Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano met with Sailors based at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain Nov. 21-22.

Giordano visited the installation to create a dialogue with enlisted men and women about their questions and concerns.

"I've come out here not to talk to an audience -- an audience is going to just sit back and listen to me," said Giordano. "I want Sailors to talk to me. I do that in the means of the all-hands calls, sitting down and shaking hands with people in the work centers. I just think it allows people to be more conducive to letting us truly know the effect we're having on them, what we're driving them to do."

In addition to multiple all-hands calls, Giordano spent time with various Navy communities around the base in order to receive more candid feedback.

"These engagements serve as an opportunity to listen to our Sailors in the environment that they are living," said Giordano. "What are their thoughts on way ahead? What can the Navy do for you?"

One Sailor, Seaman Antonio Foust, spoke on his opportunity to meet the MCPON and noted the encounter was both an honor and enlightening.

"You shouldn't fear having discussions with leadership," said Foust. "Have conversations on how to perform better; it's not all about waiting on exam results to see where you stand. You can learn on a daily basis."

Questions also arose during an all-hands call concerning the enlisted rating modernization and the challenges of transition. Foust, who was in the audience, was impressed with Giordano's response.

"The way he addressed it helped me and many people in the room to better understand how to transition with it," said Foust. "One of the examples he gave was great. You're going to meet a lot of new people in the Navy, and it helps reduce some of the awkwardness when we are trying to address each other."

Foust took pride reiterating what Giordano said, "We are and always have been petty officers; that never changed."

"Folks are always honored to have the opportunity to meet us, shake our hands, and have conversations," said Giordano, "but I'll tell you, I'm a little selfish. It's more of my honor to have the opportunity to have the conversation with you."

After the final all-hands call came to a close, the opportunity was given to all those in attendance to meet and capture a photo with Giordano individually; hundreds waited in line.

"You can tell he is very genuine," said Foust. "You can tell he cares about us and he is very serious about the issues we face today as a seaman to master chief petty officer."

Several of those Sailors in line to meet Giordano said they knew he was there to make sure our Navy is the best Navy.

This is Giordano's first visit to NSA Bahrain and Naval Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet since becoming the Navy's 14th MCPON.

As the persistent shore presence in the Arabian Gulf, NSA Bahrain provides an operational platform for U.S., allied, and partner nations to have a forward-deployed naval force ready to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in the region.

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For more news from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, visit http://www.navy.mil/.