May 15, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 24
DAILY DIGEST
ThroughTHENIGHT Story and Photos by MC3 (SW) Devin Wray
A
s the sun reaches the top of the sky on a warm day, flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier are in full swing. The ship maintains a straight course at a steady speed to allow aircraft to take off and land. When the moon replaces the sun and the aircraft are tied down for the night, another team takes charge of the bridge to guide the ship through other paces. “We can train on what we need to,” said Lt. Alan Young, an Officer of the Deck (OOD) and ship’s electrical officer. “If we’re in flight ops we have to
stick to a speed, but if we want to train on a turn or loss of steering, we can do that at night.” With a few exceptions, flight operations are usually the main focus of the ship during the day. At night, drills that keep other aspects of the ship mission ready are practiced in order to qualify different watch standers. Watches on the bridge range from the OOD, who is in charge of the bridge when the commanding officer is not present, to enlisted personnel who plot the ship’s course or communicate with lookouts. “We do a maneuvering board on incoming contacts to decide what maneuver we need to make ahead of Continued on page 4
OF SAILOR THE
GM3 Brittany L. Grace Story and Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
T
wenty-two-year-old Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Brittany L. Grace, a native of Livermore, Calif., now a Sailor on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was named Sailor of the Day, May 14. “It’s crazy,” said Grace. “I never thought I would be the Sailor of the Day. I never would have expected it. It feels good to get recognized and be a part of something like this.” According to Grace, she joined the Navy in 2009 to go to college, serve her country and to be a part of something bigger than just being a civilian. Prior to getting underway in Everett, Wash., Grace performed numerous preventive and corrective maintenance actions on 35 sprinkler system groups encompassing 500 sprinkler components, resulting in a high state of operational readiness on all weapons sprinkler systems. Her pride and dedication in the maintenance performed Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
DAY
ultimately ensured the safety of the Nimitz and her crew. Through her dedication, Grace has significantly improved the maintenance and operational conditions of all Nimitz magazine sprinkler systems and high security locks. Grace continues to be a major contributor to the sustained success of the G-2 division. “I feel like I’ve done a lot for my department,” said Grace. “I helped people in my department with their qualifications and certifications for training. I’m also taking over the duties of being a secondary key custodian.” For those Sailors who are looking to be recognized as Sailor of the Day in the future, Grace has some words of advice. “Keep working and take charge of collateral duties and follow your leaders because they are put in that position for a reason,” said Grace.
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke Lead Designer MC3 George J. Penney III
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Photo by MCSA Victoria Ochoa 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
ARTOF Relaxation
Story and Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
D
ay-to-day life on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) can be full of upsand-downs throughout a Sailor’s busy day. The long workdays can become very stressful and at times Sailors may need to take some time to reflect. For those Sailors who are looking for a variation in their daily grind, meditation classes are now available once a week, Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the ship’s classroom. The classes are led by Ensign Lee J. Adams, of Boise, Idaho, Nimitz’ Buddhist lay leader. “It’s not just about meditation,” said Adams. “It’s also classes on what Buddhism is about. I base the classes off religious studies I get weekly study material on from Jay Fieldman of the University of Idaho.” According to Adams, every Sailor on board is welcome to attend the meditation classes whether they follow the Buddhist faith or not.
“I teach the classes from a philosophical view point as well as practicing meditation,” said Adams. Adams provides not only study materials for the meditation classes, but also guidance if Sailors who attend the classes require assistance to start the mediation process. “Meditation is about being able to take the moments all in and being aware of everything that’s going on around them and taking it all in instead of blocking
it,” said Adams. For Yeoman 3rd Class Thomas F. Reynolds, of Chicago, attending the meditation classes has been very helpful in expressing his ideas on Buddhism with others. “To me it’s interesting to get the ideas out,” said Reynolds. “It’s not often you run into Buddhists [on board]. You hold it [the ideas] in all day and then you are able to get it all out during the discussion [in medication class]. The meditation classes consist partly of lectures and discussions led by Adams and every week the class will review study material from the previous classes, which makes the meditation classes an ongoing learning experience for those Sailors who attend. According to Adams, meditation is a relaxation method that can be used by anyone. “Meditation is a practice that you can do at anytime, anywhere,” said Adams.
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Continued on page 4 time to avoid them if we want,” said Lt. Matthew Clemens, a junior officer watch stander under instruction (U.I.). One other drill watch standers on the bridge have been learning from are nightly steering casualty drills, which ensure the bridge crew can reestablish steering within 30 seconds. “We have so much freedom to practice these drills and get to know how the ship operates,” said Clemens. Another drill Clemens and other U.I.’s have learned from is simulated anchor drop drills, where the team maneuvers the ship to a designated location and pretends to drop the anchor. They’re then evaluated on their ability to work with other watch standers to get the ship in the correct position. “I think one of the interesting things is looking at the watch bill and seeing all the different people working together to drive the ship,” said Young, pointing out members of his team who are from different departments on board. “If there’s a casualty not one person is going to have all the answers, but together we’ll be able to find a
QMSN Maygan D. Tracy plots a course.
solution. Since leaving homeport in Everett, Wash., these officers have been qualifying to prepare for what lies ahead.
soundcloud.com/cvn68 Page 4
TAKING PLACE IN ALL GYM LOCATIONS
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AROUND THE
DECK PLATES
Photos By MCSN Derek Harkins (Top Left/Right) MCSN Kole Carpenter (Bottom Left)
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Destiny Nacestanley stands watch on the fantail.
Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Nicholas Cope inspects equipment in the hydraulics shop. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Rachel Brunmeier and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Jared Whitefield organize the flight plan in Primary Flight Control. Page 6
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