Oct. 22, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 127
INFORMATION
DOMINANCE STORY BY MC2 (SW) DEVIN WRAY
“ I
The EIDWS program helps Sailors... stand out amongst their peers and help contribute to the battle space picture.
”
- IT1 Cummings
t’s been 10 months since the first Sailor received an Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist (EIDWS) qualification aboard Nimitz. Since that time, other senior Sailors have earned their pins and taken the reins by creating the training and testing process from the ground up. “I love the fact that the pin helps people obtain the general knowledge of what our information dominance ratings do and how the combined knowledge contributes to the big picture,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Paul Cummings, one of the petty officer first class’ on board qualified to sign information dominance qualification books. “Every eligible Sailor who pursues this voluntary opportunity will bolster their own professional resume and enhance the war fighting capability of their own command.” Sailors who enroll in the EIDWS qualification will
have a chance to learn some things that other warfare qualifications don’t teach. “I focus on the METOC [Meteorology and Oceanography] and space areas,” said Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Jason Fisher, a strike forecaster assigned to Carrier Air Wing 11. He said those areas teach, “the space impacts to communications, how weather forecasting impacts the war fighter, and overall strategy of using the environment to our advantage against an adversary.” “The subjects I like teaching the most are heritage and organizational structure,” said Cummings. “This helps our young Sailors learn where our dominance ratings came from, as well as understand a staff structure.” Like other warfare qualifications, EIDWS requires Sailors take a 100 question test, followed by an oral board. According to Cummings though, this program Continued on page 3
Sailor of the Day
I
nformation Systems Technician 3rd Class Natasha McAlpine, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, was named Sailor of the Day Oct. 21. McAlpine, as a COMPOSE 4.0 Integrated Shipboard Network System administrator, was responsible for the operation and maintenance of both the ship’s non-classified and secret internet protocol router networks including four backbones, 88 switches, 49 servers, and 190 workstations and support for 7,738 user accounts. “It feels weird,” she said. “I don’t usually like being the center of attention.” According to her, success stems from a combination of hard work and positivity. “Work hard, and always do extra if there’s time,” she said. “And it makes everything easier when you have a positive attitude.”
Stories and photos by MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter
A
viation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Joshua Belke was named Sailor of the Day Oct. 18. Belke’s technical knowledge was instrumental in the testing, troubleshooting, and repair of 10 aircraft countermeasures assets. Subsequently, he logged 910 maintenance man-hours and completed 61 maintenance actions, which ensured uninterrupted combat operations in direct support of Carrier Air Wing 11. “It feels good to be recognized for working hard,” Belke said. With uncompromising skill, Belke repaired 28 ALQ-126B sub-assemblies that supported the work center’s outstanding repair rate of 96 percent. He accredits his success to old-fashioned work ethic. “I try to get as much fixed and out the door as I can,” he said. “Work hard and don’t stop.” Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Jeff Ruth
Capt. John Cummings
CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
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.
2
Continued from page 1
only requires four petty officers first class’ to sit the board, less than any other warfare program, and one khaki chairman. Getting to the test and board process has shown to be a bit challenging thus far. “Some of the challenges that come up all the time are the lack of personnel who are qualified to sign certain areas,” said Cummings. “This has been an Achilles heel but has also helped me coordinate training events to which a room full of Sailors can have full access to that one person for x amount of time.” Currently, not many Sailors on board are enrolled in the EIDWS program. “There are roughly 40 to 50 Sailors enrolled into the USS Nimitz EIDWS program right now, and another 30 or so Sailors not yet qualified to enroll into the program,” said Cummings. “Depending on their rate, they will need to get their primary pin first,” added Fisher. “That’s where most of the holdup is.” It doesn’t look like the number of enrolled Sailors will change soon though. In order to enroll in the EIDWS program, Sailors will need to be in one of four rates. Aerographer’s mates, cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists and information systems technicians are the only rates that qualify for the pin at this time. “The big Navy rule is a command must have a
Sailors study for thier EIDWS qualification.
65 percent IDC core on board before it is open to everyone,” said Fisher. “This means for the Nimitz, 65 percent of the crew would have to be [in one of those rates].” “I hear from the smoke deck and mess decks every day Sailors from other rates who wish to get the EIDWS pin,” said Cummings. “Unfortunately they will not be able to get it on board here unless a new NAVADMIN comes out saying otherwise.” Despite the limited access to the program, Cummings said it is helping the ship with its mission readiness. “The EIDWS program helps Sailors in information dominance ratings on board USS Nimitz, CCSG-11 and DESRON-23 stand out amongst their peers and help contribute to the battle space picture,” he said.
CONGRATULATIONS NIMITZ
SAILORS OF THE YEAR
CVW-11
BJOY VAW-117- ATAN ALISON GUZIK BJOY- PS3 ROBERT HUTHART JSOY HSM-75- AWR2 JAMES RITZ JSOY- HM3 IRRIELLE BONGUIT SOY- ABH2 LAUREN PERRY SSOY HSC-6- NC1 STEVEN PAULY SSOY- AC1 DIMERA WITHERSPOON 3
SAILORS LEARN
LIFE SKILLS
STORY AND PHOTO BY MC3 (SW) PHIL LADOUCEUR
W
hile on deployment it might seem like your life is on hold. But life keeps going regardless of whether you’re on deployment or if you’re ready for what life throws at you. One way to get yourself prepared for life’s challenges or just streamline your life is to attend the classes offered by Religious Ministries every Tuesday and Thursday during the week. Each class covers a different topic, from managing stress to time management. Other topics include wise decision-making, communication in relationships, and an in-depth, two-part class on financial management. The financial management class will cover budgeting, saving, investing, and debt elimination. The classes are taught and prepared by Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Jenkins, command chaplain for Carrier Air Wing 11. He uses his experience and his reading to build the classes, but he says that every time he teaches it changes a little. “I like to use questions,” said Jenkins. “I like to use brainstorming from the students. They learn from each other, and I adapt and adjust the class each time I teach it.” Jenkins originally started teaching the classes about a month into deployment. He started with four classes and added others as he saw the need or interest from Sailors. Recently he thought it would be a good idea to start them up again. “With the extension everyone’s nerves were a little bit testier. It’s good to have something to focus on, and so I started teaching the class Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of just once a week,” said Jenkins.
Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Jenkins teaches a Life Skills class.
While some may attend the classes because a particular subject suits their individual needs, others can come just to learn to help others. Jenkins says that many in leadership positions can benefit from the classes. “I believe they receive benefit individually, but also as they mentor and lead their Sailors,” he said. And even if the material seems familiar, it never hurts to go and maybe pick up something new, or maybe even share something that will be new to others. “If you come and you leave with one new tip then it was worth your time,” said Jenkins. “And likewise, I pick up a tip usually every class or so and I try and incorporate those in future classes.” Logistics Specialist Seaman Sarah Wardein attended the class because a friend was going. “I’m in Indoc right now, and I’m just getting used to the ship,” she said. “It’s my first deployment, and that’s a little stressful.” New to the ship and deployment, she found the class to be useful to her new situation. “I thought it was very informative,” said Wardein. “Everyone spoke their opinion and they weren’t bashful about it. It was a good environment.” Sailors and Marines wishing to attend the classes do not need to register to attend. Just show up at 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, in the library classroom ready to learn. 4
HELP THE FIGHT
AGAINST
SEXUAL ASSAULT
YOUR VOICE
2013
YOUR NAVY
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVEY
NEW ON
THE SHIP’S
INTRANET
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By MCSN (SW) Derek Harkins By MCSN (SW) Derek Harkins
Sailors apply a splint on a Sailor during a general quarters drill
“For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity.� -Henri Cartier-Bresson 6
Cpl. John Hermanski, from Enid, Okla., assigned to VMFA-323, performs maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet.
By MCSN (SW) Derek Harkins
Sailors rig steel shoring to repair structural damage during a general quarters drill.
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