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CNO to Sailors: IAs critical to War on Terror

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070123-10
Release Date: 1/23/2007 8:31:00 PM

From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

CAMP MCCRADY, S.C. (NNS) -- In a visit Jan. 19 to observe individual augmentee (IA) training at Camp McCrady, S.C., Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen made it clear that IA deployments will continue, and that they are critical to the Navy’s efforts in the war on terror.

“I see this as a long-term commitment by the Navy,” he said. “I’m anxious to pitch in as much as we possibly can, for the duration of this war. Not only can we do our share, but [we can] take as much stress off those who are deploying back-to-back, home one year, deployed one year and now are on their third or fourth deployment.”

The Navy currently has more than 10,000 Sailors in IA duty assignments all over the world. Personnel officials estimate that nearly half the 4,300 Sailors serving in Iraq are IA’s. Mullen said he does not expect those figures to change dramatically in the next year or so.

“Obviously, we can’t predict the future with any certainty, but I don’t see the need for Navy talent in the IA world going down any time soon,” he said.

The CNO has pushed to expand the Navy’s contribution on the ground in the Central Command Area Responsibility, stressing that the war on terror is a national fight, not just one for the Army and Marine Corps.

Sailors, he said, bring unique perspectives and skills to the effort. But he was also quick to point out that IA duty can have a similar effect on Sailors themselves, broadening their viewpoints and exposing them to new methods of warfighting.

“We have had thousands of Sailors go through this [IA Duty], and I think its going to cause the Navy to change how we look at the world”, said Mullen. “I fundamentally believe that you can’t stay 1,000 miles out at sea and watch the rest of the world go by.”

Every two weeks about 400 Sailors cycle through Camp McGrady, where they are trained in more than 80 Soldier tasks including convoy operations, basic rifle marksmanship, urban operations, heavy weapons, land navigation and first aid.

“We are getting great training here,” said Lt. Robb Knapp, who will work with the Iraqi Assistance Group. “I feel fully prepared for when I deploy and any combat situation I may encounter.”

The Navy’s top leader described the positive attitude of IA Sailors he recently visited in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying they felt proud to be serving and knew they were making a difference. He also pointed out ways the Navy is trying to improve the entire IA assignment process.

The recently-established Task Force Individual Augmentation, for example, has increased notification time for Sailors ordered to IA billets from under 30 days to a high of 80 days in December 2006. The notification window begins when a Sailor receives written orders of IA duty, and ends when that Sailor leaves the area of permanent duty station.

The Navy also announced late last year a series of new IA incentives. These initiatives include flexible advancement exams and award points towards advancement. The Navy will also pay for families of Sailors deployed on IA duty to move from their area of permanent duty station to an area of greater family support during the deployment. These initiatives are designed to ease the burden of the family and Sailor during the separation.

"This is very vital work our IA's are doing at an incredibly critical time in our nation's history, and I am committed to making sure the Navy gets it right when it comes to recognizing that fact," said Mullen.

For all this success, the CNO noted that there still exists some tension between the Navy, which wants to send its best people forward, and unit commanding officers, who desire to keep talent close at hand.

“They don’t like to give up their best people. I understand that. I’ve been a C.O,” he said. “But they need to know that the decision to support the IA commitment is coming right from me. It’s that important, and I need their support. This has to be a team effort.”

The CNO thanked the Sailors for their service as IA’s and also expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices being made by their families. He said support for those families remains a top priority.

“In direct guidance from me, I have asked commands to have a support mechanism to ensure that families are supported,” he said. “We want to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to support you.”