NRF leaders visit Camp Lemonnier

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Navy Reserve leadership, including Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Gregory J. Slavonic, Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Luke M. McCollum, and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Chris D. Kotz visited the East African base Feb. 2-4. Camp Lemonnier, located in the Horn of Africa (HOA), is home to more than 900 forward-deployed sailors; two-thirds of whom are Navy Reservists. Lt. Cmdr. Jay Gaul had lunch with the admiral. “It is very clear to me that Vice Adm. McCollum is committed to modernizing the way the Navy Reserve does business and leveraging emerging technologies to accomplish his vision,” Gaul said. A Feb. 4 all-hands meeting included a question-and-answer session about reserve pay, training prior to deployment, Pentagon websites, and warfare qualifications. But the admiral and force master chief’s points were on modernization of existing systems and qualifications to help streamline and focus resources. “I work for you,” the admiral said, “and I wake-up every day thinking about what we can improve … to advocate on your behalf and ultimately, to thank you.” (Source: Camp Lemonnier 02/09/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Naval Reserve Force (NRF) is headquartered in New Orleans, and functions as the Director of Naval Reserve on CNO’s staff in Washington, D.C., and as Chief of Naval Reserve on matters before Congress.