5 October 2016

VOL. 5| ISSUE 1 October 5, 2016

so OTHERS MAY LIVE NIMITZNEWS.WORDPRESS.COM

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in this issue: Page 08

NIMITZ NEWS Capt. John Ring Commanding Officer Capt. John D. Boone Executive Officer CMDCM Jimmy Hailey Command Master Chief

Media Department Lt. Cmdr. Theresa Donnelly Public Affairs Officer Ens. Meagan Morrison DIVO Chief Ahron Arendes Media LCPO PO1 Porter Anderson Media LPO PO2 Jimmy Cellini Production LPO PO2 Andrew Price Creative Lead PO2 Holly Herline Phojo WCS SN Emily Johnston Lead Designer PO2 Mark Brison PO2 Eli Buguey PO2 Jose Hernandez PO2 Siobhana McEwen PO2 Ian Zagrocki PO3 Chad Anderson PO3 SamuelBacon PO3 William Blees PO3 Eric Butler PO3 Colby Comery PO3 Marc Cuenca PO3 Deanna Gonzales PO3 Jessica Gray PO3 Austin Haist PO3 Lauren Jennings PO3 Erickson Magno SN Kenneth Blair SN David Claypool SN Cody Deccio SN Weston Mohr SN Liana Nichols SN Bethany Woolsey

Nimitz Sailors explain what it takes to be a search and rescue (SAR) swimmer and how they stay prepared to save a life, should the time come.

Page 06 As the crew was fixin’ for the fight, they embraced the motto ‘Ship, Shipmate, Self’. Now that the ship is fixed, Capt. John C. Ring, Nimitz’ commanding officer, plans to continue to live by these words as the ship gets geared up to answer the nation’s call.

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imitz got underway Oct. 5 for sea trials following a 20-month Extended Planned Incremental Availability (EPIA) that started February 2015 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash.

Nimitz entered the shipyards for its fifth major maintenance period and completed the largest maintenance period ever without bringing the carrier into dry dock, according to Cmdr. Mark Yates, a native of Smithfield, Virginia, Nimitz’ chief engineering officer.

“We’ve repaired and replaced quite a few systems,” said Capt. John Ring, commanding officer of Nimitz. “It’s been a great relationship over the last two years working with Project Superintendent Brian Fazio and his team, dealing with the many challenges we’ve had in the yards.”

During this period more than 14 major upgrades have been made to Nimitz with more than 600,000 mandays of work accomplished by ship’s force and civilian personnel.

“Teams from Combat Systems Department removed, refurbished and reinstalled over 150 antennas, saving over $3 Million in contractor costs,” said Cmdr. David Gast, a native of Miami, Nimitz’ combat systems officer. “We’ve updated every element of the ship’s satellite communication, and information processing suites were upgraded or replaced.”

Combat Systems also completely

modernized the ship’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) capability with numerous upgrades. The ship’s integrated network was updated to the new Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise Services (CANES) system.

“It provides a more secure and robust system for the 21st century,” said Yates. “This brings us on par with the most advanced IT systems comparable to the civilian world.”

During the EPIA, modifications were made to the ship’s defenses, adding two MK-38 anti-ship guns and an anti-torpedo defense system.

A rebuild of the ship’s second service turbine generator was completed as well as a complete overhaul of all four distilling units creating fresh water for the ship.

The interior of the ship wasn’t the only focus of the makeover. Over 100,000 square feet of flight deck non-skid was removed and major repairs were conducted on the jet blast deflectors and ship structure.

Nimitz also implemented new training programs for its Sailors to get ready for sea and maintain at sea readiness.

Nimitz was the first afloat command Navy-wide to implement the Navy Afloat Training Strategy (NAMTS) program. The program has earned Sailors critical Naval Enlisted Classifications (NEC) that will allow Nimitz to make critical repairs onboard without being contracted out.

“I’m excited to see the ship going into full operational mode again,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Dallymae Arce, a native of San Diego. “I’ve always heard stories about what being underway is like. It’s nice to finally experience it on my own.”

The work completed by shipyard and ship-force personnel will be reviewed in the coming months by the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Material Inspections (MI).

“We are working on the oldest carrier, and this is one of the most complex availabilities I think the Navy has seen in recent years,” said Brian Fazio, the project superintendent. “We have had an incredible partnership with continued respect for one another and we worked hard to get our work done safely.”

Story by PO3 Samuel Bacon

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NIMITZ RETURNS Story by Seaman Liana N. Nichols

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n February 2015, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) pulled into the shipyards for the first time since 2011.

Since 2011, Nimitz completed numerous atsea operations, including a 2013 Western-Pacific deployment and the ship hosting the Joint Strike Fighter’s first landing on an aircraft carrier at sea.

After all this time at sea, she was worn down and needed repair. Shipyard contractors and ship’s force got to work immediately to get the lead ship in her class fixed, out to sea and back into the fight.

After more than 20 months in the shipyards,

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Nimitz has finished all of the maintenance, upgrades and training required of her and is now ready to answer the nation’s call. With our nation’s changing political climate, the world will soon test the United States, and Nimitz is ready to face any challenges that may arise.

“America is about to get a new President, and we remain here to serve our President and whomever is elected,” said Capt. John Ring, a native of San Diego, Nimitz’ commanding officer.

“The world will test the new president, and Nimitz is going to be on watch when that happens, so we have to be ready. We’ve spent time getting combat ready to fight whenever we’re needed.”

While Nimitz was in the yards she received

“WE FINALLY GET TO SHAKE OFF THE DUST AND START DOING WHAT WE ALL SIGNED UP FOR.” -Cmdr. Bill Selk more than 14 major upgrades, including a new computer system, an improved MK-38 machine gun system, and new berthing refurbishments.

Ship’s force personnel and civilian contractors worked for more than 600,000 man-days and completed all the tasks required to be able to return to sea.

“Every system has been worked on or is completely new,” said Cmdr. Bill Selk, a native of Phoenix, Nimitz’ operations officer. “It’s all updated and ready for the fight and for what we were made to do. We finally get to shake off the dust and start doing what we all signed up for.”

Much like all the new equipment and updates, more than a quarter of the crew has never been

tested at sea and must take on the challenges of working alongside the air wing and the rest of the strike group.

“We’ve been training with just Nimitz Sailors, and now we’re going to have to get used to having more than just them on board,” said Lt. Cmdr.

Derek Waisanen, a native of Cheyboygan, Mich., Nimitz’ training officer. “Once we get the whole crew, we’re going to have to learn to help each other, because once we’re out to sea it’s just us.

We’re a team.”

While underway, Sailors are expected to be knowledgeable about the ship and their jobs.

They have to take care of themselves as much as they take care of their ship and shipmates, while balancing maintenance, qualifications and their personal lives.

“I plan on getting my warfare pins, because it will help with the mission of the ship,” said Seaman Dominick Travers-Leer, a native of Puyallup, Wash. “I also plan on staying active while underway, because we have to be physically ready at all times.”

As Nimitz gets underway, she will have to prove that she’s ready to fight overseas once again. The ship will conduct sea trials to assess the ship for material condition readiness to ensure all maintenance was properly accomplished.

After sea trials the ship will then go on to receive a congressionally-mandated inspection called INSURV that occurs every three to six years ensuring a ship’s ability to conduct sustained combat operations.

To ensure the crew is operationally prepared, the ship will undergo Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP), which are combined events to test the ship in the areas of damage control, general quarters, medical, navigation, intelligence, and combat systems. Once TSTA and FEP are completed, the ship will then move on to Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) to certify that Nimitz’ Strike Group is deployment-ready and capable of completing missions overseas.

Nimitz’ long shipyard period is finally over and now she and her crew are ready to get out to sea. The crew will stay mission ready as they take care of the ship, their shipmates and themselves.

With Nimitz’ upgrades and the crew trained, she is ready for anything to come her way. Nimitz is fixed for the fight.

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SO OTHERS MAY

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Story and photos by Seaman Cody M. Deccio

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s ‘So others may live;’ This phrase, also known as the swimmer’s creed, is a phrase that the brave men and women serving as search and rescue (SAR) swimmers live and die by. The mantra has a deep-rooted connection with those who put their lives at risk to save the lives of others at sea.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has three SAR swimmers assigned to the ship who live by this mantra while fulfilling an essential role in the ship’s mission.

“A SAR swimmer is somebody who is willing and able to uphold the creed of the swimmer,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jared Klevens, Nimitz’ boatswain, and facilitator for Nimitz’ SAR program. “This kind of person needs to be able to be selfless and ready at a call if something happens, a person of right mind and good moral character. They need to be responsible and confident in remembering that their mission could change someone’s life forever if not done correctly.”

With lives on the line, SAR missions often involve time sensitive operations. Swimmers regularly are on standby during major evolutions in the off chance they are needed. However, certain circumstances may require a swimmer to drop what they’re doing in order to respond during a crisis.

“During major operations such as underway replenishments and flight

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operations they are on standby 24/7, but more often than not they will be doing their jobs throughout the ship, and that’s when their training and speed really come into play,” said Klevens. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve been working or standing watch all day, when that RHIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat) hits the water you need to be ready to go.”

With Klevens arrival aboard Nimitz, the SAR program has seen a revitalization. Nimitz SAR swimmers are now required to hold mandatory training and partake in swim practice twice a week. These steps have been made in an attempt to increase the operational readiness of Nimitz’ SAR swimmers and to increase ship safety.

“It’s about being ready to go,” said Klevens. “You need to know your tech-manual inside and out so you can know the procedures, because you never know what’s going to happen when you get in the water.”

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Blake Werthmann, a SAR swimmer on board Nimitz, explained how Klevens has been able to use his experience as a former SAR swimmer to tailor Nimitz’ SAR swimmers to be more knowledgeable and better prepared to save lives. He also added that Klevens

has made it a personal point to ensure all swimmers are on top of their game.

A well-rehearsed program and long study hours help train swimmers and prepare them for the real situation.

The passion and drive that takes a swimmer and makes them into a tool capable of prying someone from a watery grave comes from a deep desire within the swimmer, said Werthmann.

“There are a few things that drive me to be a rescue swimmer,” said Airman Katherine Roy, a SAR swimmer on board Nimitz. “I joined the Navy to save lives, and now a

Petty Officer 3rd Class Blake Werthmann breaches the water during a search and rescue swimmer training exercise on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

little after a year, I’m able to. For those that will be, were, or are rescue swimmers, our hope is to live up to the rescue swimmer mantra, ‘so others may live.’”

Nimitz’ journey has been a long one, spanning more than 40

years. With her latest stint in the shipyards slated to end before the year is over she will find herself and her crew back out to sea where they both belong.Although this brings along with it a slew of dangers, her crew is ready to face the open

ocean with confidence. If a Sailor finds themselves overboard in an unforgiving ocean they can be calm in knowing a friendly, well-trained hand will be there to pull them back to safety and away from the depths of Davey Jones’ locker.

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Navy Announces Enlisted Rating Modernization Plan From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

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ollowing the completion of its review earlier this year, the Navy announced Sept. 29, it will modernize all rating titles for Sailors with the establishment of a new classification system that will move towards occupational specialty codes similar to how the other services categorize skill sets.

“In modernizing our enlisted rating system we are not only giving our Sailors increased opportunities within the Navy, such as a higher level of flexibility in training and detailing, but also increasing their opportunities when they transition out of the service. In aligning the descriptions of the work our Sailors do with their counterparts in the civilian world, we more closely reflect the nation we protect while also making it easier for our Sailors to obtain the credentials they’ll need to be successful in the private sector,” said Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus.

Chief of Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke emphasized, “We believe that opening enlisted career paths will enhance our ability to optimize talent in our enlisted workforce. This change is the first step of a multi-phased approach to help us do just that.”

Former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens led the review earlier this year for the Secretary of the Navy on behalf of Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson.

“We are all Sailors and changing our rating titles does not affect that,” said current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Steven S. Giordano, who relieved Stevens Sept. 2. “While we certainly

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understand that this represents a significant cultural shift for the Navy and will take time to become fully adapted throughout the Fleet, this is about giving Sailors more choice and flexibility and ultimately providing the Navy opportunities to get the right Sailors with the right training and experience in the right billets.”

Giordano described how this change will work.

“Sailors would no longer be called, ‘yeoman second class’ or YN2, for example,” he said. “Instead they will be ‘second class petty officer, or ‘petty officer.’ However, Sailors’ rates will not change: an E-7 will remain a Chief Petty Officer and an E-3 will remain a seaman.

Additionally, there will no longer be a distinction between ‘airman, fireman and seaman.’”

This change will also allow the Navy to more accurately identify Sailors’ skills by creating “Navy Occupational Specialty” (NOS) codes that allow greater assignment flexibility for Sailors throughout their career and will be matched with similar civilian occupations to enable the Navy to identify credentials and certifications recognized and valued within the civilian workforce.

For example, a petty officer who used to be identified as a corpsman will now have a NOS matched as a medical technician. Medical technician better reflects the work and responsibilities of someone in that position and is better aligned with the civilian medical profession.

Sailors will be able to hold more than one NOS, which will give them a broader range of professional experience and expertise and will be

grouped under career fields that will enable flexibility to move between occupational specialties within the fields and will be tied to training and qualifications.

As the Navy transforms its training to a mobile, modular and more frequent system called Ready Relevant Learning, combined with recent creation of the Billet-Based Distribution system that provides a more comprehensive picture of billet requirements fleetwide, this enlisted rating modernization plan will provide the ability to much more closely track a Sailor’s training and professional development and match it to billets.

Going forward, this transformation will occur in phases over a multi-year period.

A working group was formed in July to identify personnel policies, management programs and information technology systems that may require modifications over the years and months ahead--including changes to recruiting, detailing, advancements, training and personnel and pay processes.

Any follow-on changes that are made will proceed in a deliberate process that will enable transitions to occur seamlessly and transparently.

Fleet involvement and feedback will be solicited during each phase of the transformation and we will carefully consider all aspects of enlisted force management as we move forward.

The chief of naval personnel/N1 will lead the Navy’s implementation efforts.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy. mil/local/cnp/.

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crossword

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weekly throwback

Nimitz Sailors man the shark patrol boat on deploment in 1977.

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“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.

through | the | lens

Seaman Chase Ethridge (right), a native of Katy, Texas, steadies an arresting cable while Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Moreno, a native of Huntington Beach, Calif., welds during a reweave of the arresting gear on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by PO3 Samuel Bacon Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Duviella, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., directs the aircraft elevator operator during an aircraft transfer between the hangar bay and flight deck. Photo by PO3 Samuel Bacon Sailors assigned to the Deck Department of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) heave line onto the pier during an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) training exercise. Photo by PO3 Samuel Bacon

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