Navy Region Northwest hosted a series of briefs throughout the Northwest by the Expeditionary Combat
Readiness Center (ECRC), April 15-17.
The first of many briefs to the fleet was held at Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor to help dispel misconceptions
about the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Support Assignments (GSA) and Individual Aaugmentee (IA) process.
ECRC commanding officer Capt. Jeffrey McKenzie and Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Kelly Schneider spoke
about IA Sailors and the process they go through, GSAs, family support and what the ECRC brings to the support
team.
“The objective of this brief is to get the message out,” said Schneider. “We want to make sure the whole Navy, starting
with Navy Region Northwest, gets the same message. We want the ombudsmen in Bangor doing what those in Naples,
Italy, are doing and so on. Everyone will be on the same sheet of music, working together to provide the same level
of support to all our Sailors globally.”
It allowed local commands and subject matter experts to engage in a question-and-answer session throughout.
ECRC’s mission is to supervise in making sure Sailors who are being trained for IA duties, and their families, are
getting accurate and adequate training and the prompt support needed to smoothly transition through the
changes in the programs.
“We are trying to put out the big picture, global vision of IAs and GSAs,, where we are in the Navy today, where we
are going in the future and how we as Navy leaders can better implement procedures and policies to support the
Sailors and their families,” said Schneider.
ECRC made no promises to relieve public anxiety, however, McKenzie offers hope that they will answer any questions
they are able.
“We are here for you if you have an issue or complaint needing resolution,” said McKenzie. “We will try to help, that is
all, I, we promise. We will try our best.”
According to a message from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, the goal of GSA is to improve stability for
Sailors and families while continuing to meet the joint warfighter demand, and that each leader has a role to play in
minimizing the angst and personal and family disruptions that these assignments can cause by getting the accurate word out.
“Although this is just the first step,” said Schneider, “our goal by the end of this four-or-five month process is that the
whole Navy will have gotten the message and will know exactly how the program operates. The end result we’re aiming for is
having Sailors and their families know the benefit from this.”
In 2007, 6,516 enlisted Sailors and 2,207 officer Sailors served on an IA tour. However, by 2009, GSA detailing is expected to
account for 73 percent of the Navy’s GWOT requirements.
For more information, visit the ECRC Web site at http://www.ecrc.navy.mil/{{PERIOD}}