Nimitz News - April 17, 2014 by USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)

17 April 2014|VOL. 40| ISSUE 14

INSIDE

The Arrival of

XTRAIN

ALSO

Seaman to Admiral 1

INFORMATION NIMITZ NEWS

|CREDO|Hosting a Personal Resiliency

|JOB FAIR|Attention all Veterans, Transitioning Service Members and Family Members:

Retreat the last weekend of April. Consider investing your time in something like this for you or one of your Sailors. PERSONAL RESILIENCY RETREAT Dates: 25-27 April, 2014 Location: Jim Creek Van will pick up at base. To make reservations, call (360) 257-2414.

Friday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jackson Park Community Center Location: Jim Creek (van will pick up at base). For more information call 360-396-4115.

|S.O.Q.|

Congratulations to Nimitz’ Senior Sailor, Sailor, Junior Sailor and Blue Jacket of the Quarter for the 2nd quarter. Senior Sailor of the Quarter: ET1(SW/AW) Garett B. Watt

|JOBS|Do More. Be More. With MSC.

Your experience may qualify you for a seagoing career with Military Sealift Command as a civilian mariner.

Junior Sailor of the Quarter: HM3(SW) Amanda J. Damerow

Blue Jacket of the Quarter: ITSN(SW/IDW) Marco A. Quintana

MSC Active Duty Career Fair Wednesday April 23, 2014 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Naval Station Everett FFSC @ Smokey Point. 3910 45th Ave NE Classroom # 809 Marysville, Wash. Call 1-888-282-1493 or visit www.sealiftcommand.com

|EDUCATION| The Navy College Office advisor, Mr. Monusko will be on board every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the ESO classroom while we are in port. He is here to answer any questions or provide briefs about NCPACE, Web TA, or educational planning.

Media DIVO

Ensign John Mike

Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole

Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor

MC2 Phillip Ladouceur

Media Department

Command Master Chief CMDCM Greg Renick Media LCPO

MCC Gregory Roberts

Lead Designer

MC3 Sam Souvannason

FITNESS April 21 / 23

XTRAIN

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

April 22

ZUMBA

Sailor of the Quarter: IT2(SW/IDW/AW) Megan R. Stout

Executive Officer Capt. J.J. Cummings

Meet and talk with Federal HR, Defense Contractors, Recruiters, Local, National and International Businesses, Energy and Scientific Corporations, National Retail, Washington State HR and MWR/NAF HR.

|THIS WEEK IN|

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

April 23

SPIN4LUNCH

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

April 24

RUN CLUB 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sign up on MWR Intranet page!

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.

Flame Resistant Variant COVERALLS

Photo by Melinda Larson

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The name/rank configuration of the FRV coverall will consist of a velcro-backed name tag and metal collar devices.

Name tags will be worn 1/4â&#x20AC;? centered above the left breast pocket, similar in size and shape to the v-neck sweater name tag.

The FRV coverall will be worn with a black cotton web belt for E1-E6 personnel and a khaki cotton web belt for CPOs and officers.

Covers, footwear, outerwear and undershirts for the FRV will be the same as currently prescribed for the utility coverall.

Unit patches or the U.S. flag will not be attached to the FRV as these potentially degrade the coveralls fire retardant properties.

Sailors should not stencil or serialize any part of the coveralls outer fabric but can stencil names in the inner part of the coverall for identification purposes.

Sleeves may be rolled up as with the utility coverall.

Use of polyester and other non-cotton fast drying fabrics potentially increase a Sailorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk of injury to flame and flash hazards.

Each unit CO has the discretion to authorize the wear of the embossed leather name tag (same as worn on the v-neck sweater) or develop a fabric embroidered unit specific name tag similar to those worn on green Nomex flight jackets.

FRV coveralls will be issued at no cost to crewmembers. Each Sailor serving on board surface ships will be issued two FRV coveralls.

Info obtained from a message released by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) and Commander, Pacific Fleet (CPF)

FITNESS

THE ARRIVAL OF

XTRAIN

“

Intensity counts a lot in my book. I talk to so many Sailors who report spending hours in the gym without seeing any results.

”

- ASHLEY ALFORD, NIMITZ FIT BOSS

Story and Photos by MC3(SW) George J. Penney III

Sailor lets loose a battle-cry that could shake the very foundation of the Pacific Northwest. Equally powerful bellows follow from each and every Sailor in the small gymnasium training room as they push themselves past the point of exhaustion. The cries are both a release of euphoria and a testament to the intensity of the training that is taking place. These Sailors have come to test their physical limits and exceed them. They have come to train for something bigger than themselves, bigger than fitness. They have come for Xtrain. “Xtrain is quite similar to cross fitness training in nature, in that it focuses on functional weight training,” said Ashley Alford, Nimitz’ Fit Boss. “We start the class with a warm up that improves upon mobility. Next up is skill training, followed by a high-intensity workout, pushing participants to the point of exhaustion.” This class is not for the faint of heart. The warm up, skill training and workout of the day all work together in order to push participants out of their comfort zone and stretch the limits of the will to simply go on. “It’s nice to see people continue to push through their limits,” said Alford. “You might have Superman walk through the door, and guess what, he will not place first in every workout. That is the nature of the beast.”

LEFT: Sailors perform push ups using cables. MIDDLE: Sailors perform mobility exercises. RIGHT: LSSN Janet Tunoa performs a push-press exercise.

Alford is excited to share this type of fitness training with the crew members of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and work with Sailors as they climb the ladder of fitness success. “I fell in love instantly with this type of workout,” said Alford. “I am a super competitive person and it felt like, with this workout, I was not just working out but training for something bigger.” Alford hopes to emphasize the severity of this type of hardcore training to first-time participants. “This class has been developed for people that want to train and develop functional skills to improve their fitness,” said Alford. “This is not a casual once-a-month class.” Participants that take part in the class find that Xtrain presents a unique fitness environment. An environment that can rattle the cages of everyone involved, no matter the fitness level. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Jessica Waller. “I thought I was in really good shape, but this class is something else. I don’t think I have ever been this sore.” Commitment to the class is crucial. Sailors’ results are recorded in an effort to show progression from workout to workout. Getting stronger is the focus, and consistency is the key. “As long as you remain consistent, you will succeed,” said Alford. “It takes time to develop these skills and requires consistent hard work. I’ve never seen anyone go from not being able to do a pull up to doing a pull up in 20 minutes.” This type of outside-the-box thinking allows Alford to present unique challenges and change up the workout

regimen on a daily basis. Alford ensures that her students will have no idea what type of physically draining experience awaits them. “It changes every class,” said Alford. “Each new workout of the day is completely different from the previous class, while still maintaining the same level of intensity.” With each minute that passes, participants give each and every ounce of energy they have. No one is allowed time to rest as motivation is shouted in all directions by a fitness leader that thrives on intensity. “I stress intensity,” said Alford. “Intensity counts a lot in my book. I talk to so many Sailors who report spending hours in the gym without seeing any results. I question the intensity of their workouts.” The class is over and every single Sailor, no matter the age or fitness level of the individual, is doubled over by exhaustion. Alford advises that this is quite normal for this type of fitness training. “After each class, people are sprawled out on the mats just trying to catch their breath and recover,” said Alford. “They have pushed themselves to the edge.” Sailors wishing to put themselves to the test and sign up for an intense alternate workout have multiple outlets at their disposal. “Consistency is king in my book,” said Alford. “People who continuously participate will get priority for the classes, but there is always room for more. Sailors can sign up using the Fit Boss portion of Nimitz’ intranet as well as signing up on my office door [02-121-2-Q]. I will have no problem teaching more classes as numbers begin to grow.” Xtrain classes are currently scheduled every Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Seismo’s gym at The Commons.

CAREER

SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL

Nimitz Sailors Learn About the Path from Enlisted to Officer Story by MCSN(SW) Aiyana Paschal

imitz held it’s first Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) brief since returning from deployment, April 2 in the educational services office classroom. STA-21 is one of the various routes an enlisted Sailor can take when he or she wishes to pursue a career as a Naval officer. Lt. Nathaniel Hayes, the ship’s STA21 coordinator, led the class. He is one of the many officers who utilized the program to be commissioned. He was an electronics technician 1st class when his application was approved and is now Nimitz’ Tactical Information Warfare Officer (TIWO). “It took me three years before I made it,” said Hayes. “I didn’t get it the first time. I didn’t even get it the second time, but I learned a lot about putting a great package together through that three-year process.” A couple important things you need to know before considering applying to STA-21 is that you cannot have a four-year degree and you must be able to complete a degree before you reach the birthday specified by the program you are going into. To take the supply corps route, you must be at least 18 years old and be able to complete degree requirements before age 31. This is open to men and women of all ratings. Once commissioned, supply corps option selectees incur a five-year active duty obligation.

STA-21 pilot option candidates must be at least 19 years old, able to complete degree requirements, and be commissioned prior to age 27. Maximum age limit can be adjusted upward to age 29. STA-21 Pilot option officer candidates will incur an eightyear active duty obligation upon date of designation. For Air-Traffic Controller 2nd Class Matthew P. Dutcheshen, this will be his first time submitting a package to STA-21. “I’m submitting for the pilot option, because I like doing air-traffic control, so I want to get a chance to see the other side,” said Dutcheshen. Dutcheshen is aware of all the planning, time and effort that goes into the process even though this is his first time submitting. He offers this advice to Sailors planning to submit to STA21 in the future. “Stay focused,” said Dutcheshen. “There’s going to be a lot of obstacles, but you have to push past them. It’s a really long process, there are a lot of moving parts for your package and there’s always more and more to be doing so just don’t give up.” You can find more information about the STA-21 programs at www. sta-21.navy.mil. For more information and help with applying in the 2015 fiscal year to STA-21, contact Lt. Nathaniel Hayes by email.

REQUIREMENTS Be a citizen of the United States. (No waivers)

Be recommended by the Commanding Officer

Have a qualifying SAT or ACT score (1000 SAT/41 ACT)

Have no record of courts-martial convictions or civilian felony convictions

Be able to complete requirements for a baccalaureate degree in 36 months or less

TREASURE?

SPOTLIGHT

WHAT’S YOUR

ABH3

Edward Lee Supply Department S8 Division

“F

Photo by MCSA Kole Carpenter or the two deployments I’ve been on, I brought this photo album of me and my wife. We’ve been together for six years. There are photos from high school until now. Pictures of us, activities we’ve done, places we’ve been. It really helps me. I usually take a couple of special photos out and put them in my locker. I hang them up so every time I get up and open my locker I see them. They just remind me of what I’m here for. It really gives me strength on the bad days, the long days. I go and open my locker, and it really helps me. When you’re out to sea for nine months, you need something you can hold on to.

”

On The Cover photo by MCSA Kole E. Carpenter

Nimitz Media Department captures day-to-day life

ENFN Jonathan Helmus finishes the daily maintenance on a rigid-hull inflatable boat.

MAINTENANCE

photo by MCSN Lauren Jennings

SN Nathan Scott replaces a gasket while performing door maintenance.

CATAPULT PREP

photo by MCSN (SW) Kelly Agee

ABE2 Deonte Danley, right, and ABEAN Lester Mendoza, perform maintenance on a catapult.

RHIB OPS

photo by MCSA Kole Carpenter

ENFN Jonathan Helmus performs daily maintenance on a rigid-hull inflatable boat.