Nimitz News Daily Digest - April 30, 2014

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April 30, 2014 | Vol. 3 | Issue 2

DAILY DIGEST

Finding the Motivation

Nimitz Sailor challenges himself to improve Story and photos by MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal

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e is a tall man, over six feet tall. He looks fit, not someone you would suspect of failing a physical readiness test (PRT) because of a body composition assessment (BCA). But that’s just what happened less than two years ago. A few PRT cycles have passed since his failure in October 2012, when Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Quinton A. McDonald from Clinton, S.C., now a Sailor on board Nimitz, was his heaviest at 223 pounds. “When I failed my BCA,

it was a huge eye-opener for me,” said McDonald. “Not only for my naval career but in my life as well.” The biggest mistake McDonald came to realize he had made was not properly managing his time. “My time-management skills were there but they weren’t where I needed them to be,” he said. “I took more care of the command than I did myself, and in the end I only ended up hurting myself.” The day after McDonald found out he failed his BCA he started making the decisions

that would lead him to a healthier and more positive lifestyle. He now stands at a healthy 188 pounds and is preparing to run a marathon. “I changed what I ate,” he said. “I started making more time to get in the gym and added more days out of the week. I started making tasks and goals for myself and working toward them. Not only physically, but in all aspects of my life.” McDonald believes that only you can make the change to lead a healthy lifestyle, but finding the right people to Continued on page 4


NIMITZ

Sailor of the Day

I really appreciate my department for nominating me for Sailor of the day. It’s important to never be stagnant. If you are able to help others you should try.

- MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal Media Department

April 29, 2014 Executive Officer Capt. J.J. Cummings Media DIVO

Ensign John Mike

Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole

Commanding Officer Command Master Chief Capt. Jeff Ruth

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor

MC2 Phillip Ladouceur

CMDCM Greg Renick Media LCPO

MCC Gregory Roberts

Lead Designer

MC3 George J. Penney III

Media Department

MC2 Jacquelyn Childs | MC2 Devin Wray | MC2 Ryan Mayes | MC2 Jacob Milner | MC2 Jess Lewis | MC3 Shayne Johnson | MC3 Linda S. Swearingen | MC3 Vanessa David | MC3 W. J. Cousins | MC3 Nathan McDonald | MC3 Joshua Haiar | MC3 Kaitlyn Haskett | MC3 Eric Butler | MC3 Siobhana McEwen | MC3 Samuel Souvanason| MCSN Aiyana Paschal | MCSN Andrew W. Price | MCSN Kelly Agee | MCSN Victoria Ochoa | MCSN Eli Buguey | MCSN Lauren Jennings | MCSN Derek Volland | MCSA Kole Carpenter

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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.


SECNAV SPEAKS

FLEETWIDE

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus conducts a live worldwide allhands call at Defense Media Activity Fort Meade, Md. - Photo by MC1 Mark Logico

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus holds all-hands call Story from Defense Media Activity - Navy

T

he Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus addressed Sailors and Marines during a live, global all hands call April 29. Mabus answered questions about the budget, deployment schedules and pay and allowances among other things during the broadcast held at the Defense Media Activity. Mabus emphasized the Navy’s unique presence, citing that the Navy is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, not just at the right time, but all the time. “We do this by focusing on four things,” said Mabus.

“People, Platforms, Power and Partnerships.” During the broadcast, Mabus took questions from those gathered at DMA, from around the fleet via e-mail, from those tuned in to a live chat on the Internet, and prerecorded video. Popular topics ranged from deployment lengths and budget requirements to female hair regulations and equipment. One Sailor asked about weapon systems currently being tested, and when the Navy and Marine Corps may see those systems. Mabus said the Navy and

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Marine Corps are already seeing these weapon systems out in the fleet. The Navy is putting a laser weapon on board USS Ponce (LPD 15) to see how it does in a maritime environment. They are also testing rail guns on high speed vessels and USS Zumwalt has a brand new gun system that is very long range and amazingly accurate. “We’re going to get out the most advanced things we’ve got as quickly as we can,” added Mabus. The call will be available for viewing at the “Every Day in the Navy” gallery on www. navy.mil.


Continued from page 1

COVER STORY

motivate him helped him get to where he is today. Lt. j.g. Scott Britton, the engineering electrical division officer (DIVO), plays a large part in his Sailors’ lives and motivates them to do their best. “My DIVO, Mr. Britton, challenges me in a lot of different ways,” said McDonald. “He’s always challenging me to push harder and be better. I think it’s great my division works out together once a week. It’s a huge de-stresser for us.” When getting ready for the PRT, Britton believes that preparation plays a huge part in the equation. “If Sailors don’t know where they stand with their PRT, the outcome is unpredictable,” said Britton. “Take the time to get an idea of your physical state before the PRT. It’s the most beneficial thing you can do outside of proper diet and exercise.” Britton likes to know where his Sailors are at physically. It’s one of the ways he encourages them to push themselves physically. “I’ve always been a number guy,” said Britton. “I ask my Sailors, so what are you going to do this time? If they don’t give me a good number I say well what about this number? And then we see where they’re at.” Group physical training

EM2 Quinton McDonald, left, poses with his motivator, Lt. j.g. Scott Britton, at the gym.

(PT) once a week is another component Britton uses to help his Sailors stay in shape. “A big thing as you grow as a leader in the Navy is getting that command voice,” said Britton. “I think being able to lead PT by yourself is a good way to teach that. What I’ve tried to institute in E division is establishing a different PT leader each week. Part of the fun of group PT is social interaction and de-stressing with each other.” Throughout McDonald’s time on Nimitz, Britton has been a huge motivator for him, and has watched him grow into a more squared-away Sailor. “I’ve watched him become more focused on his goals and how they align with the Navy,” said Britton. “There will be no doubt in my mind that he will do great on this PRT.”

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Along with McDonald’s divisional officer, his family has also been a huge motivator for him. “I have a wife and a sixyear-old that’s almost seven,” he said. “I think he sees me as his role model, so I challenge myself to become better. I know he will be better if I’m a better person. Not only physically but in all aspects of my life.” Once disqualified from participating in a PRT because of a BCA failure, this motivated Sailor is now preparing to run the Tokyo Marathon in 2015. With the proper discipline to make good choices with his eating habits and workout ethics, McDonald has decreased his BFP (body fat percentage) by six percent, proving that with self-discipline and motivation almost anything can be achieved.


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ABHAN Alex Casden participates in a Caption countermeasure walk down. -Photo by MCSA Kole Carpenter

From left, ABH3 Bryan Labrador and ABHAN Grace Edrada spray the flight deck. -Photo by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee

From left, ABHAN Sean Phillips, ABHAN Matthew Keefe and ABHAN Dakota Montoya spray the flight deck.

ABHAN Grecia Chavez paints a An MH-60S Seahawk, divisional door in the hangar bay. assigned to HSC-6, lands on the flight deck.

-Photo by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee

-Photo by MCSN Lauren Jennings

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