Nimitz News Daily Digest - April 4, 2013

April 4, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 1

happy birthday! photo by MC3 Chris D. Bartlett

The Goat Locker celebrates its 120th year of dedication and front-line leadership story by MCSA Aiyana Paschal

C

hief Petty Officers (CPO) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) celebrated the 120th birthday of the chief rank on April 1.

Chiefs from around the ship gathered for lunch and to listen to their shipmates speak on what it means to be a chief.

“We’re mentors, motivators and leaders,” said Chief Fire Controlman James Bush. “We set the standards and enforce them.”

While Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Edgar Delacerda spoke on the history of the CPO rank, culinary specialists provided a special meal along with cake for the CPO birthday celebration.

“This celebration was

“We’re mentors, motivators and leaders.” -Bush

different than what I’m used to on [destroyers],” said Bush.

“I could tell there was a lot of planning involved and it was nice to listen to speakers reminding us of our heritage.”

An important part of being a Chief is passing on knowledge to junior Sailors to ensure they continued on page 4

“We ensure junior Sailors get the training they need and that the job gets done to the best of our ability.”

-Sutton

SAILOR DAY OF THE

Story and Photos by MCSN Nathan R. McDonald

Y

eoman Seaman Zachary Skamra, a native of Ripon, Wis., was named Sailor of the Day aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Monday for outstanding work in his department and exhibiting leadership qualities beyond expectations.

“I was really happy when I found out,” said Skamra. “It was pretty unexpected.”

Captain Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, invited Skamra to steer the ship after presenting him with his award.

Skamra credits his motivation to his love for his work.

“I just like doing Yeoman stuff,” he said. “I always liked doing papers in high school, and the work that I get – notices, instructions, awards – it’s kind of similar to that.”

Skamra said his next goal is work on a degree in Business Administration.

“Eventually, I want to get my MBA,” he said.

Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski

Editor MC2 Glenn Slaughter Lead Designer MCSN Kole E. Carpenter

Page 2

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. 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 Sailor:

CSG 11

Blue Jacket of the Year A

Story by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

Sailor on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was named Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 Blue Jacket of the Year for fiscal year 2012.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class (AW/SW) Kassandra A. Rebello, of San Diego, was named CSG 11 Blue Jacket of the Year during a recent all hand’s call in Nimitz’ hangar bay.

Prior to being named CSG 11 Blue Jacket of the Year, Rebello was named Nimitz’ Blue Jacket of the Year for the Air Department and overall Nimitz’ Blue Jacket of the Year.

She competed against awardees from more than ten different commands and four different quarters from fiscal year 2012 to win the title of CSG 11 Blue Jacket of the Year.

“The results took over four months to get,” said Rebello. “It was a long time to wait, but it feels great. I feel like I have accomplished a lot with where I am at now and I can put my awards in my STA-21 package.”

The journey to being named CSG 11 Blue Jacket of the Year has been a long road for Rebello.

“I had to take the test for E-4 four times before I finally made it,” said Rebello. “I feel like that helped me in winning CSG 11 Blue Jacket of the Year because my career was advancing even though my rank wasn’t. I tried to work hard to stand out everywhere. I didn’t like that it was taking me so long to make rank so it made me want to work harder. I want to be picked up for the STA-21 program which is very competitive.”

Some of the things Rebello has done while on Nimitz to make herself stand out amongst her peers include taking college courses, becoming a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim

“

She knows what needs to be done and doesn’t need to be told what to do, she just does it.

”

Advocate, being her division’s command fitness leader (CFL), teaching spin classes out-to-sea on board Nimitz and becoming a qualified damage control on-scene-leader.

“She’s an asset to our department because of her initiative to learn,” said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Geno Shultz, of Mt. Vernon, Wash.

“It’s very refreshing to see a Sailor hit the ground running. She knows what needs to be done and doesn’t need to be told what to do, she just does it.”

When asked what other Sailors can do to make themselves stand out to be recognized in the future as a Sailor of the Year in any category, Rebello says getting your qualifications and becoming involved in activities is key.

“The important things to focus on are damage control, getting your [Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Air Surface Warfare Specialist] pins and finding something that interests you that is also important to the command,” said Rebello.

Page 3

continued from page 1

succeed as Sailors and as their replacements one day.

“We ensure junior Sailors get the training they need and that the job gets done to the best of our ability,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Adam Sutton.

Celebrating the birthday of the CPO honors those chiefs past and present who have dedicated their time to their junior Sailors and the Navy.

“It is extremely important we celebrate the chiefs’ birthday because chiefs are the heart of the Navy,” said Sutton. “The chiefs’ mess runs the Navy. “

“It is extremely important we celebrate the chiefs’ birthday because chiefs are the heart of the Navy.”

The

Chiefs’ Mess

runs Navy the

top:

After the celebration of the chief petty officers birthday, chief petty officers from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) gathered together for a group photo.

middle:

Chief petty officers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), gather together during the celebration of the 120th birthday of the chief petty officer.

bottom:

The oldest and the youngest chiefs aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) cut the chief petty officer birthday cake together with a cutlass.

Page 4

ea inemas S C at

Story and photos by MC3 Vanessa Y. David

M

orale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68) hosted a movie night in hangar bay 2, Saturday.

For the first night of Nimitz’ departure, the movie on the big screen was “Zero Dark 30”, and it was open to all hands.

“We pulled this together for the morale of the ship,” said Chief Operations Specialist Travis Lovegrove, leading chief petty officer for MWR. “This was an effort to create happiness and break up the monotony of being deployed. We hope to bring back things that could only be done in port, such as going to a movie theater and attending fitness classes.”

The event had a positive effect on some of the Sailors and did more than fulfill its purpose.

“It was exactly what we needed, especially after a long day of working, manning the lines and general quarters,” said Operations Specialist Seaman Sackiema Thomas. “That was the moment when we could just sit back and relax.”

Because the setup took up almost the whole hangar bay, future coordination may pose a challenge.

“We’re going to try to do things like this as often as possible,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd

Class Elizabeth Anderson, a volunteer for MWR. “We’re going to work on a schedule to set this up without interfering with flight operations.”

A giant inflatable screen was placed in front of 200 foldable chairs expressly reserved for the crew.

“The seats were low, but they were fine,” said Thomas. “Too comfortable because I fell asleep a couple of times.”

Located close by was a popcorn machine manned by vibrant volunteers.

“I liked the setup for the popcorn,” said Thomas. “That was special and made me feel at home. I wasn’t expecting that underway. I hope they do it more often.”

MWR’s movie library is stored in the MWR ticket office, and a roster can be found at http:// wss:8080/sites/home/mwr/shared%20documents/ forms/allitems.aspx.

“We’re working on listing it on the Nimitz homepage,” said Lovegrove. “With that, the crew can more easily make requests for the next movie night.”

For more information, visit the MWR office near Disbursing.

Page 5

STI Survey Reaches Nimitz Sailors Medical puts finger on pulse of health aboard Nimitz Story by MC3 George J Penney III

S

ailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participated in an anonymous survey, centered around sexually transmitted infections (STI), March 31 and April 1.

STIs are defined as illnesses that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior.

The survey, open to all Sailors, is part of a larger Naval effort to raise awareness concerning sexually transmitted infections and their prevalence fleet-wide.

“We are attempting a broad survey utilizing multiple ships throughout the Pacific fleet,” said Capt. Brad Hale, director Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention. “Gathering and interpreting information from various platforms, will help us improve upon processes

already in place.”

According to Hale, the survey is designed to help Sailors recognize and assess risk factors associated with STIs. An issue that Hale believes is larger than many Sailors may be aware of.

“Hopefully, these questions will force Sailors to think about sexually transmitted infections and the effect they have on the Navy as a whole,” said Hale. “Out of 63 possible infections reported, sexually transmitted infections rank one through three.”

Hale is hopeful that the goal of 50 percent participation for the ship is well within reach.

“The turnout has been very encouraging,” said Hale. “We are extremely pleased with the level of support we have received from the command.”

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Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 7 Channel 30 0800 / 2000 be kind rewind

21

bourne identity

looper

1000 / 2200 austin vantage point lakeview powers: man terr ace of mystery

the guilt trip

1200 / 0000 the spiderwick chronicles

alien

wanted

fun size

1400 / 0200 definitely, maybe

journey to the center of the earth

the hunt for red october

moonrise kingdom

1600 / 0400 penelope

indiana jones: crystal skull

clear and house at present the end of the street danger

1800 / 0600

get smart

the fighting seabees

body of lies

trouble with the curve

TV LINEUP 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23

- 8MM MOVIES - 8MM MOVIES - 8MM MOVIES - ROLLER - DVD TRAINING - FLIGHT DECK - CNN - ESPN - travel - history - amc - cbs - nat geo - abc - a&e - nbc - comedy central 24 - fox news 25 - discovery 30 -DVD MOVIES