Nimitz News Daily Digest - Nov. 16, 2013

Nov. 16, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 142

DAILY DIGEST

Flame Resistant Utility Coveralls Coming Soon A Story and photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee

Navy damage controlman (DC) walks out of the damp smoky crevice of the ship. Thankfully he was protected from the massive flames that engulfed the bulkhead. It wasn’t just the firefighting suit or equipment that protected him but the new flame resistant variant (FRV) coveralls that were issued to him.

The Navy has decided to do away with the old coveralls and go with new and improved flame resistant coveralls that will help protect not just DC personnel but all Sailors aboard ships deployed around the fleet.

The change to a new variant of coveralls arose when the Navy completed testing of the old coveralls.

“When the old coveralls were tested, they burned way more than [Navy officials] thought they did,” said Chief Warrant Officer Mark Donaldson, fire marshall on board Nimitz.

Some Sailors believe the new coveralls are vital while underway.

“The Navy had to come up with a good underway type uniContinued on page 3

SAILOR OF THE DAY

A 15.

viation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Douglas B. Learned, from Elmira, N.Y., was named Sailor of the Day Nov.

Learned demonstrated unfailing diligence and keen attention to detail in the safe transfer of more than 15 million gallons of JP-5 fuel supporting Carrier Air Wing 11 combat operations aircraft during the 2013 Western Pacific/Mediterranean Deployment.

“It felt good being recognized,” said Learned.

Learned led the rehabilitation efforts on 11 aircraft fueling stations and six squadron spaces, accounting for 500 man-hours which significantly improved the material condition of the ship.

“Just keep pushing,” said Learned. “All your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Stories and photos by MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal

S

hip’s Serviceman Seaman Zachary E. Wright, from Valparaiso, Neb., was named Sailor of the Day Nov. 14.

Since assuming his managerial duties of Starbucks coffee kiosk manager in May 2013, Wright has increased crew morale by providing high-quality coffee products and outstanding customer service to the crew.

“It was pretty cool finding out,” said Wright.

“It felt great.”

His leadership, initiative and infectious positive attitude resulted in a 100 percent increase in monthly sales and more than $150 in total sales during deployment.

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Command Master Chief

Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Jeff Ruth

Capt. John Cummings

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Lead Designer MC3 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.

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.

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Continued from page 1

form because while underway more causalities happen,” said Donaldson.

Flame resistant coveralls will be vital during an actual casualty because of the amount of heat they can withstand.

“What the new coveralls are going to do is help prevent more serious injuries,” said Donaldson. “Standard Navy coveralls will melt to your skin while these flame resistant variant type are able to handle a higher level of heat.”

Some Sailors believe that the new coveralls will provide DC personnel with a faster way to change out during an actual casualty.

“I believe that since we normally have to put flame resistant coveralls above our regular ones, this change will allow us to dress out faster when we fight fires,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Brenner Pantoja.

Some Sailors believe the change won’t just be great for safety, but will also be more comfortable to wear.

“I think that the new coveralls look like they will be way more comfortable than the older ones,” said Pantoja.

According to Donaldson the most important reason for the coverall change is the safety of our Sailors.

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“[...] this change will allow us to dress out faster when we fight fires.” -DC3 Pantoja “It’s a huge safety issue protecting our Sailors,” said Donaldson. “We have to make sure we all come home in one piece.”

The new coveralls are scheduled to start arriving in December and will initially be provided to the crews of ships scheduled to deploy in early 2014.

USMAP

Website Updates Streamline Apprenticeship Tracking

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By Ensign Riley Cornett, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

he United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) announced website updates Nov. 14, simplifying the process for Sailors working toward civilian credentials by documenting their daily work.

The USMAP team works closely with the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide nationally-recognized apprenticeship programs that result in journeymanlevel certificates of completion for members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Service members receive credit for the hours they are working in their rating or military occupational specialties (MOS), similar to their civilian counterparts working in an apprenticeship. The program is free to service members and requires minimal time outside of the normal work day.

“To improve our service and meet the growing demand we are constantly tweaking our website,” said Tom Phillips, USMAP Certification and Credentialing Program lead. “The site is now more concise and easier-to-use since we’ve rearranged informa-

tion, enabled user login without a CAC card, removed trades already completed by the user and improved local command resources.”

Phillips noted that the program has experienced significant and constant growth over the past several years.

“Over 8,100 service members earned journeyman-level certificates through USMAP in the fiscal year 2013 and there are nearly 74,000 active participants in the program, which is the highest level of involvement we have ever seen,” added Phillips. “With the economy in flux and the military looking at future downsizing, many service members are looking for a leg-up to differentiate themselves for current and future employment and this program certainly helps them accomplish that.”

One website addition that has added to the popularity of the program is the inclusion of coordinator information and promotional materials.

“USMAP recently began providing the contact information of the command coordinator to 4

new users,” Phillips continued.

“Command coordinators work like a conduit to our program. In order to assist the coordinators we added an informative coordinator guide and program briefing, along with items intended to be printed and distributed (pamphlets) or displayed (promotional posters).”

Naval Air Technical Training Center’s command coordinator for USMAP, Chief Navy Career Counselor Eric Babin has taken advantage of the program by earning three certificates since he first learned about the program ten years ago in Career Counselor School. Babin noted that getting an early start in USMAP can pay big dividends.

“Sailors should be informed of the program upon arrival at their new command so they can start documenting their hours immediately,” added Babin. “We push USMAP at command indoctrination and also at the Sailors’ career development boards.”

Blue Angels maintenance crewmember Aviation Main-

tenance Administrationman 1st Class Yvonne Dumas was encouraged early in her career to work toward an apprenticeship.

“During my time onboard the USS Eisenhower I was ‘voluntold’ by my leading petty officer to begin a USMAP program,” said Dumas. “I earned a certificate of completion of apprenticeship for computer operator while my squadron was deployed onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). I got a tremendous feeling of accomplishment knowing that this would help me for evaluation purposes and in the civilian world, as I am not going to be in the Navy forever.”

Dumas’ success with USMAP inspired her to improve herself in

U.S. Navy photo by Ed Barker

AZ1 Yvonne Dumas, assigned to the flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, conducts a pre-flight inspection on an F/A-18 aircraft. Dumas earned her computer operator apprenticeship certificate through the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) as part of her normal daily routine on the maintenance control staff. USMAP certificates are earned in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor.

other areas as well.

“In the military it can be hard to do things outside of your job as you are working at a high tempo and may feel you don’t have time,” added Dumas. “But after initially being pushed into continuing my education while in the Navy by documenting my hours through USMAP, I have been inspired and am now close to earning a bachelor’s degree in database administration from American Military University through online courses. It is motivating being around others that are gaining education and credentials and that is the command culture here with the Blue Angels. I am also looking toward earning another apprenticeship certificate through USMAP - as a data analyst.”

For certification through DOL, 5

Trades require a mix of instruction in addition to hours worked in the field. The instruction portion can be acquired through technical schools; “A” schools count regardless of the length of school. Required hours, which are achieved during normal daily work, are designated in specific skill areas that apply to the given trade and are signed off by supervisor on a weekly basis, a second level supervisor on a monthly basis and by a Sailor’s commanding officer semiannually.

Trades are available to nearly every rate and MOS. Each rate or MOS has a specific set of trade opportunities available to them and the trade must align with a Sailor’s daily work. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be serving in active duty or full time support in the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard to enroll in USMAP. For more information about the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program, visit https://usmap.cnet.navy.mil.

For additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit https:// www.netc.navy.mil or https:// www.facebook.com/NavalEducationAndTrainingCommand and follow NETC on twitter: @ NETCPAO. For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/ cnet/.

By MCSN Eric M. Butler

Sailors play basketball on the flight deck during a steel beach picnic.

ABE3 Kristina Spalding holds a weight board during flight operations on the flight deck.

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By MCSA (SW) Kelly M. Agee

By MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

Lt. Richard Dorsey swings a golf club on the flight deck during a steel beach picnic.

By MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

Sailors and Marines participate in a steel beach picnic on the flight deck.

0800/2000

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CHANNEL 5

CHANNEL 6

CHANNEL 7

CHANNEL 29

CHANNEL 30

THE JONESES

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

JUST WRIGHT

THE HOST

30 SECONDS OVER TOKYO

FIELD OF DREAMS

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

THE LAST SONG

THE OPEN ROAD

VAN HELSING

1600/0400

THIS MEANS WAR

1800/0600

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

DEATH AT A FUNERAL

FURRY VENGEANCE

HAPPY GILMORE

THE BACK UP PLAN

THE GHOST WRITER

THE LOSERS

SAINTS & SOLDIERS: AIRBORNE CREED

A THOUSAND WORDS

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

BOOK OF ELI

WORLD WAR Z

TRANSPORTER

CABIN IN THE WOODS

DESPICABLE ME

TV

02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports 05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - Roller 09 - NTV Smallville S.1 10 - Flight Deck 11 - CNN 29 - DVD Movies 30 - DVD Movies

IRON MAN 2

WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO

TWILIGHT: NEW MOON

ENTER THE DRAGON

ON THE COVER: Sailors simulate fighting a fire in the hangar bay.