July 2, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 54
DAILY DIGEST
RITES OF
PASSAGE
NIMITZ Story by MCSN Derek Harkins Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) may be eligible for new awards during and preceding the ship’s current deployment. These awards include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is awarded to all personnel serving after September 11, 2001 who are attached to an operational unit in support of the war on terror for 30 consecutive days. Sailors assigned to initial accession training or an “A” or “C” school, are not eligible for this award. Personnel earn the decoration once assigned to their first permanent duty station. All
SAILORS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE MEDALS
Sailors and Marines who reported to Nimitz prior to the beginning of deployment have met these criteria. Requirements for the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon are slightly more complicated. Personnel can become eligible for the award after 90 days of service at sea. “[A Sailor] reported on board January 1, 2010, and this is his first sea tour,” said Ensign Matthew Long, the personnel officer aboard Nimitz, giving an example to illustrate the conditions for earning the award. “He currently has 30 months of sea duty. He is eligible for the ribbon on June 29, 2013 because that will be the 90-day mark of the deployment.” However, Sailors and
Marines must also serve a full year at their command before the decoration can be attained. “[Machinist’s Mate Fireman Recruit] Jones reported onboard May 1, 2013 and this is his first sea tour,” said Long, giving another example. “He currently has two months of sea duty. He will be eligible for the ribbon in May of 2014 because he will have completed a deployment of at least 90 days and he will now have 12 months of sea duty.” According to Lt. Cmdr. Almond Smith, the administrative officer aboard Nimitz, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon indicates an experienced Sailor or Marine to his or her supervisors. “Seeing a Sea Service -Continued on page 3-
Sailor of the Day
Story and Photo by MC3 Derek W. Volland
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or his outstanding performance, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Ryan J McGrorty, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., was selected as the Sailor of the Day (SOD) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) July 1. “I was really surprised,” said McGrorty. “I haven’t really heard of anyone from Reactor being selected as SOD.” McGrorty, a propulsion plant operator in Reactor Department, performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. His initiative and motivation resulted in his qualifying significantly ahead of all curves, having Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth
been on board for only four months. He has qualified basic nuclear engineering, log recorder/phone talker and throttleman watch one month ahead of schedule and is currently three months ahead of his long-range qualification curve for the senior in rate and non-nuclear qualifications. Additionally, he assisted in the repairs of 2B Electronic Rod Drive Power Supply Card Cage Assembly and has set a tremendous example for his peers. “My advice to anyone wanting to be SOD would be give your chain of command a good impression of you by working your hardest and be qualified in anything that you can,” said McGorty.
Executive Officer CDR John Cummings
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
Lead Designer MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III
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 1ribbon on a Sailor certainly raises the expectations of performance in my mind,” said Smith. “That ribbon indicates that you have been tested in our most extreme operating environment and that I know I can count on you when we head out in harm’s way. It’s the ‘been there, done that’ badge for your uniform.” According to Smith, Sailors should also be eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (not to be confused with the service medal) after Nimitz has been directly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom for 30 days. “Several states provide extra veterans benefits to personnel who earn expeditionary ribbons,” said Smith. “Those benefits may include tax breaks, free tuition, housing assistance, land purchase, burial in state veterans cemeteries, special license plates and many more.” In addition, some Sailors and Marines in aircrew may be able to earn the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for their participation in air operations supporting efforts in Afghanistan. If Nimitz is eligible for a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) or a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) award, the carrier’s Sailors and Marines will also earn the right to wear these corresponding medals. However, Smith emphasizes that there is no guarantee that Nimitz will earn this
award. “The award of the MUC or NUC is by no means guaranteed and will be the result of everyone ensuring they perform to their highest ability every day,” said Smith. “The criteria for awarding an MUC is that the unit must have performed service [as a group] of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Bronze Star Medal to an individual.” Sailors can verify that ribbons have been earned and documented by accessing their NSIPS account and viewing the honors and awards section of their electronic service records. “Prior to transferring from Nimitz and before eligibility for any selection board, I would encourage everyone to ensure that all of your awards and qualifications are reflected in your Official Military Personnel File, [which can be accessed through BOL],” said Smith. “It can be difficult to prove eligibility once you have transferred.” Having these awards on their uniforms and in their records adds a mark of distinction to eligible Sailors. “Any award helps to set a Sailor apart from their peers, [especially] service and campaign awards, because it shows that you have taken on the arduous sea duties or Individual Augmentee assignments,” said Long.
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HEALTH
WHEN ITMATTERS NIMITZ CORPSMEN PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING EVOLUTION
Story and Photos by MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald
fireman’s carry with a full sea bag to further fatigue the corpsmen and finally, they had to connect an intravenous injection. The scenario was coordinated and orchestrated by Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Epefara Vaitautolu to mimic what repair locker corpsmen would face in a real-life situation. “The corpsmen do repair locker training every Tuesday, but this training was the first of its kind,” said Vaitautolu. “We plan on doing it every time we introduce a new corpsman to a repair locker. We wanted to make it as stressful as possible in training, so in a real situation they can fall back on that training and do what has to be done.” For Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class David Johnson, the training was a marked departure from his usual repair locker training. “It was different from our regular training,” said Johnson. “It was much more fast-paced with a lot more on-the-fly decision making.” Morris said simulating real-life situations is crucial to maintaining readiness for what could be life and death situations.
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orpsmen aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participated in a unique training evolution designed to simulate treating battle casualties in a repair locker June 25. The training combined rigorous physical activity and basic casualty treatment to simulate the fatigue and stressful environment corpsmen could expect to encounter in a real life situation. “This was the culmination of an intense training program for all of the repair locker corpsmen,” said Lt. Cmdr. James Morris, ship’s nurse. “We wanted to put them through the decision-making process they would face in an actual casualty and test their ability and skills.” The course began with two minutes of calisthenics to get the corpsmen’s heart rates up, followed by a cardio pulmonary resuscitation station requiring full chest compressions. Next, there was a triage station where corpsmen were required to prioritize four categories of patients followed by simulated treatment of a patient suffering from multiple types of wounds. After that, there was a 4
HM3 Amanda Damerow prepares an intravenous injection for Midshipman 2nd Class Samantha Damon, with the assistance of Lt. Cmdr. James Morris, during a training exercise.
“Corpsmen have a lot of autonomy to make decisions that could positively or negatively affect an individual,” said Morris. “The phrase ‘corpsmen save lives’ is true on the ship and true in the field. It’s what they do. Some of them are 19 or 20 years old, and they’re the ones that are going to be making the tough decisions.” The corpsmen did not disappoint and executed the evolution well. “They were timed throughout it and everyone performed well,” said Vaitautolu. “There were only about 40 seconds separating first place and fourth
place.” Johnson found the training to be a welcome change of pace and a useful tool to augment his other training. “It created a more realistic environment where you have multiple patients and injuries,” said Johnson. “You’ll never just see one casualty in a repair locker. Treatment in that situation is a little different. Any training where you’re running around and being tested in real time is more beneficial than sitting through a lecture.” 5
Through the Lens
AD3 Esmundo Gamezvilla operates a Naval Firefighting Thermal Imager (NFTI) while acting as a firefighting hose team leader during a general quarters drill. -Photo by MCSN Derek Harkins
PR2 Jessica Orman and PR2 Charles Mapes inspect an A/P 28S-24 parachute. -Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.
MA2 John Kuchler instructs a Sailor manning an M-240 machine gun during a small arms qualification shoot on the fantail.
AD2 Robert Buschman performs maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet. -Photo by MC3 Phil Ladouceur
-Photo by MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald
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