Living the Dream
Story and photos by MCSN Kris Lindstrom
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ess than one month ago, Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician Jorge R. Hodgson Hernandez was pinned as a chief petty officer. With nearly two decades of service, he has more than earned it, but when he was a child, he would never have dreamed this day would come. At the early age of 10, Hodgson moved from Honduras to Brooklyn, N.Y. to live with his mother, Josefina. “My mother left [Honduras] when I was three years old,” said Hodgson. “She came back on and off, but I was never raised by her. I was raised by my grandmother. So I came over here to this stranger’s house, my mother, in this new cold world and it was hard.” Hodgson found the transition difficult and that this new culture brought new challenges, such as learning English. “My first years were rough,” said Hodgson. “Showing up to a new country where I didn’t know the language was pretty difficult. I had to learn a whole new language by a teacher I couldn’t understand and a bunch of kids around me that didn’t want to speak to me because half of them couldn’t speak Spanish.” Hodgson turned to an unlikely teacher to help him learn English and bridge the cultural gap, television. “I watched a lot of Sesame Street and it helped,” laughed Hodgson. “I watched a lot of TV and picked up a lot of words from it. That was my thing for the first three or four years. It was just me and Sesame Street.” Hodgson said he also watched a lot of military shows, which peeked his interest in military service. “I take a lot of pride in my job,” said Hodgson. “I picked this rate and I picked it for a reason. I love everything about the job we do and I put 110 percent into everything that I do.” Hodgson’s superior, Senior Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician James Bibow, believes that Hodgson’s success is due to the amount of effort and passion he has put in since day one. “What’s great about Chief Hodgson is that he was an expert at the rating very early on,”
said Bibow, who worked with Hodgson at a previous command. “And what’s most interesting about him is that he was an undesignated E-1 from Air department and spoke very little English. He struck for this rate, got it, and he became one of the top five people Navywide when it comes to knowledge about the rating.” Hodgson’s Sailors that work for him were also very excited to see him promoted to chief. “I was so excited when Chief got pinned [promoted],” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Michael Rodriguez. “When he was a first class I knew he was close to retirement. I was hoping he picked up chief so that he could stay in even longer, so I could be around his knowledge and expertise.” Even after 19 years in the Navy, Hodgson hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings. He plans to return to Puerto Cortes, Honduras after retiring. “I have my house built back home,” explained Hodgson. “I have a small restaurant back there. It’s pretty much a whole life there. All the focus is on back home.” Hodgson sticks to his cultural roots as much as he possibly can. He takes his daughters Cynthia, 16, and Destiny,
13, to Honduras at least once a year because they were both born in the U.S. and he doesn’t want them to forget their heritage. “We celebrate every holiday at home [Honduras],” said Hodgson. “September 15 is Independence Day and I raise the flag up. My daughters dress the old typical way and when we are home [Honduras] they participate in all the dances. I keep a lot of the traditions alive because I want them to experience that.” For Hodgson, Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder of his culture and all those he shares a similar background with. “It reminds us where we come from and how far we have made it,” said Hodgson. “It opens up new lines of communication. It brings you a little closer to people with the same background.” While a Honduran retirement is what’s in his heart, Hodgson’s passion for his work will keep him around a while longer. It seems his journey is still far from over.
the week in
photos
GQ
a day in the life of a shipboard firefighter Photos by MCSN Bounome Chanphuoang
Sailors assigned to repair locker 1 Bravo fight a simulated fire during a general quarters exercies onboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). General quarters drills are designed to train Sailors to effectively fight the ship during emergencies.
AWAY SNOOPIE Team AWAY! the
Story and photos by MCSN Stephane Belcher
R
unning up the ladder well, panting for air, Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Hilkowski cradles a large 600mm lens. He has less than five minutes to make it all the way up to the 010 level with his camera gear and lens. The loud clanking of metal as the ladder hits the bulkhead alerts oncoming Sailors that someone is rushing in their direction. “Make way for SNOOPIE team,” Hilkowski shouts as he clamors up the ladder well. Moments later Hilkowski, a mass communication specialist in charge of taking photos for SNOOPIE, arrives at the 010 level ready to photograph contacts of interest. The Ship’s Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Intelligence Exploitation (SNOOPIE) team is on call to report any unknown contacts that are visible while USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is underway. SNOOPIE helps identify those contacts as well as any changes to a contact over time. “The purpose of the SNOOPIE team is to help the ship’s lookout and the officer of the deck identify vessels of interest, ships, small boats or aircraft that are unidentifiable,” said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Brandi Gutierrez. SNOOPIE team is usually called away if a ship or aircraft does not respond to the bridge, but sometimes SNOOPIE will be called even if the contact is responding to bridge commu-
nication. “The officer of the deck or the intelligence officer will call SNOOPIE team,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW/IDW) Scott Solis. “There will be communication [with the vessel], however we still want that photograph. The pictures that we take will help identify any changes to that vessel. We are the eyes of the sea. We are the eyes of the fleet.” SNOOPIE team consists of personnel from Operations and Media departments because they have the equipment and training necessary to help identify and document contacts. “We have one person that is photographic intelligence personnel. The reason why they are on the team is because they are able to identify the vessel itself quicker than other intelligence specialists,” said Solis. “You also have a naval intelligence specialist involved. That person is there to tell us the “so what” factor, or why that vessel is around us. They give us the history of that vessel, either being merchant or military.” SNOOPIE writes a report of the contact and submits it to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) within one hour. ONI’s analysis of these contacts plays an important part in the overall mission of the fleet. “The biggest takeaway is that the analysts back on the home front, they’re doing intelligence every day and know
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I enjoy doing it. At the end of the day my team’s name goes on that product. When we shoot our final report out it lets everyone know we’re doing our job and we take pride in it. IS2 (SW/AW/IDW) Scott Solis SNOOPIE TEAM the newest thing and what the threat is,” said Intelligence Specialist Chief (SW/AW/IDW/ EXW) Amanda Brown. Analysts look for different points of coverage, personnel onboard, weapons posture, and who owns the vessels. SNOOPIE team is the critical first step in the process. “I enjoy doing it,” said Solis. “At the end of the day my team’s name goes on that product. When we shoot our final report out it lets everyone know we’re doing our job and we take pride in it. You always take pride in a perfect product. It lets us know why we’re there.” The next time you hear “This is the TAO. Away the SNOOPIE team, away!” You’ll know why you’re clearing the way and why it is a vital part in the big picture that SNOOPIE get reports to ONI in a timely manner.
President of Poland visits
Story and photos by MCSN Bounome Chanphuoang
The President of the Republic of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, visited USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in Norfolk, Sept. 26. The visit underscored the strong bilateral relationship Poland has with the U.S. President Komorowski landed aboard the ship in a SH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 26. The visit was President Komorowski’s second time aboard Theodore Roosevelt. He first visited the ship 22 years ago. “President Komorowski relayed to me that he remembers, during that visit, the impression it made on him and his hopes to see the U.S. and Poland become friends and allies someday,” said Capt. Daniel Grieco, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt. “He was honored to be back aboard this same ship and able to see both his hopes come true.” President Komorowski, along with other delegates from the Republic of Poland, toured the ship and ate lunch in the ship’s wardroom. “I’m sure, after this visit, I will only keep fond memories of Theodore Roosevelt,” said President Komorowski. Sailors aboard Theodore Roosevelt were excited for the presidential visit and for the chance to present their ship. “I was honored to be given the privilege to be the landing signalman enlisted (LSE) for the president of Poland,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Alexis Tiefert, who assisted in landing the helicopter. “I looked forward to it, and I was glad to help out any way I could.”
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Following lunch, Grieco presented President Komorowski with a plaque and a Theodore Roosevelt ballcap in remembrance of the visit. “We are honored to have the president of the Republic of Poland visit Theodore Roosevelt. This occasion is a great opportunity for us to show the president the ship’s capabilities and further our growing relationship and alliance with Poland,” said Grieco. Later, Grieco addressed the crew and lauded the hard work that went into preparing for the president’s visit. “I can tell you that the Polish president was absolutely astounded with how fantastic the ship is and how motivated the Sailors are,” said Grieco. “Each of you did a superb job presenting the ship. Well done and my thanks to all of you for your hard work.” President Komorowski’s visit marked the first time a foreign head of state visited Theodore Roosevelt since its redelivery to the active fleet in August.
career fair Story and photo by MCSN Brian Flood Representatives from a variety of ratings held the first Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Career Fair in hangar bay 2 of USS Theodore Roosevelt Oct. 2. Hosted by the Junior Enlisted Association (JEA), the career fair was an opportunity for sailors E-4 and below to learn about different jobs throughout the ship. “The career fair is our way to give back to the E-4 and below,” said Interior Communication Electrician 3rd Class Alexus Russell, president of the JEA. “Many of the people that we cater to are undesignated Sailors and those undesignated Sailors are the busy bees so they don’t have a chance to do on-the-job training or go out and find a rate they like .” Seaman Apprentice John Phelps, an undesignated Seaman in Deck department, took the opportunity to explore his options. Phelps believes that the fair was helpful in discovering different rates. “The job fair is very helpful for people that don’t know other rates, for people that are undesignated,” said Phelps. “There are a lot of different rates out here that seem to have a lot to offer.” Along with representatives of the rates, command career counselors were on hand to answer questions. “They are giving an abbreviated road map of where to go or how to start to get into a rate” said Russell. “The command career counselors can give further explanation because many Sailors, including myself, don’t know how to cross rate or how to strike a rate.”
Senior Chief Navy Counselor Stephanie L. Wood thinks the fair is a wonderful way for sailors to explore their options. “For the junior enlisted sailors this is a fun opportunity for them to find resources to get a rate or to convert,” said Wood. “They can find out about knowledge they didn’t know that may help them decide if they want to do a rate or not.” The JEA plans to hold career fairs every quarter and hopes to have a representative from every rate on the ship during the next event.
“You Can’t Kill a Bull Moose” On October 14, 1912, Roosevelt was campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when a local saloon-keeper shot him. The bullet lodged in his chest after passing through a jacket pocket containing his steel eyeglass case and a copy of his 50 page speech which had been folded in half. Being an anatomist, Roosevelt concluded that since he wasn’t coughing blood the bullet had not penetrated the chest wall into his lung. He declined immediate treatment and gave his 90 minute speech with blood seeping from the wound into his shirt. “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot,” Roosevelt said, “but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose.”
YOURNAVY IN THE NEWS George Washington Welcomes 60 years of U.S.-ROK Alliance By Mass Commiunication 3rd Class Carlos Guzman WATERS TO THE EAST OF KOREA PENINSULA (NNS) -- Republic of Korea (ROK) government and civilian officials visited the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Sept. 30. The representatives visited the ship to observe the day-to-day operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to gain a general orientation of the ship’s mission within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. “Today you’re here to see just how close the partnership between the ROK navy and the U.S. Navy is,” said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force Seventh Fleet, as he welcomed them onto the ship. “The joint operations we conduct with our ROK counterparts provides a seamless integration between our forces to augment our interoperability and our relations.” Mr. Seung-ho Park, mayor of Pohang, Lt. Cmdr. Ivan Borja, flight deck handler of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carand Mr. Maeng-woo Park, mayor of Ulsan, rier USS George Washington (CVN 73), left, explains flight deck operations to government were among 20 distinguished visitors who and civilian officials from the Republic of Korea during a distinguished visitor embark. spent the day aboard George Washington. The visitors all wore lapel pins to very important to understand the operations and tactics of our military commemorate the 60-year alliance between capacities in case of emergency.” both nations. The ROK navy is a highly capable and professional force and is “We came here to witness the protector of world peace, the U.S. increasing its ability to lead the defense of its country. Navy’s aircraft carrier,” said Maeng-woo Park. “The U.S. came and “We’re very comfortable working together and only our operations helped the ROK when it was at its very worse times. can achieve that,” said Montgomery. “I’ve always felt comfortable In celebration of the 60-year alliance between both countries, I’m with the ROK-U.S. Navy. We train the same and we think the same, wearing the badge that shows the appreciation and the recognition of very few navies in the world can do that.” how important our alliance is and how much stronger it can be.” George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing Located in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, ROK plays a (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the vital role in the Navy’s training and mission readiness. Distinguished collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in visitor embarks help build a better understanding of operations the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. between allied nations to develop interoperability and relations. NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 1,300 Marines of the 22nd Marine “It’s very meaningful for me to come aboard USS George Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and almost 1,000 Sailors from USS Washington and I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said Seung-ho Bataan (LHD 5) departed Norfolk Sept. 20, 2013 to begin PHIBRONPark. “ROK and the U.S. conduct a lot of training together. This is to respond to emergency operations in case anything was to happen. It is
TR’s 2nd Commanding Officer Visits “National Treasure” By Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Evans, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs Officer
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ay Ritt walked along pier 12 on Naval Station Norfolk toward aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and cracked a smile. He was home again. Theodore Roosevelt’s second commanding officer, Ritt, a retired Navy captain, returned to the ship for the first time in about eight years. He brought with him a few guests and lots of memories. “Theodore Roosevelt has a long history and importance - not only Theodore Roosevelt the man, but the ship as well,” said Ritt. Ritt took command of Theodore Roosevelt on Oct. 3, 1987. More than a year later, he led the ship and her crew on her maiden deployment, beginning Dec. 30, 1988. “It was a seven to eight month cruise,” Ritt recalled. “It was an exciting time because virtually no one had gone to sea, per se, with the ship.” While visiting Theodore Roosevelt, Capt. Daniel Grieco, the carrier’s current commanding officer, led Ritt and his guests on a tour of the ship, pointing out many changes to TR over the past quarter century. Grieco brought the carrier out of the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) period, and Ritt compared that to restarting the clock in the ship’s 50-year life-cycle. “The captain now is basically the commissioning CO of a new vessel, and he’s going to have all of the attendant opportunities to shape that vessel forever,” said Ritt. Ritt helped plot the course of Theodore Roosevelt’s future. Under his leadership, the carrier was awarded the Battle “E”
from Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Battle “E” competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance within the Naval Aviation Force. Now, Ritt wants the ship’s current crew to blaze its own trail toward excellence with honor, courage and commitment. “Theodore Roosevelt is a national treasure,” Ritt stated proudly. “Preserve and protect her.”
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PULLUPS TO
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ailors aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) participated in a “Prepare to Pull-In to Port Pull-Up Competition” while underway September 19. Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class John Porter and Seaman Kali Washington, both from Deck Department, won first place. They both said they look forward to future Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) competitions. “The ship is going out to sea more and more,” said Washington. “Working out is a great stress reliever, this is a good way to get everyone together and get in shape.” Prizes were awarded to the top three male and female contestants. First place received a $25 gift card, second place received a $20 gift card and third place received a $15 gift card.
Story and photo by MCSN Stephane Belcher
Nineteen male and three female Sailors participated in the competition. “It was really good to see,” said Megan Villapudua, Theodore Roosevelt’s Fun Boss. “It was an impressive turn out. We see a lot of people using the pull-up bars anyway, so we thought it might be popular. We didn’t expect this kind of turn out.” Sailors had to keep their legs straight, their chin had to come completely over the bar and their arms were locked in a full, down position for it to count. “It’s good to see where you hold up with everyone else,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Bryce Perkins, who joined in the competition. “I like the competitive factor.” Look for similar MWR events as Theodore Roosevelt gets underway in the future.
Movie Reviews The Conjuring
By MC2(SW) Brian G. Reynolds
If you would have told me this time last year that I would have been the least bit frightened by any sort of cinematic wonder, then I would have told you to bring it. I am generally not scared of film adaptations of anything – at all. I have heard this whole “scariest movie ever” thing for ages. However, after watching The Conjuring, directed by James Wan (Saw, Insidious), I was at least impressed. The film is the epitome of everything that many of us would like to disregard as superstition. The Conjuring is the real-life adaptation of what is claimed to be the true story of a haunting investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) in the early 1970s. The Warrens were paranormal investigators (employed by the Roman Catholic Church) who investigated the home of Roger and Carolyn Perron (played by Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor). A demonic spirit that dwelt in the home reportedly tortured the family to the brink of madness. The film begins fairly dismally, with a backstory regarding a demonically-possessed doll that tries to creep its way into the backbone of what would have
been an entertaining and terrifying story without it. The doll, named Annabelle, would have been more fitting in a few of the more excruciatingly-awful films that Wan has produced. The doll apparently has nothing to do with the tale, other than to add untactful fluff to an otherwise amazing story. However, the film is very straightforwardly terrifying and very well done. All of the actors in The Conjuring are enduringly convincing that what was happening was real. After watching The Conjuring, you kind of want to take a shower. This is what made my blood curdle. It was not the fact that I jumped because of high-pitched music and jumped cameras every fifteen minutes. It was the thought of the story that was scary and very real. It was this fact that sold me on this film. What I really enjoyed about this horror film was that James Wan did not have to sell me on guts and gore. He did it with good old-fashioned chilling and demonic cinematography, just the way that William Friedkin did with The Exorcist. This is the kind of thing that actually scares people.
VERDICT:
Better than not terrible
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 Gino Carr Editor & Layout MC2 (SW) Brian G. Reynolds
Rough Rider Contributors Theodore Roosevelt Media 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.
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