NSW Hosts 6th Annual Ombudsmen Conference

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 35 ombudsmen gathered for the sixth annual Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Ombudsmen Conference held in San Diego Aug. 1-3.

The conference helped ombudsman get acquainted with other community ombudsmen, family support personnel and spouses of senior leadership from all over the country in an effort to improve the way they help NSW Sailors and their families.

"It is through the annual NSW Ombudsmen Conferences that we are able to focus on the unique challenges within our community as well as introduce and update on new and evolving programs we are offering," said Damaris Wilson, NSW's family support senior analyst.

Navy Family Ombudsmen are a group of dedicated volunteers who are trained to assist Navy families in successfully navigating the challenges of the Navy lifestyle.

During the conference, ombudsmen engaged in lectures, roundtable discussions and held an awards ceremony. They also spent a portion of their time communicating with each other through team building exercises aimed at helping them better understand their jobs, as well as the NSW community.

"This conference really helps us talk with the other wives and see how they are dealing with things," said Julie Dawson, LOGSU 3 ombudsman. "The team building exercises are very effective and we are able to get together and resolve the problems we all are facing."

At the conclusion of the conference, participants were presented certificates of appreciation and listened to closing remarks from Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, commander Naval Special Warfare Command.

Pybus spoke about stress on the force, the importance of ombudsmen, deployment rotations, and answered questions.

"Ombudsmen have been and will remain an essential part of the NSW community," Wilson said. "Their outreach and communications on the homefront enable the service members to focus on the mission and fight the fight."

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