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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 38 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 09.20.12
NEW CHIEFS WELCOMED TO THE ‘MESS’ Compiled by Flagship Staff
First class petty officers around the world took their final step in assuming the role of chief petty officers (CPOs) in the U.S. Navy, Sept. 14. Sponsors, family members, peers and others came to watch as the final touches were put on newly minted CPOs during a ceremony that pinned their new rank onto their uniform, outfitted with a new combination cover, and formerly welcoming them into the family of the Chief’s Mess. “You have greater responsibility [as a chief],” said Chief Operations Specialist (SW) Luis Sandoval, who was pinned during a ceremony held aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69). “There’s no more running to the chief for answers – you are the chief. A benefit is that you have the whole Chief’s Mess backing you up and helping you.” The CPO induction and training process, which began six weeks ago for prospective chief petty officers, or selectees, helped prepare the new chiefs for their new tier of leadership. The pinning ceremony marks the end of the induction process and represents a new beginning through a proud naval tradition. Through the process, new CPOs have a better understanding of what it means to be the chief. “Induction gives them the tools they will need to operate as a chief petty officer,” said Master Chief Ray R. Chamberlain, Jason Dunham’s Command Master Chief. “It’s the foundation they will build upon throughout the rest of their careers.” The CPO pinning ceremony is a tradition unique to the Navy, which dates back to 1893, when the CPO pay grade was created. The ceremony signifies a new position of leadership and responsibility. “As a new chief, you join the ranks of an elite group that cel-
There’s no more running to the chief for answers – you are the chief.” - Chief Operations Specialist (SW) Luis Sandoval
ebrates more than 100 years of service to our Navy,” said Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mark Ferguson during a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. “We expect you to uphold our traditions and ethos and make the second 100 years of the chief even better than the first.” The three-phased, year-long development and training tests selectees mentally, physically, personally and professionally. General guidance was established and released by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West in 2010, and command master chiefs are the overseers of the program. “The program has been a window into the Chief’s Mess and prompted a great deal of introspection about what kind of leader I want to be and what kind of leader I am presently,” said newly-pinned Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Adam Vernon, a visual communication instructor at Defense Information School (DINFOS). “CPO 365 has definitely set me up for success as a chief.” Training topics for CPO 365 include: Navy heritage, Navy policies and procedures, equal opportunity guidance, sponsorship and indoctrination, Fleet and Family Service Center programs, Perform-to-Serve, career development boards,physical fitness and nutrition, and more.
Chief petty officer combination covers are displayed prior to the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) pinning ceremony.
MC3 Kay Savarese
One hundred percent ID card scanning to begin at NAVSTA Norfolk Press Release
NORFOLK
Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk has been selected by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) to conduct a pilot program to test the capability to scan and authenticate Common Access Cards (CAC) and Teslin cards (dependents and retirees) at the gates. This pilot program will begin on Sept. 24 and will run through Oct. 31. During the pilot, gate personnel will scan all ID cards, but not use the results of the scan for an access decision. Security personnel will follow current procedures when examining a card. If they see – based upon a visual inspection – it is expired, appears to have been tampered with, or is potentially invalid, they will handle it just as they do now, and otherwise they will grant access even if the system indicates an issue.
Theresa Gilliam Pitts, sponsor of Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) 2, USNS Choctaw County, breaks a bottle of champagne during the christening at the Austal Shipyard.
MCC Leah E. Stiles
Security personnel will notify the cardholder if their scan would have resulted in denial to NAVSTA Norfolk, so they have an opportunity to fix the card before a shift to the full implementation phase, where the scan will determine access. The process will take two to eight seconds per person on the initial scan, and subsequent scans on the same card will require less verification time. Motorists are encouraged to
plan accordingly when accessing NAVSTA Norfolk. Implementing this process may cause delays at the gates Gate personnel will be unable to address any specific ID card problems. If an ID card issue is detected at the gate, personnel should make an appointment at one of the ID Labs through the online scheduler. The web address for the online scheduler is https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil.
Blue Angels visit local high school By Katisha Draughn Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs
NORFOLK
MCC Sam Shavers
NAVY’S SECOND JOINT HIGHSPEED VESSEL CHRISTENED Press Release Military Sealift Command Public Affairs
MOBILE, ALA.
USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2), the second of the Navy’s new joint high-speed vessels designed for rapid intra-theater transport of troops and military equipment, was christened, during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., Sept. 15. Military Sealift Command (MSC) will own and operate Choctaw County and the other joint high-speed vessels, or JHSV’s,
NEX MINI MART OPENS It was a grand day for a grand affair to open a grand facility on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), Sept. 13. » see A2
Naval Station Norfolk will conduct a pilot program to test the capability to scan CAC and Teslin cards at the gates from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31.
NAVSTA Norfolk Public Affairs
that are under contract to be built for the Navy. Choctaw County will have a crew of 21 civil service mariners working for MSC who will operate, navigate and maintain the ship. “The ship’s performance will be matched by the unique qualities of her crew – 21 civil service mariners committed to freedom, democracy and compassion,” said Rear Adm. Brian LaRoche, deputy commander, MSC, during his address to an
» see CHRISTENING | A9
NAVY HOLDS CFC CEREMONY AT PENTAGON The Department of the Navy held a kick off ceremony at the Pentagon for the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Sept. 14. » see B1
Local high school students were in for a treat when two Blue Angels’ pilots visited Granby High School, Sept. 14, and gave them a close and personal look at the life of the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. The pilots engaged and encouraged approximately 500 Junior Reserve Officers’Training Corps (JROTC) cadets and students from Granby, Lake Taylor, Booker T. Washington, Stephen Decatur and Norfolk Collegiate high schools to become innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) users. “You all are in a really good position and you should take advantage of all the great opportunities that you have while you are students in high
Also check out the CFC special section inserted in this issue!
You all are in a really good position and you should take advantage of all the great opportunities that you have while you are students in high school.” - Lt. Cmdr. John “JK” Hiltz
■ at the air show See A8 for coverage from the 2012 NAS Oceana Air Show featuring the aerobatics of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. school,” said Lt. Cmdr. John “JK” Hiltz. Students were eager to meet Hiltz and Aviation Structural Mechanic – Equipment (Aircrew) 2nd Class (AW) Mark Tobias as they welcomed them to the world of being a part of a flying aerobatic team. “I am proud to be able to represent Marines and Sailors
RIBFEST The AT&TTown Point Ribfest returns to Downtown Norfolk, Sept. 22. Guests will be in “hog heaven” as the free festival boasts finger-lickin, lip-smackin’ good BBQ and great family fun. » see C1
and perform around the country,” said Tobias. Before arriving in Norfolk, the Blue Angels traveled from Pensacola, Fla. to Virginia Beach for the annual Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show, held from Sept. 14 - 16. Hiltz received an enormous amount of applause when he asked how many of the students would be attending the festivities at Oceana. He then gave the students some insight into how he became a pilot and some of the obstacles he had to overcome.
» see VISIT | A9
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