Mar. 1, 2013
Vol. 39, No. 8
deployment is coming.
Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer Capt. Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief Master Chief Teri M. McIntyre Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski Media Division Officer Lt. Jason Scarborough Media LCPO MCC (SW/AW) Mike Jones Media Production Chief MCC (SW) Gregory Roberts Media LPO MC1 (AW/SW) Michael Cole Editor MC2 (SW) Glenn Slaughter Lead Designer MCSN Kole E. Carpenter Media Department MC2 Jacquelyn Childs MC2 Ashley Berumen MC2 Nathan Gomez MC2 (SW) Robert Winn MC2 Andrew Jandik MC2 (SW) Nichelle Whitfield MC2 (SW/AW) Ian Cotter MC3 (SW) Renée L. Candelario MC3 (SW) Ryan Mayes MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Jacob Milner MC3 (SW) Devin Wray MC3 Christopher Bartlett MC3 (SW) Alexander Ventura II MC3 Derek Volland MC3 Linda S. Swearingen MC3 (SW) Jess Lewis MC3 W. J. Cousins MC3 Vanessa David MC3 George Penney MCSN Nathan McDonald MCSN Joshua Haiar MCSA Phillip Ladouceur MCSA Andrew Price MCSA Aiyana Paschal
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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and there are still T's to cross and I's to dot
Legal can help
Story by MC3 Vanessa Y. David
T
he legal department on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is working to prepare its crew to get underway. The legal office on board is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. to address any legal concerns that the crew may have. “The primary concern for Sailors before deployment is making sure their affairs and families are taken care of while they are gone,” said Chief Legalman (SW/AW) Megan Wenthur, legal department’s leading chief petty officer. Servicemember Civil Relief Act letters are availale to help Sailors cancel their leases and place phone contracts on military hold. “It’s up to each individual to decide when they want to cancel their lease, but I recommend not waiting until last minute,” said Legalman 1st Class Michael Lightsey. “Just give them a heads-up that we’re planning to go on deployment.” Legal also assists in getting a Power of Attorney (POA). POA is the written authority that one individual vest in another, allowing one to handle personal and professional affairs on the grantor’s behalf for the duration of one year. “If Sailors own vehicles or have anything that needs to be managed in their absence, a POA should be completed prior to deployment,” said Wenthur. Sailors can file for a POA without having to leave the brow. “To get a POA on board, just come to the legal office during our customer
service hours, fill out the form we provide, and the Legalmen will draft it for you,” she said. “The legal office also has notarization capabilities, so we can handle that for you as well.” Sailors who want to write a will are referredw to the Region Legal Service office in Building 2000 for the time being. “We do not draft wills on the ship,” said Wenthur, “We do, however, anticipate a will workshop on board March 4-14. More information on that will be announced as we work to solidify the details.” “Have all of your personal affects and belongings in order before it becomes an issue while underway,” said Lightsey.w For more information, visit the legal office.
coming next week
OUT TO SEA FINANCE
debt free
by MC2 Andrew Jandik
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t seems as though the more at-risk Sailors and refer them gas card, pay it off. Then add money you make, the more to the appropriate echelon of the $28 toward your payment of bills you have. With more expertise.” the consumer loan. Etc... Etc... bills, comes more debt but with Being in debt means you The point is you are paying our upcoming deployment, have used a line of credit to that money out anyway and this comes a chance to get out of that make purchases that you might method saves you thousands debt and on the road to financial not have had the cash for right of dollars interest. Further, use stability. away. By using that credit, you your incentive pays such as Debt can affect a Sailor’s are borrowing money from a FSP (Family Separation Pay), professional and personal imminent danger, and taxlife a great deal. Having free zoning privileges to "If you feel like you are in effectively wipe out your the constant stress of worrying about paying Finally, following over your head and need help, debt. off debts can strain debt payoff the $248 you the first place to turn is your had previously applied relationships and cause poor health habits. It can toward the minimum chain of command.” also affect your career payments of debt can more than 70% of Navy now be applied to a Enlisted Classification variety of investments (NEC) codes require like TSP (Thrift Savings clearance, which take debt and financial institution which will Plan), money markets, roth and finances into consideration. charge you interest on your traditional IRA's, bonds, etc...” The good news is that borrowed amount. That interest The challenge is to set Sailors don’t have to figure it is based on how much you owe, yourself up with a plan and stick out by themselves. The Navy which compiles each month. to that plan. Each department has designated Command The trouble is, by only paying on Nimitz has its own CFS who Financial Specialists (CFS) to the minimum each month on can help you get on the path help “guide” Sailors through multiple debts, you barely pay to financial stability. Along financial decisions. The CFS’s down the principle, which in with talking to your CFS you aren’t meant to get you out of turn, keeps you in debt longer. can also meet with a certified debt, but help you recognize The key is to manage how you financial planner for a fee. Yet where you are financially. pay off each debt. another good starting place “If you feel like you are “Let's say you owe $6,000 to plan your finances for the in over your head, and need on your credit card (165/mo. upcoming deployment is www. help, the first place to turn is minimum payment), $1,500 for militarysaves.org. your chain of command,” said a consumer loan ($55/mo.), and Deployment gives Sailors Hospital Corpsman Senior have $400 left to pay on a gas a chance to put their cars in Chief Scott Thrasher, a USS card ($28/mo.),” said Thrasher. storage, suspend cell phone Nimitz CFS. "Their chain of “ The sole object of snowballing plans, and shut off utilities command may refer them to is the continuous reallocation of which frees up money to pay the departmental CFS or me. your resources toward paying off debts. Having a plan and One of the purposes of our off debt. Rather than paying sticking to it could mean a better program is to identify extremely the minimum payment for the personal and professional life.
- HMCS Thrasher
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EVENTS
Cmdr. George A. Floyd addresses crewmembers during the African-American Culture Ceremony (left to right) Capt. Jeff S. Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer, Cmdr. George A. Floyd, Cmdr. Toni Bowden and Sailors cut the ceremonial cake Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jessica J. Williams speaks to crewmembers
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE
Cmdr. Toni Bowden gives a speech during a celebration in the aft mess decks on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for African American Heritage Month. February is national African American Heritage Month and celebrations are held Navy wide to commemorate African Americans in the military. (Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen)
FREEZE YER BUNS RUN
TAKEOFF
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Sailors take part in the joint command Freeze Yer Buns 5k run, recently held in January on Naval Station Everett. Nimitz runners finished strong and were able to retake the command cup. (File Photo)
The
Summit at
SNOQUALMIE STORY BY MC2 ASHLEY BERUMEN
Tubers can walk back up, or ride in style while holding on to a rope. (Photo by MC2 Andrew Jandik)
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don’t mind the cold. Being from California though, means I had the option of whether or not I wanted to endure it. I’d drive to the mountain to snowboard for a few hours, and drive back to the beach when I was over it. Washington State, doesn’t exactly allow its residents to escape the cold. It’s everywhere we turn—on the ship, out in town, even five towns over. Usually I choose to battle the cold in my living room, where I can crank the heater up to a comfortable degree and sit on my couch playing video games. It’s easy to avoid the weather, but there are too many opportunities to enjoy the Pacific Northwest to pass them up, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) makes it even easier to take advantage of them. My friends and I decided to go on the snow tubing trip offered through Naval Station Everett’s MWR. For less than $40 they provided passes, as well as transportation to and from the mountain. All we had to do was show up; it doesn’t get much easier than that. The bus left at 4:30 p.m. and headed to the Summit at Snoqualmie. After just an hour and a half drive, the sides of road were covered with snow stacked as tall as me, signaling we had arrived. The lights sprinkled around the mountain made it look like a giant snow-covered Christmas tree. From the parking lot, the snowboarders and skiers zigzagging down the mountain at high speeds, looked like ants. But that wasn’t our mountain. Just to the left was where we would be spending the next few hours. As we
walked up, we noticed the area was filled with children bundled up like Ralphie and his brother in “A Christmas Story.” They may have been cold, but there was no way they were going to admit it. The laughs were contagious, and they were so excited to show their parents how they could go down the man-made lanes on their stomachs. There were nearly ten lanes you could choose from; each faster than the last it seemed. As I stepped up to the lane, I was beginning to feel a little uneasy, but the child who went ahead of me couldn’t have been more than eight years old. There was no way I was going to let him show me up. I grabbed the handles on my tube, and slid head first down the lane. The wind made my eyes water, and I was holding on to the handles for dear life. The tube spun in circles until I reached the end. I definitely wasn’t expecting that kind of speed. After my friends came down, our conversations weren’t much different than the ones we heard when we first arrived. After sliding down each lane a few more times, we decided to warm up and grab a bite to eat at one of the summit’s restaurants. Before we knew it, it was time to get back on the bus and head home. The ride back seemed to have gone by a lot faster. The fact that I was asleep the whole time may or may not have had something to do with it. If you’re looking to get out and do something with friends, or while making new friends, keep an eye out for upcoming events offered through MWR.
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BEST BEST
HONORS
OF THE
Story and Photos by
MC3 Renée L. Candelario
Three Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) were presented with the Stennis Center Leadership Award during an awards ceremony held at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Wash., Feb. 21. The Stennis Center presents these awards annually to individuals who have shown remarkable leadership abilities
"We want to continually recognize individuals for their performance and their leadership
abilities.
That’s what really makes not only Nimitz,
and airspeed officer; Health Services Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Scott Thrasher; and Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Adam Barnett, Reactor Department’s leading petty officer, were appointed winners in the award’s three categories. “The important thing is to realize the significance and not take for granted those who, at every level, step forward and become leaders that enable us to move forward and do the great things we do,” said Rex Buffington, Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership’s executive director. “Nimitz is such an incredible asset for our country. [The ship] is so awesome just seeing it makes your heart skip a beat, but that
"Each and any accolade I might receive is simply
the Navy as a whole, a
but
great place to be."
- LT. JEFF TOMASZEWSKI
a reflection of the terrific Sailors I am so honored to lead."” - HMCS SCOTT THRASHER
and have exhibited exclusive performance in their U.S. Navy career. Lt. Jeff Tomaszewski, Nimitz’ IM-3 division officer
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T T
Stennis Center honors Nimitz leaders
is because of those who serve on Nimitz and enable that ship to be as great as it is. We all know without individuals who come forward and provide great leadership, the ship could never carry out its mission the wonderful way it does and wouldn’t be the great asset for our country that it is.” Tomaszewski took home the Commander in Chief, Pacific Command award. “It’s a privilege and I feel honored to have this opportunity amongst the individuals that were here,” said Tomaszewski. “They’re all deserving of this type of award, so I do feel very fortunate that I was selected. It’s one of the traditions Buffington has spoke about that we don’t want to make common. We want to continually recognize individuals for their performance and their leadership abilities and that’s what really makes not only Nimitz, but the Navy as a whole, a great place to be.” Thrasher was humbled and honored to receive the Five Star award and showed his appreciation. “I would be remiss if I did not thank the Stennis Foundation who so steadfastly supports and recognizes leadership on our unique platform,” said Thrasher. “The Stennis [Center] does a great deal of important work. It is extraordinary for such an important and prestigious organization to appreciate our contribution at all levels of leadership. None of us enjoy any measure of success by our own merit. Barnett, excited to be the awardee of the Pacific Thunder award, is responsible for the professional and personal excellence of more than 200 individual Sailors. “Clearly everybody seems to appreciate everything I’ve done,” Barnett spoke on his leadership skills and job performance. “It’s normal for me because every day it’s what we do so I don’t really pay attention, but apparently
"I have never won anything like this before and I am glad my wife was here for it.".” - MM1 ADAM BARNETT
everybody else does and has a high level of respect for it. The awardees and their spouses are arranged for a trip to Washington, D.C., provided by the Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership to bring knowledge to Sailors of John C. Stennis’ leadership abilities that have a continuing impact on the nation. “Not only do we honor the great leaders but we give the people in Washington, D.C., the opportunity to see the quality and character of men and women who are serving on Nimitz, and that’s important,” said Buffington. The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership has acknowledged 24 Nimitz Sailors since 2005.
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WALKA COMMUNITY
STORY AND PHOTOS BY: MC3 CHRISTOPHER BARTLETT
T
The Monte Cristo Ballroom (formerly the Monte Cristo Hotel) 1507 Wall Street
he extended time spent in our new homeport Everett, Wash., has been nice, but have you ever stopped to think about how this city became what it is today? As a Sailor who has lived on the ship and on the base without transportation, I realize getting to some activities can be complicated. The Everett Public Library is a fantastic place to go in its own right. It has a free downloadable podcast on its website that allows you to take a walking tour in Everett’s Central Business District. The tour begins on the South West corner of Hoyt and Everett at the Everett Library. There are more than 60 sites over the 2.5 mile route, and it can take up to two hours depending on traffic lights and anywhere you may want to stop to visit. This being my first podcast tour, I was a little skeptical of just how it would work but honestly, it worked out great. As I began afoot, I was introduced to the true pioneers of the city
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The Old Snohomish County Courthouse (featured on the National Register of Historic Places) 3021 Wetmore Avenue
such as Rucker, Colby, Hewitt and Rockefeller to name a few. Backed by John Rockefeller and other Eastern capitalists, the city of Everett, Washington burst into existence in the early 1890s as a planned industrial city. Charles Colby and Tacoma industrialist Henry Hewitt, known as the “Father of Everett”, were foremost among the founders. Both the city and Everett Avenue were named after Everett Colby, 15 year-old son of wealthy investor Charles L. Colby and known for his massive appetite. Ironically, most of these men actually did not live in Everett but only came here for brief visits. Continuing the tour, every step I took was like stepping back in time. Walking past old weathered brick buildings, I was fascinated to find that the structures of these once-active businesses have survived catastrophic fires, depressions, new ownerships and even crime.
ABOUT EVERETT
Downtown Everett at the corner of Hewitt and Rockefeller stands the Central building.
What is now an athletic gym at the corner of Rucker and Hewitt was once an elegant tavern known as the “Tontine Saloon�, which even had a small private zoo located in the courtyard. The Monte Cristo Hotel, located on 1507 Wall Street, was named after once promised riches in the mines in the Cascades. The intricate brick hotel became a center for civic, social and cultural functions. Information like this is announced conveniently syncronised with the podcast as I passed each landmark, building or street. Granted there were times where I had to back track and figure out where exactly I was supposed to be, but this just opened my eyes to more areas of this little city. There are plenty of photo opportunities for the amateur or pro. Most notable to me was the First Presbyterian Church with its 100-year-old stained glass that’s worth a visit on its own. There are many architects who have contributed to the character of Everett and you will soon notice each particular style when
The First Presbyterian Church located at 2936 Rockefeller Avenue
viewing each building. Of all the vast businesses that took its name in the many buildings there is one thathas managed to remain unchanged. The Everett Theatre is more than 110 years old and still shows anything from Charlie Chaplin silent movies, to live music, or even standup comedians. The few sites I have mentioned are just a small sample of what the entire tour has to offer. Besides the educational tour you get from the podcast, downtown Everett has many active businesses to shop and some great restaurants to dine. I strongly encourage all Sailors to take the Everett Central Business District walking tour. Its something to do outdoors, good exercise and I promise you will learn something new about our homeport, Everett.
take the walk! GRAB THE PODCAST at www.epls.org
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mistakes
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
submitted by Chaplain Richard Townes
There was an insurance commercial several years ago that showed an animated man walking along the street. As he strolled down the sidewalk he saw a lever with a sign that read, “do not pull.” Ignoring the sign, the man gave the handle a yank, triggering a catapult type of hammer that slammed down upon his head. As the man lay there, flattened like a pancake, the announcer said, “Everyone makes mistakes.” Recently, one insurance company has put out commercials with a disheveled man who calls himself “Mayhem.” He is at the root of all kinds of trouble for people who, like the animated guy, do a bunch of stupid things (my favorite is the teenage girl driving and talking on the phone – “…it’s like OMG, he kissed Becky and she’s not even hot”). As these commercials indicated all of us create faux pas. Some, such as cheating on your spouse, stealing, or murder are huge, while others, like parking in a “no parking zone” are small. Mistakes also have consequences. The CO who runs a ship aground can pretty much count on being relieved of command just as the convicted thief can count on going to jail, generally speaking, the bigger the mistake the bigger the consequence. Suffering consequences is usually no fun. Being fired hurts your pride and pay, going to jail will cost you time and money as well as the stigma of being a “convict.” Cheating on your spouse results in the disruption of the family, at least, and can create life-long trouble not only for yourself, but also for everyone in the family. When it comes to spiritual matters we blunder as well and this also results in spiritual consequences. Christians call spiritual mistakes “sin” and sin includes any transgression of God’s law or man’s. No one is immune. St. Paul makes this very clear in the book of Romans where he wrote, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This sinfulness is further complicated by the way we enjoy sinning. This enjoyment can become addictive and will eventually become a destructive force in our lives. Just as a thief is held legally accountable to society, so a Christian is accountable to God. Therefore, St. Paul also said “the wages of sin is death.” Christians believe that the answer to their spiritual
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mistakes is Jesus Christ. He takes the chaos we’ve made of our lives and creates great good by forgiveness of sin.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS:
Christians know they aren’t perfect; they simply know they’re forgiven.
No one is perfect.
Forgiveness is a type of legal concept allowing the guilty party to go free. Followers of Christ believe that freedom was won upon the cross with the death of Jesus. I know I’m not and neither are any of my friends, most of whom are Christian pastors. Furthermore there have been a plethora of captains relieved of command, plenty of convicts confined in jail, and scores of cheaters running around, but all these mistakes can be overcome when we understand that we need not remain trapped by them. Overcoming mistakes involves turning away from that which is creating your situation in the first place and then understanding forgiveness, beginning with yourself.
If you can learn to forgive your own transgressiaons
you will also find the strength to overcome them.
CARREER
Nimitz Sailors Use NCPACE at Sea Story by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen
"NCPACE allows Sailors to go to school
Carlton Blaisdell, Site Coordinator for Bangor, Wash., from Central Texas College, consults Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Jeffrey Spacek
anytime, anyplace and anywhere in the world."
- Chief Personnel Specialist (SW/AW) Aboubakrine Sene, Nimitz’ educational services officer (ESO).
All I had to do was sign up for the course and buy the book for the course. It’s a step in the right direction for anyone who
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is currently offering Sailors the opportunity to participate in Navy College
wants to start taking college classes.” NCPACE classes are offered at no cost for all Sailors
Program Afloat College Education (NCPACE) classes during
enlisted and officer, and does not take away from their tuition
the upcoming deployment.
assistance allotments for the fiscal year. The only cost to Sailors
NCPACE is a program for sea-based commands that
is purchasing books needed for certain courses. A grade of ‘C’ or
allows Sailors to go to college while underway. There are two
better is required for all classes attempted and there is no limit
different options for Sailors to choose from under NCPACE:
to how many classes a Sailor can take. However, Sailors are
self-paced courses offered on CD or instructor-based courses.
encouraged to only take one or two classes to begin with as to
The CD courses are usually between three to four months
not overwhelm those who have not taken college level courses
long and Sailors can work on the courses during their down
before and to see how taking NCPACE courses fit into their
time underway.
work schedules.
Under the instructor-based option, college instructors come
The benefits gained from taking NCPACE classes while
to the ship underway and teach Sailors in person for certain
underway can be beneficial to Sailors during their time in the
degree programs. The degree programs offered by NCPACE
Navy and as a civilian.
instructors are dependent upon demand from Sailors; there are
NCPACE classes to allow them to expand their options and
two cycles available per year.
grow while they are in the Navy,” said Sene. “Whether a Sailor
“It is important for Sailors to take
“I took a criminal justice class during RIMPAC last year,”
stays in for four years, 20 years or 30 years, it is important for
said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Lorenzo T. Bledsoe.
them to take advantage of college opportunities while they are
“The people in the ESO office took care of everything for me.
in [the Navy].”
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