November 24, 2013
INSIDE: N
HEADING HOME: PG.14 PREPARING TO RECONNECT
AROUNDPG.12 THE NFL
Vol. 39 No. 41
NIMITZ HAS TALENT PHOTOS PG.8
NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth Executive Officer Capt. J.J. Cummings Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri M. McIntyre Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski Media DIVO Ensign John Mike Media LCPO MCC Mike Jones Media Production Chief MCC Gregory Roberts Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole Editor MC3 George J Penney III Lead Designer MCSN Andrew Price Media Department MC2 Jacquelyn Childs MC2 Jason Behnke MC2 Devin Wray MC2 Ryan Mayes MC2 Alexander Ventura II MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Jacob Milner MC3 Christopher Bartlett MC3 Linda S. Swearingen MC3 Jess Lewis MC3 Vanessa David MC3 W. J. Cousins MC3 Derek Volland MC3 Phil Ladouceur MC3 Sam Souvannason MC3 Nathan McDonald MC3 Joshua Haiar MC3 Raul Moreno Jr. MCSN Kole Carpenter MCSN Derek Harkins MCSN Kaitlyn Haskett MCSN Eric Butler MCSN Siobhana McEwen MCSN Aiyana Paschal MCSA Kelly Agee MCSA Victoria Ochoa Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. 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.
By Cmdr. Emile Moured
RETURN AND REUNION
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re you ready to get home? to celebrate good times with your family? Some of you are already hearing the classic song by Kool & the Gang in the back of your head; many of you are going to have to Google “Kool & the Gang” (circa 1980). Most of us are ready for some nice family time back home, or at least time off this ship to recover. Whether playing with your children or getting reacquainted with friends back home, you deserve this upcoming leave and liberty to relax and recover after a successful and long deployment. Now, let me be the voice of realism for a moment. While returning home can be exciting, it will likely also be challenging with all the holiday stress thrown in the mix. In addition, this might be a frustrating or even upsetting experience – something we are often not prepared for. The change in return date may have left your family stressed or exhausted. Despite the best of intentions, the person meeting you at the base or the pier may be delayed (traffic, unable to get off work, children sick, sitter couldn’t make it, etc.). More than once I have seen dozens of Sailors or Marines arrive back at the base after a long deployment and make their way to their home or barracks on their own. Depressing? It doesn’t have to be. Just set realistic expectations; don’t expect a parade, hugs and a hero’s welcome in the first 20 minutes. No Sailor, couple or family follows the exact same script at homecoming. So what
are some topics to be thinking about? - If you’re single or separated from family, ensure you find a balance between relaxing time alone and time with friends. Reconnect with your family back home and your local communities of worship. Ensure your outlets for relaxation are healthy ones. You will have “survived” a deployment through discipline and vigilance; be as vigilant about your and your shipmate’s safety while enjoying your recovery time. - If you’re married, remember that success begins with good communication. After a lengthy separation, home life has likely changed; you may find that need to renegotiate the way you do some things. Remember that your spouse has been doing it all while you’ve been gone. Ease back into your role in the home – if you criticize or try to take over, you’re sticking your spoon in a hornets’ nest. Ensure you take time to appreciate him/her, whether or not you agree with all the decisions they’ve made. Rather than try to cover everything in one article, we’ll have Return and Reunion briefs you’ll all be able to participate in. In addition, we’ve posted resources on the ship’s intranet. Later this week, you’ll find a “Return and Reunion” link on the intranet homepage where you can download pamphlets on topics ranging from “coming home to children” to “car buying.” Last, as we think forward to successfully reintegrating into our home lives, stay safe, stay focused, and finish well!
Blessings, Chaplain Mo
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OPERATION DAMAYAN OFFERING AID TO VICTIMS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN
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By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
USS George Washington (CVN73) and her escort ships have delivered about 11 tons of humanitarian assistance to those in need. Distribution of more aid is in progress right now. We continue to see fresh clean water as one of the greatest needs - we intend to deliver more than 2,800 5-gallon containers today and tomorrow. In addition, Sailors onboard George Washington are using innovation when possible - taking empty 48-cubic-foot containers used for shipping large material, lining them with plastic, then filling them with water and freezing the entire container. This frozen container of ice can then be delivered via helo, where it will melt into water when it reaches those on the ground. George Washington is delivering water, medical supplies and hygienic supplies to Guiuan/Samar, Ormoc, Borongan and Leyte Gulf. 20 US Navy helicopters have been in continuous operation since the 14th. The Government of the Philippines requested assistance in getting supplies to remote areas inaccessible by truck, so that’s where the focus has been. Guiuan is the supply hub and Navy helos distribute from there to the remote areas where need is greatest. In addition, George Washington and USS Lassen (DDG-82) helos have carried displaced and injured civilians from remote areas such as islands in Leyte Gulf to areas where medical aid is present. We have transferred 96 distressed personnel to receive further care in this manner. USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) are now onloading
supplies and about 900 Marines in Okinawa. If requested by the Government of the Philippines, they can arrive in the Philippine operating area late on Nov 20th or early on the 21st. These ships will bring heavy engineering equipment (backhoes, dump trucks, wreckers); Amphibious transport Vehicles), a tracked vehiclecapable of operating both in the water and over land; generators and portable water tanks known as ‘water bulls.’ Each ship typically has an embarked crew of 20+ officers, 350+ enlisted with an embarked Marine capacity of 400+, 100+ surge troops. Each ship has one medical doctor, one dental doctor, 9 hospital corpsman, 17 medical beds and includes a laboratory, X-ray and pharmacy. Three ships (USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Cowpens (CG-63) with 4 helicopters are working in Leyte Gulf to distribute supplies from Tacloban to remote areas. USS Mustin (DDG-89) is in Ormoc Bay with 2 helos and is moving supplies delivered by C-130s from distribution centers to remote areas where the supplies are needed. Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) is also near Orloc. Three P-3 aircraft continue to survey the affected area to assist Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. planners with their response. The Government of the Philippines is responding to one of the largest disasters its country has ever faced, and the United States is working closely with our ally to deliver assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible to people who need it most.
NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Sean Phillips went to boot camp in the dark - figuratively speaking, that is. As a brand new recruit, Phillips had no idea what he would be doing as an ABH for the next four years. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN (SW) SIOBHANA MCEWEN
ABHAN Phillips, front, poses wtih flight deck crew members from Fly 3.
NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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ABHAN Phillips, right, signals to a pilot while under instruction.
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“I didn’t know what my job was, beyond moving jets around the flight deck,” Phillips said. “When I went to ‘A’ school, I was intrigued by what I was learning.”
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hillips said he found out he’d be stationed aboard Nimitz about a week before finishing his threeweek long “A” school. “I was ready to just get out there and start working,” said Phillips. Phillips joined Nimitz during the last few weeks of 2012’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). “When I got off the COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery) I had no idea what was going on; there was just so much happening,” Phillips said. “I’ll admit, I was a little scared.” The feeling of being intimidated and overwhelmed by the flight deck didn’t last long for Phillips. When Nimitz pulled out for a scheduled 2013 Western Pacific deployment, he found himself on the flight deck every day. “Working up there is hard. It’s hot, and you smell like jet fuel. A lot of people will say, ‘oh, it’s whatever,’ but I love it,” said Phillips. “I’ll stay out here and watch it all day. I love my job.” Phillips started his journey to become a flight deck director like any other airman – at the bottom of the pecking order as a blue shirt ‘T-head.’ T-heads have to stay within an arm’s length of a qualified blue shirt. “It’s tough, because you can’t go anywhere on your own. Someone is always holding on to your float coat or jersey,” said Phillips. “You’re learning, too, so someone’s always yelling at you.” But having that qualified person so close is an important lesson in safety. Phillips said he once walked dangerously close to an intake while he was a T-head. It wasn’t until his sponsoring blue shirt grabbed him and pulled him out of the way that Phillips realized his mistake. Phillips quickly moved on from the T-head stage after only a week and a half. “As a blue shirt, your job is to lock chocks, secure aircraft to the flight deck, and also to pay attention and learn,” said Phillips. “If you‘re going to get moved up, it’s nice to know a little bit before you get to the next position.” Phillips said it’s important for a blue shirt to ask questions of the senior personnel around in order to learn as much as possible. “He was one of the few that we knew were going to make it,” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Carlo Abalos, V-1’s leading petty officer, said. “You see it in some of the blue shirts: they’re asking questions about what the
yellow shirt does, and already want to learn the yellow shirt’s job.” Before becoming a yellow shirt, a Sailor needs to become qualified as a tractor driver and also possibly as an elevator operator. “As a yellow shirt, you’re required to be able to drive a tractor, just in case we have a very hard move,” said Abalos. “We can rely on a yellow shirt to jump in and drive the tractor if we have to.” It took Phillips about three to four months to become a completely qualified tractor driver. Working every day under stressful conditions didn’t bother him, though, because driving the tractor was just another opportunity for Phillips to watch and learn from experienced yellow shirts. “You have to pay attention as a tractor driver, because you have to do exactly what the director is telling you to do right way, and you have to do it correctly,” said Phillips. Spending long hours driving tractors around the flight deck made it difficult to study for his qualifications for yellow shirt, but Phillips was hungry. “He’s motivated, and has initiative,” Abalos said. “He asks what needs to be done before having to be told what to do, and then he attacks the job. I’ve seen him studying in his off time, learning his manuals and studying for advancement.” Abalos said a “hungry” Sailor can move on from tractor driver to yellow shirt in about a month, which is exactly how long it took Phillips to be invited to his first yellow shirt brief. “Being able to put the shirt on is a real responsibility,” Abalos said, “and everyone takes a lot of pride in the color.” Phillips is currently waiting to take his board in order to become a fully qualified yellow shirt. “I can see him getting qualified before we pull back into homeport,” said Abalos. “He’s very hungry. Every time I’m up on the flight deck, he is always directing. We have a lot of UIs right now, but he is one of the few who is always getting in front of a qualified yellow shirt.” As Nimitz nears home, the number of fly days will diminish, and Airman Phillips will have to trade his wand in for a paintbrush. Many Sailors will look back at the past year with an assortment of feelings. Some Sailors will look at the year as one of success, and face the future anticipating new goals and opportunities. “This has probably been the most successful year of my life, truthfully,” Phillips said. “I’ve never taken so many tests, and actually passed them with flying colors. I feel like I’ve taken more initiative, and have been able to actually stick to one job and see it through.”
NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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Sgt. John Cummings, right, and Cpl. Joshua Duso audition as the band “6 to Midnight.”
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LS3 Devon Shaw auditions in the TV Studio.
CTR2 Jane Carmichael performs during the Steel Beach Picnic, Oct. 7.
“The Grape Nuts” perform during the Steel Beach Picnic, Oct. 7.
In the month of September, the Junior Enlisted Association began a ship-wide search to unearth the most talented Sailor or Marine this mighty warship had to offer. More than 25 acts participated in the initial audition process. After three grueling rounds, only eight acts were left standing, culminating in an incredible finale Nov.16. Performing live from Hangar Bay 2, each contestant performed to the utmost of their ability and left nothing on the table. In the end, only one person could be crowned…champion. ACAN Rebecca Thrasher was declared the winner to a raucous ovation from her shipmates. It was truly a fitting end to what had become an epic competition. Photos by Nimitz Media Dept.
ACAN Rebecca Thrasher performs during the finale of Nimitz Got Talent in Hangar Bay 2, Nov. 16.
NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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ATOMIC ROCKER STORY BY MCSA (SW) KELLY M. AGEE
PHOTO BY MC1 (AW/SW) MICHAEL COLE
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MM3 Murray plays his guitar.
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Looking at Sailors and Marines around the the information and I thought that it soundship you may not be able to tell what jobs ed like a good idea. I thought that the Navy could set me up for my future.” they’ve held, or dreams they’ve had. Now that Murray is in the Navy and on deMachinist’s Mate 3rd Class Sean Murray is a very reserved quiet Sailor who works in the ployment it’s harder for him to keep his dream Reactor Department. Just looking at him, you of playing in a band alive, but he brought his wouldn’t be able to tell he played guitar in a guitar on board and is still playing and writing songs. semi-famous pop punk-heavy metal band. “It’s hard with my schedule but every now Murray joined a band called “At the Park,” an upcoming band in Dallas, Texas, in 2005. and then something will come to my head and According to Murray the band had a com- I’ll write it down,” said Murray. “I’ll grab my guitar later when I have free time and put pletely unique sound of its own. “We had a completely different sound,” it in music form so I can actually hear it and he said. “In Dallas the big thing was straight hear if it sounds good.” Even though Murray writes and plays by metal bands. We took some ideas from the heavy groups but we still had catchy hooks himself he misses performing with others. “I’m so used to performing with other peoand lyrics from pop songs, so we were heavy but our songs were still catchy enough to get ple as a group or a band so it’s weird for me to just sit and do it by myself. I’m not really stuck in people’s heads.” At the Park’s big break came when they used to it,” he said. According to Murray being a machinist’s released a two-song extended play demo that featured the song “Every Star,” which made mate is different but also shares a slight connection to music. it onto Dallas’s local radio stations. “I’ve noticed a lot of “I remember the first reactor personnel are time someone came up to good at music due to the us and asked us for our aurelationship between mutograph,” said Murray. “I sic and math,” said Murwas just blown away.” ray. They also started to play Murray is excited about in the local club scene in taking leave because he Dallas. hopes to get back with “There was a club we one of his previous band played at a lot. We were remembers to play a gig. ally good friends with the “One of the guys still owner and they hooked up -MURRAY plays and writes all the equipment to record a live set and we released some of the live record- time, so I’m trying to get back into it with him,” said Murray. “The stuff he writes is ings,” said Murray. After three years of making music, “At the still similar to the old stuff but he started incorporating dub step to add a new unique Park” decided to go their separate ways. Two of the band members had kids and element.” According to Murray, although he loves wanted to do what was best for their famimusic, he will continue to make it a hobby lies,” said Murray. After the band dissolved it was time for instead of a career. “I’ll always play but it will become more Murray to choose a new path, a path that of a hobby,” he said. “It’s hard to start over would lead him to the military. “I didn’t really want to start out from from the beginning and try to make it a seriscratch,” he said. “I had two brothers who ous project again.” Even though the band didn’t work out for had already enlisted. When the band split up I decided that it was my best option at the Murray he still enjoys the fond memories he had with his band. time.” “I’ve met some of my closest friends while Murray chose machinist’s mate in the nuclear program because he overheard his playing music,” said Murray. “It’s one of those life experiences that most people don’t brother ’s recruiter talking about it. “My brother initially joined the nucle- get to do, to actually get on stage and play ar program and was talking to the recruiter for people. It’s hard to put in words because about it,” said Murray. “I was hearing a lot of it’s so overwhelming.”
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It’s one of those life experiences that most people don’t get to do, to actually get on stage and play for people
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NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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AROUND THE NFL
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By Rick Rickson
A major key in Denver’s victory over Kansas City was limiting the Chief’s biggest threat. Jamal Charles finished with 72 yards from scrimmage, the first time he has failed to reach 96 this season.
For the third straight game, the Bengals finished with a negative offensive expected points added. Andy Dalton finished with 93 passing yards Sunday, and somehow Cincy scored 41 points.
Seattle has looked scary good for a few weeks, but even scarier was the potential impact Percy Harvin flashed on his 58-yard kickoff return. The hip looked pretty healthy.
Colin Kaepernick completed his only pass to Vernon Davis at least 15 yards downfield for a 17yard touchdown. Kaepernick was 0-for-5 targeting everyone else deep.
Back to the drawing board for the Chief’s defense. Peyton Manning wasn’t sacked and posted a 66.5 Total QBR, more than doubling what Kansas City previously allowed this season (24.1).
Josh McCown deserved the win, especially considering the conditions. McCown was 6-for-10 deeper than 10 yards downfield, including a big 28-yard throw to Martellus Bennett on the winning drive.
Drew Brees racked up his eighth game this season with at least 300 passing yards in Sunday’s win. Peyton Manning (nine) is the only other quarterback with more than five.
Matthew Stafford was 0-for-10 with an interception in the fourth quarter Sunday. Stafford also was 0-for-3 with an interception targeting Calvin Johnson in the second half.
Cam Newton was 8-for-11 for 98 yards and a touchdown (and no interceptions) when the Patriots sent at least five pass-rushers. Newton’s five interceptions against pressure are second most.
Philly kept RG III in the pocket enough to win. He threw both touchdowns outside the pocket, but was sacked four times and completed 12 of 27 passes with an interception inside.
Tom Brady has nine wins (regular season and playoffs) against Peyton Manning. Since 1993, no quarterback has more wins against another quarterback.
Winners of three straight, the 6-4 Cardinals might be favored for the division crown if they played for the NFC East or North.
Since Trent Richardson joined the Colts in week 3, Donald Brown has averaged 6.1 yards per carry, doubling Richardson’s 2.8 average and trailing only Andre Elllington.
The 5-5 Cowboys face the 6-4 Giants, but which team’s fans feel better? The Giants have won four straight, while Dallas allowed a league-record 40 first downs two weeks ago.
Eddie Lacy was hit at or behind the line on 10 of 14 rushes Sunday, the fourth time a player with 10 rushes finished with negative yards before contact average.
Browns cornerback Joe Haden caught as many passes as A.J. Green. Haden picked off Andy Dalton twice for 44 yards and a touchdown. Green only had 7 yards receiving.
The Bills had three drives start inside the Jet’s 35yard line (10 points). Jets opponents have started 12 drives this season inside the Jet’s 35-yard line, second most in the league.
EJ Manuel’s first pass against the blitz was swatted away by Muhammad Wilkerson. Then he went 8-for-8 for 111 yards and two touchdowns to finish the game.
Charles Clay had 78 yards after catch Sunday, including 35 on his third-quarter touchdown. Clay’s total was the second most by a Dolphin during the past six seasons.
Rashad Jennings 109 rush yards after contact Sunday was the most for any player this season. Jennings was the third player to top 100 in a game (C.J. Spiller and Adrian Peterson).
Philip Rivers was 4-for-10 for 94 yards and an interception on throws at least 15 yards downfield Sunday. Rivers entered Sunday with the third-best completion percentage on deep throws.
They got to Shady, they just couldn’t bring him down. Washington hit LeSean McCoy in the backfield on seven of 20 rushes, but he averaged 2.9 yards after contact per rush.
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked once in 41 dropbacks (2.4 percent) against Detroit’s four-man rush Sunday, an improvement on his 7.3 percent season average.
Mike Glennon and the Bucs have won two in a row. If they win this week in Detroit, it’s called a winning streak. It has happend before.
Ray Rice had 131 yards and a touchdown Sunday. Rice’s first rush of the game was a 47-yarder, a bigger total than seven of his eight games this season.
Andre Johnson had 10 catches on 17 targets for 83 yards Sunday. Johnson caught six of eight passes for 24 yards from Case Keenum and four of nine for 59 yards from Matt Schaub.
The last we saw of the Rams was a 30-point beatdown of Indianapolis, just like everyone predicted. Enjoy it now, because five of their final six opponents are above .500.
The Falcons showed heart and hustle against a very tough Saints team, but it was not enough to pull out the victory. An ugly schedule, including hosting the Redskins and Panthers, and traveling to Buffalo, Green Bay and San Francisco.
With the Packers missing two cornerbacks Sunday, Eli Manning went 17-for-21 for 218 yards and a touchdown targeting wide receivers. Big Blue have won four straight games after and 0-6 start.
Adrian Peterson had 21 rushes for 65 yards on Sunday, including 27 yards after contact. Peterson’s 1.28 yards after contact per rush average was his third lowest of the season.
Chris Johnson rushed for 80 yards and two touch- Jacksonville followed up a Week 10 victory in Tendowns in the first half Thursday. In the second half, nessee by allowing Carson Palmer...that’s right... Carson Palmer to complete more than 70 percent Johnson was held to 6 yards on four rushes. of passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s loss. NIMITZ NEWS | NOVEMBER 24, 2013
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RECONNECTING WITH FAMILY
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STORY AND PHOTO BY MCSN ERIC BUTLER
“When I ‘skyped’ with him for the second time, he just looked at me and it took him a second; he didn’t know who I was,” said Personnel Specialist Seaman Alry Buechner. “That was kind of hard because the first year of his life I was with him all the time.” Buechner’s experience talking to her son, Adam, is echoed across the military with parents who go on deployment leaving young children at home. Coming home can be an emotional challenge when mothers and fathers have spent many hard months overseas, only to find their children don’t recognize them in person or have a hard time reconnecting to them. There are many parents on Nimitz who have gone through this experience and have advice for shipmates who will soon be reconnecting to their own young children. Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Alberto Perez-Badillo said up until now, he had only been on out-to-sea deployments for one to two months at a time. Even though they were short, he said it was hard on his son, Nicolas. “He took them bad, in a way, just because he really missed my presence,” said Perez-Badillo. “His mom was the only one there, so he started behaving a little more erratically, not paying attention to her.” Perez-Badillo said it is only natural to experience a little rejection from kids when you’ve been gone for some time, especially if you did not take the time to keep in
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touch consistently. “It all depends on what you said and did on this deployment,” said Perez-Badillo. “You have to separate time for them. When you’re in port, you have to be available to contact them whenever they are up. They’re not going to change their schedule for you. You have to sacrifice something for your family.” Buechner said she was worried that it would be harder to play with and feed her son because she may not know what his likes and dislikes are anymore. But she said continued communication with her husband was her biggest help to keep up with Adam. “During the second year of their life is when they really start getting attached to you,” said Buechner. “I can’t just go up and hug him. My husband, Greg, and I have talked about it. We made plans about how he’s going to introduce me to Adam. We’re going to try to interact a little bit before Greg goes somewhere so he’s not just going to leave us alone. I talk to him on the phone so that he’ll recognize my voice, and he told me he loved me for the first time.” Planning ahead with family members can help make it easier for a young child to reconnect to their military mom or dad, but communication is key. There are many methods available to Sailors to communicate with their families today and any one of them can potentially make a difference.
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