A Navy Inspector General team is midway through its rounds of three U.S. naval bases in Europe, assessing quality-of-life conditions and educating sailors that the team’s mission is not always for something negative.
The IG’s office “inspects, investigates or inquires into any and all matters of importance to the Department of the Navy,” Capt. Bruce Anderson, Navy Region Europe inspector general, said in a statement. “This is to include both good and bad issues people might have with their quality of life.”
The IG team will meet with focus groups to get feedback from sailors, civilians and families, recording gripes and accolades on topics such as workplace environment, training, quality-of-life programs, medical care, facilities management, housing, bachelor quarters and safety programs.
Most focus group members will be selected randomly, ensuring that bases and commands don’t put forth only their happiest sailors, officials said.
Participants’ identities are not revealed publicly, which lets them speak more candidly, officials said.
“This is a great opportunity, in a totally nonthreatening, nonattribution environment, for sailors to talk about things they feel the Navy can improve on when it comes to their quality of life,” Anderson said.
The team just finished a weeklong visit to Naval Station Rota, Spain.
Currently, members are at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, for the week, before heading to Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, for a visit from Monday through Nov. 14.
While inspector generals’ roles include handling work force issues, they also serve to enhance and improve the quality of life for all Defense Department employees, military personnel and their families, according to a Navy Region Europe press statement.
Sailors not part of the focus groups can contribute to the assessment process through online surveys, or contacting the Navy IG Hotline:
