Nov. 2, 2012
2012 NIMITZ
Vol. 1 Issue 75
This is the TAO Story by MC3 Carla Ocampo
This year’s goal...
$100,000! To donate contact your departmental CFC For more information visit: www.opm.gov/CFC
Tools For Your Navy Career Story By MC2 Vladimir Potapenko
Designed to provide continuity and direction to Sailors as they navigate the often choppy waters of their naval careers, the Learning and Devlopment Roadmap, or LaDR, is an often overlooked tool that can bridge the seemingly massive gap between Seaman and Master Chief. “A [LaDR] outlines training and education at each pay grade and provides guidance toward advanced educational opportunities, as well as professional certification,” said see LaDR pg. 6
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Andre Taylor directs a fixed-winged aircraft on the flight deck. (Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes) Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clayton White, one of Nimitz’ Tactical Action Officers in his workspace, the Combat Direction Center. (Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes)
“This is the TAO…”
Sailors hear this all the time and what follows usually isn’t good news. Sometimes they are talking about setting EMCON, or full bore and other times they are calling out the infamous river city conditions, shutting down email and internet capabilities. They might be the bearers of bad news, but their job is much bigger than that. In a few words, Tactical Action Officers (TAO) are responsible for self-defense of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and her crew. There are currently three qualified TAOs on board.
“As TAO aboard Nimitz, we are responsible for controlling the ship’s weapons, sensors, and propulsion in self-defense or attack against enemy forces,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clayton White, one of Nimitz’ TAOs. The TAO works in the Combat Direction Center (CDC) under the CDC Officer. “I’m basically the defensive coach,” said Cmdr. Keith Patton, Nimitz’ CDC Officer. “I ensure they have the training and support they need to do their jobs.” The TAO doesn’t work alone; he see TAO pg. 7