An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

U.S. Southern Command

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  About    -  About Main             
  -  Area of Responsibility             
  -  Leadership             
  -  SOUTHCOM Components and Units             
  -  History             
  -  SOUTHCOM Inspector General 
-  Commander's Priorities    -  Commander's Priorities Main             
  -  Strengthen Partnerships      -  Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) 
  -  Counter Threats             
  -  Build Our Team 
-  Media    -  Media Main             
  -  News             
  -  Press Releases             
  -  Photos             
  -  Videos             
  -  Speeches | Transcripts             
  -  Special Coverage             
  -  SOUTHCOM Podcast 
-  USAG-M / Military-Family Services    -  U.S. Army Garrison-Miami      -  Equal Employment Opportunity Office 
  -  Overview of Services at SOUTHCOM             
  -  About the SOUTHCOM Installation and Local Community             
  -  Miami Family and MWR      -  Army Community Services             
    -  Child, Youth and School Services             
    -  Leisure Travel Services             
    -  Fitness Center 
  -  Visiting SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM             
  -  Hurricane Preparedness Info             
  -  Conference Center of the Americas             
  -  Theater Clearance Info             
  -  SOUTHCOM Chaplain             
  -  TEAM SOUTHCOM - Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command             
  -  Logistics Readiness Center-Miami             
  -  Public Notice – Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Military Housing Development             
  -  SHARP (SAPR) 
-  Newcomers    -  Newcomers Main             
  -  Sponsor Request             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Newcomers             
  -  Navy Newcomers             
  -  Air Force Newcomers             
  -  Marine Corps Newcomers             
  -  Coast Guard Newcomers             
  -  Reserve Newcomers             
  -  Civilian Newcomers             
  -  Contractor Newcomers             
  -  Family Member Newcomers             
  -  Newcomers to Overseas Locations in SOUTHCOM 
-  Work With Us    -  Employment | Careers             
  -  Public / Private Cooperation             
  -  Operational Contract Support             
  -  SOUTHCOM Industry Engagement 
-  FOIA    -  FOIA Main             
  -  How to file A FOIA Request             
  -  FOIA Fees and Exemptions             
  -  Your FOIA Rights             
  -  ​FOIA Reading Room 
-  Contact    -  Contact SOUTHCOM             
  -  Community Requests             
  -  FAQ             
  -  Contact SOUTHCOM Inspector General             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM 

HomeMediaNews

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# 4th Fleet Helps Promote Enlisted Leader Development to Partner Nations

By U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

                UNITED STATES  –              
Leading the charge is 4th Fleet’s Command Master Chief Robert Florentino. He and other command leaders have partnered with nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America regions to assess, formulate, and train on the integration of enlisted service members into key leadership roles, ushering in a new era of enlisted leaders working alongside top officers.Enlisted service members have been the backbone of the U.S. armed forces since its inception. They are technical experts and advisors to their commanders, providing them valuable insight to help make key decisions downrange. Today, enlisted service members play an even more critical role in the operational effectiveness of the armed forces as they take on more responsibilities and tackle the complexities of a changing battlespace and society.“I am excited for what lies ahead for our partner nation’s enlisted leaders,” said Florentino. “Never has there been a better time than now for 4th Fleet to help incorporate the best and brightest enlisted service members to lead and help shape the future of partner nation maritime forces.”The effort is aligned with U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Enlisted Leader Professional Development (ELPD) program. SOUTHCOM’s priorities through ELPD aim to help professionalize the noncommissioned officer (NCO) corps in partner nations by sharing experiences, best practices and lessons learned. With the support of U.S. combatant commands, many nations have embraced ELD programs.Florentino explains that ELD is not a new concept, it has been around for quite some time.Currently, ELD efforts have been seen during engagements at 4th Fleet’s maritime staff talks (MSTs) as well as trips to the region for exercises and key leader engagements. During these, Florentino briefs partner nation leadership on the benefits of ELD.“The goals are to establish a relationship with our partner nations, learn from each other, and establish a program where we can have enlisted leader development across the fleet both abroad as well as in the United States,” said Florentino.The initiative will be conducted in phases. The first is the assessment phase, in which 4th Fleet leadership will travel to a country to better understand partner nation current ELD status, and help them create a tailored plan. Subsequent phases will consist of actions to better integrate enlisted leaders.One aspect of the program for 4th Fleet involves setting up leadership subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) in partner nations that are aligned with SOUTHCOM’s overarching ELPD goals. Leadership SMEEs will be structured similar to courses in the U.S. Navy, which consist of training junior and senior enlisted personnel.Through consistent and relevant engagement, 4th Fleet aims to enhance and build enlisted leaders in maritime forces to be the best they can be, which will further strengthen regional partner relationships and allow forces to better work together to strategically solve problems.U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.Learn more about USNAVSO/4th Fleet at https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

U.S. 4th Fleet