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Submarine Diversity Officer Enhances Undersea Community

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100922-05
9/22/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Danna M. Morris, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- A key person in the development of a more diverse submarine force left the command Sept. 17 to support an Individual Augmentee assignment in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, leaving Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) grateful for his hard work and determined to stay on track.

Lt. Cmdr. Roberto F. Sanchez, the diversity officer at COMSUBLANT had the responsibility of ensuring the submarine community takes a proactive role in reflecting varying array of ethnicities and backgrounds that makes the sea-going service one of the most diverse organizations in the world.

"My job gives me the opportunity to help the Navy gain more talent to meet its needs and accomplish the mission," said Sanchez, a 1997 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in nuclear engineering. "If we want to get the best out there we need to be able to attract folks from all different backgrounds."

He reported to COMSUBLANT in June 2008 as the force's second diversity officer, and has been working with Naval Recruiting Command in ways to attract more diverse submarine officers.

Sanchez said the main way this is done is by sending experienced submarine officers along with recruiters for visits at universities.

"A lot of people in the areas we are trying to recruit really don't understand the mission of the Navy, and the prestige that resides in the Navy," said Sanchez, a native of Philadelphia. "Their image of the Navy is driving ships, but the submarine force and the Navy as a whole is a highly technical profession. When college students hear about the experiences that graduates in their fields are having in the Navy, they realize they too can have the same type of successes."

Cmdr. Andrew C. Hertel, the Submarine Forces personnel and policies career development officer, said it's important to target wider pools of candidates than in the past.

"By improving the diversity of the submarine forces we improve readiness of the force," said Hertel. "We have more and better people doing the job."

Although he is the second person billeted as the Diversity Officer, Hertel said Sanchez has been the key player instrumental in building a program that was once nonexistent.

"To get candidates interested in the submarine force you must be able to present the challenges and rewards," said Hertel. "Sanchez has done that extremely well, and he excites potential recruits in what we do."

The important work he has completed as diversity officer will continue to positively affect the submarine community.

"Sanchez has made a reality out of the vision to make the submarine force reflect society," said Hertel. "We simply want the best people in our community, regardless of what they look like."