Fair Winds & Following Seas

As this edition of Ground Warrior hits the Corps, I’ll wrap up a 34-year career in our great Navy. It has been an incredible honor to serve alongside the men and women who have answered the call to wear the cloth of our nation.

The last two-plus years have been one of the highlights of my career. From the first day I entered the Navy, I have been continually impressed with the dedication and hard work exhibited by Naval professionals focused on excelling in demanding and sometimes dangerous environments. Looking back over my time as a surface warfare officer, INSURV commander, and Expeditionary Strike Group commander, the relationships I have built have fueled my passion to communicate and mitigate risk to keep Sailors and Marines operating safely and safe to operate. I can’t think of a better way to wrap up my career than serving as the Commander of the Naval Safety Command.

In today’s operating environment, it is essential we maintain our Naval readiness to meet the challenges laid out by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy. We have significantly changed our structure to fully integrate the Safety Management System into the way the Navy and Marine Corps manage risk in the pursuit of operational excellence. The command seamlessly collaborates with the Marine Corps to identify and address pre-mishap risks through execution of an effective safety management system, including a robust, tiered safety assurance process. We now look at risk with a common lexicon, better positioned to communicate and mitigate risk across our Naval forces. This synergy provides for better integration and vision to ensure the readiness and combat effectiveness of our Naval Forces.

he spent more than 500 hours engaging and inspecting individual sections, barracks managers and subordinate battalion safety representatives to maintain compliance with Division, Headquarters Marine Corps and Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies. In addition, Sherrick expertly managed a $14,000 safety budget to distribute, issue and train with personal protective equipment throughout the command.

His innovative periods of instruction and management of safety resulted in a 50% reduction in reportable safety mishaps within the regiment, setting a new standard.

I will turn over the Naval Safety Command to Rear Admiral Daniel Martin. As a former Carrier Strike Group Commander and Director of Maritime Operations, U.S. Pacific Fleet, he is the right person for the job to lead our combined forces’ efforts to improve safe operations. From a professional perspective, he brings a wealth of experience across multiple warfighting communities. I know he will serve our Sailors, Marines, Civilians and their families with a sense of purpose and commitment.

Your Naval Safety Command will continue to provide a third-party oversight to help communicate, elevate, and mitigate risk to ensure we preserve our warfighting readiness. My wife, Kristin, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.