full metal canvas bmsn(sw) anton shafer paints tr back to life
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reezing cold wind tunneled up through USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) hawespipes and into the large open foc’sle. The dimly-light space was cold and still, its bulkheads covered in plain grey paint. Boatswain’s Mate Seaman (SW) Anton Shafer sat alone in the far corner of the space. Completely surrounded by small buckets of paint and a variety of well-used brushes, Shafer faced a plain black chain rest and prepared to get to work. Looking at the darkness before him, Shafer saw a blank canvas. Shafer, formerly a tattoo artist from Wasau, Wisc., is the man responsible for the new artwork covering the foc’sle and many of the other Deck Department spaces on the ship. “This is kind of like tattooing a person,” said Shafer. “This ship is just as much alive as the Sailors who are stationed aboard it.” Shafer is starting out with traditional boatswain’s mate sym-
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Story and photos by MC2(SW) Austin Rooney
bols, such as enlisted surface warfare devices and crossed anchors, but he said since he began painting he has already received requests from other Sailors on the ship for their own custom artwork in their spaces. Many of his shipmates have asked why Shafer spends his time painting these pieces of art. The answer is simple, because he enjoys it and because he wants others to enjoy it too. “Our first lieutenant walked into the space and said, ‘wow, I was having a bad morning until I came up here – this place looks awesome,’” said Shafer. “I really hope it will make a lot of people’s days when they see how far this space has come.” Shafer touched his brush firmly onto the cold steel in front of him, making confident strokes as he slowly brought his art to life. Although he will admit he is new to painting on steel, Shafer has been drawing and painting since he was a child. “Me and my Pops would always be down in the basement, and he’d teach me about art and how to draw,” said Shafer. “He worked his butt off in a factory and always hated it. I knew I didn’t want to end up like that, just working to get by.” From there, Shafer applied his art skills to tattooing. When his shop closed down, he joined the Navy, partially because of the unique history the service has always shared with art. “The Navy is all about tradition, and art is a huge part of that,” said Shafer. “Many traditional tattoos are Navy-inspired, and have a history of Sailors getting them. A lot of famous tattoo artists like Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry got their start by tattooing Sailors and doing tattoos in port towns where Navy ships would pull in.”
As long as there’s a keel being laid I’m sure there’s art on it somewhere.
-BMSN(SW) Anton Shafer
As Shafer began blending his colors using a rag, another Sailor observed him from a distance. Breaking the silence, the Sailor asked Shafer if he planned on painting an enlisted aviation warfare pin on the other chain rest. “Hell no,” responded Shafer, grinning. While he considers himself an artist, Shafer is still a proud boatswain’s mate and said he wants the art in the foc’sle to reflect that pride. “Everyone is proud of their rate, but BM’s are especially proud,” said Shafer. “We spend a lot of time painting, and this is our one chance to show off our skill and our pride in our spaces.” As Shafer finishes up his design, it symbolizes more than just a decoration in the foc’sle. Three years prior to his brush touching down on the metal chain rest, this same foc’sle was being torn apart, its paint grinded and sanded down to bare steel. TR has endured constant renovation throughout its time in refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in the shipyard, and the cosmetic touches Shafer is painting on its frame means the ship is nearing completion. After working long hours to ensure the ship is ready to deploy once again, Shafer said his art is a way for him to leave his mark and to contribute to Navy history. “I’ve put my fair share of blood, sweat and tears into this ship,” said Shafer. “This is my way of showing that, and of carrying on a Navy tradition. As long as there’s a keel being laid I’m sure there’s art on it somewhere.”
Left above: Some of the paints Boatswain’s Mate Seaman (SW) Anton Shafer used to paint in the ship’s foc’sle. Left below: Shafer shows off his finished ESWS painting in the foc’sle Jan. 9. Left: Shafer shows off some tattoo-style art he drew on a piece of flash gear given to him by USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) damage control assistant.
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holidayheroes
Story and photos by MC3(SW) Brian Reynolds
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any people may ask themselves what they would do when the unthinkable happens. Some probably cringe at the notion of being placed in a situation where quick and decisive action has to be enacted and enacted fast. For Culinary Specialist Seaman Jacob Silliman, Culinary Specialist Seaman Christopher Toledo and Culinary Specialist Seaman Jordan Smith – all three Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) – the answer to this question is blatantly simple. Turning a blind eye to someone in distress is completely out of the question. When someone’s life is on the line, being able to make decisions and execute those decisions at a moment’s notice is imperative. On New Year’s Eve the three Sailors, who were friends from “A” School, prepared for a night of fun and celebration. All three had recently graduated “A” school and reported to TR in the weeks prior. They rented a hotel room at the La Quinta Inn on Mercury Blvd. in Hampton, Va. At approximately 11 p.m. the trio made their way back to the hotel to ring in the New Year at their room. However, what they did not realize is that what was about to happen was primed to shape the remainder of their evening. As the three Sailors neared their hotel, they heard what sounded like a shotgun blast coming from further down the street. “As soon as we heard the loud crash we all stopped,” said Toledo. “We see this car in front of us spin around twice.” A vehicle had allegedly run a stop light and collided with another vehicle. However, this was no normal fender bender. After the vehicle collided with the other vehicle, it spun out of control and nearly collided with a second vehicle. The vehicle then ran off of the road and into a nearby lawn. “The first thing that I saw was debris from the initial hit,” said Smith. “The next thing I knew, I saw the car spin around twice, go off the road and through some bushes.” As the three Sailors stood shocked at what had just happened, they had to make a decision. They could leave, stand by and watch, or help. The decision was clear to the three Sailors. They had to assist. “The next thing that I knew, I saw both of my friends running toward the accident,” said Smith. “I then started to run toward the accident to help anyone out who may be hurt.” “I instantly knew that I had to do something,” said Toledo. “As soon as I saw the car stop moving I took off running towards the accident.” As soon as the three Sailors arrived at the scene, they noticed that the drivers of the two vehicles were injured. One of the victims was able to exit his vehicle on his own; however, Toledo and Silliman had to help the other victim out of his vehicle. “As soon as I was able to get him out of his car and on his feet, he fell to the ground,” said Toledo. “I got him back to his feet and took him over to the lawn where he could sit down. Then he kept trying to get up and walk over to his car. I pulled him away from it before he got hit because the car was still moving.” “His legs just kept going limp,” said Silliman. “We didn’t know is they were broken or what. We didn’t see any open wounds or fractures.” When Smith arrived to the other victim he found the man dazed and unaware of what had just occurred. Smith assisted the victim and called
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911. “I don’t know if he was in shock or had a concussion,” said Smith. “He just looked lost. He kept asking what had just happened.” While Silliman, Smith and Toledo were helping the victims of the accident, they continually saw vehicles pass by. Some would slow down just enough just where they could ease their curious minds and see what was going on. Then they would just pass by. No one lent a hand. No one stopped. “I’m used to seeing people these days taking their phones out and videotaping something like this for YouTube,” said Silliman. “That kind of stuff drives me crazy.” Moments later the police arrived to the scene of the accident. The three Sailors volunteered to continue to assist the victims, but the authorities told them that they had the situation under control and the Sailors could go about their evening. During the week that followed, Holiday Stand Down drew to an end and it was time for the Sailors aboard TR to return to work. Almost immediately the three Sailors’ chain of command received word of the events that had taken place on New Year’s Eve. All three Sailors received a personalized letter from Cmdr. Mark Runstrom, the Supply officer aboard TR. The letter cited the Sailors’ heroism and noted their commitment to the Navy Core Values while off of duty. “The sailors involved clearly demonstrated the Navy Core Values,” said Runstrom. “They displayed ‘honor’ by simply doing the right thing and having the personal integrity to stop what they were doing to help those in need. “Unfortunately, too many people will look the other way when they see an accident or see something wrong ... out of fear, selfishness or laziness.Our new Rough Riders had the ‘courage’ to do what others often would not.Their ‘commitment’ was evident in their decisiveness and how well they represented the Navy and TR, even if that was unintentional.” Having the ability to do what these three Sailors did on New Year’s Eve is not a quality that many people have. The actions of Silliman, Toledo and Smith epitomized the very essence of the Navy Core Values. While others decided to turn a blind eye and drive away, these three Sailors did the right thing. “Honestly, none of us had really thought much of it,” said Silliman. “It was just something that had to be done and we were there. Pretty much everything happened in the heat of the moment. I’m just glad that we were there.”
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Pretty much everything happened in the heat of the moment. I’m just glad that we were there.
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- CSSN Jacob Silliman
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phot 2)
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1) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Airman Jimmy Young helps lower a catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Dec. 10. (Photo by MCSN Eric Norcross). 2) Capt. Mark Colombo, TR’s executive officer, is pinned to the rank of captain Dec. 28 by his two children, Max and Aubrey Colombo. (Photo by MC3(SW) Brian Reynolds).
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tos of the month 4)
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3) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Joe Zavala takes the chief’s exam on the aft mess decks Jan. 17. (Photo by MCSN Eric Norcross). 4) TR’s food service team poses for a photo before serving Sailors thier special Christmas meal aboard TR Dec. 25. (Photo by MC3 Joshua Petrosino). 5) Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, Commander, Navy Warfare Development Group, (left) visits TR (CVN 71) with Commanding Officer Capt. William Hart (right) Jan. 9. (Photo by MC3(SW) Brian Reynolds.
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everyone has a
story
Neng Vang aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) 3rd class (AW)
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Story by and photo MC2(SW) Austin Rooney
n 2008, 22 year old Neng Vang hit rock bottom. He lost his job, lost his apartment, and his brother totaled his car, and he had to shut off his internet, cell phone and move back in with his father. Seeing Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class (AW) Neng Vang today makes it difficult to imagine he was ever once at that point in life. With his brand new third class crows, hard-earned air warfare pin, and confident smile, he comes across as someone who has always been “squared away.” According to Vang, that is not the case. “I wasn’t doing too well in life,” said Vang, thinking back to his days before joining the Navy. Before the Navy, Vang was a self-described loner living in central Wisconsin. With very few friends and no real goals, Vang said he wasn’t in a rush to go to college after finishing high school in 2005, and had no idea what to do. “I was completely clueless,” said Vang. “After sitting around at home for three months my dad pretty much made the choice for me. He said, ‘Son, you either gotta go to college or go to work, one of those two.’ I guess he was right.” Vang’s dad already had a job in mind for his son, the same small plastics company he was employed by. From that point on Vang’s life would be consumed by factory-like work, assembling and working on plastic covers for boat motors. “As the months passed, I really started disliking it more,” Vang said. “My dad had a good reputation
I feel like there has been a major change in me since I joined. I put in a lot of hard work and dedication, and it’s been paying off. -ABE3(AW) Neng Vang
at the company and he wanted me to represent him well, so I came in with big shoes to fill.” There was also good that came out of the job. It gave Vang his first taste of independence, and he was able to buy his own car and rent a small studio apartment where he could live with his brothers. With nothing but free time after work, he would go home and drink with his brothers, something that was becoming a habit. “It was sort of like a daily routine,” Vang remembered. “I had a very tedious lifestyle, so of course I continued drinking. It went from every weekend to every other day, and pretty soon I couldn’t control myself.” Vang’s newfound appreciation for alcohol would end up ruining the good parts of his life in Wisconsin. His employers did not appreciate him constantly showing up late for work because of hangovers, and he was fired. He had to swallow his pride, get rid of most of his possessions and beg his dad to let him stay at home once again while he looked for work. Reluctantly, his dad agreed to let him stay, but only for a month. Unfortunately, at the height of the recession in 2008, work was hard to come by and Vang eventually settled for a job at a fast food restaurant. “I thought, wow, I never would have thought at this point in my life I’d be working at a place like this,” Vang said. “It’s no one’s dream to do that kind of work, to me it was probably the worst place I’ve ever been.” Vang knew it was time for a change, and he had an idea of how he could do it. Though he grew up in Wisconisn, Vang was a Hmong by heritage. Hmongs are a race of people originating from Laos, where during the Vietnam War they fought bravely against the Viet Cong alongside U.S. troops. Vang said that warrior spirit and tradition influenced his decision to join the military. At 4 ft, 11 inches, he was turned down from the height requirement for his initial choice of being a fighter pilot and was told he’d have to choose another job. Not about to just give up, Vang asked if there was any other way he could work with fighter jets, and the Navy recruiters gave him an answer. He waited until the last minute to tell his family about his decision. His dad, never one to show emotion, broke down in tears when he realized his son was leaving town and not coming back any time soon. Vang said he held his emotions together and focused on his next goal; getting through boot camp. Vang stepped off the bus at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill., in July of 2009, and was hit with the sudden realization that things were about to get very real. “I thought, this isn’t just a fantasy anymore, this is the real thing,” said Vang. “After the first five minutes, I was getting yelled at for everything. I definitely thought, what did I get myself into?” Boot camp signaled the end of an era for Vang. Gone were his slacker attitude and his refusal to socialize with other people. Because of boot camp, he learned how to deal with people criticizing him for his flaws, and he began to learn how to get along with others. At first he didn’t know if he had what it took to pass this test, but after two months of intense physical and mental challenges, he was standing in his dress
uniform as a United States Navy Sailor. “It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life,” said Vang. The biggest lesson Vang said the Navy has taught him throughout boot camp, working aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and deployment aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is how to be humble. “If I had to describe my three years in the Navy in one sentence it would be, ‘the Navy is a great humbling experience,’” said Vang. “That’s really all it is. It’s easy to snap, and it’s easy to get mad if things don’t go your way. What’s hard is finding the discipline to accept that you don’t know it all and to listen to what other people are telling you.” Now a seasoned Sailor who has seen deployment, earned his primary pin, and made rank, Vang said the humbling doesn’t stop there. He tries to use his past experience to educate newer Sailors, and to lend a helping hand and a positive outlook to those who are unhappy with their Navy experience. “I see a lot of Sailors coming in now who think they know everything, but they really don’t. They don’t want to be humble, they want to be the big bad guy,” said Vang. “Some of them come from tough neighborhoods and feel like they have to display that aggressiveness here at work. They want to show off and prove that they’re better than you. I just want to challenge myself and humble myself.” As Vang walks around the ship, hanging out with his friends and working hard, it’s difficult to see any remnants of the man he used to be. He no longer relies on alcohol to solve his problems, and he focuses his efforts on working hard and accomplishing his goals. He said he still visits his family in Wisconsin, and they are all very proud of the man he has become. Most of all, he is no longer a loner as he once used to describe himself. “I feel like there has been a major change in me since I joined,” said Vang. “There have been a lot of good things happening. I put in a lot of hard work and dedication, and it’s been paying off.” Vang said his main goals for the future are to continue to set a good example for newer Sailors, and to try to help them assimilate to Navy life like he did. As each day begins, Vang knows he has something to look forward to, and that he has found a purpose in life. “Each day brings a new challenge,” said Vang. “My challenge is to continue to prove myself, and to earn the respect of my Shipmates. I try to reach out my hand to others as they used to reach out their hands to me. At the end of the day, I’m just an average guy, and if I can be successful here then so can you.”
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your navy in the news
Cmdr. Tom Frosch, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, flies inverted over El Centro, Calif., during a training sortie Jan. 15. The Blue Angels are conducting winter training at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, where pilots must complete 120 practice flights before kicking off the 2013 air show season at NAF El Centro March 16. Photo by MC1 Rachel McMarr
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Andrew Cox, from Kansas City, Kan., directs an aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Jan. 10. Photo by MC2 Kenneth Abbate
Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) take part in a counter measure wash down Jan. 12. Boxer is off the California coast. Photo by MC2 Oscar Espinoza
crossword
UNIFORMREGULATIONS
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Across 2) Everyone must wear Navy PT gear for group PT except for special t-shirts for _____. 3) Uniform gloves must be black ____. 5) Flight suits may be worn by aircrew members engaged in ____ during that working day. 7) How many command patches are authorized on the NWU? 8) Sleeve-rolling is ___ authorized in NWU’s. 9) Women’s lipstick colors shall be _____. 11) How many communication devices can you wear on the belt of your NSUs?
Down 1) Men’s fingernails should not extend past ____.
4) You are not authorized to create ____ while ironing your NWU’s. 6) Which color earrings can enlisted females wear in uniform? 10) All units shall wear the ____ as the primary working uniform.
Answers will be posted in the next issue!
JANUARY
LUTHER XO’S READINESS 21 MARTIN 22 KING JR. DAY EXERCISE
FEBRUARY
HISTORY: USS 26 NAVAL NORTON SOUND LAUNCHES FIRST GUIDED MISSILE.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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XO’S READINESS EXERCISE
12 LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY
READINESS 18 PRESIDENT’S DAY 19 XO’S EXERCISE
14 VALENTINE’S DAY 22 WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY 13
ROUGH RIDERS of the
WEEK
Garrett Edwards Seaman
Jan. 7-11
Hometown Raleigh, N.C.
Time in the Navy 1 year Job Title Deck Department Maintenanceman Do you enjoy your job? “Yes. My job is really important to Deck Department, because without maintenance we wouldn’t be nearly as safe at work” Notable achievement “Almost earning my ESWS pin after being here for such a short time” Why did you earn the Rough Rider of the Week? “I always try to stay on task, work hard, and keep a positive attitude when I’m working”
What are your goals for the future?
“Make 1st Class by the end of my first enlistment, get dual warfare qualified by the end of March, and start my degree”
What are your hobbies? Playing
guitar and surfing
Photos by MC2(SW) Austin Rooney
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Religious Program Specialist Seaman Recruit
Nicholas Rospos Jan. 14-18
Hometown Belmar, N.J.
Time in the Navy 8 months Job Title Muster PO, mail orderly PO, COMREL coordinator Do you enjoy your job? “I do. I meet a lot of people, and I get to work with the chaplains, which is a great honor. Everyone in our department is awesome and I enjoy working with all of them” Why did you earn the Rough Rider of the Week? “I try to bring positive energy to work everyday, and I work hard to help everyone out”
What are your goals for the future? “I’d like to get my ESWS and EAWS within the next few months. My main goal is to make 3rd class petty officer.”
What are you hobbies? Swimming, going to the movies, hanging out with friends
Staff Commanding Officer Capt. William Hart Executive Officer Capt. 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 MC2(SW) Austin Rooney Rough Rider Contributors MC2(SW) Austin Rooney MC2(IDW) Eric Lockwood MC3(SW) Brian Reynolds Command Ombudsman 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 endorsed 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.
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