The Nimitz Five Star Report Volume 9, September 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1–2 3 4 5–6 7–8
“That is not to say that we can relax our
readiness to defend ourselves.
From the Captain’s Cabin; Chaplain’s Corner
Our armament must be adequate
Chaplain’s Corner; CMC’s Message; Ombudsman Information; Useful Information Your Ombudsman Team; Useful Information; About the Family Readiness Group (FRG); Mailing Address September Special Events; Contact Information; Articles of Interest It’s the End of Summer: Labor Day Safety Tips
to the needs, but our faith is not primarily in these machines of defense but in ourselves.” Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
From the Captain’s Cabin A Message from the CO
Captain Paul Monger Commanding Officer, USS Nimitz
Dear Family and Friends of our Nimitz Sailors, Greetings from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. It has been a terrific summer with all the stories we heard of the beauty of the Northwest unfolding as the temperatures climbed and the rain subsided. It is great to be here during these months for sure.
Capt. Paul Monger Commanding Officer
Continued on page 2 1
From the Captain’s Cabin
Chaplain’s Corner
Continued from page 1
A Poor Soul
A Poor Soul CDR Brent Johnson, CHC, USN
A Message from the CO
This last month I hope you were able to join us for Family Day in the shipyard. And, if you did, I certainly hope you enjoyed it. All the folks that I talked to expressed nothing but appreciation for all the work your Sailors did to make this a spectacular event. Speaking of Speculator, we also had our annual family picnic last month and it was truly Spectacular. Our MWR, Supply, DAPA and a whole host of volunteers did some fantastic work to make this a great day for our families.
How would you like to be described as a poor, mournful soul who is meek, always hungry and thirsty, and is seen as someone who is in need of mercy, purity, and peace? I wouldn’t be very comfortable with that characterization or want to use those terms on a resume. It seems like a person who fits this description needs a lot of loving care and ministry. The thing is - this is how Jesus describes the ideal child of God. I always knew it was a good idea to memorize the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer, but hardly anyone recommended reading and memorizing the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:4-9. I knew there were seven sins and seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, but did not know there were seven beatitudes. I believe firmly in practicing a life of prayer, but no one ever told me it would be a good idea to pray the beatitudes and think of ways to live them out in my own life. I heard that idea recently and wish I had heard it a long time ago. I might have avoided a lot of harsh lessons in life if I had. As a Chaplain, I have a lot of people who asked me how they can improve their spiritual lives and I usually answered with a standard list of disciplines including reading the Bible, regular prayer, and attending worship with fellow believers. Recently I have simplified that list and starting recommending people begin with memorizing Matthew 5:4-9 and using those verses as an outline for prayer. How can I go wrong if I start with a prayer admitting I am poor in spirit? That is a simple admission of spiritual truth for anyone, no matter how long that person has practiced their faith. Each beatitude starts with a statement about a need each person may have and ends with a promise that the need will be met by God. I don’t know about you, but I need to hear a promise that can be kept as often as possible. It is good to know that if I mourn I will be comforted, or that when I show mercy I will receive mercy, too. It is important to know that the meek are those who could use some sort of power available to them to achieve their own ends, but choose not to do so. When I choose the path of meekness that follows that approach, I will one day receive an inheritance from God. I’m not called to be a door mat when I
Our schedule is in a bit of flux. We are still working as hard as we can to finish before Christmas and we will keep you posted, through your Sailors, as things change or become more definite. As I walk the ship I am thoroughly impressed with the work that your Sailors have completed over the past seven months. It is remarkable. They come to work with a true sense of pride and ownership in this ship and that translates into a work ethic that is second to none in the Navy. Thank you for all the support you give them so that they can come to work each day focused on getting the job done. Lastly I want to make sure you all know that there is a ton of info out there on our move to Everett and what that entails. If you have any questions, please ask your Sailor or go to the Home Port Change (HPC) website and take a look (or both!). I know many folks are still weighing the move to Everett based on our schedule and deployment. Let me make sure everyone understands one thing; the Navy has decided to do business differently from what has been done with the usual CVN in Everett (The Lincoln in this case). So, please, do not rely on old gouge or the experience of former Everett CVN Sailors. We will do business differently, which may have an impact on where you choose to live based on where the ship will be. Please talk to your Sailor, check out the website, and ask questions of those that are tasked to be the experts. We want you to make your decision is based on the known plan, not what was done in the past. Finally, it is time this month for another exam cycle. Our stellar Sailors will be putting the finishing touches on their studying for the exams as we kickoff with the E-6 exam on 01 Sept. We wish all of our future E-4’s, 5’s and 6’s the best of luck and we look forward to frocking them in December. Thanks for your tremendous support for all of our Sailors. CAPT Paul O. Monger Commanding Officer USS NIMITZ (CVN-68)
Continued on page 3 2
A Message from the Command Master Chief
A Poor Soul Continued from page 2 am meek, but I am encouraged to consider the needs of others, before I seek to meet my own selfish desires. I suppose there are some character descriptions that I need to develop no matter how I personally feel about them. The beatitudes are designed to build us up, and require an honest appraisal of who we are as Children of God. There is an anonymous comment that sums up the reason why we practice the beatitudes: “God wants religious fruit, not religious nuts.”
NIMITZ Family, I want to open by saying CONGRATULTIONS to our Chief Petty Officer select’s. They have all worked hard and are well deserving of this most prestigious promotion. They will be challenged over the next few weeks, to prepare them for SEP 16th when they will don their “Khaki’s” for the first time. By now your Sailor should have spoken with you about our schedule next year. For Operational Security (OPSEC) reasons, we cannot publish those dates in public forums, but your Sailors have been made aware of where they can get those dates in order to keep you all at home informed. I ask that you please refrain from publishing those dates on Face Book or other social media websites, or sending them in emails. Rest assured there are those that would do us harm that constantly monitor the internet for any and all information they can gather about us.
This month Religious Ministries is proud to welcome Chaplain Richard Townes as the newest member of the team. Chaplain Townes is a Lutheran minister from Ohio, and has family living in the Seattle area. You can reach your NIMITZ Chaplains at 360-627-2826 if you have any questions or concerns about the spiritual life.
Ask an Ombudsman
Before you know it, it will be time to break out our winter clothes again, seems like I just drug out my whites! It’s never too early to think about “winterizing” your vehicle and home. Continue to enjoy the nice weather, and the fact that your Sailors get to come home each night (save duty days) as next year is going to be busy.
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.
Mahalo & AVAG’DAY! Respectfully, CMDCM William "Aussie" Lloyd-Owen Command Master Chief USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) (360) 990-5588 Cell
From CNIC’s Family Connection, 2-2011
SPOUSES & FAMILIES, IF
YOU KNOW A
NIMITZ FAMILY MEMBER
PLEASE HELP US “GET THE WORD OUT!” WHO IS NOT RECEIVING THE
NEWSLETTER, FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS COPY WITH THEM.
NIMITZ FIVE STAR REPORT
MONTHLY
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. 3
USS NIMITZ OMBUDSMAN TEAM
USS Nimitz Family Readiness Group (FRG)
JEANINE NEIMAN KRISTIN CROW LINDSAY BALDWIN LA’DEL CASSIDY AMY CLEGHON
Being an active part of your FRG is a great way to make friends, support our sailors and their families, and have Fun! Here a few of the things the FRG has done in the past few months (details can be seen on the Facebook page): Day trips to Seattle & Everett; Informal “Getting to Know You” meetings at local coffee & pottery shops; Crafting and Scrapbooking groups; an “Extreme Couponing” Class; “Helping Hands” assistance for a soon-to-be New Mom needing help getting back and forth to her Dr. appointments; a Town Hall Meeting; assisting in the distribution of Information during the Family Fun Day Picnic; Participation in the Family Day at PSNS, and MUCH, MUCH more!
EMAIL:ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo.com OR CALL US DIRECT: 360-340-2515 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.
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!
OFFICIAL COMMAND INFORMATION RESOURCE & REFERRAL CHILDBIRTH GENERAL INFORMATION ABOU T USS NIMITZ TRANSFER INFORMATION AT RISK PREGNANCY FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES MARITAL DIFFICULTIES DEATH IN TH E FAMILY LOCAL AREA ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO ANYTIME YOU NEED ASSISTANCE!
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.
IT IS OUR HONOR AND OUR PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AND ASSIST OUR NIMITZ SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
USEFUL INFORMATION
If child attendance is discouraged during any formal event or meeting, The FRG Executive board makes the effort to locate group childcare.
NAVAL BASE KITSAP FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (NBK FFSC): 1.866.854.0638
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
SAN DIEGO AREA FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (SD FFSC): 1.866.923.6478 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY (NMCRS): www.nmcrs.org
Look for the “LADIES IN PINK” at Command activities to find out how YOU can be part of the action!
NAVY LEGAL SERVICE (NLSO): www.jag.navy.mil MILITARY ONE SOURCE: www.militaryonesource.com
USS NIMITZ MAILING ADDRESS:
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 SAFE RIDE SAN DIEGO: Dial 511
YOUR SAILOR’S RATE AND NAME SAILOR’S DEPT/DIVISION USS NIMITZ (CVN68) FPO AP 96620-2820 4
SEPTEMBER 2011 SPECIAL EVENTS
Navy Region Northwest Fleet & Family Support Center
FEDERAL HOLIDAY - L ABOR DAY TH DATE: SEPTEMBER 5 HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!
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
IA PRE-DEPLOYMENT BRIEF/IA F AMILY AND FRIENDS PRE-DEPLOYMENT BRIEF PLACE JACKSON PARK TH DATE/TIM E 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P. M. W EDNESDAY, SEPT 14 ND MEETS THE 2 W EDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
San Diego Area Fleet & Family Support Center
GO OVER WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER ARE
Naval Base San Diego
DEPLOYED AND TALK ABOUT COMMON REACTIONS DURING AND
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/SanDiego/BaseSupport/index.htm
FOLLOWING A COMBAT OR HAZARDOUS DUTY ASSIGNMENT , ALONG WITH GENERAL DEPLOYMENT ISSUES THAT AFFECT FAMILIES. THIS
Naval Base Coronado
BRIEF MEETS ONE OF THE ECRC CHECKLIST
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Coronado/BaseSupport/index.htm
(NAVPERS 1333/22) REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY READINESS.
Naval Base Point Loma https://www.cnic.navy.mil/PointLoma/BaseSupport/index.htm
IA POST-DEPLOYMENT BRIEF PLACE JACKSON PARK TH DATE/TIM E 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P. M. W EDNESDAY, SEPT 14 ND MEETS THE 2 W EDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
Important Contact Information Naval Hospital Bremerton
POST-DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TO ASSIST RETURNING IA’S WITH UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR COMBAT EXPERIENCE
(MANDATORY @ 30, 60, 90 & 120 DAY INTERVALS). FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVES, AS WELL AS THE FAMILY W ORKSHOP. JACKSON PARK. PLEASE CALL 1.866.854.0638 FOR MORE INFO OR TO REGISTER.
Tricare Regional Appointment Center: 1-800-404-4506 Hospital Information Desk: 360-475-4000 Pharmacy Refills: 360-475-4217
WEBINAR: WINTER STORM PREPAREDNESS TH DATE/TIM E 1:30 P.M. – 2:30 P. M., THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 .
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
IT TAKES MORE THAN BUYING A WINDSHIELD SCRAPER TO PREPARE FOR THE NW'S SEASONAL WINTER STORMS! JOIN US, ALONG WITH AN EXPERT FROM NRNW'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM, TO LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY SAFE, WARM, AND DRY ALL WINTER LONG. BE PROACTIVE AND READY, NOT STUCK AND OUT OF LUCK! TO REGISTER, CALL 1-866-854-0638.
USS NIMITZ CHIEF PINNING CEREMONY TH DATE: SEPTEMBER 16 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR NEW CHIEFS! .
NBK MWR Annual POW/MIA 5K/ 1 Mile Run/ Walk
Parenting Tip of the Week - Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness
MWR will host their Annual POW/MIA 5K, 1 Mile Run/ Walk, Saturday, 10 September 2011 at 1000 behind the Bangor Fitness Center.
Make sure your children have their vision screened or an eye exam before school starts. You can watch your children for signs that they may have visions problems, including: eyes that cross or point outward frequent blinking, squinting, rubbing eyes holding books and objects unusually close short attention for visual activities frequent complaints of eye discomfort, headaches, or dizziness
Register at www.navylifepnw.com, click on myFFR, and search for event numbers #62444401 / #624444-02. Day of event registration is from 0900-0945. T-shirts for sale on race day will be on availability basis only.
Visit the TRICARE Online website to schedule an appointment
Eligible participants: All authorized base patrons and sponsored guests. 5
Free Online Tutoring for Military Families with Tutor.com By Robert L. Gordon, III Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy)
As we settle into the new school year, I’d like to remind military families that we have a free and extremely helpful resource available to our children. With Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families, military children can start the year with confidence, knowing they will have the support they need, should they need it, to be successful students! Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families is an online tutoring and homework help program sponsored by DoD that allows eligible service members and their families to get 24/7 assistance and support on a wide range of subjects, from elementary school concepts to advanced high school coursework. If you are active duty or on active duty in the Guard or Reserve in a deployed status (or even a DoD civilian in a deployed status), you and your family are eligible for the program.
Tutor.com Continued Best of all, Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families is not just available to military children: the whole family can participate. If a military member or spouse is getting ready to head back to school themselves, Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families can help with refresher courses or entrance exam preparations. Military spouses can prepare to get back into the workforce with the program’s resume, interviewing, and job search assistance. Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families can also teach parents how to help their children. Helping your kids with homework can be challenging, especially if it has been a while since you did school work of your own. Let the tutors help you become a better tutor and academic role model for your children. You and your children are never on your own when it comes to excelling in education. As your kids head back to school this fall, make Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families a regular part of your academic routine. Until next time, be well.
Carefully screened professional tutors who are also subject matter experts provide assistance through Tutor.com’s online interface, and they can even assist with introductory college courses, adult learning, and career transitions. The tutors work closely with your kids, helping them work through questions or problems without feeding them the answers. Students work in a secure online classroom with their tutor, where they can chat, draw on a shared whiteboard, upload files, and view the web together! And you don’t need any special hardware or software: as long as you have Internet access, you can use Tutor.com anywhere in the world! Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families helps address the specific needs of our military families. For example, military children may have to move during the school year and could lose valuable time in the classroom or may need some extra time adapting to a new school environment. As a complement to the extra help their teachers can provide, Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families can help military children stay current with their studies and build confidence. To get a tutor, visit Tutor.com/military, select your military Service, and follow the directions to get your password. Students can save each of their sessions for review, print them out later, and request their favorite tutor when they have a particular question. If you or your family have used Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families in the past or have any questions or comments, we want to hear from you! Please join our discussion. Continued at the top of the next column 6
LABOR DAY – SEPTEMBER 5TH 2011 Did You Know? Labor Day originated in 1882, when thousands of union workers paraded in NYC. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill enacting Labor Day as a National Holiday. Since 1894, Labor Day has been celebrated on the 1st Monday of September. Labor Day brings the potential for increased risk – Why?? More people on the roadways More water recreation More sporting activities More partying Attitude: “One Last Hurrah before the End Of Summer” Please take a moment to review the following safety tips before you celebrate this Labor Day with family and friends: Driving Safety Tips Plan your trip carefully Avoid distractions while driving… Talking and Texting Anticipate other driver’s actions Maintain a margin of Safety Ensure all occupants are properly buckled Eliminate aggressive driving behaviors Drive defensively!
PMV Factors YOU Control as the Driver
Excessive Speed Not Wearing Seatbelts Alcohol Involvement Fatigue Distractions Make sure your passengers follow YOUR rules
Fire Hazards While Cooking The leading cause is unattended cooking. Don’t let yourself get distracted in the kitchen or while cooking outdoors! In the Kitchen ALWAYS keep a fire extinguisher handy! Small grease fires should ONLY be extinguished when it is safe to approach fire. o Place the correct sized lid over the pan o Turn off the burner o Never remove the pan from the burner (may spill burning material and spread fire). NEVER put water on the fire or place pan in water (the fire may spread and or explode when the burning grease hits the water). Baking Soda may be used if it is a SMALL pan fire, but it takes a LOT of Baking Soda – it is best to have the proper fitting lid handy! 7
Sporting Activities Stretch prior to activity Stay hydrated Wear proper gear and footwear Know your limits!
The Outdoor Grill
ALWAYS keep a fire extinguisher handy! Keep children and pets away from the grill. Keep the grill on an even, stable surface. Keep the grill at least 10 feet away from the house, woodpile, extra propane tanks, and vehicle gasoline tanks. NEVER use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire! Do NOT put charcoal fluid on coals that have already been lighted!
Cooking Outdoors – Campfire
Swimming Safety – Water Awareness Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat Don’t take chances, by over-estimating your swimming skills Swim only in designated swimming areas Never swim alone. Swim where lifeguards are present Keep a close eye on kids Obey signs about water conditions Watch out for riptides or undertows while at the beach
Following Grilling Safety Don’t wear loose clothing & blankets next to the fire Extinguish FULLY before leaving the campsite after coals are COOL, douse with water or cover with sand but leave the ring around the site so others know it was there 8
Recreational Boating – 2009 Mishaps reported to the US Coast Guard: 736 died in boating incidents. 7 out of 10 drowned (515). 90% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating incidents
Safe Boating Tips from the U.S. Coast Guard Wear properly fitted life jackets – required by law if under 18 years old Don't Drink - 46% of all boating fatalities occurred when vessels were docked, anchored, or drifting Take a Course - More than 7 out of every 10 boating incidents are caused by operator error Get a Vessel Safety Check