Nimitz News, April 14, 2011

Nimitz News

April 14, 2011

April 14, 2011

Page 1

Vol. 36, No. 15

Taxes due April 18

By MCSA Alexander Ventura II

lkjasdflkjaklsfjalifjalifjadslkfjalkfjadlfkajsdflka laksjdf asdlkf laksdf lklkasdf lk jsdflk aslkdf lkasd f lkasdfj asldkfj lkasdjf lkasjd flksajd fllkja sk (By MCSN Shayne Johnson)

Nimitz selects Sailors of the Quarter

By MC3 Nichelle Whitfield USS Nimitz (CVN 68) announced its selected Sailors of the Quarters for the fiscal year 2011 first quarter on 6 April.

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (SW/AW) Jason Curran was named Senior Sailor of the Quarter, Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer 3rd Class (SW/AW) Susana Saenz was named Sailor of the Quarter, Operations Specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class (AW/ SW) Crystal Hughes was named Junior Sailor of the Quarter, and Engineman Fireman (SW) Antonio Wright was named Blue Jacket of the Quarter.

Sailors were nominated by their departments and then selected after completing an interview board. Based on highlighted characteristics, winners were

then announced at a luncheon held Nimitz Commanding Officer Captain Paul O. Monger.

“I had no idea. I really didn’t think I was going to get selected,” said Hughes. “I felt ok when I went into the board but I never really thought I would get picked. I was very shocked, very surprised.”

“Hughes is a model sailor; she sets the example for the junior troops and has the full confidence and trust of her entire chain of command,” said Chief Sonar Technician Surface (SW/AW) Gideon Jones. “She completes every task that’s assigned to her above expectations and does it all with a great attitude and that’s what we are looking for in our sailors of the quarter.”

See Sailors of the Quarters pg.7

April 18 marks the deadline for income tax filing for fiscal year 2010. However according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), filing a tax extension form can grant Sailors more time to prepare their income tax returns and avoid paying penalties for filing late.

Current IRS regulations allow two tax extensions each fiscal year. The first request extends the deadline to August 15 and is approved automatically. To receive the second extension, the filer must undergo review and approval by the IRS, which can extend the deadline to October 15.

Service members who have served in combat zones or received hostile fire or imminent danger pay during the tax year are granted automatic tax filing extensions.

From the day a service member leaves a combat zone, that member has 180 days plus the number of days spent in the combat zone during the regular tax season before they are required to file their taxes. Under these conditions, service members will not be charged interest on their tax return.

Not filing a tax return, if you owe taxes, is worse than filing a tax return and are unable to pay the amount owed. The IRS has tax solutions to help people pay owed taxes. Failure to file a tax return can result in a fine up to $25,000 and a one-year-prison sentence for See Taxes pg. 3

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Commanding Officer CAPT Paul Monger Executive Officer CAPT John Ring Command Master Chief CMDCM William Lloyd-Owen Public Affairs Officer LCDR Steve Ruh Division Officer LTJG Jason Scarborough Media LCPO MCCM Jon McMillan Layout/ Designer MC3 Nichelle Whitfield Editor MC2 Nathan Gomez Media Dept MC2 Scott McCall MC2 James Mitchell MC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 C.J. Amdahl MC3 Matthew Patton MC3 Mark Sashegyi MC3 Thomas Siniff MC3 Glenn Slaughter MC3 Devin Wray MCSN Ashley Berumen MCSN Shayne Johnson MCSN Andrew Jandik MCSA Renee Candelario MCSA Alexander Ventura II “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.

Temporary Assigned Duty Sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) learn the basics on how to clear a room of threats in the Security Reaction Force Basic course March 28. (Photo by MCSN Shayne Johnson)

TAD Sailors graduate SRFB course

By MCSN Shayne Johnson

personnel, as well as pat-downs if necessary, said Huante.

The SRFB class also learned how to clear rooms The Shipboard Reaction Force Basic class concluded their three week training course April 1. Temporary of threats utilizing the skills and techniques they’ve Assigned Duty (TAD) Sailors aboard USS Nimitz learned throughout the course.

“We may get called in for a threat on the ship,” said (CVN 68) ended their training by learning how to properly conduct security searches, including pat- Huante. “We look for IED’s, assailants, personnel and downs and vehicle searches. They also participated in any possible injuries to shipmates.”

Huante said they may have to respond to anything drills in which they were trained on how to clear rooms from an active shooter to a bomb threat. and what to do in the case of a hostage situation.

After three weeks of security training, 24 TAD “We conduct random personnel inspections as well as vehicle searches,” said Master at Arms 2nd Sailors completed the SRFB course, and graduated Class Louis Huante. “We search for threats such as April 1. They have earned qualifications for sentry weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) and and Reaction Force Member.

“They will stand Primary Reactionary Force any kind of contraband not allowed on board.”

Metal-detecting wands are randomly used on watches including mobile roves, force zones on the ship, sentry watches on the brow, flight deck and x-ray bags coming on board,” said Huante. “When we’re out of dry-dock, we will have watches for entry control points and pier rovers.”

“TAD Sailors are the security force,” said Chief Master at Arms Greg Whitchurch, Security leading chief petty officer. “Our job is to make sure they’re properly trained to perform the tasks of security in a professional and safe manner.

The graduating class is motivated and has potential to make a difference for security, said Haunte.

“They are a diverse group and are eager to learn a new trait,” said Huante. “They have the potential to earn other qualifications, including patrolman, dispatch, armory and possibly chief Temporary Assigned Duty Sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) learn of the guard.” how to diffuse a hostage situation in the Security Reaction Force Basic

course March 28. (Photo by MCSN Shayne Johnson)

April 14, 2011

Nimitz News

Calif. income tax exemption for Nimitz Sailors

By MC2 James Mitchell

Legal residents of California stationed aboard USS Nimitz will no longer have state tax funds withheld from their paycheck beginning with the April 15th payday.

“Anyone who’s claiming California as a state of legal residence, paying taxes to California, they’re no longer paying taxes as of April,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW/ AW) Pedro Gutierrez, the Admin and Personnel Leading Petty Officer.

According to the California Franchise Tax Board Publication 1032, Tax Information for Military Personnel, Paragraph A, “military pay is not California source income when a service member is permanently stationed outside of California.”

However, a service member whose state of legal residence is California and is permanently stationed within the state of California will find their military pay is taxable.

Nimitz-based Sailors claiming legal residence in California are defined as nonresidents while stationed here in Bremerton. Therefore, California income taxes withheld from January 1 through April 1 paychecks will be refunded once you file next year’s return, according to the California Franchise Tax Board.

For Nimitz Sailors with a spouse working within the state of California, the procedure for filing state taxes

reflects the same policy as for single Sailors.

“You file a return based on the spouse’s income minus the military income,” said a tax technician with the California Franchise Tax Board.

Nimitz Sailors owning property within the state of California may be affected by the recent omission of state income tax withholdings if they are renting out the property.

“If a Sailor says, I have a home in California, I’m permanently stationed out of state, then we’ll look if withholding is necessary,” said a tax technician because, “you would owe income taxes on rentals for property owned in California.”

Tax technicians advise service members to continue state income tax withholdings if you have a California source income such as rentals for property, otherwise estimated tax payments may be required.

“If your command is offering to reactivate state withholdings, take them up on it, definitely do it because it makes it easier to cover your state taxes owed,” said a tax technician.

Gutierrez said, Sailors from California who want to reactivate state tax deductions from their paycheck can stop by personnel and any personnel specialist can provide assistance.

For more information, contact the Personnel office at (360) 476-2804.

Taxes: Deadlines extended continued from pg. 1

each unfiled tax year.

Additionally, if taxes are not filed, the IRS can impose a failure to file penalty of 0.5 percent of the unpaid taxes for each month after the due date.

Interest charges increase with time.

The penalty can rise up to 25 percent of the unpaid taxes.

Sailors who are due a refund will not be penalized if Sailors do not file, according to the IRS. In most cases, Sailors have up to three years to file a tax return in order to receive a refund.

After the three years, the IRS is not required to pay the refund.

For more information visit www.irs. gov.

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Chaplain’s Corner Up in the Absaroka Mountains in Montana there is an underground waterfall inside a large cave. Every summer I would lead a hike up to the cave and explore the area with campers. That cave had been there for thousands of years, and was fun to crawl around in. Then one year I led a hike up there and the entire ceiling had collapsed. The waterfall had gradually eroded the rock and created fissures that weakened the structure of the cave.

Something I saw as eternal was gone and it bothered me to see it was broken. I also thought how lucky I was to not have been in the cave the day the top came crashing down.

We people tend to view lots of institutions the way we do that cave, as set in stone and always around when we need them. The idea last week that we may not get our paychecks from Uncle Sam made a lot of people uncomfortable on an existential level.

There was a lot of relief when the bill cleared Congress on Friday night. Imagine how people feel when the church they grew up in closes the doors, or a department store that existed for over 100 years goes out of business. We think those institutions are set in stone like the dedication stones in the corner of their foundations.

They are not. There are many things that are really temporary.

One thing that is set in stone is love. In Galatians 5.22-23 the Apostle Paul talks about nine fruits of the Holy Spirit that are available to everyone who follows Christ. Love is the first and foundational one. It is called agape in the original Greek, and is different from the kinds of love we equate with romantically loving our mates or feeling a devotion to a calling or trade. This agape love describes the depth of love God shows, even to those people who ignore God. Paul says in another letter of his that it is the greatest thing that will endure (1 Corinthians 13.)

The beauty of agape love is that we people can participate in it. This isn’t something that only God can do like create planets or organize the universe, sharing this love is why we receive the “fruits” of the Spirit in the first place. If you are unsure how to express agape love then I have a suggestion for you. You can volunteer for a Community Relations project at the Religious Ministry office on the barge. One project coming up is a Community Dinner for low income families at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Poulsbo on Monday evening, the 18th. We are going to partner with the Lions Club in providing this meal and delivering dinners to older people who are shut in and cannot come to the church for the meal.

In this way you partner with God in providing something that is set in stone.

Chaplain Brent Johnson

April 14, 2011

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111 Years of History f

by MC2 Na

M

aster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick D. West released a birthday message to all the Submarine Forces on April 11. “For 111 years, our Submarine Forces has been protecting America’s interests around the world. Thank you, submariners, for what you do every day and for your continued service and dedication to our nation and our Navy. Happy Birthday Shipmates!”

I thought that was a great message to find, considering I chose the Naval Undersea Museum to feature in this weeks’ paper. The drive up to the museum located 20 minutes from Bremerton proved impressive due in large part to the two historical submersibles on display in front: the Trieste II (DSV-1) and “Deep Quest”.

The Trieste II (DSV-1) was a deep submergence vehicle which performed dives reaching depths of 20,000 feet. Deep Quest, the Navy’s research submersible completed numerous salvage jobs in its years of service and explored the ocean to a depth of 8,000 feet. The sail (the top portion of a submarine) of the USS Sturgeon, the first of 37 fast attack, or anti-submarine nuclear submarines, built in 1963, was also on display.

My family and I were greeted by the lobby of the museum.

We were immediately immersed i marine community.

Our first step in the journey thr hallway. Two 10-foot-tall walls led undersea history to the present, and rials used in submarines.

The next exhibit gave us a glimps family interactions during reunion ters posted provided a poignant touc the sacrifices these Sailors and thei The next exhibit was very interesti ment. We got to learn hands on a heat transfer, and other various as plays.

My favorite part of the tour was th ferent stages of torpedo developmen sophisticated weaponry of today. It

April 14, 2011

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fifteen minutes Away

athan Gomez

y a friendly volunteer as we entered evolution of mine warfare has changed little from barrels of explosives set to float waiting for the target to hit it, to the mines of today. into the historic legacy of the subThe Greenling Control Room is a simulation of the control room of the nuclear fast attack submarine USS Greenling (SSN 614). The rough the exhibit was the timeline periscopes, which are linked to a camera on the roof, ship control panel d us through significant events of and ballast control panel are exact recreations from the Greenling. d detailed the evolution of all mateFor the diver fans, the museum offered a nice collection of diving suits and other equipment. It also had an exhibit focusing on the first se of life on a submarine. Photos of women divers in the Navy. ns and other family photos and letAt the end of the tour, the museum offered a photo opportunity with ch to the exhibit and reminded us of mini uniform components for the children to try on and take pictures ir families have made. in. ing. It dealt with the ocean environThe museum regularly changes exhibits making this stop one I will about buoyancy, pressure density, revisit in the future. spects through the interactive disThis is an exhibit Nimitz Sailors should not miss. Its hours of operation are October through May, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Tueshe weapons exhibit. It showcased dif- days, June through September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parknt from early crude versions to the ing are free. was also interesting to see that the

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Nimitz IA numbers increase Personnel Serviceman 2nd Class Cory Ianamoreli, an Individual Augmentee (IA) Sailor attached to Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost, drives a high mobilitypurposed wheeled vehicle during a recent quality assurance mission for road construction throughout the province. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Christopher Weis/ Released)

By MC2 Nathan Gomez Nimitz has 38 Sailors deployed for Individual Augmentees (IAs) billets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain and a few other locations, and has more than 20 Sailors putting packages together to deploy.

“Nimitz is still getting tapped to provide Sailors to fill IA billets,” said Chief Masterat-Arms (SW) Gregory Whitchurch, Nimitz IA Coordinator. “Since Nimitz is in a nonoperational status, we’re getting tasked to provide more bodies than the other carriers on deployment.”

When Nimitz is asked to provide a body for an IA billet, it may be the primary spot or an alternate spot for the job. Either way, the chosen Sailor must get a package ready, go through the medical screening process, receive all the training needed while in country, and either deploy or return and be on standby.

“Sailors interested in going IA need to start with running a special request chit through their departmental IA coordinator,” said Whitchurch. “The Sailor then comes to myself to begin the process to be added to the list of possible IAs.” For more info, visit S:\NIMITZ\All Hands\ INDIVIDUAL AUGMENTATION.

Individual augmentee (IA) Sailors, Sonar Technician (Submarine) Jason Ybarra, left, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Peter Vongmysay and Sonar Technician (Submarine) Christopher Keys clean their wepons to ensure cleanliness and operability while attending Navy individual augmentee combat training (NIACT). IA Sailors are deployed worldwide in combat support and combat service support missions. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gwen A. Truett/Released)

April 14, 2011

Nimitz News

Sailors of the Quarter Continued from pg. 1

“Pretty much just go above and beyond what your peers are doing to set yourself aside from the rest of the flock,” said Wright. “Get qualifications that other people didn’t want get, help others and do the best job that you can.”

“Wright is a hard charging Sailor reported aboard and immediately started doing his qualifications, senior in rate and not only that, as soon as he initiated that, we was working on his surface warfare pin,” said Chief Engineman Enrique Ramos.

Maintaining a positive attitude and high self motivation are strong held characteristics in getting noticed by your chain of command he said.

Nimitz houses programs, promotes the importance of gaining warfare qualifications. . Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist qualifications are indicators of a knowledgeable Sailor.

“I would recommend for Sailors to get qualified, make sure you take care of your

division first, then your department, then your command,” said Curran. “Don’t just sit there and soak up collaterals, make sure you are taking care of your primary duties first. Then once you’ve got that knocked out, then start working on the bigger ticket items.”

Getting one a few of his Sailors nominated for Junior Sailor of the Quarter of Blue Jacket of the Quarter would be his ultimate goal in helping others to attain success in their career, said Curran.

“We look up to other senior people, our first classes our Chief’s and the accomplishments they have achieved. I think it’s a higher motivation for us to want to replace them in a sense,” said Saenz. Along with improving yourself by earning qualifications and doing college courses, you also have to look at what you are doing for your division, department, command, the community and yourself.

It’s about reaching out to all areas and getting your name out there and doing work because of self motivation not because you “have” to, said Jones.

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The advice for Sailors who find that they want to make themselves better eligible for Sailor of the Quarter is unified; get qualified, get motivated, be positive, and work hard to do more than the “bare minimum”. Improving yourself as a Sailor will ultimately improve the quality and functionality of the command, which will strengthen us for our missions. for your division, department, command, the community and yourself.

It’s about reaching out to all areas and getting your name out there and doing work because of self motivation not because you “have” to, said Jones.

The advice for Sailors who find that they want to make themselves better eligible for Sailor of the Quarter is unified; get qualified, get motivated, be positive, and work hard to do more than the “bare minimum”. Improving yourself as a Sailor will ultimately improve the quality and functionality of the command, which will strengthen us for our missions.

DITS program active while in DPIA

By MCSA Alexander Ventura II

Nimitz’ Division in the Spotlight (DITS) program remains active during the ship’s Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

DITS is a command-level examination of each division on the ship, said Lt. Bonnie R. Niggemann, DITS coordinator.

The program is aimed at making sure each person within a division is taken care of and divisions are up to par by assessing career counseling, damage control, administration, Material Maintenance Management (3M), and other collateral duties, she explained.

“We haven’t missed a beat since we’ve been in dry-dock,” said Niggemann.

DITS uses assessors who are experts in a certain field to determine a division’s standings in their collateral duties, said Niggemann. The data will be evaluated and used to tell the division in which areas they are doing great and where the need to work on.

“We take a look at the division and assess who took their advancement exams, who earned PNA (passed not advanced) and who advanced,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class (SW/ AW) April Dixon, education services office DITS assessor.

“We compare the division’s advancement rate with the rest of the Navy and assess what they need to work on and if they need to put more time into studying.”

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Patricia Hood, DITS repair parts petty officer assessor said, “DITS allows me to assess RPPOs to make sure they are fully trained and qualified as a RPPO. RPPOs in each division will ensure their division

has the supplies they need from pens and pencils to equipment for aircrafts. DITS program makes my job easier because it helps divisions work in cohesion by ensuring RPPOs know how to fill out proper paperwork for supplies.”

Yeoman 3rd Class (SW) Tyquesha Hewitt, administration DITS assessor said, “I use DITS as a way to inform the ships division on what instructions that needs to be updated, helping the ship as a whole to stay current.”

Senior Chief Personnel Specialist (SW/EXW) Kelly Bennet, personnel DITS assessor said DITS is an ideal platform for Personnelmen from administration department to ensure Sailors’ Page 2s are up to date.

“It’s a good program,” said Bennet. “If departments are actually using the data and taking actions on it can be a very effective tool.”

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Nimitz Collects NIPR Computers

By MC3 Nichelle Whitfield

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors are preparing to move faster and more efficiently with brand new computers of the latest technology.

Combat Systems, is collecting non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPR) computers in preparation to install brand new ones.

“The command is getting brand new computers to replace all of the older ones,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Edwin Balmania. “We should be getting them in the next couple of months.”

Scheduled department drop offs have been progressing for the past two weeks and will conclude in hangar bay 2 today. Total completion of the NIPR collection cannot be accomplished until the new computers arrive at the command. It’s important that departments insure they turn in their computers so they can get new ones, he said.

This WEeks MWR EVENTS Thursday, April 14: * Children’s Story Hour, FREE, 11 a.m., Bremerton Rec Center, Ages 0-6 * Spin at West Concourse, FREE, 6 p.m. * Puyallup Spring Fair, $7.50 in advance & $9 at the gate, 2 p.m.-10 p.m. * Kids Eat Free at Sam Adams, 4 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. **Military Child Event ** Friday, April 15: * Parent & Tot Yoga, at West Concourse Gym, 10 a.m., FREE, Ages 2+ * Month of the Military Child Event * * Paul Simon at Qwest/WaMu Theatre, doors open at 7 p.m. *Puyallup Spring Fair, FREE for Active Military and Dependents, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. * Leavenworth Ale Fest, FREE for Active Duty, 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., must be 21 or older to attend * Parent & Tot Yoga, FREE, West Concourse Gym, 10 a.m., Ages 2 and older **Military Child Event ** * Teen Egg Hunt, Jackson Park Youth & Teen Center, Ages 13-18, FREE for registered members & $5 for non-members **Military Child Event ** Saturday, April 16: *NIMITZ EASTER EVENT! 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny Photos, FREE Pizza & Soda, Bremerton Softball Field (Rain Site: Indoor Basketball Court)

The Combat Systems Department is currently processing unused NIPR computers for the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) process. After the ship receives the new order of computers, every computer will then be replaced by a brand new one, said Balmania.

“There are a lot of PCs that aren’t plugged into the network and we can’t use them, so we are starting with those,” added Information Systems Technician Seaman Garrett Bryan. “They’ll get turned into us and we’ll dispose of them in a way that is safe for the environment or sell them to another ship after the drives have been removed and cleaned of all information.”

The new computers will come installed with Windows 7 and they should all be faster and more efficient overall, said Bryan.

With hundreds of computers already turned in, total completion of the NIPR replacement project is scheduled to be completed before the end of Deployed Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) said Balmania.

* Puyallup Spring Fair, $7.50 in advance & $9 at the gate, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. * Crab Races and Crab Feed, Westport, WA, $41$46 (includes: transportation, crab feed, and a host) sign up at Bremerton ITT or MilitaryMerits.com * Rat City Rollergirls at Key Arena, doors open at 5:30 p.m., get tickets at KeyArena.comcom * Washington Stealth vs. Rochester Knighthawks, Comcast Arena, get tickets at ComcastArenaEverett. com * R.A.G.S. Garage Sale at Kitsap Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., FREE admission, All Ages! **Military Child Event ** Sunday, april 17: * Seattle By Foot Tour, $21, every hour on the hour starting at 11 a.m. * Puyallup Spring Fair, $7.50 in advance & $9 at the gate, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. * Zumbatomics, FREE, 11 a.m., West Concourse Gym, Monday, April 18: * Step at West Concourse Gym, FREE, 4:45 p.m.

Tuesday, april 19: * Spin at West Concourse, FREE, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, april 20: * Step at West Concourse Gym, FREE, 4:45 p.m.