Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Bill Moran and Fleet Master Chief April Beldo visited Sailors on Guam during an all-hands call at The Big Screen theater aboard U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG), Dec. 15.

During the all-hands call the VCNO fielded questions from Sailors on various topics including the removal the Navy's rating system, the future of advancement opportunities, and modernization.

"It was really important to come out here and see the capabilities and the work great Sailors are doing out here every single day," Moran said. "It's a really important base for a lot of reasons, but not the least of which is what we do for the Navy."

Senior leadership from Joint Region Marianas, Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, NBG and their tenant commands, Marine Corps Activity Guam, the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam provided briefs to the VCNO about each command's mission and objectives.

"The best way to describe what Guam does and the importance of Guam is the time distance that is associated with the West Coast of the U.S. and the rest of the Indo-Asia-Pacific," Moran said. "[It] is a real key node that is provided by the capability that exists here on Guam for both taking care of ships, deploying our ships and submarines, and the capabilities that allow us to be present in the Western Pacific."

Lt. Hermino Graciano, Jr., from Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, was grateful for the visit, which provided a great outlet for Sailors to voice their questions and concerns and have them addressed by senior Navy leadership.

"I think it's great that someone in his position came out to such a remote place and was willing to take back some of the questions Sailors have here based on their experience, and also looking for ways to make [Guam] a great place for Sailors in general," Graciano said.

While on island, Moran and Beldo also shared holiday greetings with Navy personnel on Guam, those forward-deployed, and those stationed in the mainland United States.

"Fleet and I want to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year," Moran said. "We hope and pray that you will get the chance to spend time with your families."

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