June 26, 2013
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Midshipman’s
TALE STORY BY MC3 LINDA S. SWEARINGEN PHOTO BY MC3 (SW) GEORGE J. PENNEY III
Vol. 2 Issue 51
The term midshipman is derived from the 17th century name for an experienced seaman in England’s Royal Navy. Being a midshipman was considered a prestigious position, and they were handpicked by the English monarchy. The United States Navy borrowed the term midshipman from the English Royal Navy whom the U.S. based their naval training on. The rank of midshipman in the U.S. Navy was considered the same as a warrant officer since the 1794 inception of the Navy by Congress. They were appointed by the President until 1819 when the term “passed midshipman” was instated and - Continued on page 3 -
Sailor of the Day Officer King’s keen attention to detail resulted in the drafting, revising and tracking of more than 187 evaluations and fitness reports. He additionally processed 39 good conduct awards, 20 spouse letters, 25 TOPS transactions and released more than 90 messages with zero discrepancies. King had the unique opportunity to have been selected as Sailor of the Day on the day of his re-enlistment. When King isn’t hard at work he is usually studying to complete his qualifications. “I read and study but I mostly study because I have a board for my wings soon,” he said. When asked if he had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition King said, “Push hard and never give up.”
Story and Photos by MCSA Victoria Ochoa
Yeoman 3rd Class (SW) Charles M. King, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, from Moultrie, Ga., was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 25. “It’s been really good, I’ve gotten a lot of recognition today,” said King. As command security clerk he initiated, reviewed and approved 20 personnel security investigations. He also processed 30 security indoctrinations and terminations and issued and tracked more than 40 courier cards. He was also instrumental in verification of security clearances for 200 Sailors over two Navy-wide advancement cycles. “I get out, talk to people and I work hard and give a hand where it’s needed,” said King. As Evaluation and Fitness Report Clerk, Petty
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 recognized as an official rank in the Navy. Today, a midshipman refers to a naval cadet in training of the junior-most ranking in the United States Navy. Midshipman 2nd Class Dan J. Siegel, of Sayville, N.Y., is one of 18 midshipmen staying on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for two weeks of Naval training. “Both my grandpas were in the Marines as enlisted men, and I came in as a midshipman because I wanted to go to college and to join the military. So it took care of both things at once,” said Siegel. Siegel said he found out about the midshipman program through a college fair at his high school where he met a Navy recruiter who told him about the officer programs. “I applied for the midshipman program when I was 16 years old,” said Siegel. “I got accepted my senior year of high school and I started going to college after I graduated high school.” Under the midshipman program, Siegel attends college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and is currently in his junior year and studying civil engineering. “When I get commissioned I will be considered active duty in the Navy and I will come in as an officer,” said Siegel. “Right now I am considered a part of the Navy Reserves.” This visit to Nimitz marks Siegel’s first time on board an aircraft carrier, however it is not his first time on a naval vessel. “I’ve been on a cruiser and a submarine for a week each,” said Siegel. “We have a lot more things
planned here than on the other ships I’ve been on.” Some of the shipboard events that Siegel and the other midshipmen will be involved in include rigorous physical training with members of the explosive ordnance disposal team, standing watches for all the major enlisted watch standing stations, attending briefs and shadowing their running mates. There is one running mate assigned to each midshipman during their stay on board Nimitz from both the enlisted and officer ranks. Second and third class midshipmen are assigned enlisted running mates and first class midshipmen are assigned officer running mates. “We follow them around for one and a half hours a day and we go with them to their work centers to see what they do on a daily basis so we can experience what the enlisted do before we become officers,” said Siegel. In addition to shadowing their running mates in their work centers, the midshipmen on board are also eating chow daily on the enlisted mess decks and sleeping in the enlisted berthings. Siegel said he is looking forward to seeing the aviation side of the Navy first hand, as he wants to eventually become a Navy pilot. “I want to be a pilot even more so after seeing the jets close up,” said Siegel. “I’m looking forward to watching the flight operations and possibly riding in the helicopters.” According to Siegel, the opportunity to come to Nimitz provides him with an invaluable insight into the daily operations of both the enlisted and officers in the Navy.
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Health & Fitness
Sailors and Marines participate in a 5-kilometer run on the flight deck.
RUN NIMITZ RUN
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group of Sailors and Marines gathered on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for a five-kilometer run June 23. Even with a slight delay due to strong winds, the participants were eager for the run. “We had an amazing turn out,” said Melyssa Patterson, Nimitz’ fit boss. “This is our first flight deck run of this deployment, and it was nice to get up on the flight deck, smell the fresh air and jet fuel.” With the run time approaching 15 minutes, the first person to cross the finish line was Lt. Dave Costic, from Nimitz’ Dental Department. “This was just a great morning,” said Costic. “We got to come outside, see the sun and go for a run. It was just nice to get out here and bring everyone together a little bit.” The run was sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation to help raise moral and promote physical fitness, and for a $5 donation each participant received a t-shirt designed to mark the occasion. “It was really fun to get this chance to get outside,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Elizabeth Anderson, a participant in the run. “I really hope we get the chance to do this again.” Nimitz Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
MC3 DEREK W. VOLLAND
Cmdr. John Cummings, Executive Officer, and AO1 Jasmin Shackelford run on the flight deck.
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SUNDAY JAM Story and Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.
Sailors and Marines participate in a three-on-three basketball tournament.
Sailors participated in a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) basketball tournament in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) June 23. Teams of three players showed-off their basketball skills in a series of games that lasted more than four hours. This tournament was the first of Nimitz’ deployment. “The basketball tournament is meant to boost morale,” said Chief Operations Specialist Travis E. Lovegrove, MWR’s leading chief petty officer. “I think the crew loved it.” After hours of sweat and struggle on the halfcourt, the Nimitz basketball series came down to the finals: “5-Star” vs. “TNT.” The two teams are ship sponsored, and have a rivalry history. The last time the two teams played against each other was during a championship in Everett, Wash. “We go head-to-head every time we play,” said Seaman Gregory Mitchell, member of the TNTs. “All the teams we played were on par until we got to the last game with 5-Star. It was intense and very physical.” The tournament’s final game ended with a score of 12-10, with 5-Star on top.
“That’s what it’s all about, winning,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Dwight Harkless, member of the 5-Stars. “The games were pretty competitive since each team came out to play hard. Our team did good and we came out on top, like we planned to.” Despite the loss, TNT members walked away with high hopes for future games. “They beat us today, but we are going to get them one of these days,” said Mitchell. “Other than that, I’d like to see some of the squadron’s come out and play on a 5-on-5 game.” MWR has plans for many future events, so this may not be the last time the crew sees these teams in action. “I can’t promise anything, but we are trying to put together a basketball tournament for our upcoming port visits,” said Lovegrove. Besides basketball tournaments, other games mentioned were golf and softball. Although MWR staff members man these events, help is still needed from the crew. “We still need volunteers to help set up and clean up afterwards. We can’t continue with these kinds of events if we can’t have volunteers to help clean up,” said Lovegrove. 5
Through the Lens
ABH1 Cameron Fisher tows an F/A-18F Super Hornet across the flight deck. - Photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee
LSSN Emily E. Thomas processes material from a past replenishment at sea. - Photo by MCSA Victoria Ochoa
AN Robert Dominguez assists in restowing a barricade following a barricade drill on the flight deck.
MR2 Kirsten Bishop disassembles part of a fuel nozzle in the machine shop.
- Photo by MC3 (SW/AWww) Jessica Lewis
- Photo by MCSN Derek Harkins
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