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MCPON Testifies Before Congress

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030307-07
Release Date: 3/7/2003 11:08:00 AM

From Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, MCPON (SS/AW) Terry Scott, testified on behalf of Sailors to the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) March 5.

He discussed improving quality of service for Sailors and their families with improvements to virtually every form of housing for both Navy families and single Sailors. Other issues he addressed were Sustainment Restoration & Modernization (SRM) funds, for the maintenance of our current infrastructure, and the importance of quality of life programs for military readiness.

"Sailors don't ask for a lot, but they do deserve to be fairly compensated and to enjoy a quality of life similar to their civilian counterparts," Scott said. "The quality of life and quality of work our Sailors enjoy is a key factor in their decision to make the Navy a career, or seek employment elsewhere.

"One requirement common to all Sailors is the need for a quality home while in homeport," he explained. "Our commitment to fully fund Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) expenses by 2005, and our plans to provide housing for single Sailors ashore, are two ways to meet that need."

He also added that public-private ventures for family housing are very successful in many areas, and the Navy is working on pilot programs in hopes of meeting a portion of bachelor housing needs, as well.

"One of my biggest quality of life concerns is that we currently have more than 18,000 single Sailors living aboard their ships, even while in home port," Scott said. "Our 'Home Port Ashore' program plans to provide housing ashore in either barracks or through providing BAH to all these Sailors by 2008."

While discussing MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) and family support programs, he emphasized how the commitment our nation pays to providing a good quality of life for our Sailors is paying off today, by providing our country with the most flexible, powerful and capable Navy in the world.

This was Scott's first opportunity to testify before the HAC since assuming the office in April 2002. He was also accompanied by the other services' senior enlisted equivalents.

The House Appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over discretionary spending, which is approximately one-third of the federal budget. It consists of thousands of programs controlled through annual appropriations acts.