Nimitz News - November 17, 2011

November 17, 2011

Nimitz TNT rocks the Wildcats

Nimitz Sports Page 10

Nov. 17, 2011

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Ship's store re-opens on board Nimitz

Vol. 36, No. 15

Barbershop reopens aboard Nimitz Story by MCSN Renee Candelario Photo by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

Going out in town for a haircut to stay within Navy hair regulations can be costly and inconvenient. Sailors are encouraged to go to the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Rags to Regs barbershop which is now open to all Sailors in need of a trim.

“It’s free, which is always a good thing,” said Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Jared Fears, a barber at Rags to Regs. “Since Sailors are moving back on board and out of their barracks rooms they don’t have to leave to get a haircut and we are offering better haircuts than what you would get out in town.”

The barbers at Rags to Regs don’t only cut to fit the traditional military style, they have the same skill and talent of any professional barber.

“Some people have the assumption that Ship’s

ESO Note

ESWS testing will now be held every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Boards will be held on the 4th Thursday. Contact departmental represenative to schedule.

Ships Serviceman Seaman Nelson White cuts hair in the newly reopened barbershop aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Serviceman are only able to give the standard Navy haircut without having any kind of fashion per se,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Jade Metz, a Supply Department chief petty officer. “I stand by my word when I say I have the Navy’s finest barbers. They have a lot of years of experience, let alone the schools they’ve been to and all of them are working toward their barber’s license. They are willing to experiment and they have the confidence and mentality that if they make a mistake, it’s fixable.“

Rags to Regs is known for its professionalism and the quality of product they produce along with its more than affordable cost.

“I enjoy coming to the barbershop on board to get my hair cut,” said Electricians Mate Fireman Joseph Chamberlain, a Rags to Regs customers. “It’s relaxing and they always find time to fit me in for a quick cut and best of all it’s free. What more can you ask for?”

It is important Sailors utilize the resources that the ship

provides, like the barbershop, to make their lives easier.

Save some money, said Metz.

It’s a convenience factor. Even though we have an appointment list we do a lot of walk-ins at any time. If we need to augment any barbers to take walk-ins, then we will.

Rags to Regs is open Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1400. To sign up for an appointment for a haircut drop by the barbershop at 02-1954-Q and put your name on the appointment sheet for that day.

Nov. 17, 2011

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Quals, training continue during DPIA Story by MC3 Shayne Johnson

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 MCSN Jacob Milner 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 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.

With USS Nimitz (CVN 68) nearing the end of its Docking Planned Incremental Availability period, Sailors need to continue staying on track and motivated for what is to come.

The first step to successfully getting the ship underway again is to ensure the ship is prepared and ready to take on all challenges.

Lt. Cmdr. Charles Jones, ship’s maintenance manager, understands Sailors aboard Nimitz may be getting exhausted after being in a maintenance period for nearly a year.

“I still see Sailors doing great work around the ship,” said Jones, “but they may be getting tired. We don’t have much longer here.”

As of Tuesday, there were still 360 production jobs to be finished before it is all completed, said Jones.

“We need to continue the hard work and complete our start-up maintenance,” said Jones.

“We are pulling our systems out of lay-up because they have been secured for an extended period of time.”

Ship’s force is still working on restoring galleys, ward rooms one and two and small repair jobs such as replacing valves, said Jones.

“I would expect ship’s force to have all tasks completed before the Thanksgiving weekend,” said Jones.

There should be very few setbacks during these last phases of the maintenance period, said Jones.

“There’s always a possibility of equipment breakage,” said Jones. “If we follow tech manuals and operating instructions, we should encounter few problems while we finish up here.”

Jones suggests Sailors stay motivated and don’t lose sight of the goal.

“Getting Sailors quals and entered into RADM, moving everyone on board and acting more independent, not relying so much on shipyard personnel, will help us,” said Jones.

Keeping on track and continuing to work hard every day will prepare Sailors for the upcoming milestones, said Jones.

“Next on our agenda is dock trials where we start up as much of our equipment as possible to make sure it’s all operable,” said Jones. “Then fast cruise, where we simulate being underway. Then sea trials and work-ups to prepare us for our upcoming deployment.”

Sailors have completed about 65,000 man days of work, which is approximately 10,000 more than expected during the maintenance period.

“I am very proud of our Sailors for the work that has been accomplished,” said Jones. “We need to keep up the great work and stay focused on the job at hand.”

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The newly re-opened ship store aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) marks another milestone in Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) ship's store reopens to offer Sailors an alternative to chow Story by MCSN Renee Candelario Photos by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

The Ship’s Mall is now back open aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the ship nears the end of its Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

“Re-opening the store is a crucial step toward bringing Nimitz out of production and back into an operational status,” said Lt.

Nov. 17, 2011

Jacob Prentiss, ship’s sales officer. “As we begin to move out of the barracks and back on board, having reasonably priced resources available to every Sailor should drastically improve morale and increase overall quality of life.”

Having the store back open is convenient for most Sailors because it allows Sailors to use their Navy cash card unlike the vending machines and the convenience store that was located in the hangar bay.

“Sailors don’t have to keep bringing cash to work,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Ashley Miller, a store cashier. “They can go right upstairs to the First Class mess decks and use the ship-board Navy Cash ATM to transfer money from their personal bank accounts.”

Now that the mess decks are serving meals again, the lines to receive food can be time consuming when Sailors are on a tight schedule. The store can offer a quick solution.

“It’s convenient having the store back open on board,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Song Yang, patron of the store. “The line to get chow is long and it’s way more affordable than spending extra money to leave work and get food off the ship.”

The goal of the store is to provide quality products that Sailors want to purchase in order to maximize sales and ultimately be able to contribute as much as possible to Nimitz’ MWR. “Approximately 15 to 20 percent of every dollar spent in the store comes back to the crew in the form of reduced or no cost event tickets to command events and recreational equipment,” said Prentiss.

The store is always open for suggestions and feedback from the crew.

“In an effort to improve products available we recently held a store review on board during which departmental representatives provided much appreciated feedback and suggestions,” said Prentiss. “I also invite any Nimitz Sailor to offer further recommendations to the store using customer satisfaction surveys available in the Ship’s Mall.”

The store is located at 3-148-0-Q.

The newly re-opened ship store aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68)marks another milestone in Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

Nov. 17, 2011

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Mapping out a new course Story and photos by MC3 (SW)Nichelle Whitfield

As USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepares to withdraw from the final stages of Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) operations, the ship’s crew is making final preparations to successfully get the ship out of Bremerton.

Nimitz’ Bridge Team, which is comprised of a small group of officers and enlisted personnel, have been training diligently to ensure the ship successfully performs its departure from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.

To help guarantee the movement is successful, the Bridge team has established a training plan by utilizing a naval ship-training simulator at Naval Station Everett.

“We have about 10 simulators on the west cost,” said Chief Quartermaster Stacey Settles, Afloat Training Group Trainer.

“The simulator in Everett is the only one in the Northwest.”

The Navy requires every ship in the fleet to complete a minimum number of training and instructed classroom hours each year, he said.

“Every ship is required to attend at least 40 hours of instruction per year,” said Settles.

Nimitz is currently training under the ‘Ship Only’ category, which means it isn’t training for mandatory hours, but for extra practice. Settles said if the classroom and simulator aren’t being used for the instructed course, they can be used as much as requested for extra practice and training by ships, he said.

“Training is going exceptionally well,” said Lt. Robert Ward, Nimitz’ Assistant Navigator. “It’s a great way for teams to go in and think about navigation and getting underway without actually going out and doing it.”

With Nimitz still in DPIA operations and being docked for so long, Ward said it’s good for team members to remove themselves from the maintenance mindset of DPIA and think about the navigational side of things.

“We about one or two simulator sessions a month,” said Ward.

“It’s never as good as the real thing, but this simulator gives us

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Nov. 17, 2011

Sailors attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conduct ship movement training in a naval-ship simulator in Everett, Wa.

the chance to look back and reflect on the things that we learned during training.”

The training simulator can simulate nearly every situation a ship can run into during operations in many naval ports, he said.

“The simulator can do regular daytime operations, night operations, restricted visibly, sand storms, snow storms, rain storms, high seas, high winds, whatever we want,” said Ward.

Ward said the training provides good practice for all types of situations that could occur while Nimitz is at sea.

“When we start off with a team, we start pretty basic with it,” he said. “A basic departure under perfect conditions. Then we might do something like increase the current of the water, which will cause us to maneuver the ship to practice compensating for the current changes.”

However, practice isn’t the only thing the Nimitz Bridge Team is looking to gain while conducting training.

“We are trying to build team cohesiveness,” said Cmdr. John Bushey, Nimitz’ Navigator. “One of the reasons for the training is to get the Bridge Team working together, but the other is to give some of the young officers the chance to drive the ship and improve on ship handling.”

Bushey made the following comparison about using the simulator to practice driving the ship: Although maneuvering the simulator is not completely like doing the real thing, it’s like learning to drive on one type of car, then having to only make small adjustments when learning to drive a completely different one.

“When we get out to sea, there will be no excuses for a bad day that results in running aground or hitting a ship, we don’t get that luxury,” said Ward. “But when we get into the simulator, we get the opportunity to re-run something if we need or want to.”

With Nimitz so close to departing its current homeport of Bremerton, the team is focusing on a difficult component of the departure, Rich Pass, said Bushey.

“We want to make sure we are working well together and understand the complexities of navigating safely through that

passage and that together, we all provide our individual pieces to the greater whole as a team,” he said.

Bushey explained that Nimitz, as a carrier, has really deep draft, which means it sits so deep in the water, the transition through the pass must be perfect or the threat of running aground becomes serious.

“Every time we go to the simulator, we run through the Bremerton outbound simulation because it’s one of the most complex things that’s out there,” said Bushey.

Once successfully through the pass, Nimitz will then enter into yet another challenge, the traffic separation scheme, said Bushey.

“Once we get over to Seattle we hit what is called the traffic separation scheme. That’s kind of like getting onto the highway, with underpasses and over passes. For us there are no under passes or over passes so we have to watch and coordinate with the other traffic to merge, and then maintain speed to prevent collisions,” he said.

It is all of those factors that make constant practice so important, said Bushey.

“For my new guys, the simulator is all they know, they’ve never been to sea and have never seen the way the ship really acts on the water,” said Ward. “The simulator is a good procedural trainer.”

Ward said if the Nimitz needed to pull out tomorrow, the team would be ready to go.

“We are always ready and the simulator does help. We are fortunate to have people who were on board before we pulled in and will be here when we pull back out. The simulator keeps the atrophy of those specific skills from settling in,” he said.

Bushey said the team will continue to use the simulator to stay prepared for when the ship leaves Bremerton. He said it’s not just useful in maintaining the skills for pulling in and out of port, but for normal operations as well, which comes into play for maintaining the ships missions.

“We do a very risky job,” said Bushey. “But we are able to do it because we have learned to mitigate the risks. Everything we do on the bridge is a part of a big coordinated effort to complete our mission.”

Nov. 17, 2011

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Back to the Beginning Story and photos by MC3 (SW)Nichelle Whitfield

With winter quickly approaching, and many activities making a shift to the indoors, Sailors are beginning to look for more things to do inside with their families while still preparing to move across the Puget Sound.

While the shift is being made, and families are packed into cars and driven to Everett, it could be a good idea to take a look around Seattle and ask: Where did it all start?

A good place to find the answers is the Seattle Museum of History and Industry.

The MOHAI is a museum that focuses on the start of Seattle’s starting history along with it’s beginning in the industrial evolution that prompted the growth of the entire city.

MOHAI doesn’t necessarily need to be focused towards those who submerge themselves in history, but can be used as a tool to ‘trick’ both yourselves and children into learning something new about Seattle. Let me explain…

Upon introduction, the museum itself appears small, square and boring on the outside, but for history buffs, it pulls it’s weight with providing ample information about Seattle, Washington on the inside. Once inside, the content of the museum instantly demands your attention and the peak of your interest.

Now, I’m a fairly mature young adult, but even I wasn’t immune to becoming instantly engaged on the content of the museum, although, it may or may not have been the small colorful and shiny objects placed near the entrance next to the smiling attendant.

Immediately upon starting my self-tour of the exhibits, I was surprised at how clean and pleasing everything was, including the

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Nov. 17, 2011

School children visiting the Seattle Museum of History and Industry enjoy hands on displays as they learn about the history of Seattle and industry.

traffic flow and how it lead views from once exhibit to another and the lighting of the displays.

Not being overly fond of history myself, the concern of being honestly bored out of my mind occurred to me. I wasn’t.

Amusement was the first thing that I felt. There were children everywhere, a school-bus load of excited children. Children demanding and dragging chaperons to “come see” see displays.

Children eagerly reading information stands. Children interacting with “hands on” displays and both children and adults excited and engaged in what the museum had to offer and teach them.

The “hands on” or interactive displays are perhaps the museums best and sneakiest feature, the most popular being a salmon canning assembly line. It required multiple children to participate in keeping the balls, “salmon”, in motion without dropping one (most of the noise in the museum was coming from this station).

The fact that displays were able to be touched was the most engaging thing about MOHAI. The children simply seemed to forget they were in a learning environment. As they touched a display they would immediately look for the information plaque that told tell them what the display was, what it did or where it came from.

The museum even displayed a scaled down version of part of Seattle and information on the different ‘stores’ being showed.

The most interesting display for me, which held information I had no idea about, was the Great Seattle Fire display. I won’t go into details, but I’m honestly ashamed I didn’t know there was a huge fire in the late 1880’s that destroyed over 100 acres of the budding city of Seattle in less than nine hours, all because of a single pot of glue.

All in all, the museum is sort of a hidden gem for deceiving children into learning about the city. Adults can attend, but the displays and color scheme are obviously aimed at the younger generations, and most likely those who are old enough to read and comprehend information for themselves.

The museum wins points for free parking, providing a student/ military discount ($7), children’s discount (5-17 years $6), free admission for children aged 4 and under, and free admissions the first Thursday of each month. It looses points for not serving food or even having a concession or coffee stand.

MOHAI has entirely too much to offer to try and condense into a single article. For those even remotely interested in learning something about the history of Seattle or taking your children to something they could learn from, I would encourage planning a short afternoon trip to this museum. It could be worth it, and if not, it’s only a few dollars to begin with.

For more information on the museum and exhibits on display, visit http://www.seattlehistory.org .

School children visiting the Seattle Museum of History and Industry enjoy hands

on displays as they learn about the history of Seattle and industry.

Nov. 17, 2011

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Making an impression as an individual augmentee Story by Lt. Daniel Morreira

When we are called to fulfill an Individual Augmentee assignment we often think only of the changes that will take place in our personal lives or the lives of our immediate family. Seldom do we realize that we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others while executing an assignment that takes us away from our regular service and loved ones, our comfort zones.

There is a connotation that IA assignments mean only deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan, but an IA assignment can be anywhere in the world where help is needed. Take for instance Petty Officer First Class Dawit Melaku. Right now, he is representing not only USS Nimitz, but also the Department of the Navy as an attaché to the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Melaku began his IA tour eleven months ago when he first reported to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Djibouti. After three months, Melaku seized the opportunity to extend his IA to help manage Security Cooperation Programs at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As part of his day-job at the embassy, Melaku helps acquire protective equipment for peacekeeping soldiers, establishes virtual classrooms for the Ethiopian Command and Staff College and even provides radios and aircraft equipment

for the Ethiopian military. During his time there, he also participated in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Defense Department HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan to help educate and lessen the impact of the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

While working hard to develop Ethiopia’s military capabilities, it is, perhaps, his engagement with the less privileged local nationals where Melaku’s commitment as a Nimitz Sailor shines the most. Through local orphanages, he has been able to help provide food, supplies, clothing and books for needy families. He often plays with the children or shares movies from his laptop, a device some have never seen before. He even reached back to OC Division to send clothes and toys for the children at the orphanage.

“They were happy for getting what they received, and it was heartbreaking,” he said. “They loved it.”

The impact that Melaku has made during his IA assignment will be life changing for both himself and many Ethiopians.

Maintaining a positive outlook and remembering that an IA assignment can have a positive impact on others is why we should all be proud of the work that Nimitz Sailors are conducting everyday around the world.

Nimitz Sports Page 9

Nov. 17, 2011

Your one stop shop for all things sports

Sailors complete final chance at PRT Wednesday Story and photos by MC3 Jacquelyn Childs

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Joey McGee, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) reactor department, M division, performs push-ups for his physical readiness test (PRT) at the track on Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton.

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Joey McGee, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) reactor department, M division, runs the mile and a half around the track on Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton for his physical readiness test (PRT).

Sailors on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68) who were unable to complete or pass the physical readiness test (PRT) last month had their final chance to perform the test Tuesday and Wednesday.

With weigh-ins happening Monday and the actual test either Tuesday or Wednesday morning, the make-up or straggler PRT was set in place for those who were on leave, just checked in or were unable to participate in the PRT when everyone else took it in October. Sailors who took the original PRT but barely missed either the run, push-ups, or sit-ups, were also allowed to participate in the make-up PRT. According to Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Victor Cadena, Command Fitness Leader One, anyone who failed to show up for either the original or make-up PRT will automatically be marked as a failure, be signed up for the command fitness enhancement program (FEP), and have to sign a page 13.

Cadena also said the command as a whole performed alright in the PRT but there were more failures than he felt there should have been.

“I feel it’s probably due to being in dry dock, being at home,” said Cadena.” Instead of eating on the ship, Sailors have been going out and eating junk.”

He gives Sailors some suggestions for staying physically ready including calculating their calorie intake with help from sites like pyramid.org and just exercising a minimum of 30 minutes three times a week.

“You don’t have to go to the gym every day,” said Cadena. “Just eat right and stay active.”

Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Recto Elizaga, engineering department fitness leader, said although it’s difficult, departmental PT time during working hours can make a difference too since it forces Sailors to be active.

According to Elizaga, being physically fit is especially important for Nimitz Sailors right now.

“This is good for everybody, especially with deployment coming up,” said Elizaga. “We need to stay fit so we can be ready.”

Some Sailors who participated in the make-up PRT were enthusiastic about their own physical readiness and agreed with the important role it plays in their lives.

“Maintaining good health is the most important thing,” said Machinist’s Mate Fireman Joey McGee, reactor department, M-division. “This is the military after all.”

Nov. 17, 2011

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Flying High Story and photos by MC3 (SW)Robert Winn

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Kai Douglas, from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), goes up for a lay-up against the Olympic College Wildcats.

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Nov. 17, 2011

Nimitz Sailors tear up the court in 59-34 win The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) intramural basketball team Nimitz TNT dominated the Olympic College Wildcats during a regular season game Nov. 14.

Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Ernest “LV” Williams, number 24 for TNT, set the tone of the game from the tip off and a run down the court to score a three pointer, the first shot of the game.

“We knew we were going to win from the start” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Torrance Davis, number 00 for TNT. “We had a good footing on defense in the beginning, stopping a few early points. We just took off from there.”

TNT was constantly guarding the rim with Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Shawn Payne, number 12 for TNT, always ready to rebound and make a play.

“We shot a lot of threes and weren’t really too upset if we missed,” said Davis. “Payne was always there to make sure we at least got those two points.”

The game against the Wildcats showed how much practice has paid off for TNT, said Davis.

“We’ve had a bad record this season; we’re at like 2-4,” said Davis. “We haven’t really been consistent, but we pulled together tonight and really took control.”

“By shooting threes, we didn’t get in too much and foul the other team,” said Davis. “By keeping them off the free throw line we kept them from adding up those extra points.”

When the buzzer sounded at the end of the first half, TNT was ahead 28-15.

“Coach told us to make sure we keep our heads in the game and to make sure we didn’t lose the lead,” said Davis.

TNT responded, sticking with their game plan. Every time the Wildcats scored, TNT made a three point shot.

“We started to really play the team,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Wiky Damont, number 3 for TNT. “We’ve had the chance to read the opponents and play them as the Wildcats instead of just another basketball team.”

The TNTs didn’t take their lead for granted and played hard until the end of the game, winning with a final score of 59-34 Monday night’s victory puts TNT’s record at 3-4 for this season. They try to even out their record Nov. 21 against the Casey Bailbonds.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Kai Douglas, from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), dunks on the Olympic College Wildcats.

Aviation Ordinanceman 3rd Class Wiky Damont, from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), goes up a jump shot against the Olympic College Wildcats.

Nov. 17, 2011

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USS Nimitz Family Holiday Party!

On: December 4th, 2011 From: 12 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Puget Sound Navy Museum 251 1st St., Bremerton, WA.

At:

(Located next to the ferry!)

Who is invited: All USS Nimitz sailors and Page 2 dependents.

Meet us in the Fountain Room, next to the Puget Sound Navy Museum, for tasty refreshments!

Tree ceremony for our IA families at 12:30 p.m.

Pictures with Santa from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy craft tables for the kids and explore the lovely museum!

We will have gifts for children 16 and younger!

‘Tis the season to be merry and give!

A donation of canned goods for the food bank is appreciated!

From Marysville & Everett: Take I-5 South towards Seattle/Tacoma.

Merge WA 3 N and take Exit 36 (Bremerton).

Google map for museum: http://tinyurl.com/8a5g8c5

Discounted parking below Hampton Inn, on corner of 2nd St. and Washington Ave. Use Green or Red entrances.

For the $4.00/ day discount, select “Kitsap Conference Center” on kiosk menu.

Google map for parking garage: http://tinyurl.com/Hampton-Inn-Garage

To attend, you MUST register and RSVP on: www.eventbrite.com/event/2491034752

BY November, 22, 2011 WITH the number of adults and children's ages attending.

E-mail your questions to: teamnimitz@yahoo.com