Petty officers host career information seminar

By Staff Sgt. Edward DailegMarch 6, 2011

Petty officers host career information seminar
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Petty officers host career information seminar
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During deployment in Iraq, many Sailors working in a joint forces environment serve an important but non-traditional role that is often outside a Sailor's typical occupational experience.

The Navy's Baghdad Petty Officer Association with United States Forces - Iraq hosted a leadership symposium to re-unite Sailors throughout Iraq at Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory, Feb. 25.

The career information seminar presented by the Navy's senior enlisted leaders in Baghdad informed Navy and Marine personnel on up-to-date Navy news and provided a chance for Sailors

in-theater to interact with each other.

"The symposium provides Sailors and Marines on Victory Base Complex and throughout the Iraqi joint operations area to experience the Navy culture and leadership they are missing from their

fleet while deployed," said Petty Officer 1st Class Katherine Savant, a yeoman with Joint Chief of Staff Command Group, United States Forces - Iraq.

"A lot of Sailors in Baghdad don't have Navy in their command. By going to this event it gives them an opportunity to meet other Sailors, petty officers, chiefs and senior leadership to provide

guidance while serving in a joint forces environment," said Savant.

Rear Adm. Hank Bond, director of J6, USF-I, the keynote speaker for the event, emphasized the importance of attending the symposium.

"Here in a joint forces environment it is important for personnel from various military branches to remember their service culture," said Bond.

"In an Army-centric area, this is foreign ground for Navy personnel. It's important to draw some time aside and remember our core values."

During the seminar, the Sailors and Marines had a chance to talk about topics like advancements, commissioning programs, selection boards and evaluation writing.

"The seminar helped me understand what resources I have out here to advance in my career," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ferdinand Lagasca, a personnel specialist with Navy Central Command Forward- Iraq.

"No matter how much you know, you will not know everything," said Lagasca. "Events like this

allow you to meet people who can guide you towards your career advancement."

The "sand Sailors" enjoyed a little taste of the Navy life as they were reunited with other Sailors

on VBC.

Petty Officer 2nd Class William Miranda, a culinary specialist with Joint Chief of Staff Command Group, USF-I said, he enjoys events like this to get a family like atmosphere during his deployment.

"It feels good to be reunited with our Navy family out here," said Miranda. "We can talk about common things we can relate to as Sailors and help out each other to progress in our careers while deployed"

Petty Officer 1st Class Pearl Amoako, president of the NBPOA, said one of the association's goals is to continue the biannual event to make deployments more enjoyable for Sailors in Iraq.

The BPOA is scheduled to have the next leadership symposium this fall.