Naval Base San Diego hosted the Fiscal Year 2016 Resilient Workforce Summit (RWS) at the Anchors Catering and Conference Center and Training Support Center Auditorium, Nov. 3-4.

The two-day conference, which focused on building a stronger workforce, was held to allow Sailors throughout Naval Region Southwest the opportunity to interact with operational Navy and fleet program subject matter experts (SME) for campaigns essential to the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative, Sailor 2025 Enriched Culture Pillar, and the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Navigation Plan 2015-2019.

"Sailors are who we depend on to turn things around and manage these programs," said John Croce, fleet personal and family readiness and workshop facilitator, assigned to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "It's an evolution and takes time. Hopefully the fact that we are in a forum like this, where we can ask these kinds of question, is at least evidence of the CNO's commitment to building."

Hundreds of Sailors gathered at various locations across the base to participate in group presentations, such as the Street Smart workshop, discussion panels with SMEs, and individual breakout sessions for command program advisers.

Program directors and guest speakers presented to target audiences during separate sessions for triad leadership, officers and chiefs, E4-E6 Sailors, and command ombudsmen and family readiness group leaders.

"It's important that we take time to look at everyone as a whole, and help make them resilient," said Senior Chief Gunner's Mate Davon Copeland, a workshop participant assigned to Center for Surface Combat Systems Detachment West. "Because at the end of the day, people won't care what you know if they don't know that you care."

Discussions on ethics and effective partnering, suicide prevention, operational stress control, physical readiness, and equal opportunity were held for each group. Presentations and updates on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, fleet career counseling, transition assistance, and the chaplain's role in resilience, rounded out the agendas for each day.

Guest speakers, such as Rear Adm. Fernandez Ponds, special assistant to Commander, Surface Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke to triad leadership on command best practices to effectively implement the programs and improve command climate.

"The admiral's speech hit home because we do learn a lot from our leaders," said Command Master Chief Benjamin Faulise, assigned to USS San Diego (LDP 22). "It all goes into what will become our leadership method and mantras. Getting leadership involved and rallying around these programs is good for everybody. All of the Sailors can benefit on the deck plates."

The summit also offered to new approach to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training. Anne Munch, an attorney from Denver, Colo., specializing in sexual assault cases, spoke to all of the groups on the realities of conflicting viewpoints regarding sexual assault claims and how to improve command's overall approach to SAPR.

Chief Yeoman Michelle Jordan, a summit participant assigned to Naval Base San Diego, shared the insight she gained from the presentation.

"I agree that society needs to change its outlook on sexual assault," she said. "As leaders we need to be unbiased and not bring our own opinions into a situation when a Sailor comes to us for help. I wish we had more training like this. It was an eye opener."

Sailors used the discussion panel time to ask questions about various changes to policies, from leave for new fathers to physical readiness standards.

Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Keith Jenkins, a SAPR program manager assigned to USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), expressed his gratitude for being able to participate in a open forum like the RWS.

"We have a strong foundation that we're building on," he said. "Now that we are realizing that taking a serious role in the programs that befit us the most, is significant, we are going toward a better direction."

Leaders expressed hope that the summit would have a lasting effect on Sailors to continue to propel the Navy in the right direction.

"There can be all of the training in the world, but we as Sailors decide if it's going to be effective, "said Capt. Roy Nafarrete, fleet SAPR officer. "It's the people who determine the culture of the Navy."

The summit is scheduled to head to Naval Air Station North Island, Nov. 4-6.

For more information on fleet program and policy updates visit http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/Pages/default.aspx

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