Nimitz News Daily Digest - Aug. 30, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 91

DAILY DIGEST

SAILORS PREPARE FOR

NAVY-WIDE ADVANCEMENT EXAM

P

romotion to the next pay grade can provide a variety of benefits for service members of the United States military. While these benefits include increased pay, privileges and job security, they also come with an increase in responsibilities.

For Sailors, this process includes a multiple choice advancement exam, comprised of questions mainly from his or her rating.

The Navy releases bibliographies, or bibs, listing the material Sailors of each rate should study to ensure success for the test.

“If it’s on the bib, it’s on the test,” said Chief Navy Counselor Dean Miller, a command career counselor and leading chief petty officer of educational services office.

By following their bibs, Sailors have access to the same materials that were used to create their tests.

According to Lt. j.g. Michael Noriega, the educational services officer aboard Nimitz, while Sailors may be

Story by MCSN Derek A. Harkins

confident in their professional abilities, they should review everything listed on their bibs. This includes information the Sailor is confident they know.

“Print the bibs as they come out, study your weak areas, and review what you think you know,” said Noriega.

Noriega suggested that even if a yeoman (using the rating as an example) is confident in their abilities to understand and process awards, they should still review the corresponding materials pertaining to their test. What the yeoman knows may be incomplete or even occasionally incorrect.

While some Sailors may struggle with retaining information for the advancement exam, Noriega notices a more serious issue.

“The biggest problem that many people have with studying for their advancement exam is not studying,” said Noriega.

Because Sailors may lack a large amount of free Continued on page 3

Sailor of the Day

Story and photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee

Personnel Specialist Seaman Ajani Hawkins, a native of Oceanside, Calif., was named Sailor of the Day Aug. 29.

“It’s really good to know that I’m being recognized for my work,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner.

Serving as the first line manager for the disbursing office, Hawkins has provided outstanding customer service for more than 4,500 Nimitz Sailors and embarked airwing personnel.

As a disbursing agent Hawkins is personally accountable for more than $5,000 cash on hand, Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth

managing all Navy Cash accounts and cashier services for more than 100 customers daily.

As a trusted steward of public funds, he has accounted for transactions to individual Navy Cash accounts totaling $868,000 in withdrawals and $277,000 in deposits. Hawkins managed the balance report, monitoring and reconciling accounts and taking prompt corrective measures to collect on negative accounts.

Hawkins actions have assisted the government in recouping more than $10,000 each month.

When asked if he had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition Hawkins said, “Just don’t lose that admiration, stay motivated.”

Executive Officer Cmdr. John Cummings

Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Lead Designer MC3 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 time, especially while on deployment, some Sailors may procrastinate and use their leisure time for other things rather than studying.

“Time is a big issue that Sailors encounter while trying to study. There can be so much work to do and so little free time,” said Miller. “Do you really want to spend your night with your nose in a training manual?”

Another issue Sailors can encounter while studying for advancement exams is they may have other tests they need to study for. According to Noriega, while qualifications and warfare pins are extremely important, advancement should be a higher priority.

“If people are having trouble balancing, making rank is more important,” said Noriega.

This is especially true for Sailors in competitive rates in which fewer Sailors are able to advance.

“For a lot of rates, you have to want it,” said Noriega.

If a Sailor is committed to studying, there are a number of options and resources available. Senior members of a Sailor’s rating can provide valuable information and answer questions he or she may have.

Sailors studying for the same exam can also study in groups and quiz each other.

“Department and divisional training works, but everyone learns differently,” said Noriega.

According to Noriega, referring to his prior service as an enlisted Sailor, he had to learn to retain information through reading and the use of flash cards before studying in groups could help him.

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Miller noted that Sailors might make the most of group study sessions by organizing them in a game format. They can even model these games after game shows, such as Jeopardy.

“Make learning fun,” said Miller. “Some of the things that we have to study are extremely dry,” said Miller.

After all of this studying comes one final task: the test itself.

One mistake Miller has seen many Sailors make is rushing through the test, he said. Time left over after completing the test can be spent checking answers and contemplating tricky questions.

“Take your time and use it wisely,” said Miller.

While different people have different test taking methods, Miller suggested one he finds very effective.

He finishes the questions he knows and then goes back to find questions he may have remembered after another one “jogged his memory.” Then he tries to choose the best possible answer for any remaining questions by eliminating answers that he knows to be false or illogical.

Regardless of what studying and test-taking methods a Sailor applies, striving for advancement is a vital goal for Sailors throughout the Navy.

“Take initiative, start early, ask questions and utilize leadership,” said Noriega.

The examination for the paygrade of E6 will be held September 5. The E5 and E4 exams will occur September 14 and September 20, respectively.

“We’re looking for huge numbers from the command,” said Miller. “We wish you the best of luck.”

A G N I K A T ’s Ca

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egalman 2nd Class Nadine Williams always had a dream of becoming a lawyer.

Williams enlisted in the Navy in 2004 as a personnel specialist in hopes of providing stability for her six-year-old son. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she decided she wanted to go to law school, even if that meant going part time while on active duty.

That’s when she learned about the Navy’s Career Intermission Pilot Program.

“I knew since I was little, I wanted to be a lawyer and I didn’t know how to go to school on active duty.,” said Williams. “I had researched different schools to see if I could go part time or something like that and … enlisted Sailors, at the time, couldn’t go to law school on active duty.”

CIPP provides Sailors a way to take a break from active duty and transition to the Individual Ready Reserve. The break allows both officers and enlisted a chance to pursue personal or professional goals that aren’t feasible on active duty. The program also allows Sailors to retain some active duty benefits

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r ot P

P] [CIP m a og r

such as Tricare and commissary and exchange privileges.

“The Navy is offering this program so that can compete for the talent that’s out there,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Muller, the former manager of the Navy’s Career Intermission Pilot Program. “There’s a war for talent between the Navy, other services and industry, and a sabbatical is the proven option that is offered in the industrial world for retaining talent to allow people to take time off to raise a child, have a child, complete schooling – any kind of life goal that they might not be able to complete working full time.”

For Sailors selected to participate in the program, they must serve two months on active duty in return for every month on intermission. So if a Sailor plans to take a 15-month intermission they can expect to have to pay the Navy back with at least 30 months of follow-on service.

Cmdr. Valerie Overstreet was flying high in her career as the commanding officer of the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117. She had about 19 years in the Navy when she decided to take almost a year off.

She said the opportunity to sync up her and her pilot husband’s duty rotations was what appealed to her the most, but that wasn’t the only benefit.

“We were very blessed to be able to get pregnant right as it started,” said Overstreet. “So I was able to spend three months at home with my child before I got back [to active duty].”

Going back on active duty for Overstreet allowed her to resume her “normal” Navy career. She has been back on active duty for about two years and

now serves as 4th battalion commander for first year midshipmen at the Naval Academy.

For Williams, the end of her intermission next August will mark the beginning of a whole new chapter in her Navy story. Because she was certain she wanted to work as a Navy Judge Advocate, she was determined to earn a commission in the JAG Corps before she even knew it was possible.

“I was accepted to law school before I was accepted into the JAG Corps,” said Williams. “I was really nervous when I applied because I knew I didn’t want to go back on to active duty as a Legalman with a law degree; I had to be a JAG.” Williams was accepted into the JAG community last year, and after she passes the Florida bar exam, she will return to active duty as a lieutenant junior grade.

The program was a good fit for both Sailors, but not without challenges. Overstreet said one of her concerns about CIPP was potentially losing her edge as a pilot and a naval officer.

“I am a pilot, so I didn’t want to lost the shills of flying airplanes and just being with my peers,” said Overstreet.

Not only did Overstreet maintain her edge, she gained a bird. Overstreet was selected to the rank of captain in April.

“I’m a captain select! I didn’t know how taking a year off would play at a command [selection] board because not too many people have done it,” said Overstreet. “ I went back to class and my lineal number went back, but I went and competed and I made it.”

Williams said the finances posed a significant challenge for her since participants don’t receive the same pay and benefits as they do on active duty.

“You get one-fifteenth [of your base pay], which is basically what a reservist would get if they drilled,” said Williams. “It’s like a utility bill.”

To offset her expenses she works as a yoga

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instructor and uses the basic allowance for housing she receives from the post 9/11 G.I. Bill to pay the bills.

“Law school is stressful, and I got into yoga because I wanted to be able to work out,” said Williams. “If I’m teaching a class, then I have to do it.” The money is a lot less, but the perks are great, and you still keep medical and dental [benefits].”

Any Sailor looking to participate in the program should be financially prepared.

“It is a large pay cut you are going to be taking when you go into the program,” said Muller. “There are a lot of folks that are doing it [while] using their Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and going to school, so the housing allowances can get you through that.”

It’s also an option for people who are looking to bring something more to their service, whether it’s business experience, family matters, advanced education, or just a deeper appreciation for the privilege to serve. No matter what the reason for needing a hiatus from service, the key for Sailors is to have a plan.

“Be prepared, save in advance, map out your path and you can be very successful,” said Muller.

“A number of your shipmates have done that. It’s clearly doable … but it’s not something you can into blindsided.”

The program will accepts up to 20 officers and 20 enlisted Sailors each calendar year, while the program is authorized (currently until 2015).

Sailors who are interested in the Career Intermission Pilot Program should see OPNAV Instruction 1330.2B, which outlines specific criteria and application procedures for the program.

“The [commanding officer’s] endorsement is critical,” said Muller.

The OPNAV Instruction states “COs shall submit an endorsement that addresses the motivation and potential of the applicant … and provide specific approval or disapproval recommendation.”

THROUGHTHELE

AO3 Lindsay Copeland assigned to the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 inspects an M61A2 20mm machine gun in the hangar bay.

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ABE3 David Diedrichs applies grease onto an arresting gear bearing with a grease gun on the flight deck.

By MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

By MC3 Chris Bartlett

An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 lands on the flight deck.

By MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

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1400 / 0200 M ade a’s Big Ha ppy Fam ily 1600 / 0400 Na polean Dy na mit e 1800 / 0600 Paul

Lim itless

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Playing for Keeps

Red Riding Hood

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We Wer e Soldiers

M an Tr ansfor mer s: wit h the Rev enge of ma sk the Fallen Iron

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The Conspir ator

Win Win

Priest

Hope Spr ings

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ON THE COVER: Sailors take the Navy-wide advancement exam. Photo by MC2 Robert Winn

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