I heard about Navy Ombudsmen and was curious about what their role involves. Is this a commission or a civilian role, and what kind of tasks are they responsible for? Any insights would be appreciated.
A Navy Ombudsman is a volunteer, typically the spouse of a service member, who acts as a communication link between the command team and the families of service members.
Their primary responsibilities typically involve keeping families informed about the Navy command's activities. This might include providing updates on the ship's location and mission, or disseminating instructions related to official matters like relocation or deployment logistics.
Aside from acting as a source of information, Navy Ombudsmen also provide support to families in times of crisis. They can provide referrals to appropriate resources for issues related to emotional, legal, or financial hardships.
They also help maintain morale amongst Navy families by planning and executing various base, unit, and command events.
Navy Ombudsmen are not commissioned; they are essentially civilian volunteers. They undergo an extensive selection and training process to prepare them for the unique demands of the role and they have the support and backing of Navy leadership.
However, it's important to note that an Ombudsman role, while a significant role within the Navy community, is unpaid and voluntary.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.