Nimitz News Daily Digest - July 24, 2013

JULY 24, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 66

DAILY DIGEST

THE Story and Photo by MCSA Aiyana Paschal

O

WATCH

ne moment you’re on the fantail for aft look out, reporting any surface or air contacts you spot. Next, you’re running up to the 0-10 level for an hour of port lookout. After that it’s time to steer the ship. Last, you might have to finish off with an hour of aft steering. The life of a deck seaman and boatswain’s mate at sea is one filled with long hours of watch and many qualifications to be completed.

“Every day we have a five-hour watch,” said Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Photo: SA Robert Nunez, left, and SA Amy M. Haskins stand watch on the signal bridge.

Apprentice Sarah A. Cothran, from Lorain, Ohio. “During that watch, we rotate from the helm, our lookouts and we also have aft steering.”

It’s two in the morning, but Cothran along with others, is still up, vigilantly keeping lookout to keep our ship safe. The watches are five hours long and there are six sections that rotate through the stations. During a lookout, Sailors are required to report any surface or air contacts they see. They are also taught Continued on page 3

Sailor of the Day

Story and Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno

resupplying power to deck edge lights by helping in the troubleshoot and replacement of four transformers.

He joined the Navy in February 2012, and is now assigned to the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Division in Air Department, aboard Nimitz.

Initiative, devotion and loyalty to duty are only a few of the characteristics expressed by Dare, providing outstanding support to Air Department’s success, and maintaining overall mission readiness.

As for other Sailors who want to make Sailor of the Day, his advice is simple and to the point.

“Just do your job, your time will come sooner or later,” said Dare.

Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Richard Dare, a native of Bend, Ore., was selected as Sailor of the Day aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) July 23.

“I’m just doing my job. It’s nice that I’m recognized,” said Dare.

He executed his demanding duties as flight deck lighting electrician in an exemplary manner and directly contributed to the troubleshooting and replacement of more than 120 feet of cable, bringing the deck edge catapult to full capabilities.

Dare was also a critical part in the restoration of hook-up lights for catapult one and two, as well as Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth

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 1 -

morse code in A-school so they can interpret other ships messages.

Although busy with watches and special evolutions, Cothran has managed to get many of her qualifications.

“We can get most of our quals during special evolutions,” she said lowering her binoculars.

“We can also get qualified during our watches. I’m qualified on the helm so I can drive the ship on my own now.”

Special evolutions for boatswain’s mates and deck seamen involve underway replenishments, sea and anchor details, and boat operations.

Cothran enjoys special evolutions but says that her favorite part of being a boatswain’s mate is the teamwork and tradition that is associated with being one.

“Deck is like a big family,” she said. “It’s one of the better rates out there. It’s the oldest rate in the Navy, because ever since there was a Navy we’ve needed boatswain’s mates.”

Cothran expressed her disappointment that some of the boatswain traditions were being removed from the Nimitz.

“I wish we could still do pipe calls,” said Cothran. “Now we can only do pipe calls during reveille, and it’s banned from most of the east coast

ships.”

There are always qualifications to be working toward and watches to be stood. Out of all the watches, lookouts are her favorite.

“This is the coolest watch we have,” said Cothran. “You can come up here and get away. There are usually a ton of stars.”

Seaman Charles Blanchard, from Gary, Ind., enjoys being in deck department and is planning on striking boatswain’s mate.

“When I strike I’ll be proud,” said Blanchard.

“Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. When it’s raining out, it’s just a bad day. Nights like this though, clear and a cool breeze; it’s nice.”

Blanchard has been on Nimitz for about a year and a half. He likes the way deck department takes pride in everything they do.

“We have the best spaces in the ship because we take pride in our work,” said Blanchard. “We make the metal look brand new.”

Blanchard and Cothran aren’t preserving their spaces, or participating in a special evolution right now, though they may have to tomorrow. Right now they, and other Sailors from Deck Department stand the watch, sacrificing sleep and braving the elements, so the crew of Nimitz can sleep comfortably knowing they are safe and sound.

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CHOOSING YOUR Story and Photo by MCSN Derek A. Harkins

PATH

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducted a career fair on the ship’s aft mess decks July 21.

“One of the Navy career counselors jobs is to provide information to the crew,” said Chief Navy Counselor Dean Miller, a career counselor aboard Nimitz. “One of the most successful ways to accomplish that task is to hold a career fair. We floated the idea up the chain of command, who were receptive and supportive of this combined event, and were given the green light.”

Volunteers for the event taught Sailors about opportunities to advance their careers through commissioning programs, educational opportunities and special assignments that include recruiting and instructor duties.

“If Sailors are interested in molding the future of the Navy as an instructor, I want to encourage them to do that,” said Chief Electronics Technician Timothy Hoover, an administrative leading chief petty officer for the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 currently embarked with Nimitz.

Another opportunity Sailors had the chance to learn about was serving at Recruit Training Command (RTC), helping to mold newly recruited Sailors at the Navy’s only enlisted boot camp.

“Depending on a Sailor’s paygrade, serving as a recruit division commander (RDC) can help advance their career a lot,” said Chief Yeoman Joel Campbell, a former RDC at RTC. Sailors seeking to serve in special operations forces or in the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) field were guided on paths they would need to take to be eligible for those duties.

“I really enjoy talking to the EOD guys,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Joseph Janelle, a Sailor who

GM3 Joseph Janelle speaks to explosive ordnance disposal personnel during a career fair.

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visited the career fair. “I’ve been trying for EOD. They’re helping me out with that.”

The event was conducted on a Sunday, with many of Nimitz’ Sailors off duty for holiday routine.

This allowed for many Sailors to take their time and visit multiple stations at the fair.

“There are two things that are a prime commodity for an aircraft carrier: time and space” said Miller. “We were able to nail down a space and a time that would maximize the use of talent on board and reach the majority of the crew. This was truly a combined effort.”

Sailors from a variety of different ratings and paygrades advised the participants. These volunteers offered the participants pamphlets, instruction and advice.

“This is a nice forum for young Sailors wanting to do something beyond what they’re doing here on the ship,” said Hoover. “It helps them decide what they want for their future in the Navy.”

With participation from Sailors with experience from many different opportunities and assignments, Nimitz’ career fair provided the crew with information on how to make the most of their futures.

“We’re allowing Sailors to benefit from the experience of people who have done certain jobs,” said Hoover. “Holding career fairs like this in the Navy is important.”

“Sometimes we tend to forget about taking time out of our schedule to talk about our careers because we are so focused on the mission,” said Miller. “This career fair offered an opportunity to have subject matter experts provide answers to the crew. We wanted to highlight the incredible jobs the Navy has to offer when it is your time to roll to shore duty.”

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AM3 Hunter Mclaine, left, and AM2 Jeffrey Swanner repair a shim.

Sailors play basketball in the hangar bay.

SN Katie Wright operates as the helmsman.

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By MCSA Aiyana Paschal

By MCSA Victoria Ochoa

By MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

MA1 Benjamin Newton, left, and MACS Marc Lucas shoot LA-9P Laser Dazzlers during an exercise on the fantail.

By MC3 (SW/AW) Jess Lewis

THROUGHTHE LEN S

TV

el 29 Ch annel 30 6 Channel 7 Chann Channel 5 Channel 0800 / 2000 Red Tails

1000 / 2200 Tw ins

1200 / 0000 17 Aga in

1400 / 0200 Fighting

1600 / 0400 Sunshine Cle aning 1800 / 0600

Goodfell as

Push

Fin al Countdown

New in Town

Good Morning Vietna m

Destination Tok yo

My Life in Ruins

Mission Impossible

This Me ans Wa r

Cor aline

For rest Gum p

Woma n in Black

The Gre y

Jur assic Par k

Evil Dea d

The Host

The Fast and the Fur ious

Sta r Trek 2 The Ma sk of Zor ro

Oblivion

Sca ry Mo vie 5

Spiderm an

Tyler Per ry’s Tem ptation

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