U.S. Navy fleet and force master chief petty officers converged to participate in Type Commander Synchronization (TYCOM SYNCH) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CNV 72), Sept. 28.

TYCOM SYNCH was the first face-to-face meeting with this group of fleet and force master chief petty officers. Senior enlisted officials discussed several topics involving mission readiness, the importance of unity of effort throughout the chain of command and the significance of job proficiency and material readiness.

Leaders in attendance included U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief James M. Honea, and U.S. Fleet Forces Command (FFC) Fleet Master Chief Richard P. O’Rawe.

“The purpose of the meeting was to synchronize the efforts of TYCOM and FFC,” said Honea. “Some topics of the conference included self-sufficiency, technical capability, resiliency programs, and basic and advanced training for units approaching deployment cycles. We collaborated on these topics in support of the continued effort to build upon warfighting readiness throughout the Navy.”

TYCOM SYNCH acted as a forum of communication among leaders to align goals and fleet-wide responsibilities.

“The Navy’s message is one team, one fight,” said O’Rawe. “This is accomplished by assuring unity of effort. All manned and trained Pacific and Atlantic force master chiefs came together to unify certification and training standards that are being implemented throughout the Fleet.”

Getting a group of senior enlisted leaders together in one place like this helps to strengthen the chain of command at all levels by communicating the responsibilities and viewpoints of enlisted members from across the Navy.

Operational success can be achieved by upholding knowledge of personnel and by maintaining material readiness.

“It is important that material maintenance is scheduled appropriately to ensure our ships, aircraft and submarines operate at a very high level of capability,” said O’Rawe. “It is also vital that we provide Sailors with the training they need to become subject matter experts in their rate. With this knowledge, they can properly execute tasks and operate equipment safely and efficiently.”

The TYCOM SYNCH was a cohesive effort to strengthen mission readiness and increase deployable forces for the U.S. Navy, and Abraham Lincoln was proud to host the distinguished guests attending the meeting.

“I would like to thank the crew of Abraham Lincoln for hosting this event,” said Honea. “It is clear that hard work has been done to create the culture of excellence that is demonstrated by these Sailors.”

After the conclusion of TYCOM SYNCH, many of the senior enlisted stayed in the area to attend and celebrate the retirement of Fleet Master Chief Paul Kingsbury, who completed 31 years of naval service. Fleet Master Chief O’Rawe assumed his role at FFC upon Kingsbury’s retirement.

“Fleet Master Chief Kingsbury is extremely influential,” said O’Rawe. “In assuming this new position, the aperture of my responsibilities broadens. I look at tasks before me through a lens of what I call ACPO (accountability, competency and character, procedural compliance and proficiency and ownership). If I can help Sailors improve in these four areas, the nation will be provided with the Navy it needs.”

A culture of excellence is fostered when experience and strength are shared between senior enlisted members and with the crew. A boost in morale and increased mission readiness is generated through collaborations like this one and can be shared among all who serve in the United States Navy.  

Abraham Lincoln is moored in Norfolk and stands ready to respond to the mission of the U.S. Navy.

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