Our Unsung Heroes: The Ombudsmen of the Sea Services

By JOHN A. PANNETON, National President

One of Adm. Mike Mullen’s first steps as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) was to highlight the importance of Navy families and the Navy Ombudsman program as a principal element of the Navy’s success. “Our families serve as we serve, and the Ombudsman program is critical to making sure we recognize that,” he said.

In all the sea services, the ombudsmen, called Key Volunteers in the Marine Corps, form a vital link between command families and the commanders of most units of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

The ombudsman concept was first incorporated into the U.S. Navy in 1970 by then-CNO Adm. Elmo Zumwalt to foster clear and concise communications between the Navy leadership and Navy families. Today, ombudsmen — typically the spouses of active and reserve members of the sea services — are on the commanding officer’s team. They volunteer for appointment as ombudsmen, are highly trained and professional and perform a virtually infinite variety of tasks for sea service families and commanders.

Ombudsmen keep commanders informed about the general morale, health and welfare of the command’s families. They call upon the services of chaplains, counselors and military organizations, such as Fleet and Family Support Centers, which can be helpful to sea service families with emergencies or special needs.

The devotion to duty and accomplishments of sea service ombudsmen are legend. Their outstanding work during the past 35 years is indicative of the great value the sea services place upon their people. Members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard report for duty at home and abroad, confident that their spouses and children are not alone.

The San Diego fires of October 2003 killed 16 people and destroyed 2,400 homes and businesses. Despite the dangers, sea service ombudsmen were on the job, even as some prepared to evacuate their own homes and move their families to safety.

Deborah McFadden, then-ombudsmen for the Naval School of Health Sciences, opened her home to evacuees and worked at the Family Information Center. Darleen Glenn, ombudsman for the USS Nimitz, and Charlene Daugherty, ombudsman for the USS Cleveland, were among many who distributed information about Navy support available to evacuees, tracked command families to ensure their safety and passed information about spouses and children to members of ships’ crews, some of whom were at sea.

The war in Iraq has been a challenge for virtually every military family. As Coast Guard Cutter Walnut prepared for deployment early in 2003, Ombudsman Caeleigh Villarreal helped set up predeployment briefings to ensure that both members and families were ready for the mission.

Throughout the deployment, she organized the preparation of care packages for the crew, started an adopt-a-sailor program for single crew members, and planned events for families and members to bolster morale. She was a chief communications link for families and the crew. She congratulated three new fathers during the deployment and assisted the new mothers until their husbands returned.

The work of these dedicated individuals is indicative of the vigor and tenacity of the thousands of sea service ombudsmen in every corner of the globe. Because of ombudsmen, the sea services are far more than military institutions. They are communities of people who watch over each other in good times and bad, and share a rich tradition of service to our country.

Ombudsmen are the unsung public servants who deserve the thanks of a grateful nation.

Semper Fidelis.

I want to hear from you about the Navy League. Contact me at jpanneton@navyleague.org or by mail at 2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3308.