July 7, 2011
Nimitz News
July 7, 2011
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Vol. 36, No. 27
Photo by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield
50%
Nimitz holds 50% Review Brief
Story by MC2(SW) J.D. Levite
As the Docking Planned Incremental Availability project reached its halfway point, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) briefed a group of visitors from Commander Naval Air Forces on the ship’s status. The “50% Review” brief covered much of the big work and key milestones of the project while describing what the ship still had remaining to make its December 16th deadline for completion. “The 50% review is for us as the project, the shipyard, all the contractors and the ship’s force to present to Navy leadership with where we’re at,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Jones, the ship’s maintenance manager. “We should be slightly above 50% done on all of our work, and we were able to show that we were on track to be able to finish on time.” John Simpson, one of DPIA’s planning managers, said their scheduling system puts the ship three to seven days late in reaching the next key event, but he stills thinks they can make it up to get finished on time.
Navy College reaches out to Nimitz Sailors
Navy College is looking to help Sailors by providing academic counseling, creating individual education plans and providing information on schools. They will be hosting an outreach on the barge in classroom 3(A/B) Friday from 11 a.m. until noon.
“The most significant key event is flooding “However, it would be in our best interest the docks on August 23. We recognize there’s to finish on time because we have a lot more a lot of work left,” Simpson said, “but making projects coming in. The ship has to change these key events is critical to ending on homeports and get prepared for deployment, so time.” it’s really a lose-lose situation for the shipyard Simpson said the and the ship. If we end on reason for the delay it’s a win-win.” “I’m very happy with what the time, involved an increase in While Jones also growth work during the ship has done. We’re well on said there’s still a lot dock work phase of the track to get out of dock on time, of work to be done, he project. and if we get out of dock on time said most divisions are “For example, we had sitting at better than 50 to take off the rudders, we’re well on track to be able to percent and the ship’s refurbish them and put finish on time.” force has accomplished them back on,” he said, more than 60 percent “but the scag part of of the manhours they - Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Jones anticipated it would take the rudder had a lot of Nimitz Maintenance Manager to finish everything. pits and cracks we had to repair that weren’t “I’m very happy with normal. This is growth what the ship has done. work – work that isn’t anticipated.” I’m very proud. We’ve gotten a lot of work Other growth work included work involving done,” Jones said. “We’re well on track to get the shafts, tanks and sea chests. He said out of dock on time, and if we get out of dock during the brief they told the visiting admirals on time we’re well on track to be able to finish meeting the December 16th deadline would be on time.” a struggle.
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Nimitz News
July 7, 2011
Contingency Plan for Your Wallet Commentary by MC3(SW) Matthew Patton Commanding Officer CAPT Paul Monger Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM William Lloyd-Owen Public Affairs Officer LTJG Jason Scarborough Media LCPO MCCM Jon McMillan Media Production Chief MCC Mike Jones Editor MC2 J.D. Levite Lead Designer MC3 Matthew Patton Media Dept MC2 C.J. Amdahl MC2 James Mitchell MC2 Amara Timberlake MC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 Ashley Berumen MC3 Ian Cotter MC3 Mark Sashegyi MC3 Glenn Slaughter MC3 Thomas Siniff MC3 Nichelle Whitfield MC3 Robert Winn MC3 Devin Wray MCSN Andrew Jandik MCSN Jacob Milner MCSA Alexander Ventura II MCSA Renee Candelario MCSA Jess Lewis MCSA Derek Volland Nimitz News accepts submitions in writing. All submitions must be in by Friday, COB. Submitions 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.
Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor. -James A. Baldwin The more I read that, the more the old saying of “making a dollar out of 15 cents” makes sense. It’s something everyone should get familiar with in this ever expanding economy of ours. Heck, as long as our governing body of honorable Congressmen (and women) is content with being reduced to nothing more than a hall of squabbling chickens, we might want to change 15 cents to a dime, or a nickel. At this point, with no actual solutions coming out that barn house, everyone is going to be feeling the effects of an economic downturn. Except those chickens safe in their barn house. Or the people already at the bottom, who may suddenly have a few more neighbors than they want in the coming years. Or… me and you, for as long as we’re in service. I’ve long been convinced that Congress as a whole lacks the proper perspective (or background) to actually see the affects their agendas place on the masses. And considering how, regardless of what happens to us, the people they “serve,” they still get paid? I doubt any epiphanies will be striking them down anytime soon. The people already at the bottom, the people that do live in the ghettos that already stretch finances to make things meet? They’ll be fine, by and large. Go talk to them. If anything, some of them are going to have a few chuckles at the higher castes of society. The professional athletes (who are actually arguing how to divide some six billion dollars between them and the owners that pay them), the big name actors (Will Smith makes some 30 million a film. Preposterous.), the over glorified musicians (who in reality probably don’t have enough money to buy all the things we see them with)… I mean the list can go on and on. Like I was saying, the people who walk around with holes in their shoes, the people who have to decide on buying a new tie or shirt (in hopes that the look of it will help them get a better paying job) or pay the minimum balance on the electric bill to keep the lights on… those people will have a small chuckle, and keep on trucking while
everyone else learns how to stretch that 15 cents. You and me, though, we’re right in the middle. We have a steady check for the most part. It takes something extreme for us to not see our accounts increase on the 1st and 15th. And really, given that we can count on that, there’s no reason any of us shouldn’t have a contingency plan or two for when the rough times show themselves. Yeah, a lot of times it doesn’t feel like we’re getting paid what we’re actually worth, or that we’re even paid proportional to the amount of hours we work (*cough* deployment *cough*). If we did, we’d all be millionaires and everyone would want to be where we are. Well, we’d be millionaires if all the verbal praise we receive amounted to anything concrete, but that’s not the point. There’s no reason that any of us should be struggling to support ourselves. Even those of us that have families and extended families, like I do, can do it off our current salaries (generally speaking). In some cases, that requires some financial restructuring. Sometimes you have to go without getting some things you want, and settle for things you actually need. I’ll be frank, it takes some getting used to, and some days it’s very frustrating. But it’s very doable, and you’ll feel safer knowing you’ve got that stash of cash as a backup plan in case things go haywire. And it’s not even hard to accomplish. Get a Thrift Savings Plan. Take the time to learn the difference between each account and how each one would work for you. I started mine late, and I’ll still walk away from the service with more than enough in there to cover my family’s expenses for quite some time. I have a co-worker who, at the end of his first term, has over $50,000 saved using TSP and his individual savings. Don’t ask me how he did that, or how much he invested to make this happen, but I’ve seen the statements: it’s very possible. So I mean, it’s important that we all take a minute to stop worrying about the right now and actually give a thought (or two) to our financial future. Whether you’re in for two years or 20, at some point this fine Navy pay we receive will stop or be lessened to a degree. It’d behoove us all to keep a pile of cash saved up, just in case.
Send all replies/inquiries to the editor: john.levite@cvn68.navy.mil.
July 7, 2011
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Sailors talk to a college representative during the Education Career Fair on June 28. Photo by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield.
Career Fair: Moving forward with education Story by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors and other service members participated in the Naval Base Kitsap Bangor Education Career Fair, June 28. Select universities invited service members to an Education Career Fair for the opportunity to expand knowledge on schools and assist in the pursuit of furthering secondary educations. “There are a lot of universities with a lot to offer. The university representatives here seem knowledgeable and willing to provide all the information needed about their respective university courses,” said Personnel Specialist Seaman Ban Tran, a Nimitz Sailor. “There used to be a policy that required Nimitz Sailors to be aboard for one year before they were able to start classes. Since that has been waived, I think Sailors should take advantage of it while they can.” Each university representative provided free gifts, brochures and other memorabilia advertising their school. That memorabilia was distributed out to less than 200 servicemembers as they meandered through the career fair on Tuesday. University booth representatives, however, still considered the event successful. “Even if we had one Sailor attend the whole career fair and they found something that benefited them,” said Gerald Hert, the education service specialist at Trident Training Facility, in Bangor, “it would still be considered a productive day. I
don’t have any visions of grandeur that I’m going to help every service member I see. I’m looking to help that one, and after I’ve helped that one, I’m looking for the next one -- and after that, the next one.” TTF and the Navy College offer oneon-one sessions in person with counselors who are willing to walk Sailors step-bystep through the process of choosing a university, help eliminate any issues and address questions and concerns Sailors may have. There are currently 42 schools available to servicemembers who are seeking to earn a degree. Sailors are advised to proceed at their own pace and not force the process and risk a negative experience said Hert. Feeling forced to attend college could result in a failure for service members to reach their full potential. “You can lead them to water, but you can’t make them drink,” he said. “People used to join the military to avoid having to go to college,” explained Ens. Eric Ehley, Nimitz’s educational services officer. “But in this day in age, it’s inspiring to see many young Sailors taking an interest and moving forward in their education. It didn’t always use to be that way.” In today’s Navy, education has become a key factor to success Ehley said. Sailors are being advised from all angles to pursue a higher education, if not for personal goals, then for Naval advancement and new Perform to Serve regulations. A higher education will provide an advantage and an edge not only in the military but in the
civilian workforce. When you’re going up and competing against that other guy with a degree, you’re going to need the edge of being prior enlisted, with on the job training, plus a degree, he said. “It’s really not that complicated to start going to college,” said Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class David Shamieh, from the Nimitz engineering department. “You just have to start talking to someone that knows the process and work on the steps to get started. It seems overwhelming because there are so many different universities and degrees on top of starting tuition assistance. You just have to sit down and consider the pros and cons of going for the degree you’re considering. Once you start doing that foot work, it all begins to come together and starts to make sense.” Information on how to begin the process of gaining a secondary with the Trident Training Facility visit https://www.netc. navy.mil/centers/slc/ttfbangor/. “Even if you don’t know what path you are going to take, learning something new every day will help you in life,” said Ehley. “Further your knowledge and embrace the opportunity to allow the Navy to pay for your college. It’s never too early or too late.” Gerald Hert and other education counselors can be contacted at the command office of the facility on the 2nd Deck of the TTF building in the “G Section” in room 201, (360) 315-2000. Or visit the building at 2000 Thresher Avenue, Silverdale, Wa. 98315.
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Nimitz News
July 7, 2011
The Olympic Shores of
Washington
Washington State may be known for its cold climate and unpredictable weather, but one aspect that’s often left out of the equation is the Olympic Peninsula coastline. Although located a considerable distance from here, Washington’s beaches are some of the most beautiful destinations in the state and are certainly worth a visit. Story and photos by MC3 Ian Cotter
July 7, 2011
F
ourth of July Weekend and the first thing on my mind was fireworks. There were certainly many places to go to see them, from coordinated shows to backyard barbecue displays, but I wanted it to be special. It was my first Independence Day in Washington. I had heard that the best fireworks display was on the beach, so I headed West to find out for myself how spectacular the fireworks out there really were. The leisurely drive through the Olympic countryside was nothing less than breathtaking. Winding roads weaved through the rolling hills. The trees were lush and green and swept up the mountainsides reaching for the summit. Along the side of the road, street vendors sold fresh produce and fireworks. Soon the smell of the salty sea breeze blew through the open window. I was getting close to the coast, but I still couldn’t see the ocean. A peculiar sign up ahead drew my attention: Roosevelt Beach Access. ¼ Mile. Beach access? I was in the middle of the untamed wilderness. How could there be a beach? Nevertheless, a quarter of a mile up, I took the left turn and surprisingly the road opened up to reveal the vast Pacific Ocean before me. As I looked back, I realized that the thick Greenbelt forest was cut off by steep bluffs at the edge of the sand. A walk along the beach revealed that it was littered with sand dollars. Most of them were crushed but some were perfectly intact. There weren’t that many people on the beach. A few cars were scattered across
Nimitz News
the sand where people had parked and prepared to launch fireworks when the sun went down. Overhead, a Bald Eagle soared to a rocky outcropping in the sea to feed a nest of hatchlings. It was then I felt that it was time to be fed, so I walked back to the car to begin searching for a place to eat. Only 20 miles south was the town of Ocean Shores. The town was modest; not very flashy like the beach towns of Southern California. Instead, small shops lined a short main street selling ice cream, kites, fireworks and even rentals for gocarts and beach buggies. I stopped into one of the local sweet shops to purchase some taffy. Waiting in line, I heard the pops and cracks of fireworks overhead. The show was about to begin, and I quickly headed back to the beach. I was astonished by the casual free nature of the beach. Most other beaches I’ve been to have stringent regulations for oceanside fun but on Washington beaches you can drive on the sand, launch fireworks, and not have to worry about a long list of “do’s” and “don’ts”. My car splashed along the
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shore as I chased the swells in and out from the sea. I finally found a good parking spot on the sand and got out to watch the show. The sky glowed a magnificent red as the sun dipped below the horizon. I was one of the last people in the continental U.S. to see the end of another bright day at the edge of the Pacific Northwest wilderness. When the sky finally fell blue, then grew dark, all of the privately bought fireworks screamed out over the open water. The sky lit up again, this time bright and colorful with the patriotic spirit of hundreds of Americans contributing to one of the most amazing fireworks displays I’d ever seen. As the sea lit up with the reflections of red, white and blue hues I knew that I’d finally gotten the fireworks show I so desperately craved for Independence Day.
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Nimitz News
July 7, 2011
The Price of Tardiness: The Dental Dilemma Sailors charged for missing appointments By MCSA Ventura II
Alexander
It’s no secret that Dental readiness is a crucial element to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors. As the ship continues its Docking Planned Incremental Availability many appointments have been moved off base to achieve this readiness. However, it’s the Sailors responsibility to make these appointments on time. Sailors who fail to report to their off-base dental appointments will be charged a fee and reprimanded by the command. “The dental offices off base are losing money when Sailors are not showing up for their appointments,” Corpsman 3rd Class Ericka Williams and Cmdr. Jeff Jorden perform a routine mouth cleaning on June 30. Photo by said Chief Hospital Hospital MC3(SW) Thomas Siniff. Corpsman (SW/FMF) David P. Cunningham, dental “Ultimately we are all adults. It’s your increased workloads for ship’s dental department leading chief petty officer. responsibility as a Sailor to get there,” said department, said Aschnewitz. “Up until now they were not charging us, Cunningham. “The chain of command “When a Sailor misses their appointment but because this has become an increasing encourages the responsibility to be that it takes time away from the dental problem they are going to start charging of officers and chiefs to make sure their department,” said Aschnewitz. “ We get a Sailors.” Sailors are at their appointments, but at call from the out of town provider, then we Five to 10 Sailors a week are not the end of the day the bottom line is that have to pull the service member’s records reporting to their off-base appointments, Sailor is responsible to be where they are in order to find out what they need and how said Cunningham. supposed to be.” much it’s going to cost the patient, after “When you step on board you sign The command stresses Sailors to receive that we have to call that patient’s chain a statement saying ‘if you miss an their dental treatment in order for them of command for them to track down that appointment your chain of command will to receive health care they need and to Sailor. That patient has to come down here be notified and If you miss two it can be prevent any problems from becoming into and talk to one of our senior leadership punishable under the UCMJ (Uniform a medical issue, said Cunningham. personnel and explain why they couldn’t Code of Military Justice) and can go to “Sometimes these dental issues can be make it to their appointment. After all that NJP (Non-Judicial Punishment),’” said serious such as wisdom teeth coming in we have to schedule another appointment. Cunningham. “If you miss an appointment and we don’t want anyone to be in any It can waste 15 minutes to an hour of our out in town the dental facility can legally pain,” said Cunningham. “Sometimes day for each patient.” subject you to pay a fee. Fees depend on cosmetic issues could be fixed such as a Sailors who need to reschedule or cancel the slated time block. One hour could cost Sailor missing a front tooth. their dental appointments must notify ship’s 90 to 115 dollars. A two-hour time block “I want Sailors to understand that if they dental department on the crew messing can go up to 300 dollars.” are having trouble getting to appointments and berthing barge at least 24 hours in Failing to report to an appointment is a because they don’t have a vehicle or their advance. violation of the UCMJ under Article 86, chain of command isn’t supporting them, “Sailors must have a legitimate reason unauthorized absence from your place of they need to contact us so we can support why they need to reschedule or cancel duty, said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class them,” said Cunningham. an appointment such as last minute TAD Petty Officer Rachel N. Aschnewitz. Sailors must show up to their (Temporary Assigned Duty), family issues “Not showing up to an appointment appointments 15 minutes early to complete or school openings,” said Cunningham. is like not showing up to watch,” said paperwork and be in proper civilian attire, “We can justify those reasons but it has to Aschnewitz. ”If you miss it twice you’ll said Aschnewitz. be at least 24 hours prior. If it’s not within go to captain’s mast. That appointment is Additionally, missed appointments mean 24 hours you could be charged a fee.” your place of duty.”
July 7, 2011
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USO brings Gary Sinese to Bremerton Story and photos by MC3 Ian Cotter
Gary Sinese and the Lieutenant Dan Band performed at the Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton parade field Tuesday as part of a show the USO put on for military members and families. Gary Sinese, the actor from Forrest Gump, Apollo 13 and CSI: New York, headed the band and played bass. “It’s an outstanding show,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Lawrence Perlman, one of the Nimitz Sailors who attended the concert. “I used to go (to USO shows) all the time in Japan and it was always a good time. It’s good that the USO is willing to put on an event here in Bremerton.” The parade field was filled with lawn chairs, blankets, and families when the band began to play. The event also featured games and an inflatable moon-bounce for children, as well as a beer garden for adults. The band played plenty of covers of popular songs and engaged
the audience by singling out individuals to sing and dance. They also invited certain members of the audience to the stage including all of the children at one point. Gary Sinese and the Lieutenant Dan Band played for a full two hours. Even Sailors who didn’t intend to go to the show found their way to the parade field. “I was walking back from the gym and I heard the band, so I decided to check it out,” said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Christian Deknikker, another Nimitz Sailor. “I didn’t know it was going to be this fun.” Even after the sun had gone down, there were plenty of excited patrons still living it up on the parade field. “I feel like I’m back at home with a little summer concert,” said Deknikker. “It’s kind of nice to just relax.” As the concert came to a close, Sinese expressed his respect for the military. “You guys are a unique bunch of folks,” said Sinese. “(The band) thanks you for your service and may God bless America.”
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Nimitz News
THURSDAY, JULY 7 KENT CORNUCOPIA DAYS STEAK AND BREW @SAM ADAMS 1700-2000 YOGA, WEST CONCORSE, FREE 1645 SPIN, WEST CONCORSE, FREE 1800 FRIDAY, JULY 8 NW TRAILRIDERS MT ST HELENS BSBNKOTB CONCERT KENT CORNUCOPIA 2 FOR 1 MT. BIKE RIDE RENTAL @ EPO (BANGOR) SATURDAY, JULY 9 YELLOW ASTER BUTTE HIKE, 0700 WHITEWATER RAFTING STORM VS L.A. CRYSTAL MT. GONDOLA ELWOOD POINT FREE SUNDAY, JULY 10 RAT CITY ROLLER GIRLS NIMITZ PAINTBALL TRIP SEATTLE DRAGON FESTIVAL CAMP MCKEAN FAMILY FUN DAY! NOON-1700
July 7, 2011
MONDAY, JULY 11 STEP WEST CONCORSE FREE 1645 SUMMER CAMP: BUILDERS IN MOTION TUESDAY, JULY 12 SEATTLE STORM VS DC YOGA, WEST CONCORSE, FREE 1645 SPIN, WEST CONCORSE, FREE 1800 ZUMBA, WEST CONCORSE, FREE 1800 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 GATTI CIRCUS EVENING PADDLE MT. ST. HELENS JUBILEE DAYS FHOOD HEAD DRAGON EVENING KAYAK