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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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JULY 28, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 29
NAS Sigonella Hosts Regional Ombudsman Training Story by MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) hosted a regional Certified Ombudsman Training (COT) course for the first time aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. The only two Region Train the Trainers (RTTs) in the Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia region, Agata Carnazza and Angel Rivera, taught the three-day course in the FFSC building on NAS 1. “This training can only be taught by the Regional Train the Trainers and we’re lucky because one of the trainers, Agata, works at FFSC here in Sigonella,” said Regina Fivella, Director of Fleet and Family Support Center. “It’s very special because ombudsmen can’t be
ombudsmen without the training that the COT students will receive this week.” Five Ombudsmen from the region, one from Sigonella, one from Naples, two from Rota, and one from Bahrain, participated in the course to become Certified Ombudsmen Trainers (COT). “It’s an honor because these two are the only ones who can train these folks to become COTs,” said Fivella. “Then these COTs are the only ones who can train new ombudsmen back at their respective bases, so it’s very important.” There are three types of ombudsmen in the Navy, the typical ombudsman who works as a liaison between the commanding officer and families, then there’s the COT ombudsman who is also certified to train those that want to become an ombudsman, and then there’s
SIGONELLA, Sicily (June 21, 2017) – Agata Carnazza, one of only two Regional Train the Trainers in the Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia region, teaches the Regional Certified Ombudsmen Training on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella.
the Region Train the Trainer who trains ombudsmen to become COT ombudsmen. “I’ve been with the Ombudsman Program for over 10 years so when I was asked to become an RTT it was an honor for me to say yes,” said Carnazza. “The class we teach consists of two days of training where Angel and I teach adult learning theories and techniques, then the third day is the teach back lesson where every student teaches back the ombudsmen training modules.” The COT courses usually only happen once a year, so getting ombudsmen to the training is critical to continue the necessary training required for proper ombudsmen programs region-wide. With 13 ombudsmen, two COTs, and our very own RTT, NAS Sigonella has a very healthy ombudsman presence. “Sigonella is the best prepared center to host this training this year and to have a Regional Train the Trainer as a staff member is a great benefit to have,” said Rivera. “It’s a big savings cost to be able to do this training here opposed to sending however many people over the Atlantic and holding it back in the States.” Along with being a liaison, helping families with different crises or giving assistance or referrals, the NAS Sigonella ombudsmen host monthly meetings with guest speakers to address local questions and concerns. Additionally, the ombudsman population on NAS Sigonella is unique due to the presence of NATO spouses taking on the challenge and becoming ombudsmen, a role most commonly seen as solely Navy spouses. “The ombudsmen do a lot of special things on base, they make sure our families are prepared and are ready for anything,” said Favella. “I think we’re all very proud of our ombudsmen and their programs here at NAS Sigonella.” For more information on the ombudsman program or Fleet and Family Support Center services, you can go to the Fleet and Family Support Center Facebook page at Ffsc Sigonella, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, or call at 095-56-4291.
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella’s Command Master Chief Retires By Tia Nichole McMillen Public Affairs Officer
SIGONELLA, Sicily (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella Command Master Chief Tony Bernard retired after 30 years of naval service during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Sigonella, July 20. More than 100 guests celebrated with Bernard and his family. Capt. Dion English, commanding officer, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, provided opening remarks. He thanked Bernard’s family for their support stating, "Those of us who have raised our hands to serve in the Navy know that we serve at the pleasure of the President; but we also know that that’s true only to the extent that we’re allowed and enabled to serve by the support of our families.” Family, faith, and service remained constant themes throughout the ceremony. Cmdr. Onofrio Margioni, executive officer, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonel-
la, served as the guest speaker, sharing stories about his time with Master Chief Bernard. During his remarks, Bernard thanked his family saying, "Growing up in a large family, there was always someone to turn to to show you right and wrong.” Bernard entertained the audience, sharing his story of how he joined the Navy. “Thirty years of service started with the power of a thought,” he said. “Fixed in my memory is a scene from a day in 1987 when a young boy finally realized that he needed to do something with his life—I joined the Navy.” Bernard closed his remarks by thanking the Chief’s mess and presenting a shadow box to his wife for her support and for her service as a veteran. In closing, he said, “Was it hard? It was tough, but only in the way that all things worth fighting for are tough. The Navy calls out the greatest parts of you, the parts you might be afraid of. It tests your courage, the very fibers of your being. When I think back to my most fulfilled
Command Master Chief Tony Bernard thanks his family during his retirement ceremony with help from Capt. Dion English, Commanding Officer, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella.