Michael Driscoll

In the aftermath of Typhoon Pongsona (12/2002), I volunteered for a special project and was selected by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet to lead 50 volunteers of military, DOD civilians and dependants from Japan to help support families in Guam and provide over 3,500 military and their families a holiday meals. Coordinating with the Defense Commissary Agency and with Pacific Fleet military assets, we were able to transport, prepare, and serve Christmas dinner to military personnel and their families in typhoon-ravaged Guam.

As a command master chief, I kept the Commanding Officer of the nuclear aircraft carrier aware of existing or potential situations and assess options for various issues to reflect the most efficient organization. Accomplishments: Developed procedures and most efficient practices which positively impacted the mission, readiness, welfare and morale of over 5500 Sailors. Formulated and implemented policies concerning community support programs, classification of positions and services, means of filling vacancies including the use of the command's Priority Placement Program, with a constant focus on meeting our customers' high expectations. Managed a work force of 15 operations specialists in the planning and execution of the loading and off-loading of nearly 10,000 passengers on over 500 cargo/passenger aircraft landing on the carrier during deployment outside of the United States.

Supervised the arrival ceremonies for over 100 VIPs arriving on board the USS Harry S Truman, including high ranking military and civilian personnel from all nations. Received personal recognition for my leadership and organizational skills in two ongoing military operations: Northern and Southern Watch.

Trained a team of 25 senior enlisted in writing procedures for safe operations ashore, culminating in a successful cruise with no safety or liberty incidents.

Established a disciplinary review board that handled minor infractions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Navy Regulations. Commended for my personal involvement in the retention of quality Sailors, the ship received two consecutive Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Retention Excellence Awards. Under my leadership, reenlistments increased by 10 percent each year and reduced attrition from 50 percent to 15.7 percent in two years which surpassed the Type Commanders CVN retention rate by 3 percent.

Positively improved morale by initiating the show "Ask the Chief" which was televised on board the ship on its closed circuit TV system, addressing various issues that affect our Sailors and their families. Completed a three-year tour with no fatalities attributed to traffic or industrial causes.

Senior Enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer (CEO) of one of the largest military airports in Southern Florida. Responsible for establishing programs for retention, morale, safety and security of over 350 sailors. Liaison for over 1500 enlisted personnel from 27 tenant activities attached to the base.

Developed procedures and most efficient practices and policies concerning community support programs, classification of positions and services, means of filling vacancies including the use of the command's Priority Placement Program, with a constant focus on vacancy fills to better provide service which exceeded our customers' high expectations.

Supervised management of Navy Family and Bachelor Housing; Morale, Welfare, and Recreation; Fleet and Family Services; Child Care; Family Advocacy and federal civil service working closely with the Human Resources Service Center regarding labor/employee relations, Worker's Compensation and training, coordinating with the appropriate Specialists to address military personnel-related areas such as EEO and sexual harassment, benefits and awards programs, disciplinary issues, personal and professional development, workplace safety, human resource programs, recognition and awards, and evaluation and counseling programs.

Led a team of 35 to ensure housing services provided to over 1,500 service members and their families from all five branches of the service were efficient and effective.

Reorganized a failing security department by increasing patrols and training to over 350 military and civilian personnel on proper security procedures. Planned and instituted the placement of guards back on all gates throughout the facility, increasing security. Directed a work force of 25 airfield operations specialists in the loading and off-loading of over 400 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy passenger and cargo aircraft during squadron deployments to Key West.

Supervised the arrival ceremonies for over 40 VIPs arriving at the base, including high ranking military and civilian personnel from all nations. Was the main working force behind a successful 100th commemoration of the Sinking of the Maine Memorial. Organized, raised funds and hosted the Traveling Viet Nam Veterans Wall for its first visit to Key West, enabling veterans, family and children to see the wall and experience its presence in the community.

Commended for having been directly responsible for all time high reenlistment rate of 53 percent. Commended for instituting and chairing dozens of programs to ensure awards, professional development, QOL and discipline were immediately addressed.

Revised the way shore patrol was planned, trained and assigned in order to better ensure the safety of our Sailors and to see that no laws were broken in the various countries the air wing and ship visited. Revised the way kitchen duty was assigned on board the USS George Washington, enabling a much fairer system, improving morale and seeing that each Sailor contributed his or her time, but not to excess. Completed a three-year tour where there were no fatalities attributed to traffic or industrial causes.

Planned and executed 8 on-loads and off-loads on board USS George Washington of equipment necessary to sustain 75 aircraft and 2500 personnel. Developed an efficient and effect cargo inspection program for security, safety and contraband.

Supervised 14 air lifts of over 1200 personnel, their personal effects and the equipment needed to sustain 75 combat tactical aircraft to four different locations in the United States.

Facilitated and activated a plan for the squadron Command Master Chief's to reward deserving Sailors returning from an underway period by giving a fair share amount of seats on the first airlift back to their duty station. Directly responsible for establishing the command's Auxiliary Resale Outlet (ARO) and passed all annual fiscal oversight reviews, enabling the command to realize additional profits for their recreational fund.

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