Navy.mil Home Page

USSOCOM Senior Enlisted Leader Discusses Families

Story Number: NNS120424-03Release Date: 4/24/2012 5:35:00 AM
A  A  A   Email this story to a friend   Print this story
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Canales, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- U.S. Special Operations Command's senior enlisted leader visited Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command and its West Coast component commands to speak with operators and their spouses about Preservation of the Force and Families (POTFF) this week.

Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Faris spent the week touring NSW with his wife, Lisa, to raise awareness of one aspect of POTFF: the development of inter-disciplinary teams and facilities at component commands that enable operators to seek assistance and receive the best help that is right for them.

"Preservation of the Force and Families is a holistic look at education opportunities, training opportunities, pays and incentives, and all of the things that help keep special operations forces intact within the Department of Defense and out on the battlefield on behalf of our nation," Faris said.

The Faris' unique way of helping raise awareness is telling their personal story about the trials and issues they faced as a special operations family throughout their 22-year marriage.

"We've been through so many changes and ups and downs in our relationship that I feel like we would not be acting or reacting as leaders if we didn't share our story and let others benefit from it," said Lisa Faris. "We hope that it might set a path for others that they might reach out for help and possibly make the progression in their career a little happier, healthier and more family oriented."

According to Faris, the hope is that their experience will initiate conversations within special operation component commands. They also hope to raise awareness about programs such as NSW's Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS) program that will help operators find ways to balance mission and family life.

"We want to tear down the barrier," said Faris. "We need to get the word out about the programs that are out there to help service members."

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Special Warfare, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsw/.

Comment submission for this story is now closed.
 
Navy Social Media
Sign up for email updates To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please click on the envelope icon in the page header above or click here.