What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Leading Chief Petty Officer
MCC(SW/AW) Ben Farone
Navy College
Editor MC2(SW) Michael Doan
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Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC3 (SW) Jacob Smith MC3 Olivier Clement Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka
International Police Week Page 10
Facebook.com/naf.atsugi Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
Youth Sports
@NAFAtsugiJP
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ON THE COVER
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NAF ATSUGI SAILORS AND FAMILIES CELEBRATE ASIANAMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH AT CINEMA 77 THROUGH VARIOUS FORMS OF MUSIC AND DANCE (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC3 JACOB SMITH)
CMDCM CORNER With Command Master Chief Daniel Irwin
Shipmates, We l c o m e b a c k t o C M D C M ’s C o r n e r. I ’ d like to start by giving one more BZ to our n e w l y f r o c k e d P e t t y O ff i c e r s . N A FA h a d the privilege of pinning crows on 16 petty o ff i c e r s , w i t h f o u r a d d i t i o n a l p r o s p e c t i v e gains to report soon with their new rank. A s I ’ m s u r e y o u ’ v e h e a r d b y n o w, t h e r e have been some seemingly abrupt changes t o t h e N a v y ’s Tu i t i o n A s s i s t a n c e p r o g r a m . D e m a n d o n TA d o l l a r s h a s i n c r e a s e d 3 0 % s i n c e l a s t y e a r, a n d u n f o r t u n a t e l y that means funding for this fiscal year h a s r u n o u t . I f y o u a r e i n a c l a s s n o w, o r h a v e a n a p p r o v e d , f u n d e d TA v o u c h e r for an upcoming class, that funding has been allocated and will be honored. That being said, no new funding is available until October 1st, and new business rules will be applied when considering tuition assistance requests. For full details, c h e c k o u t N AVA D M I N 11 4 / 1 9 . Next up, I’d like to briefly highlight two new apps that recently hit the streets. First is the PMK-EE app which Sailors can use to prepare for advancement exams and even take their paygrade specific Professional Military
Knowledge Eligibility Exams (PMK-EE) and submit their answers t o t h e N a v y Tr a i n i n g Management Planning System (NTMPS). Starting with this y e a r ’s S e p t e m b e r P e t t y O ff i c e r e x a m s , P M K questions will no longer be part of your written advancement exam. The r e q u i r e m e n t d o e s n ’t g o a w a y, y o u j u s t have to complete the exam online. This g o e s f o r J a n u a r y 2 0 2 0 ’s C P O e x a m a n d all subsequent exams as well. T h e o t h e r a p p i s M y N a v y F a m i l y. This spouse / family focused app consolidates information on PCSing, FFSC programs and services, employment, adult education and tons of other useful gouge to support those who support the warfighters. Both apps are available for download on Apple iOS and Google Android m o b i l e d e v i c e s . T h a t ’s a l l f o r t h i s month. Thank you for all you do, and r e m e m b e r, i f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s , ASK THE CHIEF!
June 6, 1850
June 14, 1777
The brig USS Perry, commanded by Lt. Andrew H. Foote, captures American slaver Martha off Ambriz (near the city of Luanda), Angola, Africa.
The Continental Congress adopts the design of present U.S. flag of 13 stripes and 13 stars.
June 18, 1957
June 26, 1962
U.S. Naval Facility, Cape Hatteras, N.C., makes the first Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) detection of a Soviet diesel submarine.
Adm. Arleigh A. Burke, Chief of Naval Operations, approves the ship characteristics of the Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine.
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EDUCATING SAILORS ABOUT EDUCATION
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 JACOB SMITH One of the positives to enlisting in any military branch are the plethora of available avenues to pursue a college education after leaving the service by using the G.I. Bill. For Sailors who wish to earn their degree while serving, they can pursue their education during their off time by using Tuition Assistance (TA).
Changes have also been made to how much TA funds will be available, as it is being reduced down to 12 semester hours per fiscal year, with a maximum of 120 semester hours per career. While this is less in comparison, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Navy College Center Director Bryan Burdick is still going to do everything he can for Sailors and their education TA is a benefit that can cover 100 percent of Sailors’ tuition fees needs. for both classroom and online courses. The requirements to enroll have varied between the branches and have been changed since “Our office is not changing anything as far as how we do our its inception, however, new changes will be implemented as of daily job,” said Burdick. “We’re still going to give counseling to Oct. 1 this year. our Sailors on how to maximize the TA they are allotted, whether that’s 16 or 12 semester units, we’re still going to encourage our Due to a combination of a 30 percent increase of TA usage since Sailors to apply for grants and scholarships as we always have June 2018 and a desire for junior Sailors to focus on improving been. A college degree is a major need in today’s business place so their in-rate and warfare qualifications, Sailors will now need to don’t neglect it because you’re banking on your Navy experience meet new criteria in order to be eligible to apply for TA, including and veteran status to earn you a good job. Twenty years of work but not limited to a minimum of 24 months of service, and must in that field may still get you nothing but an entry level position if have passed their latest physical readiness test. you don’t have the degree to back it up.” 4
While some Sailors may find it more convenient to do their courses online, Burdick also recommends that Sailors obtain a more traditional education by getting by taught by professors in the classrooms down the hall from Burdick’s office in Bldg. 987. These classrooms are open after working hours around 1800, so Sailors have the time to go eat, change and relax after the workday for a little while before coming into the classroom. Sailors are also able to make a hybridization of the two, doing most of the work online and come into the classroom once a week to study under a professor. Currently there are two colleges available on NAF Atsugi, the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, both of which offer a plethora of college courses.
An alternative option for Sailors to make progress on their education is to take College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). These tests, provided by UMUC, allow Sailors to challenge their basic education courses for a degree, to test out of them without needing to use any of their TA so they can focus all of that toward their major. Proulx said she feels CLEP and DANTES testing is a great for Sailors who are unable to commit to college courses at this point in their careers but still want to make good use of their time by trying to earn college credit with testing.
There are multiple avenues for Sailors to go about earning their college degree and obtain a higher level of education, but no “As a UMUC staff member, it is my honor and privilege to matter which way they decide to go, it is long-term investment support our Sailors overseas who are looking to continue their in their future once they finish their time serving their country’s higher education,” said Emily Proulx, Program Coordinator, Navy. NAF Atsugi UMUC Asia. “I’m always here to assist Sailors in getting enrolled in a program that fits their schedule and needs For more information about TA and enrolling in college courses, best; whether that’s taking advantage of our on-site classes, or contact Bryan Burdick at his office in Building 987 behind the completing their degree completely online. We have a lot to Navy Lodge, or at Bryan.burdick@fe.navy.mil, DSN: 264-3280 offer NAF Atsugi and I hope Sailors will take advantage of the opportunities here as much as possible.”
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RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
HELPING SAILORS GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ANGE OLIVIER CLEMENT member coming to a command and helping t h e m b e c o m e a n e ff e c t i v e m e m b e r o f t h e t e a m , ” s a i d We l d o n Wr i g h t , t h e F l e e t a n d Family Support Center relocation program manager at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi. “This program helps members and their families with housing, school, day care enrollment, recommendations of furniture to bring, requirements to ship personal Moving in general can also increase stress vehicles and even bringing pets.” on individuals. In response, the Navy c r e a t e d a p r o g r a m t o h e l p S a i l o r s g o i n g T h e n e x t p r o g r a m o ff e r e d i s c a l l e d P C S through the permanent change of station Smooth Move, which is designed to help (PCS) process. This program, named the members navigate the challenges of PCSing, Relocation Assistance Program (RAP), is packing up and rolling to their next duty multifaceted, with one-on-one counseling, station. seminars, arrival and departure workshops. “This program helps Sailors and their “The command sponsorship program is families in preparing for the day the movers designed to help ease the transition for a new come, including what items to set aside that 6 Each year Sailors approaching their Projected Rotation Date receive new orders and along comes a change of permanent station. Once those orders are received Sailors have to go through the process of getting ready to relocate. Moving is never an easy task regardless if the Sailor is s i n g l e o r h a s a f a m i l y.
a member wants to hand carry and how to correctly document property for insurance p u r p o s e s , ” s a i d Wr i g h t . “ T h e r e i s a w h o l e gambit of things to consider when moving and this program gives guidelines such as which utilities to contact, and when to reach out to the postal service for change of address.” It is recommended that service members and their families attend a Smooth Move class at least six months prior to their projected rotation date to familiarize themselves with the process. “I personally believe that the sponsorship program is the most important of all the p r o g r a m s o ff e r e d b y R A P, ” s a i d S h a w n B a r k e r, t h e F l e e t a n d F a m i l y S u p p o r t Social Services Assistant. “There could be individuals coming to NAF Atsugi who have never been outside of the United States and d o n ’t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t l i v i n g o v e r s e a s and could be experiencing anxiousness. The sponsorship program is meant to alleviate some of that.”
When it comes to changing duty stations, a majority of Sailors tend to have some experience having gone through the process. The Sponsorship program attempts to bring that wealth of knowledge together so that it may be a resource for t h o s e S a i l o r s w h o a r e n ’t a s s e a s o n e d . “ M r. Wr i g h t h a s b r o u g h t i n a d i ff e r e n t p e r s p e c t i v e f r o m h i s p r e d e c e s s o r, ” s a i d B a k e r. “ A l l p e r s p e c t i v e s h o w e v e r a r e g r e a t additions to the program because they can help provide a broader view of experiences people have in coming over to Atsugi.” The RAP program is meant to reduce the stress and anxiety of military members and their families when it comes to moving either to or from a permanent duty station. For those Sailors and their families that will PCS from Atsugi in the near future the RAP team is currently available for help in going through the process.
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INTERNATIONAL POLICE WEEK
SERVICE MEMBERS HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
S TO RY A N D P H O TO S B Y M C 3 J A C O B S M I T H During the week following Peace O f f i c e r s ’ M e m o r i a l D a y, k n o w n a s P o l i c e We e k , p o l i c e o f f i c e r s h o l d activities to help develop friendly relations with the community through meet and greets, competitions, and showcasing their K9 units and police cars. For the military police serving here in Japan, they’re celebrating with a friendly competition of their own. S e r v i c e m e m b e r s f r o m Yo k o t a A i r B a s e Security Forces (USAF), Camp Zama Provost Marshal, USA (Military Police) and Camp Fuji Provost Marshal, USMC (Military Police) came together to compete in a combat fitness challenge, to take home bragging rights along
w i t h a t r a v e l i n g t r o p h y. W h i l e t h e a l l N a v y t e a m c a m e f r o m Yo k o t a A i r B a s e Security Forces, Naval Air Facility ( N A F ) A t s u g i ’s C h i e f M a s t e r - a t - A r m s Orlando Morin, from San Antonio, was c h o s e n t o b e t h e t e a m ’s l e a d e r a n d coordinator for NAF Atsugi.
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“It is definitely important that the community takes time this week to recognize Law Enforcement Officers across the board,” said Morin. “Past, present and the fallen. It takes a special person to get up every morning and put o n t h e i r b o d y a r m o r, l o a d t h e i r w e a p o n and holster it, and get on the street to protect those who will probably n e v e r k n o w t h e i r n a m e . We d o n ’ t a s k
for medals or any type of recognition because we don’t get into the Law Enforcement field for that reason. So, this is a time to show the community that we are on the job 24/7, rain, shine o r s n o w, a n d t h a t w e a r e h e r e t o t r u l y serve and protect, and sometimes that means paying the ultimate sacrifice.”
“ We d i d n ’ t c a r e i f w e w o n o r l o s t t o d a y, we just wanted to represent ourselves and show we know our job, have trained for it and do it well,” said Senior Airman Seth Barbee, from Hartselle, Ala., the l e a d e r f o r t h e Yo k o t a A i r B a s e S e c u r i t y F o r c e s t e a m . “ We j u s t w a n t e d t o b e t h e b e s t w e c o u l d b e t o g e t h e r, l e a v e i t all out on the field, no matter what it t o o k . N o r m a l l y, y o u d o n ’ t g e t s o m a n y different branches together on Police We e k . I ’ v e b e e n t o a l o t o f d i f f e r e n t b a s e s a n d i t ’s u s u a l l y j u s t A i r F o r c e , s o g e t t i n g t o s e e A r m y, N a v y a n d M a r i n e s o u t s i d e t h e r e t o g e t h e r, d o i n g w h a t w e d o b e s t , b e i n g c o p s , w a s g r e a t . We w e r e n ’ t r e p r e s e n t i n g b r a n c h e s t o d a y, w e w e r e r e p r e s e n t i n g P o l i c e We e k , what it means to be a cop and the job we do.”
D u e t o c o m p l i c a t i o n s w i t h t h e w e a t h e r, the competition was relegated to just one event; the Defender Challenge. The Defender Challenge is a series of intense exercises performed subsequently between two teams at once, the goal being to complete it as quickly as possible. The teams gave it their all despite the rough conditions and while e v e r y o n e p e r f o r m e d a d m i r a b l y, i t w a s t h e t e a m f r o m Yo k o t a w h o c a m e o u t o n top.
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The top three teams were awarded for t h e i r e f f o r t s b y L t . C o l . Ty l e r B a i l y, a n Air Force Reservist, who has served as a police officer in both military and civilian sectors for more than 18 years.
rangers, sheriffs, marshals, probation officers, and prison guards. The men and women who came out to compete stand as an example to their fellow service members and represent what it m e a n s t o b e a p o l i c e o f f i c e r.
“It is a unique and humbling experience to see law enforcement from the Air Force and our sister services come together in the spirit of comradery to celebrate the tradition of police work, by pouring out a little blood, sweat and t e a r s , ” s a i d B a i l e y. “ I t ’s a n h o n o r t o come out and share some of their time and reward them where we can.”
While they may not be sent across the globe to protect their nation from dangers both foreign and domestic, peace officers serve their nation and may also be asked to lay down their lives. For that, they are equally worthy of praise as military police.
May 15th was Peace Officers Memorial Day in the U.S., an observance day akin to Memorial Day that honors the peace officers who have been injured o r l o s t t h e i r l i v e s i n t h e l i n e o f d u t y. Peace officers include not just police officers, but also game wardens, park
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FUN WHILE EXERCISING B E N E F I T S O F Y O U T H S P O R T S AT N A F AT S U G I
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ANGE OLIVIER CLEMENT Youth sports are a fun way to increase a child’s The Child Development Center offers a variety physical activity level and develop lifelong of sports including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, dodgeball and a variety of other habits for good health. fitness programs. Additionally, seasonal sports Naval Air Facility Atsugi Morale, Welfare and are offered for kids ages 3-15 throughout the Recreation offers programs meant to provide year. Some of the sports that receive the most children of service members the opportunity to participation are basketball and soccer. participate in sports while living in Japan. According to Daniel Hunt, the program does not “Being overseas is not always easy as there emphasize a specific area within sports but rather, are not as many opportunities off base to play based on age, offers different programs such as sports, especially with the language barrier,” increased motor skills coordination for three to said Daniel Hunt, Youth Sports and Fitness four year olds, team building and strategy for Coordinator. “Being able to provide that locally five to eight year olds and competition for nine is a plus to keep them socially engaged, continue years old and above. to participate in their sport of choice, improve their skill sets and is a good positive outlet to “It’s just for that social recreation aspect,” said Hunt. “A lot of kids come out just to be a part of keep them physically active.” 13
According to Mike Nomoto, Child and Youth Programs Assistant the process to become a coach is not hard. An individual will do an online orientation that takes about 90 minutes and a background check. “We give volunteer hours for participants,” said Nomoto. “We also give them a command certificate. The thing I like about giving them that is because President Bush back in 2002 created an award called the presidential volunteer service award which we also offer every year. We try to also reach out to commands to let them know how vital their Sailors support to our program is.” Youth sports is important because you have a lot of parents deployed and it ffers the remaining spouse an avenue to have the kids outside participating in extracurricular activities. “The main purpose of our program is to get these younger generations outside,” said Nomoto. “To get them away from their phone, and all other electronic devices because they can affect their brain negatively. Children will not only enjoy themselves, but they will also have the added advantage of working with others to improve their health.”
the group of friends. If one friend joins, another one comes in and then a third and the fourth. A lot of new people come out and participate in something new and you see that they end up enjoying being part of that group. It’s being able to learn and value the aspect of the team, which is a big thing in sports. So, it’s not all ‘me, me, me.’ It’s we. We can come together. We With that in mind the Child Development Center can better ourselves in order to succeed in the encourages families with children to register next game. That’s another big plus about being their kids to participate in this program but also encourages adults to volunteer as coaches. in youth sports program.” This program, although dedicated to children, offers plenty of opportunities for adults. Parents can take advantage of the Family Engagement Program. This program offers parents who are coaches the incentive of having registration fees waived for their own children, should their kids register for a sport. “Parents love to be out there,” said Hunt. “A lot of parents love coming out to the games and watching their kids play. But, we also offer opportunities to other people such as single Sailors to be coaches in the program.” 14
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