NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy –
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) Fleet Master Chief Derrick A. Walters hosted senior enlisted leaders from throughout the European theater for a virtual leadership symposium, Aug. 28, 2020.
During the symposium, more than 40 senior enlisted leaders discussed topics ranging from the current operational environment, maintaining a culture of excellence, and being “brilliant on the basics” as CNE-CNA sponsors and indoctrinates new teammates into the area of responsibility.
“Getting together like this shows the importance of the basics as we continue to fight this invisible enemy,” said Walters. “COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of sponsorship. Together, we can generate creative paths for communication, foster an environment of ‘leadership matters,’ and challenge our Sailors to exceed even their own expectations on a daily basis.”
The leaders participating were appreciative of the opportunity to “meet” with their regional counterparts.
“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we rise to the level of our training,” said Command Master Chief Johannes Gonzalez, U.S. 6th Fleet Command Master Chief. “We all have different experiences and leadership styles, but we are all focused on the same mission to train our teams to be better than any of us.”
The virtual leadership symposium gives senior enlisted leaders a chance to come together for an information exchange and provide an update on their commands while maintaining COVID precautions.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.