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USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)
First in Freedom
Message from the CO
09 March 2024
From: Commanding Officer, USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49)
To: Prospective Shipmates and Friends of the HARPERS FERRY
Subj: WELCOME ABOARD!
Congratulations on receiving orders to USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49), the U.S. Navy’s most reliable and accomplished amphibious ship! We are currently home ported in San Diego, California. If you have received orders to USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49), please email sponsor@lsd49.navy.mil and we will provide you with a sponsor to help make your transition as smooth as possible. We are excited to have you on board and welcome you to the “Workhorse of the Fleet”!
USS HARPERS FERRY’s crew is the ship - they bring her to life and are the sole bearers of her great reputation. We are a family of professionals, who act like a team, and get the job done – always supporting each other and the ship’s mission. We are proud of our heritage and our direct connection with the town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where John Brown’s Raiders fought against the principles of slavery and helped spark the American Revolution.
If you have questions please contact the Command Master Chief, the Executive Officer, or me - anytime. As you get ready to step aboard, prepare to get stuff done! In no time you will be a valued member of the amazing HARPERS FERRY team. We will provide training and education challenges and have a good time doing it. It will be hard work, but it is an important job and you are joining the best team in the fleet. I hope you are as excited about serving in HARPERS FERRY as I am having you join our crew.
If you know a Sailor aboard HARPERS FERRY, you can be very proud of his or her honorable service in our nation's Navy. This great crew is carrying out the ship's motto (First in Freedom!) as we represent our Nation's interests in the furthest reaches of the world. We are a team that gets results – we have had some of the fleet’s highest advancement rates, won multiple Retention Excellence Best in Class Awards, and have produced Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Award winners, Tactician and Ship Handler of the Year Award winners, multiple Diversity and Outreach panel selections, and an unmatched reputation for getting the job done!
From me to you, welcome to the HARPERS FAMILY, where we are First in Freedom, First in Everything!
Gabriel D. Burgi
Commanding Officer
USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49)
Welcome Aboard Letter pdf
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.
Unit 100165 Box 1 FPO AP 96665-6500