Oct. 19, 2012
2012 NIMITZ
Vol. 1 Issue 64
Seaman Joseph Janelle and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Stephanie George stand watch on the O-10 Level of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC2 Benjamin Crossley)
This year’s goal...
$100,000! To donate contact your departmental CFC For more information visit: www.opm.gov/CFC
Money Matters Story by MC3 Carla Ocampo
There was once a Sailor who started saving when he was 20 years old and stopped when he turned 30. Another Sailor started investing the same amount at the age of 30 and never stopped. In the end, the Sailor who invested early had more money at retirement even though he contributed less money over all. It’s never too early to start planning for retirement and as of Oct. 1 Sailors have another option. The anticipated Roth option for the Thrift Savings Plan became available to Sailors, soldiers and see Savings pg. 7
Away the SNOOPIE Team, Away Story by MC3 Linda Swearingen
The Ship’s Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Interception and Examination (SNOOPIE) team on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) works to ensure the safety of the ship by recording information about a potential threat by air or sea. Members of the SNOOPIE team respond to any potential threats by providing photos and intelligence information they collect from
various areas of the ship when an unfamiliar contact enters waters and air space near the ship. They identify unknown contacts in the air, surface, or subsurface and determine if those contacts are a threat. Nimitz’ SNOOPIE team consists of six Sailors: two from the Media Department and four from the Operations Department. Various positions within the SNOOPIE team include the team lead, recorder, see SNOOPIE pg. 6
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 Benjamin Crossley Lead Designer MC3 Renee L. Candelario
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.
Quartermaster Seaman Joshua Chisolm applies “ fancy work” to a handrail on a ladderwell on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes)
1843 Capt. Robert Stockton on Princeton, the frist screw-propelled naval steamer, challenges British merchant ship Great Western to a race off New York, which Princeton won easily. 1915 Submarine Base at New London, Conn. is established. 1944 Secretary of the Navy orders African-American women accepted into the Naval Reserve. 1987 Iranian oil-drilling platform used for military purposes is destroyed. Page 2
Marine of the Day: Achieving Success Story and photos by MCSN Vanessa David
Cpl. William J. Adkins Jr. , from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, enjoys a day at sea in Nimitz’ hangar bay.
A Fort Myers, Fla., native, now a Marine on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was nominated for Marine of the Day, Oct. 18. As a Final Checker Afloat and flight deck troubleshooter, Cpl. William J. Adkins Jr., an F/A-18C Communication, Navigation and Weapons Systems Technician assigned to the Avionics Division of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VFMA) 323, was able to support and perform all duties and responsibilities during flight operations. During RIMPAC 2012, he got his work center 210 and 220 Collateral Duty Inspector Qualification, increasing his squadron’s ability to accomplish the mission. While standing in as Avionics Division’s Night Crew Supervisor at Air Wing Detachment Fallon, Adkins displayed his leadership skills and technical proficiency. His ability to prioritize all avionics maintenance actions, inspections, and management of 13 Marines increased the job completion rate with no maintenance incidents or loss of maintenance man hours. “To be Marine of the Day feels gratifying,” Adkins said. “I worked really hard to get to where I am right now.” Adkins joined the Marine Corps Jan. 26, 2009 for
the title of being a Marine and the camaraderie. “You don’t find the type of interaction between Marines in other branches of the military,” said Adkins. “We’re brothers.” While on liberty, he enjoys snowboarding, wake boarding and playing sports. During his off time, he exercises in the gym to prepare for an upcoming combat fitness test. Adkins suggests remaining active and energetic at work in order to achieve success.
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Capt. Jeff Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer, names Cpl. William J. Adkins Jr. Marine of the Day in the Pilot House Oct. 18.
Damage Cotrolman Fireman Apprentice Casey Helmer performs an MR1 check on a self-contained breathing apparatus aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC3 Carla Ocampo)
Sailors perform 84-day maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154. (Photo by MC3 Carla Ocampo)
Sailors help with a “push-back� of an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146. ( Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes)
A Day at Sea
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Brandon Salazar, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, performs maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC2 Robert Winn)
An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the Gray Wolves of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 launches from the flight deck of USS Nimitz. ( Photo by MC2 Benjamin Crossley)
Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Frank Spears, assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, cleans an M61A2 gun. (Photo by MC3 Carla Ocampo)
SNOOPIE: Identifying Potential Threats continued from Pg. 1
lookout, and photographer. “The team lead is responsible for ensuring SNOOPIE makes it to the O-10 level of the ship within five minutes, making sure all the gear needed is ready to go (i.e. cameras, batteries and log books) and maintaining communication with the Bridge, TAO and CVIC,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Key, a member of Nimitz’ SNOOPIE team. “The team lead ensures vital information is passed to the people who need it.” The recorder documents all the events and information that are being passed down such as the ship’s distance from the contact, weather conditions, and anything else that is deemed to be important such as a submarine entering waters it’s never been known to operate in. “The lookout is the Sailor who operates the ‘Big Eyes’, identifies what the contact is, what type of vessel, hull number, name, whether or not it has weapons, if there are personnel active top-side, and if the contact is doing anything suspicious or threatening,” said Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Robert Weatherholt, a member of Nimitz’ SNOOPIE team. “While the lookout is yelling all that information, the recorder is writing it down, the photographer is taking images of the contact and the team lead is in contact with everyone who needs to know the information being passed down,” said Weatherholt.
“After we indentify what the contact is, whether or not it is a threat and pass down the information collected to the crew members who need to know what’s going on, we have to disseminate a report to the current fleet we are operating in.” There are currently two photographers assigned to the SNOOPIE team. SNOOPIE team’s photographers must be able to take pictures in difficult lighting situations such as low light and fog and be familiar with the various manual settings on the cameras. “The photographers are the pinnacle of the SNOOPIE team,” said Key. “Without a photographer, there is almost no point for SNOOPIE to exist. However, not every photograph will do. We must take pictures that clearly identify the contact. It’s great that we know it’s a ship, but knowing what kind of ship is vital. Does this ship have something unusual on it that we have never seen before? The goal of SNOOPIE is to find these nuggets of information.” Nimitz’ SNOOPIE team works with the Operations Department, Deck, Navigation and whomever is on the Bridge to visually identify contacts. Any crew member can aid the SNOOPIE team. For instance, if someone were to see a periscope in the water it could be something the SNOOPIE team didn’t see on the radar so it would be important for the crew member who saw the periscope to contact the Officer of the Deck (OOD) immediately to not only help the SNOOPIE team, but to help keep the crew safe.
If you see one of these,
you should be calling 4008. Page 6
Savings: Money For Today And Tomorrow continued from Pg. 1
airmen. The Roth TSP officially launched May 7, but Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) officials decided to split the participant dates due to the different pay systems. “Investing early makes a difference in the future, it is a simple function of math and compound interest,” said Lt. Cmdr. Almond Smith, Nimitz’ admin officer. TSP is a qualified retirement account similar to a 401K. With TSP, all funds grow tax deferred and ending values are 100 percent taxable. With Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), all contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Sailors forgo current tax deductions to avoid taxes on ending values. Roth TSP offers the best of both worlds as it combines the benefits of a Roth IRA with TSP. Sailors can contribute to any of the TSP funds and enjoy the long-term tax benefits. “Basically under the current TSP rules, the money you invest is not taxed on your monthly check,” said Smith. “However, when you withdraw the money, you
will pay tax on the money. With the new Roth option, the money is taxed today and not in the future.” This works well with service members in combat zone areas. Sailors who elect the Roth TSP option will not pay taxes on deposits for the time they are in the combat zone and no taxes on withdrawals in the future. Chief Personnel Specialist Jose Montano, Nimitz’ admin leading chief petty officer, recommends using pay raises and extra funds as an opportunity to contribute toward retirement and savings. “Retirement plans vary from person to person depending on things like pay grade and family,” said Montano. “It’s important to understand how it will affect your income now and in the future.” Montano also recommended that Sailors speak to their departmental financial specialist to come up with a plan that will work best for them. Sailors who wish to switch over to Roth TSP can visit Montano in the personnel office or visit www.tsp. gov to get further information.
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TV Guide 5 - 8MM MOVIES 6 - 8MM MOVIES 7 - 8MM MOVIES 8 - ROLLER 9 - DVD TRAINING 10 - FLIGHT DECK 11 - Fox News 13 - ESPN 14 - TBS 15 - HISTORY
16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 29
- NFL NETWORK - CBS - ABC - Fox - AMC - NBC - COMEDY CENTRAL - CNN - DISCOVERY - DVD MOVIES
Channel 5 0800/2000 1000/2200 1200/0000 1400/0200 1600/0400 1800/0600 0800/2000 1000/2200 1200/0000 1400/0200 1600/0400 1800/0600 0800/2000 1000/2200 1200/0000 1400/0200 1600/0400 1800/0600
Planet 51 Pirate Radio Couples Retreat The Princess and the Frog Fantastic Mr. Fox Old Dogs
Channel 6
Men Who Stare at Goats Twilight Saga: New Moon The Last of the Mohicans The Transporter Fight Club Brooklyn’s Finest
Channel 7
Master & Commander Ninja Assassin Cirque de Freak The Stepfather Alien Vs. Predator Daybreakers
Channel 29
0800/2000 1000/2200 1200/0000 1400/0200 1600/0400 1800/0600
Young Frankenstein The Amazing Spiderman Dark Shadows In the Line of Fire American Reunion
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Jacob Sorenson fabricates a table at sea. (Photo by MC2 Robert Winn)