ROUGH RIDER USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71)
RUSSELL EGNOR NAVY MEDIA AWARD WINNING
MARCH 21, 2014
photos from AROUND THE SHIP By Theodore Roosevelt Media Department
Sailors aid in offloading an aircraft crash and salvage crane from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Liaghat)
TR MEDIA
WINS BIG AT RUSSELL EGNOR
NAVY MEDIA AWARDS T By MC3 (SW) Heath Zeigler
he Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards (NMAs) recognize U.S. Navy Active Duty, Reserve and Civilian communication professionals assigned to Navy units. These awards are designed to push the individual’s talents and capabilities to the limit, producing the best possible entry they can. Hundreds of entries are submitted for various categories from personnel across the fleet. Submissions can be submitted for a variety of categories, such as a ship’s paper or a hand drawn Christmas card. The entries must have been completed and published from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of that year’s award cycle. Sailors in any rate are encouraged to submit, not just mass communication specialists. This year TR’s Media department swept the field and won nine awards in various categories. Below are some of the entries that won awards, including TR’s very own newspaper the Rough Rider, making it the best in the fleet. TR’s Media department continues to put it’s best foot forward by keeping its skills sharp and making it’s namesake proud. NMAs are just one of many examples that make TR shine.
TR award winners:
Production Excellence Award: MC2 Katie Lash - Outstanding New Graphic Artist
Unit Awards: 1st Place Funded News Publication
Rough Rider
1st Place Outstanding Digital Communication Campaigns
Norfolk Bound: TR Returns to the Fleet
Individual Awards: MC3 Timothy Haake - 3rd Place Graphics Illustration
Media Department Christmas Card
MC2 Sean Weir - 1st Place Graphics Information
Mental Health Pinball
MC2 Katie Lash - 2nd Place Graphics Information
Happy Birthday TR
MC2 Katie Lash - 3rd Place Graphics Publication
Year in Photos
MCSN Anthony Hilkowski - 2nd Place Photo Portrait
On Watch
MCSN Bounome Chanpouang - 1st Video Feature
Peter the Painter
WHO IS RUSSELL EGNOR?
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uss Egnor entered the Navy in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, 1954 and completed Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. After serving 18 months in shore patrol, he transferred to Kodiak, Alaska and served with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network there until 1958. He then reported to Great Lakes for Journalism School and upon completion, transferred to the Navy’s Military Sea Transportation Service, today’s Military Sealift Command. In December 1960, Egnor reported for duty aboard the heavy cruiser USS Helena (CA 75) homeported in San Diego. He was later transferred to Staff, Commander 1st Fleet aboard Helena and then to USS Saint Paul (CA 73) when Helena was inactivated. Egnor transferred to the Chief of Navy Information in 1963 where he served on the News Desk and in the News Photo Division. He was one of the only enlisted journalists to serve as a Media Officer on the News Desk where he responded to media queries from the Pentagon Press corps and the national press. During this tour, he deployed on the first world cruise by surface nuclear powered ships. He embarked USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25) and USS Long Beach (CGN 9) to prepare feature news and hometown news stories for the Sailors on this historic mission. In 1966, Egnor was one of 13 Navy students and two Marines selected to attend the third Navy/Syracuse one year program in photojournalism. Egnor graduated from Syracuse in 1967 and reported to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group in San Diego and later to Combat Camera Group Detachment Saigon, Detachment Alpha, in the Republic of Vietnam. Egnor traveled extensively throughout Vietnam, shooting photographs and preparing material on combat operations and Navy life in Southeast Asia for national release. Egnor also served in Seoul and Panmunjom Korea to cover the negotiations for the release of USS Pueblo (AGER 2) and its crew from North Korea. After a brief return to the United States, Egnor conducted a second tour as a combat photojournalist and traveled throughout Thailand, the Republic of the Philippines, Okinawa and Vietnam. For a five-month period, he was the only photojournalist in Vietnam with the Combat Camera Group. Upon release from active duty in 1969, Journalist First Class Egnor
joined the Navy Reserve and served in Public Affairs Units drilling in Norfolk, Little Creek and Oceana, Virginia. He also began his Navy civilian career during the same period with the Military Sealift Command in Washington D.C., eventually being promoted as the command’s Public Affairs Officer. In 1982, Egnor became the head of the Still Media Division of the Naval Photographic Center – later renamed the Naval Media Center - at Naval Station Anacostia, Washington D.C.. In 1986, Egnor became the Director of the Still Photo Branch within the Media Operations Department in CHINFO. While in the Navy Reserve, Egnor was promoted to Chief Journalist and later, Senior Chief Journalist. He frequently deployed with active duty ships to produce print and photo features for release to the civilian media. His last reserve assignment was as the Command Chief for the Naval Reserve Public Affairs Center 106 in Norfolk. After more than 34 years active and reserve naval service, Egnor joined the Retired Reserve in 1989. While serving as Director of the CHINFO Still Photo Branch, he spearheaded the transition of the Navy’s photo program into the era of digital imagery. His early vision of embracing digital photography to document and report on Navy news around the world resulted in wide National and International photographic coverage of naval operations around the world to include operations in Haiti, Bosnia, and the Persian Gulf. The National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) recognized Egnor’s contributions to photojournalism by awarding him the Kenneth P. McLaughlin Award of Merit in 1997. His military awards included the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with one star, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korean Service, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a member of the United States Navy League, Fleet Reserve Association, U.S. Naval Institute, Association of Naval Aviation, U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association and a charter member of the Association of Naval Photography.
Success
Story by MCSA Wyatt Anthony and Photos by MC3 Jennifer Fournier
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ontrol your breathing, maintain good trigger control, stay steady and focus only on your next shot. These are the things occupying a shooter’s mind when he steps up to line to fire down range. “I don’t worry about the previous shot and whether or not it went well or bad,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Peter Hecht, a two year member of USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) Marksmanship Team. TR’s Marksmanship Team has seen a large increase in members from five members last year to now competing with 30 marksmen this season. The TR Marksmanship team competes in local and regional shooting competitions against other branches of the military, as well as civilian marksmen. The team competes against other professional marksmen in local and regional competitions that start in March and end in August when national matches begin. “This training we receive during these matches, we bring back to the ship and pass on in hopes that we can improve others ability in their shooting skills,” said Lt. Thomas Clark, TR’s Marksmanship Team Captain. Clark isn’t just a leader for the team, but is one of the top marksmen in the Navy. He has won multiple competitions, landing him on the All-Navy Team, which is composed of the best bull’s-eye shooters in the U.S. In 2010 Clark became one of 380 Distinguished Pistol shooters in the Navy, and is two medals away from becoming a Distinguished Rifle shooter as well. “I wear that Distinguished Badge with honor on my uniform,” said Clark. The All-Navy Team tryouts are held every year in April. During this time command team competitions are also held. Last year during these competitions the TR
IN
Sight
scored third in the pistol competition and fourth in the rifle competition. The first major event of the season is an inter-service rifle competition, held every year in Quantico, Va. Not only is this a chance for the Navy to show off their skilled marksmen as a whole, but it’s also an opportunity for the Navy’s most skilled marksmen to take a step toward being recruited on to the All-Navy Team. “The last few years the TR has put together a team that’s done very well during the matches,” said Clark. “With the practice here at local intramural matches, I think we have a shot at bringing home more trophies.” “I can guarantee by the end of a tournament you will have increased your score and gotten better than you were on your first day,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shannon Ramey. The idea behind Navy marksmanship teams is to train Sailors in precision marksmanship so they can take their skills and disseminate them through their home unit, thereby enhancing combat effectiveness. “The training they give you really does show results,” said Hecht. “In the beginning I could barely hit a target at 600 yards, but now I can confidently dial in and not only hit the target, but nearly get a bull’s-eye on the first shot.” The U.S. Navy Marksmanship Team, through hosting the fleet and All-Navy matches, works to ensure that skilled marksmen are available for deployment upon every ship and sub in the fleet. “Almost anybody can be trained to do it with a little coaching,” said Ramey. “Just come out and give it a try, and see if you like it.” To join contact Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Benjamin Fritz at benjamin.fritz@navy.mil.
TR’s Marksmanship Team helps sharpen the shooting talents of their shipmates.
LAUNCH THOSE BIRDS Story by MCSN Jenna Kaliszewski and Photos by MCSA Matthew Young
Shooter gives final call for launch and recovery.
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ircraft launch and recovery equipment officers, or “shooters”, oversee the safe launching and recovery of aircraft aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). These officers are called shooters because they give the final order to literally shoot aircraft off the ship with a catapult. “We work in a job where, if somebody doesn’t do something by the book, people can get injured,” said Lt. John Daly, a shooter aboard TR. “It is a ton of responsibility we all accept.” Pilots and Naval Flight Officers (NFO) are required to be shooters during their third tour, said Lt. Olena Krawciw, a former shooter aboard Theodore Roosevelt. At Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment School they learn the basics of the systems and equipment they will work with. “We go through a two and a half week training course that teaches us the very basis of the system that we’re working with,” said Krawciw. Once they reach the ship, shooters have to log training hours under instruction to get all of their qualifications signed off by the commanding officer, said Daly. “We start with arresting gear officer qualifications,” said Daly. “Our primary focus is safety, ensuring the landing area is clear prior to recovering aircraft and that all the wires are set for that aircraft all the way through touchdown.” Shooters also have to let the air boss know if there
are any gear malfunctions, said Daly. “From there we move on to no loads qualifications on the shuttles,” said Daly. “During no loads we launch dummy shuttles or maintenance loads, when there’s no aircraft hooked up. After that you move to the bow as the catapult launching officer and then you become the waist catapult officer.” Once qualifications are complete, shooters are able to begin shooting pilots off of the flight deck. “The first time I shot a plane on my own I was a little bit nervous,” said Daly. “I was confident in the training I received, but I think it’s natural to be nervous the first time you shoot without an instructor watching you. It definitely is a rush the first time you launch a plane on your own and feel the exhaust as the plane leaves the deck.” Pilots learn all about the flight deck and ground crew while they are aboard, and appreciate all the hard work the team puts in. “I love being a shooter,” said Daly. “The best part of my job is not actually shooting aircraft but having the privilege to work with the Air department Sailors on a daily basis. I am truly grateful I was able to work and learn from these hard working Sailors during my two-year tour.” Being the final say in whether or not the aircraft is ready to launch is a big responsibility. However, highly qualified shooters have help from a large crew working together to ensure it is safe to give the signal to shoot the aircraft off the catapult.
Brothers Reunite Story and photos by MCSN Jenna Kaliszewski
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ften times when service members join the military they become separated from friends and family in order to serve, but for two brothers it was their service together in the Navy and onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) that brought them together after years of separation. “When I first saw him it was weird,” said Air Traffic Controller Airman Legend Dodd. “I didn’t know what to say.” Legend and his brother Kyle Dodd separated after their parents got divorced when Legend was in the sixth grade, and had spent little time with his brother since they had been “We got split up as kids,” said Kyle, now a Logistics Specialist 3rd Class aboard TR. “We didn’t see each other again until I graduated high school and joined the military.” Over the next few years they saw each other only when Kyle came home on leave, but they never had an extensive amount of time together. Legend reunited with his brother after almost two years since Kyle had left home to join the Navy, both now serving together aboard TR. Their time aboard is the most time they have spent together since their parent’s divorce. “This was a big deal for me because it’s the first time since probably elementary school that we’ve had an actual full on relationship,” said Legend. He had never thought when he joined the Navy he would be stationed with his brother, said Legend. Yet Kyle being in the Navy was the biggest reason behind Legend’s choice to join. Legend first chose shore duty orders for his first tour out of “A” school, passing on orders to TR, but quickly changed his mind after his mother told him Kyle was stationed aboard the ship. “I sprinted back up to the schoolhouse and had to beg the Lieutenant to change my orders and sign a waiver for me to come here,” said Legend. Kyle found out after Legend received his new orders that they would be together again aboard the TR. “I was excited because we really didn’t have that big of a relationship growing up,” said Kyle. “So this was an opportunity to build on it.” This was the reason Legend chose the ship, to mend family ties. “The whole family was kind of cut off and that’s the main reason I came here,” said Legend. “I didn’t care at first that my brother was on the ship. Then I thought ‘I have to go fix something that’s more important than me staying in
Pensacola.’ It took me a month of being here, but now our family is talking again and everyone is coming back together.” They grew closer with the time they spent together aboard the ship, and both have learned a great deal about each other in the short time. “He’s shown me you can be happy just being yourself,” said Legend. “I use to care way too much about what other people thought about me but I have really gotten rid of that.” While Legend found confidence in himself, Kyle started opening up to family more. “My most valuable lesson I learned from this is not to take family for granted,” said Kyle. They are not too worried about keeping in touch after Kyle leaves Theodore Roosevelt, because he is staying in Norfolk. Kyle plans to have Legend over when the ship is in port. Legend’s choice to change his orders influenced their entire relationship as brothers, and extended even further than that. From Kyle calling his mom, to Legend meeting his nephew, the Dodd family is mending ties and coming together.
The Dodd brothers, separated at a young age, find each other again aboard the TR.
SHIP By MC3 John Drew
shape
Daily
DOUBLE
Getting Organized Finding time to exercise can be difficult regardless of whether or not you’re working. The little time you have to exercise may leave you feeling like you didn’t get the kind workout you wanted. This begs the question; can I exercise twice in one day without injuring myself or having negative effects? The short answer is yes, but carefully. According to a blog post by Navy Seal fitness instructor Stew Smith on Military.com, working out twice in one day or even splitting one longer exercise into two separate ones helps burn additional calories during the day and helps to speed up your metabolism. Don’t jump in without heeding these warnings though.
Day of Rest The key to doing two workouts per day is making sure you take recovery days. Splitting your workouts into cardio and weight training is the
best method of a two-a-day workout s as it doesn’t overstress your muscles and still allow also is It d. burne be to ies calor of er a high numb as okay to run and do leg exercises in the same day, way same the les running doesn’t use the same musc as squats or leg presses do. Be sure to take rest days er in between your twice a day workouts to recov le. musc build and
Storing Energy If you are doing cardio in the morning, it’s important s to drink water prior to the exercise. Eating food de provi with natural sugars and carbs like fruits help energy and push you through your work out. After your workouts have been completed, eat some and more fruit to replenish your glycogen levels ery. recov your d spee and le musc build to in prote do For an idea on some specific workouts you can your g durin e shap ship into get and ies calor burn to daily doubles, check out these workout routines.
Full body Day Option Split
AM Workout (Cardio / Leg PT) *Repeat Four Times - Bike 5:00 - Max Squats in 1:00 - Lunges - 25 / leg - Max Crunches - 1:00 *Repeat Ten Times - Jumping Jacks - 10 - Push-ups - 10 PM Workout (Weights /PT) * Repeat Three Times - Bench Press 15 reps - Pullups - Max reps - Biceps Curls -10, 15 - Military - 10, 15 - Tricep Ext -10, 15 - Crunches - 50 Lightweight shoulder workout 5lbs
TRYthis
Do you ever wonder how a certain Mexican Food restaurant makes their delicious burrito bowls? Well here’s a recipe we found on budgetbytes.com that will show you the four easy steps to making a healthy version of that favorite. At only $1.40 per serving, you really can’t afford not to try making this once or twice.
Taco Chicken Bowls Prep Time:10 min Cook Time: 8 hours Cost Per Serving: $1.40
AM Workout * Repeat Five Times - Warmup With Crunches - Run/PT - Run 5:00 - Push-ups - 10-20 - Crunches - 20 PM Workout - Push-ups - Max in 2:00 (knee push-ups if needed) - Rest 2:00 - Sit-ups - Max in 2:00 (or crunches) - Rest 2:00 - Pull-ups - Max - Biceps Curls -10, 15 - Military - 10, 15 - Hammer Curl-10, 15 - Tricep Ext -10, 15 - Bench Press - 10, 15 - Pulldowns - 10, 10
Typical Cardio/PT Option
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1½ LBS. CHICKEN BREASTS
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½ TSP DRIED OREGANO
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1 (16 OZ.) JAR SALSA
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¼ TSP CAYENNE PEPPER
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(15 OZ.) CAN BLACK BEANS
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¼ TSP SALT
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½ LB. (8 OZ.) FROZEN CORN
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TO TASTE CRACKED PEPPER
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1 TBSP CHILI POWDER
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2 CUPS DRY RICE
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½ TBSP CUMIN
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8 OZ. SHREDDED CHEDDAR
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½ TBSP MINCED GARLIC
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½ BUNCH CILANTRO (OPTIONAL)
DIRECTIONS
1. Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to the slow cooker along with ¼ cup of water (for good measure). 2. Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hrs. 3. Bring the rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot with a lid in place, as soon as it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. 4. After 8 hours of cooking, carefully remove the lid of the slow cooker. Stir with a fork to shred the chicken (it should be super tender and will shred easily). Build the taco bowls by placing rice on the bottom, then the taco chicken mix, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.
WHILE IN PORT.. EAT THIS, NOT THAT!
NOT THAT
AM Workout (Cardio/abs) - Warm-up With Crunches - Run, Bike / Elliptical Glide 30:00 PM workout - Circuit Routine - Weight Circuit Three Times - Bench Press - 25 - Tricep extensions - 20 - Push-ups - 10 - Sit-ups - 1:00 - Military Press - 20 - Crunches - 50 - Ab Workout Two Times - Regular Crunch - 50 - Right Elbow to Left Knee - 50 - Left Elbow to Right Knee - 50 - Reverse Crunch- 50 - Double Crunch - 50
INGREDIENTS
EAT THIS
Upper body Day Option Split
Despite having been warned numerous times, news stations blaring it in the background of our homes and ever health digest magazine cursing its very existence, we all still ingest trans fats. Here’s a way to trim just a little bit out of our diet and start getting back on the right track to good health. Popcorn, though a great alternative to other snack options, can have up to 10 grams of trans fat. How can you avoid this? Go for the all-natural butter or lightly salted, it’s just as good and leaves you feeling even better.
rough riders OF THE WEEK
QUARTERMASTER SEAMAN
JOHN GLEASON DEPARTMENT: Navigation HOME TOWN: Parsippany, NJ
WHY GLEASON WAS PICKED: QMSN Gleason is a motivated and highly talented Sailor committed to the mission of Theodore Roosevelt. He has maintained the upkeep of over 500 Navigation charts and 50 Nautical Publications, ensuring all required changes and corrections were made. QMSN Gleason has also played a vital role in the cleanliness and preservation of 25 Navigation spaces. His attention to detail and work during his personal time has been critical to the preparation of the Pilothouse and other highly important spaces for sea and numerous tours that TR receives. His efforts as a Voyage Management System Operator were instrumental in TR’s VMS Certification. QMSN Gleason is a model Sailor with an exceptional work ethic, military bearing and an eagerness to learn. His dedication to the Navy and the ship are worthy of recognition as THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S Rough Rider of the Week.
rewarding e x c e l l e n c e HOSPITAL CORPSMAN 3RD CLASS
MALCOM RODRIGUES DEPARTMENT: Medical HOME TOWN: Born in Sulmania, Bahrain; moved to Howell, MI WHY RODRIGUES WAS PICKED: HM3 Rodrigues is a motivated and dependable Sailor who has performed above and beyond his assigned departmental duties. He has truly been one of the stability forces in keeping the Radiation Health Division of the Medical Department on track and accomplishing the mission. HM3 Rodrigues meticulously maintains a Radiation Health Program consisting of 650 personnel. He improved operations by streamlining the Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) training, issue and turn-in process, saving 100 man hours. He revamped the five year old Standard Operating Procedures for Radiation Health. He was pivotal through six Mobile Training Team inspections, the Pre-operational Reactor Safeguard Examination, the Reactor Safeguard Examination, and the Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination (ORSE). His efforts were significant in CVN 71 Medical’s ORSE evaluation as highest rated carrier on the East Coast! HM3 Rodrigues exemplifies what it means to be a leader by repeatedly producing quality results and shown what it means to be a team player. His work ethics, reliability, and professionalism are paramount to the Medical Department’s success. From assisting with documentation and completion of critical examinations to ensuring the Medical Departmental is ready for patient care, HM3 Rodrigues has shown time and time again that he is dedicated to getting the job done safely and completing the mission. He is most deserved of this recognition.
M A R C H
1 0 - 2 0 ,
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NAVYNEWS&PHOTOS Seventh Fleet Continues Search for Malaysian Airlines MH370
From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
GULF OF THAILAND (NNS) -- Seventh Fleet continues search efforts for a third day for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. USS Kidd (DDG 100), which joined the search efforts yesterday, is conducting helicopter searches in the southwest section of the Gulf of Thailand search area, while USS
Pinckney (DDG 91) is conducting searches in the northeast portion of the search area, as of March 11. The Malaysian Government, assigned these search sectors, as part of the tremendous job in water and airspace management for this international effort. In a three and a half hour sortie, an
HM-60R helicopter can typically search a 400 - 600 square nautical mile area, depending on the size of object it’s trying to find, speed, wind, sea state and visibility. The Navy P-3C Orion continues to fly search missions over both Straits of Malacca and Gulf of Thailand. With their ability to stay on station for
long periods, the P-3 can cover about 1,000 - 1,500 square miles every hour. Their onboard sensors allow the crew to clearly detect small debris in the water. U.S. Navy ships or aircraft have not reported any debris associated with aircraft wreckage at this time.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) transits the Pacific Ocean. Kidd, assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility while on a seven-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)
CNO talks Compensation: Pay, BAH, and Tuition Assistance
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Julianne Metzger, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert sat down this week to film another episode of “Conversation with a Shipmate” discussing aspects of Navy’s Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Proposal. The Department of the Navy released its proposed $148 billion budget for fiscal year 2015 (FY15), March 4. The budget is part of the $495.6 billion defense budget President Barack Obama submitted to Congress the same day. “Compensation is about half of our budget. We’d like to keep it to one half,” said Greenert. “The idea is to limit the growth, not take out.” Navy Sailors’ and civilians’ compensation would not be directly cut, but rather the rate of growth would slow from roughly three percent to one percent in pay and slow for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) raises, Greenert said. In 2013 alone, BAH rates overall were raised 3.8 percent, depending on geographic location. In the FY15 budget new BAH rates will take into account the current five percent out of pocket expense along with a proposed one percent change to renter’s insurance. Inserting these changes
incrementally and as members PCS, assures members who have made long-term commitments in the form of a lease or contract are not penalized if the area’s housing costs decrease, said Greenert. He went on to highlight that members will not see changes in their next pay check if they remain in their current duty station and that changes will be gradual if Sailors are moving to new duty stations. Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) and average renter’s insurance. The new budget proposes that BAH does not include the average renter’s insurance since some members choose not to make that purchase, said Greenert. Continuing to speak on compensation, the conversation turned toward retirement. “There is no plan, today, to change retirement,” Greenert said. There is a commission studying it, and heavy media coverage about the proposed ideas will continue, Greenert said. “Anybody who is wearing a uniform today - that retirement system will be grandfathered which
means: today’s retirement system is their retirement system,” Greenert said. If and when new options become available service members may have the option of transitioning to a new system. However, they will not be forced to accept a different retirement system than the one that was in effect during their service, Greenert said. Greenert was asked about the projected FY15 budget that slated Tuition Assistance to 75 percent Navy funded, 25 percent funded by the Sailor. Greenert challenged this proposed change and said it needs rethinking and that there will be more to follow on this issue. “That’s very important to me to have an educated force, I want [Sailors] to get the right education,” said Greenert. “So they get something that is useful while they’re in the military and when they leave the military and that enhances their life.” In FY14 Tuition Assistance remains 100 percent funded by the Navy and Greenert hopes to keep it that way. “The bottom line is I want our kids to have the best education they can get,” said Greenert. This year’s budget submission
prioritizes funding for forward presence and continues to make critical investments in people and future capabilities. The additional investments proposed will be for retaining Sailors through the Quality of Service initiative. The Navy seeks to reduce manning gaps at sea and improve the sea-to-shore flow of personnel to increase job satisfaction for Sailors. “Every penny that the Navy gets out of compensation reform, will go into areas to improve the quality of service and work,” Greenert said.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert delivers remarks during an all-hands call at the Navy Global Network Operations and Security Center. Greenert visited the command to recognize the command’s work in network operations and defense. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth L. Burke/Released)
SEE WHAT YOUR SHIPMATES ARE DOING AROUND THE WORLD
PHOTOS
FROM AROUND THE FLEET MARSEILLE, France (March 9, 2014) Chief Intelligence Specialist Christopher Koenig, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), points out a local tourist hiking trail on a map for Sailors to explore while on liberty during a scheduled port visit in Marseille, France. Arleigh Burke is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II (Released)
Staff
Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer Capt. Mark Colombo Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Evans Media Officer Ensign Jack Georges Senior Editor MCC Adrian Melendez Editor MC2 Katie Lash Layout and Design MC3 John Drew MC3 (SW) Heath Zeigler
SAN DIEGO (March 10, 2014) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Mason Adams, left, from Boise, Idaho, and Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Tabitha Prine, from Jacksonville, Fla., lower the national ensign during evening colors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is at homeport at Naval Base Coronado. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Estes (Released)
SAN DIEGO (March 10, 2014) The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Coronado (LCS 4) passes Naval Air Station North Island as it makes it way to its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego. Coronado is the third U.S. Navy ship named after Coronado, Calif., and is the second littoral combat ship of the Independence-class variant. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Donnie W. Ryan (Released)
PORT LOUIS, Mauritius (March 10, 2014) The guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) pulls alongside a tugboat as the ship prepares to moor for a scheduled port visit in Port Louis, Mauritius. Nitze is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Tyler Hammett (Released)
Rough Rider Contributors
MC3 John Drew MC3 (SW) Heath Zeigler MCSN Jenna Kaliszewski MCSA Matthew Young
Theodore Roosevelt Media
Command Ombudsman Sabrina Bishop Linda Watford Michelle V. Thomas cvn71ombudsman@gmail.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 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 443-7419 or stop by 3-180-0-Q.
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