The Navy Ombudsman Program was created by then Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral E. R. Zumwalt, Jr., in 1970 to improve communication between commands and the family members of Marines and Sailors who serve in these commands. The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the commanding officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. They provide resource and charitable support organizational referrals when needed. They are instrumental in helping to solve family issues before the problems get out of hand or require extensive command attention. The command ombudsman is appointed by and works under the guidance of the commanding officer who determines the priorities of the program, the roles and relationships of those involved, and the type and level of support it will receive.

The uniqueness of the Command Ombudsman, an officially appointed volunteer, is multi-faceted and the duties cover a wide range of support functions. The position is vital to the welfare of our command and it’s family members. The Ombudsman is trained to know when to provide information, when to be a referral source and how to be receptive to family members when they have concerns or needs. NNMC is fortunate to have Mrs. Angie Wilson, wife of Chief Hospital Corpsman Dave Wilson, in this position for the past two years.

Angie serves as the primary channel of official information from the command to the families of deployed Sailors. She is responsible for timely dissemination through newsletters, care line⁄information lines, the web, telephone trees, and⁄or email. She supplies information about and recommendations to military and civilian support organizations like Fleet and Family Support Centers, American Red Cross, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, pastoral services, medical facilities and legal assistance offices. She works closely with and directly through these organizations to obtain assistance and valuable support for family members.

She also provides support to family members seeking professional assistance like counseling. Ombudsmen, in their official role, are not counselors or social workers, but act as advocates for the command families to gain needed services. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command. This may include official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate communiquÈs, local quality of life (QOL) improvement opportunities, and ‘‘good deals” from around the community. Ombudsmen support command-sponsored activities and advertises support group meetings, as permitted by the command. She has a unique working bond with the Morale Welfare and Recreation Office. We are very fortunate to have Angie Wilson here as our Command Ombudsman and I urge you to take advantage of her many services. If you ever have a need or a concern that she can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact her at: E-mail: AAngela.Wilson@med.navy.mil; or Cell: (301) 213-6714

Another vital source of service for our Marines and Sailors and their families is the Navy Fleet and Family Support Office (FFSO). The FFSO supports the National Naval Medical Center leadership in achieving maximum mission readiness. Through their offices, the Command, Sailors, and family members can access a wide range of services and programs that focus on the adaptation to the special demands of military careers, military family life, and the need for rapid response to the current world events. The FFSO provides a myriad of support services including Transition Assistance for personnel who are moving from their life of serving in the military to their new role in the civilian world.

Other programs provided by the FFSO include services that assist in maintaining sound money management practices and the Spouse Employment Program that provides assistance for spouses to make career decisions and develop employment search skills through education and information programs. You are also aware that as military members, we are subject to frequent moves. The FFSO has a Relocation Assistance and provides one-on-one counseling to ease in the stress of moving. The FFSO also provides access to a variety of information on local and state offices and community resources. Finally, FFSO provides education to our single sailors and families to understand and anticipate the physical and emotional demands associated with deployment, providing tools our global Navy family needs to succeed.

All of these resources provided by our Ombudsman and FFSO are critical to our mission. I thank them for their services and encourage our sailors and families to utilize what they have to offer.

Commander sends,