COMNAVRESFOR INSTRUCTION 1754.1 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMANDER NAVAL RESERVE FORCE NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70146-5046 COMNAVRESFORINST 1754.1 N01A Subj: COMMAND SPONSOR AND INDOCTRINATION PROGRAMS Ref: (a) NAVPERS 15560C Article 1810580 (b) OPNAVINST 1740.3 (c) OPNAVINST 5351.1 Encl: (1) Sample Command Welcome Aboard Letter (2) Sample Sponsor Letter (3) Sample Ombudsman Letter (4) Sponsor Checklist 1. Purpose. To issue policy and guidance regarding the Commander, Naval Reserve Force (COMNAVRESFOR) sponsor and indoctrination programs. 2. Discussion a. References (a) and (b) provide guidance concerning the sponsor program. A well administered sponsor program can ease the difficulties encountered by personnel and their families during their transfer to COMNAVRESFOR. Each prospective member of the command deserves a dynamic, comprehensive sponsor plan which can be tailored to individual requirements. This plan cannot be successful without the full support of the chain of command and, particularly, proper understanding and emphasis by the command sponsor. b. When a new member arrives, a comprehensive indoctrination program improves efficiency and eases the transition to one s new duty station. 3. Action a. The COMNAVRESFOR Command Master Chief is responsible for the overall administration of the sponsor and indoctrination programs. Enclosure (1) shall be mailed to the prospective member as soon as possible upon receipt of their orders. b. The COMNAVRESFOR Command Career Counselor is responsible for arranging sponsor training (officer and enlisted)
with the local family service center. Sponsor training will include familiarization with reference (b), enclosures (1) through (4), NAVRES 1754/1 (Sponsor Program Questionnaire) and attendance at an approved Sponsor Training Course. c. The COMNAVRESFOR Chief of Staff will assign sponsors for newly reporting officers. The Command Master Chief is responsible for the assignment of sponsors for newly reporting enlisted personnel. d. The Ombudsman will mail a welcome aboard letter similar to enclosure (3) to the prospective member s spouse. e. Criteria for sponsor assignment: (1) Officers will be assigned as sponsors for prospective officers. (2) Petty officers E5 and above will be assigned as sponsors for prospective enlisted personnel with an attempt to match paygrade for paygrade. (3) Sponsors must have been onboard for a minimum of 6 months and have a projected rotation date later than the prospective gain s estimated date of arrival. f. The Command Career Counselor is responsible for obtaining materials for, assembling, and mailing welcome aboard packages. Welcome aboard packages will include the following: (1) Command Welcome Aboard Letter. (2) New Orleans map. (3) Map identifying locations of Naval Support Activity (NAVSUPPACT) New Orleans east and west bank complexes and Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans. (4) Area school information. (5) Tourist guide. (6) Phone directory. (7) NAVSUPPACT New Orleans Housing Welcome Center information. (8) Organizational Chart. 2
(9) Other items as directed by reference (b) and additional items requested by the member. g. Sponsors. The Command Career Counselor shall provide a copy of enclosure (4) to each sponsor which shall be used as a guide throughout the sponsor process. A follow-up telephone call to prospective members within 2 weeks of mailing the sponsor letter is required. Upon arrival, the sponsor will meet the new member and provide assistance as needed to ensure a comfortable transition to New Orleans and the staff. The sponsor will accompany the new member throughout the check in process. h. Evaluation. The Sponsor Program Questionnaire (NAVRES 1754/1), will be completed and forwarded to the Command Career Counselor by each newly reported member within 30 days of arrival. i. Indoctrination. The Command Career Counselor will ensure that newly reported personnel attend the indoctrination program, conducted per reference (c), within 60 days of check in. 4. Forms. The Sponsor Program Questionnaire (NAVRES 1754/1) is stocked and can be ordered from COMNAVRESFOR (NO1A1F). Distribution: COMNAVRESFOR (NOO, NO1A, NO1C, NO1A1F) All COMNAVRESFOR DCOSs/Directors/SAs 3
16 APR 96 SAMPLE COMMAND WELCOME ABOARD LETTER 1754 NO1A1F/ YN1 Doe, USNR Personnel Support Treasure Island Building 450 San Francisco, CA Detachment 94130-5006 Dear YN1 Doe: I want to welcome (Admiral s Name); We hope your tour you to New Orleans and to the staff of Commander, Naval Reserve Force (COMNAVRESFOR). here will be exciting, challenging and rewarding in every aspect. I know that you will contribute significantly toward helping fulfill our mission of administering all Naval Reserve programs and managing assigned resources. COMNAVRESFOR Headquarters is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, approximately 2 miles east of the French Quarter. Staff working hours are normally 0700-1530, Monday through Friday. COMNAVRESFOR is an echelon II command which is collocated with the echelon III commands of Commander, Naval Surface Reserve Force and Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force. (Admiral s Name) also maintains a staff (referred to as N095) at (his/her) primary office in the Pentagon. (Sponsor Name) has been assigned as your sponsor. You should be receiving a letter and folder from (him/her) with invaluable information about the local New Orleans area. I encourage you to contact your sponsor and seek assistance on any matter concerning the staff and your subsequent move. Your sponsor s phone number and address are commercial (504) 678 4245 and DSN 678 4245; Commander, Naval Reserve Force, (N Code), 4400 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70146-5046. Please feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do to assist you with your transfer and acclimation to the New Orleans area. My phone number is commercial: (504) 678-5012 and DSN: 678-5012. Again, welcome aboard and I look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Commanding Officer Staff Enlisted Personnel Copy to: (Sponsor s Name) Enclosure (1)
SAMPLE SPONSOR LETTER Dear, Welcome to New Orleans and to your staff duty here at the Commander, Naval Reserve Force Headquarters. My name is and I have been assigned as your sponsor. You will be working in COMNAVRESFOR (N ) which deals with. Your Deputy Chief of Staff is CAPT. The work telephone number is DSN or commercial. I m sure you will-find your new job challenging and rewarding. The New Orleans area is rich in history, and the city has a reputation for good food and good times. If you have school age children, the public school system will probably play a major role in your decision on where to live. In the welcome aboard package I sent to you, under separate cover, I included a pamphlet entitled Welcome to New Orleans. On pages 19 through 21 of this pamphlet contains educational information concerning area public and private schools. Please read this pamphlet to give you a better understanding of educational opportunities available to you and your family. If you need any additional information concerning local schooling, please contact me. For base housing, generally there is a waiting list; however, many have been able to move into base quarters sooner. Rental homes are difficult to find, especially in Slidell. Those who have found rentals have done so by word of mouth or through a real estate agent. I can screen the staff bulletin boards, call various realtors, and ask around at work if you need help finding a rental. There are always homes for sale throughout the New Orleans area and many claim the monthly mortgage payments are less expensive than renting. There are also many apartments in the area with reasonable military rates. If you desire to be placed on the housing list, send a copy of your orders, NAVPERS 1070/602 (Record of Emergency Data, (page 2)) and an Application for Assignment to Housing (DD Form 1746), to Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity, Housing Welcome Center, New Orleans. This form may be obtained from any housing referral office or, at your request, I will provide you a copy of this form. The Housing Welcome Center is located on the West Bank and has a lot of good information about the area and is extremely helpful. Phone numbers which may be helpful to you are: Housing DSN 678-2224, commercial (504) 678-2224, and Personal Property DSN 678-2214, commercial (504) 678-2214. Enclosure (2)
Again, welcome to New Orleans and the headquarters of the Naval Reserve. If I can be of any assistance, or if you have any questions concerning work, housing, or the New Orleans area, you have my work number. My home number is (504). My home address is. I look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Sponsor s Name Enclosure (2) 2
SAMPLE OMBUDSMAN LETTER COMNAVRESFORINST 1754.1 Dear and family; Congratulations on your assignment to the Commander, Naval Reserve Force (COMNAVRESFOR) staff! I would like to be among the first to welcome you to the COMNAVRESFOR family and the Big Easy. As the command Ombudsman, I stand ready to assist you to ensure your transition into the New Orleans area is as smooth and stress free as possible. The key to any successful move is careful and proper preparation. To help you prepare for your move we will be sending you a Welcome Aboard package. You may also wish to contact your local Family Service Center for additional information. Family housing is available, but rental properties are scarce and at a premium. I strongly recommend that you consider making an advance house hunting trip if at all possible. Government housing is available aboard Naval Support Activity New Orleans on the West Bank, but generally there is a waiting list. Most of our families reside either in Slidell, Louisiana, about 45 minutes northeast of downtown New Orleans, or on the West Bank of New Orleans, approximately 15 minutes southeast of downtown. The quality of public education varies throughout the city. There are a large number of private and religious schools. Your sponsor will be happy to assist you with schooling information. Child care is plentiful and relatively affordable. The Commissary and main Navy Exchange are aboard the Naval Support Activity on the West Bank, with smaller exchanges located in the East Bank complex and aboard Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans. Keesler Air Force Base, located approximately 90 minutes northeast of downtown New Orleans in Biloxi, Mississippi, also has a large exchange and commissary. Health care is provided for family members on a limited basis at the Naval Medical Branch Clinic located in the West Bank complex, with active duty clinics located at Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans and the East Bank complex. A major medical center is located at Keesler Air Force Base. Your sponsor will assist you with family member medical care information. Spousal employment opportunities are available, with the majority being in the service and off shore industries. I recommend that you contact your local Family Service Center Spouse Employment Enclosure (3)
Assistance Program (SEAP) Coordinator for information on advance resume submittal procedures and other job seeking support programs. If you have any questions, or if I may help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me at (504) 365-1679. I look forward to meeting you and wish you a safe and uneventful move. Sincerely, Clyde H. Farrow II Enclosure (3) 2
SPONSOR CHECKLIST COMNAVRESFORINST 1754.1 1. Write a Welcome Aboard letter to your new shipmate. Some points to include. a. Introduce yourself and give a warm welcome aboard. b. Include a copy of the rental/for sale advertisements from the local paper in any correspondence with the new member. If member is married, include copy of employment advertisements from the local paper. c. Provide the member with information on how they may contact you (your home address and telephone as well as your work telephone both DSN and commercial numbers). d. Ask about other family members. If they will travel together find out what mode of transportation, ages, and any other information you deem necessary when they report. e. Ask them to keep you posted on their travel and arrival plans. You are required to keep the Navy Sponsor Program coordinator informed of any changes the member may make. 2. Provide follow up letters or phone calls to answer any questions the new member may have. 3. Ensure transportation is available from place of arrival to the command and arrange temporary lodging if the member requests it. 4. Prior to the member s arrival, assist the member in being assigned to the housing list and check on the housing availability. Inform the member if housing will be available upon reporting or if they need to make arrangements for temporary lodging. Help the member where necessary. (Make sure the new member checks in to the Housing Welcome Center before renting or buying a house. This is a must). 5. Escort the individual through the process of checking in. 6. Help the member locate the Personal Property Office to check household goods and/or private auto shipments. This may be done before the member reports in for duty. 7. Provide a tour of the base, pointing out the commissary, exchange, Family Service Center, other essential areas, and off base areas if the member desires. Enclosure (4)
8. Remain available to the individual as long as necessary, at least until they know their way around and feels comfortable. 9. If unaccompanied, escort to Unaccompanied Officer Personnel Housing/Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing for room assignment. 10. Explain emergency procedures for medical care after normal working hours. (If applicable.) 11. Be sure to confirm flight arrival time by calling the airlines. (If applicable. ) Enclosure (4) 2