Ombudsman

Ombudsman Bio

Christina was born and raised in Long Island, NY. She attended Penn State University and received her BS in Nursing. In 2016 she commissioned into the US Army Nurse Corps via ROTC. She was stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA; Ft Hood, TX; and Tripler Army Medical Center, HI. In 2022 she detached from the Army as a Captain. Currently she works as a labor and delivery nurse at Ascension Sacred Heart. In her free time she enjoys doing CrossFit, playing pickleball, and walking her dog, Archer.

What is an Ombudsman?

The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the Commanding Officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issues, local quality of life improvement opportunities, and "good deals" around the community.

They also provide resource referrals when needed. They are instrumental in resolving family issues before the issues require extensive command attention. The Command Ombudsman program is shaped largely by the Commanding Officer's perceived needs of their command. The Command Ombudsman is appointed by and works under the guidance of the Commanding Officer who determines the priorities of the program, the roles and relationships of those involved in it, and the type and level of support it will receive.

The Ombudsman

• Is a person with whom you can discuss a problem in confidence.
• Promises to treat the problems you discuss in a confidential and professional manner, and can make sure you are informed about services and opportunities available to you.
• Is a person the Command has instructed and trained because they CARE very much about making life easier. The Command wants family members to have a contact person for just about any question they may have through the Navy Ombudsman Program. If we don't know the answer, we will provide you with a resource that can answer your questions.

History

In 1970, then-Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, recognized issues and concerns that are unique to Navy families. In response to those issues, he established the Navy Family Ombudsman program. This volunteer program, governed by OPNAVIST 1750.1D is designed to provide better communication between Navy families and Navy officials.

The Ombudsman is a vital resource to assist the command in discharging the Commanding Officer's responsibilities for the morale and welfare of the command's families.

The Command Family Ombudsman program belongs to the command and is shaped by the CO's perception of the needs of the command. The ombudsman is appointed and works under the CO's guidance. The CO determines the priorities of the program, the roles and relationships of those involved in it, and the type and level of support it will receive. These decisions greatly influence the effectiveness of the Command Ombudsman program in serving the needs of the command and its family.

The Ombudsman is the link between the command and the Navy family. This is especially true in deploying commands, where the Ombudsman is the primary point of contact between the families at home and the command during deployment. As a spouse, it's important to get acquainted with your local Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is not a counselor or a social worker, but can show you the direct route toward finding solutions by helping you get the assistance you need.