March 14, 2014|VOL. 40| ISSUE 9
FEATURING
CS3 Kendra E. Bellinger
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Unicycle Enthusiast
INSIDE: LIFE OF A
NAVY DIVER ALSO
Women’s
Symposium March 19
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NIMITZ NEWS
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Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth Executive Officer Capt. J.J. Cummings Command Master Chief CMDCM Greg Renick Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski Media DIVO Ensign John Mike Media LCPO MCC Mike Jones Media Production Chief MCC Gregory Roberts Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole Editor MC2 Phillip Ladouceur Lead Designer MC3 George J. Penney III
Media Department
MC2 Jacquelyn Childs MC2 Devin Wray MC2 Ryan Mayes MC2 Jacob Milner MC2 Jess Lewis MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Linda S. Swearingen MC3 Vanessa David MC3 W. J. Cousins MC3 Derek Volland MC3 Sam Souvannason MC3 Nathan McDonald MC3 Joshua Haiar MC3 Kaitlyn Haskett MC3 Eric Butler MC3 Siobhana McEwen MCSN Aiyana Paschal MCSN Andrew W. Price MCSN Kelly Agee MCSN Victoria Ochoa MCSN Eli Buguey MCSN Lauren Jennings MCSA Kole Carpenter Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. Submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
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VITA PROGRAM ALIVE & WELL Story by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee
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t’s that time of the year. The time of the year where civilians and Sailors are filing their taxes to get their tax returns. An option for Sailors on board Nimitz is the volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program is a free tax preparation and filing program that helps Sailors file their taxes using various tax-free versions of programs including H&R Block and Turbo Tax. It’s also used to help educate Sailors on filing their taxes. Last year VITA helped more than 68 Sailors file their taxes. Tax specialists will help Sailors with filing their taxes from Feb. 18 through April 11. They are available for walk-ins on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday to Thursday at 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m in the chapel library or by appointment “I want to make sure Sailors get their taxes done and done right,” said Lt. j.g. Scott Britton, a VITA assistant. “Also, I would like Sailors to know how the tax system works so they can better themselves.” Sailors will need to bring their DOD ID to receive assistance. The first part of the process is filling out the 1461 form. The Sailor will fill out basic information about themselves and possibly their family. Then they will fill out 36 “yes” or “no” questions on the application. Once the Sailors fill out the form, the VITA assistants will have a good idea of where the Sailor is and how they can
better assist them. If the Sailor is unsure of a question on the form they may have to go through extra training with the tax assistant before they start the tax filing process. Taxes can be more difficult to fill out than some Sailors may realize. There are a couple of forms often overlooked by Sailors including the 1099 and 1098 forms. One of the most overlooked forms is the 1099 which is an interest form from banks, credit unions and includes government pension forms, distribution, mutual bonds and stocks. “It’s a big form that people don’t realize is out there,” said Britton. Another big form that is often overlooked is the 1098 form, which is useful for Sailors who have student debts or tuition fees. It is also useful for Sailors who are paying for their spouse’s schooling. If a Sailor does need to fill out taxes that involve their spouse, the spouse must be present. “I want to encourage married Sailors that come here and ask tax questions and go through the whole process to then take back what they learned,” said Britton. VITA is a good program to look into if a Sailor wants to file their taxes for free or needs help in the tax filing process. “We are a resource so if you have questions we can answer them and if we can’t help you out we will put you on the right path,” said Britton.
Making the Grade Nimitz Sailors take E-5 Exam
Second class petty officers take the E-6 advancement exam. Story and photo by MCSN Eli Buguey
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pproximately 568 Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took the Navy-wide advancement exam for E-5 on board Nimitz March 13. Most Sailors found balancing work and study especially challenging. “During general quarters we did lots of training,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Stephanie Mullens. “I studied with a guy I work with. In our off time we went out to lunch and would drill each other with flash cards we made off our rating manual.” Reactions after the exam ranged from cautiously optimistic to tired and apprehensive. “I think the test went well,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Matthew Zembol. “I tried my best. It was very challenging.” The sheer volume of material covered in the exam means proper study technique is a must. Most Sailors found paying attention in your workspace is a good way to learn about your rate. “Working within my rate really helped a lot.” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Tartaglia. Devoting time to study every day roughly an hour a night plus on-the-job training will prepare a Sailor for the test, he said. The Navy-wide second class petty officer exam is administered twice a year. Results generally come out a couple of months later.
EM3 Justin Crane takes the second class petty officer advancement exam on the aft mess decks.
INSIDE
COMMAND
FORGING INTO THE
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FUTURE
HUMAN INTEREST CULINARY SPECIALIST SPORTS UNIQUE
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TALENT FLEETWIDE
INTO THE
DEEP
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COMMAND
WE ARE MORE THAN WOMEN
ARE
WE FORGIN FUTURE WE ARE
BRAVE PROUD COURAGEOUS
MOTHERS SISTERS DAUGHTERS
&WIVES ARE
WE
WARRIORS
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INTO THE
Story by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee
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he Everett Surface Women’s Waterfront Symposium is scheduled for March 19 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Naval Station Everett auditorium. Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), along with Sailors from many other commands, are supporting the event by sitting on discussion panels and attending. There will be several panels at the event. Each panel has a leader who will direct the questions asked by the audience to who they think is best suited to answer the question. There will be senior officers and senior enlisted on each panel, all from different backgrounds and job ratings. Master Chief Culinary Specialist Coasa Brannon, from Nimitz, is a speaker for the “Women and Leadership at Sea” panel. She believes this is a chance for attendees to see a glimpse of what could be in their future. “It’s a chance for Sailors to see themselves in five or 10 years,” said Brannon. “And ask those tough questions they normally wouldn’t ask.” Sailors who’ve attended women’s symposiums like this one in the past agree they are very informative and beneficial. “They talked about how things have changed for females in the Navy,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Chistena Koch, from Nimitz, who attended the women’s symposium in 2012. “Women have more opportunities in aviation and coming aboard ships than they did when I first joined the Navy.”
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Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Jacquelyn Childs
Photo by MCSN (SW) Andrew Price
Service members can come to hear women in the Navy talk about their stories and challenges with being in the Navy. “The idea is to be able to connect Sailors from different pay grades to help people gain relationships and develop mentor opportunities,” said Cmdr. Nicholie Bufkin, of Carrier Strike Group 11. She is also a panel speaker for “Women and Leadership at Sea.” Young women in the Navy are encouraged to attend this event for the opportunity to talk about being a woman in the Navy and for support and encouragement. “This is an opportunity to see and talk to other female Sailors that are concerned about the same issues that other female Sailors on the ship are concerned about,” said Bufkin. “By having a women’s symposium you have a chance to talk about more women-specific topics, which is something you normally wouldn’t talk about in the work space.” The “Women and Leadership at Sea” panel will also include Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Bowden and Lt. Stephanie Simoni from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Nine, and Master Chief Electronics Technician Robyn Verdin, from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Everett Detachment. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends, said Brannon. “The last symposium I went to I met four female master chiefs that were on the base,” said Brannon. “We became friends and we still communicate, have lunch, and girls
night out,” said Brannon. It’s an event for female Sailors to tell their stories, to see where they can be in the future and a chance to be network social and maybe even make some new friends. “I support this event 100 percent and I want everyone to come with questions they have and be fully engaged,” said Brannon. Koch encourages young women to attend the symposium to learn about new developments and opportunities for women in the Navy. “I like how the symposium explores and empowers women who have impacted the Navy,” she said. Space is limited for the event so to attend you must go through your chain of command to contact DESRON Nine and RSVP. The symposium will also include a panel called “Opportunity/Advancement/Balance.” Speakers will include Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Jennifer Vollstedt, from Nimitz, as well as Cmdr. Elaine Collins, the commanding officer of USS Momsen (DDG 92); Cmdr. Yolanda Gillen, chaplain on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); and others. Morning refreshments will be available for purchase from the Navy Ball Committee as well as lunch from the Burger Bun that will be offered by the Naval Station Everett First Class Association. Complimentary hors’ doeuvres and beverages will be served during the social event. The uniform to attend the event is the navy working uniform. It is recommended that all guests arrive early.
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SUICIDE PREVENTION ADVERTISEMENT
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HUMAN INTEREST
CULINARY SPECIALIST SPORTS UNIQUE
TALENT
Story and photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
CS3 Kendra E. Bellinger holds her unicycle.
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ONE-WHEEL INNOVATION
1 Standard Unicycle
• 20” wheel diameter. • Most popular. • Allows for excellent maneuverability and average speed for short distances. • Great for tricks.
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3 Cruiser “Big Wheel”
• 28” or more wheel diameter. • Excellent speed for long distances. • Not great for sharp turns. • Not meant for tricks.
4 Mountain Unicycle
• 24” to 29”wheel diameter. • 26” provides the most momentum. • Great for riding on wooded trails.
Giraffe Unicycle
• Most have a 20” wheel diameter. • Start at 5 feet tall. • Can be used for hopping, but not recommended.
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ne of the first things that come to mind when someone says the word “unicycle” is usually a circus performer riding around dressed as a clown. However, the art of unicycling has been developing since the late 1800’s to become a hobby embraced by many people who aren’t members of a circus troupe. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Kendra E. Bellinger, of Vancouver, Wash., a Sailor currently stationed on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), is an unicyclist enthusiast who is helping to take unicycling out of the circus and into the mainstream. “I was about 12 or 13 years old when I started unicycling,” said Bellinger. “My older brother got me started in unicycling. He was nine when he started unicycling and mastered it about a year later.” Unicycles are loosely related to penny-farthings, which were popular in the late 19th century. A penny-farthing is a bicycle with one large wheel on the front end of the bicycle frame and a small wheel on the back of the frame. All of the pedals, cranks and gears on a penny-farthing are connected to the front wheel so many people took off the frame and back wheel and rode it with the front wheel and handlebars only thus inventing the first unicycle. Riding unicycles became rather popular in the early 1900’s, but nowadays it is a hobby reserved for those who are looking for something out of the ordinary. “No one I knew unicycled,” said Bellinger. “It was something new that I never did before.” According to Bellinger, the first unicycle she rode was a hand-me-down from her brother that he obtained from a used bicycle store. “The first unicycle I rode had a wheel that has the
same size wheel as a standard size bike,” said Bellinger. “My brother and I had one that was about two inches bigger than a standard size, but the frame collapsed. When you get a bigger size wheel the frame is more prone to breaking. The smaller ones are better for doing tricks or jumping off things, but the bigger ones are more for just riding.” The various sizes of wheels on unicycles indicate what they are used for. Some of the different types of unicycles more commonly used are freestyle, trials and mountain unicycles. Freestyle unicycles, which are usually rode on flatlands doing tricks that resemble figure skating, have 20-inch wheels, but can vary from 12 to 24 inches high dependent on the size of the rider and their personal preference. For those riders who are interested in doing tricks like jumps there are trials unicycles, which have wheels that come in a standard size of 19 to 20 inches in order to absorb and withstand the impact of a drop better. The tires on mountain unicycles, or MUnis as they are commonly referred to, are usually between 24 to 26 inches which allows the rider to more safely roll over things such as rocks while riding on mountain terrain. Bellinger, who recently purchased her own unicycle is anxious to get back into the art of unicycling after Nimitz’ deployment last year. She has been retraining herself to ride smaller unicycles before she attempts to ride ones with larger wheels and has some advice for those who are considering taking up the sport. “For those who are interested in starting to unicycle the best thing to do is to have someone to help guide you until your balance is right,” said Bellinger. “It’s not as easy as it looks, it takes a lot of determination.”
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FLEETWIDE
INSIDE THE LIFE OF A NAVY DIVER
Story by MC2 Jeffry Willadsen Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest
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he Navy makes maintaining and repairing its technologically advanced ships a high priority. Although much of this can be done above the surface of the water, some work can only be done in the airless depths under the waves. To safely complete this essential and potentially dangerous work, the Navy employs the skills of a highly trained group of Sailors called Navy divers. In the Pacific Northwest, Navy divers assigned to Naval Station Everett’s (NSE) dive locker are key players in keeping the fleet’s ships in top operational condition. “We know our ships forward and back, all of our surface ships here in the [Pacific] Northwest,” said Navy Diver 2nd Class Tucker Ludy, a native of Kirkland, Wash. “The NSE dive locker is what is known as an “Underwater Ship’s Husbandry Locker.” The kind of work the NSE locker performs includes general maintenance and repairs to surface ships’ underwater hulls, propellers and other equipment. They also perform general diving and salvage operations as needed. NSE is homeport to USS Nimitz (CVN 68), a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, which gives the divers the chance to take on more challenging jobs. “Whenever she’s in port we get a lot more work; usually bigger jobs [and] heavier equipment,” said Navy Diver 1st Class (DSW) Richard Ellis, NSE’s unlimited diving supervisor and native of Puyallup, Wash. Along with the carrier being in port, Everett’s dive locker has its own unique set of challenges. “Here [it] is significant because our port is right on the mouth of the Snohomish River,” said Ellis. “We get a lot of snowmelt and mud run off into the river, so it’ll make our visibility pretty poor sometimes.” Murky water can make diving jobs much more challenging, and even add risk to underwater work. The NSE locker is small, even though they sometimes work large and important jobs. Ludy said that he does not think this is necessarily a disadvantage. “We’re really small compared to a lot of husbandry lockers, it’s a close knit locker,” said Ludy. “The cohesiveness is a lot tighter for a smaller locker and we take responsibility for all our own gear and our ships. I think being a small locker separates us and actually gives us an advantage.” Navy divers are a special program in the Navy, along with special warfare Sea Air Land (SEAL) teams and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. An all-volunteer force, divers are very proud of the vigorous selection and training process they undergo in order to don their flippers. During the rigorous training to become divers, Sailors are constantly reminded that their job is a dangerous one. “They put you through a stressful environment and see if you can hold your composure and not panic,” said Ellis. “The worst thing you can do in the water is panic; it can be very mentally and physically stressful. “Some people freak out,” said Ellis. “It’s a different environment when you’re working in the water. It takes a certain kind of individual.”
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On The Cover photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
Nimitz Media Department captures day to day life
ABHAN Kylie Skaggs, of Seminolie, Okla., uses a chain to tie down an aircraft.
SUPPLY
photo by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee
SHSN Abbygale Albert, of Plainfield, N.J., rings up items in the ship’s store.
CLEANING
photo by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee
AN Brandi Stallard, of Chickasha, Okla., cleans a hose in the hangar bay.
SORTING photo by MC3 (SW) Derek Volland
LSSN Seth Perrodin, of Lake Charles, La., sorts and logs parts in the hangar bay.
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