"There is no island to me more important than Guam," stated Admiral Daryl Caudle. "So therefore, there's nothing more important than to have a great relationship with the local community here."

The highest-ranking officer in the United States Navy, chief of naval operations Admiral Daryl Caudle, spent time walking the halls and visiting living quarters at several barracks at Naval Base Guam. He likewise entertained feedback from sailors at the installation, directly assessing quality-of-life amenities and ensuring they've got the resources to do their job.

"I am a sailors-first CNO," he explained, "and I had the opportunity to talk to about 900 sailors about the initiatives that I'm working on to make sure that I put their quality-of-life is front and center in everything I do. Part of that, of course, is where they live. There can be nothing more important to ensure that where they live, where they eat and where they spend their off-time to be world-class, just as I have the expectation I have for their performance at work."

Having served as a submariner and trained as a scientist, the admiral has an appreciation evaluation as a means of constant improvement.

"So I got a chance to walk through the unaccompanied housing – the barracks, if you will – they're dormitories - to make sure they're meeting the standards. Historically, we've had some challenges there. But our Navy team is on it, our secretary of the Navy understands these problems. And it's forefront in my mind to get all of these facilities up to the standard they need to be," Admiral Caudle continued.

As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the admiral was ensuring that all accommodations afforded to servicemembers allow them to live happily, and in turn, perform their duty at the highest level.

"The quality-of-life, quality-of-work and what we call the quality-of-service is directly tied to their performance. The more friction I can remove from their life and how they get to work, and when they get there they've got the right tools, and they have a place to relax, I know for a fact that it improves their performance at sea," he shared. "And if I want to give them the responsibility to be in the profession of arms and to be a combatant, the least I can do is make sure where they live, eat and operate off-work is at the same expectation level."

He also says given Guam's strategic significance and geopolitical tensions, providing a stable, world-class environment for those stationed down in Sumay is essential.

"You're in the epicenter of Pacific Fleet operations. This has to be the most premiere place that we operate from. And so we want to give people the ability to come here and feel that  they can serve honorably and with courage and boldness. And then what my job is, is to make them feel like they're treated like family. And the culture of this island, which is so prominent, and to be good stewards, and to feel like when they're stationed here that this is a little piece of home for them."

And aside from the rooms where sailors lie their heads – the galley for dining, leisure resources, and other facilities are being continually improved to meet the needs of modern servicemembers.

"Not only where we feed sailors, but what's the nutritional content; do they have good daycare; when they make a medical appointment are they seen in a reasonable amount of time, and there's options for their families for that. And how we get them back and forth to the United States is extremely important to me."

He additionally sees long-term merit in maintaining Guam's reputation as a top-shelf duty station. "The Navy has a responsibility to meet that standard. And it has to do with the kitchenette, the bathroom, the common areas; the cleanliness – no mold, no mildew, the HVAC systems are working – those standards are clearly defined. So that's my expectation," he added.

"As a parent, though? I think the more subjective thing is would I want my daughter or my son to come into this and live here? And I think the answer is yes, and I think I'm hitting the mark."