Sept. 27, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 111
DAILY DIGEST
Corporal Course I Story By MCSN Eric Butler
f you happened to be walking through the hangar bay during the middle weeks of September and noticed a bunch of Marines and Sailors wrestling, marching and performing drills, you witnessed the Marine corporal training program in progress. It’s a program that helps new non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the Marines learn fundamentals of leadership and excellent military bearing. While the program is designed for Marines, Sailors are invited to take part while at sea. Sgt. John K. Cummings, from Waianae, Hawaii, went through the program in Afghanistan while still
Marines and Sailors Gain New Level of Discipline
fairly new to the military. As a sergeant, he led and taught a squad of seven E-4 Sailors and Marines from the most recent group to graduate on board. “We just try to guide them in the right direction,” said Cummings. “There are some leadership styles out there that are all about punishment. We try to show them that sometimes punishment is necessary, but maybe you could try to guide your Marines or Sailors using other methods. You could mentor them. As a mentor, you try to care for that Marine as a whole.” Even as a course leader, Cum-
mings said he still found the material helpful for himself. “There are things I thought I knew,” said Cummings. “Even as I go through the course now, there’s more and more stuff I’m learning. Now that I’ve gone through it as a faculty advisor as a sergeant, I realize that there are still things that I need to work on.” Cpl. Dylan H. Williams, from Venice Beach, Calif., graduated from the program recently and said he gained a lot from the experience. “It’s a big step for us, a real big step,” said Williams. “Now you’re an NCO. You get alterations to your CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Sailor of the Day
Story and photo by MCSN Eric Butler
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the repair lockers were equipped at the highest level of readiness. In addition, Akbari’s technical competence for complex maintenance earned an “above average” score during the recent 3MI inspection, prompting praise from inspectors for his professionalism. Akbari gave advice for anyone else looking for recognition for hard work. “Keep doing what you’re doing. Do it right the first time. Don’t let your spirits get in the dump.”
amage Controlman 3rd Class Kabire M. Akbari, from Escondido, Calif., was selected as Sailor of the Day Sept. 26. “It’s pretty cool,” said Akbari. “People see you walking around with the Sailor of Day badge and everyone tells you ‘good job.’ It really lifts your spirits.” Akbari completed more than 200 hours of maintenance on life saving equipment, maintained vital ship’s emergency breathing air systems, and ensured Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth
Executive Officer Capt. John Cummings
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. 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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Cpl. Argentry Uebelhoer-Belt, center, and Sgt. Maj., Jason Patrick, spar in the hangar bay.
courage, commitment, and you never quit, you can never go wrong.” “It really is a good learning tool, a good eyeopener on how to become a leader,” said Ayzenburg. While the program is required for Marines planning to advance to E-5, the course offers Sailors the chance to gain leadership skills and confidence, Marine style. It also allows Sailors to connect to one of our closest branches in a way few other Sailors do. Invites are sent through a mass email with a list of instructions and a command screening checklist. If you don’t receive the email, you may inquire with the Marine Sergeant Major to sign up. “Besides the PT, I would have to say I like the drills,” said Williams. “It teaches discipline and confidence.”
By MCSN (SW) Kole Carpenter
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 uniform which distinguishes you as an NCO.” Besides the uniform alterations, there are greater leadership and responsibility expectations for which the course prepares E-4s for. “Personally, I took a lot of mentorship from it,” said Williams. “I feel like I can better mentor my Marines now, and to make them be the best they can be.” Cpl. Klayton S. Closter, from Escondido, Calif., also went through the program recently and talked about his experience along with the Sailors who trained with them. “I think, for Sailors, there’s a lot to gain for them because it’s not something they normally train for,” said Closter. “It’s really good to have Marines and Sailors in there together. It kind of creates a little competition. It gave me respect for the Sailors that went through it.” One of those Sailors, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael H. Ayzenburg, from Rochester, N.Y., assigned to the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, said he was recommended to the program by his command master chief, who was a corpsman. He wanted to make an additional connection to the Marines as a corpsman and gain whatever leadership skills the program had to offer as a new E-4. “I want to lead by example,” said Ayzenburg. “I think everybody can learn from each other, but I think leading by example can help them out to keep on the right path, militarily-wise, as far as military bearing, respect and abiding by the core values.“ In addition, Ayzenburg said an important thing he was told came from his class leader Sgt. Jesus Ubanda, from Gallup, N.M., who said, “if you keep honor,
AROUND THE FLEET
PROVIDING PERSPECTIVE
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CHAPLAINS HELP GUIDE THE GRIEVING PROCESS
Story by Chief of Navy Chaplains Public Affairs
n Sept. 16, the lives of 12 families were forever changed. Countless others were deeply affected by what they witnessed that day at the Washington Navy Yard. These civilian Sailors were beloved grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. Their families and colleagues mourn their loss and have begun walking the road of grief.
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Grief is always painful, and sometimes it is pretty straightforward and understandable; sometimes it can be complicated and confusing. For example, if one’s ninety-year-old grandmother died peacefully in her sleep, a family would naturally grieve her anticipated loss. However when death is sudden or unexpected, traumatic, senseless, and out of sync with life’s natural order, grief can be complicated. There are certain things that can affect how we grieve: -How close we are, emotionally and geographically, to the person who died. -Our belief system and view of death can both inf luence the grieving process. -What kind of support we experience from our family, our community, our faith group, and others important to us while we are grieving. -How we cope with other significant life events, including the death of others we are close to. Chaplains can help support an individual as they begin the process of grieving. They offer perspective and insight to help an individual understand the difference between grief associated with an anticipated loss and grief associated with a sudden, unanticipated loss. They can also help validate what an individual is experiencing throughout the grieving process and the time often needed to process one’s grief; this includes the fact that there is no set timeframe when grieving. Every individual is different. Cmdr. Judy Malana, a Navy chaplain, recalls her recent experience providing pastoral support to the Navy Yard families at Nationals’ stadium, particularly after some were notified their loved ones were gone. She described the chaplain’s involvement in the casualty assistance notification process as a “sacred privilege to be there at that moment for them. It’s something that we, as chaplains, are trained to do, and we take that seriously.” When asked specifically how one can comfort someone in the midst of grief, Malana said, “You
have to be open, because each individual is different, and you have no way of knowing how the individual is going to react to the news that their loved one is gone. You have to remain openminded and fully present in the moment to be able to best care for that individual. Being patient and offering a listening ear.” Chaplains can help guide individuals through the grieving and recovery process, especially if they feel stuck in a state of shock, anger or denial. Over time, chaplains can help an individual identify ways to reinvest their emotional energy, finding positive ways to remember and honor their loved ones and move towards a path of healing. Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) is providing ongoing support for survivors and families impacted by the Navy Yard shooting. The Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Building 72, Enterprise Hall, includes a combination of trained counselors, social workers, chaplains and Fleet and Family support services that are available 24/7. CNIC also established the Employee/Staff Counseling Assistance Center (E-SCAC) at the CNIC Headquarters at the Navy Yard, Building 111 (5th f loor). The E-SCAC is providing shortterm individual and group grief counseling through the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team (SPRINT). Navy chaplain support, led by Naval District Washington, is ongoing and counselors from the Department of Health and Human Services are also available. Call 1-855-677-1755 for more information on these support services. For more information on the Chaplain Corps, visit www.chaplain.navy.mil or www.facebook. com/chiefofnavychaplains. Confidential chaplain support is always available through your command chaplain or through 1-855-NAVY-311. For more news from Chaplain Corps, visit www.navy.mil/local/crb/. 5
THROUGHTHELEN
AMAN Billy Bryant installs a panel on an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to VFA-147, in the hangar bay.
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A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot
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AT3 Jeremy C. Littlefield installs an actuator and switch on a bomb rack unit.
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By MCSN Eric Butler
By MCSN Siobhana R. McEwen
AM3 Megan Brooks performs maintenance on a bomb skid.
By MCSN (SW) Derek A. Harkins
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TV
30 nel 29 Ch annel 6 Channel 7 Chan Channel 5 Channel 0800 / 2000 Ha ppy Gil more
1000 / 2200
The Back Up Pla n
Hood Let ter s to Robin Juliet
Knight and Day
the Losers
Tw elv e Monk eys
Jack the Gia nt Slayer
Hy de Par k on Hu dson
Young Fr ank enstein
1200 / 0000 nger The Ghost the Hu Million Ga mes Wh y Did I Get Rider y Bab r lla Do M arr ied Too? 1400 / 0200 Anchor ma n
1600 / 0400 Grown Ups
1800 / 0600 Get Him to The Gr eek
The Rocketeer
G.I. Jane
Jon ah He x
02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports
05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - ROLLER 09 - NTV
Tr ansporter
Predators
The Cold Light of Day
Snitch
the Day Aft er Tomorrow
M arv el’s The Avengers
The Rundown
Killer s
Dodgeball: Under dog Story
Pre mium Rush
ON THE COVER: Sailors and Marines run in formation during a 5K run on the flight deck. - Photo by MCSN Eric Butler
10 - FLIGHT DECK 11 - CNN 29 - DVD MOVIES 30 - DVD MOVIES