What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Deputy Public Affairs Officer Teal Yost Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC(SW) Ben Farone
Training at Camp Fuji Page 4
Editor MC2(SW) Michael Doan Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC3 (SW) Jacob Smith MCSN Olivier Clement Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka
New Finance Manager at FFSC Page 12
Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki Facebook.com/naf.atsugi Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
Modeling/Job Fair Page 14
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ON THE COVER
MASTER-ATARMS 1ST CLASS G R E G O R Y PANNULLO, FROM CLARK, NEW JERSEY, GUIDES MILITARY WORKING DOG AKI THROUGH A TRAIL IN SEARCH OF SIMULATED EXPLOSIVES. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MCC BEN FARONE)
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CMDCM CORNER With Command Master Chief Daniel Irwin
Shipmates, Welcome back to CMC’s corner! Last month we talked about changes to Final Multiple Scores and Enlisted Advancement Worksheets. For our March edition, I’d like to continue with that theme by discussing some recent changes to our Navy’s promotion and education programs. 2019 Meritorious Advancement Program NAVADMIN 031/19 announced changes to the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP), formerly known as the “CAP” program. Taking cues from the success of last year’s MAP, the CY19 program has been expanded quite a bit and will ultimately account for 20% of all E4E6 advancements. Other significant changes include: Two MAP seasons – This will align the MAP seasons with the Navy-wide Advancement Exams. Season one will run from 01 March to 30 April and season two will run from 01 September to 31 October. Eliminating the Redistribution Season – All unused quotas from season one will be returned and those numbers will be shuffled back in to the Spring advancement exam cycle. And as I’m sure you’re wondering… NAFA has been provided one MAP quota for each of the Petty Officer paygrades for this cycle. Though the chances for spot promotion have increased across the Navy, sustained superior performance and studying for exams remain the standard to progress through the ranks.
BOTTOM LINE: As another initiative supporting Sailor 2025, the goal of the retooled MAP program is to enable local commands to recognize, reward and – most importantly – retain YOU. Our most valuable asset! Education for Seapower Great news on the education front! On February 12th, the Navy announced what they’re calling the Naval University System (NUS). The concept will combine higher learning institutions including the Naval Academy, War College, Postgraduate School and others into a combined education system. A bonus feature, the establishment of a Naval Community College that will provide accredited associates’ degrees for our enlisted force that align with their warfighting specialties. Even better – down the road your educational achievements will be weighed on your evaluation, directly impacting your promotion potential! BOTTOM LINE: Mental agility will help you sharpen yourself as a warfighter and Sailor and ultimately help our Navy confront challenges on the 21st century battlefield. That’s all for this month, and as always, if you have questions, ASK THE CHIEF!
March 2, 1859
March 16, 1963
Launch of Saginaw at Mare Island, first Navy ship built on West Coast of U.S.
The Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) is launched at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
March 10, 1933
March 24, 2009
Coastal patrol craft USS Chinook (PC 9) arrives at Umm Qasr, Iraq. During this port visit to Iraq, she is the first U.S. Navy ship to stay overnight.
Pacific Fleet provides assistance after earthquake at Long Beach, CA
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Hidden Challenges at Camp Fuji
K 9 H a n d l e r s R e c i e v e D e t e c t i o n Tr a i n i n g a t C a m p F u j i
Story and Photos by MCC Ben Farone
Japanese trainers from Saitama Prefecture. They were exposed to different environments that their base may not have,” said Atsugi’s Kennel Trainer, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joseph Adames, a Kissimmee, Florida native.
K9 Handlers from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi joined members of the three sister services as well as Japanese police from Saitama prefecture for a series of combined military working dog (MWD) training scenarios at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Feb. 12.
According to Adames, the wooded area in Camp Fuji, along with the capabilities provided by the Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians helped build on the skillset of the handlers, especially in environments unfamiliar to many Navy K9 teams.
The training covered a broad scope of disciplines including veterinary treatment, suspect intervention and narcotic and inert explosive searches. The latter provided a rare opportunity for the Army, Air Force and Navy units more accustomed to urban installations.
“We have some dog teams getting ready for “We had units from Atsugi, Yokota Air Base, deployment and I wanted to set them up for Camp Zama, Yokosuka (Naval Base) and success. We scoped out the training area at 6
Camp Fuji and we noticed EOD was there and inquired about the training evolution we were trying to accomplish. The EOD aspect brings a lot more to the table than we as dog handlers can provide,” said Adames.
attributes that make a handler and K9 team successful.
“It was my first time in an EOD evolution. I’m a brand new handler and brand new to the Navy so the training was really helpful in being able Master-at-Arms 1st class Gregory Pannullo, to pick out signs of any IED and knowing how from Clark, New Jersey felt his partner, MWD to use the dog and his nose. Taking the trails Aki, performed well, in spite of the unfamiliar and using my sight and his nose to decipher circumstances of the training. where any potential IEDs could be located,” said Higuera. “Aki did really well at the bridge. He had a really nice pattern on throughout the area, Adames echoed those feelings, stating, “The especially on the road and in the housing areas, training definitely exposed what areas the giving passive responses (to detection aides),” dog and handler team were good at or need to noted Pannullo. work on. The training helped the teams mesh together as a single unit. Every branch does For Burbank, California native, Master-at- things differently so the unity that the kennels Arms Seaman Rachel Higuera, the highlight of are showing is great. Something the whole the training was developing the complimentary Navy should strive for.”
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Exceptional Care for Exceptional Family Members Ta k i n g
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Story by MC3 Jacob Smith, Graphics Courtesy of EFMP Supporting a family member with exceptional medical, educational or dental needs can weigh heavily on a service member ’s mind and cause exceptional stress, ultimately lowering the individual’s as well as the command’s readiness. Thankfully, all branches of the U.S. military have implemented the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to support service members and their dependents in order to help mitigate these issues.
them to the resources and services they require for their special needs family member in our local community,” said Melanie Brassfield, the education specialist at Fleet and Family Support Center. “We here at Fleet and Family have a role in teaching the community about the programs available to service members and their families.” Brassfield began running the EFMP program on Naval Air Facility Atsugi in September, 2018. She works as a liaison to more than 60 families enrolled in the program, the Education and Development Intervention Service (EDIS) personnel at the schools and the case workers in Yokosuka. She also handles training the points of contact for each EFMP command representative.
Founded in September 1978, EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program that assists in identifying military family members’ special needs. This aids in assigning the service member to a location that will provide proper resources for the family member while still allowing service members to perform their duties.
“My mission while in this position is to reduce the misconceptions about the program,” “As a liaison, I provide information and said Brassfield. “The myth out there is that training to the families, as well as connecting this will affect the service member ’s career 10
because they will not be able to take a posting. The truth is, it all depends on the category of the family member.” There are a total of six categories in the EFMP. The first category is for monitoring purposes only and allows assignment in most locations, while category five meets the criteria for the Homestead Program, which provides an opportunity to remain in a particular geographic location, which supports both operational and shore rotations. Category six is a temporary status, where the family member needs a stable environment and continual treatment for between six months and a year, for situations like highrisk pregnancy. “EFMP may get a bad rap but it is actually a wonderful benefit of service members and their families,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jose Sabangan, former patient administrator and the point of contact for EFMP at Atsugi’s Branch Health Clinic. “It was created with the service member ’s career and family in mind. The Navy wants you to be able to take your family with you to your assignments but they also want your family member to be taken care of. Sometimes you may end up having to choose to take an unaccompanied billet, but they do try their best give you both.”
Brassfield said another misconception that many people have is optional to enroll in EFMP after the need to have been identified by a medical professional, but in fact, it is absolutely mandatory. Failing to enroll is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and could be dangerous to family member if they were to be sent to a command that could not support their needs.
Sabangan was involved in EFMP for a year and a half before recently being relieved by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Brittany Buhmann. As the Patient Administrator, Sabangan was responsible for the proper handling of patient paperwork and scheduling appointments with the health care providers.
“Try to imagine the pressure and stress put on service members in the past when they were just sent to wherever their branch needed them to go without consideration of their families’ needs,” said Brassfield. “Sailors don’t need to be afraid of this program, they just need to get past the stigma and see that “The hardest part of this job was always this program truly is made to help them.” breaking the news to the families when the news wasn’t so great,” said Sabangan. For more information about EFMP, schedule “Thankfully, with how well patients are an appointment with Brassfield at Fleet and screened now, we don’t usually have to do Family Support Center in building 949, or that. At the end of the day, I was just happy come to the bi-monthly class they hold, to be able to help my patients, even if it was which can be found on the Fleet and Family just through pushing paperwork.” calendar. 11
Your New Financial Manager N i k o l a M a r c h J o i n s F F S C To H e l p y o u S a v e
Story and Photos by MCSN Olivier Clement Financial stability is a common goal for Sailors in the Navy. This According to March, Sailors new to overseas assignments do not becomes even more significant for those stationed overseas due always realize the additional expenses they may incur when first to additional expenses and other unique overseas challenges. arriving or forget they are still spending money when utilizing foreign currency that doesn’t resemble the U.S. dollar. Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s very own Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) offers assistance to Sailors stationed at “When you change money into yen or any foreign currency, it’s Atsugi in accomplishing their financial goals. almost like you’re dealing with Monopoly money,” said March. “People just need to be conscious. Sometimes people will not be This past December, Nikola March joined the FFSC team at aware that is not the case.” Atsugi as the new Personal Financial Manager and has hit the ground running. Before meeting with FFSC it’s important to first take a comprehensive overview of your finances. Next, figure out what “In one day I had already taken twenty-five calls and had a your financial goals are, and what you’re trying to accomplish. couple of one-on-one meetings,” said March. “People reach out Finally, come up with a step-by-step plan detailing what actions for many reasons.” you’ll take to achieve those goals and in what timeframe. This allows you to leave the office with an action plan, preferably FFSC’s goal is to have your money work as hard for you as nothing too overwhelming, just concrete steps that can be taken you work for it by providing individuals confidential meetings, immediately to begin improving your financial posture. but also by offering classes and assisting with reduced meal programs. “Mr. March teaches a two-day class that goes over all the basics of budgeting for junior Sailors E5 and below,” said Andrea R. 12
Bowen, FFSC Work and Family Life Supervisor. “It teaches people how to interpret your Leave and Earnings Statement (the equivalent to a civilian pay stub) and it teaches how to establish a basic budget, savings and investing plan, and long term retirement planning. All the basics for having a healthy financial life.
“March is doing an outstanding job, and two things,” said Bowen, “Number one, he loves what he’s doing and that’s always important. (Number two) he cares about the Sailors and even though he’s new here, he has a lot of experience stateside.”
Attaining financial stability and peace of mind is possible for all Bowen highly recommends the class. Once a budget has been Sailors stationed at NAF Atsugi. Reaching out to the Fleet and established, individuals can manage to keep debt down and Family Support Center can be the first step on that road. enjoy themselves, but within their means.
The Bottom Line: Housing
As you may have heard, the Navy is prioritizing efforts to better understand our Sailors’ living conditions in on-base housing. In light of this, we want to remind you of the resolution process. There’s a bit to cover – but this process is spelled out on our Facebook page as well, so, if you’re having any emergent housing concerns the first step is to contact the trouble call desk at 115 or 0467-63-0115. If your complaint is not addressed in a timely manner, please call the Navy Housing Service Center at DSN 264-3795 or 0467-63-3795. If you continue to have unresolved issues, contact the installation Housing Director at 264-2701 or 0467-63-2701. Finally, inform your chain of command if you need additional help. 13
More Than Just Family Photos
Service Members and Families Model in Japan
Story by MC2 Michael Doan, Photos Courtesy of Alicia Brunson “We’re sponsoring a modeling and job fair on the 30th of March,” said Melanie Brassfield, FFSC’s Family Employment Representative. “We have invited local employers, organizations on base and modeling agencies to recruit family members One unique opportunity available to Naval Air interested in modeling and other job opportunities Facility Atsugi Sailors and their families is an in Japan.” opportunity many people only dream of. For some families, going from two sources of income Modeling prospects in Japan are not out of the down to one can bring unforeseen challenges. realm of possibility for service members and their Opportunities like these in foreign countries may families. NAF Atsugi already has a history of help provide some breathing room or a buffer those stationed here pursuing modeling. For those between expenses. interested in opportunities to model or exploring other jobs in the Atsugi area, the Fleet and Family “I think, unfortunately, that a lot of family members Support Center (FFSC) is hosting a special event to who come to Japan and have much more limited job opportunities than they would have stateside,” said help you get started. Military family members overseas may find themselves unable to locate jobs within their skillset due to either differences in culture and language, or a lack of demand for their abilities.
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Brassfield. “That effects people’s morale and also the bottom line for people and their pockets. We want to make sure everyone is aware of all the job opportunities in Atsugi and for those who are not looking for jobs, a chance to showcase the potential of being able to model out in town.” Alicia Brunson, whose family is currently stationed in Japan for a second time, first got involved with modeling here more than ten years ago. “We lived in Yokosuka from 2006 to 2008. My youngest son was born here and I already had a 3-year-old,” said Brunson. “I heard about a modeling fair that was taking place on base in Yokosuka. I took them to the modeling fair. I had a blonde hair blue-eyed baby and a redheaded 3-yearold with freckles. They took pictures while we were at the modeling fair and it wasn’t long after that we got some calls saying they were interested in some auditions.” Brunson went on to explain that the modeling agency she and her family worked with spoke English and the language barrier never stopped could be doing a modeling shoot and don’t take it them from booking jobs. personally if they don’t call you back. You never know what they may be looking for. They could “I want to let other parents know that there are more be looking for someone taller or shorter, older or opportunities than just still photos for magazines and younger.” ads,” said Brunson. “Cole (Brunson’s youngest son) has drawn pictures for a Honda commercial where Not all modeling is going to be the same and what he wasn’t in the commercial, but his drawing was. agencies are looking for can differ. Cole has also been filmed as an extra in a Japanese movie and has auditioned for commercials.” “We do have a decent list of modeling agencies and they’re all looking for different things, so don’t Depending on your level of involvement with your exclude yourself from trying to model because you agency, job requirements for modeling can vary don’t think you are what they want. It is a very unique greatly. experience that you might only get a chance to do here in Japan,” said Brassfield. “I would encourage “You have to be flexible,” said Brunson. “Sometimes everyone to try it at least once. It’s educational, fun, you don’t know until two days before that you and, it gives you a chance to earn some money.”
The Bottom Line: Safety NAF Atsugi’s Navy occupational Safety and Health Program was rewarded by earning the NAVOSH FY-18 Golden Award by completing a stringent set of requirements and for excelling in maintaining the Atsugi community as a safe place in which to work, live, and play. 15