Dahlgren Vol. 26, No. 8, August 2015
What’s Inside
Month Inaugural Speaker
“Honoring Diversity Solves Problems and Creates Innovative Products” 2
MCPON Visits Center for Surface Combat Systems
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NSWC Dahlgren Team Competes in Mud Run, Raising Funds for Local Residents in Need
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NSWC Dahlgren Division LGBT Pride
Some Gave All softball tournament
New medical clinic now open in Colonial Beach
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Dahlgren — Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) recognized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month with guest speaker Amanda Simpson Army Office of Energy Initiatives executive Director, July 24. The observance, held at the Naval Support Facility Dahlgren base theater, inspired personnel to create a culture of inclusion. “I am happy now that the Department of Defense (DoD) formally recognizes that everyone has something to offer regardless of sexual orientation,” said NSWCDD Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Durant, in his opening remarks. Durant shared a personal experience during his early years in the Navy where he observed inequality due to sexual orientation.
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He witnessed peers with the potential to be great leaders leave the Navy because they could not be who they really were. The NSWCDD Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office and DoD’s goal is to provide opportunities for everyone, military and civilian, to recognize the importance of diversity within the DoD workforce. “It is an honor to be your inaugural speaker,” said Simpson at the first NSWCDD LGBT Pride Month Observance. “These kinds of dialogs were not possible a decade ago.” Established in 2009 for the month of June, LGBT Pride Month promotes and encourages a celebration of honesty and openness within the See LGBT page 6
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Trace Adkins to perform at NSF Dahlgren
Award-winning country artist Trace Adkins will play Oct. 10 at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren Parade Field. Adkins, famous for hits like “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Honkytonk Badonadonk,” and “Just Fishin’,” will follow local performers the Virginians and the Smith and Auer Band. The show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit www.facebook.com/freedomlivendw. A limited number of VIP Meet and Greet tickets will be available for $159.99 and will include a meet-and-greet/photo opportunity with Adkins, complimentary, all-inclusive food and beverage tent, preferred seating, preferred parking and VIP restrooms. VIP tickets will be available for $99.99 and will include complimentary food and beverage tent with four drink tickets, preferred seating, preferred parking and VIP restrooms. Free general admission tickets also are available. Attendees may bring chair to the event. No alcohol, pets, coolers, glass, outside food or beverage, firearms, weapons and backpacks will be allowed. For more information, contact the NSF Dahlgren Community Recreation/ITT office at (540) 653-8785, or the NSASP Public Affairs Office at (866) 359-5540.
Maternity leave for women serving in the Navy, Marine Corps Washington — U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced last month that, effective immediately, women who serve in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps will have 18 weeks of maternity leave available to use during the first year of her child’s life. “In the Navy and the Marine Corps, we are continually looking for ways to recruit and retain the best people,” Mabus said. “We have incredibly talented women who want to serve, and they also want to be mothers and have the time to fulfill that important role the right way. We can do that for them. Meaningful maternity leave when it matters most is one of the best ways that we can support the women who serve our
county. This flexibility is an investment in our people and our Services, and a safeguard against losing skilled service members.” Mabus has directed commanding officers grant additional convalescent leave up to 84 days beyond the currently authorized 42 days of convalescent leave following the birth of a child. For families, increased time following the birth of her child has tangible benefits for the physical and psychological health of both mother and child, Mabus said. “When the women in our Navy and Marine Corps answer the call to serve, they are making the difficult choice to be away from their children - sometimes for prolonged periods of time - so
that they can do the demanding jobs that we ask them to do,” he said. “With increased maternity leave, we can demonstrate the commitment of the Navy and Marine Corps to the women who are committed to serve.” The policy also will apply retroactively to any woman who has been authorized convalescent leave following the birth of a child since Jan. 1. Under the new policy, commanding officers are required to grant to a woman up to a total of 18 weeks, using a combination of maternity leave and convalescent leave beyond 30 days. A mother does not need to take all of her leave at once; however, she is only entitled to the use of this type of leave within one year of her child’s birth.
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