U.S. NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain -- Chief of Navy Reserve, commander, Navy Reserve Force, arrived in Bahrain Dec. 22, as part of a region-wide trip to thank mobilized Sailors for their service and listen to ideas from the fleet.
Following a stop in Djibouti, Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun spent two days in Bahrain meeting with Sailors and holding question and answer sessions.
"I'm here to thank all of you. It's the holiday season, and you're out here doing the work your Navy and your country, have asked you to do," said Braun during an all-hands call with Reserve Sailors.
More than 3,000 members of the Navy Reserve are currently mobilized, leaving behind their families, friends and civilian jobs to support the Navy across the globe.
"Navy Reserve Sailors have continued to answer the call. Almost 80 percent of our mobilizations are filled by volunteers. It really shows the commitment of our Sailors," said Braun.
In discussions with Sailors, Braun emphasized how the Reserve community is working hand in hand with active duty Sailors to achieve the three tenets of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert.
"The CNO expects our priorities to be warfighting first, operating forward, and being ready. My goal is to get the skill sets in places the Navy needs. We need to have every Sailor ready to go if the Navy calls on us; whether it's for one Sailor or 1,000 Sailors," said Braun.
Another major purpose of her trip was to hear the views of mobilized Sailors and Marines.
"The best ideas always come from the deckplate, not from the halls of the Pentagon," said Braun. "We are always looking at ways to improve and provide the tools necessary for Sailors' quality of work, life and service."
Braun also explained how the Navy's "Total Force team" of active duty and Reserve Sailors, their families and employers combine to help Sailors effectively accomplish their mission.
Following her discussion with Sailors and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) leadership, Braun departed Bahrain to continue her Middle East tour.
NAVCENT is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. NAVCENT's mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. Central Command AOR.
