June 6, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 36
DAILY DIGEST
LINKS TO
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n June 4, 1942 at 7 o’clock in the morning the 30 pilots of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) were preparing their Douglas TBD Devastators to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CVBY 8). Upon lifting off from the wooden deck of the now renowned carrier, they would engage in one of YES the most decisive battles of the Pacific Campaign A M N A Y )R MC2 (SW spear-headed by the newly designated Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Among many men who became heroes that day, one in particular would become the lone survivor of VT-8. Ensign George Gay, a recently commissioned aviation cadet of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, would gain practical experience of taking off and landing on a carrier for his first time during this battle. Gay’s plane was shot down during the battle and after nearly 30 hours of treading water while hiding Continued on page 4 Y STOR
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Story and Photos by MCSA Kelly Agee
Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class (AM3) John R. Eaton, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., now a plane captain in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 5. “I never expected to get sailor of the day,” said Eaton. “It feels good.” According to Eaton, he joined the Navy in February 2009 because his wife had a baby on the way, and he had to find a way to support his family. When in Nimitz’ homeport of Everett, Wash., Eaton enjoys carpentry and riding his motorcycle. Eaton’s hobbies while underway include watching movies and studying. Petty Officer Eaton performed his duties as an aviation structural mechanic in Nimitz’ VFA147 Strike Group in an exemplary and highly professional manner. As day check supervisor Eaton led eight plane captains and four plane captain trainees. His Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth
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effective planning and supervision were critical in the completion of 62 daily/turnaround inspections, 32 special inspections and the launch/recovery of more than 20 sorties directly enabling VFA-147 to maintain an unprecedented sortie completion rate of 96.4 percent during the first trimester of the 2013 deployment. He facilitated the qualification of four new plane captains, eight break riders, six duct drivers and four hydraulic contamination qualified technicians. When asked if he had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition Eaton said, “Do what you’re told even if you don’t like it.” Petty Officer Eaton’s dedication, loyalty and total devotion to duty led to his selection as Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day.
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.
Continued from page 1 from the Japanese ships beneath his flotation device, he was finally rescued. It was then that he learned that he was the sole survivor of his squadron. Upon surviving one of the most intense battles of the Pacific, Ensign Gay would come to know Nimitz personally, and develop a friendship that would not be easily forgotten. More than 70 years later, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is honoring its namesake, Adm. Chester Nimitz, and the monumental summer battle of 1942 in a unique way. Capt. Jeff S. Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer (CO), along with Nimitz’ Supply Department, Wood Shop and Media Department, are attempting to preserve the memory of the battle and Adm. Nimitz in the CO’s inport cabin, the primary location for receiving guests and distinguished visitors. Celebrating the heroes of this historic battle is familiar to the crew of Nimitz. At a reception held
in June 2012, the guest of honor was retired Cmdr. Harry Ferrier. During the battle, the then-17-yearold Ferrier was a gunner in a TBF-1 “Avenger” who became another miraculous survivor of the battle. He and fellow crew members were the only ones of the VT-8 detachment located on Midway to return from the mission. “This started when we celebrated the anniversary of the Battle of Midway last June with Harry Ferrier,” said Ruth. “I saw a lot of the photos that we had printed for the event and I really liked that idea.” When Nimitz entered dry dock at the end of its 2009-2010 deployment, many of the ship’s spaces were renovated, leaving the inport cabin as a blank slate for Ruth to decorate upon taking command of the ship in March 2011. “Coming out of the shipyard, we didn’t have anything historic here,” he said. “If you go to the other carriers you will see something based on their namesake. I wanted to do something with Nimitz memorabilia.” The Nimitz Foundation of Fredericksburg, Texas, Nimitz’ hometown, had previously loaned the ship multiple artifacts and personal belongings of Nimitz, among the items was his personal desk. “We had Nimitz’ desk and I wanted to do something with that,” said Ruth. “I wanted to place the battle plan [of Midway] along with some photos on a dark background and cover it with glass. From there I used the Battle of Midway as the theme since that was the first real successful battle for Nimitz.” Although the décor began with a simple wooden desk, the inport cabin has transformed into a veritable museum, complete with engraved descriptions below the artwork and the custom made shadow boxes for the memorabilia. “I began to go online to find art to go over the desk,” said Ruth. “I found three that I liked. My personal favorite is called ‘Requiem for Torpedo Eight” which shows the TBDs preparing to take off from the Hornet. We also have one signed by Ensign Gay.” The picture titled “Go In and Get a Hit” illustrates
a Devastator releasing its torpedo amidst a barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Below the picture is a quote from Lt. Cmdr. John C. Waldron, the commanding officer of VT-8. The quote is taken from his brief to the squadron prior to the battle where he makes it clear that even if there is only one pilot left, he wanted that pilot to “go in and get a hit.” The hunt for Midway-related artwork led to a surprising friendship that began through a simple online search. “I found ‘torpedoeight.com’ and they had a photo of Ensign Gay with Nimitz in the hospital after the battle,” said Ruth. “I contacted them to let them know we were doing a Midway-themed display and wanted to get a copy of that picture. The guy who runs the website turned out to be George Gay’s grandson. So he talked to his mom who talked to her mom, George Gay’s wife, and they actually gave us the original picture signed by Adm. Nimitz as well as Henry Fonda and Kevin Dobson who recreated them in the Battle of Midway movie.” Along with the photo, the family also sent a copy of the Aug. 31, 1942 Life Magazine featuring Gay as well as his scrapbook complete with correspondence between Nimitz and himself. The magazine mirrors a copy of Life Magazine from July 10, 1944 highlighting the life and career of Nimitz displayed on the opposite side of the room. “I read tons of WWII books when I was a kid,” said Ruth. “That’s all I wanted to do was fly. I
think if you ask most aviators, ‘Do you know who George Gay ‘The Lone Survivor’ is?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ I wish I could have met him. I have become very good friends with his daughter and grandson through the process.” The cabin not only highlights the Battle of Midway but also serves as a tribute to all of the American forces who paid a sacrifice to achieve victory. “Everything in here tells a story,” said Ruth. “I can bring people here and talk for 45 minutes on just Midway and how it ties our ship to the battle. We also have a picture of Nimitz signing the Surrender Document and we found a copy of the actual document to place next to it. I think it’s pretty cool to see the document and to actually see him signing it.” “It was an amazing time. It really defined who we are as a Navy, especially naval aviation,” said Ruth. “I think we are honoring our past and remembering a legend. George Gay and the guys at Midway and all the battles in the Pacific really defined who we are. It’s great that we can honor that. This truly is a legacy that we are proud of.” Ruth added that the inport cabin and its décor is something that will be passed from CO to CO and will hopefully inspire the ship and the next generation of leaders to remember the history of our Navy. Although the theme of Nimitz’ inport cabin is just one piece of naval heritage, reflecting on the significance of battles fought and remembering the men and women who led the charge is something all Sailors can draw from; they too may one day be required to lead in the face of adversity.
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It was an amazing time. It really defined who we are as a Navy, especially naval aviation. - Ruth
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FROCKING THE FUTURE
Story and Photos by MCSN Derek Harkins
Two hundred eighty Sailors advanced to the next rank during a frocking ceremony in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), June 5. Capt. Jeff Ruth, the commanding officer of Nimitz, presented certificates to each of the newly advanced Sailors. “This is a great way to demonstrate the hard work that our Sailors do on a daily basis,” said Ruth. Ruth congratulated each of the 27 new petty officer first classes, 96 new petty officer second classes and 157 new petty officer third classes. “I’m so happy that I made it and for my shipmates who made it,” said Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Brett Mayberry, a new petty officer third class. “I hope to inspire the Sailors working below me to work to the best of their ability so that they will become petty officers someday too.” All hands aboard Nimitz were invited to observe the event and congratulate the newly advanced petty officers. “I hope the Sailors who made it to the next pay grade enjoy their success,” said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Mathew Steiner, an attendee of the ceremony. “They should keep up what they did to make it to this point so they keep moving forward.” The attendees applauded all of the frocked Sailors following the presentation of certificates.
“It’s inspiring that [the junior Sailors are] taking the advice and training we’re giving them to move forward and better themselves,” said Chief Religious Programs Specialist James Gibson, who saw two Sailors under his command advance during the ceremony. According to Personnel Specialist 1st Class Raymond McKnight, who was frocked as a petty officer first class during the ceremony, it is important for newly advanced Sailors to live up to the standard set by the petty officers and chief petty officers who helped them to achieve their new rank. “I am ready to surpass what people expect out of a [petty officer] first class,” said McKnight.
FROCKING: The List
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E5
AD1 AO1 CS1 ETN1 PR1 EMN1 OS1 FC1 MMN1 ABE1 ATI1 CTR1 AC1 PS1
JAMES BAZAL PREM OMAR MATTHEW KEITH TRAVIS WILLIAM RAFAEL KEVIN WILLIAM ADAM TIMOTHY RAYMOND
ABF2 CARLOS FC2 ARIEL MMN2 SHAWN IS2 TRENT AS2 MIGUEL YN2 DONESHI AO2 JACOB HT2 DEREK MR2 KIRSTEN AZ2 THOMAS MM2 BENJAMIN ATI2 ADAM LS2 GARY FC2 JOHN ABE2 JORGE IC2 JENNIFER QM2 GREGORY ABH2 JUSTIN AO2 BRIAN ETN2 MARK ET2 SEAN EM2 KATHERINE SH2 BRETT ET2 NICHOLAS IT2 CHRISTOPHER FC2 SAMUEL AT2 BRANDON PS2 LUCAS IT2 MARKUS IC2 MELISSA AO2 DEVON IT2 JOHN AZ2 DYLAN YN2 CORWINNE AO2 MICHAEL GM2 BRITTANY CS2 KARLTON AC2 TYLER HT2 MITCHELL LS2 JOSHUA LS2 JOSEPH FC2 KAI IC2 BRETT AZ2 TIFFANY OS2 KASSANDRA IT2 JOSE AC2 ANDREW OS2 TIPHANIA
BOHNET BOWEN CHHAY CORONADO CRACRAFT DARLIN DOBBINS ELMORE GOROSPE HEATON HOWARD LEACH MARTIN MCKNIGHT
ALMANZA ATCHLEY BARKFELT BARKUS BARRERA BEAL BEEMER BIRKENHEUER BISHOP BRYS BUENING BUTLER CAMPBELL CARBONE CARDENASMARTINEZ CAVAZOS CELIA CHAVEZ CUNNINGHAM DEDES DUFF EARLS EDINGTON EGGLESTON ELSEN ESPARZA FAIX FERGUSON GALLOWAY GARCIA GIBBS GILLESPIE GOLDSTON GONZALES GOODMAN GRACE GREGSON GUIZAR GUNDERSON HEBERT HIBBARD HICKS HOLT HOUSE HURLEY IBARRA JACKSON JOHNSON
MMN1 AO1 ET1 AO1 AM1 LS1 ABE1 ABH1 RP1 EMN1 MMN1 IT1 AS1
PS2 AO2 AO2 ATI2 ETN2 AC2 ABF2 LS2 MC2 ETN2 CTR2 AE2 EMN2 AD2 ABE2 AT2 AT2 LS2 MM2 ABH2 ABE2 MM2 ET2 ABF2 ABH2 FC2 DC2 OS2 AS2 BM2 MMN2 FC2 AS2 AM2 ABH2 OS2 IT2 AD2 CS2 MC2 MM2 MM2 MM2 ABF2 ATI2 MC2 FC2 ET2
KELVIN RAMON MARKJEFFERLEE BRANDON JONATHAN RYAN BRIAN STANLEY JOSHUA MEGAN JOSHUA BENJAMIN MARK
BRADY DAVID DANIEL ZACHARY ALAN CAITLIN JESSICA BRITTANY RYAN KYLE MICHAEL CHARLES DAVID CHANDRA JUSTIN ELENA ZACHARY JASON KRISTINE BRYAN KIMBERLY ISSAC ALAN JOSHUA KIERRA ANDREW TIMOTHY DARRYL JOHN BRANDON MATTHEW TREVOR TYLER TOSHIA MARK JAMES MEGAN DINO KALIA ALEXANDER FRANK HEATHER TRAVIS KATHRYNE BARRY DEVIN BRADLEY ERIN
MERCEDES NIEVES OCAMPO OCONNOR ORCINO PUBLICO ROBINSON SANCHEZ SMITH SPITTLER WENGER WOODARD ZABALA
JONES JORDAN JUBECK KORDENBROCK KURAMOTO LEMMONS LISTORT MARSH MAYES MCCRORY MCGRATH MCINTOSH MCKEE MEARS MENDIOLA MILLER MINSTER NERING NICOLAS NUTTER ODONNELL ORTIZ OWENS PALOMARES PERKINS PLANE RAK RICHARDSON RINGER ROZIER RUTHERFORD SCHMIDT SMITH SOAPES SOIKA SPOON STOUT TOBIA VANG VENTURA WALKER WARREN WILKERSON WILLIAMSON WITZEL WRAY WYMAN MULHOLLAND
FROCKING: The List
E4
HT3 ADRIANA HT3 JESSICA ABH3 JERRICA ABF3 VANESSA MM3 NICHOLAS ABH3 ZACHARY MM3 ANGELA LS3 TANNER MM3 JANELLE OS3 DESERIE AM3 JONATHAN PS3 JULIA EM3 STEVEN ATI3 JOSHUA AO3 SAMUEL AS3 YANIQUE CTT3 JAMES AO3 JUSTIN AO3 COLLIN ABE3 JOE MM3 NICHOLAS MM3 DEVON AZ3 MARQUES AE3 ANTHONY AO3 RUBEN MM3 MARIO AO3 RYAN EM3 SUZAN AM3 BRENDON OS3 JENNIFER ABE3 AMANDA MM3 KURTIS AS3 RICHARD HM3 SAM AO3 ROBYN EM3 ROOKE LS3 PARAMITA AO3 KYLENE EM3 PHILIP MM3 HALEY OS3 NIPUN MM3 CHARLES ATI3 COTY ABE3 TREA YN3 EBONY AO3 ANTHONY AO3 JOSHUA DC3 KIMBERLY ATI3 ALEX OS3 MARCUS ABH3 JORGE MC3 JOSHUA
AGUILAR AGUILAR ALEXANDER ALILIN ANDERSON AUER AVILA BABCOCK BAIN BANUELOS BARNES BARRIOS BECKER BELKE BEZDICHEK BIEK BLUE BONE BOSLEY BOYD BURNS BUTLER BUTLER CAMPEAU CANTU CASILLAS CHADWICK CHISHOLM CLARK CLOUD COAK COMMET CRAPELLA CROWELL CWIKLIK DARE DAS DAVIS DAWKINS DEATLEY DHANRAJ DRIVER EMERSON FONTENOT FULCHER GAMBINI GANN GILLESPIE GOBLE GREEN GUIMARAES HAIAR
AE3 RACHEAL MM3 ADRIAN EM3 JOSHUA HT3 BRAYTON CTM3 ROBERT EM3 TERENCE DC3 BRENT ATI3 THOMAS OS3 CELENA PS3 ROBERT ABH3 KATHERINE MM3 MICHELLE LS3 LUKE AD3 LUCAS ABH3 ALICIA AM3 BRANDON ABE3 DESMOND AZ3 JORDAN OS3 DANNY AO3 CHASE MM3 CASSANDRA AT3 LORRAINE MM3 TIFFANY ABH3 ISRAEL ABE3 MATTHEW ABE3 RICHELLE MM3 BRETT IT3 NATASHA RP3 BETHANY MC3 NATHAN LS3 WILLIAM HT3 LASHOD OS3 JOSHUA MM3 QUENTIN AO3 STEPHANIE AO3 DESTINY ABH3 AN HT3 CHASE AO3 ALEX HT3 KENDRA AZ3 DANDREA BM3 GREGORY HT3 SHEKA ABH3 AXEL DC3 COY YN3 JAMIE ATO3 MICHAEL IT3 MICHAEL ABE3 ROBERT MM3 ERICA AZ3 AIDEE ABH3 PATRICIO
HARTRANFT HODGES HOOD HOUGLAND HOWARD HOWARD HUFFAKER HUGHES HUMMEL HUTHART IRISH JASINSKI JOHNSON JUELKE KING KITCHENS LAMPTEY LARSON LEATHERMAN LILLY LOVELESS MACKIN MALDONADO MARMOLEJO MARTIN MAY MAYBERRY MCALPINE MCCLURE MCDONALD MCGRATH MCINTOSH MCNEILL MOORE MULLINS NACESTANLEY NGUYEN OLSON OSBORNE OWENS PARKER PARLEE PARSON PENA PERKINS PETERSEN POKRINCHAK PREVO RAHN RAMIREZ RAMOS RAMOS
MM3 DAVID ABE3 EDUARDO MM3 LEEDARIUS OS3 ERIC QM3 TAYLOR OS3 YAVON ATI3 CARLOS GM3 KYLE AO3 BRYTON ABH3 NATALIE ABE3 MEAGAN ABH3 BLAKE ABH3 MARKSONNY AT3 RAUL ATI3 CHADD ABH3 MAXWELL MM3 GINA AD3 BRIAN MM3 JASMINE AD3 ANDREW YN3 TIFFANY YN3 MARK ABE3 MICHAEL MM3 JAMESHA MM3 SCOTT MC3 SAMUEL DC3 MATTHEW EN3 ZACHARIAH DC3 NATALIE EM3 CHRISTOPHER HT3 JUSTIN ABH3 KEVIN OS3 SACKIEMA QM3 MAYGAN DC3 DENNIS AO3 LEANNA AZ3 KATHERINE HT3 TRAVIS OS3 KILAHI AD3 MICHAEL ATI3 ANDREW HT3 COURTNEY MM3 WARDALE CS3 ANGELIQUE AE3 JAMARQUES ATI3 JAMES IC3 KAITLIN AM3 ROBERT AT3 HARRISON AM3 HANNAH MM3 LEANNA EM3 MATTHEW
REYES RIOS ROBERTSON ROBINSON ROBINSON ROBINSON RODRIGUEZ ROEST ROLISON ROSS ROWLAND ROWLEY RUBIO RUIZ RUSSELL RUSTAN SAECHAO SANABRIA SAUNDERS SCHULTZ SCOTT SHELHAMER SLOGINSKI SMITH SMITH SOUVANNASON SPINELLA STUHMER TALIAFERRO TARTAGLIA TAYLOR THOMAS THOMAS TRACY ULMER VASQUEZ VAZQUEZ WALDECKER WALKER WALSH WALTHALL WANAMAKER WHATLEY WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WILLIAMS WILSON WOODS YELLOWHORSE ZEMBOL
Career Navigator Story by Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
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he Navy is bringing together all enlisted career management policies, processes and multiple information technology systems under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions as announced in NAVADMINs 149/13 and 150/13 released May 30. “Our goal is to provide Sailors with career opportunities across the continuum of Active and Reserve service,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director of military personnel plans and policy. “We have dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process that is more advantageous for Sailors. We’re simplifying the process and providing information sooner, giving our Sailors interactive capability that will enable more transparency and feedback capability and ultimately allow Sailors to be more actively involved in managing their careers.” Career Navigator will use Career Waypoints (formerly Fleet RIDE) as the IT system that supports key Sailor decisions about which way to go next in their career. Career Waypoints will include the enlisted career management processes that allow Sailors to give their intentions to reenlist, reclassify, designate into a rate, convert or transition between the Active Component and Reserve Component. Accordingly these processes will be called: Reenlistment (formerly Perform To Serve (PTS)), Reclassification (formerly production management office (PMO)), PACT designation (formerly rating entry for general apprentice (REGA)), Conversion and Transition. Changes to the system, policy and process names
will occur in the next few months. Beginning June 3, Sailors will receive results of reenlistment applications earlier and the process will align with orders negotiation. Sailors will find out if they’ve been approved sooner, and have more time to apply for orders through the Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID), in the Reenlistment Career Waypoint for active duty. All Sailors will continue to indicate their intentions to reenlist or separate with their career counselor. They will submit their intentions through their career counselor 13 months before their active obligated service, as extended (SEAOS), one month earlier than before. Sailors can still change their minds after this initial submission, and are encouraged to let their career counselors know if they’ve made a change as soon as possible. “Knowing Sailors’ intentions is critical to accurately predict how many Sailors we will have in each skillset, rate and paygrade going forward” said Kurta. “This ensures the maximum opportunity to reenlist in rate for those Sailors who desire to stay, offers opportunities for Sailors to convert to a new rate or transition between components, and improves advancement opportunity.” All eligible and command-approved E-6 Sailors will be approved for reenlistment on their first application, according to officials. While there is still a need for Sailors to tell their career counselor their intentions, if they want to reenlist and have command approval to do so, they will be given reenlistment approval on their first application. Soon, as the IT system is updated, Sailors and their commands will receive confirmation immediately upon submittal. Navy officials say 100 percent of eligible, command approved Sailors in skillsets that are open (undermanned) or balanced will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application, and within 30 days. This will also become immediate with planned IT updates. The changes will give eligible and commandapproved E-5 and below Sailors answers about reenlistment requests earlier. This process has also
been aligned with orders negotiation so Sailors will have more time to negotiate for the orders they want. Sailors in skillsets that are competitive or overmanned, or that have special requirements such as the nuclear community, will receive information sooner about their ability to reenlist in rate, or opportunity to convert to a different rate or transition to the Reserves. Many of these Sailors will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application depending on the manning in their year group. According to Kurta, with this new design, approximately 75% of Sailors who want to reenlist will be approved on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate. “Each month, we have been processing approximately 12,000 reenlistment applications,” Kurta said. “This number is expected to decrease significantly since the majority of Sailors will not have to apply for multiple months before receiving a decision. Sailors not approved to reenlist in rate will have additional time to apply to convert into another rating where opportunity exists. “ For Sailors who are in overmanned or competitive skillsets will have up to 11 monthly reviews grouped into three phases beginning 13 months from their expiration of SEAOS. Each phase will present the career options available to a Sailor. The first phase provides Sailors with four reviews starting 13 months from SEAOS with three options of in-rate reenlistment, conversion to another rating or transition into selected Reserves (SELRES ). In the second phase, Sailors who have not been given the go ahead for reenlistment in-rate will be given four more reviews with the options of conversion to a new rate or transition into SELRES. In the third and final phase, Sailors will receive up to three reviews to transition into SELRES. Other changes to improve Sailors’ career management include updates to rating designation for Professional Career Track (PACT) Sailors, rating conversions for Reserve Sailors, and Reserve
component to active component augmentation. These updates will be supported by several information technology enhancements to Career Waypoints and are also effective, June 3. The second change automatically generates partial applications for PACT Sailors who meet minimum qualification requirements. The NAVADMIN also modifies policy to allow time in rate (TIR) Sailors to apply for a rating entry designation (RED) quotas. The final process changes impact Sailors in the Reserve Component, as part of continuum of service initiatives announced in NAVADMIN 114/10. Starting June 3, SELRES and voluntary training unit (VTU) Sailors will be able to request active duty augmentation through the transition module within Career Waypoints, provided they meet specific program requirements. The program is being expanded to include FTS opportunities and to allow conversions into ratings with available quotas provided Sailors meet program requirements. Additionally, SELRES Sailors will be able to request conversion to an undermanned SELRES rating through Career Waypoints, instead of routing paper packages to PERS-8 for approval. Previous Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) restrictions are now lifted for augmented members. Reserve Component Sailors who augment onto active duty may be eligible to receive SRB based on current active duty SRB authorizations and their amount of continuous active duty service. To be eligible for SRB, Reserve Sailors must have completed at least 17 continuous months of active Naval service (other than active duty for training), but not more than 20 years of active military service at some time in their career. To ensure all requirements are met, visit the SRB page of the NPC Website. To learn more about the Career Navigator program, Sailors may speak with their chain of command, career counselor, read the NAVADMIN, or call NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1866-827-5672) or e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy. mil.
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Story and Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
n the hangar bay on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) there is a small space that Sailors walk by daily but might not notice. If you blink while walking by you may miss it. Next to the area in hangar bay three where trash is sorted is a door that leads into a world not known by many. This is where the Seat Shop lies. The Sailors who work in the Seat Shop are aviation structural mechanics (equipment) (AME) and their primary job is maintaining egress and environmental control systems on the aircraft on board. “We work primarily in the hangar bay,� said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Todd M. Schweitzer, of Carson City, Nev., a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)
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There is no odd man out. Everyone is always working whether it’s an airman or a first class.
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147. “Most of the corrosion work, painting, prevention work, arming and de-arming of the seats is done primarily in the Seat Shop.” The AMEs in the Seat Shop maintain anti-g suits worn by pilots while they are flying aircraft. The anti-g suits inflate when an aircraft experiences positive g-forces. This is so the pilot’s blood doesn’t rush to their feet and they don’t pass out when engaged in positive g-forces. In addition to the anti-g suits, the AMEs in the Seat Shop also maintain the fire extinguishing system, radar liquid cooling system, the canopy and ejection seat systems on the aircraft. “There are also multiple sub-systems in the environmental control systems which includes avionic cooling that we maintain,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Robert H. Sorge, of Houston, Texas, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154. “Avionic cooling consists of all the electronics on the aircraft that keep it from overheating, cabin cooling and heating for aircrew comfort, cabin pressurization systems and On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) which is the oxygen the aircrew breathes.” For Schweitzer the best part of his rate is the flexible work schedules they have which are due to the various hours flight operations are conducted on board. “When we work long work days we can work up to 16 hours a day,” said Schweitzer. “We work harder on no-fly days because most of the aircraft is available for maintenance.” According to Sorge, there is no other job he’d rather be doing in the Navy than being an AME.
“I’ve been an AME for 19 years in both the Marine Corps and in the Navy,” said Sorge. “I enjoy being an AME and I enjoy the people I work with.” One of the most challenging parts of being an AME, according to Schweitzer, is troubleshooting issues with the equipment they work on. “Sometimes I don’t know everything about the issue with the equipment and we have to do schematics to figure out what the issue is,” said Schweitzer. “It’s fun at the same time though because it keeps the job fresh.” Being an AME requires a lot of teamwork and it can prove to be critical to work effectively as a team in the Seat Shop when performing maintenance on certain kinds of equipment. “It takes three people to do an ordnance evolution,” said Schweitzer. “It has to be a smooth transition because of the potential dangers involved in handling ordnance. There is no odd man out. Everyone is always working whether it’s an airman or a first class.” There are times when being an AME is a very rewarding rate to be in, according to Schweitzer. “The coolest thing about being an AME is when a pilot comes back to tell me the story of how the ejection seat worked and they were able to eject in time from their aircraft,” said Schweitzer. The Sailors who work in the Seat Shop in the hangar bay don’t just perform routine maintenance, they save lives by keeping their equipment in working condition. It is a critical job that involves a lot of hard work, but those who work in the Seat Shop are up to the task.
A WORD FROM MEDICAL Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis will usually fade away on its own after a few days – although they may be miserable days! Most people can treat themselves by continuously drinking small sips of water; Soda, Monster, or coffee doesn’t count. You can eat small amounts of bland food as well. Don’t eat or drink so much that your stomach feels full. A nauseated and full stomach is a sure recipe for vomiting. Take Pepto Bismol to help settle your stomach and Tylenol for body aches if you have them. When you start to feel better you can increase what you eat and drink, but still limit what you have to small quantities for the first couple of days after you feel better.
So, when should you come to medical? When you are at risk for dehydration or when you may have a bacterial infection causing the vomiting and diarrhea. You are at risk for dehydration if you are not able to take in enough fluids to make up for the fluids you are losing from vomiting and diarrhea. Generally if you are having watery diarrhea 5 or more times a day and you are vomiting, you are at risk. Come see us. If you have diarrhea and a fever or chills, you may have a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Come see us. Whether you need to come to medical or not, you can easily spread your infection to others. If you are a leader on the ship and any of your Sailors or Marines are having persistent vomiting or diarrhea – even if they don’t need to go to medical – send them to their rack. You don’t want them in your work center spreading their disease to everyone else. Right now, the vomiting and diarrhea we are seeing aboard Nimitz is the result of eating or drinking infected food or liquids in Thailand. If we don’t work to control the spread of the “stomach bugs” we picked up, they will begin to spread on board, making even more people ill. The best way to prevent the spread of the germs that are causing our current problems is for everyone to WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! Wash them before you eat, after you eat, after you use the head, after you go up a ladder, down a ladder, through a hatch…in other words…all the time! If you are sick, stay out of your work center.
Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 7 Channel 29 Channel 30 0800 / 2000 Tangled
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Sweet Home Alabama
Iron Man
Step Up Revolution
Amazing Spiderman
Tyler Perry Good Deeds
1000 / 2200
The Last Song
Inglorious Basterds
Leap Year
1200 / 0000 The Muppets
Goodfellas
It’s Complicated
X-Men Orgiins: Wolverine
Sparkle
1400 / 0200 Hannah Montana The Movie
Marvel’s: Everybody’s The The Avengers Fine Transporter
Madea’s Witness Protection
1600 / 0400 Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
A Few Good Men
Eat Pr ay Love
The Dark Knight Rises
Diary of A Mad Black Woman
Warrior
The Back Up Plan
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Madea’s Family Reunion
1800 / 0600
The Time Tr aeler’s Wife
TV 02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports 05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - ROLLER 09 - NTV 10 - FLIGHT DECK 11 - CNN 29 - DVD MOVIES 30 - DVD MOVIES