SIGNATURE THE
SIGONELLA, SICILY
Vol. 30. No. 46
December 6, 2013
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
NASSIG advances Sailors to next pay grade
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella recognizes 25 Sailors selected for advancement to the next pay grade during a frocking ceremony on NAS II Nov. 27. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released) By MC3 Cameron Bramham NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
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aval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella individually recognized and advanced 25 Sailors to the next pay grade during a frocking ceremony Nov. 27, outside of the Executive Administration building on NAS II. Each Sailor was presented a certificate and congratulated by NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis, Executive Officer Cmdr. Eric Vosler and Command Master Chief David Graham. “Everybody here has earned a new level of responsibility, and that’s the key word, you earned it,” Dennis said. “Great job, I’m very excited, but I know you’re more excited. " The Navy selects Sailors to higher ranks based on their biannual advancement exam results and prior Navy performance and achievements. “It’s a surreal feeling,” Yeoman 3rd Class Chad Grant said after the ceremony.
“I look at my fresh crows and realize there’s a new sense of responsibility I have to myself, my country and my fellow Sailors.” Responsibility and facing new challenges was the theme of the frocking ceremony. “It’s a big, big responsibility you carry on your shoulders and it means a lot more than I think most people really acknowledge,” Dennis said. “These chevrons are representative of very big weights that you have just willingly accepted. On behalf of your country and your Sailors, I’d like to say, congratulations!” The Sailors recognized at the Nov. 27 ceremony were among the 55 NAS Sigonella Sailors selected to the next pay grade. The remaining 30 Sailors who were unable to attend the ceremony due to leave, watch standing, or petty officer indoctrination classes will be frocked within the next couple weeks.
Congratulations to all 55 NAS Sigonella Sailors selected for advancement: MA1 Edgar Blynn; ET1 Maurice Boston; GM1 Kristopher Carmody; ABH1 Shawn Conway; BM1 Ronnie Davis; ABH1 Gerson Gonzalez; CS1 Anthony Hart; MA1 Daniel Noble; ABH1 Donnell Viree; MA2 Mathew Abercrombie; MA2 Scott Bataille; MR2 Tabatha Booker; AC2 Duncan Boosman; MA2 Jordan Brentlinger; MA2 Charles Clark; YN2 Waliguens Estivene; AC2 Luke Floyd; RP2 Sean Hancock; ABH2 Jessica Joyce; AC2 Antwaun Lide; LS2 Jeremiah Leber; MA2 Cary McDade; AO2 Christopher Meloni; LS2 Carole Mullen; MA2 Ryan Pulido; MA2 Anthony Repice; MA2 Joshua
Rivera; LS2 Estephanie Romeronavarro; EN2 Naomi Ruggles; LS2 Alexis Vera; LS2 Philip Williams; AZ2 Alex Wolff; MA3 Pasqual Armijo; MA3 Nathan Benson; AC3 Michael Buford; MA3 Melissa Chlasta; MA3 Michael Davis; MA3 Adam Driessen; MA3 Michael Hill; LS3 Jessica Gibbons; YN3 Chad Grant; YN3 Thornton Jackson; MA3 Lafitte Holmes; LS3 Spencer Maguire; MA3 Christopher Marleau; AC3 Robert Martinez; MA3 Sheana McAnerny; LS3 Kemara McLaughlin; MA3 Josiah Minner; YN3 Tony Nguyen; AC3 Christopher Paradowski; MA3 Andres Rubalcaba; MA3 Tessa Ruhle; MA3 Estella Salas; MR3 Veronqua Schaben.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman
Around Sigonella
Chocolate Festival
Flea & Antique Market
Check out what's happening around Sigonella.
Find out about the festival in Modica.
Read about the market in Catania.
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Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis Executive Officer Cmdr. Eric Vosler Command Master Chief CMDCM David Graham
EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tim Page
timothy.page@eu.navy.mil Communtiy Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor-in-chief Jackie Trembath jackie.trembath@eu.navy.mil Staff Writers/Photographers MC2 Tony D. Curtis anthony.curtis@eu.navy.mil MC2 Brian Glunt brian.glunt@eu.navy.mil MC3 Cameron Bramham cameron.bramham@eu.navy.mil CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627 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
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Direct Line
Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Dennis Congratulations new petty officers of NAS Sigonella. Like your families, friends, and shipmates, the Base XO, CMDMC and I are very proud of your recent accomplishment. Now the work begins. You have now entered a new chapter in your Navy journey, assuming greater responsibility in the service our country, our Navy and our community. We know you are up to these tasks! ... … And these tasks are tall. Our country and the Department of Defense are experiencing a time of relative austerity. After a dozen years of war and war spending, we are now spending more frugally as our nation’s leaders determine priorities. In times like these, it is easy to become cynical, thinking more about what we don’t have than what is possible. This is neither the first, last, nor worst time our country will have experienced austerity or deprivation. In fact, it is precisely at times like these that we have achieved breakthroughs. I am not going to sugarcoat our
challenges, they are real! We have less of everything we’ve grown accustomed to – less workforce, less funding. That doesn’t mean we are done. Quite the opposite, we have our BIG beautiful minds, full of creativity. We have one another, each with unique skills and talents. Together, we can achieve greatness. These strengths are precisely what we communally require. If we focus on how we each can participate in keeping our community secure; conserve our resources; contribute to individual and collective health and welfare; focus on developing and sharing ideas, not dwell on the $$$ we don’t have, we will reach higher heights. Don’t fret Sigonella, get fired up! Challenges are exactly that, reality smacking us in the face to see if we will fold or fight! I say we fight! Many already are fighting. I continue to receive lots of valuable feedback and recommendations from around the community via the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) and CO’s Inbox - both links found on page three
of The Signature. Please continue to follow NAS Sigonella Facebook and The Signature as we respond to your terrific input. Another way I see people fighting back is by picking up trash instead of walking by it. Thank you Sig Citizens for your thoughtfulness and devotion to the community. We all benefit from your steady example. Lastly, I hope to see many of you this evening at the Midtown tree lighting event at 5:30 p.m. It will be a great time and a great start to the holiday season. I’m grateful to everyone at MWR whose hard work provides the entire Sigonella community with ways to feel closer to home, even while serving so far away. We are only 19 days from Christmas. The holiday season is when we most appreciate what we have, including our friends, family and shipmates. As we come together in gratitude, continue to look out for one another. If someone you know is feeling stress or seems ‘out of sorts,’ we have folks ready to help. We are
each other’s first line of defense. We must notice and care. From there, Fleet and Family Services, our chaplains and the hospital are at the ready to bolster our concern. Do not hesitate to ask for advice and help from any of these caring folks or your chain of command. They are trained and eager to reach out and help someone, anyone, in need. In the meantime, I wish all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you around the community.
DRIVE SAFELY, SIGONELLA
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 proceeding 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. cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
ASIST workshop teaches Sailors important skills
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Religious Ministries Department conducted an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop Nov. 19 - 20 at the NAS I Chapel. More than 25 Sailors attended. During the two-day workshop Sailors had an opportunity to explore their experiences and attitudes about suicide. They also had an opportunity to better understand the needs of a person at risk of suicide and learn how to use suicide first-aid to meet those needs. (Photo courtesy of NAS Sigonella Religious Ministries Department)
ROMAN CATHOLIC Sunday ■ 8:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (NAS I Chapel) ■ 11:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) TUE - FRI ■ 11:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) Sacraments of Reconciliation/Penance precede each Mass PROTESTANT NAS I Chapel Saturday ■ 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Services Sunday ■ 10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
LATTER-DAY SAINTS Sunday at 3 p.m. (NAS I Chapel) Contact: sigonellalds@gmail.com or 624-9049 CHURCH OF CHRIST LAY SERVICE Noon Bible Study (NAS 1) 12:30 p.m. Worship Service Please contact the Religious Ministries Department for information ■ AA Meetings: Monday at 5:30 p.m. (NAS I Chapel) second deck; Thursday at 7 p.m. (NAS II Chapel)
OTHER SERVICES/ACTIVITIES Chapel Offices: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, DSN: 624-3975, CHAPLAIN DUTY: 335-831-4493 RP DUTY: 335-786-1950
Naval Air Staion (NAS) Sigonella Chaplains Lt. Cmdr. C. Scott Cauble (right) and Lt. Stephen LaBue cut the celebratory cake in honor of the Naval Chaplain Corps' 238th birthday during a celebration at U.S. Naval Hospital on NAS I, Nov. 26. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released)
2013 Military Mail holiday U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps celebrates 238 mailing dates BY LCDR C. Scott Cauble NAS Sigonella Religious Ministries Department
by LTJG Kristin Lein NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella
Mail from:
Express Mail Military Service (EMMS)
United States (Friends & Family)
Dec. 16-17
Europe/Bahrain (Rota, Sigonella, Naples, Souda Bay)
Dec. 17
Holiday Mailing Checklist: • Boxes clearly addressed and free of markings • Customs declaration forms completed – Country is “United States” • Packages do not contain prohibited items (e.g. wine, pornography, explosives) • Ship no later than dates above for the best chance of delivery prior to Dec. 25
NASSIG WORSHIP SERVICES
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What’s Happening Around NAS Sigonella
One of the challenges of living OCONUS is that you simply cannot give last minute holiday gifts. To help you prepare for winter holidays, the United States Postal Service and Military Postal Service Agency published recommended mail-by dates for best chance delivery prior to Dec. 25. Pass this information to your friends and families stateside and place your online and mail-order gift deliveries early so that your holiday mail enters the mail stream by the recommended mailing dates.
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 081-5687887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it.
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The post office provides boxes free of charge for Priority Mail. If you choose to use another box, you must remove or cover any previous markings; such markings could cause delays or prevent delivery altogether. Outgoing mail requires a customs declaration form. View prohibited items at www.usps.com. Check with your local post office for details on size and weight restrictions and applicable rates.
The chaplains of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Religious Ministries Department celebrated the Naval Chaplain Corps’ 238th birthday with a cake cutting on Nov. 26. Hosted by U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella, the ceremony featured a birthday message video by Rear Admiral Mark Tidd, the U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains, as well as remarks by NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis and USNH Commanding Officer Capt. Patricia McDonald. The celebration concluded with a birthday cake prepared and decorated by the Bella Etna Galley. The Navy Chaplain Corps’ history goes back to the very beginning of our Navy’s birth on Nov. 28, 1775 when the Continental Congress enacted legislation to raise a corps of chaplains to serve on board our nation’s ships during the war for independence. Since that time, chaplains have served in every clime, place, and campaign from the Revolutionary War to Operation Enduring Freedom ministering to our nation’s sea service warriors in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. NAS Sigonella chaplains and religious ministry professionals endeavor to serve the community with a wide variety of spiritual growth opportunities. In addition to providing weekday and weekend worship services and religious education opportunities, the Religious Ministries Department provides confidential counseling, ministry to teens, community relations projects, and resources to assist in the fight against suicide and sexual assault. For more information about the work of the Religious Ministries Department, call 624-3975 or 624-9049.
Let the CO know ... Tools to share your feedback The Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) system is a web-based tool for collecting feedback to help determine customer satisfaction with services provided at NAS Sigonella. The customer-side of ICE is available to anyone with ONE-Net Internet access and does not require a username or password. The ICE home page, http://ice.disa.mil, is the starting point to navigate to an individual ICE site and to view general information about the ICE system. With easy to access links and descriptions, customers can locate an ICE site by branch, regions, geographic location, and by searching an alphabetical listing of all sites. All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu. On occasion, the command will anonymously publish comments and responses in The Signature for the benefit of the Sigonella community. You can also go to the link at the right to submit your suggestions.
CO
Suggestion Box Online
h t t p : / / w w w. c n i c . n a v y. m i l / r e g i o n s / cnreurafswa/ installations/nas_ sigonella/about/co_ suggestion_box.html
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C O M M UNI T Y C A LEND A R
december
2013 Monday
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Register by 2 p.m. for SAPR Class: Dec. 10 ext. 4291
GMT 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. FFSC: SAPR 8 a.m. - Noon Ricotta Cheese Workshop 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Teen Employment Program Orientation 2nd floor Midtown 3 - 4:30 p.m.
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Tuesday
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FFSC: IA Discussion Group 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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Wednesday
FFSC: Transition GPS 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sponsor Training 9 - 11 a.m. Italiano Espresso! 10 - 11:30 a.m.
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Storytime* Library 10 a.m.
*EVERY WEDNESDAY
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6
FFSC: Relocation Fair 1 - 3 p.m. Time Management 1 - 3 p.m.
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Sunday
Winter Wonderland Midtown 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Half Price Bowling* Sparetime Bowling *EVERY SUNDAY
Tree Lighting Ceremony Midtown 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
FFSC: Transition GPS 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. IA Fair 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ombundsmen Monthly Assembly 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Saturday
Friday
FFSC: Sig Safe 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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FFSC: Transition GPS 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Communication Skills 1 - 3 p.m.
Jingle Bell Rockin the 80's Run/ Walk NAS II Sports Complex 9 a.m. (Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.)
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FFSC: Self-esteem 9 - 11 a.m.
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Half Price Bowling* Sparetime Bowling *EVERY SUNDAY
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Family Night Out* Sparetime Bowling 5 - 8 p.m. *EVERY FRIDAY
IMPORTANT EXTENSIONS:
Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. DSN 624-4291 Commercial 095-56-4291
VA Separation Checklist:
What you need to know
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THAT Guy in Sig! 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Commissary, NAS II Galley and NAS II minimart
Fleet and Family Support Center Administration Bldg. Bldg. 319 (NAS I)
ITT Gear & Go: x4777, x4396 Liberty/Connections/Take 5: x4246, x5602 Outdoor Rec: x4777, x4396 Fitness: x4483, x5243 Midtown 2 Theaters: x4248 FFSC: x4291 American Red Cross: x4900
Does your command or organization have an event you’d like to see on the Community Calendar? Email us at thesig@eu.navy.mil and let us know!
Need an appointment at the hospital? Call DSN 624-CARE (2273) or commercial 095-56-2273, M-F: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For non-emergent medical questions that arise over the weekend, holidays, or after office hours, please call 335-578-8077 if you are normally seen at the hospital or 335-578-8150 if you are normally seen at the Flight Line Clinic.
Even if you aren’t separating or retiring from the (Application for Disability Compensation and military anytime soon, it’s never too early to begin Related Compensation Benefits) and VA Form 21researching your VA benefits and find out when you 686c to provide dependent info and marital history. can apply for the programs and benefits available You may also apply for Vocational Rehab using VA to you. There are many benefits you may apply for Form 28-1900 and Vocation Counseling by utilizing NOW, and use while on active duty. These include VA Form 28-8832. education benefits, the home loan guaranty, the use You should schedule your DOD separation of VET Centers (which provide mental health and physical 180 days before discharge – make sure you readjustment counseling services), transfer of Post pay careful attention when completing the Report of 9/11 benefits and SGLI/TSGLI (Serviceman’s Group Medical History and ensure your separation physical Life Insurance and Traumatic Serviceman’s Group includes a dental examination. You should keep the Life Insurance, respectively). original documents, but provide the VA with a copy There are some benefits that you should apply for of the entire separation physical package. 180 days before discharge. One of the most important As soon as you are discharged, you should apply is filing for any compensation for service connected for VA Healthcare by submitting your application disabilities. You can apply at Overseas Intake Sites online using eBenefits, or by doing so in person. Use which can be identified by visiting www.eBenefits. VA Form 10-10EZ and follow-up after submitting this va.gov. You can register for this website today (if you document to schedule an enrollment appointment at haven’t already!), as this is a joint VA/DOD web portal the nearest VA healthcare facility. If your dental exam that provides resources and self-service capabilities was not completed while on active duty, you can apply to Veterans, Service for a one-time benefit, Members and their The VA representative only comes to Sigonella but only have 180 days families to research, when TGPS is scheduled ... it’s up to you to upon discharge to apply access and manage utilize the resources in this article and make for this benefit. Finally, their VA and military sure you are taking advantage of the benefits you can apply for Veteran benefits, in addition you’ve earned ... Group Life Insurance or to important personal commercial life insurance information. Registering for eBenefits is so important within 240 days of discharge. More information is that it is now even a mandatory part of the Transition available at www.insurance.va.gov. GPS program! Make sure to register for a premium Now is the time to begin researching your VA access account using a CAC-enabled computer, as benefits and educating yourself on what is available the overall sign-up process is much faster and less to you and your family. Keep in mind, the VA complicated than trying to do so via a public-access representative only comes to Sigonella when TGPS is computer. scheduled, so it’s up to you to utilize the resources in In order to apply for compensation for service this article and make sure you are taking advantage of connected disabilities, you should gather/prepare the the benefits you’ve earned as a result of your military following documents: copies of your service treatment service! To find out more about VA appointment records, copies of all electronic medical records and availability at Sigonella, please call the Fleet and any private treatment records, VA Form 21-526EZ Family Support Center at 624-4291.
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JUST SAY IT! Learn these words in Italian!
SPORTS
but at the same time was also kept secret because of Lent restrictions. This year’s highlights includes more than 80 chocolate-based food events, tasting, competitions, exhibits, live music, workshops and seminars, pastry shops walking tours, chocolate art and chocolate making demonstrations that will be held in several breathtaking Baroque venues scattered across the town historic center whose historic buildings and museums will be open all night long. Modica restaurants will have a chocolate-based menu for tourists during the entire festival. A chocolate market featuring pastry chefs and chocolate artists displaying their rich chocolate creations will be set up in the historic center. For more information, detailed event schedules and guided tours visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chocomodica/609572059084652 or www.comune.modica.gov.it
This year's “ChocoModica Festival” that will be held Dec. 6 - Dec. 8 against the enchanting backdrop of Modica churches and elegant palaces and features an incredible array of scrumptious food events, exhibits, workshops, seminars, patisseries walking tours, chocolate art, chocolate making demonstrations, live music and tasting that are hosted in breathtaking venues. (Photo by City of Modica Press Office)
ChocoModica, a premiere food event Dec. 6 - 8 Sigonella chocolate lovers will not want to miss the festival in Modica Dec. 6 - 8. The 2013 edition of the “ChocoModica,” a premiere food event will tempt your taste buds with the mouthwatering "Food of the Gods." That’s how Ancient Greeks called this scrumptious treat produced by the cacao seeds which were already very popular some 3,500 years ago among several societies of Mesoamerica. Mayans were the first ones credited with growing cacao, a tradition that was handed down to the Aztecs. Instead of eating chocolate bars, those Mesoamerican populations would drink it. Chocolate beans were turned into a powder using a stone grinding surface, known as a “Metate,” and then mixed with water, chili peppers, vanilla and other ingredients, to form a bitter drink named “Xocoatl.” Several legends surround the origin of the cacao plant. One of the saddest ones tells the story of a beautiful Aztec princess who was left at home to guard a treasure by her husband who was at war. When enemies arrived, she was executed for her refusal to give up the location of the treasure. Legend has it that from her shed blood a cacao plant was born. According to this tradition, on one hand, the bitter taste of the seeds remember the pain underwent by the princess, but on the other hand, the strong cacao beans’ aromatic and stimulant qualities symbolize her virtues. In ancient times, cacao was not only a delicious food but it was also used as a medicine and even as currency.
So how did the Aztec chocolate end up in Modica? It was actually brought by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. The secret and ancient Aztec recipe was then handed down through generations of patient nuns to today’s Modica chocolate-makers. But that is not all. This festival is different from the others that are typically held across the country. The reason for it is that Eurochocolate promotes “healthy” chocolate. Yes, you might be surprised, but there is a big difference between some sugary chocolate bars and Modica chocolate tablets. The secret lies in the percentage of cacao. The higher is the “good” cacao quantity, the lower are the unhealthy ingredients such as sugars, milk fat and artificial flavorings. Raw cacao beans are rich in antioxidants, catechins, flavonoids and other elements that, according to researchers, can grant protection from heart diseases and cancer. Cioccolata Modicana (Modica chocolate) is grainy, crumbly and bitter. It has a thick texture which comes for the “cold production process.” Those chocolate bars can be natural or typically flavored with cinnamon, chili pepper or vanilla but also with lemon, oranges, coffee, pistachio, carob etc. Modica is also famous for another special tasty confection: “Mpanatigghie.” They are ravioli-shaped sweets, similar to mince pies, which were originally prepared by convent nuns to feed pilgrims and priests. They are filled with cinnamon, almonds, honey, chocolate, cloves and beef. Yes, I’m not joking! This salty ingredient used to be added to enrich the pastry,
ABOUT MODICA: Modica has a couple of nicknames such as “Città del Merletto,” (City of Lace) and “Perla del Barocco” (Baroque Pearl) because of its breathtaking Baroque-styled buildings and churches featuring elaborate motifs which were officially acknowledged as being of international importance and inscribed on the United Nation World Heritage List. The town sits atop a 1,000-foot hill nestled among the Iblei Mountains. Walk around town and you will discover how Sicilian craftsmen keep alive Cavagne-making (Cavagne are cane containers used to storage ricotta cheese) and old lace-weaving traditions. A picturesque Baroque village located just a few miles from Ragusa, Modica is fairly easy to reach. Take State Road 514 south from Catania, drive until you reach Ragusa (approximately 60 miles) and then follow directions to Modica.
(Photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham)
English: soccer Italian: calcio English: bicycling Italian: ciclismo English: skiing Italian: sciàre English: volleyball Italian: pallavolo English: basketball Italian: pallacanestro English: football Italian: football americano English: swimming Italian: nuoto English: golf Italian: golf English: tennis Italian: tennis
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ITALIAN H EADLINES Italian birth rate continues to decline, says Istat, more children being born to unmarried couples (ANSA) - Rome - Italy's birth rate continued to decline in 2012 compared with the previous year, statistical agency Istat reported last Wednesday. More than 534,000 babies were born in 2012 - at least 12,000 fewer than were reported in 2011, continuing the steady annual decline in the birth rate that began in 2009, the agency said. The exception to the declining birth rate was reported among foreigners living in Italy, said Istat. The number of births to two foreignborn parents increased to just under 80,000 in 2012 and represented about 15% of total births. Meanwhile, the agency also found one in four children - about 132,000 - was born to unmarried couples in 2012. Istat also noted a regional element, with higher rates of babies born to unmarried couples in northern areas of Italy including Bolzano province with 44% and the Val d'Aosta at 36%. The number of babies born to unmarried parents fell to 31% in Tuscany and 33% in Emilia Romagna. Woman are waiting longer to have children, with more than 7% of babies born to mothers over 40, compared to 11.1% of babies born to women under 25, the agency said. In 2012, the average age of mothers was 31.4 years, higher than the 1995 average of
29.8 years. When foreign-born mothers are excluded, the average age of mothers climbed to 32 years in 2012. Regional differences were again reported, with younger mothers found in the South, especially Campania and Sicily, and older mothers found in the North.
Survey says Italian employers can't find skilled workers, despite recession, jobs are not being filled, say employers (ANSA) Brussels, - Italian employers are finding it hard to fill certain technical and skilled positions despite the country's deep recession and high rates of unemployment, according to a survey released last Friday by Unioncamere, representing chambers of commerce. There are about 47,000 unfilled specialized jobs in the country, which is fewer than the 65,000 reported in 2012 and much less than the 217,000 available posts reported in 2008, according to the survey. The number stands in contrast with Italy's jobless rate that reached a record-high 12.5% in September, and a youth unemployment rate of over 40%. But employers say that in certain fields, including software development and design, and business management as well as some technical fields, they cannot find enough skilled help. They say there is also an "expectations gap" where certain graduates won't accept jobs which they do not find interesting,
the employers said in the survey. They suggested that educational institutions should do a better job of steering students into professions and trades with high levels of employment and demand for trained workers.
Italians sign Pompeii preservation protocol; aim to keep it on UN World Heritage list
(ANSA) - Naples - State, regional and local authorities on Monday signed a Pompeii management protocol in line with UNESCO stipulations, the Naples archeology superintendent's office said in a note. UNESCO in July gave Italy until December 31 to apply a series of upgrade measures or face having what is one of Italy's most famous archeological treasures removed from the prestigious list of World Heritage sites. The measures include video surveillance of 50% of the area and a buffer zone around the site. In March, the EU Commission approved an injection of 105 million euros in restoration funds for Pompeii's ailing monuments, to be combined with matching money from Italy. Plans for the revamping and preservation of the ancient archeological site were announced in April. In July, Italian Minister of Culture Massimo Bray promised to install safety measures and open 39 work areas by 2015. "These measures are all outlined as necessary and urgent by UNESCO," Bray said at the time.
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Sunday mornings in Catania
by jackie trembath NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Photos by Jackie Trembath
I love traditions. Growing up, we had a few, like opening presents on Christmas Eve and eating Posole on New Year's Day - traditions I still keep when I'm stateside. Traditions inspire a sense of comfort, like wrapping yourself in a soft, warm blanket on a cold day when the tip of your nose is red and freezing. Living in Sicily has inspired new traditions, ones I'm going to miss so much that the thought of life without them summons tears. I love Sundays. Every Sunday morning, when I'm here in Sicily, I meet a couple of friends in Catania for breakfast and shopping - like clockwork. I drive through the usually bustling city, watching it as it wakes up. Only a few locals roam the sidewalks. It's early, before church time. A business man or two is just beginning to open his roadside shop - a small 3-wheeled truck loaded with local fruits or veggies, maybe flowers. Cardboard signs marked with sharpies indicate the prices. The building fronts are shut down, their metal gates at rest. The streets are absent the multitude of cars that almost bust them at the seams. There is no honking. Only stillness. On any given weeknight I avoid driving in Catania, but Sunday mornings, I find it beautifully peaceful. I always park in the same spot. I've been doing so every Sunday for so long now that the short white haired man that takes my euros knows me and my car. Our conversation in Italian is limited to casual
hellos, but he always wishes me a good day through his half-toothed smile. I meet my friends at the same coffee shop. I order the same breakfast: a cappuccino e cornetto con nutella. I have been there so many times, the waiter knows my order and delivers my caffe with a special chocolate design in the frothed milk. My friends and I recap our weeks and talk about what we hope to find at the market. After we have fueled up for our shopping adventure on caffeine and sugar, we walk to the market just a couple of streets up from Elephant Square. Every Sunday is similar, but different. Each equally enjoyable. By 9:30 a.m., the market is already crowded. Tables are covered in a mixture of garage sale items and antique items. It's like a treasure hunt and I feel like Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz from the History Channel's American Pickers on the brink of discovering something fabulous. Isle by isle we walk and talk, looking in each direction and stopping periodically to pick something up that has caught our attention. I've learned over my Sundays in Catania that the price is often negotiable and haggling adds to the thrill of the find. Some Sundays I come home with only a few items. Sometimes, my trunk is full of treasures that will one day decorate my home in the states, reminding me of this beautiful country and the Sunday morning tradition that I love so much - that alone makes each purchase invaluable.
The Flea & Antique Market in Catania Open Sundays only from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Piazza Dante Euros only . N o credit cards are accepted.
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DECEMBER 6, 2013
U.S. Naval Academy looking for Navy Exchange Mini-Mart to offer instructors expanded healthy beverage options By LT Teng K. Ooi and CAPT Linda J. Beltra U.S. Naval Academy/Naval Hospital Jacksonville
ATTENTION NAVY RESERVE OFFICERS! Are you interested in an opportunity to teach, inspire, and empower the next generation of American leaders to serve our nation? The U.S. Naval Academy needs qualified Navy Reserve officers, especially at the ranks of lieutenant and lieutenant commander, with at least a master’s degree in an appropriate academic discipline to instruct in designated academic departments for Fall 2014 and to serve as outstanding military role models and mentors for midshipmen. Recall opportunities will be considered for the following disciplines: cyber security, information systems, and information technology; electrical engineering, computer engineering, general engineering, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, naval architecture, ocean engineering, aerospace engineering, and control systems engineering; mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, and oceanography; political science, economics, English, history, and foreign languages, including Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese. Interested Navy Reservists should email the following: • A cover letter that states which discipline(s) you are applying for and your qualifications for the position. • A resume of experience (aca-
•
demic, professional, and naval experience, including any recent mobilizations, recalls, or extended active duty periods). A full-length khaki photo.
Email: reserve.recall@usna.edu Reserve Recall Liaison Officer, CDR John Schedel United States Naval Academy, Code 11C 121 Blake Road Annapolis, MD 21402-1300 Telephone: (410) 293-6513 DSN: 281-6513 Fax: (410) 293-2591 To receive full consideration, interested officers for Academic Year 20142015 should apply no later than Dec. 15, 2013. Officers selected will be recalled to active duty and assigned orders for an officer-instructor tour, not to exceed three years, commencing July 2014. Recalled officers will remain on the reserve active status list and will remain eligible for promotion consideration before reserve selection boards. Selections will be made only after USNA placement officers are confident that USNA billets will not be filled from the active duty pool of potential officer instructors. Applicants will be made aware of their selection status by midApril 2014. Final arrangements are contingent upon PCS funding being available through the Navy.
By LT Tim page NAS Sigonella Public Affairs In support of the Navy Exchange (NEX) “A Better You” program and the commitment to offer healthier alternatives at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, the Mini-Mart on NAS II will be expanding many refrigerated options in the coming months. The NEX "A better you" program includes making available healthier snacks, beverages, sport nutrition, weight management, vitamins, athletic shoes, active wear and sporting goods. “Our goal at the NAS II Mini-Mart is to offer healthier options in beverages and food,” said Linda Wahlquist, interim store manager, NEX Sigonella. The increased selection of healthy options will be located where the refrigerated alcoholic drinks are currently kept; while these food and beverage options will replace the chilled selection of alcoholic drinks, these will still be available in the beverage aisle. A recent appraisal of NAS Sigonella was completed by U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella’s Health Promotion Coordinator Lt. Aspen Alu through the Military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (m-NEAT). The tool was developed to help health promotion professionals, commanding officers, and others in the DoD community measure accessibility to healthy food options. “The m-NEAT survey is a tool that helps us identify areas where we need to improve on available food choices and areas where we are doing well in providing healthy options,” said Alu. “The survey focuses on several aspects on base including vending machines, the galley, the Navy Exchange and commissary.” With the commissary and Navy Exchange located at NAS I and the majority of the community working on NAS II, it can sometimes be a challenge to find healthy lunches, snacks, and drinks without traveling between bases. “It’s my responsibility to the community to ensure that our community has as many resources as possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Capt. Christopher Dennis, NAS Sigonella commanding officer. “It’s a responsibility that I have to the community to make sure we provide healthy alternatives to things like soda, energy drinks and alcohol and encourage a good diet and staying physically fit and ready.” The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a culture of physical fitness is a commitment that all Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers accept and are routinely tested to ensure. “You wouldn't want to put low octane gasoline in a Ferrari. Service members should be fueling up on high quality, nutritious food,” said Alu. “Eating health foods isn't something we do once in a while to lose weight; it's a lifestyle we live. Eating whole, nutritious foods in the appropriate amounts helps us perform better, feel better and live longer.” For more information on the m-NEAT survey visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/ nmcphc/health-promotion/healthy-eating/Pages/m-neat.aspx or call Health Promotions at 624-4950. If you have suggestions for specific items you would like to have in the cooler, please contact the supervisor or manager at the Mini-Mart.
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ON THE GO WITH MWR
Feel like
climbing a wall?
THE CAVE: INdoor rock climbing Did you know there is an indoor climbing wall at the NAS I Gym inside Midtown? If you're new to Sigonella or maybe you typically beeline it straight upstairs and have simply missed it, the indoor climbing wall (The Cave) is located to the right of the NAS I Gym’s front desk just before the door to the ITT and Outdoor Recreation office. Climbing is a great cross training workout for those short winter days when outdoor recreation isn’t always an option. The Cave is available during gym operating hours. For your safety, Morale Welfare and Recreation is now implementing a few new rules for accessing The Cave climbing wall. Patrons must now show their belay certification card to the gym front desk, and must leave an ID to unlock The Cave, or check out climbing equipment. If you are not belay certified and would like to climb, don’t worry, we have a class for that! The belay class is approximately one hour long and costs a small fee. The climbing wall is also available for a reservation for command PT sessions. If you are interested in setting up a class or coordinating a time for your next PT session, contact ITT and ODR for more details at 624-4777 or 624-4396.
Midtown Movie Theaters Schedule & Descriptions
Friday, Dec. 6 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Pancake, Asstd Doughnuts. *Lunch: New England Clam Chowder, Lemon Baked Fish, Grilled Pork Chop w/Mushrooms Gravy, Steamed Rice, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Asparagus, Squash, Cheese Cake. *Speed line: Grilled Hamburger/Cheeseburger, French Fries, Baked Beans. *Dinner: Vegetable Supreme Soup, Teriyaki Chicken, Baked Tuna Noodles, Fried Rice, Spinach, Oriental Stir Fry, Cheese Cake. Saturday, Dec. 7 *Breakfast: Farina, Grilled Ham Slices, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast. *Brunch: Breakfast Items, Cream of Broccoli Soup, Mambo Roast Pork, Steamed Rice, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Cookies. *Dinner: Mushroom Soup, Pizza, Pasta Alfredo, Carrots Fresh, Cookies.
A MADEA CHRISTMAS ... PG-13 STARRING: Tyler Perry, Chad Michael Murray, Tika Sumpter
Tuesday, Dec. 10 *Breakfast: Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Baked Sausage Patties, Biscuits and Gravy, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles. *Lunch Spanish Soup, Beef Tacos, Burritos, Chicken Fajita, Mexican Rice, Refried Beans, Calico Corn, Broccoli, Jalapeno Cornbread, Cookies Oatmeal. *Speed line: Grilled Panini Sandwich (Beef/Turkey), French Fried Potatoes. *Dinner: Onion Soup, Lasagna, Fishwich, Baked Potatoes, Fresh Squash, Cookies. Wednesday, Dec. 11 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Pastries. *Lunch: Mulligatawny Soup, Roast Turkey, Pepper Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Gravy, Peas & Carrots, Steamed Cauliflower, Sweet Potato Pie. *Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes. *Dinner: Chicken noodles soup, Baked Italian Sausage, Spaghetti w/Meat sauce, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Rice, Broccoli, Pie.
Sunday, Dec. 8 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Minute Steak, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles. *Brunch: Breakfast Items, Cream of Asparagus Soup, Savory Baked Chicken, Zucchini fresh, Cake. *Dinner: Pepper Pot Soup, Veal Parmesan, Rice Pilaf, Cauliflower, Penne Amatriciana, Cake.
Thursday, Dec. 12 *Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Corned Beef Hash, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast. *Lunch: Corn Chowder Soup, Teriyaki Chicken, Yankee Pot Roast, Lionaise Potatoes, Broccoli, Summer Squash, Cake. *Speed line: Chili Dog, Macaroni & Cheese, Onion Rings. *Dinner: Beef Noodle Soup, Beef Stew, Farfalle Alfredo, Steamed Rice, Seasoned Carrots, Cake.
Monday, Dec. 9 *Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Minced Beef w/ Toast, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast. *Lunch: Cream of potato Soup, Lemon Baked Fish, Hamburger Yakisoba, Tossed Green Rice, Calico Cabbage, Carrots Fresh, Cake. *Speed line: Pizza. *Dinner: Beef Noodle Soup, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Rice Pilaf, Chicken Parmesan, Broccoli, Cake.
Friday, Dec. 13 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Pastries. *Lunch: New England Clam Chowder, Stuffed Baked Fish , Roast Pork, Mushroom Gravy, Rice Pilaf, Peas, Cauliflower, Cookies. *Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes. *Dinner: Cream Of Mushroom Soup, Cantonese Spareribs, Pasta w/Fish Sauce, Rice Pilaf, Steamed Whole Corn, Lemon Cookies.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
5:00 PM Thor: Dark World 3D 5:30 PM The Counselor 7:30 PM The Fifth Estate 8:00 PM Carrie
Friday, Dec. 6 -- Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:00 PM The Counselor 7:30 PM Last Vegas 8:00 PM Thor : Dark Wolrd
Saturday, Dec. 7 -- Winter Wonderland 12:00 PM Polar Express 2:00 PM Frozen 3D 2:30 PM Free Birds 4:30 PM Catching Fire 5:00 PM About Time 7:30 PM Last Vegas
G PG PG PG-13 R PG-13
2:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM
PG-13 PG R PG-13 PG-13
Sunday, Dec. 8
Thor: Dark World 3D Frozen The Fifth Estate Last Vegas Ender's Game
Tuesday, Dec. 10
As a reminder, all dependents are always welcome at the galley! Please provide any negative or positive feedback. There is a suggestions box near the entrance to the galley, next to the serving line.
R PG-13 PG-13
5:00 PM Free Birds 3D 5:30 PM Thor: Dark World 7:30 PM Catching Fire 8:00 PM Escape Plan
PG PG-13 PG-13 R
PG-13 R R R
Thursday, Dec. 12 - CLOSED
Friday, Dec. 13
2:00 PM Elf 5:00 PM The Hobbit Part 2 3D 5:30 PM Ender’s Game 8:00 PM About Time 8:30 PM Hobbit Part 2
Saturday, Dec. 14
2:00 PM A Madea Christmas 2:30 PM Frozen 4:30 PM The Best Man Holiday 5:00 PM Last Vegas 7:30 PM The Hobbit, Part 2 3D
Sunday, Dec. 15 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM
PG PG-13 PG-13 R PG-13
PG-13 PG R PG-13 PG-13
Frozen 3D PG A Madea Christmas PG-13 The Hobbit Part 2 PG-13 The Best Man Holiday R Delivery Man PG-13
Movie Premiere
Free Movie
Same Day Release
Last Show
Madea dispenses her unique form of holiday spirit on rural town when she's coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas. (105 m.) THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY ... R STARRING: Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they will discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited. (122 m.) DELIVERY MAN ... PG-13 STARRING: Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders An affable underachiever finds out he's fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity. (105 m.) LAST VEGAS ... PG-13 STARRING: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal. (105 m.) THE HOBBIT PART 2 3D... PG-13 STARRING: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. (161 m.)
Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248
GAME ZONE Christmas gift ideas
BAKING BELT BOOK BRACELET CANDLES CANDY CHOCOLATES CLOTHES COFFEE MAKER COFFEE MUG COLOGNE COOKIES DOLL EARRINGS ELECTRONICS FLOWERS GAME GIFT BASKET GIFT CARD HERBAL TEAS JEWELRY
MONEY MOVIE MUSIC NECKLACE NECKTIE PANTS PENDANT PERFUME PLANT SCARF SHIRT SLIPPERS SNEAKERS SOCKS STUFFED ANIMAL SWEATER TELEVISION TOOL SET TOY TREE ORNAMENT WATCH WINE
Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 13 letters spell an additional Christmas gift idea.
DECEMBER 6, 2013
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SUDOKU DIFFICULT
DECEMBER 6, 2013
EASY
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IL
M ERCATO
AUTOMOBILES 2011 Ford Mustang Premium Coupe, Grabber Blue, 3.7L 305HP V6, 19/31mpg, 6 speed manual transmission, black leather, Sirius sat radio, Sync MP3 Voice Command Shaker Sound System, 18" rims, adjustable dash and accent colors, all stock except Borla exhaust. 13,400 miles. Turn heads, $18,100 Blue Book, asking $17,500 firm. Call Michael @ 345-8275338 2009 Toyota Corolla, S model. Very good condition; very reliable. Automatic; U.S. specs, 46,000 miles as of Nov. 2013, single disc C.D. Player and an AUX for ipod/MP3. $8,000/OBO. Call Julie; Mon - Fri at 624-5473. 2000 BMW 530D Silver. 131,000 Miles. Turbo Diesel Inline 6 Rated at 41 MPG Highway, Averages 37 MPG, M-Sport Drivetrain, M-Sport Steering. Fantastic
Car. Everything Works! Asking $6,500 OBO. Call Travis at 335-786-4253. 2001 Renault Laguna 4 cylinder, 1.9 Turbo Diesel DCI, 120 Hp, 20 Km with one liter of diesel. Perfect condition. Dual zone climate control, 6 Air Bag, power windows/lock, stereo, etc. Perfect engine, ready for any test. Asking $2,600. Call Salvo at 338-3225071. 1998 Audi A4 Avant, silver gray, excellent condition, never smoked in,. Bought from first owner. New breaks and tie rods. 81,400 miles, manual shift, AC. $2,750. Call Lizz at 3420055821 or Robert at 3409905234. 1972 Fiat 500l with a 650cc engine. Comes with an extra engine original 500cc plus other spare parts.Asking €3,950. Call Joe at 346-6082330. 1963 Volkswagen Beetle. Fully restored with original parts. All official docu-
ments. Pearl white, 4 speed, 6 volts, 1192 cc. €11,ooo/ negotiable. Call Adriana 3491539139.
NOTICES The Signature Staff would like to hear from you! Please take a momment to fill out this short 10-question survey and tell us what you think of The Signature. Thank you! Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ X6KVMLT
SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM ADVOCATE HOTLINES: Sigonella SAPR VA Hotline: 335-642-8312. DoD Safe Helpline: 001-877-995-5247 (From cell phones and off-base telephones) Or: 19020 (toll-free access code) 1-877-995-5247 (From DSN lines)
DECEMBER 6, 2013 All classified ads are free to the community for advertising personal property for sale, trade or giveaway. Ads must be sent to thesig@eu.navy.mil no later than 5 p.m. of the Friday before the week of publication and must include POC name and phone number. For more information, call 624-5440, 624-2798 or 095-86-5440/2798 or stampagenerale@tin.it.
PAID ADS Adopt while stationed overseas International & fostercare adoptions, homestudies. www.adopt-abroad.com Rent apartment in villa, Misterbianco (10 km from NAS I - 20 Km from NAS II) Description: in very quiet area, renovated apartment in villa (110 sq. mts.). A large kitchen, 2 main bedrooms, 1 large living room, laundry room ready for use of dryer and washing machine, restrooms, 2/3 parking lot reserve, 2 A/C systems already installed, AFN/SKY Tv/ Telecom systems arranged in advance, individual heating system in all rooms, private garden lot, pets allowed. Contact for all details or info: Amendola Lorenzo - by email: amendolalorenzo@yahoo.it or call mobile phone +39 335 69 78650. For Sale Receiver, Sony Digital Audio/Video Control Center 7.1, AV Processor STR-DG 820 & Klipsch Quinet SL 6 speakers w/bass & monster cables. System is new & sounds better than Bose. GREAT Christmas gift. Paid $2,000, sell $900. Call Gary at 335-706-5400 or stop by Commissary.
The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy (or Marine Corps), (name of command) or (name of publisher) of the products and services advertised. “Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Published by Stampa, a private firm in no way connected with DoD, the U.S. Navy (or Marine Corps), under exclusive contract with the U.S. Navy (or Marine Corps).
NOTE: Ads run for two weeks on a space available basis and must be sponsored by active duty military members, family members or Italian/ American base employees. AFTS/AFN decoders must be sold only to another authorized individual: active duty or retired U.S. military, DoD direct-hire employees or their spouse. Ads that profit a business or individual, such as housekeeping or baby-sitting services considered commercial ads. Commercial ads are not accepted. Requests for commercial ads must be made to Stampa Generale: 081-568-7884 or stampagenerale@tin.it
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DECEMBER 6, 2013
Scholarships for Military Children program Deadline: Feb. 28, 2014 by Cherie Huntington DeCA Public Affairs
Applications for the 2014 Scholarships for Military Children Program became available Dec. 3 at commissaries worldwide or on the Internet at http://www.militaryscholar.org. Applications must be turned in to a commissary by close of business Feb. 28, 2014. Packages must be hand-delivered or shipped via U.S. Postal Service or other delivery methods, not emailed or faxed. This year’s award amount has risen to $2,000, and the program awards at least one scholarship at each commissary with qualified applicants. An applicant must be a dependent, unmarried child, younger than 21 – or 23, if enrolled as a fulltime student at a college or university – of a service member on active duty, Reserve or Guard member, retiree or survivor of a military member who died while on active duty, or survivor of a retiree. Applicants should ensure that they and their sponsor are enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database and have
a military ID card. The applicant must attend or plan to attend an accredited college or university, full time, in the fall of 2014 or be enrolled in studies designed to transfer to a four-year program. Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps service members and their families, administers the program. Scholarship Managers, a national, nonprofit, scholarship management services organization, manages and awards the scholarships. Commissary partners and the general public donate money to the program; every dollar donated goes directly to funding the scholarships. Since inception of the program in 2001, more than $11.3 million in scholarships have been awarded to 7,412 military dependents from more than 71,000 applicants. For more information, students or sponsors should call Scholarship Managers at 856-616-9311 or email them at militaryscholar@scholarshipmanagers.com.
Shore special programs by NC1Dennis Murphy Command Career Counselor
Everyone is looking for the edge to earn their khaki pants, whether the goal is to be in the Chief ’s mess or the Wardroom, Sailors are competing to get to the next higher level. Today’s Navy is more competitive than ever and you need something that makes you stand out amongst your peers when you’re up for a selection board. Going from sea duty to shore duty is great, but a lot of Sailors are doing the exact same thing. So how can the board distinguish you from the next Sailor? By leaving your comfort zone and applying for shore special programs. Milpersman 1306-900 list 72 shore programs
that can give you the edge to reach the next higher level. For example, successful tours level as a Recruit Division Commander has historically lead to faster promotions to CPO. Each of the programs have restrictions on what rates can apply but there are special programs available for every rate, anything from Command Career Counselor to Navy Tugmaster program to White House Communication Agency. Everything listed under MPM 1306-900 will help you stand out and can lead to your next promotion! For more information contact your Command Career Counselor.
Sigonella student born at USNH Sigonella becomes a Marine by Jeff Kinsman NAS Sigonella Supervisory Physical Security
Naval Air Station Sigonella's own Matt Kinsman, a 2013 graduate from Sigonella DoDDs High School, an Eagle Scout from Sigonella's Boy Scout Troop 53 and true Sigonella citizen (born at the U.S. Naval Hospital here in March, 1995), graduated from U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina on Nov. 15, 2013. While at basic training Kinsman achieved "Top Shooter" status for his training company. He will continue his Marine Corps training at the USMC School of Infantry and then on to Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Matt ultimately hopes to be stationed at Camp Pendleton, California in mid-2014 to be closer to his family on the west coast and in Alaska.
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