This Reserve Force Weekly, Force 14 issue 13, provides a letter from MCPON on sexual assault.

1. FORCE 14 – 24 May 2013
From the Desk of the Reserve FORCE Master Chief:
Good Day Shipmates,
This excerpt is from the MCPON, while it is addressed to our Chiefs Mess, MCPON
had asked that everyone get the word as this is an issue that affects us all. Please
read it, help get the word out that Sexual Assault will NOT be tolerated in our Navy
or in our homes! We all have a voice and together we can work to prevent Sexual
Assault from occurring in our Commands and in our Navy!
“Chief Petty Officers,
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) and I, along with other senior military
leaders, met with the President to discuss the topic of sexual assault last week. I
have spent a great deal of time reflecting on what the President and other leaders
discussed during the meeting and what we as Chief Petty Officers might be able to
do to get to the left of this terrible issue.
When we are functioning at our best, we are family. And when that bond is
violated because of something like sexual assault, we are broken. I still find it
hard to understand why someone would be willing to lay down their life for their
shipmate and then turn around and violate that shipmate in such a horrible way.
During my nearly 30 years of service the one thing that has always stood out to
me is that whenever the Chiefs Mess makes the decision to get after something we
always make a difference. I know that many of you are already engaged in sexual
assault prevention programs and training, and are committed to stamping this out.
However, I believe we have an opportunity to do something together as a
collective Navy-wide CPO Mess.
I certainly don't have all the answers, but I am confident in your ability to lead
and connect with our Sailors. Leading Sailors and influencing them to do that
which is good and decent is in our DNA.
I'm going to ask you to do something, but it will only work if everyone is onboard
and willing to do this together.
We talk to our Sailors daily. We are on the deckplates with each of them. At a
minimum, I'd like each of us to talk to one Sailor per week about sexual assault
prevention. As part of the conversation, stress how sexual harassment, assaults,
and overall sexist behavior do not align with our core values. Solicit ideas about
sexual assault prevention. I also ask that each Sailor you talk with makes a
commitment to you. The commitment being that they will have a conversation
about sexual assault prevention with one of their shipmates, and so on. It is what
some people would call paying it forward.
People deeply desire to serve our country and they should be able to serve with
the dignity and respect that you and I know our Sailors share. If there are
concerns that need to be heard, give it to your CMC who will feed to their
FORCM/FLTCM and the information will get back to me.”
MCPON(AW/NAC) MIKE STEVENS

2. FORCE 14 – 24 May 2013
Our Sailors Out and about (May):
24 May - NOSC Ventura County, CA will honor local WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and
Gulf War Veterans at Sunrise Assisted Living, Studio City, CA. Commanding
Officer, CAPT Ron Oswald, will be the guest speaker, supporting Veteran
Recognition.
24-25 May - NOSC Greenville, SC staff will participate in the Greenville Scottish
games.
25 May - NOSC Kansas City, MO Honor Guard will provide Color Guard support to
the Kansas City Royals professional baseball team during their regular season
match against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
25 May - NOSC Buffalo, NY will participate in Niagara Falls Memorial Day
Ceremony.
25-27 May - NOSC Pittsburgh, PA will participate in various Memorial Day events.
25-27 May - NOSC Lehigh Valley, PA participating in Memorial Day Event honoring
all veterans at Bethlehem Steel Stacks.
Save the Date
The annual Navy Reserve Command Master Chief/Senior Enlisted Training will be
held from October 15-18, 2013 (Washington Navy Yard, D.C.). Details to follow….
The Force Master Chief, Navy Reserve Change of Office will be held at 1000 on
October 18th
, 2013 at the Navy Memorial (Washington, D.C.).
Have a Safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!