Nimitz News - October 27, 2011

Oct. 27, 2011

Nimitz News

October 27, 2011

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Vol. 36, No. 42

3MTT trains spotcheckers for effeciency Story and photos by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

Commander Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Material Maintenance Management Training Team is onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) this week to analyze and clarify maintenance procedures with the Nimitz’ 3MTT. “They’re here to train the trainers,” said Master Chief Hull Maintenance Technician David Conduff. “The training is on the proper ways to do maintenance and perform spot checks.”

The CNAF 3MTT is comprised of 13 people who are training 30 Nimitz 3MTT members who will in turn disseminate the knowledge to the rest of the ship, said Conduff.

“We’re here to help spot checkers and work-center supervisors have a better understanding of the equipment they’re

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Shawn Soule reviews maintenance proceedures with Senior Chief Electrician's Mate Doug Conant, from CNAF 3MTT as part of a training process to educate spot checkers.

performing maintenance on and the maintenance requirement card,” said Master Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Michael Barfield, CNAF 3MTT team leader. “If you know the equipment, you’ll know what the MRC is asking, which will lead to better spot checks because

Exams to test Sailor's knowledge Story and photo by MCSN Jacob Milner

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is quickly returning to operational readiness, and Sailors are following right behind. Sailors are currently being required to complete and pass both a damage control exam and a

they can ask better questions to the spot checkees.”

The training is based around four maintenance items that have been a common failure across the fleet, such as water tight doors.

The training team goes through each step of the maintenance procedures and breaks down what the spot checker should

first aid exam in order for Nimitz to receive crew certification, a mandatory certification for all US Navy vessels.

“The level of knowledge test is an exam given by the Afloat Training Group (ATG),” Lieutenant Commander James Morris, ships Nurse aboard USS Nimitz(CVN 68).

“It tests the level of competency in certain areas. It’s required for all of the ship’s crew to take DC (Damage Control) and first aid

be looking for, highlighting things such as making sure that the item you’re working on isn’t a different version of the same product that the MRC lists.

“We’re going to take all the information we get over these few days and pass it along through our 3MTT to all the

See "3MTT" on Page 12

tests and the crew has to score a 70 percent or higher as a group in order to pass the crew certification.”

The first aid test is designed to test the aptitude and skills of Sailors to deal with a casualty situation, and develops needed skills for shipboard life.

“The whole crew has to take first aid because

See "KNOWLEDGE" on Page 10

Halloween is coming up. Fourty-four percent of all traffic deaths at Halloween are alcohol-related.

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Nimitz News

Oct. 27, 2011

All aboard: Nimitz Sailors move from barracks to berthing Story by MC3 (SW) Nichelle Whitfield

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 MC3 Matthew Patton Lead Designer MCSN Jacob Milner Media Dept MC2 James Mitchell MC2 Vladimir Potapenko MC2 Amara Timberlake MC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 Ashley Berumen MC3 Ian Cotter MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Mark Sashegyi MC3 Glenn Slaughter MC3 Thomas Siniff MC3 Nichelle Whitfield MC3 Devin Wray MCSN Andrew Jandik MCSN Jacob Milner MCSN Alexander Ventura II MCSN Renee Candelario MCSA Jess Lewis MCSA Derek Volland

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors are in the process of moving out of the barracks at Naval Base KitsapBremerton and back aboard the ship.

Approximately 2,000 Nimitz Sailors called the bachelor enlisted quarters on base home since the ship arrived to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility to enter dry dock almost a year ago.

“There are 186 total berthings and heads, and so far, 125 have been approved for use,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Claude Lawler, senior preventative medicine technician and Nimitz habitability inspector. “The whole purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the berthings are habitable, safe, and everything works correctly (lights, water, heat, racks, curtains, mattresses, pillows, heads, showers, and structural requirements are being met, ect.),” Every berthing on the ship must be inspected before Sailors can move into them, said Lawler.

“Safety is probably the biggest thing preventing the berthing from being used. If there is something that could cause harm or death, then I won’t approve it,” he said.

However, Lawler said the majority of the discrepancies he does find are with equipment not working correctly, mostly with light bulbs needing to be replaced and cleanliness of the space. If a space is filthy then it’s going to fail. A space failing really depends on the type of discrepancies, or the number of discrepancies, he said.

With the barracks being evacuated, it’s important for both the barracks move out and the Nimitz berthing

move in go smoothly.

“To date, approximately 114 beds have been cleared,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Sherwin Penaranda, command barracks coordinator. “With the way our schedule is going on, GQ, training, trying to get Navy Fleet and Family Support updates done, and Sailors having to deal with that, along with trying to move on the week they’re scheduled, it can be overwhelming.”

According to Naval Base Kitsap, both military and civilian staff says the Nimitz crew move out of the barracks is one of the smoothest transitions they’ve ever seen, said Penaranda.

“The best part about this being a smooth transition is that Sailors were prepared for the move. They just weren’t exactly sure when we were moving, so what many of them did was completely got ready and packed, so when they were told it was time for them to move that same day or the next day, they could just get up and go,” he said.

Although Sailors are moving out of the barracks where inspections are conducted regularly, they should not expect inspections to stop after moving back to the ship.

“We are always conducting inspections. Berthings are required to be inspected by us once a quarter and the results are forwarded to the Commanding Officer,” said Lawler. “Do not let me catch you eating in your berthing. That’s what the mess decks are for!”

The move is going to end the week of November 15th, said Penaranda.

For more information or questions concerning the move, contact Penaranda at (360) 820-5406.

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.

Nimitz celebrates October Sailor birthdays Photo by MCSA Derek Volland

Captain Michael Donnelley congratulates the youngest (MMFR Steven Danckert) and oldest (Lt. Cmdr. Mike Maxwell) of the Sailors with an October birthday as they cut the cake for the other guests Oct. 20.

Oct. 27, 2011

Nimitz News

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Sailors from USS Nimitz (CVN 68) talk to recruits from division 359 at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. Nimitz is sponsoring Division 359 while going through a docking planned intermediate availability.

Recruits in Division 359 soon to graduate Story and photos by MC3 Devin Wray

Recruits in Division 359 have had a rough time at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes in the past six weeks. Now entering their final weeks, the division has something else to look forward too.

The last group of Sailors from USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrived at RTC during 359’s seventh week of training to offer motivation to the division.

“We were just looking for something to get us through this last week, and I think the visit from the Nimitz really helped,” said Mark Mosbach, a recruit from Division 359.

Both Recruits and the Sailors had motivations for being at boot camp.

“These recruits are here for a reason,” said Ship’s Serviceman Third Class Andrew Ross, Nimitz’ Sailor of the Quarter. “Whether its money for school or traveling the world, I want to help them reach what they’re trying to reach.”

Difficult challenges have tested the Recruits over the past weeks before they can reach those goals though.

“They’ve gone through the processing days so they can move on to the physical

fitness days and they’ve had several assessments,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Prentice Ewing, Division 359’s lead Recruit Division Commander.

The assessments include everything from uniform inspections to live fire gun qualifications, but one of the most challenging parts of boot camp is the fitness assessments.

“Just a couple of days ago they had their final Physical Fitness Assessment.” said Ewing, “We only had one failure.”

The recruits agreed that the number of failures could have been higher if it hadn’t been for the support of the Nimitz Sailors.

“I saw one of the chiefs that came out running the PFA with a friend of mine every step of the way,” said Mosbach. “He had trouble passing before and it really lifted my spirits seeing him pass.”

Between assessments the division has had the chance to sit down with the Nimitz Sailors for question and answer sessions about fleet life.

The Recruits will go through battle stations, their final challenge, in week eight before they graduate. The

Commanding Officer of USS Nimitz, Captain Paul Monger, is scheduled to speak at 359’s graduation.

Cmdr. Charles Morgan stationed with USS Nimitz (CVN 68) runs a physical fitness assessment with recruits at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

Nimitz is sponsoring Division 359 while going through a docking planned intermediate availability.

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Nimitz News

Oct. 27, 2011

Transition Benefits: OCHR Explains Federal Job Ads and Application Process From Department of Navy Office of Civilian Human Resources

Sailors transitioning out of the Navy now have a one stop shop for job advertisements and applications at www.usajobs. gov.

This year, the Department of the Navy (DON) joined other federal agencies using USAJOBS as the single source for announcing civilian job opportunities. Each day, new job opportunity announcements are posted to the USAJOBS database - the central repository for thousands of federal civilian jobs around the globe.

According to Jean Mercer, director of the DON's Office of Civilian Human Resources, HR Systems and Business Transformation Department, more and more veterans are seeking to continue their public service by pursuing a civilian career.

"Learning to read and understand the job opportunity announcements is critical to the applicant's success in their job search," said Mercer. "Having the right documents, matching their military experience with appropriate occupations and paying attention to the details in the job announcements improve the job search for applicants."

Applicants first should pay attention to the job announcement overview - particularly on "Who May be Considered." In order to apply, applicants must meet the eligibility specified in this section or their application will not be considered (information on veteran's hiring eligibilities is available on the Veterans section at www.donhr.navy.mil site). Other details to note are the key requirements to include security clearances, medical examinations, travel requirements, shift work, and more.

Qualifications requirements cited in the job opportunity announcement refer to the essential job knowledge, skills, abilities or competencies required for the position; educational requirements also may be specified. Applicants must ensure that their qualifications noted are contained in their resumes and suitably documented. If educational requirements are noted, veterans should ensure that their educational or SMART transcripts are available to be uploaded with their resumes. (Information on translating military experiences and transcripts is available at the Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) website https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/ appj/vmet/index.jsp; The Mil2Feds website http://mil2fedjobs. com/ and the Sailor/Marine American Council On Education Registry Transcript (SMART) https://www.navycollege.navy. mil/smart_info.cfm.

Many federal job opportunity announcements require applicants, including veterans, to complete an assessment questionnaire. As with the qualifications, applicants should ensure that the responses to the assessment questionnaire are reflected in their resumes. Most qualification standards allow applicants to qualify on the basis of education/training,

experience or a combination of the two. Some positions or occupational series require applicants to meet certifications, licensure or registration requirements along with their experience and/or educational requirements.

Human resources professionals will compare the resume information with the qualification standards outlined by the Office of Personnel Management. From this analysis, applicants are identified who are likely to perform successfully.

The Department of the Navy (DON) webpage for veterans interested in pursuing civilian careers www.public.navy. mil/donhr/Employment/Vets/Pages/Default.aspx not only contains information on the application process, but also provides tip sheets and links to additional resources.

Veterans should first pursue the resources and support provided through their local Fleet and Family Service Centers (FFSC). Resources and information also are available through www.fedshirevets.gov/ or, for information on veterans hiring eligibilities and tip sheets to help with the application process, visit the DON Civilian Human Resources website: www.donhr. navy.mil or the Department of Labor Veterans Preference Advisory website at www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm.

The DON remains committed to improving the applicant's experience, reducing the time to fill vacancies and securing quality candidates for DON positions. Civilian careers in the Department of the Navy offer real world challenges with real life rewards - careers where purpose and patriotism unite.

Additional questions on DON civilian employment and the application process may be directed to DON Employment Information Center at DONeic@navy.mil.

A civilian career with the federal government is one of the opportunities that should be considered by separating Sailors including those affected by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB).

Oct. 27, 2011

Nimitz News

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Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert made closing marks to an international delegation of senior military officers at the 20th International Seapower Symposium at the U.S. Naval War College. (Photo by Chief Petty Officer James B. Clark)

CNO Emphasizes Cooperation at 20th International Seapower Symposium Story by Lt. John Ripley, U.S. Naval War College

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert closed the largest International Seapower Symposium (ISS) in the annual gathering's history at the U.S. Naval War College, Oct. 21.

Speaking to participants from 111 nations in attendance, Greenert reflected on the insights he received from regional discussions at the symposium -- interoperability is the key to the success of global maritime operations; maritime security, including anti-piracy measures, can be enhanced by sharing technology and information; and assets devoted to an operation should match the mission requirements.

"It is clear that exercises and operations together build confidence, and clearly it builds trust," said Greenert, highlighting the value of personnel exchanges between maritime forces and the need for standard concepts of operations.

Greenert focused on three takeaways from the symposium: economic interdependency, the importance of people to interoperability and the value of personal relationships.

"This interdependency and the changing demographics... [are going to] have a huge influence and importance in our maritime security in the future," said Greenert. Global economies are truly interdependent with everything from production chains to cyber domains being connected.

Additionally, he highlighted relationships and partnerships and how they can impact future operations.

"Military-to-military interactions and relationships can have a great leverage particularly in a disaster," he said. "Those

personal relationships make all the difference."

In closing, he reiterated the importance he places on developing cooperative efforts that can help share capabilities, technology, and approaches to working together.

Many of the world's senior-most officers from navies and coast guards attended this biennial event. With 75 heads of navy and 26 heads of coast guard, the event marks the largest meeting of maritime leaders in the conference's history.

Many participants are graduates of the Naval War College's international programs.

The theme of this year's symposium was "Security and Prosperity through Maritime Partnerships." As part of the event, three panel discussions led by international leaders focused on maritime security challenges, responsive partnerships, and evolving demands.

First held in 1969, ISS has become the largest gathering of maritime leaders in history. ISS provides a forum for the world's maritime leaders to discuss common maritime challenges and to promote international maritime security cooperation.

The discussions offer opportunities for future regional and international collaboration in seeking solutions to global maritime challenges.

For more information about ISS, visit http://www.usnwc. edu/iss.

For more news from Naval War College, visit www.navy. mil/local/nwc/

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Nimitz News

Oct. 27, 2011

Cupcak Nimitz News Presents:

Story and photos by MC3 (SW) Matthew Patton

Oct. 27, 2011

Nimitz News

kes

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Def 1: a small cake, the size of an individual portion, baked in a cup-shaped mold Def 2: a beloved girl or woman (slang) that plays volleyball for the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Ever since coming to Bremerton, Nimitz Sailors have been using their off time to engage themselves in MWR-sponsored sports leagues, and their successes have represented Nimitz well.

From basketball to softball, Nimitz Sailors have acquitted themselves well, sometimes dominating the competition from around the area. Next up on Nimitz’ sport slate: volleyball. Volleyball doesn’t really have the same kind of flair for attention like a football or basketball game, but it’s much more black and white in its execution: you either have it, or you don’t.

Nimitz News caught wind of Nimitz having a volleyball team competing in the local 16-team league. Calling themselves “the Cupcakes,” Nimitz News followed the team, composed of ABFAN Lyndsey Reid, OS2 Brittany Coleman, OSSN Jamie Snoddy, ABHAN Jennifer Oquendo, ABHAN Lindsey Brown, and ABHAN Amanda Soliai, through their last three games to see what the buzz was on Nimitz’ most unknown sports team.

I

laugh when Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Lyndsey Reid tells me the name of her team, the Cupcakes. She smiles, but not in a “isn’t that funny” way. It’s more of a “ha ha… shut up” kind of thing. “It was the best name we could think of,” she explained. “There were some other names thrown out there, but in the end we’re cupcakes: small, cute and we have a variety of looks and personalities.” She pauses. “Not in a conceited way, though. No, none of that.”

This is the first I’ve heard of the Cupcakes, or any volleyball team affiliated with the Nimitz. By its nature, volleyball

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Nimitz News

doesn’t come off as a sport that really moves a crowd in the way that a football or basketball game does, so I guess it stands to reason that no one I talked to knew anything about the volleyball teams Nimitz endorses. I follow the team of five to Bangor, where the team they were scheduled to play against were Soliai’s relatives.

“She really wants to beat them,” said Reid on the way over there. “She’s very competitive, like the rest of us, but this is special because she’s going up against two aunts, her best friend and one cousin, so… yeah, some family bragging rights are on the line.”

The Beginning “The whole thing started when I saw a poster in the gym advertising the volleyball league,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Lyndsey Reid, who is also the head coach. “Once I read it, I started asking around to see who could ABHAN Amanda Soliai prepares to serve the (and would) play on a team. Originally, I ball in a game against the Lil' Rascals. asked Oquendo and Brown if they were “We’re Cupcakes, and they’re Muffin down, and they branched out and asked Stuffers,” said Reid with a bit of defiance the people we know, and here we are.” in her voice. “We just can’t lose to them, Their first game came in the beginning and we didn’t. Think about it, it’s a play on of October against the Muffin Stuffers, names and words: they stuff muffins, and the team that they scrimmage against we’re cupcakes. We can’t lose to them, and do drills with… and beat. because if we did they could say that they

Sailors assigned to the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) show their support for the Cupcakes during a game.

Oct. 27, 2011 stuffed us, and who wants to hear that?

We’re cupcakes: we don’t get stuffed.”

Watching the team play, it becomes clear that the Cupcakes are a team built on effort. Diving on the ground, screaming “mine!” for incoming balls (even ones headed out of bounds) and celebratory dances are all the norm for them. This is a team that demonstrates the highest sense of competitiveness and camaraderie every time the whistle blows.

“Everyone is competitive on this team,” Reid tells me. “Myself, Soliai, Coleman, Oquendo… when one of us yells something, the others listen. Sometimes Soliai has to be told to stay in her corner.

She will literally have a moment where she’ll sprint from one side of the court to the other to get a ball, and one of us will have to tell her to ‘Soliai, get back!’

“But I think that helps our team chemistry in a way. Everyone always gives their best effort when we’re out here on the floor.”

But all isn’t always as sweet as their namesake. At one point, Reid digs into one of the players for a play gone wrong.

The dichotomy of being a coach and friend isn’t one she really enjoys.

“It sucks sometimes, you know… when I start getting into their [butts] about something they’re doing wrong, sometimes they’ll get mad. As a friend,

Oct. 27, 2011

Nimitz News

you get offended when someone talks to you like that, and I try not to hurt feelings but as a coach… I have to get everyone on the same level.”

The Team I think this might be one of the most outgoing sports teams Nimitz has put out since we arrived in Bremerton. The minute Coleman sees me, her arms go up in the air like she’s about to tackle me, like my showing up was somehow an insult to her (she did actually rush me once). Soliai screams out “hey M&M’s!” a reference to the fact that I randomly told her to give me M&M’s a while ago and just recently repaid her with M&M’s. The entire team, according to Reid, is incredibly goofy sprinkled with a touch of weird.

“We’re all very goofy and outgoing. We cheer each other on during the games, do funky dances whenever we do something right… it keeps the moral up and maintains how much fun we have when we’re out here. Four of us do Zumba together, and the other two won’t do it because they claim they have ‘no rhythm.’

But we all kind of knew each other in the beginning, so being on the same team brought us closer.

“Coleman is on the same level of ‘weird’ I am,” explained Reid. “She’s just as bouncy, upbeat and crazy as me when we’re out here.” She pauses for a second when thinking about Soliai.

“Soliai is just… crazy… like an energizer bunny. She comes from a family of energetic people, and she’s all over the place. She’s also our enforcer in the middle, like a linebacker. Snoddy… Snoddy and Brown are probably the most level-headed of us. They don’t do the dances that the rest of us will whip out, but they still get excited about the games and anything we accomplish.”

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The Now The Cupcakes have a trend in the three games I watched them play: come out strong and fast, then… not so much. The longer the games progress, the more the frustration sets in on the Cupcakes. “The problem is we always come out strong and keep the games tight,” exasperates Reid in frustration. “I hate losing, and [losing] kills moral, and then I get irritated. I know we’re not at full strength (member wise), but still…”

The Cupcakes have been able to stuff muffins all season, but haven’t been able to find the right rhythm against other opponents. And with various members missing time due to leave or quitting, it’s not hard to see how such a lack of continuity hurts the team.

“Most of the girls haven’t played since high school, and just wanted to get back into volleyball for the love of it,” said Reid.

“Snoddy and Soliai haven’t really played that much until now.

Oquendo and Brown haven’t played since high school, so a lot of us are rusty.

“But that’s okay. Melyssa Patterson, the Fitboss, is going to come out and start playing with us soon, so that should boost our ranks a little bit. We’ve already got a name to go on the back of her jersey: Cakeboss.” (laughs) “Master-At-Arms First Class Edward Obando can’t officially be a part of the team, but he does so much to help us at practices and things like that, so we’ve named him our ‘honorary stud muffin.’ Guys can’t be cupcakes.” (laughs) “But we do it just to play. I haven’t played volleyball since college. It’s fun, it supports Nimitz, and we do it for the love of it. If they had a swim team, I’d be on that, too.”

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Cupcakes, from left: OSSN Jamie Snoddy, OS2 Brittany Coleman, ABFAN Lyndsey Reid, ABHAN Lindsey Brown, ABHAN Amanda Soliai

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Nimitz Sports Nimitz News

Oct. 27, 2011

Your one stop shop for all things sports

Game Changer Story and photo by MC3(SW) Matthew Patton

It was a contrast of sorts, like watching the USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) punch itself with its right fist one moment, and then it’s left the very next. It’s a tale of two sides of the same coin, with only one landing heads up.

On the one hand, you have the Five Stars: the crisp blue and white jerseys fused with a plethora of speedy and athletic options, all directed by a guiding voice from the sidelines. It’s almost like Nimitz just unveils her “A” team every time they announce themselves on the field with a chorus of boisterous smack talk and confident smiles. They fly around the field in concert as soon as the ball is hiked, a blur of geometric routerunning on offense and speedy pursuit on defense.

On the other sideline, there’s the Control Freaks: outfitted in various shades of gray, yellow and black... they come off as a ragtag bunch. They don’t have the ridiculous team depth of the Five Stars, so their players often have to play both sides of the ball. What they lack in talent and execution, they make up for

in guts and grit. Sticking to the old adage of letting your play speak for itself, they talk amongst themselves and leave it at that. A veritable working man’s team whose rugged style of play represents the construction hat wearing crowd.

On the surface, the Five Stars had almost every conceivable advantage going in to the game, and if what they were saying (confidence-wise) about themselves had any concrete effect on the game, the game figured to be a blow-out.

It was anything but.

While the Five Stars undoubtedly had greater depth and ability, you wouldn’t know from watching their uncharacteristically sloppy execution on offense and defense. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Claude Blackman, head coach of the Five Stars, could only shake his head in pained disgust as he watched the Control Freaks repeatedly shred his team defense in the first half, including a spectacular 55-yard touchdown run by Machinist Mate 2nd Dino Zanini in which he made the entire defense look like they were standing still. The Five Stars still managed to go into halftime with the lead, but Coach Blackman wasn’t happy with his teams’ performance.

“Come on y’all,” he said to them. “Pick it up out there. Stick with your man. There’s no reason they should be moving the ball like this on us. Get back to playing disciplined defense. I want to start opening up the playbook on offense in preparation for the playoffs, but not if you all keep playing like this. I want a win.”

The defense responded to the coach’s words in the second half, minimizing the Control Freaks big plays and sacking quarterback Machinist’s Mate First Class Rickey Cordell a handful of times. The offense started to click as well, eating up huge chunks of yardage play by play. There were still a few uncharacteristic plays, such as an interception thrown by Five Stars quarterback Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Second Class James Pullom, or an ill-advised lateral on a punt return that nearly lost them possession of the ball.

Mistakes notwithstanding, the Five Stars were able to hold off the Control Freaks at the end for a final score of 28-14. Coach Blackman was satisfied with his team’s performance overall.

“I’d give us a seven or eight out of ten,” he said. “We have a habit of playing to our competition, and I knew that [the Control Freaks] would come out here and score a few on us. But I still expect us to play better come the playoffs.”

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Knowledge: Multiple sources of information and materials available for Sailors to study for upcoming DC and first aid exams

Continued from Page 1 if you can do self aid, buddy aid or advanced care from either a corpsman or a physician, it’s extremely helpful in a casualty situation,” said Morris.

The lack of knowledge in first aid could be devastating in a mass casualty scenario, so the spread of that knowledge and consistent training is essential.

“During crew certification three is when the ship is actually certified to do its mission,” said Morris. “That is a big deal. If we fail that, we don’t get to do to sea. That’s when we run drill after drill and we do a mass casualty which involves 80 patients.

It involves a flight deck fire as well as a hangar deck fire, and everyone has to come together and save the ship.”

The exams are not to be taken lightly, and as such, study materials and practice tests have been made available, as well as other services in effort to train and prepare the crew for the challenge.

“We have done some things to try and help the crew prepare,” said Morris. “We have developed and sent out some sample tests via email, we’ve prepared some pretty comprehensive notes that people could just read through and get the general gist of what first aid and the eight basic wound treatments are and we go

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors perform CPR on a mock casualty during a first aid exercise on the flight deck of Nimitz.

individually to different locations and do training on a more individual basis.”

Before Nimitz can resume its mission from DPIA and sail the seven seas once more, her crew must complete these and other tests along the way. These challenges are being met with ample study material and individual training by the more experienced of the crew and will expedite the training process, and keep Sailors aboard alive.

Sailors collect float coats aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Photo by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Air Department Sailors collect and count float coats. The collection and census is part of an effort to ensure that all Sailors aboard Nimitz have an appropraite life preserver in the case of an emergency situation.

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Nimitz News

Oct. 27, 2011

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Shawn Soule reviews maintenance proceedures with Lt. Carlos Chairez, of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) 3MTT, and Senior Chief Electrician's Mate Doug Conant, from CNAF 3MTT as part of a training process to educate spot checkers.

3MTT: Maintenance personnel aboard USS Nimitz(CVN 68) receiving training and assistance from 3M training team

Continued from Page 1 spot checkers, work-center supervisors and division officers throughout the ship before they come back for the review,” said Conduff.

“We don’t want to validate poor maintenance practices,” said Barfield. “The maintenance person is trying but they don’t always know what they don’t know. So we want to push the

fundamentals and referring to manuals.”

The visit is part of a three-part 24 month cycling maintenance inspection process: the training phase, a review phase to occur in eight months and a full inspection eight months after that.

“The ship needs to last 50 years,” said Barfield. “The only way to achieve that is through good maintenance practices.”

USS Nimitz(CVN 68) Sailor of the Quarter named Photo by MCSA Derek Volland

Captain Paul Monger and Command Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen congratulate the Sailors of the Quarter after their announcement, Oct. 26. The winners are as follows: Bluejacket Sailor of the Quarter SHSN Gates, Junior Sailor of the Quarter MM3 Anaba, Sailor of the Quarter LS2 Tompkins, and the Senior Sailor of the Quarter IT1 Blackwell.