Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Vol. 6, No. 9
Patriot Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Photos by Steve Turner, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs
The Navy Operational Support Center Charleston, North Charleston, S.C., received the 2014 Reserve Family Readiness Award from the Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Richard Wightman Jr., the President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, Vice Adm. (ret) Norb Ryan, and the senior enlisted advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Sgt. Maj. Michael Schultz at a ceremony Feb. 27, 2015, at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Left to right: Sgt. Maj. Michael Schultz, Mr. Richard Wightman Jr., Cmdr. Stephen Jones, Cmdr. Shaun Murphy, Vice Adm. Robin Braun, Force Master Chief CJ Mitchell and Vice Adm. (ret) Norb Ryan.
NOSC Charleston wins DOD Reserve Family Readiness Award By HM2 Jacob Johnson Navy Operational Support Center Charleston Public Affairs
The Navy Operational Support Center Charleston was awarded the 2014 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness award during a ceremony held at the Pentagon Feb. 27, 2015. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Richard O. Wightman, Jr., presented the award to Cmdr. Steven Jones, NOSC Charleston commander in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. The Reserve Family Readiness Award recognizes one National Guard unit and one Reserve unit from each service. The units nominated for the award are judged based on specific criteria, such as, innovative programs that support unit mission and family readiness, and efforts that build community support. The NOSC Charleston recognized the need to provide further support for their Sailors returning from deployments and created the Warrior Club. The Warrior Club gathers on drill weekends and provides continued support and a safe environment where Sailors can openly discuss any and all issues. A qualified counselor is on hand for any needed professional assistance and guidance. This concept has now spread to NOSC Wilmington, N.C., through the transfer of a Warrior Club member to that NOSC. NOSC Wilmington
Awards Program recognizes the top unit-level family readiness program in each of the Reserve components. Family readiness programs are particularly important as the United States relies on significant numbers of Reserve members to serve in critical locations worldwide. Family readiness has proven to be a key component of mission readiness and these robust family readiness programs have enhanced the deployability of Guard and Reserve units. They represent a vital link in the support networks for our Reserve families. During the ceremony, Wightman expressed his gratitude to the members of all the Reserve Components. "To these unsung heroes, we owe much," Wightman said. "They have given their time, freely, without any guarantees of accolades or reimbursements, yet they sacrifice their evenings, weekends, and time with family in the selfless service of others." The winning units will receive a commemorative plaque and a cash award to enhance the unit's family support programs.
now has its own thriving Warrior Club program. NOSC Charleston has also found ways to contribute to the local community through outreach activities. Youth athletic coaching for Joint Base Charleston and the City of North Charleston public Schools, as well as participating in events put on by the Charleston Navy League are just two of many. NOSC Charleston members also volunteer their time and support annual homeless assistance programs. "I am very proud of our Sailors at NOSC Charleston," said Rear Adm. Eric Coy Young, commander, Navy Reserve Command. "Their innovative family readiness efforts are at the forefront of direct support to Sailors, both away and at home. They continue to show that the care and handling of both Sailors and their families throughout the mobilization process is their number one priority. They are a true example of excellence, and an essential part of mission readiness." Established in 2000, the DoD Reserve Family Readiness
Trisha Gallaway, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article.
628th CES commander named 2015 Federal Engineer of the Year By Seamus O'Boyle 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The National Society of Professional Engineers named Lt. Col. Patrick Miller, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, as the nation's top federal engineer during a ceremony Feb. 26, 2015 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "This is the second year in a row that the Air Force nominees have finished in the top 10 with one taking top honors," said Brig. Gen. Timothy Green, the director of the Air Force Civil Engineers, "This is a remarkable achievement that reflects highly upon the selectees, our civil engineer community and the U.S. Air Force." The Federal Engineer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Professional Engineers in Government, is the only one of its kind that honors outstanding engineers employed by the federal government. Miller and the other nominees were evaluated on factors such as, engineering achievements, education, professional and technical society activities, awards and honors, and civic and humanitarian activities. "Joint base Charleston is very fortunate to have Lt. Col. Miller as our 628th CES commander," said Capt. Timothy Sparks, Joint Base Charleston deputy commander. "This award is a true testament to his leadership, management and technical
abilities that he aptly applies as he leads his command team in providing the outstanding services to the base community." As the 628th CES commander, Miller is responsible for a $3.2 billion physical plant which includes 1800 facilities, four runways, five piers, two wharfs, and 34 miles of rail across 24,000 acres, providing him with a unique portfolio for an Air Force engineer. During a deployment to Afghanistan, Miller accomplished more than 150 outside the wire missions to lead a $161 million construction program essential to organizing, training and equipping the Afghan National Security Force. He also led construction of a $20 million Afghan Commando and Special Forces compound and the $99 million Afghan pilot training campus for 1,200 Afghan Air Force pilots. Miller was most recently deployed to Guantanamo Bay, where he led a 42-person engineer team in the in operation and maintenance of detention facilities, as well as the Expeditionary Legal Complex, all in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo and the Office of Military Commissions. Being named the NSPE's Federal Engineer of the Year was not something Miller could have anticipated. "Considering the high level of competition from the many other federal agencies, this is truly a humbling experience and the award is really a tribute to all of the men and women with whom I have had the privilege to serve."
Courtesy photo / Christies Photography
The National Society of Professional Engineers named Lt. Col. Patrick Miller, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, as the nation’s top federal engineer during a ceremony Feb. 26, 2015 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.Standing (Left to right): NSPE President Harve D. Hnatiuk, P.E., F.NSPE; Lt. Col. Patrick Miller, P.E., U.S. Air Force; NSPE Executive Director Mark J. Golden, FASAE, CAE; and NSPE Board Member David Scott Wolf, P.E., PLS, F.NSPE.
Miller will be recognized again during the NSPE 2015 Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash., July 15 to 19.
75 day leave carryover ends Sept. 30, use it or lose it From 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
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For service members who carryover 75 days of leave, the time has come to use it or lose it. Effective Sept. 30, 2015, in accordance with the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, military members will no longer be able to carry more than 60 days of leave into the next fiscal year. The 2010 NDAA included a provision that allowed members
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to carry up to 75 days of leave forward to the next fiscal year because of limited leave opportunities due to deployments and other mission requirements. The 2013 NDAA extended that provision through the end of the 2015 fiscal year. "Airmen need to be aware of the change so that they can plan leave accordingly and ensure their leave balance is 60 days or fewer by the end of the fiscal year," said 1st Lt. Nate Strickland, the Air Force Personnel Center special programs branch chief. See 75 Day Leave Carryover, Page 3
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE for Joint Base Charleston, SC Showers Friday, Mar. 6
(50% precip)
High 39º Low 29º
Sunny Saturday, Mar. 7
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High 59º Low 36º
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Sunday, Mar. 8
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