NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) — The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens visited Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 22, to speak with Mid-Atlantic Sailors about the future of the Navy – this was his first all-hands call as the 31st CNO.
“I’m absolutely honored, humbled and incredibly proud to be your new chief of naval operations,” Richardson said. “And on day two as the chief of naval operations, and as quickly as I could possibly do it, I wanted to get out and start engaging with all of you.”
Richardson continued, “First and foremost, by virtue of the talent that is in the room, around the fleet, and the leadership that has gotten the Navy to this point, including my predecessor CNO Greenert, we continue to have the most effective and the most powerful Navy that has ever sailed the seas.”
Richardson currently sees the Navy as being right in the channel; it is on course, it is making good speed, and is well set up for the future.
Richardson then addressed the Sailors in attendance as to how the Navy has been so successful.
“The key to that success is you. There is nothing that is more important to me, and there is nothing more important to our Navy, than the talent, initiative, creativity and toughness that you bring. You are our secret weapon.”
Following his comments, the CNO opened the floor to the Sailors in attendance for a question and answer session on various topics. He also took time to answer questions from his Facebook and Twitter feeds.
More than 1,000 officers and Sailors from commands across Hampton Roads attended the all-hands call and took advantage of the opportunity to speak to the Navy’s service chief.
“The CNO’s visit was excellent. It’s real nice that on his second day as chief of naval operations he came out to greet the fleet and took the time to talk with the Sailors that are fighting the fight and to get our opinions on how things are going,” said Electronics Technician 1st Class August Delledonne, a native of Long Island, New York, and assigned to Submarine Force Atlantic.
“I thought the CNO’s visit was actually pretty interesting,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Maley, a native of Chesapeake, and assigned to Submarine Force Atlantic. “He [Richardson] has a lot of good ideas for the future in order to maintain the Navy as it is right now, and to improve on the technologies. He seemed very interested in what the Sailors had to say.”
Richardson was joined by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens. Together, they also visited Naval Air Station Oceana during their visit to Hampton Roads.
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrma/.