Welcome

Message From the CO
September 2024

From: Commanding Officer, USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) MILCREW (BLUE)
To: Prospective Shipmates and Friends of the MIGUEL KEITH

Subj: WELCOME ABOARD

Congratulations on your orders to USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) BLUE.  Let me be the first to welcome you to OUR ship.  I am certain you will find your upcoming tour to be professionally challenging and personally rewarding. 

Our ship is unique in that we are a hybrid crew of 44 civilian mariners and 101 Navy Sailors.  Civilian or military, we are ONE team and work together to accomplish the ship’s mission.  You are joining a team that represents the fighting spirit of Lance Corporal Miguel Keith, USMC, and my expectation is that we will always uphold the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.  We are entrusted by the American people to defend our nation, maintain the world’s sea lines of commerce, and to provide humanitarian assistance at home and abroad when called upon.   
 
As much as I expect of you, you should expect the same of me.  Regardless of rank, we all play a critical role.  Our command culture is built on a foundation of respect, trust, and open communication both up and down the chain-of-command.  I encourage your feedback for ways to improve and expect your forceful back-up should you see anything unsafe.  Our command motto is SEMPER IN PUGNA – meaning “Always in the fight!” We need your very best effort every day in ensuring MIGUEL KEITH and you remain in the fight, through anything that may happen.
 
To assist in making your transfer as smooth as possible, a sponsor will be assigned to you.  Your sponsor will contact you to help answer any questions you may have.  Please provide your email address and/or cell phone number to the sponsor coordinator at brian.l.desch.mil@us.navy.mil so we can rapidly provide your sponsor’s contact details and to answer any questions you may have about living or working in the San Diego area.  Additionally, our Senior Enlisted Leader, CMDCS Lamson, is available at john.a.lamson.mil@us.navy.mil.
 
Our Command Ombudsmen, Mrs. Aimee Jenkins, may be reached via email at ombesb5blue@gmail.com for assistance prior to your arrival and throughout your tour aboard MIGUEL KEITH.
 
Again, welcome aboard!  I am very pleased that you are joining our team and look forward to meeting you.

SEMPER IN PUGNA!

Sincerely,
             CAPT Rob Tryon
                    Commanding Officer
                                         USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Blue
 

 Download CO 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.