Candidate for
Council Member; City of Brea

BUC (SCW/SS/DV) STEVEN VARGAS COMMISSIONING RECOMMENDATION

Chief Vargas' impressive leadership lead to the flawless execution and 100% manning for every mission requested of Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Command (NFELC) Surge Unit for the past two years. In Fiscal year 2011 alone, his foresight with Future Operations (N5) led to the establishment of solid working relations for mission support with CBMU-303 (1,392 ADT-MD's), NCHB-3 (102 AT-MD's) and civilian counterparts at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) & Federal Industrial Supply Center (FISC) on both coasts

As OPS Chief (N3) BUC Vargas was personally responsible for planning and execution of 12,342 Man-Days of work in support of downrange missions including support to Acquisition Manpower Division valued at $45M dollars, FISC augmentation via pack-outs of over 500 pieces of CESE and 255 Conex boxes of logistics for Construction Equipment Division (CED), and over 15,000 pieces of communications equipment build and pack-out valued at $43M dollars for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). His mentorship while under my Command reinvigorated the units' esprit de corps leading a highly motivated team of 80 members to completion of 2 years of continued improvement in operational support to NFELC.

In Fiscal Year 2010, he led the unit to a then record year of accomplishments including 26,728 Mhrs, resulting in a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of 12.85 in support of NFELC Active Duty component. Not resting on passed performance he doubled down with energy and conviction to help lead our unit to a FY 2011 record of 74,096 Mhrs of activity resulting in a FTE of 35.63, a 200% increase. He has taught E-6 Leadership class at NOSC, Port Hueneme and NOSC Moreno Valley. He has instructed Officer, CPO's and enlisted personnel ORM Training at NOSC Moreno Valley, utilizing his skill and knowledge as the Contractor Safety Specialist from his civilian employer, a major California energy provider.

As a highly motivated professional, he completed Safety Supervisor and Seabee Construction Safety Mgmt courses at CBC Port Hueneme and assumed responsibility as Unit Safety Chief. Additionally, he continues public service as a County Veterans Advisory Councilman and local VFW Commander.

I am aware of his past performance in 2007/08 while deployed with NMCB-17 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving in Al Anbar Province as the Operations Department Leading Petty Officer. Then LPO Vargas distinguished himself in numerous roles at the Battalion leadership level including:
-Battalion Annual Training (AT) Coordinator: In preparation for mobilization, he recruiting participant for operation Bearing Dual 2008, Field Exercise (FEX). He spent more than 100 hours and weekends making numerous contacts with organic personnel in ACB 1 and NMCB-18, laying all ground work required to ensure required personnel were on site. He continued driving contacts to deploy as Individual Augment members, passing on all potential gains to Naval Construction Division contacts.
-Battalion Training LPO (S7LPO): During homeport Operations, BU1Vargas conducted over 120 man days of training preparing Battalion personnel in project package development and use of the Construction Battalion Construction Management (CBCM) program. Facilitated the coordination and scheduling of 160 man days of In Rate Training opportunities while awaiting deployment. He led sixty eight Seabees and managed all logistical requirements during the completion of four major projects for Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC) G3 and Public Works Department at 29 Palms, CA. The project provided hands-on, real-time contingency construction experience in a similar environment working for NMCB-17's primary client (I MEF) in theatre resulting in $345,000 savings to the Marine Corps.
-Battalion Operations Department LPO (S3LPO): BU1 Vargas led the Engineering Aide Department responsible for 10 EA personnel. Through his leadership and mentorship, his personnel became a reliable source of engineering services to all detachments and departments. Due to his CBCM Expertise, Petty Officer Vargas was assigned P&E responsibilities for two #1 MEF ranked projects:

• Baghdadi Mabey Johnson Float Bridge, required placement of a 301 meter float bridge spanning the Euphrates River and movement of 60,000 cubic yard of earth. Totaling 2,016 MD's of work over a 65 day period.
• Combat Out Post (COP) Alpha, Totaling 1,956 MD's of work, building 150 person Iraqi Army COP in 28 days. 21 SWA Huts, 1 SSWA, 1 Davison DFAC, 4 Raised Sentry Post, 2 Entry Control Points were erected on the 10 acre site.

Chief Petty Officer Vargas is an outstanding motivated leader focused on team driven priorities and Seabee planning and execution, he has my highest recommendation for LDO Program Commissioning. As an Operational Subject Matter Expert, Chief Petty Officer Vargas has my highest recommendation CWO Program Commissioning. CAPTAIN DANIEL BLESKEY 30OCT2011