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Ombudsman  (Email Link: benfoldombuds@gmail.com)
 
Your Ombudsman serves as an advocate for Benfold family members. By using their knowledge of the Navy and the Benfold command, they can help access the appropriate level of chain of command for intervention and for the forwarding of appropriate requests/grievances while exercising confidentiality. Provide information and outreach to Benfold family members. Communicate regularly with our Benfold families. Serve as Information and Referral specialists, referring Benfold families in need to community organizations and military offices such as; Family Service Centers, Chaplain's Office, Medical Treatment Facilities, Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society, American Red Cross and legal assistance offices to name a few. Most importantly, our Ombudsmen provide support to individual Benfold family members including referring them to professionals for counseling. Ombudsmen are prohibited from counseling, making decisions for the command, or serving as organizers for social functions. Ombudsmen do not exist to solve problems, but are trained to point you in the right direction to get the help you need and deserve. If you are a spouse or family member of a USS BENFOLD Sailor and need assistance, you may contact the Command Ombudsman at:
 
•Ombudsman Cell: 080 9899 1239
•Ombudsman DSN: 315-246-8840
•Ombudsman Email: Benfoldombuds@gmail.com
•Family Readiness Group Email: benfoldfrg@gmail.com
 
Are you new to the Benfold or have you moved?
It is important if you have a change of address, phone number or email address, even if temporary, that you contact your Benfold Ombudsman. If the Ombudsman does not have the correct information they may be unable to contact you with command information. If you are new to the Benfold be sure to contact your Ombudsmen.
What is an Ombudsman?
•Volunteer
•Point of Contact Command's Liaison with Family
•Facilitator
•Teacher
•Coach
•Reference Librarian
•Your Most Important Source of Accurate Information About the Command
•A listener
 
All of these are things an Ombudsman does - in order to help the families of the command. Everyday, on a confidential basis. What can the Command Family Ombudsman program mean for you and your family? Read on.
 
Volunteer
The Ombudsman is a spouse or family member from the command who is appointed by the Commanding Officer and who volunteers his or her time and energy to assist the command and its families.
 
Point of Contact
The Ombudsman serves the Commanding Officer as the direct liaison between the command and its families. Questions, concerns and ideas can all flow through the Ombudsman to the command and back again. Command information can be found by calling or emailing the Ombudsman.
 
Facilitator
An Ombudsman can help you make some events easier. Arming yourself with information and/or a point of contact your Ombudsman has given you can make things run more smoothly.
 
Teacher
Information = Knowledge and Knowledge = Power.
An Ombudsman can give you information that enables you to solve your problems. (Please note that the Ombudsman does not solve problems for you but points you in the right direction and/or provides you with the information or referral you need.)
 
Coach
An Ombudsman can, and will, encourage you to be the very best person you can be.
 
Reference Librarian
This is the most often worn hat for any Ombudsman. We have, or can get, information on a multitude of things. If you don't know the answer - ask! The answer may be just a telephone call away.
 
Your Most Important Source of Accurate Information
"I just heard a rumor." Remember that a rumor is just that - a rumor! If someone tells you something that doesn't sound quite right, don't be afraid to check it out with the Ombudsman. The Commanding Officer works very hard to ensure that the USS Benfold's Ombudsman has accurate and up to date information to share with the families of the command.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is an Ombudsman?
Every Command has an Ombudsman who is a spouse of a sailor at the Command. The Ombudsman serves as the liaison between the command and the families. The Ombudsman is the point of contact for the families. He or she can assist families with navigating through Navy life through resources and information.

2. How can an Ombudsman help me?
Navy Family Ombudsmen are key resources for family members, particularly during deployments. Ombudsmen maintain current resource files with information on military and civilian community agencies that can help families solve a variety of problems, and successfully meet the challenges they face before, during, and after deployments. In addition to providing referral information, Ombudsmen can facilitate communication between the Command and family members. Ombudsmen may publish or contribute to command newsletters or maintain care lines, which have recorded messages with information for command families that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Ombudsmen can also assist families in contacting the Command for a variety of reasons.

3. What is the role of the COMNAVSURFPAC Force Ombudsman?
The Force Ombudsman provides oversight and guidance for all the Surface Ship's Ombudsmen in the Pacific Fleet Area of Responsibility. You can contact the Surface Forces Ombudsman at (619) 301-6983 or send an email to surfaceombudsman@gmail.com

4. What is an IA assignment or tour?
An IA is an Individual Augmentee. A Sailor may receive orders to go IA and this means that he or she will deploy as an Individual, not with their command. Sometimes an IA will deploy and be stationed with another branch of the Military. http://www.ia.navy.mil/

5. What is NFAAS?
Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System. This is how the Navy will track your family and assess your needs during an emergency. https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil

6. How can I find out more about medical, dental or Navy family resources?
Contact your Command Ombudsman. He or she will guide you to your resources.

USS BENFOLD (DDG 65)

Yokosuka, Japan

                                  

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