Adm. Daryl Caudle

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command

14 September 2023

• Good evening – and thank you, Joel (Vargas), for the kind introduction and for the important work you do with the U-S-A-A team across the nation on behalf of our nation’s warfighters, our veterans, and our families.
• It is a true honor to be here celebrating those who give of themselves and their precious time by selflessly volunteering to serve in the Hampton Roads Area Ombudsman Assembly.
• To my fellow flag officers and all of the command leadership teams joining us this evening, it is wonderful to see so many leaders taking time out of their busy schedules to be here in support – we all know that ‘sweepers’ and the ‘Battle of Norfolk’ as well as ‘All Hands Working Parties’ will be waiting for us tomorrow, but this evening, it’s important that we take a reprieve, as we proudly acknowledge such a critical part of our Commands support system and our Ombudsmen.
• And, of course, thank you to Maryellen Baldwin, Lou Schager, and the entire Hampton Roads Navy League team for once again hosting this important event – and RADM Charles ‘Chip’ Rock for being our Emcee tonight. Your commitment, dedication, and demonstrative devotion to the men and women of our sea services and their families are beyond measure. Your mission to enhance the morale of sea service personnel and their families reflects proudly in your support for our Ombudsmen tonight. How about a round of applause for our hosts and our sponsors?
• The word "Ombudsman" originated in Scandinavian countries and referred to safeguarding the rights of citizens. Today, the concept of the Ombudsman is widely utilized in the fields of government, business and healthcare.
• Fifty-three years ago, the 19^th Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. created the Navy Family Ombudsman Program because he recognized the paramount importance of family readiness, especially during a time when members of the military were likely there due to the draft. He recognized how a strong foundation at home mixed with clear and consistent communication with leadership leads to the peak operational readiness, resiliency, as well as improved trust and overall effectiveness of our Fleet.
• In creating the Ombudsman position, he ensured Navy families maintain a direct line to our Commanding Officers – as a voice and a lifeline for our families to ensure communication and information transparently flows back and forth. It was reaffirmed in 2006 by Admiral Michael Mullen, the 28^th C-N-O, who re-emphasized the program highlighting the requirement that all Navy families shall have access to a Navy Family Ombudsman.
• The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the Commanding Officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command, including command climate issues, quality of life improvement opportunities, and awareness of “good deals” around the community.
• Ombudsmen also provide resource referrals when needed. They are instrumental in resolving family issues before the issues require extensive command attention – often at the lowest level possible.
• Over a half-century plus of evolution, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the selfless volunteers who continue to make this program a resounding success. This program and other Work and Family Life initiatives directly support mission readiness by preparing service members and their families for the physical, emotional, interpersonal and logistical demands of the military lifestyle, and then seamlessly form the ecosystem of support when the unit goes to sea.
• If I may, I’d like to share with you a few quick examples of the outstanding impact an Ombudsman can have. The following people were all nominees for the Fleet Forces Command ‘Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year award’; Mrs. Stockdale was the model of support to families of other POWs during the seven-year captivity of her husband, Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, in Southeast Asia. I understand most of these ladies are in attendance, so if you hear your name, please stand so we can recognize you:
  • Mrs. Danni Campbell, 18-year Navy Spouse and 15-year Ombudsman, serving in numerous roles across the Hampton Roads area as the CNRMA Ombudsman, Norfolk and Oceana Base Ombudsman, Navy Munitions Command in Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Ombudsman Assembly Chair. During this award period, Mrs. Campbell has volunteered over 672 hours of her time in support of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program, family readiness and Navy mission accomplishment.
  • Mrs. Sarah Irvin, in her second year as an Ombudsman currently supporting Assault Craft Unit Four. Displaying extraordinary dedication, Sarah shows up every day with a positive attitude, grinding through the demands of 60 deployed Sailors onboard different ships separated by hundreds of miles – she is always available to chase down a resource or notify the CO or C-M-C of any urgent need or request.
  • Mrs. Anya Cangemi, Ombudsman for Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, has Sailors stationed in both Little Creek and Jacksonville along with Reserve Sailors across the country. One of her greatest accomplishments in her role was helping a single mother whose heater failed – Anya sprang into action to coordinate support to have the unit fixed in no time.
  • Mrs. Jacquelyn Richardson, recently taking over as Ombudsman at Naval Information Warfare Training Group and going on her 7^th year across a few commands, is described as a ‘force multiplier’ by her Commanding Officer. In her short time onboard, she has already completed the trainings required to certify new prospective Ombudsmen.
  • Danni, Sarah, Anya, and Jacquelyn – I don’t know if you were aware that I would be calling out your accomplishments tonight – but, thank you for everything you do, day in and day out. You are tireless advocates for our Navy families – you are the embodiment of selfless service, empathy, and kindness – the Navy, our Sailors and our families are better because of your leadership and dedication.
• You see, your Navy is charged with deterring strategic attacks, defending our homeland, protecting our sea lanes, and projecting power – all while preserving America’s vital national interests around the world.
• We execute this mission with our Navy team – our Sailors and civilians, underwritten by our Navy families and their support.
• Our Fleets must be poised and postured to carry out this vital mission – always ready – always lethal.

 

• Our Navy families must also be ready. You play a very important role as part of our Navy team.
• Throughout my Navy career, I have found – and I am sure you all would agree – that alongside every successful Sailor is a dedicated Navy spouse and a committed Navy family.
• I firmly believe that the strong foundation that our families provide at home enables service members to go to sea with confidence and conviction – and it is your strength, love, and determination that make us resilient – resilient enough to endure the long, difficult, and sometimes dangerous days far from home.
• None of us got here without support from a hard-working team on the home front. You’re simply indispensable.
• Which is precisely why our families are a vital contributor to mission success.
• Our families are patriotic, tough, and eager to support all members of the Navy community. Their importance to the Navy team cannot be overemphasized.
• But, sometimes our families need help or guidance, and that’s where you – our selfless volunteers who are so crucial to our success – are most valuable and most needed.
• You, the command Ombudsman, ensure our Navy families can successfully navigate the myriad of challenges that Navy families experience – each and every day.
   
• Hopefully, you all know how strongly Donna and I feel about the importance of family within the fabric of our Navy community – and today, I am reinvigorated to say it to you. It is an indisputable fact that family readiness directly contributes to operational readiness – that a stronger family means a stronger Fleet.
• Those here tonight – the command leaders and their Ombudsmen – are all very familiar with the Program’s explicit responsibilities.

 

• You serve as a liaison between the command and our Navy families, spouses, and significant others.

 

• You welcome newcomers to the area and into the command family – and without fail, step up in times of crisis and follow up on commitments made to our families.
• You are the calm, collective voice relaying information to our loved ones when our ships are overseas and especially at times when the Commanding Officer needs to communicate most effectively with families during adverse times or when existing plans change.
• By being approachable, you serve as a two-way communication link – our eyes and ears on the home front – ensuring our families know what the command is doing and keeping our commanders aware of our families’ morale, health, and welfare while our Sailors are out at sea defending our nation.
• And most importantly, you serve as a listening ear, a lifeline, and a link; referring families, spouses, and new parents to the vast array of services the Navy has available.
   

• During periods where your command is forward deployed, often with reduced ability to communicate in real time, you regularly act to further the Navy’s mission under sometimes challenging circumstances without specific direction from command leadership.
• I can say with confidence that I witness our Ombudsmen demonstrate these attributes regularly.
   
  • You are accountable to the families you serve because you are approachable and dependable. You respond to crises in a timely manner and follow up on commitments you make with solutions.
  • You demonstrate initiative through volunteering to step up and serve our Navy and the nation in a very impactful way. As I just pointed out, you often act with what we call “Mission Command” to further the Navy’s mission often without specific direction – using your experience and understanding of your Commanding Officer’s intent.
  • Your selflessness, resourcefulness, and genuine care help our families become better prepared and more resilient to face their challenges from a position of strength, pride, and certainty.
  • Most significantly, you set the example for toughness for our families. You use your experience as a Navy spouse and your training through the Ombudsman Program and training to help our families take a hit and keep going.

 

• And as our Acting Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Lisa Franchetti says, “Your diligence and steadfast commitment are unmatched. When families receive information, resources, support and assistance to better navigate their circumstances, it increases overall resiliency and makes them better equipped to navigate the military lifestyle with greater strength.”
• Through your continued demonstration of integrity, accountability, initiative, and toughness, you ensure we will remain the world’s finest Navy – ready to fight and win decisively in defense of our nation’s interests at home and abroad.
• Never underestimate the importance of your position. Never underestimate the value of your work – for what you do is vital to our overall resiliency and success as a Navy family – a Navy team.
• I am confident that I speak for every commander in the room when I say, “We could not accomplish our mission without you. Thank you for your service, for your many sacrifices, and for being an essential part of our Navy team.”