Mar. 8, 2013
Vol. 39, No. 9
Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer Capt. Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/AW) Teri McIntyre
GIVING BACK Story and Photos by MC3 Renée L. Candelario
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 (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 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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ailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participated in a community service (COMSERV) project at the Emerald Heights Academy in Bellevue, Wash., Mar. 6. The students of Emerald Heights Academy recently sent letters and care packages to Nimitz Sailors to boost morale during the holiday season. In return, Sailors took the opportunity to visit the students at the academy. “It’s an amazing opportunity, not only for our children but for our staff and parents as well,” said Heather Miller, the office manager at Emerald Heights Academy. “It was a community event to put together the care packages for Nimitz and then to have [Sailors] come and personally thank the children, it was amazing.” One Nimitz Sailor had the opportunity to meet the sender of his personal letter and care package he received.
“I got the letter over Christmas and the care package, so when I got the notification about going to visit the academy, I definitely wanted to come out here and interact with some of the kids,” said Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Italo Perich, a volunteer at the COMSERV. “They took a serious interest in what we do. I liked talking to them and answering all their questions and seeing them laugh and have a good time. They thought it was pretty cool that we were here.” The students had the chance to ask the volunteering service members questions on what life was like being a Sailor in the U.S. Navy. “This is my first time coming to the academy and it was good interacting with the younger kids seeing them smile and letting them know they too can have a future in the military,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Ricky Wilson.
Nimitz Sailors Take Part in a Community Relations Project at Local Academy
Chaplain Lt. Andrew Colvin demonstrates the significance of hearing protection on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier to students at Emerald Heights Academy.
Nimitz Sailors spend time with students at Emerald Heights Academy during their snack time.
Participation in COMSERVs is a great way for Sailors to show support and interact with the surrounding community. “It’s very important that kids and the school get an opportunity to see what Sailors and people in the military are like,” said Chaplain Lt. Andrew Colvin, the project coordinator and COMSERV volunteer. “[The Sailor’s] humanity comes out and it’s really important that our culture and society are able to see that. For me, it’s a lot of fun because the Sailors who I don’t know personally keep up the Sailor image but when they’re with these kids they become themselves and relax. It was a wonderful thing to see. It was a great opportunity and it was a lot of fun.” Nimitz plans on maintaining its relationship and working toward future COMSERVs with the academy.
Nimitz Sailors speak to students during a community service (COMSERV) project at the Emerald Heights Academy in Bellevue, Wash., Mar. 6.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Ricky Wilson, a Sailor on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), speaks to a student during a community service (COMSERV) project at the Emerald Heights Academy in Bellevue, Wash., Mar. 6.
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Partnered colleges help you take the next step Tom Larsen, director of Columbia College, Naval Station Everett, is available for enrollment in classes at the Navy College Office on base.
Navy College Office at Naval Station Everett hosted counselors from three colleges and universities Feb. 25 through March 1 to help Sailors, retirees and their families navigate the path to a higher education. Counselors from Columbia College, DeVry University and Everett Community College were available to answer Sailors’ questions and provide information concerning the education programs offered. “The Navy College Office invited us to be represented on base,” said Tom Larsen, director of Columbia College, Naval Station Everett. “That also means we offer local courses on base here.” Active duty Sailors must spend one year at their first permanent duty station in order to be eligible for the Tuition Assistance (TA) program and the Naval College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE), according to Stan Monusko, director of Navy College Everett. “Once you’re approved for TA, the Navy will pay for your tuition,” Larsen said. “Students are responsible for buying their textbooks.” Each of the colleges offer traditional courses with classroom instruction as well as online course offerings. “If you’re on sea duty, it’s really difficult to take courses in a classroom,” Larsen said. “Columbia offers more than 800 courses online, and the syllabus lists the textbooks required for each course, so students on ships have time to make arrangements. We also have a very vibrant virtual library, so you can do your research at sea.” Time management is a crucial component for successfully completing coursework, Larsen said. “These classes are not self-paced and there are assignment deadlines, but it’s very doable,” Larsen said. “Lack of internet is
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Story and photo by MCSN Nate McDonald
usually not a valid excuse to withdraw from a class, either, unless it’s the result of something unforeseen.” Monusko cautioned Sailors that failing a class makes the Sailor responsible for repaying any TA money utilized. “If you fail a class, the Navy recoups that TA from you,” Monusko said. “Sailors aren’t too happy when 90 days later they get a paycheck for about 750 dollars less than they’re expecting.” Monusko encouraged deploying Sailors to look into the opportunities afforded by NCPACE. “NCPACE allows Sailors to take classes either under instruction or self-paced without requiring internet while underway,” Monusko said. Sailors may also be able to claim college credits from their A-school experience, provided the course is accredited with the American Council on Education (ACE). “The majority of the Navy College Office’s partners will support them if the course is ACE certified,” Larsen said. “Most will come in as elective credits, but it will shorten the time needed to get a degree.” Many Sailors choose a General Studies major when beginning their degree work. “You can get more credit for your professional experience than any other program, and it gives you more flexibility,” Larsen said. “We see it a lot from students pursuing their associates degree, and then they specialize more when they decide to do a bachelors.” Larsen stressed the benefits of utilizing the resources the Navy provides for students. “Financing, no matter how you look at it, is expensive,” Larsen said. “If you can take advantage of TA while you’re in, and then VA benefits if you choose to depart the military, it’s a huge advantage.”
Women's History:
45 Years Of Women In Military Chaplaincy Christianne M. Witten, Chief of Navy Chaplains Public Affairs
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This year, a concerted effort was made he Navy, Army and Air Force Service," featuring the impact of women in Chiefs of Chaplains hosted a military chaplaincy over the past 40 years. to include and transcend the generations Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben, deputy of chaplains who have served over the ceremony to mark the 40th Anniversary of women in Chief of Navy Chaplains and 18th chaplain past 40 years. "Their presence, today, military chaplaincy at the Women in of the Marine Corps, performed the gave testimony to the impact of the Military Service for America Memorial at dedication and blessing at the exhibit's Chaplain Corps on them and on us, and reaffirms that the opportunity to serve ribbon-cutting. Arlington National Cemetery March 4. "In celebrating the gifts of our heritage, doesn't go away when we take off the Rear Adm. Mark L. Tidd, Chief of uniform," Kibben said. Navy chaplains; Maj. Gen. Donald L. Lt. Jessica K. Bell, a Navy Rutherford, Army Chief of Chaplains; chaplain currently assigned and Maj. Gen. Howard D. Stendahl, Air Force Chief of Chaplains, "It was an event, which not only to U.S. Marine Corps Forces women in military Special Operations Command honored female pioneer chaplains honored from their respective services and chaplaincy, but also showed the Support Group, travelled all the way from Camp Lejeune, N.C., identified the importance of their significant progress the Navy has to attend the celebration. She mentorship. came to "explore the history The Navy was the first service made to embrace diversity." legacy of the Chaplain in the Department of Defense to - Malana and Corps," and left, "inspired and commission a female chaplain, Lt. j.g. renewed" by the connections Dianna Pohlman, in July 1973. The made with her fellow chaplains Air Force and Army followed suit later may we also share the stories of the and mentors. that same year. Cdr. Judy Malana, a Navy chaplain Rev. Dianna Pohlman Bell delivered sacrificial ministry all chaplains-counting an invocation and reflection to several women equally among them-have assigned to the Chief of Chaplains hundred chaplains, past and present, in provided at sea, in the air, with boots on the office, has spent the last 17 years in attendance asking, "Even as we serve those ground, in hospitals, training centers, and ministry to the sea services. She headed up the Navy Chaplain who are prepared to go to war, may we at home," Kibben remarked. Kibben was among the female chaplains Corps committee for the event which never shrink from praying for peace." When asked how she felt about being recognized, as the first female promoted to was a 10-month long, collaborative recognized and honored as a pioneer for rear admiral in the Chaplain Corps and the effort across the services. "It was an event, which not only female chaplains, she responded, "Every first female chaplain of the Marine Corps. Reflecting on the large turnout, honored women in military chaplaincy, woman that goes into military chaplaincy is a pioneer in her own right to choose Kibben was particularly impressed with but also showed the significant progress to enter into and serve within a male- the "remarkable number of men and the Navy has made to embrace diversity. women who came back from retirement It also nourished the soul of who we are dominated profession and organization." She also commented on the overall to celebrate the event with their fellow as a chaplain corps, as we collectively honored and recognized those who sense of "camaraderie, recognition, and chaplains." Every five years, the Navy Chaplain navigated unchartered waters and sisterhood" that marked the event. The ceremony was followed by a ribbon- Corps has held some type of event for all continue to inspire us," Malana said. For more information on the Navy cutting and dedication of a year-long active-duty chaplains to celebrate "who we exhibit at the Women's Memorial entitled, are and from where we come," according Chaplain Corps visit www.chaplain. navy.mil. "A Courageous Journey of Faith and to Kibben.
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Make the Cut Story and photos by MC3 Vanessa Y. David
Nimitz soccer team has jerseys to fill
Physical fitness and teamwork are the staples of a good soccer team, and a good crew The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) soccer team is hosting training and tryouts Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the baseball field at Naval Station Everett. For the first time since Nimitz’ Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the team is holding training sessions and
accepting new players. Before Nimitz embarked for RIMPAC, Chief Logistics Specialist Ignatius Okeiyimor, team organizer, assembled a Okeiyimor team of Sailors dedicated to sportsmanship and the game of soccer. “When I checked on board,
"If you’re good at what you do, you can join the team.”
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I noticed that there was no one playing soccer and no organized team, so I thought, ‘Okay, why not start one?’” said Okeiyimor. The team was established before RIMPAC with the intent to boost morale and build community relations in foreign ports. “Ideally, this is about casting a positive light on the ship, the Navy, ourselves, and our country,” said Lt. David Kosek. “We’re looking for experienced players who are willing to strengthen bonds between our country and the ones we pull into.” The team welcomes anyone who wants to play, and experience is the only requirement. “The selection is not genderspecific,” said Okeiyimor. “We take females that are skilled, like our goalie, Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Brittany Czobakowski. If
USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) soccer team jogs around the baseball field before practice.
you’re good at what you do, you can join the team.” The training is intensive and involves a lot more than kicking a ball around a field. “We warm up, run laps, stretch, and train for an hour and 30 minutes, two days a week,” said Okeiyimor. “You’ll get a good
Nimitz’ (CVN 68) soccer team stretches to warm up before practice.
work out without knowing it because there’s a lot of running involved. Because it’s so fun, it’s easy to run for an hour without even noticing that you’ve covered at least five or six miles by just playing the game.” With this effort, Cmdr. Emile Moured, command chaplain and
team manager, hopes to bring something new and exciting to the crew. “This is about creating a culture of fitness and teamwork and giving Sailors an opportunity to serve the Navy in creative and fun ways while we’re in ports of call,” said Moured.
Nimitz’ (CVN 68) soccer team practices passing and interception drills.
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Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Jeffery Petersen, of Coeur d'Alene, Ore., from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) takes the Navy-wide advancement exam on board Naval Station Everett. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Winn/RELEASED)
MOVING FORWARD
SAILORS CHASE ADVANCEMENTby MC2 Jacquelyn Childs Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took the Navy Wide Advancement Exam for E-6 at the Commons aboard Naval Station Everett, March 7. The Second Class Petty Officers went into the exam after spending various amounts of time studying, each using their own techniques. “I feel good,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Manuel Garcia, native of Bronx, N.Y. “The whole process was really smooth and I felt more relaxed during the exam than last time.” For Garcia, what helped him was being on board longer with his department which set up training programs and study groups. “I took a lot from it,” said Garcia. “A lot of us even got to together after to study more.” Other Sailors did more independent studying while using the traditional resources available. “I felt as ready as I could,” said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Stephen Bittner, native of Spokane, Wash. “I studied using
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North Star. I also used the BIBs portion of the test.” [bibliographies] to pinpoint the areas Garcia also had advice for junior to focus my study.” Sailors getting ready for upcoming North Star study guides are exams. additional materials, separate of “Take your time and relax,” he the traditional BIBs, created to give said. “Don’t overburden and over Sailors more options. study. Don’t cram. Review your This being his second exam, materials without stressing so you Bittner felt he had an advantage can retain more.” going into the exam he didn’t ON THE COVER have last time, and advises other Sailors to also take advantage of previous exam experience. “Remember different types of questions you had on past exams as a reference point,” said Bittner. He also encourages junior Sailors to go back to the basics when it comes to the exams. “Any ‘C’ School [secondary education] questions usually only make up a small portion Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Brian Robinson, of New Orleans, from the aircraft carrier USS of the test,” Bittner said. Nimitz (CVN 68), takes the Navy-wide advancement exam “It’s always good to focus on on board Naval Station Everett. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass fundamentals because those Communications Specialist Robert Winn/RELEASED) seem to make up a good
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PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM
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KNOW your NAVY by MCSA Phillip Ladouceur
Read A Sailor's History of the U.S. Navy... to help you remember that you are part of something much greater than yourself.
The second book in this ongoing series of reviews is “A Sailor’s History of the U.S. Navy”, by Thomas J. Cutler. The book is organized by theme rather than chronological order. Three sections and ten chapters delve into topics such as the heritage of Naval vocabulary, the various ships that have been named USS Enterprise and three chapters devoted to each of the Navy’s Core Values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The sections are further broken down into small, easily digestible segments, each one telling a story. Added together, they illuminate each chapter’s theme. Cutler, a retired Lt. Cmdr. and a former Gunner’s Mate Second Class, clearly knows his source material. His name should already be familiar to any Sailor—He is the author of the current edition of The Bluejacket’s Manual. The book can be read front to back, but it is also a book
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that can be fruitfully read by opening it at random and flipping pages until a subject catches the eye. Since so many of the sections are also short, it makes a good book to read before bed. In fact, this may be the most rewarding way to read the book. Reading bits and chunks of it here and there, you might not even notice that you’re rapidly working your way through the book. And then one day you’ll go to look for a section you haven’t read and find that you’ve finished the whole thing! So if you’d like to know the origin of Bravo Zulu, find out about the contributions of Naval aviators to space exploration, or just want to know a little bit more about the history of the Navy, this is the place to start. Nimitz News will continue to check back in with reports on each book in the Essential Reading List.
More than any other book in this program, this work is directly and specifically targeted to the enlisted Sailor. It gives the reader a solid foundation in the colorful history of the U.S. Navy, instilling pride in the rich traditions that today's Sailors are carrying forward, making them aware that they are making history themselves as they serve in today's Navy.
Navy Creates iPad App for Managing Stress, Fending off PTSD
By Katherine H. Crawford, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is co-funding an affordable, hi-tech, solution for managing stress that could help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), helping warfighters and potentially saving billions of dollars in associated medical costs, officials announced March 6. ONR, in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is sponsoring development of the Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS), an iPad app training program that teaches Sailors and Marines to understand their stress responses and manage them by learning biofeedback techniques that work for their individual needs. The system will undergo field testing at the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control (NCCOSC) in San Diego in April. Lessening the impact of PTSD to warfighters, the military and the nation is crucial. According to a February 2012 Congressional Budget Office report, 21 percent of military personnel returning from overseas contingency operations (OCO) in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from PTSD. The cost to treat these individuals is nearly 3.5 times higher than for someone without PTSD or traumatic brain injury, which works out to close to $1 billion when multiplied by the total number of OCO patients. "The SRTS app provides users with an easy-to-access tool that helps them build
resilience toward stressful events so that when they encounter those events, the likelihood of experiencing PTSD or any other aftereffects from stress is reduced," said Cmdr. Joseph Cohn, program officer in ONR's Warfighter Performance Department and originator of the SRTS project. Using only an iPad and a heart rate monitor clipped to one earlobe, the SRTS App comprises four sections: "Know How," which provides Sailors and Marines with information about stress and resilience and how to apply this knowledge to their missions; "Techniques," which explains how they can bring themselves into the best mental and physiological state possible to build resilience and achieve peak performance; "Games," which allows them to practice applying the resilience skills learned; and "Review," which helps them track their training progress. The game-based app allows players to choose from several increasingly challenging training scenarios while the monitor records when the heart rate rhythm, also known as heart rate variability, becomes incoherent a sign of stress. Through game-play, Sailors and Marines will learn which techniques, such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation, help them maintain or regain coherence, to manage their unique stress responses. Once learned, users can transfer these approaches to real-life situations. "We're capitalizing on past research and
making a leap that one way of managing PTSD lies in learning to more effectively manage your stress," Cohn said. The SRTS is unique because it pulls together two proven premises - that novices and experts manage stress in different ways, so there's the potential for training, and that good training requires good feedback. It then combines them with an already established distribution point: the NCCOSC, which focuses on promoting resilience and investigating best practices in diagnosing and treating PTSD. Preventing PTSD is critical for mission preparedness and success, and it goes to the heart of one of the chief of naval operations' "Sailing Directions," that the Department of the Navy has "a professional and moral obligation to uphold a covenant with Sailors, civilians and their families - to ably lead, equip, train and motivate." "The SRTS's development and operational evaluation would not have been possible without the funding we received from DARPA and ONR, who exhibited a willingness to take risks that yield significant S&T advances" said Dr. Gershon Weltman, vice president of Perceptronics Solutions, the prime contractor for the app's development. To view a short video that explains the game-based system and shows it in action, go to: http://goo.gl/lCyos. For more news from Office of Naval Research, visit www.navy.mil/local/onr/.
SKYLARKS By MCSN Joshua D. Haiar
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