June 25, 2013
BEHIND THE
SERMON
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS SPECIALIST Story and Photos by MCSA Kelly M. Agee
Vol. 2 Issue 50
M
any Sailors enjoy the religious services that are offered on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the week. Sailors see the chaplains give the services, but they might not see who works behind the scenes. Religious programs specialists (RPs) work during the week to help the religious services happen. “We prepare slides for the services and write up the lyrics to the hymns and music,” said Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Michael Archer, of Parkersburg, W.Va. “We also go to the fo’c’sle and set up seats for the services.” Archer joined in May 2012 to be a - Continued on page 3 -
Sailor of the Day
Stories and Photos by MCSA Kelly M. Agee
Hospitalman Remi M. Thomas, a native of Hilo, Hawaii, now a general duty corpsman and medical informatics technician was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 24. “It was surprising,” said Thomas. “I wasn’t expecting it.” According to Thomas, she joined the Navy in November 2011 because she wanted to travel and receive an education. When home, Thomas enjoys hanging out with her friends and going to the beach. Thomas’ hobbies while underway include reading and working on her qualifications. Thomas has already completed 90 percent of her departmental joint qualification requirements in just three months. She readily took over as repair locker 7A corpsman and has effectively trained six stretcher bearers. Thomas is personally responsible for more than 1,100 patient service appointments and has proven herself an energetic and capable health care provider. When asked if he had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition Holmes said, “Work hard and do what you’re suppose to do.”
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Meghan M. Holmes, a native of Pittsburg, now an aviation ordnanceman team member of the G-3 division of Weapons Department was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 21. “It’s a big honor,” said Holmes. According to Holmes, she joined in April 2011 because she had always been interested in the Navy. When in Nimitz’ homeport of Everett, Wash., Holmes enjoys shopping, camping and fishing. As a G-3 division ordnance team member, her exceptional technical skill and dedication to the mission was vital in the 128 magazine group during the breakout and assembly of 120 precision guided munitions in support of Carrier Air Wing 11. Holmes’ meticulous attention to detail ensured the highest standards for the receipt, issue, stowage and handling of all ammunition and explosives. Holmes’ efforts guaranteed 100 percent weapons availability for the first day of 5th Fleet combat operations. When asked if she had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition Holmes said “Keep up the hard work.” 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 Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) but didn’t make it through his A-School. According to Archer, he re-classed to RP because it looked interesting to him. “I think it was the best decision that I could have ever made,” said Archer. RPs do more than just set up for the religious services, they help out during the services as well. “During services I control the soundboard and slideshow for services,” said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Bethany McClure, of Toledo, Ohio. McClure joined the Navy to be able to pay for college and to see the world. She came in undesignated and decided to strike as an RP. “I always liked to study different religions and helping people, so I chose RP,” said McClure. Sunday isn’t the only day during the week that keeps the RPs busy. Throughout the week, they help out in the library to make sure everything is in order. “We maintain library order, straightening books, helping people check out books and helping provide good morale for the ship’s crew,” said McClure.
Religious Programs Specialists assist in lighting the candles during a Sunday service.
According to McClure, it takes more than just hard work and organizing the library to be a great RP. “It’s all about your attitude,” said McClure. “You have to have a positive attitude to be an RP. You also have to look out for others.” According to the RPs, their job is a great learning experience as well. “I learned a lot about different religions,” said Archer. “I learned to be more accepting of others, not to be closed minded and to put others before myself,” said McClure.
On the Cover: Religious Programs Specialists set up a Sunday service in the chapel.
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In Focus
Who are my
OMBUDSMEN Story by MC3 Chris Bartlett
The Nimitz ombudsman team is made up of four spouses of active-duty Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The volunteers act as a direct liaison between the families and the command. All of the ombudsmen are spouses who can relate to the Sailors families because they have either gone through it or know someone who has. “When I get a call from someone who is having difficulty with adjusting to deployment, the best thing I can do is reassure them that I have been where they are, and it’s never easy,” said Neiman. “I encourage them to find a way to keep busy and to remember that every day apart is one day closer to reunion.” The ombudsman is bound by a strict code of ethics. Any conversation between the family member and the ombudsman are kept confidential. The only exceptions are cases of child abuse or neglect, domestic violence or abuse, homicide or suicide. “Regarding everything else, if the family member wishes for our interaction to remain confidential, it will,” said Morales. “We always ask if it is OK with them for us to contact the command if we feel that command intervention would help resolve the issue.” An ombudsman has access to many resources that can help family members. They can refer families to counseling, the Fleet Readiness Group (FRG),
volunteer opportunities, employment specialists, and the list goes on. “Our goal is to empower family members by providing resources so they can not only survive, but thrive through deployment and the Navy life,” said Baldwin. Sailors are also encouraged to have their spouses attend Compass to help them through the Navy lifestyle. “Compass is a spouse-to-spouse mentoring program, offered free of charge, and they even provide childcare,” said Morales. “It is a four day session where seasoned navy spouses go over topics like reading LES’s, moving, and even Navy traditions and terms to help the Navy spouses.” The ombudsmen are here for your families and for all the Sailors on board Nimitz. “We are very grateful for your service and hope to set your mind at ease that we truly love to serve your family as a resource and connection to the command,” said Erler. Sailors and family members may contact the Ombudsman Team at ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo. com or at (360)340-7040. Their hours are from 09002100, seven days a week and are available at any time for emergencies.
meet your ombudsmen
Carol Morales
Jeanine Neiman
Lindsay Baldwin
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Elizabeth Erler
From the Top
Grounding OF THE
GUARDIAN
INVESTIGATION RESULTS RELEASED From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs The U.S. Navy has released the results of an investigation that assessed circumstances surrounding the ex-USS Guardian grounding that occurred in Philippine waters on January 17. Characterizing the exGuardian’s grounding on Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea as a “tragic mishap,” Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, wrote in the 160-page document that “USS Guardian leadership and watch teams failed to adhere to prudent, safe, and sound navigation principles which would have alerted them to approaching dangers with sufficient time to take mitigating action.” Haney further summarized that a “lack of leadership” led to the watch team’s disregard of visual cues, electronic cues and alarms in the hours leading up to
the grounding, and that an ultimate reliance on what would turn out to be inaccurate Digital Nautical Charts (DNC) during the planning and execution of the navigation plan ultimately led to a degradation of the ship’s navigation ability. Haney did however have words of praise for the “heroic efforts of the crew to save their ship.” Highlighting the actions of the Engineering and Damage Control teams, Haney wrote that their efforts were instrumental in reinforcing the ship’s hull integrity despite multiple breaches. He also commended the Boat Coxswains, Damage Control Assistant, and the Navy rescue swimmers who all ensured the safe evacuation of the crew without significant injuries. The commanding officer of ex-Guardian, Lt. Cmdr. Mark Rice, the executive officer/navigator
Lt. Daniel Tyler, the assistant navigator, and the officer of the deck at the time of the grounding were relieved of their duties on April 3 by Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7. Further administrative action is under consideration. The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay and was en route to Indonesia and then on to Timor-Leste to participate in a training exercise when the grounding occurred, approximately 80 miles eastsoutheast of Palawan Island. Guardian was subsequently dismantled, decommissioned and stricken from the naval registry. For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil.
June Reenlistments
MM2 Brandon Cramer AS2 Jeffrey Burpee AD3 Lucas Juelke IC3 Zachary Bulls ET2 Shawn Soule
MA3 Jeffery Phanord YN2 Donald Rose ABH2 Andre Taylor ABEC Braulio Galvan MM1 Kevin Williams
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OS2 Hannah Lewis LSC Edgar Nepomuceno LSSN Karen Gonsalves MM3 Scott Smithers ABE1 Darryl Johnson
AC2 Perry Askins AC2 Morris Carey LSSN Justice Aloisio IT2 Jeanelle Nobles MC2 Andrew Jandik
Through the Lens
A group of Sailors and Marines participate in a 5-kilometer run on the flight deck. - Photo by MC3 Derek W. Volland
SA Van Lee, right, and members of Deck Department handle a line on the flight deck. - Photo by MC2 (SW) Devin Wray
ABH1 Cameron Fisher instructs a group of Sailors during an aircraft firefighting drill.
Sailors play basketball during a tournament in the hangar bay.
- Photo by MC3 (SW/AW) Jessica Lewis
- Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.
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