The MyNavy Career Development Symposium (CDS) visited the Norfolk area to discuss Sailor 2025 initiatives and career management programs to Sailors stationed at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk, June 19 - 21.

Hosted by Navy Personnel Command (NPC), MyNavy CDS brings detailers, enlisted community managers (ECM), and senior Navy leadership directly to Sailors to inform them how they can benefit from the personnel modernization transformation.

"We want to let Sailors know that we've been listening," said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. "We've come here to talk about it and have a real two-way conversation. We're doing what we can to put the decision-making power back in your hands in ways that will strengthen the Navy and yourselves."

Topics discussed were the ongoing Sailor 2025 program, rating modernization and the upcoming detailing marketplace. Navy leadership also explained how more changes are coming and invited Sailors to offer their input and opinions during each session.

During one of the sessions, Burke demonstrated a cell phone app prototype using his smart phone that will allow Sailors to easily access their military record, myPay and even negotiate for orders.

"Changes in technology and policy allow us to offer Sailors more choices while meeting the needs of the Navy," said Capt. Rick Cheeseman, assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management. "We have leadership in place now that's allowing us to make changes at a pace we've never made them before. And, in an environment where the Navy is growing, it's important to be flexible and agile as we meet Sailor needs."

MyNavy CDS was reformatted from past events to have brief introductory sessions in the morning, giving Sailors an overview of each topic. The afternoon sessions allowed for in-depth question and answer discussions where Sailors had the opportunity to voice topics important to them and provide immediate feedback directly to Navy leadership.

"Context matters; it's a big deal," said Cheeseman. "You have to come out and talk to people face to face. Hearing directly from the folks doing the work is important. It's important to connect with those Sailors on the deck plates ... all of us down in Millington and certainly CNP's office up in D.C. are all doing it for one reason: to take care of the Sailors. You can only convey that through face-to-face contact."

NPC detailers and enlisted community managers were also on site to provide detailing services, interact with Sailors and offer career path advice during personalized meetings.

"I'm here for my Sailors," said Air Traffic Controlman 2nd Class Robert Taylor, a supervisor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). "I'm here to learn everything I can. That way I can ask the questions I know my Sailors will ask me."

Professional Apprenticeship Career Tract (PACT) Sailors attending MyNavy CDS were able to meet with enlisted community managers, learn valuable information and many were integrated into a rate.

"I am very glad that they came all the way out here," said Airman Tabitha Brundidge, assigned to the "Tridents" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9. "I was able to learn a lot about the options I have down the road, and by talking to them I learned things I wouldn't have anywhere else."

For information about MyNavy CDS visit: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/talentmanagement/Pages/CDS.aspx


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For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/