Vol. 2 Issue 6
April 11, 2013
Stand WE United Story and Photo by MCSN Nathan McDonald
T
he United Through Reading program kicked off aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Monday. The program allows deployed military members to record and send a DVD of themself reading a story to family members. “The program gives our Sailors the opportunity to stay connected with their kids and family members while deployed,” said Chief Electronic Technician Roger Phillip, Nimitz United Through Reading coordinator. “United Through Reading provides the DVD and the mailer to send the recording out to Sailors’ families.”
More than 100 books for children of all ages are available in the ship’s library. The program allows families to see their loved ones throughout deployment, no matter the distance separating them. “One of the best things about the program is how it helps both families and Sailors feel connected,” Phillip said. “It’s a great thing for them to be able to see each other even though they’re on different sides of the world.” Phillip said a sign-up sheet will be posted in the aft mess decks, near the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) ticket office. “We’re going to start small at first to work the kinks out,” Phillip said. “We’re really going to try to expand it as we go, though.” United Through Reading is a nonprofit organization developed during the Persian Gulf War in 1990. The program is available throughout the Department of Defense.
SAILOR DAY OF THE
Story and Photo by MCSN Nathan McDonald
H
ospital Corpsman 3rd Class Amanda Damerow, a native of Atlanta, Ga., was named Sailor of the day Wednesday aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Damerow was named Sailor of the Day due to outstanding performance as general duty corpsman
Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
and medical technician. She performed her duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. “I feel like it’s a team effort,” said Damerow. “In medical, we all have to work together to get the job done.” Damerow’s impact was evidenced by a 35 percent decrease in turnaround time for special examination consultations and across the board increase in departmental efficiency. “Being Sailor of the Day has been nice,” said Damerow. “It feels like today is my birthday.” She enlisted in the Navy in June 2010 after college, to fulfill a lifelong dream of being in the Navy. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. During her free time Damerow enjoys working out and studying. In true corpsman fashion, when asked if she had any advice to offer, Damerow simply responded with, “Be safe and don’t get hurt.”
Editor MC2 Glenn Slaughter Lead Designer MC3 George J. Penney III
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Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
The
Art of PEACE
Story and Photo by MCSA Kelly Agee
T
he Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) department on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is now offering Tai Chi classes for Sailors, free of charge. Tai Chi is a mind and body training exercise that can be used as a way of relieving stress. It combines martial arts and universal energy principles that help circulate blood and energy throughout the body and it helps the recovery of natural balance through rhythm of the body and mind “Tai Chi helps with energy flow in the body,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Lesho, the Tai Chi class instructor, from Palm Springs, Calif. “Once energy flows in the body people can react to stressful situations more calmly. They can develop a calm mind set.” Lesho studied Eastern Philosophy while Nimitz was in its home port of Everett, Wash. He then started taking Tai Chi classes. After Lesho found out Nimitz was deploying, he wanted to continue improving his Tai Chi skills as well as practice his teaching abilities, so he thought of the idea of bringing the art of Tai Chi on board.
“I’ve seen results myself from taking Tai Chi classes and everybody back home enjoyed the class so I thought: why not just offer classes here,” said Lesho. The type of Tai Chi class offered by Lesho is Danmudo. Danmudo is a Korean based Tai Chi that focuses on healing, connecting the mind with the body. Danmundo has also been proven to lower stress levels by improving blood flow in the body. It can also help relieve neck pain and help people feel younger and healthier. “Being in the Navy can be very stressful,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Matthew Church of Albany, N.Y., a student in the class. “Tai Chi was a step in helping me relieve stress.” Nimitz Sailors who would like to feel less stressed and want to improve their energy are encouraged to sign up for the Tai Chi class offered on board at the classes. Tai Chi classes run seven days a week from 2000 to 2100 in the hangar bay. The classes offered may vary dependent on the ship’s schedule and instructor availability. Sailors are asked to remain flexible. For more information concerning classes, contact Lesho at J-dial 6430.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 10, 2010) Three-year-old Joey Adams identifies items from flash cards during an in-home therapy session. Adams, diagnosed with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bruce Cummins/ Released)
A
From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
pril is the Month of the Military Child and it’s a good time for Sailors to review their Exceptional Family Member (EFM) status, the Navy’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) manager said April 9. The program is designed to ensure Sailors are stationed in locations where their family members can receive care and treatment for physical, mental, emotional or educational needs. “Every three years, 12 months prior to orders negotiation, or a permanent change of station, families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program need to update their status,” said Lanita Lee, Navy EFMP manager. “This month with its recognition of military children and its approach to
transition season makes it a perfect time to update status.” There are locations where Sailors’ family members can’t get the care they need, and in these cases Sailors can elect an unaccompanied tour or try to negotiate for a different location.
“Navy families with special needs are a top priority” - Lee
“We want to make sure when we move a family somewhere that we are able to meet the complete needs of the family,” explained Lee. “If for some reason we are unable to meet a family member’s needs it could require us to move the entire family a second time and move a new family to that location. It’s a great expense to the families, causes Page 4
disruption to the command, gaps billets and is hard on the family member with the qualifying condition. Navy families with special needs are a top priority, and everything is taken into consideration to balance mission requirements with family needs.” The best course of action is to plan ahead as much as possible before a PCS move and work with NPC and medical care providers to determine proper geographic locations to support the individual EFM. Ensure EFM status is updated as required every three years, 12 months prior to negotiating orders, and after a PCS move. It’s important for Sailors with EFM to do their part so that the Navy can do our part in caring for EFM needs. For more information on EMFP go to www.npc.navy.mil
SAPR Advocates PREVENT
LEARN
HEAR YOU
THEY
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Erin Johnson has been a SAPR victim advocate for almost a year. “I chose to be a SAPR rep because I enjoy helping people,” she said. “I like to make them feel comfortable and welcome.” There are different routes a victim may take, and a SAPR victim advocate can offer guidance. “We help them decide if they want to do restricted reporting or unrestricted,” she said. “We provide counseling if they need it.”
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nicholas Behel, a Houston native, has been a SAPR victim advocate for a little over a year. “I thought that it would offer the opportunity to help someone out that really needed it,” he said. “When something happens to someone they might feel like they have no control over their life; they need help from somebody else to help steer them in the right direction.”
INTERVENE SUPPORT COMMIT Page 5
around the
deck plates
Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno
Photo by MC2 Jacquelyn Childs
Photo by MC2 Jacquelyn Childs
Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno
Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Photo by MC2 Jacquelyn Childs Page 6
Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 29 Channel 30 0800 / 2000 Bedtime Stories 1000 / 2200 Confessions of a Shopaholic
Final Fantastic Countdown Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Dr agonball Evolution
G.I. Jane
Meet the Parents
The Apparition
Iron man
8 Mile
1200 / 0000 Inkheart
The Blind Side
1400 / 0200 Cor aline
Groundhog Day
The Bounty
Finding Nemo
1600 / 0400 Fired Up
Social Frost/Nixon What to Expect When network You Are Expecting
1800 / 0600
Madea Goes to Jail
Sunshine Cleaning
Flight
The Sandlot
TV LINEUP 5 6 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23
- 8MM MOVIES - 8MM MOVIES - ROLLER - DVD TRAINING - FLIGHT DECK - CNN - ESPN - travel - history - amc - cbs - nat geo - abc - a&e - nbc - comedy central 24 - fox news 25 - discovery 29 - DVD MOVIES 30 - DVD MOVIES