Triad Corner: CMC Brian McDonough

Team Souda,

Congratulations on a job well done, executing the first sandbox liberty in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility! We are here to support the Fleet and your tremendous efforts for the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) means the 5,000+ Sailors in that Crew are now well rested and ready to execute operations and project power in support of our Nation and Allies. Now it’s your turn to take a breather; Skipper Facundo has granted Team Souda’s military members a 4-day weekend, April 2-5, and authorized liberal leave for civilian employees. Please take advantage of the time to rest and recharge — Spring and Summer will be busy and we need YOU ready to execute our mission!

A few other things happening this month:

Happy Birthday, Chief Petty Officers! The rank of Chief Petty Officer was officially established April 1, 1893. Team Souda has some of the finest Chiefs I’ve seen in my 30+ years in our Navy. If you aspire to be among them, keep building your technical skills and get ready to lead from the front. You can learn more about the history of the Chief Petty Officer at the Naval History and Heritage Command website: www.history.navy. mil.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month. Though the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program is a year-round effort, this month offers additional opportunities for us to renew our commitment to eliminating sexual assault from our ranks. Denise Prendergast from Fleet and Family Support Center has information in her article on Page 70 for how we can all prevent sexual assaults from happening. Each day we can take steps to foster a culture of dignity and respect with proper ethical behavior, even when no one is watching. If you have been sexually assaulted, there are many ways you can get help. A good place to start is with our Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Kirsten Diller at 694-043- 1129. She will listen, discuss options, and it is 100 percent confidential.

April is also Military Saves month — a great opportunity for you to focus on your financial wellness. Learning how to manage your money is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your family. If you haven’t already, please make an appointment with one of our Command Financial Specialists who can help you decode how to make a budget and stick to it. They can also help explain different investment strategies through your TSP, and the importance of both investing AND saving you money, which are very different things.

The weather is getting nicer, making this a good time to start planning if you want to travel when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Check your passport; if it is expiring within 9 months, a representative from the U.S. Embassy in Athens will be here on April 21 to help with renewals. The public affairs team takes passport photos on Fridays; email them at soudabaypao@ eu.navy.mil to make an appointment. And remember, the world is a very uncertain place right now. When making travel plans, consider purchasing travel insurance and/or refundable

tickets and hotel reservations. The additional cost could save you a lot of money if your plans have to change.

Thank you for everything you continue to do to make Souda Bay an amazing place to live and work!

~ CMC McD.