The Nimitz Five Star Report Volume 11, November 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1–2 3 4 5–6 7–8
“It is the function of the Navy to carry the war to
From the Captain’s Cabin; Chaplain’s Corner
the enemy so that it will not be fought on U.S.
From the Judge’s Bench Your Ombudsman Team; Useful Information; About the Family Readiness Group (FRG); Mailing Address November Special Events; Contact Information; Photocopying ID Cards; Volunteer Opportunity Tame Holiday Stress; Moving During the Holidays; Nimitz Holiday Party
soil.”
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
From the Captain’s Cabin A Message from the CO
Captain Paul Monger Commanding Officer, USS Nimitz
Greetings family and friends of our Nimitz Sailors,
There is a lot going on but most importantly I want to share with you some recent changes in our schedule. As hard as your Sailors are working to get us operational again, Continued on page 2
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Capt. Paul Monger Commanding Officer
Chaplain’s Corner
Continued from page 1
CDR Brent Johnson, CHC, USN
sometimes all the other pieces of the puzzle just don't come together as we would like. That is the case with the maintenance we are currently performing on the ship. We have slid the end date into February and hope that is as far as we have to go. As you know there are never any absolutes in this business, but I do have confidence that the ship/shipyard team can get us to that date given the challenges ahead.
Beards or Bounty While reading the news on line the other day I saw a photo of a police lineup and it looked like they arrested five of the seven dwarfs. Each one of the men had beards and funny haircuts, that bowl shaped cut like kids would get when mom was in a hurry and a little mad at dad to do it right. I just had to read the article
We are in the process of finalizing the plans for the Holiday party on December 3rd and hope as many of you as possible will make it. There will be a lot of food, entertainment and opportunities to win some awesome prizes. It will be a great event for an absolute minimum cost so mark the date on your calendar.
about these bearded guys because none of them really looked bad in their police photos. As I read I found out they were Amish men from Ohio who were arrested for forcibly shaving the beards off of two other Amish guys. Amish gone wild I guess. There are a lot of spiritual people who want to live
Plans also for the children's Christmas party are in work and we will get those out via e-mail and the website as soon as we have it all suitcased.
out the words of Jesus in Matthew 5.13 - 14, “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.” The Amish are very intentional about living out a simple lifestyle that rejects modern conveniences in order
I hope that you will continue to use the information we have out on the website and associated links to make sure your homeport change plan is taking shape. Please continue to ask questions and explore all the options so that you are sure to make the decision that is right for you. It is never easy but our goal is to ensure you have everything you need to make the transition smoothly.
to reflect a more authentic spiritual life. They get the first idea of being different that Jesus made in the passage to which I am referring. Most people are satisfied with being different. It marks them out in some way and identifies them with a community of faith. All well and good until someone’s beard offends someone else. There is a second point in that chapter that Jesus was
You may have noticed that your Sailors are starting to think more about getting underway and doing the jobs they joined the Navy to do. We are excited at the changes that go on around the ship as it comes back together a little bit more each day. Thanks for all you do to support them as they go about their important work every day.
making about a genuine spiritual life. People need to take one more step beyond different and make a difference, become a positive influence, in someone’s life. That is why Jesus said it was too bad if the salt lost its taste or the lamp was hidden at home (see the rest of the two verses I cited.) There is a connection between being
Sincerely,
different from the rest of the world around you because of your faith and making a difference in the world you
CAPT Paul O. Monger Commanding Officer USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)
live in because of your faith. In verse 16 of the same chapter Jesus concludes by saying this making a difference will result in God being glorified, not your own ego being praised.
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Beards or Bounty
From the Judge’s Bench LCDR Brewen
Continued from Page 2
With the beginning of the holiday season there are lots of Homeport Change has begun and many of you are planning your move to the Everett area. Many of you are also renting apartments and homes in the Kitsap County area. This edition is intended to discuss your rights and the process you must follow to properly notify your landlord of intent to terminate the rental contract.
opportunities to make a difference in our local community or simply with the extended NIMITZ family. Some influential steps you take include; helping a cash strapped family sign up for food assistance at www.foodhelp.wa.gov, inviting a lonely Sailor over for a holiday dinner, taking part in an Angel
We are under orders to move to Everett. CNO established Change of Homeport date as 16 December 2011. Captain Monger directed us to move between 1 October 2011and 15 December 2012. This is a large window of time to affect your move for a few reasons. First is the operational readiness of the ship. We cannot have everyone move at the same time or our operational readiness would be dramatically impacted. Second, many of you have children and other family requirements you must consider before moving. If you qualify for an HPC certificate, this means the Navy will pay for your household goods move. You don’t qualify for this if you have less than year left on your orders. Regardless if you qualify for an HPC certificate, you are still under orders to move to Everett and will do so with the ship. For those of you who choose to move your families, this entitles you to certain protections under the Service Member’s Civil Relief Act, both the Federal and Washington state statutes.
Tree program (we are hoping to start one here on NIMITZ this December), or mailing Christmas cards to Sailors and their families who are on IA assignments in the Middle East this year. Those are simple acts that could make a huge difference in someone’s life. And no one will probably lose a beard over the whole thing. Your NIMITZ Chaplains, CDR Brent Johnson, LCDR Rick Townes, and LT Eric Melvin hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We are thankful for each of you and invite you to contact us at our new phone number 360476-4110 if you need us.
Pursuant to the Service Member’s Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 535, service members are permitted to terminate residential leases of premises without incurring an early termination fee as a result of receiving military orders for a permanent change of station. 50 U.S.C. App. § 535(i)(1) specifically defines “military orders” to include “official military orders, or any notification, certification, or verification from the service member’s commanding officer, with respect to the service member’s current or future military duty status.” Additionally, pursuant to the Revised Code of Washington, RCW 59.18.200(1) (b) and RCW 59.18.220(2), a member of the armed forces may terminate a lease upon receipt of reassignment orders or deployment orders.
accounting codes. Captain Monger has solved this problem with a formal letter that can be prepared for you by Admin. This letter will serve as your PCS orders. You WILL NEED IT if you choose to exercise your right to early terminate your rental lease. You MUST go to ADMIN to get the orders letter. The second letter we have prepared for you is a notification letter you will give your landlord informing him or her that you intend to vacate the apartment or home because of your orders to move. The letter may be downloaded by you off of the HPC website. You complete the form letter by adding the missing information, print it, sign it, and give it to your landlord with the military orders letter.
If you intend to break your lease to move to Everett under orders, you MUST have two documents: 1. Military orders letter which can be prepared for you by ADMIN; and, 2. Landlord notification letter that can be downloaded from the HPC website and completed by you. Turn both of these documents in to your landlord.
TIME FRAMES: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO PLEASE READ THIS PARAGRAPH TWICE! Washington law requires you to give the landlord 20 days notice before your next rental due date. For example, if you pay rent on the 1st of every month, you must give notice to vacate the apartment/home within 9 days after paying rent to ensure you have given the landlord 20 days notice before the next rent payment. Otherwise, the landlord can legally hold you over another month!
So…many of you may be asking “where are my military orders?” and “how do I early terminate a rental lease due to military orders?” Even those of you who have received an HPC certificate should be asking this question because if you read the certificate, it really only provides some
NIMITZ Legal is here to help you. Come on by the office.
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USS Nimitz Family Readiness Group (FRG)
USS NIMITZ OMBUDSMAN TEAM
Being an active part of your FRG is a great way to make friends, support our sailors and their families, and have Fun!
JEANINE NEIMAN KRISTIN CROW LINDSAY BALDWIN AMY CLEGHON LA’DEL CASSIDY
The FRG is all about CONNECTING - connecting with other Nimitz families and discovering that while our Sailors are ON the same boat, we are all IN the same boat! Some family members love to volunteer, others like to attend; some like to craft, others to read; some have children, others don’t or they are all grown up; some attend school, others have advance degrees; some stay at home (choose domestic pursuits), others have outside careers - although we are all different, we all have one thing in common: WE ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE USS NIMITZ!
EMAIL:ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo.com OR CALL US DIRECT: 360-340-7040 NIMITZ CARELINE MESSAGE: 1-877-600-NAVY (6289) OPTION #3 HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHEN TO CALL YOUR OMBUDSMAN TEAM: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Have Children? That’s what “Family” is all about! Bring them along; many times the children make “life-long” friends as well! Don’t have children? That’s great, too! Please come help encourage “grown-up” discussions for those who have been limited to conversations with the “under 5” crowd.
OFFICIAL COMMAND INFORMATION RESOURCE & REFERRAL CHILDBIRTH GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT USS NIMITZ TRANSFER INFORMATION AT RISK PREGNANCY FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES MARITAL DIFFICULTIES DEATH IN THE FAMILY LOCAL AREA ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO ANYTIME YOU NEED ASSISTANCE!
If child attendance is discouraged during any formal event or meeting, The FRG Executive board makes the effort to locate group childcare.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? To subscribe to their Monthly Newsletter please email: teamnimitz@yahoo.com Or request to join the official Nimitz Family Readiness Group Page on Facebook: USS NIMITZ FAMILY CONNECTIONS GROUP
IT IS OUR HONOR AND OUR PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AND ASSIST OUR NIMITZ SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Look for the “LADIES IN PINK” at Command activities to find out how YOU can be part of the action!
Ask an Ombudsman Selected by the commanding officer (CO), your Navy Family ombudsman is a spouse of a command member who voluntarily serves as the official liaison between the command and its families. The ombudsman is a vital resource to assist the command in discharging the CO’s responsibilities for the morale and welfare of the command’s families. The ombudsman is the link between the command and the Navy family. This is especially true in deploying commands, where the ombudsman is the primary point of contact between the families at home and the command during deployment. As a spouse, it is important to get acquainted with your local ombudsman. The ombudsman is not a counselor or a social worker, but can show you a direct route to getting the assistance you need to find solutions and resources.
USS NIMITZ MAILING ADDRESS: YOUR SAILOR’S RATE AND NAME SAILOR’S DEPT/DIVISION USS NIMITZ (CVN68) FPO AP 96620-2820
From CNIC’s Family Connection, 2-2011
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Important Contact Information Naval Hospital Bremerton
Photocopying ID Cards
Tricare Regional Appointment Center: 1-800-404-4506
Recent incidents regarding the photocopying of military identification cards and common access cards (CAC), by commercial establishments to verify military affiliation or provide government rates for service, have been reported. Personnel are reminded that photocopying U.S. Government identification is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Criminal elements and terrorist organizations place U.S. government identifications at a premium when planning acts against the U.S. military. Although commercial establishments are not prohibited from asking for military/government identification, many government personnel and commercial establishments are unaware of the prohibition on duplication of government identification. Unfortunately, there are no safeguards in place to ensure a government identification card won’t be counterfeited or “cloned” based on a photocopy by a commercial establishment. It is recommended that military/DoD personnel provide a state drivers license or other form of photo identification to be photocopied.
Hospital Information Desk: 360-475-4000 Pharmacy Refills: 360-475-4217 Primary Care Clinics: Family Medicine: 360-475-4379 Internal Medicine: 360-475-4206 Pediatrics: 360-475-4216 Link to Website or Visit NHB's Official Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NavalHospital-Bremerton/163929576969000
USEFUL INFORMATION NAVAL BASE KITSAP FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (NBK FFSC): 1.866.854.0638 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY (NMCRS): www.nmcrs.org NAVY LEGAL SERVICE (NLSO): www.jag.navy.mil MILITARY ONE SOURCE: www.militaryonesource.com AMERICAN RED CROSS – NATIONAL: (877)272-7337 AMERICAN RED CROSS – BREMERTON :( 360)377-3761 SAFE RIDE TAXI - BDCC BREMERTON :( 360)782-2378 SAFE RIDE TAXI - YELLOW CAB: (206)622-6500
* This does not apply to medical establishments (i.e. doctor’s office, hospitals, etc.) who are allowed take a copy for the purpose of filing insurance claims; and other government agencies in the performance of official government business.
Navy Region Northwest Fleet & Family Support Center Here is a link to the navylifepnw website with a list of upcoming webinars for many months to come. You can see that the staff at Fleet and Family is trying to make a wide variety of classes easily available to all. Visit them at: www.navylifepnw.com or on Facebook
SPOUSES & FAMILIES, PLEASE HELP US “GET THE WORD OUT!” IF YOU KNOW A NIMITZ FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS NOT RECEIVING THE NIMITZ FIVE STAR REPORT MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS COPY WITH THEM. PLEASE REMIND THEM TO CONTACT US VIA EMAIL AT USSNIMITZOMBUDSMAN@YAHOO.COM AND ASK TO BE ADDED TO OUR DISTRIBUTION LIST! THIS EMAIL TREE IS ALSO HOW WE IMMEDIATELY DISTRIBUTE IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM THE CO TO OUR NIMITZ FAMILIES. PLEASE REMEMBER TO INCLUDE THE SAILOR’S NAME & RATE SO WE CAN VERIFY ELIGIBILITY. 5
NOVEMBER 2011 MONTH OF THE MILITARY FAMILY MONTH OF THE MILITARY FAMILY MOVIES PLACE: BANGOR CINEMA PLUS THEATRE DATE/TIME: THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS IN NOVEMBER $1.50 (REG. $3) PER MOVIE OR $3 (REG. $5) FOR DOUBLE FEATURE.
MUST PRESENT MILITARY ID.
SPECIAL MOMF BOWLING PLACE: OLYMPIC LANES BOWLING CENTER DATE/TIME: MONDAY-SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER $5/HOUR/LANE FOR UP TO FIVE PEOPLE. $5 PER PERSON FIREBALL BOWLING. CALL 360.535.5917 FOR MORE INFO.
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR PLACE: BREMERTON REC CENTER MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM DATE/TIME: NOVEMBER 17 AND 24, 1100-1200 FOR AGES 6 AND UNDER.
FREE!
PARENTS MUST REMAIN ON SITE.
FAMILY FRIENDLY MOVIE NIGHTS
PLACE: BREMERTON REC CENTER MOVIE LOUNGE DATE/TIME: NOV. 18-19, 25-26, 1800 FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY MOVIES (RATED G OR PG)
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Our Team Nimitz Family Readiness Group is looking for an Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Representative. This Board Member will work with the EFMP coordinator assigned to the Nimitz in order to make events accessible, to inform families of their rights and benefits, and to lend a practical perspective on the challenges of having an EFM family member.
USAJobs The Department of the Navy has transitioned its application site to www.USAJOBS.gov. USAJOBS is the U.S. government’s official source for federal jobs and employment information, with search categories ranging from individuals with disabilities, veterans, students and recent graduates to senior executives. The USAJOBS iPhone/iPad application puts the power of searching for a federal job at your fingertips.
If this position seems interesting to you, please contact the FRG Team at teamnimitz@yahoo.com 6
Tame Holiday Stress From militaryonesource.com
The holidays are filled with extra demands and high expectations. You can avoid succumbing to the stress by making a conscious effort to lower your expectations, set limits, and focus on what’s important. Manage your money and your time
Both your money and time are limited, so it’s important to choose how to spend them wisely and consciously. And it’s always a good idea from the outset to lower your expectations for a perfect holiday. Set your sights instead on a holiday that’s pleasant and “good enough.” With that in mind, make it a point to: •
Prioritize your tasks and expenses. Make a list of the most important parts of the holiday celebration and a budget for related expenses. If you don’t get to everything else, at least you will have accomplished these critical tasks. Remember, it’s worse to spend months in debt than to go without less critical items.
•
Ask others to help. Ask your children to wrap presents. Ask friends or family to contribute to the holiday meal and to help clean up afterward.
•
Say “no.” If your child is asking for a gift you can’t afford, explain your need to stick to a budget. If a friend, family member, or organization asks you to complete tasks that will bring you more stress than joy, turn them down.
•
Rethink your expectations. Consider your traditions. It may be time to eliminate those that have lost their meaning. For example, you may want to draw names in your family for Christmas gifts, decreasing time and money pressure.
Family relationships The winter holidays are often a time to catch up and enjoy each other's company. But for some families, strained relationships can make get-togethers stressful. These two tools can help:
•
Know when to let things slide. Set your differences aside. Save heated conversations for another day.
•
Know when to draw a line. If your family gathering puts you in an anxious or loaded situation, set limits. Decide when, where, and how long you will spend with your family. For some people it can be better to celebrate with friends instead.
Seek help if you need it
If you have a deployed loved one, you are likely to struggle with some tough emotions. If your stress threatens to become overwhelming, find a place to share your feelings. You can start with a trusted friend, religious adviser, or military support services. And remember, Military OneSource is available 24/7 to help you with a whole range of work and personal issues, including handling holiday stress. Call 1-800-342-9647 or check the Web site at www.MilitaryOneSource.mil. 7
Moving During the Holiday Season PCS orders to move during the holiday season can be challenging, but are doable. As with every move, preparation is KEY. Those moving with children should continue at least some family traditions, as this will make the transition easier on them. Which traditions should be kept during the moving process can be the topic of a family meeting. Finding a small Christmas tree, Menorah or Kinara to put in temporary quarters can keep traditions alive and make this time easier on everyone in the family. Where temporary quarters have a kitchenette, prepared meals from a grocery store can take the place of elaborate holiday dinners and there may still be leftovers later. Relocating families need to give themselves a break and not expect to do everything they normally do. Electronic holiday cards can take the place of traditional holiday greetings, or mailing can be delayed until a permanent address is established. Cards are a great way to provide new contact information to family and friends. Even in the midst of relocating, it’s important to enjoy spending time with family and beginning a new chapter in life together. ~CNIC Family Connections
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