Twelve civilian employees from the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP), N1 were given the opportunity to embark naval ships and interact with fleet Sailors during a visit to Norfolk, Tuesday.

The visit allowed those individuals, some with little to no military experience, the chance to "Meet the Fleet," through a series of tours and command briefs at a variety of units.

"Visits like this provide a special opportunity to actually come out and visit the Fleet, to talk to Sailors and for a brief moment in time, live in their environment," said Robert Carroll, Head, Navy Uniform Matters Office. "The ability to talk directly with Sailors about various things we work on in policy, their perception of what we do, and their likes and dislikes, gets us a direct unfiltered input."

The group's first visit included a tour of U.S. Fleet Forces Command Headquarters where employees were greeted by Al Gonzalez, Director, Fleet Personnel Development and Allocation and Capt. Roger Curry, Assistant Chief of Staff. The group then received a tour of the Maritime Operations Center for Fleet Command Center. Ship tours included the USS Kearsage (LHD-3) where the civilian members ate lunch with Sailors. The group then embarked the USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) followed by a tour of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 (HSC-2).

Civilian employees were able to speak with Sailors to discuss how initiatives being created at CNP are implemented in the fleet. Feedback from Sailors helps employees determine how to best improve future personnel initiative, including policy and training, before the initiatives are released Navy-wide.

Employees said the visit was beneficial to their work, and gave them a better understanding of how to best serve Sailors and the Navy.

"During the visit I was able to hear from Sailors and see how our policies and systems, and particularly our IT systems impact them," said John Huerta, OPNAV N16 program analyst. "While on the USS Kearsarge, I got to see the lives Sailors live each day and the big picture, a different perspective. It brings value to what's happening in the Navy now and what can happen in the next six to twelve months."

This was the fourth "Meet the Fleet" visit by CNP/N1 personnel.

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