Rough Rider

www.roosevelt.navy.mil

FOC’SLE TRAINING TR Sailors drop anchors aweigh

October 5, 2012

ONE STEP CLOSER Ship’s laundromat open for business

Story and photos by MC3 Katie Lash USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

O

perational readiness has always been of high importance to the crew stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), however, as the ship enters its last year of refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), training becomes more important and more frequent.

Part of this training means making sure our equipment runs properly. The engineering and deck departments aboard TR participated in the second anchor training Oct. 3 in the foc’sle as part of TR’s push to become operational and return to the fleet. The starboard side anchor was raised

RAISING ANCHORS

TR SAILORS TRAIN IN FOC’SLE

and lowered twice to see what problems, if any, would arise.

Although maintenance and training are routinely conducted on the anchor, windlass and break system, dropping the anchor is not something that is done every day. During this evolution, Sailors received crucial training and experience.

“We need to get everyone in the department trained,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Tanesha Washington. “This exercise is good hands on training for new peoplewho haven’t been out to sea.”

Like Washington, others were also

Chief Machinist's Mate Phillip Thomas and Machinist's Mate Fireman Julia Gardner participate in an anchor and wildcat training exercise aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Oct. 3 allowing new Sailors the opportunity to work toward their anchor windlass qualifications.

Page 2

given the opportunity to participate in the previous anchor training. However, they are still learning and working on their qualifications.

“I really like the whole system and how it works,” said Machinist Mate Fireman Julia Gardner. “I want to learn about it more in depth and finish my windlass quals.”

The training also included working on crucial communication skills that must occur between the different levels while it is being lowered and raised.

Engineman 3rd Class John Beach and Engineman 3rd Class Michael Fisher helped in lowering and raising the anchor at a controlled pace, and are the only two Sailors on the ship qualified to operate the Wildcat and brakes. They worked from the engine room which sits on the level below the Foc’sle and also trained new Sailors hoping to become qualified as well.

“We do a lot of training and maintenance to keep the Wildcat operational,” said Beach. “There is a lot of risk involved in raising and lowering the anchor. A lot of things could go wrong. Someone may lose control of the break or anchor.”

Although there is some risk involved in the process of dropping anchor, Beach said that training, maintenance and casualty control are done in order to prevent any mishaps.

Story and photos by MC2 (SW) Austin Rooney USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

W

KEEPING IT CLEAN

TR’ s SELF-SERVE LAUNDRY OPENS

ashers and dryers hummed to life aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Oct. 3 as Supply Department’s S-3 Division officially re-opened the ship’s self-serve laundry facility.

When Sailors first began moving back aboard the ship, which is in its final year of Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, they were faced with many challenges – one of which was the lack of laundry facilities onboard.

This meant these Sailors had to utilize off-ship laundromats where they would pay for their clothes to be cleaned.

Now there are 21 brand new dryers and 15 washing machines available to the crew from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and then after working hours from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“This will make it really convenient for the crew to be able to do their laundry,” said Senior Chief Ship’s Serviceman (SW/AW) Sharon Franck, S-3 Division’s leading chief petty officer.

S-3 Division took over the facility from shipyard contractors in early August, and has been working hard in order to open it on time. In addition to the washers and dryers, the completely refinished space has brand new decking, a new American flag-painted folding table, a TV, and chairs.

“It really came out great, it looks outstanding,” said Franck.

A

Story and photo by MCSN Casey Cosker USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

viation Ordnanceman 1st Class (SW/ AW) Darius Christian assumed the role of USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) president Sept. 20.

“My peers voted me in,” Christian said.

“I’m known around the ship. People know who I am and what I stand for.”

Christian assumes the role of president from Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/SW) Jason Etheridge, who had high words of praise for his successor.

“He’s the most qualified Sailor for the job,” Etheridge said.

Likewise, Christian had good things to say about his fellow first class petty officers.

“There’s nothing wrong with the mess right

“Having chairs in our facility will make it so Sailors can sit down and study while they wait for their laundry to finish.”

Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Chase Mabry, a laundry operator assigned to S-3 Division, said the division had to stay late to finish the facility, but it was worth it in the end.

“It looks a whole lot better,” said Mabry. “It’s going to be great being able to wash clothes on the Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Chase Mabry utilizes TR’s new self-serve laundry ship.” facility Oct. 3.

Because of the division’s hard work, Franck said the laundry facility opened on time without complications. Franck, who also lives aboard the ship, said she is proud of her Sailors for their work and is excited to be able to use the machines to wash her own clothes.

“We couldn’t have gotten it open without help from every Sailor in this division,” said Franck.

The self-serve laundry facility is located at 4-235-1-Q, and is intended for civilian attire, PT gear, and undergarments only.

NEW FCPOA PRESIDENT AO1 CHRISTIAN ASSUMES THE ROLE now,” he said. “We’re looking good. We could use a little more support, but that’s what we’re going to work on. My focus is going to be on getting more of us involved.”

Christian said he wants the organization to donate to and visit with unfortunate children, beautify the Newport News community, and make TR look good as a command. To accomplish this, he said he would like to ask more Sailors to join the organization.

“Come see us if you’re a first class out there and you’re looking for something to do,” he said. “We’re all busy. We all have jobs and collateral duties we want to do, but come join this mess, and let’s take this ship out of the yards right. Let’s get our Sailors engaged and move this ship forward.”

Page 3

MCPON BUSHEY opens TR’ s

chief ’ s mess

T

Story and photos by SN Eric Norcross USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

he chief’s mess aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) hosted a re-opening day celebration Oct. 1 for the first time in more than three years and served a special meal to TR chiefs.

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Duane Bushey, the first command master chief assigned to TR, attended the opening alongside members of TR’s current chief’s mess.

“The original mess was all gray, everything was bolted to the floor, and the only food we could have was deep-fried food we

made in the back. It wasn’t very pretty,” said Bushey. “When I walked in here today, my first thought was, ’Wow!’ It’s incredibly humbling to see how far we’ve come.”

Supply Department Sailors and shipyard workers have been working to complete the chief’s mess for the past three years.

Hundreds of man-hours later, culinary specialists were ready to prepare the first meal and invite their intended customers back into the mess for lunch.

“There was a lot of hard work and long hours,” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Tina Peart, a chief’s mess cook. “We were working on the weekends getting everything ready to go for today.”

The completely redesigned chief’s mess features a conference room, a large dining area, and a movie theater.

One of the features Supply Department was most proud of was the new smart board in the conference room.

“It’s pretty well-designed. You really don’t get the feeling of being on a ship when you’re down there,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Michael Brinkman, Supply Department’s galley production and maintenance chief. “It’s a place where the chiefs can go to get away and relax.”

While some chiefs have been waiting years to eat on their own mess, for newly pinned chiefs like Chief Interior Communications Electrician (SW/AW) Derek Johnson, it was their first time to ever eat on a chief’s mess.

“It’s like a five-star restaurant,” said Johnson. “It’s very open and organized. I see us being able to become close because it’s a good environment.”

Supply Department is hoping to open the wardroom in November, which will bring the ship one step closer to being able to leave Newport News Shipbuilding and enter Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Duane Bushey addresses the newly reopened the fleet once again. chief’s mess onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

LSCM (SW/AW) Jean Heitzman pours salad dressing on her salad in the newly reopened chief’s mess onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

TV GUIDE

CHANNEL 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 22 23 24 55 56 57 60 61 Page 6

NETWORK

CBS SKY4TV TBS The CW CNN ABC NBC COX 11 ESPN FOOD FOX 43 USA CBN MTV MSNBC WEATHER AMC SPIKE IN SESSION HISTORY BRAVO

CHANNEL NETWORK 62 63 64 66 67 68

TRAVEL SPEED FOX NEWS TNT VH1 FOOD

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84

FOX MOVIE ESPN 2 COMEDY CENT A&E SYFY FX DISCOVERY NAT GEO UNIVISION BET TV LAND NFL NETWORK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Staff Commanding Officer Capt.

William Hart Executive Officer Cmdr. Mark Colombo Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Evans Media Officer Lt. j.g. Michael Larson Senior Editor MCCS (SW/AW/EXW) David Collins Editor MC2 (SW) Austin Rooney Layout MCSN Casey Cosker

Capt. William J. Hart, commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), talks pierside with Sue Dryden, the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness during a shipyard orientation tour of Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding.

Photo by MCSN Casey Cosker

PHOTO FIND Can you find the 8 out of place items in this photo?

1. TR the Man 2. Waldo 3. Dumbbells 4. Earth 5. Penny 6. Playing card 7. Ruler 8. UFO

Contractors work on USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) island.

Photo and photo illustration by MCSN Casey Cosker.

Sunday Night Football Local Channels

CBS (channel 3) Ravens VS Chiefs CBS (channel 3) Broncos VS Patriots FOX (channel 14) Falcons VS Redskins NBC (channel 10) Chargers VS Saints

1:00 PM 4:25 PM 1:00 PM 8:20 PM

Direct TV Channel 75 Channel 76 Channel 77 Channel 79 Channel 80 Channel 81 Channel 82 Channel 84

Eagles VS Steelers Packers VS Colts Dolphins VS Bengals Browns VS Giants Seahawks VS Panthers Bears VS Jaguars Titans VS Vikings Bills VS 49ers

1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:25 PM 4:25 PM

Rough Rider Contributors MC3 Katie Lash SN Eric Norcross Command Ombudsmen April Kumley cvn71ombudsman@yahoo.com The Rough Rider is an authorized publication for the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsedt by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of TR. All items for publication in the The Rough Rider must be submitted to the editor no later than three days prior to publication.

Do you have a story you’d like to see in the Rough Rider? Contact the Media Department at 534-1406 or stop by 3-180-0-Q. Page 7