The Signature | July 6, 2018

Overseas Housing Allowance Survey Now Live PAGE 4

Extreme Heat Safety

PAGE 5

Summer Sales Season Begins

N A S SIG O N E L L A

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JULY 6, 2018

Vol. 35 No. 26

Red, White, and BOOM!

Sigonella Celebrates the 4th on Page 8-9 Sigonella citizens and visitors observe a firework display onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella as part of the annual Red, White, and Boom celebration.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

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JULY 6, 2018

Direct Line

Capt. Brent Trickel, NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Buongiorno Sigonella!

I hope everyone has had a chance to take some leave and has plans to take more leave before the summer is over. This is only my second overseas tour (I was in Japan from 2002-2005), but I can’t imagine another part of the world where travel opportunities are so abundant and economical.

I have received many compliments on the Red, White, and Boom celebration we had last weekend from active duty members, family members, civilians, and Italians. It was a great event and while I would like to take credit for it; all I really did was enjoy the activities while a diverse team of dedicated employees and volunteers made everything happen behind the scenes. Thanks to NAS Sigonella MWR for putting on an awesome event as always. Thank you to the Fire Department for keeping everything under control in the hot and dry con-

ditions. Thank you to Security Department and the volunteers from the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron who endured warm temperatures in full gear to keep us safe. Thank you to our 24/7 dispatch center that maintained awareness during Red, White, and Boom as well as fielding the hundreds of calls they receive daily. Thank you to the hospital for providing emergency response personnel. Thank you to the NEX for hosting the wine tasting which looked to be very popular.

Thank you to the Public Affairs Office for showcasing the event for everyone. I am sure I have forgotten a person or entity that contributed, so thank you to everyone that had a part in Red, White, and Boom.

The other topic I would like to address is the Overseas Housing Allowance Survey. The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Utility and MoveIn Expenses Survey is conducted on

behalf of the Department of Defense.

The Utility Survey is conducted annually, while the Move-In Expenses Survey is conducted once every three years as part of a combined survey.

This year, the survey will be conducted from 1 to 31 July 2018 for Italy.

About all I can say about this is: IF YOU ARE ACTIVE DUTY AND LIVE OUT ON THE ECONOMY, DO THE SURVEY!! If we have a low number of responders or if the data isn’t accurate, we could lose money we are entitled to. The last time there was a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) survey in Sigonella, there were a woefully low number of responses.

Thus, everybody lost approximately $200/month in COLA because many people didn’t take the time to fill out a simple survey. I don’t want you to lie or inflate your expenses. But I do ask that you take the time to sit down, go over your monthly housing expenses

and move-in expenses, and provide the most accurate information you can so that we can at least maintain, if not increase our OHA rates for Sigonella citizens. The survey should only take about 30 minutes and there are more instructions in an article in this week’s Signature.

Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Sug-

gestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks.

Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard

those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program!

There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu.

– or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".

Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding Recreational Pool Conditions

The day that Recreation swim opened for the summer, the kiddie pool was extremely gross. Less than 2 hours after opening, there were dirt and leaves floating around the pool. The manager blamed it on a patron that came from the beach and emptied their pockets in the pool. The main pool was also dirty and did not portray a pool prepped for a grand opening. The next day the kiddie pool was closed. This is very unfortunate that there are already issues only a day into the season.

Response

Thank you for your comment. I apologize for your less than satisfactory experience at the pool this past weekend. It was discovered a few hours after opening that the kiddie pool had a lot of sand and dirt inside that appeared to come from the beach. When this was brought to the attention of our staff, they did all they could to clean it back to its ready state. Then, during regular chemical checks, the lifeguards discovered that the pH and chlorine levels were off approximately two hours before closing which required the kiddie pool to close for the day. The next morning, the pH and chlorine levels had not improved and the decision was made to keep it closed. MWR is working with NAVFAC to have this issue resolved as soon as possible. Please be patient as we work to ensure that the kiddie pool is safe for use. Our staff will continue to clean both pools on their regular schedule but unfortunately, as the day goes on, people do tend to track in more and more dirt.

Comment regarding NAS II Gym Female Lockers

I'm sure that you probably work out at NAS I and that the men's locker room is different from the women's, but I PT at the NAS II gym and I frequently encounter the situation of not being able to hang my toiletries and towel up in the showers there. Out of the 8 showers I would say that there are 3 or 4 hooks inside them. The hooks aren't permanently attached so people move them to the shower they are using if there isn't one in there. This means that if half of the showers are being used at one time, you probably won't have anywhere to hang your stuff.

This is pretty frustrating and I think that this could be easily fixed by MWR using their credit card and going out to buy enough of the same hooks to place one in each shower. At some point someone thought about this enough to buy the hooks initially, I just don't understand why they wouldn't get one for every shower.

This seemingly simple and easy improvement will make life easier for those of us who can't just go back to the barracks or Marinai after PT to shower and change for work. Thank you for your consideration and assistance in improving the experience of the female locker room users at NAS II.

Response

Thank you for taking the time to bring this to my attention. I am happy to

report that MWR has ordered hooks for the women's restroom at the NAS II gym and expects to have them delivered and installed by 15 July. I apologize for any inconvenience. If you have further concerns, please contact the Fitness Director, Mr. Joshua Burkhard. He can be reached at 624-4301 or via email at joshua. burkhard@eu.navy.mil.

Comment regarding Marinai Street Lights Out

In the past six months, we have had several issues with the street lights being off on Etnea and Limone in Marinai. We have also had "kids" going around and doing stupid things. With the lights being out it is harder for everyone to keep an eye on their property.

Response

Thank you for your comment. I apologize for the street lights being out. There is a maintenance program that checks the Marinai Housing Complex lighting on a monthly basis. To have this issue addressed immediately, please submit a trouble call with the Pizzarotti service desk at: +39-342-3471370/095-5183394. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the community that the Housing department just awarded a project to replace all street and walkway paths lighting with new LED lighting. This will save 50% on electricy usage compared to the current lights and bring reliability that the community expects. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Housing Director, Mr. Peter Faulk, at at Peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil.

JULY 6, 2018

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Name: Engineering Aide 3rd Class Colton Miller Department: Public Works Hometown: Caseyville, Illinois For any kind of maintenance or construction done on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, one would need a map or schematic to ensure the proper steps are in place to successfully complete the mission. Floor, utility, plumbing, electrical, and structural

plans, along with base maps, are all under the supervision of Engineering Aide 3rd Class Colton Miller and his coworkers.

“I like my job a lot; it’s a great learning experience because I got here straight out of A school,” said Miller.

“Now I’m about to leave, so I’ve been training the new Engineering Aides, passing down the knowledge I have to help continue their growth.”

Miller leaves Sigonella in just one week but has done a lot of things out-

side of his work in the three years he’s been stationed here. He was a mail orderly, a Combined Federal Campaign liaison, and was detailed to support the Armed Security Forces (ASF) twice. Also, he was an active member of the Seabee Ball Committee for three years, helping to raise roughly $15,000 for last year’s ball. With all of those accomplishments, it’s not surprising that he was selected for the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) and is scheduled to be promoted to 2nd class petty officer on July 9.

When he isn’t volunteering or working on his collateral duties, Miller likes to play pool, soccer, and football, and also likes to go to one of the many beautiful beaches Sicily has to offer.

“I go to the beach almost every weekend,” said Miller. “Being in Sicily is awesome for that and it’s just a really beautiful island. There’s a lot of stuff you can go out and see over here.”

From his three years of experience living on NAS Sigonella, Miller suggests getting in as much travel as possible but also focusing time on other activities.

“Being in Sicily is awesome for travelling since it’s super easy and the flights are cheap,” said Miller. “But I would take advantage of the numerous college opportunities that are available here. You can even get your associate’s degree before you leave if you don’t already have one.”

Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Janine Scianna janine.scianna@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writer \ Photographer MC2 Christopher Gordon Christopher.Gordon@eu.navy.mil CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887 This civilian enterprise (CE) newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas.

Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy.

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy.

Tel. 081-568-7884. Fax 081-568-7887.

E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands.

Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday preceeding the expected publication date.

All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l.

Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.

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Now Live: 2018 Overseas Housing Allowance Utility and Move-In Expenses Survey From the Defense Travel Management Office

The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Utility and Move-In Expenses Survey is conducted by the Allowances Branch of the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO). The Utility Survey is conducted annually, while the Move-In Expenses Survey is conducted once every three years as part of a combined survey. This year, the combined survey will be conducted during July 2018. It is designed to collect utility/recurring maintenance and move-in expense data incurred by Uniformed Service members stationed overseas who reside in private housing. Your data will assist in determining the Utility/ Recurring Maintenance and Move-In Housing Allowances paid to Service members in the country surveyed.

You should participate in the survey if you receive OHA, have been stationed in the country for at least three months, and reside in privately leased quarters (not a homeowner). You can access the survey at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/ ohaSurvey.cfm?ID=jul-utilmiha. The survey must be completed by July 31.

For the utility portion of the survey, you will be asked to report the average monthly cost of utilities and any routine maintenance expenses you incurred within the last year. For the move-in portion, you will be asked to report actual expenses incurred when moving into your private residence.

Your Input Matters The OHA is a valuable entitlement for members who are stationed overseas. You play a critical part as the data you provide will directly impact the Utility/ Recurring Maintenance and Move-In Housing Al-

lowances paid to members in the future. Your time and effort spent answering the survey questions will enable the Department of Defense to set equitable OHA rates. Please make every effort to take the survey and report your expenses accurately.

Participating in the Survey The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to finish and should be completed by you or your spouse, whoever has the best knowledge of your housing expenses. A CAC is not required to access the survey; however, you will be asked to provide your DOD ID number, which is located on the back of your CAC. Participation in this survey is voluntary but encouraged. Responses are held in strictest confidence and will not be shared with any other office or agency.

It is important to provide accurate figures in the OHA survey. Before starting the survey, • For the utility expenses portion, gather your bills, receipts, and/or records of utility and recurring maintenance expenses incurred within the last 12 months and compute a MONTHLY AVERAGE for each of these expenses. In addition, there is a section of the survey for combined utilities when only one bill is received, such as a bill that combines cost for water and sewer.

• For the move-in portion, gather your receipts for all expenses incurred when initially moving into your residence.

Please note that incomplete surveys cannot be used as this might result in underreporting of utility/recurring maintenance and move-in expenses.

You may save the survey, obtain additional information, and resume the survey at any time during the survey timeframe.

JULY 6, 2018

New Partnership with Local Tax Office Streamlines Codice Fiscale Applications

By Monica Drago NAS Sigonella Housing Referral Counselor

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt.

Brent Trickel presented an appreciation plaque to Dott. Carmelo Galipò, Director of the Tax Office located in Giarre, recognizing his efforts for significantly improving the Codice Fiscale application process for American citizens living and working at NAS Sigonella.

The Codice Fiscale is a tax code card issued by the Italian Tax Office which serves to identify individuals residing in Italy. It is similar to the Social Security Number in the United States, and is required for any type of business transaction, such as housing leases, property or automobile purchase/sales, utility contracts, cellular phones, or the opening of an Italian bank account.

Representatives from the Sigonella Housing Department process Codice Fiscale applications on behalf of service members to help smooth logistics for newly arrived personnel.

Prior to May 2018, Housing representatives were permitted to deliver no more than 20 applications for processing at a time and wait in line while each application was processed individually. With the help of Galipò, Housing representatives can now leave larger batches of Codice Fiscale applications at the Giarre Tax Office and pick them up when complete, streamlining the entire process. With approximately 900 applications being processed each year, which at times required three hours of time spent in the Tax Office per visit, this new process eliminates inefficiency and prolonged long wait times for Housing representatives and local nationals alike.

Capt. Brent Trickel and Housing Director Peter Faulk present a plaque of appreciation to Dott. Carmelo Galipò and Gina Spadaro of the Giarre tax office. (Photo by Lt. Andriana Genualdi)

JULY 6, 2018

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Extreme Heat Safety

By GM2 Joshua Neal Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Summer is finally here and everyone is ready to take trips and have fun outdoors. Before it gets too hot though, now is the perfect time to get prepared for extreme heat and other possible emergencies so that you can enjoy a safe and fun summer. What’s the difference between a hot day and extreme heat? In the United States, extreme heat is usually defined as greater than two to three days of high temperatures AND humidity above 90 degrees. Extreme heat can put you at a higher risk for not just sunburns, but also dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion.

In Sigonella, an average summer day see temperatures near the mid-90s, and there are many days that top 100 degrees. And that’s before you take in to account the humidity and the resulting heat index. Needless to say, staying cool is key. With extreme heat, especially if it becomes humid, your body can get hot fast and it will do everything it can to cool you down. Sweating is an early indicator that you are too hot. Your heart will also be working harder to pump blood throughout the body, so be sure to keep an eye on yourself and watch out for signs of heat-related illness, especially if you have a history of heart problems.

Signs that you are overheating can include sudden dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, or a rapid pulse. If you don’t prepare and monitor yourself and others in the heat, heat stroke can occur.

So how can you stay cool and optimize the enjoyment of summer? A few tips include: - Avoid outdoor exercise in extreme heat.

- Stay in places with cool air or shady areas outdoors if possible.

- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

A glass of water every hour will help to prevent most cases of dehydration.

- Avoid sugary drinks and eat light meals.

- Wear light, loose fitting clothing.

In a nutshell, plan to take it easy this summer if you find yourself out in the heat. Also, keep in mind that vehicles can quickly become ovens if left in high temperature areas for too long.

Temperatures inside vehicles during periods of extreme heat can reach 190 degrees Fahrenheit! Never leave children or pets in your vehicles, even with windows cracked. With pets, be sure to offer them extra water in a shady area when they are outdoors.

Having a spot to shelter from heat exposure (indoors is preferable) is also a good way to prepare both your pets and your family for extreme heat in advance.

Should you have any emergencies, please call the Emergency Dispatch Center (our 911) at 09586-1911 or DSN 624-1911. For non-emergencies, you can contact 095-86-5225 or DSN 624-5225.

Want to learn more? Stop by the EOC at NAS II, and our Emergency Management staff will be more than glad to guide you in preparing for a myriad of situations. You can also send an email to joshua.neal@eu.navy.mil.

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JULY 6, 2018

Summer Sales Season Begins in Sicily

By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

It’s that time of the year again! The eagerly-awaited “stagione degli sconti" (sales season) will give Sigonella shoppers a chance to strike good bargains while shopping in the local economy.

On July 1, Sicilian retailers kicked off the discount shopping season for the summer. This year, the promotional season will last until September 15, but some shops will continue offering discounts until the end of September. During the initial days, the “doorbuster discount” time, stores will be packed with excited bargain-hunters, so expect long lines. This is the second of the two yearly government-regulated periods for such a special sale. The other discount season starts at the end of the winter.

The Italian Consumer Association offers advice for a safe shopping experience that will save you money while minimizing the risk of rip-offs and disputes with merchants that would be difficult to handle for shoppers not fluent in Italian.

Consumer Association officials warn that some unfair retailers might slash prices on worn or damaged items proposing them as "promotional sales" just to reduce the quantity of merchandise in stock.

Here are some good strategies to survive shopping the sales and to buy the “right thing for the right price.” First of all, beware of exaggerated discounts (higher than 50% off the initial price), as they usually are a ploy to lure customers. As a general rule, if you just arrived in Sicily and you have not explored much, trying shopping at big department stores first, where sales are usually fair. Stores must display on the tags the initial "prezzo" (price) and the reduced price. Be sure to look an item over carefully before you buy it. Check different shops to compare prices before settling on a purchase.

Remember that you can use any way of payment. Distrust shop owners displaying signs saying "non si accettano carte di credito e bancomat" (credit and ATM cards not accepted) because of the sales season. That's illegal. If you don't see any signs around, and the sales clerk tells you about it upon paying, tell them that you know they have to accept your credit or ATM card. If they do not back off of their refusal, and you are not willing to pay cash, leave the shop and look for your best deals somewhere else.

Bargain-hunters should also know that during the discount season, defective merchandise can be exchanged or returned as usual. There is no "special return policy" when you shop at sales. Therefore, always keep your "scontrino" or receipt and distrust the shops displaying signs saying: "la merce venduta non si cambia,"(purchased merchandise cannot be exchanged) or "all sales are final.”

Beachgoers in Italy to be Fined up to €7,000 for Buying Counterfeit Goods from Illegal Vendors

By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Known as the 'safe beaches' directive, a new set of measures aims to clamp down on the trade and production of counterfeit goods by illegal vendors in and around Italy's beaches. The move comes in response to an April 2018 report by the trade lobby Conferscenti which estimates that illegal trade in the tourism sector is a €22 billion industry. According to Conferscenti, the government loses €11.5 billion in tax annually because of the counterfeit goods market. Italian law and order forces have seized more than 500,000 counterfeit shoes, bags, clothes and accessories alone since 2017. More than 10,000 people have been arrested and nearly €265 million in goods have been recovered or destroyed.

Counterfeit bags, clothes and shoes, which account for €3.3 billion annually alone, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa, are being specifically targeted in the new measures.

The interior ministry's new law could see illegal vendors fined up to €15,000, but it also aims to punish customers who buy counterfeit goods with a fine of up to €7,000, reports another

newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. Tourists who pay for massages, tattoos, and hair braids from unauthorized vendors would also run the risk of a fine. The proposed levies originate from an existing statute relating to the illegal trade in counterfeit goods, which is already on the books.

"Stop to the invasion of 'vu cumpra," said Interior Minister Salvini. 'Vu cumpra' is a derogatory term for migrant vendors. It means 'Do you want to buy?' in broken Italian.

Salvini plans to use EU funds to reinforce collaboration between national and municipal police forces along Italy's coast, reports La Stampa, a controversial move in itself given that EU legality funds have never been used for extraordinary police measures, adds that report.

Trade in Fake Italian Goods Costs Economy Billions of Euros From Italianinsider.com

ROME – The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently revealed that the trade in fake Italian goods, including luxury handbags, watches, foodstuffs and car parts, costs the economy billions of euros each year. These items are taking a significant bite out of Italy’s economy, equivalent to 1-2 percent of GDP in terms of lost sales, the report reveals.

The “Trade in Counterfeit Goods and the

"ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 14

JULY 6, 2018

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TA Increase Accelerates Sailor College Degrees

By Ed Barker Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Public Affairs

The June 1 increase in the Navy's Tuition Assistance (TA) funding cap has made an immediate difference in the academic lives of numerous Sailors seeking college degrees.

Announced in NAVADMIN 127/18, the Navy removed the fiscal year limit of 16 semester hours (or equivalent) and allowed Sailors to use TA up to the Department of Defense's (DoD) fiscal year funding cap of $4,500. For Sailors nearing or meeting the prior caps, this change represents a dramatic improvement.

"I was able to use the additional funding for the last class I needed to complete my bachelor's degree," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class David Yip, stationed at Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) 1 in Quantico, Virginia. "I've been working on my degree for nearly five years now, and really appreciate that the increase allowed me to finish my capstone class in business administration."

Another Sailor who benefited from the TA limit increase was Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class William Caldwell, hydraulics and low observable leading petty officer for Strike Fighter Squadron (VF) 147, based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

"I had tapped-out my TA for this fiscal year, and the extra $500 enabled me to complete a required science class that I might not have been able to afford otherwise," said Caldwell. "There's no doubt that my degree will help me both in the Navy and after I retire."

Under the new cap, TA will continue to be paid up to the current DoD limits of $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour, or $16.67

per clock hour up to the total yearly cap of $4,500. Tuition costs that exceed those limits, in addition to course fees, books, and instructional materials, will remain the Sailor's responsibility.

Chief Navy Counselor Kristie Freeman, Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED) enlisted advisor, recommends Sailors regularly review their education plan and take full advantage of the expanded TA authority.

"Education specialists from the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) and overseas Navy College Offices are available to discuss the TA increase, and recommend other oppor-

tunities to earn college credit, such as College Level Exam Program (CLEP) and DSSTÂŽ exams offered through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services (DANTES)," said Freeman. "There are numerous ways Sailors can stretch their TA dollars, and we're here to help."

For additional details and more information on TA, see NAVADMIN 127/18 at http://www.npc.navy.mil.

More information can be found by visiting the Navy College Program website: http://www.navycollege.navy. mil/index.htm including how to start the education process, complete re-

quired training, submit a Help Request through the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC), initiate a Live Chat session, or review knowledge management articles. The NCVEC can be reached toll free by calling 1-877838-1659; DSN 492-4684, MondayFriday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. EST. An additional program -- Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Navy COOL), provides information about licenses and certifications applicable to all Navy occupations, offering resources and funding to help Sailors gain appropriate civilian desired, and in many cases required, credentials.

Navy Releases New Parental Leave Program

The Navy announced the establishment of the Military Parental Leave Program in NAVADMIN 151/18, released June 21. The new program increases parental leave and combines the current family leave policies into one. The Military Parental Leave Program also aligns the Navy with recently released Department of Defense guidance pertaining to changes about parental leave.

The program applies to all active duty Sailors. Reserve Sailors who are performing active duties or mobilized more than 12 continuous months, and are the parents of a qualifying birth or adoption on or after Dec. 23, 2016 are also eligible.

The three family leave categories under the Military Parental Leave Program are:

* Maternity Convalescent Leave is a six-week (42 days), non-chargeable leave period for the Sailor who gives birth, commencing the first full day after a Sailor is released from the hospital following a birth. * Primary Caregiver Leave is a six-week (42 days) nonchargeable leave period for the parent who gives birth or is designated with primary responsibility for caring for the child or children following a birth or adoption. * Secondary Caregiver leave is a two-week (14 days) non-chargeable leave period for the parent not designated with primary responsibility for caring for the child following a birth or adoption.

For complete details on the parental leave program read NAVADMIN 151/18 at www.npc.navy.mil.

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JULY 6, 2018

Red, White,

Funnel Cakes a How Sigonella Ce

By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Sailors and civilians onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella celebrated the Fourth of July weekend with a “Red, White, and Boom” festival on Saturday, June 30.

The festivities were open to all Sigonella service members and civilians and allowed each U.S. ID holder to bring up to five guests from the local community.

"This event is not only a way that we can come together as a community to celebrate Independence Day, but also a way for us to share our culture and traditions with our friends and neighbors from the local community,” said Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella. “Even though the Fourth of July is commonly associated with barbecues, fairs, and fireworks, it is also a way for Americans to celebrate and commemorate our history while living in Italy."

The day started off with a volley of foam darts being fired between highly skilled war-fighting Marines and sugar-crazed children in the NAS I gym.

With painted faces and toy weapons, the two groups waged war for an hour until the Marines finally conceded defeat.

Following the Nerf battle, Splashers Pool opened up for a 4-hour pool party that led up to the notori-

ous John Paul Jones Card of two embarked on cardb held together by duct tape other side of the pool.

“We invite people to co the hottest part of the day porate a little naval histor Paul Jones Boat Race,” sa onella Aquatics Manager. time and we finish right w starts, so they can go on a Red, White and Boom.”

After the boat races, th the public and offered a beverage tents, bowling sp ment, live music, and carn Different NAS Sigonel Chief Petty Officers’ Mess Officer Association, to the 10 others, manned the foo no food, ribs, corn dogs, h snack food ranging from s “The food was a lot mor years, which I loved!” said Welfare and Recreation (M nitely enjoyed the carne as miss home but also takes y Just a short walk away Yankee Doodle Dandy Kid

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JULY 6, 2018

, and BOOM!

and Fireworks; elebrates the 4th

dboard Boat Races. Teams board vessels precariously and furiously raced to the

ome out to the pool during y and then we try to incorry and fun with the John aid Beth Sweely, NAS Sig“We always have a good when the rest of the festival and have fun at the rest of

he base opened its gates to wide variety of food and pecials, a cornhole tournanival games. lla associations, from the s and the First Class Petty Navy Ball Committee and od tents. There was Filipihamburgers, hot dogs, and snow cones to funnel cake. re diverse than in previous Angelica Laines, a Morale MWR) volunteer. “I defisada nachos. It makes you you back for a moment.” y from the food tents, the ds Zone was bustling with

activity. Traditional carnival games were present for kids to play and potentially win small prizes like stuffed animals or toys. Additionally, the carnival zone set up a giant inflatable obstacle course where children and adults alike got to run, crawl, and climb through in order to get to the finish line—a tall inflatable slide.

Later in the afternoon, event organizers and staff from MWR laid down plastic tarp, tables, and apple pie in front of the main stage. Ten adults and eight children competed in the eating contest. The rules were simple: first one to eat the entire apple pie with no hands wins. Faces covered with apple filling and piecrust chewed tirelessly, fueled by a symphony of laughs and cheers from the surrounding crowd.

As the sun set, the center stage flared to life with live music. People congregated around the stage and on the grass fields in preparation for the final event.

“Unfortunately, this will be my last opportunity to celebrate Independence Day as the CO of Sigonella,” said Trickel, “but I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know the community here both on and off base, and for the opportunity to celebrate great events like this one."

The night came to a close as NAS Sigonella continued the American tradition abroad and fired off a fireworks display, with beautiful explosions of light and color, giving the well-deserved name of Red, White, and Boom.

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NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin: GATEWAY TO ITALIAN CLASSES FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER Department, Organization: Navy College Office, Central Texas College Date of Event: 27 August - 19 October Point of Contact Name: Patrizia Tedesco Point of Contact Phone Number: DSN 624-4306, COMM 0039-0955-64306 Point of Contact Email Address: sigonella@europe.ctcd.edu Additional Information: Gateway to Italian I, Tuesday and Thursday from 1630-1900 or Monday and Wednesday from 1630-1900.

Gateway to Italian II, Monday and Wednesday from 0930-1130: NAS I, Bldg. 318, Classroom 3

PARENTING CLASS: HOW TO TALK SO KIDS WILL LISTEN Command, Department or Organization: Fleet and Family Support Center

Date of Event: 7 August- 18 September Time: 0900-1100 Location of Event: NAS 1 Fleet and Family Services Bldg. 319 Point of Contact Name: Denise Miller Phone Number: 624-4291 Point of Contact Email Address: denise.n.miller@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: Learn practical, effective methods of communication and discipline that will make your relationship with children of all ages less stressful, more rewarding and encourage their cooperation with you. Six (6) weekly classes every Tuesday morning.

To register or for additional information, feel free to call the Fleet and Family Support Center at 624-4291/095-56-4291.

Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services NAS 1 Tuesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 0900-1100 Daily Mass: 1130-1200 1445-1615 Chapel Youth Middle School: AWANA: 1645-1900 Wednesday Protestant Men of the Chapel: Daily Mass:

0600-0700 1130-1200

Thursday Chapel Youth High School: 1330-1500 Choir Practice: 1545-1700 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: 1800-2030 Friday Daily Mass: 1130-1200 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: 1700-1830

Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel

Saturday First Saturday Rosary and Mass:

1100-1200

Sunday Catholic Mass: 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education: 1045-1200 Protestant Service: 1100-1200 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 1330-1600

NAS 2 Tuesday AA: 1730-1830 Wednesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 1830-2100 Thursday Daily Mass:

1130-1200

Weekly Traffic Report: June 25 - July 2, 2018

As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.

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GAMEZONE

Independence Day Word Search

A S H X W A R B U H Y F R S N P M T K A F V U D N T C O T G J W E A C O U N T R Y O I R L U F Y R R Z Z I X U U N N I X L R Z R I S P T N I K S D P G Y E M E O C I E V V A T E E B W E Z E A S A D Y G J I P S M

S D H B M F S X L G O T E R S T O O I R O L T T S M U N X C

A M N W Z E R A D E E T D W I T Y O M K V B I G I M I E G H

E F R H N K E B A M O O N Y J

S L O Y A L T Y A L R N C R J J B E H O L I D A Y Y H E Q W

P Q P I C N I C E B N R T J O

MEDIUM

independence freedom war ross stars stripes July holiday picnic

EASY

flag America United States country honor memory constitution loyalty memorial

DIFFICULT

Directions: Find and circle each of the words listed below the puzzle.

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PAGE 14 "ITALIAN NEWS" continued from Page 6 Italian Economy” report estimated that the total value of counterfeit and pirated Italian goods sold internationally in 2013 was over 35 billion euros, equal to 4.9% of global Italian manufacturing sales. This resulted in over 25 billion euros in lost sales by Italian companies, compared to Italy’s GDP of 1.6 trillion euros at the time.

Previous OECD analysis of data from nearly 500,000 customs seizures around the world in 2011-2013 has shown that trade in counterfeit goods is worth nearly half a trillion dollars per year, or 2.5% of global imports. U.S., Italian, and French brands are amongst the hardest hit. Italy is particularly vulnerable, since its economy thrives on producing high-value products, protected by intellectual property rights and trademarks.

As well as assessing the impact of trade in fake Italian products, the report also looks at the impact imports of counterfeit goods have on Italy. Fake imports in 2013, it reveals, were worth over 10 billion euros, or 3% of imports, and resulted in foregone domestic sales by Italian wholesalers and shops of around 7 billion euros. The fake items were imported mainly from China (50%) and Hong Kong (29%), followed by Greece (6%), Singapore (4%) and Turkey (2%).

The combination of trade in fake Italian products and imports of counterfeit goods resulted in a loss of 10 billion euros in public revenues in Italy, or 0.6% of Italian GDP. Counterfeiting and piracy also led to the loss of at least 87,000 jobs in Italy in 2013, equivalent to 2% of the country’s full-time equivalent employees.

The highest losses in sales in the Italian wholesale and retail sectors due to counterfeit and pirated imports in 2013 were for high-tech electronic, electrical and optical products, followed by clothing, footwear, leather and related products. In terms of market share, the biggest losses were in the watch and jewelry sector, where the counterfeit market caused a 7.5% loss in sales.

The report shows that around half of the fake goods smuggled into Italy in 2013 were sold to consumers who were aware they were buying fake products, with the remaining share purchased unknowingly. The share of fakes bought knowingly in Italy ranges from 15% from food items to 60% for watches and IT and communications devices.

The OECD is working with governments to address gaps in regulation and poor law enforcement that enable counterfeit trade, largely run by organized crime gangs, to flourish.

Goodbye Bans: Beachgoers Have Unlimited Access to the Sea From La Stampa

Beachgoers in Sardinia and central Italy will be able to indulge in their summer holidays this year, with carefree days spent sun tanning, swimming and relaxing. The court

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order lifting access to beaches comes just in time before Italians leave the city in favor of Italy’s sandy shores and salty air. In the last two years, judges have rewritten the rules regarding access to beaches in these areas.

“We can say now that it’s considered a constitutional guarantee; a common thing to enjoy and not restrict from the citizens”, said Gianpiero Cirillo, who heads part of the State Council presiding over these matters. “And the 2016-2018 period has represented a turning point, with beachgoers having more power than they believe”.

Italy is made up of almost 7000 kilometers of coastline, with beaches representing just over half (52%). Of that half, approximately the following percentages represent beaches that have free access in central Italy, far less than the 45% mandate: Emilia Romagna (23%), Lazio (15%) and Liguria (14%). The coastal stretch from Cinque Terre to the French border, the “Italian Riviera”, includes 135 beaches, of which only 19 are free.

These numbers call to mind a recent statement made by Stefano Salvetti of Adiconsum.

“As early as 1976, the State Council pointed out that in Italy there were too many lidos. In the last 40 years they increased by 300%, and in 2008 we arrived at various regional laws that provide for each municipality 40% of free beaches. The legislative instrument is there, you have to give it its legs”.

Yet, seaside resorts don’t tolerate “occupants” either, explained Riccardo Borgo, who is one of the directors of the national trade union. “From North to South, there are 30,000 lidos for the 13,000 approved by government.

Everyone’s giving work to at least two people from their family who run it and there are an average of 4-5 employees. Then there is the spillover, since those businesses are the driving force behind the economy of these places”.

Nevertheless, local administrations have revised their approach.

“At first, the mayors were prudent and preferred a restrictive interpretation. And so the right to access was only allowed if the municipality had not reserved for the community free use beaches or it was not possible for everyone to enter the areas. But now, their more liberal approaches reflect the changing attitudes within the bureaucracy”, said Cirillo.

The final push towards changes came from three judicial rulings: the first issued in Sardinia, where the judges explained to the administrators of the Marina of Gairo (Ogliastra) that there are simple measures to free the Su Sirboni Beach; another in the Campania Tar on Castel Volturno (Caserta), where the junta may oblige the concession holders to create a pedestrian walkway for those who want reach the free beach at any time of the day or night; and the third in Ostia, where the State Council endorsed the work of the town hall to open the gates with bulldozers.

Things are looking less rosy for pet beach access, as the judges have become more restrictive of their presence. In February, the administrative court of Liguria banned dogs from the beaches in Sestri Levante

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