Welcome

Message from the CO

Congratulations and welcome aboard the USS RALPH JOHNSON!!!
 
It is a great honor to have you and your families join our esteemed crew. As you embark on this new journey with us, I want to emphasize the significance of the support network we have in place, particularly our sponsorship program and the Ombudsman Program. These programs serve as crucial links between our command, yourself, and your families, ensuring open communication and access to resources. Our sponsors are dedicated to ensuring your transition to Japan and RALPH JOHNSON is an easy and seamless one. Our Ombudsmen are dedicated to assisting families with any challenges they may face, fostering a strong, supportive community. They provide information, support, and referral services to address concerns and enhance family readiness, which directly contributes to our overall mission readiness. To be assigned a sponsor please email sponsor@ddg114.navy.mil and to reach our Ombudsman please email rjombudsman@gmail.com.
 
We hope your tour on RALPH JOHNSON will be extremely rewarding and will provide you with personal and professional pride. We look forward to your arrival.
 

                                                                              Swift, Silent, and Deadly
 
                                                                              CDR Justan “Jac” A. Caesar
                                                                              Commanding Officer
                                                                              USS RALPH JOHNSON (DDG 114)

Hello RALPH JOHNSON Family!

If you are not familiar with the Ombudsman program, the Ombudsman is here to be your voice to the command. We also relay information from the Commanding Officer back to you. The Ombudsman program belongs to the command and is shaped by the CO's perception of the needs of RALPH JOHNSON families. An Ombudsman is a voluntary representative of the command, appointed by the Commanding Officer. They serve the two important roles as both the communication link between the CO and command family members, and as a professionally trained information and referral specialist. We work under the guidance of the Command Master Chief, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer.
 

Meet your Ombudsman:

         I'm Sarah, and I have had the privilege of being by my spouse's side through 15 years of his military service. As a military spouse, I experience firsthand the hardship that many spouses and families face throughout their time as military dependents. It is my hope and my goal to keep families informed to the best of my ability, as well as to provide a voice to those families whose service members are stationed aboard RALPH JOHNSON. Through quick communication, as well as strong knowledge of referral resources for families, I strive to keep our families as prepared as possible as we navigate the life of OCONUS living. I am always more than happy to help families whenever and wherever I can. 

          I have frequent contact with the command and relay information to our families via the ship's Family Group on Facebook and email for those who are not on Facebook. Any of your family members are welcome to join this group to receive the most current information about our ship, command activities, and events in the area.

          I can provide a confidential ear and a friendly voice to turn to in times of need or crisis. I am dedicated to pointing you in the right direction toward finding solutions to any issue that may arise. While serving in this role, I am committed to supporting our command's mission, maintaining strict confidentiality, and working within the chain of command as I am directed.

          I am honored to be chosen as the Ombudsman for RALPH JOHNSON. Please don't hesitate to contact me. My contact information is listed below.

Sarah Hardel

USS RALPH JOHNSON (DDG 114)

Email: rjombudsman@gmail.com

Phone: +8170-8819-4217

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1683004062021656/ or search Ralph Johnson Families


 

Message from your Sponsorship Coordinators

Congratulations on your assignment to USS RALPH JOHNSON (DDG 114) homeported out of Yokosuka, Japan! We would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome you onboard our ship and the beautiful country of Japan! We look forward to working with you! Please contact us at Sponsor@ddg114.navy.mil.

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.