November 16, 2012
SOUTH POTOMAC PILOT NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUTH POTOMAC DEFENSE COMMUNITY
Link directly to the NSASP Facebook page on your smart phone Navy photos by Andrew Revelos
INSIDE:
PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID SO. MD. NEWSPAPERS PERMIT #1
Police training course, Page 3
Mary Sidlowski, volunteer with the National Aquarium Conservation Team, admires the restored, living shoreline at Naval Annex Stump Neck. U.S.
Indian Head shoreline restoration complete By Andrew Revelos NSASP Staff Writer With a final tree-planting event the week of Oct. 27, volunteers and conservation professionals completed the restoration of Potomac River shoreline at
Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head and the base's Stump Neck Annex. The day marked the successful end of the five-year, $20 million project that protects both the environmental health of regional waters and $54 million of government property.
The story began in the 1990s, when erosion collapsed a road and threatened mission-critical infrastructure at NSF Indian Head. In 2003, the Navy proposed a plan to protect both its assets and environmental quality of the Potomac River. The solution, a
John Sweet (r.), Sierra Club volunteer and a Department of Defense employee, and Maureen Walsh (l.), volunteer with the National Aquarium Conservation Team, gather empty pots during the final tree-planting at the shoreline restoration project at Stump Neck Annex. living shoreline of breakwaters, sills and native vegetation, has set the standard in the Chesapeake Bay region for environmental stewardship. While the Navy provided funding for the construction of the living shoreline, volunteers from several or-
ganizations, led by the National Aquarium Conservation Team, played a key role in planting the native vegetation that not only protects threatened land, but also provides habitat for river life.
See Shoreline, Page 9
NSASP welcomes Command Master Chief Honea By Andrew Revelos NSASP Staff Writer Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) welcomed Command Master Chief (Surface Warfare/AviationWarfare) James Honea in October. Honea and his family are settling in and he looks forward to getting to know his new shipmates as well as spending some quality time with his family. Honea enlisted in the Navy in 1987 and graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command in San Diego. His first sea tour was on board USS John A. Moore. "While I was stationed in Long Beach, I met my wife Evelyn," he said. "We've been married now for 23 years." In the meantime, Honea served on board USS Juneau, USS Dubuque, USS Bonhomme Richard and as the Command Master Chief on
USS Gridley and USS New Orleans. Honea served shore duty at Navy Reserve Readiness Command in Oklahoma City, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and with Commander Naval Region Southwest in San Diego. He also completed a deployment in Afghanistan, where he served as the command master chief petty officer of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. Honea's leadership principles, acquired through his considerable naval experience, are concise. "I think that if I were to boil it down, [what's important] is to know who you are and be yourself. Just try and do the right thing. I think that no matter where you are in life, if you are being yourself, trying to do the right thing and if you are encouraging those same things from the Sailors you work with, it doesn't get much easier than that: be yourself and do the
right thing." While Honea doesn't remember a precise moment when he decided to make the Navy a career, he found the uniqueness of Navy service to be compelling. "I think what makes serving in the Navy unique is the Sailors," he said. "The Sailors that you are assigned with, the Sailors that you work for ... every one of them is unique in their own respect, but we all develop the same culture, a can do attitude ... we're going to get the job done. Failure is not an option. "I appreciate that about the Navy," continues Honea. "I appreciate having shipmates, a person you can depend on when you go to sea. We depend on one another and lean on one another. Knowing that you can depend on Sailors is the thing I enjoy most about military service." Honea plans to spend
"A toast to our sweethearts!" CMDCM (SW/AW) James Honea makes a toast at the Naval Support Activity South Potomac Navy Birthday Ball on Oct. 12. some of his free time enjoying the region's historical sites. "The things that attract me about coming to a place like Dahlgren is, one, its rich history and heritage that it has in naval service," he said.
"Being a part of that is attractive to me. The location is great ... I'm so close to all kinds of rich national history. I look forward to getting out and about and learning more about our country's history." Honea will also enjoy some quality family with his children. His son is a Sailor serving at Ft. Meade and his daughter attends college nearby. "We're a close family," said Honea. "Family is important to us." NSASP's top enlisted leader has an open-door policy and said he looks forward to getting to know his new Sailors. "Come and see me if you want to talk about anything," he said. "More than likely, knowing who I am, you're going to see me out and about on the base. And when you do, say hi to me, let me know how your day is going."
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES E-mail nsasp_pao_dlgr@navy.mil or Call (540) 653-8153
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Friday, November 16, 2012
The South Potomac Pilot
NSF Dahlgren Annual Turkey Trot 5K
Top three male finishers 1st: Scott Pleban 18:57 2nd: Charles Gronau 21:03 3rd: Doug Cantrell 21:24
On Wednesday, November 7th approximately 30 runners braved the clouds and cold temperatures for NSF Dahlgren's 2012 Turkey Trot 5K walk/run. T-shirts were given to the first 20 registrants. Even though the weather was
Top three female finishers 1st: Mari Merz 26:34 2nd: Ninfen Rattanaxay 26:49 3rd: Diane Tucker 27:13
gloomy it didn't dampen any sprits. Turkeys and pies were awarded to the overall male, female and military finishers. Thank you to our sponsors Carroll's Automotive, Lincoln Military Housing and NSWC Federal Credit Union.
Commissioning Ceremony at CSCS
Female Active Duty: Lt. Jamie Sims 36:58 Male Active Duty: FC1 Troy Raffety 25:17
Directed energy dodge ball
U.S. Navy photo by Andrew Revelos
U.S. Navy photo by Daryl Roy, ATRC
Center for Surface Combat Systems' Chief Warrant Officer Richard Nelson poses for a photo with his wife Emily and three children during his commissioning ceremony at CSCS onboard Naval Support Facility.
The Directed Energy Division (Q20) and the Directed Energy Warfare Office (Q07) for Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division sponsored a "Directed Energy Fest" last month to recognize and show appreciation for all the hard work and accomplishments of the Dahlgren directed energy team. The afternoon of food and fun held Oct. 26 included the typical picnic game of dodge ball! Frank Dixon, Q20 division head, comments, "Even though most of us hadn't played dodge ball since elementary school, as you can see in the photo, we were all excited about the opportunity to throw balls at each other!"
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The South Potomac Pilot
NSASP Police Officers complete two week tactical training course By Andrew Revelos NSASP Staff Writer
CARPOOL/VANPOOL WANTED Van or Car pool desired from Fredericksburg or King George to Indian Head, Monday thru Friday with one RDO, prefer 7-430, but hours can be negotiated. 703909-3380. Riders wanted to start a carpool from the Northern Neck (Lively/Lancaster), passing through Warsaw at 0605 and Montross at 0615, arriving at Dahlgren by 0700; leaving Dahlgren at 1600. Call Lea at 540-653-6776 or 571-232-5412 (cell). From the Ferry Farm area to Dahlgren Bldg. 1500 area. Prefer early work hours. Call Mark, 540-653-2148. Riders wanted for van pool. Leaves from Richmond at Home Depot on Atlee-Elmont Rd. (exit # 86B off I-95) to Dahlgren. Call David at (540) 653-9203. Clinton, Md., to Dahlgren. Hours are flexible (0600 - 1700). Call Miranda at 703692-9590. Carpool/vanpool wanted from Montross area to Dahlgren. Can also take up to 3 or 4 riders from here if they would prefer me to drive. Call Doc at 252-670-6686. Early risers only.
Want to start a carpool? Need riders? “Commuter Clearinghouse� is a source for information on carpools or vanpools that already exist and need passengers, as well as a place for employees to advertise to start a carpool or vanpool. Whether you already operate a carpool or vanpool and are open to accepting new riders or need drivers, or if you are looking for a carpool or vanpool, provide us with information that might help you find or start a commuter opportunity, such as, where you will need to commute from and to, preferred schedule and contact information. You can send your information via e-mail to nsasp_pao_dlgr@ navy.mil or contact our office toll free at 866-359-5540, or DSN 249-8153, or 540653-8153.
FREDERICKSBURG RIDESHARING SERVICE GWRideConnect is a free ridesharing service that assists persons who are seeking daily transportation from Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George counties to employment locations in Dahlgren among other employment sites. Go to www.gwregion.org/gwride connect.html.
Two police officers from Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) recently completed a grueling twoweek tactical training course designed to increase the ability of installation security forces to respond to a variety of complex threats, such as active shooters. The course was led by Robert Brooks, chief of the NSASP Police Department and included instructors and students from local, federal and military law enforcement agencies. While most who serve on NSASP installations in Dahlgren and Indian Head only encounter police officers at the gates, the advanced training is molding NSASP's first responders into a highlytrained and capable response force. Accredited through the Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy, with whom the NSASP Police Department serve as a partnering agency, the course has helped NSASP police become one of the most professional law enforcement departments in the Department of Defense. More than 20 percent of NSASP police officers have now completed the advanced tactical training and other courses from the Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy. It was a proud moment when NSASP police officers Andre Roy and Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Graby received pins signifying their achievement Oct. 19. It was also a hard-won moment: the course included classroom time, live-fire range training and stressful practical application scenarios, complete with role-playing opponents. To add extra realism to the training scenarios, instructors incorporated Simunition, a type of ammunition that fires a plastic bullet filled with paint. While getting shot with this training tool is not a pleasant experience, it was only one tough element of training designed to help basicallytrained police officers respond to the ever-changing threat environment. "The tactical training that the officers received in this venue of training prepares them for a higher level of threat response," said Brooks. "For example, terrorist, active shooter or hostage barricade incidents all contain elements of danger and complexity that most average police officers are neither trained or equipped to respond to." Teaching police officers advanced tactics and allowing them a venue for realistic practice is a way to not only en-
U.S. Navy photos by Andrew Revelos
CS2 Joshua Graby, a NSASP police officer, fires his M9 pistol during advanced tactical training. hance the individual skills of officers, but also the ability of the department as a whole to keep the community safe. "Advance tactics, any type, makes a more capable police officer," said Brooks. "The majority of police departments, if they have a tactical team, have part-time teams. These officers often volunteer much of their spare time to ensure that their tactical team is the best and most prepared it can be for any number critical incident call outs. "The skill sets taught at this course," emphasizes Brooks, "such as advanced firearms training, leadership and decision making process, and advanced tactical skills not only make a better trained police officer, they provide an officer who can return and train others in the skills they learned in the course, even if they are not assigned to a tactical unit." NSASP police officers, including the two who trained as part of the course, spent several months preparing, often on their own time. The desire to self-improve through work and hard training is palpable among the officers. Throughout, Graby and Roy stayed motivated while they endured the training regimen. "I knew it would be an intense course but the physical part was lot more than I thought it would be," said Graby. "I knew that this [course] was going to be hard but I had no idea it was going to be so mentally challenging," said Roy. "Everyday something in my mind was telling me to quit. I had to fight myself to get through every obstacle they threw at me." Graby and Roy both agreed that the most challenging part of the course was CrossFit physical training. "I never did anything like that before," said
Tools of the trade: a trainee at the tactical training course fires a G36 carbine during tactical training. Though the G36 is not a standard issue firearm for Navy police officers, the course allows them to familiarize themselves with the tools and tactics used by other law enforcement agencies. Roy. "This is where you can see how good your team works together, because without your team mates, nobody would pass it." Graby called CrossFit "one of the hardest work outs" he has ever done. "If I could get through it, I could make it through anything." One of the course's highlights was learning how other police officers from other departments handle challenges. Comparing notes is more professional chatter to police officers: the variations of strategy andtacticsincorporatedbydifferent law enforcement agenciesprovidesofficerswithfresh professional perspectives. "It was great working with other police officers with different backgrounds," said Graby. "They [showed us] a lot of different tactics that their teams use. They also had a lot of different gear and tools." No matter which department or agency students hailed from, they were pushed to their limits by course instructors. While such training may not be easily understood by outside observers, the stress is highly structured and in-
tended to help officers cope with crisis. "Realistic training better prepares an officer in many areas," said Brooks. "Increased stress, both physically and mentally, works on many levels, from self confidence to stress inoculation. The synergistic effect of working and problem-solving as a team benefits everyone." Whether or not that big picture perspective was evident to Graby and Roy during the challenging course, the police officers learned valuable lessons about their profession and themselves. "I learned that you never quit," said Roy. "Even if your mind is telling you that your body is tired and you can't move anymore. Don't give up; you got a lot more in you so keep going." Capt. Pete Nette, NSASP commanding officer, attended the pinning ceremony and praised Graby, Roy and the NSASP Police Department. "I think what you guys did was great.What it does for us [as an installation], is it adds a
See Police, Page 8
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The South Potomac Pilot
Friday, November 16, 2012
Dahlgren School First Quarter Awards Operation Homefront,
Dollar Tree launch Holiday Toy Drive collection
Distinguished Honor Roll Grade 6 Rachel Archulet Melanie Brown Grade 7 Jade Rattanaxay Grade 8 Austin Alexander
A/B Honor Roll Grade 4 Malakai Branton Jason Charron Justin Crouch Alexander Gresham Barret Mitchell Rory Swanson Grade 5 Messiah Brooks Makayla Copeland Moriah Emrick Summer Rattanaxay Grade 6 Naomi Brown Connor Rauch Randolph Sewell Kately Timerson
U.S. Navy photo by Gary Wagner
Capt. Peter Nette, NSASP commanding officer, presented "Tiger Awards" to Dahlgren School students during a school awards assembly. Student receiving the Tiger Award—which recognizes individual special effort, determination or positive personal attributes—during the first quarter of the school year were (l. to r.) Naomi Brown, Victoria Baker, Austin Alexander, Akiyah Lindsey and Alexander Gresham. Draven Webb Natalie Wilbanks
Base Happenings Dahlgren Flu Shot Clinic Nov. 16
The Dahlgren Branch Medical Clinic will hold a flu shot clinic on Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Dahlgren Navy Exchange. This flu shot clinic is open to all with base access. Flu shots will be administered free.
Dahlgren CFC Prize Drawings
The Dahlgren CFC will be giving away a 32" television and a Kindle Fire in drawings on Nov. 29 and Dec. 12. All pledge slips will receive an entry into the drawing. Contact your local keyworker to review this year's CFC brochure and obtain a pledge slip. The drawing is open to all employees. To enter, call (540) 284-0129.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
A ChristmasTree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Caffee Circle at NSF Dahlgren on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. The ceremony will be followed by a dinner from the base chapel and fun and games by the USO. This event is open to all with base access.
Grade 8 Megan Sewell
SAN ANTONIO – Operation Homefront, the national non-profit organization that provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families, today joined with Dollar Tree to launch its annual Holiday Toy Drive to collect gifts for military kids. Operation Homefront field offices across the nation will be teaming up with local Dollar Tree stores to collect donated toys to be distributed to the children of service members this holiday season. Today’s launch marks the sixth annual joint campaign by Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree to give the children of military families toys for the holiday. Anyone wishing to make this year’s holidays brighter for military families can go to their local Dollar Tree store and donate toys to be distributed to the children of our service members. More information on the Holiday Toy Drive is available at OperationHomefront.net/HolidayToys. OperationHomefront.net also accepts online contributions for all of Operation Homefront’s programs to assist military families. “For service members with kids, especially in the lower- and mid-grade ranks, holiday shopping is a major expense that can blow a hole in the family budget,” said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront. “Helping them make their children feel extra special during this festive time is an important aspect of the assistance we provide to military families. By contributing to Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive - either with an online
Khenny Feliciano Elizabeth Setser
Dahlgren Commissary Holiday Hours
The Dahlgren Commissary has announced their 2012 holiday hours. The commissary will be open the Monday before Thanksgiving, November 19 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; closedThanksgiving; closed Friday afterThanksgiving; open Monday, December 24 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; closed Christmas; open day after Christmas 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; open Monday, December 31 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and closed NewYear's Day.
Army v. Navy Blood Drive Challenge
Go Navy - beat Army - in blood donations, that is! Participate in this special blood drive on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at JD's Conference Center. All donors will receive an Army v. Navy t-shirt. NSWC Federal Credit Union will have their prize wheel for all participants, as well as giveaways from Old Dominion University and the USO. There will be snacks for all donors. To make an appointment, visit www.militarydonor.com. Give our troops the most precious gift of all, the gift of life - give blood!
Second Tour Thrift Store Needs Your Donations
Second Tour Thrift Store needs your gently used clothing and household items! The thrift store is located next to the USO on Sampson Road. All proceeds are donated to charities in the Dahlgren/King George and surrounding communities, and provide scholarship funds to dependents of military per-
See Toy, Page 5
sonnel - past and present - stationed on Dahlgren. Please donotdonateusedpersonalitems(underclothes,socks,etc.). We are open every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - noon. Our Fall/Winter stock is now available. Come see us on Thursday!
Indian Head Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
A Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Strauss Avenue at NSF Indian Head on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. The event will be followed by fun, games and hot chocolate at the NSFIH USO. This event is open to all with base access.
IH Spouses' Club "Treasures" Thrift Store Needs Your Donations!
Plan today to visit the Treasures Thrift Store, located at 12 Strauss Ave. next door to the USO.The store is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations of gently used items are currently being accepted.Want to earn up to $5 in free items from the thrift store every month?Volunteer! Stop by the thrift store during operating hours or email ihspouseclub@live.com for information.
To publish information on your event or program under "Base Happenings," contact NSASP Public Affairs at 540653-8153 or email jeron.hayes@navy.mil.
NSA South Potomac • Office: 540-653-8153 • 540-284-0129 www.dcmilitary.com/dahlgren The South Potomac Pilot Newspaper is published weekly by Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing, 7 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf, Md. 20602, a private company in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval District Washington. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of The South Potomac Pilot are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department
Capt. Peter Nette
Commanding Officer, NSA South Potomac
Gary R. Wagner
Public Affairs Officer, NSA South Potomac
of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser
is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office, NSA South Potomac. News copy should be submitted by noon on Friday to be considered for the following week’s edition. All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity, and conformity to regulations. To inquire about news copy, call 540-653-8153 or fax The South Potomac Pilot at 540-653-4269. Commercial advertising may be placed with the publisher by calling 301-645-9480.
Jeron Hayes
Deirdre Parry and Breton Helsel
NSA South Potomac Managing Editor
Andrew Revelos Staff Reporter
Copy/layout editors, The Gazette/ Comprint Military Publications
Friday, November 16, 2012
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The South Potomac Pilot
MWR Happenings Dahlgren
Liberty Thanksgiving Feast
Special Event 540-653-1730
Craftech Holiday Craft Show
Friday, November 16, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: Dahlgren Community House Shop for your Christmas items early! Jewelry, Pottery, Handcrafted items, Decorative Painted Items, Specialty Candy, Herbs, Food and Hourly Drawings. For more information please contact Craftech at 540-653-1730.
Liberty Center 540-653-7277
DC Monuments and Museums Trip
November 17, Van will leave Liberty Center at 7:00 a.m. Location: Washington DC Cost $5.00/ Liberty Center Patrons Only: E1- E6 Single/Unaccompanied Active Duty Military. Take a day to visit some of the most popular monuments and museums that DC has to offer. Cost includes transportation to DC and a metro pass. For more information, please contact the Liberty Center at 540-6537277.
November 22, at 5:30 p.m. Location: Dahlgren Liberty Center Cost free / Liberty Center Patrons Only: E1- E6 Single/Unaccompanied Active Duty Military. Head on over to the Liberty Center and enjoy good food and good company. A Thanksgiving feast will be available along with football and movies. For more Dahlgren MWR Highlights
Bowling Center 540-653-7327
Bowl a Turkey – Turkey Drawing
November 19, Noon Bowl aTurkey (three strikes) and drop your name in the box with your phone number and the winner receives a Thanksgiving Turkey. For more information, contact Cannonball Lanes 540-653-7327.
Craftech/Hobby Center 540-653-1730
Daytime Bow Tying Class November 20, 11 a.m.
Make those holiday bows in this one-day class. Bring in a roll of #9 ribbon, 1 ½ inches wide. Class size is limited to 8 participants. The cost is $5.00 plus your ribbon. For more information, please contact Craftech at 540653-1730.
Fitness Center 540-653-8580
Turkey Burn Post Thanksgiving Workout November 23, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come and burn off some of those extra calories - (3) classes - attend just one or all three! Spinning - 11:30a.m. - 12:30 p.m. HighPerformanceFitness -12:30a.m.-1p.m. Core - 1p.m. - 1:30p.m. Free to all with base access. All classes will be on a first come, first served basis. There is a 14-person maximum in each class. When you arrive at the Fitness Center, you must sign in at the front desk and ask them for a number for each class you want to attend. For more information, contact the Fitness Coordinator at 540-653-2016 or the Fitness Center at 540653-8580.
Community Notes Indian Head La Plata Walk to End Homelessness
The annual Walk to End Homelessness will be held Sat., Nov. 17 starting at La Plata Town Hall at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $20 per person or $15 per person for teams of 5 or more. To register, contact LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. at (866) 293-0623 or email info@lifestylesofmd.org.
CSM Barber Shop Quartet Concert
CSM Barbershop Concert. 8 p.m., Nov. 30, College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center, 8730 Mitchell
Road, La Plata. The men's barbershop chorus, Southern Mix, will perform. The concert will feature holiday and other festive music and will include guest singers from local schools. Individual tickets are $5 in advance, $7 day of concert or fall ensemble tickets are $15 to attend a performance of each of the following fall concerts: Barbershop Concert, Dance Performance, Chorale Concert, Jazz Ensemble Concert, Latin Ensemble Concert. BxOffc@csmd.edu, 301934-7828 or www.csmd.edu/Arts.
"From This Day Forward" Sotterley Holiday Candlelight
Sotterley Plantation will hold their annu-
al Candlelight, entitled "From This Day Forward," on November 30 and December 1. This year's presentation will run on Thursday, November 29th for Members' Night and November 30 & December 1st for the general public from 6:30 - 10 p.m. In this living history production set within the 1703 Plantation House, visitors will encounter Sotterley's past Christmas seasons and the families who lived and worked here. Share love, laughter and sometimes bittersweet memories at home on the plantation. Live musical performances from local premiere high school choral groups and complimentary cookies and punch will be available in the historic Barn, prior to the reserved performance time. Cost is $15 per person. Advance reservation are required by visiting www.sotterley.org.
Sotterley hosts Family Plantation Christmas Family Plantation Christmas will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Sotterley Plantation, offering a full day of wonderment and Christmas spirit! Let Santa know what you want for Christmas, purchase scrumptious treats from Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, take a horsedrawn carriage ride, sing along with carolers, make holiday crafts, visit the Sotterley Museum Shop to find unique holiday gifts while the children are buying presents at Santa's Secret Shop, and purchase seasonal greens and hand-crafted items from Sotterley's Garden Guild! Craft Vendors for choosy shoppers! Patuxent Voices, a women's acapella group, will perform Christmas favorites from many historical periods. Make this Christmas event part of your family tradition! The cost is $5 per person at the gate.
Dahlgren Movie Theater 540-653-7336 Hours of Operation Friday: 7 p.m. Showing Saturday: 7 p.m. Showing Price of Shows $5 Civilian, $4 Active Duty, Retired and Reserve Mil. E-7 and above and their family members with ID, $2.50 E1-E6 and below and their family members with ID, $2 Child (6-11), Free - Child (5 and under). Movies shown in 3-D will cost an additional $1 to ticket price. Nov 16 - Dredd 3D Rated R - 98 min. Nov 17 - End of Watch Rated R - 109 min. Nov 23 - Looper Rated R - 119 min. Nov 24 (Matinee 2 p.m.) Frankenweenie (3-D) Rated PG - 87 min. Nov 24 - Pitch Perfect Rated PG-13 - 112 min.
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monetary donation or by dropping off gifts – you’re helping our men and women in uniform provide for their families in these tough economic times.” National corporate sponsors for the Holiday Toy Drive joining Dollar Tree include Veterans United Foundation, Josh Cellars, and BAE Systems. In 2011, Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive collected over 7 million toys nationwide for military kids. Log on to OperationHomefront.net for more details on how to help military families. In the coming weeks, Operation Homefront will announce additional information on how Americans interested in donating holiday toys to military kids can help. About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has met more than 590,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to assist service members. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net. About Dollar Tree: A Fortune 500 Company, Dollar Tree is North America’s leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less. Headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, Dollar Tree operates more than 4,500 stores in the 48 contiguous United States and 5 Canadian Provinces. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.
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Friday, November 16, 2012
The South Potomac Pilot
Friday, November 16, 2012
The South Potomac Pilot
CBIRF kicks off Commander's Challenge
by Andrew Revelos Staff Writer
Marines assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) competed for pride and a few days' liberty at the inaugural Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6 at the Downey Responder Training Facility at Naval Annex Stump Neck. The course was grueling: intense physical competition centering on nine miles of running, combined with knowledge and practical application competition designed to increase the Marines’ chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive (CBRNE) response skills. The challenge is intended to build upon the CBRNE knowledge gained by Marines at CBIRF’s Basic Operators Course. For the Marines who volunteered for the challenge, the event began with a three-mile run in physical training (PT) gear from the Downey Responder Training Facility through Naval Annex Stump Neck, and back again. Under a barrage of cheers and good-natured insults from their fellow Marines, the competitors, in teams of four, were put to the test in several CBRN skill areas, including tying rescue knots, rappelling and taking a written test quizzing the Marines on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) signs. In between the knowledge and practical application events, the teams completed in additional physical challenges and of course, more running. The competing Marines found the second run event to be particularly challenging. The course was the same three
miles they ran previously, but instead of PT gear, the Marines wore their bulky CBRN protective suits. This included wearing the Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) masks, no small task. “The PAPR run, definitely,” said Cpl. Matt Jenkins, when asked about which part of the challenge was the hardest. “The weight of the [Mission Oriented Protective Posture] suit and the PAPR restricted the air.” Other Marines in the competition summed up their feelings in more succinct terms. “Ow,” said Cpl. Andrew Fisher. Marines observing and facilitating the challenge were of the same mind. “It’s definitely a beast of a challenge,” said Staff Sgt. Arthur Rose, who managed an event station in which competitors dragged a casualty sled several hundred yards. Still, preparation helped some of the competing Marines handle the knowledge portions of the event. “With the training that’s done here, the knowledge came back to you pretty quick,” said Jenkins. After a final three-mile run in boots and utilities,seven of the 12 teams completed the challenge in the allotted time limit. With a time of two hours, seven minutes, Cpls. Valentine Borunda, Bryan Conerly, Scott Grossinger and Phillip McMahon, from CBIRF’s Identification Detection Platoon, were victorious. “The whole purpose of this is to create a physical and mental challenge that incorporates all of the aspects of what it means to be a Marine or a Sailor in the Chemical Biological Incident Response
Force,” said Col. Peter Ahern, commanding officer of CBIRF. “We want to do it in a way where the larger audience [of CBIRF Marines and Sailors] can see that, if they work toward it, they can successfully accomplish the challenge. But it is not easy… it’s something you’ve got to work towards. You’ve got to have grit and determination, similar to what you have to have in the Basic Operators Course or a real-world response situation.” The unique mission of CBIRF demands a unique mindset, said Ahern. “We’re the only unit designed for lifesaving in the Marine Corps. With that comes a mindset shift and the challenge is part of that. When you’re in a response scenario, it’s not just physical strength and stamina, you also have to be able to think. You have to be more than physically fit, you have to be mentally agile.” While Ahern came up with the idea of a CBIRF Commander’s Challenge, the non-commissioned officers (NCOs) of CBIRF came up with the specifics. “We were tasked with challenging our Marines in all aspects of what it is to be a CBIRF Marine,” said Sgt. Matthew Dickey, battalion training NCO. “It’s not just a physical challenge, though it is obviously very physically-demanding. We catered it to be CBRNE response-specific with questions, the rappel tower… things that all Marines at CBIRF have learned. We want to see them put forth that effort and really dig in deep to complete the physical aspects, but also to keep up with their knowledge.” Editor’s note: Sgt. Frances Goch, public affairs specialist for CBIRF, contributed to this article.
Cpl. Scott Grossinger calls for an evaluator to check his rescue knot during the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6.
Marines assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force begin a grueling three-mile run in their protective MOPP gear at the Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6.
Marines assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force leap down the rappel tower during the Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6.
And they’re off! Marines assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force kick of the Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6.
Knowing is half the battle: Marines assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force are quizzed about FEMA signs at the Commander’s Challenge on Nov. 6.
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Andre Roy, NSASP police officer, helps his team carry a heavy log across the finish line during a physical training competition at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren.
Police: Physically, mentally challenging Continued from page 2
tremendous amount of capability that a lot of places don't have," said Nette. "I want to congratulate you." "This makes me extremely proud," added Dave Fredrickson, NSASP security director. "Since Chief Brooks got here, we have become as competent and as capable as any other department in our neighboring jurisdictions. "The guys and gals wearing this pin are the pointy end of the spear for law enforcement," said Fredrickson. "But in this line of work, that point is never sharp enough. We have to train,
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train, train and this pin is not the end of it. My hat is off to you." Perhaps no one, however, was more proud of Graby and Roy than their chief. "I was extremely proud of both of our officers who attended this course," said Brooks. "They have been training with our tactical responders who have previously completed this course and have put in many, many volunteer hours in preparation to attend this course. Both officers showed great heart and dedica- It pays to be a winner: Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico Security tion in their efforts and I feel that both are bet- Battalion react after they put out a strong finish in a physical training competition during tactical training at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren. ter officers because of this experience."
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Shoreline: Many hours of volunteering pay off "This is the largest and longest project the team has taken on," said Charmaine Dahlenberg, project manager for the National Aquarium's Conservation Team. Since construction began in 2007, volunteers from a diverse group of conservation-minded organizations, such as AmeriCorps and the Maryland Conservation Corps, partnered with the Navy and the National Aquarium Conservation Team to turn the vision of a living shoreline into a reality. Dahlenberg praised the efforts of her organization and the volunteers who supported her. "The Conservation Department at the Aquarium is a team of five women and we do everything when it comes to logistically planning these events," she said. "When it comes to the hard physical work, we would never get it done unless we had our volunteers... and it is extreme physical work!" Volunteers worked through many challenges, not least of which were planting and tending to native vegetation during the hot summer months. While the gratification is not quite instant, the project's large scale and multiyear timeline allowed the conservation professionals and volunteers to witness the fruits of their labor. "The grasses have taken off and they look awesome," said Dahlenberg. "To see them grow so significantly in so short of time is amazing. When the tide comes in, we see the amount of wildlife, like fish swimming in the grasses. That is something that was not here before. So we built them they're habitat and now they are able to survive. That's huge. "Seeing the wildlife utilize [the living shoreline] reassures us that this is needed and that we're doing something really good for the environment and helping the base out as well," emphasizes Dahlenberg. Some of the volunteers who worked on the last day of planting were new to the project; for others, it was the last of several trips they made to Indian Head and Stump Neck throughout the project. Everyone that offered comment appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the region's environmental health and especially, to simply enjoy being a part of nature. "It's really cool to come back each year to see how the grasses and trees have progressed," said Laura Cattell Noll, a conservation technician at the National Aquarium. Cattell Noll first came to NSF Indian Head as a volunteer; later, she was hired onto the aquarium's Conservation Team. "There is a sort of succession in forest development and to see the trees growing and new species come to where we've planted is awesome." The shoreline restoration helped Cattell Noll increase her knowledge about conservation. "It takes a lot to do a project like this and I've learned a lot from Charmaine about what's required, the planning," she said. "The fertilizer stakes, the tree tubes, ordering the trees, having them delivered to multiple access points along the water and mixing the species. Making sure [native vegetation is] spread out and not clustered ... there's a lot of finesse and planning and I've learned a lot." While Cattell Noll used the work at Indian Head and Stump Neck to turn her passion into a career, most volunteers simply wanted to serve the greater good. Fire Controlman 1st Class Justin Turner already gives back to the community through his military service, but the Aegis Training and Readiness (ATRC) assigned-Sailor's love of the outdoors guided him to the beach for the last day of planting. "I like the environment," he said. "I like trees; I like being outside. When I was a little kid I was outside playing in the mud. This was another opportunity to be outside." Turner hoped to return to Stump Neck in the coming months to check up on his handiwork. "The trees I planted, I put some big rocks beside them so I can come back later and see how they're doing," he said. John Sweet, a Department of Defense employee and Sierra Club volunteer, volunteered alongside his wife Meredith. As planting concluded, the Sweets enjoyed a picnic lunch on a scenic bluff overlooking the river. "I love what they're doing here," he said. "I'd love it if we could get more programs like this and include farmers. One of the Bay's biggest problems today is storm water runoff."
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Of all the volunteers who gave so many hours protecting Navy property and the environment, Mary Sidlowski may have contributed the most. Respected by the conservation professionals and volunteers alike, she volunteered for the duration of the shoreline restoration. Sidlowski's perspective reflected sense of the satisfaction volunteers enjoyed while restoring the Indian Head and Stump Neck shoreline. "It's an absolutely wonderful feeling," she said. "You can give money, but you never really see where it goes." Sidlowski also summarized the can-do attitude of the volunteers who contributed so much. "Wherever the next project is, I'll go."
Right: Laura Cattell Noll, conservation technician for the National Aquarium Conservation Team, checks trees at the final planting of native vegetation for NSF Indian Head's shoreline restoration project.
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