Ombudsman Navy Family Ombudsmen are a critical communication link between the Commanding Officer and family members. They must be the spouse of an active duty or Reserve member of the command. Once appointed as the command Ombudsman, the volunteer receives standardized Ombudsman Basic Training (OBT). OBT provides the basic knowledge and tools necessary to be an effective representative of the command and an advocate for family members. The Ombudsman represents and reports to the Commanding Officer who maintains ownership of the command Ombudsman program. Ombudsmen are primarily Information and Referral Specialists who help command family members gain the assistance they need to succeed as part of the extended Navy family. This is especially critical for deploying commands. Although Ombudsmen are not paid for their services, authorized expenses, such as mileage, childcare, and office supplies, can be reimbursed when approved by the Commanding Officer. The most significant value to the Ombudsman is the satisfaction of helping other command family members. Also, the skills and experience gained benefits the volunteers throughout their lives. Ombudsmen are volunteers who play a critical role in helping to maintain family readiness. Ombudsman's responsibilities are varied and can expect to be asked to help in many areas affecting the readiness and morale of this command's family members. Your contact with the Ombudsman will be held in the strictest confidence. They act as a liaison between families and our command leadership. While complying with ombudsman instruction some responsibilities may include: Welcoming Sailors and their families to the command. Referring families to available services and resources at the Fleet and Family Support Center, and in the surrounding community. Passing information to our families via the family phone and email tree. Assisting with the production of welcome aboard packages and the command or ombudsman newsletter. Helping with Individual Augmentee activities. Attending all required training and assembly meetings. In addition supporting families of FACSFAC detachments in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and at San Clemente Island, as required. Ombudsmen are concerned and willing listeners and are here to assist you. FACSFAC's Ombudsman Our Ombudsman is Mrs. Michelle Sadler. She has direct access to senior FACSFAC leadership and has volunteered to promote communication with any interested family members, including those whose Sailor is deployed on an IA. If you would like to communicate privately, ask questions, or avoid public conversation, she may be reached via email at facsfacombudsman@gmail.com. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is an Ombudsman? Every Command has an Ombudsman who is a spouse of a sailor at the Command. The Ombudsman serves as the liaison between the command and the families. The Ombudsman is the point of contact for the families. He or she can assist families with navigating through Navy life through resources and information. How can an Ombudsman help me? Navy Family Ombudsmen are key resources for family members, particularly during deployments. Ombudsmen maintain current resource files with information on military and civilian community agencies that can help families solve a variety of problems, and successfully meet the challenges they face before, during, and after deployments. In addition to providing referral information, Ombudsmen can facilitate communication between the Command and family members. Ombudsmen may publish or contribute to command newsletters or maintain care lines, which have recorded messages with information for command families that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Ombudsmen can also assist families in contacting the Command for a variety of reasons.