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Regional Commander Impressed by Seabees

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030306-14
Release Date: 3/7/2003 4:51:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Alex Rodriguez, Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss (NNS) -- "This is the most operational base in my region! I'm very proud of what you do," said Rear Adm. Annette Brown, commander Navy Region Southeast, during her recent visit to Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport.

Brown had just finished a tour of facilities within the base and was remarking on the ability to meet and exceed the Chief of Naval Operations' primary focus for his commanding officers - mission accomplishment. She emphasized that as of late, NCBC Gulfport (Seabees in particular) were certainly fulfilling their mission requirements.

Browns' command brief in the base theater was a chance to meet and share her philosophies with the people living and working within her region. "We have to keep our focus on the primary objective, which is to support the warfighter in every way possible both professionally and personally," she said.

Assuming her role and responsibilities for the well-being of an entire region of Navy bases in October 2002, Brown had high praise for the men and women who make ideas and planning a reality.

"The really good news is that we have great commanding officers. They are a group I can rely on heavily because they are the local experts. I don't pretend to know all there is to know about all the bases in our region. So, I rely on the commanding officers to do what they are charged to do, which is to take care of their own within that confine," she said.

"My staff and I then blend the issues that become common for all of the comanding officers in such a matter that we can come up with what is either unique to one base or common amongst them all," she added.

By looking at the big picture and seeing the trends in issues throughout the regions' bases, Brown and her staff can then make decisions and policies that make things better for all her bases.

"I also rely on the regional managers of the various programs we run throughout the region, be they Morale Welfare and Recreation or port operations. They operate in much the same fashion. So as a result of this, I can usually focus mostly upward to represent the region to the commander of the Atlantic Fleet," she said.

During these uncertain times, the emphasis, whether as a base commanding officer or as a regional commander, focuses on the fact that it's not the equipment that makes the Navy - it's the people. It's clear Brown sees her mission in those terms.