise; job skill; leadership; motivation; and personal integrity and responsibility. Leadership was Walker’s favorite topic. He believed leadership qualities were learned, not innate qualities and he worked to develop leadership training programs. As MCPON, he instilled leadership training throughout the ranks. Through his efforts, a petty officer indoctrination course became mandatory for all new petty officers. New chiefs were also required to take indoctrination courses. His connection with the other services via their senior enlisted advisors allowed him to gain more quotas for senior and master chiefs at the Army’s Sergeants Major Academy and the Air Force’s Senior Enlisted Academy. Not content with sending Sailors to other services for leadership training, he initiated a recommendation to create a Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. As MCPON, Walker demanded a lot from his senior enlisted advisors. In 1977, he reorganized top tier senior enlisted into a Fleet, Force and Command Master Chief program. He also pushed to create the Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification. He believed it promoted professionalism and enhanced the Navy. During an interview that he conducted after leaving the MCPON office he shared his thoughts on the Navy. “I joined the Navy to make it a career,” Walker said. “I enjoyed it from the day I joined until the day I retired.” Walker’s farewell message in the
September 1979 issue of The Direct Line reflects a mood of intense pride in the role he played in the Navy’s progress to solid, communicative leadership. His final comments on leadership characterize his tenure. “Honesty must be a day-to-day example of genuine concern for people, a professional approach to the mission, and the ability to lead and accomplish set goals,” Walker said. “Never be afraid to admit mistakes or try new ideas, and by all means, let your subordinates have the opportunity to recommend and become part of the solution. There is no place for bigotry or racism in the Navy. We are all Sailors striving to achieve a common goal and that is the continued freedom our great nation enjoys. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the Navy is truly an honorable profession.” Following his retirement on Sept. 28, 1979, Walker worked with the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, rising to the position of president. Later he was employed as manager/ public relations for the Jonathon Corporation, a ship repair/electronics business in Norfolk. He is survived by his wife, Fran Walker, of 64 years; his children, Kathy Jones, Linda Campbell, Robert Walker Jr., Teri Rice, and Michael Walker; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Walker was preceded in death by his daughter Michelle Walker Pfeffer. Information regarding funeral and memorial services will be released to the Navy via NAVADMIN.
navyfitness
LIVE HEALTHIER, NOW! By MC1 Theordore Green Flagship Staff
NORFOLK
Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) held a luncheon celebrating African American History Month on the mess decks aboard the Floating Accommodation Facility (FAF) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Feb. 9. “It is a time set aside for people regardless of race, creed, color, or social background to stop and examine the many sacrifices and contributions African Americans have made for the development of our great nation,” Senior Chief Culinary Spe-
There’s no time like the present to start living a healthier life. Easier said than done, right? A few years ago I turned 30. Seemingly overnight I started gaining weight, lots of it. Suddenly I was faced with the reality that good genetics wouldn’t keep me healthy forever. It was time to make a lifestyle overhaul. That’s when I discovered the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System (NOFFS), a wide-ranging physical training program and nutrition guide that eliminates the guesswork for anyone looking live a healthier life.
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By MC3 Michael Fiorillo USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS
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U.S. Navy photo Sailors assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey participate in the commissioning of the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System in 2010.
‘BAND OF BROTHERS’ WWII VET SPEAKS TO LOCAL SAILORS Sailors of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) GroupTwo (GRU) 2 received a special visit from WWII veteran and member of the legendary “Band of Brothers” Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, retired Army Col. Ed Shames, at the Navy Operational Support Center Norfolk auditorium Feb. 5. » see A3
Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA Norfolk) hosted the 1st Quarterly Navy Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council (NDAAC) to develop and implement countermeasures for an effective drug and alcohol program, Feb. 10. Senior leadership, Command Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program (DAPA) representatives, Alcohol and Drug Control Officers, medical professionals, legal representatives and other resources gathered in NAVSTA’s C-9 Auditorium to discuss the nature and extent alcohol and drugs has on active military, retired military, spouses and dependents around the Hampton Roads area. NAVSTA Norfolk Command DAPA Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Shawn Shepherd said the event examined last quarters’ effectiveness in preventing drug and alcohol abuse and consumptions, command messages and training, and viewing the success of treatments and resources available to Sailors and their dependents in efforts to have a stronger fleet with less alcohol and drug related incidents and healthier mission ready individuals. “Our goal as leaders is to make sure our Sailors and dependents get all the necessary resources and treatment needed to prevent and deal with substance abuse,” Shepherd said. “Leaders from different commands get together every quarter to discuss the previous trends in drug and alcohol incidents, whether the treatments provided to our community are effective, any new ideas on how to prevent our Sailors from getting into trouble and check if there are any new avenues to not only prevent these incidents but also keep them from repeating.” The seminar reviewed statistics that showed the most effective demographic and the types of trending drugs affecting area families. Legal representative discussed the civil and military consequences associated with alcohol related incidents and drug consumption. Medical officers spoke the treatment options and the follow-up care that is available to all military members as well as dependents. SubstanceAbuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) discussed the screening requirements, responsible use of education, abstinence based course, aftercare program and command interaction. Commander of Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (AIRLANT) Alcohol and Drug Control Officer Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate Jose Cardenas said the seminar is important to gather senior leadership in efforts to keep Sailors in a personal and professional progressive path. “Having medical staff, legal officers and moral and welfare representatives come together to discuss methods to prevent our Sailors from troubling situations is what we are here for as senior leadership,” Cardenas said. “This meeting is created to provide an understanding of the current situation and providing training, programs and care for our Sailors.” NAVSTA Norfolk Chaplain Lt. Keith Braddy spoke of the services the chaplain community can provide Sailors. “Counseling, which is upheld by military instructions and the Supreme Court, is crucial for the individual to heal,” Braddy said. “Chaplains are trained to assist Sailors from different faith and beliefs by concentrating on the self and how to deal with problems such as addiction and substance dependency. There is always a chaplain on duty so that Sailors are able to contact them at any point throughout the day.”
MC3 Jeanyra A. Mateo Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer Capt. Doug Beaver speaks at the Naval Station Norfolk 1st Quarterly Navy Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council event in the C9 Auditorium, Feb. 10.
ZIKA VIRUS Navy Medicine released Zika Virus Infection guidance in NAVADMIN 032/16, Feb. 10, communicating force health protection measures and travel precautions to Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
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