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CONTENTS Vol. 9 | Issue 11 4 Nimitz Begins Chief Initiation Story by MC2 Austin Haist
NIMITZ NEWS
CAPT. Kevin Lenox Commanding Officer CAPT. J.W. David Kurtz Executive Officer CMDCM Richard Mengel Command Master Chief
MEDIA DEPARTMENT
LT. CMDR. Clint Phillips PAO LT. J.G. Meagan Morrison DIVO MCC Grant Probst Media DLCPO MCC Porter Anderson Media CPO MC1 Kevin Johnson Media LPO
Each Nimitz chief select has begun their rigorous five-week
training process, known as CPO Initiation. Turn to Page 4 to read about what it takes to wear the khaki uniform and gold anchors.
6 Into the Flames: Nimitz Sailors Attend Firefighting Training Story by MC3 Chris Jahnke
Every Sailor participates in firefighting and damage control drills, but in this advanced training, Sailors get hands-on experience with real fires and lifelike scenarios.
10 Chomping at the Bit: Nimitz Dental Officer Story by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
Cmdr. Thomas Hines, DENTO, shares more on his philosophy “Always brush and floss, because good oral hygiene is the key to success.”
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MC3 Emily Johnston Lead Designer MC2 Don White Phojo Team Lead MC2 Austin Haist MC2 Marc Cuenca MC2 Ian Kinkead MC2 Erickson Magno MC2 Ian Zagrocki MC3 Chad Anderson MC3 David Claypool MC3 Colby Comery MC3 Cody Deccio MC3 Greg Hall MC3 James Hunt MC3 Chris Jahnke MC3 Kennishah Maddux MC3 Jose Madrigal MC3 Liana Nichols MC3 Michael Prusiecki MC3 Cole Schroeder MC3 Frank Speciale MC3 Jessica Tukes MC3 Leon Wong MC3 Bethany Woolsey MCSN Anthony Collier
On August 12, 2018, Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) brought their mothers, fathers, spouses and children aboard the ship for Nimitz Family Day. Displays and activities were set up to showcase the dayto-day life of the crew, as well as to show family members the progress and upgrades Nimitz is receiving during the shipyard period.
Family Day
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ChiefInitiation NIMITZ BEGINS
STORY BY MC2 AUSTIN HAIST PHOTOS BY MC2 KINKEAD & MC3 HUNT
Standing attentively with honest intrigue the Sailors aboard USS Nimitz stood listening to the annual Chief results over the ships intercom system. The short announcement on Aug. 7th was the beginning of a long road ahead when 26 first class petty officers received the news that they had been selected for the rank of chief petty officer. The first class petty officers newly selected for CPO will begin a rigorous, five-week training process known as CPO Initiation before they can wear their new khaki uniforms and anchors. CPO Initiation is a tried and true training ground where those selected for chief are pushed to their limits through physical activity, classroom training and personal mentorship. At the end of the process they are ultimately accepted into the exclusive
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Chiefs Mess. “What we’re doing right now is testing and building them,” said Command Senior Chief Terry Loeffelholz, CPO initiation chairman, from Dubuque, Iowa. “We’re training them to be effective chiefs by the end of the season, to be able to give back to their junior Sailors, build the Chiefs Mess and contribute to the mission of ship.” Being selected for chief is a big milestone in the career of a Sailor. Even though the selectees have a challenging training process ahead of them, most keep a positive outlook due to the satisfaction of knowing that they were selected. “It is the greatest moment in my naval career,” said Machinist Mate 1st Class Christopher M. Loucks, from St. Louis, MO, and who has been selected for chief. “It means that the members of the greatest community in the Navy want me to be by their side. It is an extreme honor to be chosen to join the ranks of the CPO Mess.” With new rank comes new duties and responsibilities. The challenges of CPO Initiation are to prepare the selectees for new roles that will be
required of them and to change their mindsets to a new level of leadership in the Navy. “When you are a chief, you are everything,” said Loucks. “I have Sailors as a first class. I might have some that aren’t mine ask me for things, but when you are a chief, all Sailors are your Sailors. You will get questions from all over, and you have to know what to do. You are the one they look to and we want to help anyone we can.” With their large blue “CHIEF SELECT” badges, quick pace and overtaxed look it is hard to miss the chiefs in training. It’s evident that they are working incredibly hard, yet for those first class petty officer who didn’t make it there are feelings of missing out and disappointment, with restore to make it next year. “For the first classes that weren’t selected this year, just keep your head up and keep pushing,” said Loeffelholz. “Keep working at it and you’ll make it." Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
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INTO THE FLAMES STORY BY MC3 CHRIS JAHNKE
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* Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) combat a simulated class bravo fire in a simulated ships galley at Bremerton International Emergency Services Training Center. Photo by MCC Grant Probst
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Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kristine Martinez, from San Jose, Calif., assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), utilizes a high-pressured hose while participating in firefighting drills at Bremerton International Emergency Services Training Center. Photo by MCC Grant Probst
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Inching forward down the passageway the team settles in to position. Sweat starts to drip down their foreheads, the moment they’ve been training for is finally upon them. Smoke fills the space and a shadowy figure makes for the door, bangs three times and yells, “the door is hot!”. The door is opened as the inferno rolls overhead, and the team moves in to begin their battle. This is what Sailors go through at the Bremerton Training Center to refresh their firefighting skills while stationed the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). “Our goal as instructors is getting Sailors comfortable with firefighting,” said Michael E. Tinder, director of Bremerton Training Center and retired senior chief damage controlman. “We introduce them to situations and training that isn’t possible on the ship, such as an actual fire, going on air, and being in full firefighting gear for 30 minutes.” During the Sailors’ time in the course, they learn all facets of firefighting, from being a part of the hose team, to being a repair locker leader giving instructions to the sailors on the ground. “It’s important that people get to experience every part of the firefighting process,” said Tinder. “Look at what happened with USS Cole and how that crew overcame the casualties to keep that ship afloat. As a Sailor, they need to be prepared to not only step up, but they need to fully understand what they are doing, and that’s all a part of this course.” The four-day school has over ten training exercises which include classroom sessions and hands on demonstrations, all of which culminate to the student led capstone event. “On the ship [currently], we do drills with no actual fire or water in the hoses.” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Mayra Ochoa, from Palmetto, Fla. “This course allows us the opportunity to get the feel of actively fighting a fire. The training that happens here is a great tool for teaching Sailors who don’t know how it feels to be in the heat or even know how to use a hose. It’s an opportunity for everyone to learn valuable skills.” For Sailors like Ochoa, this course is a refresher. For most Sailors, it’s their first time after boot camp working directly with live fires. “In my class we had hospital corpsmen, aviation ordnancemen and logistic specialists,” said Ochoa. “Sailors in those rates typically wouldn’t pick up
a hose during a casualty. This course gives them that time to learn the ins and outs of firefighting. It’s really amazing to see what can happen in four days of training and how everyone becomes one cohesive firefighting unit.” Teamwork is one of the main skills the course strives to teach the Sailors. Instructors only have four days to impart years’ worth of knowledge to their students. “There’s easily over 150 years of firefighting experience here.” said Kenneth Finch, firefighting instructor at the Bremerton Training Center. “From day one, things typically start out pretty rough with new student as they learn the basics. However, by day four they do everything on their own. They go through four fires on the last day of training with no assistance from the instructors. We’re only there to make sure everyone is safe and, in the event something happens, shut it all done.” Finch also said it’s amazing to see the difference between a class’s first fire and last fire. “As an instructor, it feels good to see improvement and know that this group was successfully trained,” Finch said. “The students of this course really stepped up to the challenge and tackled every situation they came across.” Sailors are known for stepping up in the face of adversity. For those new Sailors who took part in this training, it could be them one day providing assistance to a casualty on the ship. “As a Hospital Corpsmen we don’t typically fight fires on the ship.” said Hospital Corpsmen 2nd Class Arilyssa Hoyos from Lyons, New York. “Our main objective during a casualty is providing medical support to those who need it. This knowledge is valuable to have in my repertoire.” It may be unusual for a hospital corpsman to be on a hose team during a fire, but it’s all a part of being a well-rounded Sailor. This course is just one of many that Sailors assigned to Nimitz take part in. “If help is needed I know that I can step in and help,” said Hoyos. “I was nervous at first, and now I feel like I can fight fires. This class opened my eyes to what those Sailors go through while fighting fires. It’s really intense.” Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
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Chomping at the Bit:
Nimitz Dental Officer Story & photos by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
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fills the air. Cool air conditioning neutralizes the hot summer heat in the brightly lit examination rooms. Surgical tools and infographics depicting teeth and jawbones adorn the walls. Sitting on a low swivel chair at a computer and draped in light blue scrubs is a man of many skills and qualifications, but for Cmdr. Thomas Hines, his primary title is the dental officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). he constant ringing of a telephone
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Hines graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science and Policy in 1996. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of North Carolina in 2000 and privately practiced for two years in his hometown of Raleigh before joining the Navy in 2002. Hines says that a history of service in his family, along with the upsurge of military service in the aftermath of a national tragedy was his inspiration to join the military. “My dad was a pilot in Vietnam, and my mom did a tour there in the Red Cross, so my family served before me. Then 9/11 happened and a lot of my friends joined, so I figured I would join and do my part to serve the country in a time of need,” Hines said. Upon being commissioned through Officer Development School in 2002, Hines attended numerous naval warfare qualification schools and completed his training as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, performing numerous procedures such as wisdom teeth removal and the repair of broken facial and jaw bones. He finished his residency and board certifications in 2013 and has been the dental officer aboard Nimitz since August of 2016. He says that he finds abundant satisfaction in serving his country as a military surgeon. “It’s great to have the opportunity to help the people who are out there doing the warfighting. Serving is a lot harder than people realize, and this is an amenity I can give to make life better for Sailors in need,” Hines said. “My respect for everyone who chooses this lifestyle is what motivates me.” As a dental officer and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Hines’ typical day is fully packed with both technical and administrative tasks. In port, he spends three days a week performing surgery at Naval Hospital Bremerton and two days a week aboard Nimitz supervising the dental department and performing the administrative and staff duties of a department head. Working alongside his primary dental technician, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dominique Thomas, from Killeen, Texas, Hines is able to successfully practice his skills and improve the oral health of thousands of Sailors. “It’s a great experience working with him. We’re a well-oiled machine working together
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and we hit every goal. I set up and break down equipment, schedule patients, take vitals, and do a lot of paperwork, and he does the surgeries and the hard stuff,” said Thomas. “I think people need to have more confidence and trust in military medicine, because he’s personally the best doctor I’ve ever seen. He loves to learn and is constantly trying to better himself, and he’s terrific at what he does.” However, what sets Hines apart is his plethora of underway qualifications, many of which are uncommon for a medical officer to hold. Out to sea, Hines is qualified as officer of the deck, command duty officer, non-nuclear engineering officer of the watch, and a helicopter control officer. He earned these qualifications by standing countless hours of watch underway on the ship’s bridge, primary flight control, and central control. His days out to sea are packed full and consist of performing surgeries in the morning, paperwork and other administrative duties in the afternoons, and standing watch or helping out with flight operations in the evenings. Hines’ mentality of teamwork prompted him to earn these qualifications. “I wanted to help out as much as possible and contribute to more of the success of the mission. I believe it’s a domino effect that will help everyone out by having more qualified personnel onboard,” he said. While he feels the massive satisfaction of his job and contributions towards Nimitz’s continued success, there are also challenges that he has had to overcome. “On top of being exhausted from such a full day, it’s tough from the medical stand-
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point because dental usually isn’t at the top of the priority list, so you need to have balance and transparency when dealing with the other departments. It’s also pretty difficult to maintain the medical records and health requirements of thousands of people at once,” Hines said. Despite the obstacles he faces, Hines will continue to serve and make the most out of his military career. “I’ve already done 16 years and I’ve signed for at least four more. As long as I feel like I’m helping out and the job is interesting to me, I’ll continue to serve,” he said. Hines feels the role of dentistry is often overlooked, and wants Sailors to know of its importance to the success of the Navy’s mission. “Many people don’t think of dental as being a critical aspect of warfighting, but it’s quite essential. Dental issues can affect the ships success, and I want to keep people fighting the fight,” he said. Whether a Sailor needs their wisdom teeth removed, the captain needs a qualified officer of the deck to keep the ship steaming through the oceans, the engineering department needs a watch officer to monitor vital components of the ships interior, or primary flight control needs assistance in launching and recovering helicopters, Cmdr. Hines will be there ready to apply his abilities and proficiency and keep Nimitz ready for battle. “Remember to always brush and floss, because good oral hygiene is the key to success.” Nimitz is currently conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
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You are worthy. You are enough. You are loved. You matter. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 237-8255 (TALK) www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org 13
crossword
SUDOKU
trivia Where did the forecastle (fo’ksul) originally get it’s name?
find chester Admiral Chester Nimitz’s face is hidden somewhere in every Nimitz News. Can you find him?
weekly throwback All hands on the flight deck jump to action to rig the emergency barricade while the ship is in the waters of the Northern Arabian in support of Operation Southern Watch.
The forecastle derives its name from the days of viking galleys when wooden castles were built on the forward and aft parts of the main deck from which archers and other fighting men could shoot arrows and throw spears, rocks, etc. during battle. Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and editing. “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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2 1. AN Matthew Martin stands a full bore watch in the Strait3of Hormuz. Photo by MC3 Leon Wong
2. ABHAN Derek Slater picks up his firefighting boots after a crash-and-salvage watch. Photo by MC3 (SW) Weston Mohr 3. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from VFA-146, launches from the flight deck. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 4. Sailors on the rigging team work and cool off during a replenishment-at-sea. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 5. Sailors conduct honor guard practice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Leon Wong 6. Sailors move ordnance aboard the flight deck off USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 7. Sailors play football on the flight deck of USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC2 (SW/AW/IW) Holly Herline 8. An MH-60S Sea Hawk from HSC-8 patrols above Nimitz. Photo by MCSN (SW/AW) Cody Deccio 9. Sailors recieve supplies aboard Nimitz during an UNREP. Photo By MC3 (SW) Weston A. Mohr
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1| Cmdr. Hines and his dental team pose for a photo. |MC3 Prusiecki 2| Kristi Radetski teaches Sailors about suicide intervention and mental health. |MC3 Hunt 3| Capt. Lenox congratulates Sailors who were meritoriously advanced during an all-hands call. |MC2 Cuenca 4| Capt. Kurtz inspects Sailors during an annual department inspection on the barge. |MC3 Tukes 5| Sailors participate in damage control training at the Bremerton Training Center. |MC3 Jahnke 6| MA1 Balch and IT1 Kurz both selected to advance to chief petty officer, conduct morning colors. |MC2 Kinkead
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BA NGO R PLAZ A B AL L R OOM
243 BALL RD
NAVY BIRTHDAY
“FORGED BY THE SEA” Saturday, October 13 • 5:30-11 pm 5:30 PM Doors Open • Cocktail hour
beer and wine provided
6:30 PM Ceremony commences with Guest Speaker: Dr. Darlene Iskra
7:30 PM Dinner
Choice of Pasta Primavera, Chicken Astoria, King Henry Sirloin
9-11 PM Social Door Prizes, Dancing
TICKET COST PER PERSON:
FOR TICKETS
E1-E4, and their guests - $25. E5-E6, and their guests - $35.00 DoD Civilians/Retirees and their guests - $40.00 E7-O3, and their guests - $45.00 O4 & Above, and their guests - $55.00
(360) 396-5466 - Bangor Plaza Reservations (360) 476-9085 - All American Restaurant-Bremerton
NEED A ROOM FOR THE NIGHT?
MILITARY ATTIRE: Service Dress Blues w/ribbons or better
NEED CHILDCARE FOR THE NIGHT?
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CIVILIAN ATTIRE: Semi-Formal or better
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Call the Navy Lodge and reference “Navy Ball” by September 28: (360) 779-9100 or Navy Gateway Inns & Suites (NGIS) at 1 (877) NAVY BED Contact Bangor CDC by September 29 for reservations and requirements: (360) 396-5920
All Active Duty, Retirees, DoD, Navy and Marine League Members are invited.