1. Hello. My name is (####) and I am proud to serve as your Command Ombudsman. I am glad for the opportunity to be here with you this evening to speak about deployment issues and how I can be of help to you as you Ombudsman. I was appointed on (DATE) and am looking forward to working with you in the months ahead.

2. Just a little bit about myself (Brief Personal Intro that may include:

-where from originally?-how long married?-how low associated with command?-how long a military spouse?-how many kids?-how long an Ombudsman?(Nothing TOO personal or to long)

3. As your Ombudsman, I an available to help you with a variety of challenges as an information and referral resource, and a communication link. I am a Navy Spouse and a volunteer, and am appointed by the

Commanding Officer to be a point of contact and resource for all military families - That includes spouses, parents, extended family, and others. So please ensure that all of your family members are aware that I am there for them!

4. I have information on local and national resources that can help with financial support, food resources, furniture, counseling, spouse employment, volunteer opportunities, deployment support, and much more! There are a variety of support programs, both in San Diego and throughout the nation, and I can help you find the organizations to meet your needs for almost any problem. If you’re just curious about what’s out there, give me call and I am happy to share my resource information with you.

5. I am also your communications link with the command, especially during deployment. Throughout the months ahead, I will be the official source of command information, which I will pass on through our Careline, newsletters, and email trees. I’ll speak more about how those work in a moment. I can also contact the command in emergencies, to get messages to crew members and for assistance. Also, I am a listening ear and support for each of you – so please contact me anytime.

6. I’d just like to make a few brief announcements:

-I can be reached by leaving a message on our Careline, which is a recorded voicemail message you can access 24 hours a day. I usually check messages every two hours (or plug in schedule here) and you should expect a return call within 24 hours. Also, call our Careline to hear information about local resources, messages from the Command Leadership, and messages about Family Support Group functions and other special events. The number is on my business card, and it is (###) ###_####. Remember, you leave a message with your name and phone number with area code, so that I can return your call.

-I have a cell phone and/or pager for emergencies, which can be reached by calling (###) ###-####. That number is also on my business card.

-Finally, my email address is www.###### .com. We also have a web page for command families, at www.###.com.

-As I mentioned before, I have business cards in the back so please make sure you take one before you leave tonight. My contact information is also published in the command’s plan of the day.

-It is CRUCIAL that I know how to contact you in emergencies, and to pass on information about the deployment. I have family information forms in the back (or pass them around). Please take the time to complete these and return them to me. I will keep all of your personal contact information completely

confidential, but it will help in emergencies and in keeping you in the loop about great activities and resources for your family.

-As you all know, for safety and security reasons, we have to be more careful than ever before in discussing ships movements, port schedules, and dates. As your Ombudsman, I will have the Official information when it is releasable to families – so contact me and I will be happy to provide you with the information the command gives to me. For the safety of all our sailors, this information is not released in advanced of what the command deems safe – so please be aware of that during our deployment and remember, loose lips sink ships. Don’t share ship schedules and other sensitive information, especially over phone or email.

-I do have an Ombudsman email tree and a newsletter, and I’ll be sending out announcements about local events, free stuff for military families, and resources that can help you. I’d love to add you to my list, so just let me know your contact information and whether or not you would like to receive information from me. Even if you don’t want to receive info, please make sure I know how to reach you – especially if you are going home for the deployment. And please update this information when it changes, if you move, change phone numbers, or get a different email address – that way I can make sure you are always in the loop.

-As your Ombudsman, I am a confidential resource for you. I am obligated to report life-threatening situations to the command in order to obtain help in those crises, but no information shared with me is EVER made public knowledge. Please let me know how I can help you. I am standing by, ready to serve.

-I am also collecting information from those interested in starting a Family Support Group, so if you would like to help in any way, we very much appreciate your help. Just email or call me for more information.

7. Thank you very much for your attention this evening/afternoon, and I look forward to getting to know you in the months ahead. Please feel free to call or email me, I am standing by – ready to serve you.