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Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:16:35 +0000

Task Force Life/Work to Visit Southeast Region
Story Number: NNS070912-33
Release Date: 9/12/2007 3:56:00 PM

By Lt. Cmdr. Kim Dixon, Chief of Naval Personnel Diversity Directorate

WASHINGTON (NNS) – The Task Force Life/Work (TFLW) Roadshow will be visiting the Southeast Region from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28, hosting events at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, and Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay.

Each day will consist of an 8:00 a.m. event for officers and command master chiefs, with a breakout discussion session for junior officers, and a 10:30 a.m. event for all hands. The TFLW Roadshow events will take place Sept. 26 at the NAS Jacksonville Base Theater, Sept. 27 at the NAVSTA Mayport Base Chapel, and Sept. 28 at the NSB Kings Bay Base Chapel.

These events provide an opportunity for everyone in the Navy to hear directly from the Task Force about current and future initiatives and to provide direct feedback. The Task Force is looking for the thoughts, opinions, and insights of those who are, and will be, the leaders of the 21st century Navy.

“Some things will never change because of the business we are in … we go to sea and our Sailors recognize that hard work and long hours are necessary when underway. However, we often bring this culture with us no matter what we do – shore duty, ship in an availability, etc,” said Vice Adm. Terrance Etnyre, Commander, Naval Surface Forces. “As the demographic make-up of our nation shifts, our Navy must also shift to remain a viable career option for all.”

More than 800 people attended the recent Roadshow events in the Southwest Region. Life/work balance refers to the level of satisfaction a person has about his or her personal life and professional life and the feedback received in San Diego highlighted both aspects.

Comments submitted by audience members hit a wide array of topics with financial incentives and increased education opportunities mentioned most. Attendees also brought out concerns about limited advancement opportunities, the High Year Tenure policy, the evaluation process, and limited daycare facilities.

“TFLW is examining initiatives that Navy can influence through policy change to win the war for this talent. However, they need to hear from you, your wardrooms, and your crews,” Etnyre said in a recent message to the surface forces. “I encourage you to discuss this with your wardrooms, CPO messes, and crews and provide TFLW suggestions on how we can do things differently to encourage our Sailors to ‘Stay Navy.’”

Two other options are available for providing feedback to the Task Force. The first is the TFLW Web site, www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/taskforcelifework. The site details the mission and vision of the TFLW, lists announcements, briefs, and the Roadshow schedule, and provides an e-mail link to submit direct feedback to Task Force representatives.

The second is the TFLW online community blog, accessed through the TFLW Web site. Anyone can request to join the blog by using a (dot)mil e-mail account. Current discussion threads include telecommuting, education opportunities, work environment, and life coaches. Members of the blog can either comment on existing discussion threads or begin a new one.

It appears that the Fleet is asking people how to improve Navy life and are also offering a community blog where they can provide their comments. Life in the military is not always black and white.