Photo By Midoriko Morita | YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 28, 2021)- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka hosts its quarterly women's forum in a conference room, discussing topics such as nutrition, pregnancy, family care plan, mental health and self-care, with guests speakers from U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka. The forum was the fourth of it kind to date and is part of the command's initiative to remain a world class workforce. ()
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka held a military women’s forum, both online and in-person, to empower the command’s women in uniform, discussing topics such as nutrition, pregnancy, family care plan, mental health and self-care.
The forum is held on a quarterly basis to foster professional and personal development for women in the military.
“Over the years, I’ve seen a steady increase in women participating in our great Navy,” said Capt. Edward Pidgeon, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka commanding officer. “Forums like these are promoting a more inclusive, more effective fighting force, in touch with the needs of the modern Navy.”
After assuming command in July 2020, Pidgeon launched an initiative for NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka to “remain a world class workforce,” fostering the professional development of its employees by providing training, education, quality-of-life support and optimizing workforce requirements.
There were presentations on mental health toughness, nutrition, and obstetrics and gynecology by guest speakers from U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka. In their presentations, they explained how each of these themes play an essential part in helping Sailors maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Women in uniform make up about 18% of NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka and some guests said they learned significant lessons on how to manage both foreseeable and unforeseen challenges.
“This forum was important because it creates a safe environment for women to come together and share ideas on how to overcome challenges we are facing,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Mercy Sabblah. “The topic on nutrition was very important for me because it helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduces the risk of chronic disease, leading to overall health and well-being.”
The forum was the fourth of its kind to date. Topics covered in earlier forums were professionalism, financial health, career advice, defining success, active listening, family time, balance and hard lessons learned.
“We’ve been doing these forums for a year now with great turnout, proving this program as a valuable resource,” said Chief Engineering Aide Mariekrystle Buencilla. “As a supervisor, I like sitting down in these forums, next to the Sailors I oversee on a daily basis and later reminding them of some of the lessons we’ve learned between forums.”
NAVSUP constantly renews its commitment to foster an environment that appreciates individual perspectives and enhances the command’s ability to develop effective solutions to today’s challenges by building, maintaining and supporting an inclusive workforce.
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at website, Facebook and Twitter.
