®
Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 45 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 11.08.12
WELCOME HOME ENTERPRISE
Big “E” returns from final deployment » see A8 Harry Gerwien | Military Newspapers of Virginia
First females graduate Riverine Combat Skills Course
Local schools, military installations come together for education summit By MC3 (SW)Tamekia L. Perdue Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
NORFOLK
Navy Region Mid Atlantic (CNRMA) Child and Youth Region School Liaison Office, Joint Military Services School Liaison Committee (JMSSLC) and Old Dominion University (ODU) partnered up to host the “Lets Talk Education” Summit at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, Nov. 1. The summit was devel-
By MCSN Heather M. Paape Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
The curriculum didn’t change at all and the females were asked to do the exact same things as the males were.” - Lt. j.g. Joshua Cohen
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.
The first Riverine Combat Skills Course (RCS) class to include females graduated during a ceremony at Center for Security Forces Learning Site Camp Lejeune (CSFLSCL) Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 26. The four females started the five-week course along with 56 males on Sept. 23 to be trained and evaluated on combat skills needed to perform their duties as a Riverine Sailor. They were trained on weapon fundamentals and equipment, land navigation, offensive and defensive patrolling and communications. Chief Engineman Patricia Cooper, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Brittney Hellwig, Master-atArms Seaman Brianna Tran and
BATAAN READIES FOR NCAA NAVY-MARINE CORPS CLASSIC Sailors aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5) continued readying the ship for the upcoming NCAA Navy-Marine Corps Classic as construction work continued on the flight deck basketball court, Nov. 3. » see A3
Master-at-Arms Seaman Angela Evans all agreed that RCS was a challenging course, but refused to let the fact that they were the first females modify their training in any way. “It’s crossed all of our minds,” said Tran, a student from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 2. “We’ve discussed it, but it’s something that we tried to keep out of our heads so we can keep our focus on the course. It’s better to keep our focus here. Even the guys have been very supportive and we haven’t had any issues with them thinking we couldn’t do it.” Before the Riverine Forces and Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces (MESF) merged into the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) in June, the Riverine community was only composed of male Sailors. Because MESF was an integrated force, the merger introduced females to the Riverine
oped to bridge the gap between military families, educators and community leaders by providing information regarding stressors associated with continuous transitions, lengthy deployments and support systems for military students. Motivational speaker, Trevor Romain, a bestselling author and illustrator of an award-winning series of selfhelp books for children, was the keynote speaker at the
» see SUMMIT | A11
MCSN Heather M. Paape Sailors in class 13-010 of the Riverine Combat Skills Course (RCS) patrol the training grounds during the medical combat scenario of a field training exercise in Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 24.
SPEEDING, SAFETY A CONCERN ONBOARD NAVSTA NORFOLK
working environment, and they became eligible for Riverine training. “I’m excited to have females in the class,” said Lt. Michael A. Diehl, CSFLSCL site director. “The way we view it at the school house is that they are all students. Anyone who comes here with the right attitude, ready to learn, ready to take on what we teach, to accept the mission and to succeed and help their fellow Sailor, in my book, I’ll take any student like that any day of the week.” The course itself did not need any changes to include females to participate, but according to Diehl, the course managers followed
By David Todd
» see RIVERINES | A11
HURRICANE AFTERMATH The U.S. Navy continued to provide disaster relief in support of FEMA, national and local authorities in the NewYork and New Jersey areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, Nov. 4.
» see B1
The Flagship Managing Editor
NORFOLK
Onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, speeding and safety are two of the main concerns for both drivers on the road and pedestrians using the crosswalks. As a result, base security is ensuring that traffic laws are being enforced daily. “I can see it firsthand right here where I sit – especially early in the morning – I think what happens is people are in a rush to get to work, and then the same thing when they exit off the base,” said Capt. David A.
GUIDE TO VETERAN’S DAY Check out the Flagship’s C section for events and special offers in and around Hampton Roads, paying tribute to veterans and active duty military.
» see C1
Culler, Jr., Commanding Officer, NAVSTA Norfolk. “People are speeding, and if we don’t get it under control, someone is going to get hit – either hurt or killed – so it’s a big concern for me.” Culler feels that the speeding rules currently in place are too liberal and he’s working to effectively update those laws for the safety of all onboard the base. “Right now the rules and regulations we have in place are not stiff enough, and we are looking at that. I’m going to try to ratchet it up,
» see SPEEDING | A11
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free! Sign up today! Call 222-3990