Life of Brian: Former Sigonella student swims for Fairfield
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Cefalu & Palermo:
ARC Sigonella:
Exploring Sicily's treasures
Bark in the Park
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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April 15, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 15
The Navy Exchange (NEX) held a ribbon cutting ceremony April 7 to celebrate the completion of nearly a year of renovations to the facility, the most notable being the removal of the concrete blast wall in front of the store. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go)
Renovations Complete at Sigonella Navy Exchange BY nicole ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – The Navy Exchange (NEX) held a ribbon cutting ceremony April 7 to celebrate the completion of nearly a year of renovations to the facility, the most notable being the removal of the concrete blast wall in front of the store. The $6.1 million renovations in-
cluded relocating customer service from the back to the front of the store, as well as moving the flower shop, laundry and dry cleaning vendors to their own storefronts at the front of the NEX. The jewelry, fragrance and cosmetics and pet departments were expanded and a GNC store was added in addition to a new family restroom. Capt. Christopher Dennis, Commanding Officer of NAS Sigonella
remarked, “It is truly remade, and for the better. I am proud to be able to see this come to fruition before I leave.” During the renovation, NEX staff tirelessly moved inventory among the three locations (NEX main store, NEX Depot and NEX Mini Mart) in order to accommodate the phased construction. “The renovations would not have been possible without the support
of Public Works, NEXCOM and our NEX staff. I am confident that these renovations will help us to serve the community long into the future,” said Julie Herring, Navy Exchange General Manager. Due to efficient inventory management, a dedicated staff and sound understanding of customer needs the NAS Sigonella Navy Exchange turned a profit for the first time since 2011.
DoDEA Director Thomas Brady Touts Positive Aspects of School System BY JOE O’BRIEN
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Parents, teachers, students and administrators offered a warm welcome to Thomas Brady, Director, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and Kent Worford, Mediterranean District Superintendent on their visit to Sigonella Middle/High School March 22. “I’m delighted to be here in Sigonella,” Brady remarked, “We’re here to offer support.” DoDEA Director since March 12, 2014, Brady has oversight of all Department of Defense K-12 schools, both stateside and overseas which includes
168 schools in 14 districts serving more than 70,000 students. “I’ve been director for two years now and Sigonella Middle/High School is the 139th school I’ve visited,” he noted. DoDEA schools have played a significant role in Brady’s family. His wife attended DoDEA schools as have his five children and two of his grandchildren. Brady brings extensive experience as an educational leader: former Superintendent of Providence, Rhode Island Public Schools, Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia School District and Chief
DoDEA Director Thomas Brady and Mediterranean District Superintendent Kent Worford (seated, left front) held a special session with parents to field their questions. (Photo by Joe O’Brien)
Operating Officer for the District of Columbia Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (Social Sciences) from Niagara University, New York and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University, Calif. A commissioned officer for 25 years in the United States Army, Brady is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and the Broad Superintendents Academy. Brady met with parents, staff/administration and a cross section of students. “In our small group the main thing students told me over and over was how great their teachers were,” he said. During the Q&A session, one parent commented, “I can’t say enough about the education here. We’ve got a lot of great staff and programs here to include an amazing Theatrical Department and Robotics Program.” Brady has set two overall DoDEA initiatives as priorities: 1. College-ready Standards (not Common Core, he stressed) 2. Restructuring for Student Achievement (with the ultimate goal of increasing student achievement) Brady concluded by enumerating the many positive aspects of DoD/DoDEA schools in contrast to challenges found in many urban schools. “How fortunate we are at a DoD/DoDEA school,” he noted. “Our parents work where standards are required, we have access to remarkable health care, a roof over our heads, three meals a day, and parents who care. So why shouldn’t we be the best school system in the world?” he asked. “Our goal is to be great!"
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April 15, 2016
Direct Line
in the summer of 2010. I transferred into the Public Affairs community, and after attending the Public Affairs Qualification Course I reported to USS Abraham Lincoln (CNV 72) in Everett, Wash. as the Media Division Officer. I was lucky enough to be on the around-the-world deployment with Lincoln and changed homeports with the ship to Norfolk, Va. as we headed into the shipyard. After three years on Lincoln I made a short stop in Newport, R.I. to attend the Maritime Staff Operators’ Course and then headed from there to Hawaii. At Pacific Fleet I was fortunate enough to be a part of a team of excellent PAOs working for the Admiral and experiencing the differences of working on a four-star staff after having worked on an aircraft carrier. I arrived here at the beginning of February with my two cats and look forward to getting to know people and to exploring the island. I am thankful for the support and hospitality that I have received so far as I have been settling in, I feel very welcomed here. If you see me around base, please come over and say hi!
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 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 Suggestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publically 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".
SAAPM 2016 – Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part, Do Your Part From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
April 1 marks the start of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This week, we interviewed the Director of the 21st Century Sailor Office, and the Navy’s SAPR Officer on the importance of Sailors turning knowledge into action during this awareness month. Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt addressed the importance of looking out for our shipmates through intervention, speaking up when they see something’s wrong, and using the resources across the fleet to stop sexual assault. MC2 Burleson: Welcome. It’s the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and joining me today is the Director of the 21 Century Sailor Office, and the Navy’s SAPR Officer, Rear Admiral Burkhardt. Rear Adm. Burkhardt: It’s great to be here. MC2 Burleson: Ma’am, so what do you want Sailors to know?
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Safety Spotlight: Traffic Circles
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi Buongiorno Sigonella, Though some of you may already know me, I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. I am the new Public Affairs Officer for NAS Sigonella. My last duty station was at U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While Hawaii is a beautiful place, I have to admit I prefer the island of Sicily to the island of Oahu! I am very excited to be here in Sigonella as a member of this community. I am a child of two Naval Officers and I feel like I have been in the Navy my whole life. As a Navy brat I got the opportunity to live in a variety of places, including Italy. I attended eighth through twelfth grades while living in Naples, Italy. This afforded me the opportunity to experience a foreign culture and even learn a bit of Italian! From Italy I attended college at Loyola University of New Orleans, with a semester-long detour my freshman year at the University of Virginia due to Hurricane Katrina. While at Loyola I participated in the Naval ROTC program and I graduated and was commissioned
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Rear Adm. Burkhardt: Well this is April; it’s Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and the theme this year is “Eliminate Sexual Assault: Know Your Part and Do Your Part.” What I want Sailors to know is what is sexual assault, what are ways to prevent it, and how they can participate in those prevention efforts. And if prevention fails, Sailors need to know how to report it. MC2 Burleson: So ma’am with that knowledge, what do you want Sailors to actually do? Rear Adm. Burkhardt: It is about knowledge and action. It’s about awareness and then the prevention. So what I want Sailors to do is to be part of a team of professionals at a command that builds that command climate. Part of that is to not tolerate sexist behaviors, not tolerate sexual harassment, or sexual assault or hazing. It’s also not to tolerate the misuse of alcohol. I really want Sailors to know that offenders victimize individuals under the in-
fluence of alcohol, so it’s important to understand this approach and then be part of the intervention to prevent this from happening. That will go a long way in our efforts. MC2 Burleson: As you know, SAAPM is only one month. How do we continue to move forward throughout the year? Rear Adm. Burkhardt: Right, that’s important. It is the knowledge and actions, awareness and prevention. It’s really that every Sailor un-
derstands how to take that knowledge, and take those actions to be part of….Every Sailor, every day, making a difference in our Navy to join as a collective team to eliminate sexual assault. It really is to know your part, and then do your part. MC2 Burleson: Well Ma’am, thank you for joining us today, and thank you all for watching. Be sure to checkout the SAAPM toolkit at sapr.navy.mil to help you plan for SAAPM at your command.
Once seen only in Europe, modern traffic roundabouts — circular intersections that move vehicles in one direction without signal lights — are becoming increasingly popular in North America. Since first constructed in Nevada in 1990, more than 2,000 have been built across the United States and many are starting to appear in Canada. Today's roundabouts are much safer than the large traffic circles constructed years ago where vehicles would enter, merge, circulate, change lanes, and exit at high speeds. Built around a central island, modern roundabouts are considerably smaller and require traffic to enter at a much slower pace. Drivers yield the right-of-way to the traffic already circulating and, once inside, do not change lanes. Many people who have never experienced driving through a modern roundabout are concerned they won't be able to navigate the unfamiliar traffic pattern. But several studies have shown that people strongly support them after they learn their way around. Lately we have had one too many traffic incidents at our local roundabouts. Here are some tips to keep you safe. How to Drive a Single-Lane Roundabout • Slow down. As you approach, look for a yellow "roundabout ahead" sign with an advisory speed limit and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk. • Look left and yield. Be prepared to stop as circulating traffic has the right-of-way. • Wait for a gap in traffic and enter. Once you enter the circle, do not stop or overtake vehicles slightly ahead of you as they may be exiting. • Proceed to your exit. Proceed counterclockwise to your exit point. You have the right-of-way in the roundabout.
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• Exit. As you approach your exit, use your right turn signal. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk and be prepared to stop. How to Drive a Double-Lane Roundabout • Slow down. As you approach look for two signs — the yellow "roundabout ahead" sign and a black-and-white "lane choice" sign. Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk. • Choose a lane. To go straight or right, get in the right lane. To go straight or left, or make a make U-turn, get in the left lane. • Look left and yield. Be prepared to stop as circulating traffic has the right-of-way. • Wait for gap in traffic and enter. Once you enter the circle, stay in your lane and do not stop or overtake vehicles slightly ahead of you as they may be exiting. • Proceed to your exit. Proceed counterclockwise to your exit point. You have the right-of-way in the roundabout. • Exit. As you approach your exit, use your right-turn signal. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk and bicyclists and be prepared to stop. For more information, contact Mr. Gomez at 624-6261 or ABF2 Taylor at 624-5630/6266 Signed, Safety Sam
EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Lt. Jake Barreiro jake.barreiro@eu.navy.mil Editor Nicole Ybarra nicole.ybarra@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers MC1 Tony D. Curtis anthony.curtis@eu.navy.mil MC2 Ramon Go ramon.go@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 factorof 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.
Name: GM3 Tyler Primeau Dept: NAS Sigonella Emergency Operations Center Department Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif. In a short span of three years stationed in Sicily, GM3 Primeau has been to Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Malta. His favorite travel memory is where he felt he had a complete cultural experience the moment he arrived in Switzerland. “It’s a beautiful country.” When GM3 Primeau is not traveling, he is working in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). “On a day-to-day basis, we survey alarms, monitor security cameras and answer emergency phone calls. If we receive those calls, we dispatch security and fire emergency services accord-
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Command Master Chief CMDCM Mike Kaszubowski
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.
ingly. Communication is key in the EOC. We have to relay information back and forth to make sure everyone is on the same page." Although EOC staff are not the ones you physically see prevent crimes and protect the base, they have eyes
all throughout the base and call in the right people to respond to certain situations. Although GM3 Primeau is leaving the military soon, he plans to use his GI Bill to go to school and further his education. Good luck to him and best wishes!
Day or night, every day of the year, the EOC maintains a vigilant watch over the NAS Sigonella community. We would like to recognize them in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, from April 10-16.
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 anyanonymous 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
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Life of Brian: Former Sigonellan Swims for Fairfield Univ. By Fairfield University
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Freshman swimmer Brian Burke took a unique path to Fairfield University, but it was all part of growing up in a military family. Burke spent 12 years living at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy where his father worked in the Navy. Originally born in Coronado, Calif. he and his family moved to Italy at a young age. “My family is very into service jobs. My mom’s dad was a U.S. Engineer in the Navy, my dad’s dad was a Marine, and my older brother is an Army Ranger in Geor-
gia,” said Burke. “My dad is a Combat Search and Rescue Swimmer for the Navy so I guess that’s where I get my passion for swimming.” Swimming wasn’t always his favorite sport and says up until high school, soccer was his favorite. “It was during the Swim World Championships in Rome, I think in 2008 or 2009, that I really started getting into swimming. That was the summer before high school and after that my dad pushed me in an encouraging way towards swimming,” explained Burke. The freshman began swimming during the summers in middle school, but
high school was when he started to swim competitively. “When I first started swimming I swam all different events. My coach pushed the whole team to swim different events because we were at such a young age.” Although swimming multiple events, he found immediate success at the sprint events, which are his main events at the college level. “At my very first championships I won the 50 Free and 50 Fly.” His stay in Italy lasted much longer than most military families and he now realizes how special that experience was. “My family stayed in Italy for a long time, which
April 15, 2016 was very unique. Most families only spend two or three years in Italy and then move on. I think at times I took the cultural experience for granted and I realized that in Florida.” Swimming and competing for a high school on a military base is much different than a regular high school
in the U.S. “We competed in swim events all over Europe. The team would fly on weekends to Naples or Germany to swim against other military bases in Europe. It’s probably easier for me to name the countries that I haven’t been to than to name the ones I have visited, that’s how much I was able to travel.”
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NAS Sigonella Transitions to New Application Process for US Local Hires By Michelle Verba Civilian Human Resources
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – The Department of Navy (DON) has decided to move all U.S. local hire recruitment to OCHR Operations Centers in CONUS that are currently servicing overseas. For military spouses, civilian family members, and military family members, this means that local job opportunity announcements (JOA) for Sigonella positions will be centrally posted on USAJOBS beginning May 1. If you are already living overseas, or preparing to relocate to an overseas duty location, it’s as easy as visiting the USAJOBS website at www. usajobs.gov to find information on overseas employment opportunities. How does this affect the applicant? In order to apply for a Federal overseas position, applicants will be required to submit an electronic resume to the USAJOBS announcement and answer assessment questions regarding their eligibility and qualifications. USAJOBS helps applicants conduct searches and apply for positions through one single automated method. In addition, the site has a variety of resources including customized job alerts, search tips, and tutorials to help you find the right Federal job. It also functions as a resume and document repository to keep your relevant documents in one place and readily available for submission. Another significant benefit of using USAJOBS is that throughout key stages of the application process, individuals applying for Federal employment will be notified through the site about the status of their application. Please note that all USAJOBS an-
Burke spent 12 years living at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy where his father worked in the Navy. Originally born in Coronado, Calif. he and his family moved to Italy at a young age. Here Burke swims the butterfly stroke for Fairfield University. (Photo courtesy of Fairfield University)
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 the Nurse Advice Line at 800-877-660 (local/Italy only) Need a medication refill or results from your Provider? Create an account with Relay Health using your PCM... www.relayhealth.com (click: register, patient, then add PCM)
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nouncements expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the published closing date. How can you begin utilizing USAJOBS? A valid email address is the only thing you’ll need to create a USAJOBS account. Simply follow the instructions under the “Create an Account” tab and confirm your email address, provide the requested personal information, and establish a username and password to finalize your registration. It is not necessary to create an account to search for jobs; the account is only necessary when applying for jobs online. A military spouse or family member may apply for employment up to 30 days before their anticipated arrival overseas. However, they may not receive preference until their arrival at the foreign location. First time users are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Resource Center for additional information, including Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and a USAJOBS fact sheet. What is HRO’s role in the new application process? Because US local positions will be announced ONLY on USAJOBS and filled exclusively through online application, no hard copy resumes will be accepted at HRO after the transition date of May 1, 2016. HRO will continue to carry on with the mission to provide strategic HR advisory services to customers and those seeking overseas employment. For questions concerning the status of your application, the OCHR Employee Information Center (EIC) can be reached via email, DONEIC@navy.mil or by phone at 1-800-378-4559.
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April 15, 2016
Indignant Italians Rail Against Proliferation of Mafia-themed Food Products Story by The Telegraph
They may add a frisson of Goodfellas and The Godfather to a dining experience but Italy has indignantly denounced the growing number of mafia-themed food products being sold around the world. Italians say it is demeaning and insulting for their country to be relentlessly associated with organized crime networks such as Cosa Nostra in Sicily and the Camorra of Naples, which murder and maim on a regular basis. The alarm was raised by Coldiretti, a national farmers' organization, which released a list of the worst offenders, including British products such as "Chilli Mafia Jam," made from spicy green peppers by a UK firm. The agricultural association put on display what it described as "the most scandalous products" at a press conference in Catania, Sicily. Among the products which raised their ire were an Italian-style coffee made in Bulgaria called "Mafiozzo," a wine from the Napa Valley in California called "Il Padrino" (The Godfather) and a jar of spices from Germany named “Palermo Mafia Shooting," its label featuring an automatic pistol. Coldiretti lamented that Americans are tucking into a spicy sauce called "Wicked Cosa Nostra" while in Belgium locals are partial to dipping their chips into a "Sauce Maffia" dip. The Italians take a dim view of the countless restaurants around the world called "Mafia Pizza" or "Cosa Nostra," including a successful chain in Spain called "La Mafia," where customers eat beneath images of Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. "You find ‘Cosa Nostra’ pizzerias and restaurants practically everywhere, from Mexico to Sharm El Sheik, from Minnesota to Macedonia," the association said. Coldiretti pointed out with dismay the existence of "The Mafia Cookbook," described on Amazon as "a mixture of authentic Italian recipes and colorful Mafia anecdotes." It is promoted as "the perfect cookbook for anyone who wants to make the kind of food that Tony Soprano only dreams about." All the food products were an "offense" to Italy, Coldiretti said in a statement, calling organized crime "hateful." Exploiting mafia associations to flog food is wrong and harms the image of true Italian-made products, the agricultural group said. Italian-themed food and drink products made in foreign countries have cost Italy an estimated 60 billion euros in lost revenue, said Roberto Moncalvo, Coldiretti's president. The "counterfeit" Italian-looking products has led to the loss of 300,000 jobs in the food sector, he said. Egypt produces something it claims to be "Italian pasta," the Americans churn out jars of "caponata," a distinctively Sicilian dish of eggplant and capers, and Argentina produces Italian-style “bucatini” spaghetti, Coldiretti said. Italy has railed against these foreign abominations for years, but there is little that it can do apart from raising awareness of the issue. Coldiretti has called on the European Union to clamp down on what it described as a “market of horrors," but few practical measures have been taken.
Pompeii Recruits Army of Spies to Root Out Mafia Corruption and Shoddy Renovation Work at the Ancient Site Story by The Independent
Criminals are keen to get their hands on some of the €100m being spent on saving and restoring the Roman ruins. Pompeii’s heyday may be long gone, but the intrigue and corruption that marked life in ancient Rome’s top resort have not entirely vanished.
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Products such as a California wine called "Il Padrino" (The Godfather) and German-made spices named “Palermo Mafia Shooting" harm Italy's image and glorify organized crime, says the national farmers' association. (Photo by Coldiretti Press Office)
U.S. NAVY HEADLINES April 15, 2016
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First Female Recruits Issued 'Dixie Cup' Covers at Recruit Training Command By Susan Krawczyk Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Public Affairs
GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- The first female recruits at Recruit Training Command were issued their new enlisted white hats, or Dixie cups, as part of the Navy's efforts for uniformity in service members' uniform, April 4. While the rest of the enlisted female E1E6 Sailors have until Oct. 31 to begin wearing their Dixie cups, the recruits at the Navy's only boot camp have already begun to do so as per NAVADMIN 236/15. The Navy redesigned several uniform elements for Sailors that improve uniformity across the force as well as improve the function and fit of their uniforms. The changes will eventually make uniforms and covers more gender neutral. "This feels incredible as we are making a part of history," said Seaman Recruit Madeleine Bohnert, of St. Louis, Missouri, as she tried on her cover. "It's really awesome how something as simple as our cover is so symbolic in regards to equality and uniformity in the military. It's a sense of pride knowing that we are a part of getting the first Dixie cups." During uniform issue, the female recruits lined up wearing their new covers as their Recruit Division Commanders ensured they were being properly worn. As Engineman 2nd Class Shanice Floyd, RDC, helped adjust her recruits' covers for proper fitting, she instructed those with longer hair in braids or buns how to make correct adjustments to accommodate the Dixie cup. "We're already part of a team and this just promotes it in a better way," said Floyd. "Junior enlisted males and females already wear the same dress white uniform so this way when we get into the same dress blues uniform we'll look more as a unit."
Female seaman recruits receive their white enlisted hats, or "Dixie Cups," during uniform issue at Recruit Training Command. These women were among the first recruits to be issued the Dixie cup as part of the Navy's efforts for uniformity in service members' uniforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Sue Krawczyk/Released)
The Alternative Combination Cover (ACC) and current male combination cover for officers and chief petty officers can now be worn by both men and women in service dress uniforms. All officers and chiefs will be required to wear the ACC Oct. 31. "I am very excited to be one of the first females to be given the opportunity to wear the Dixie cup, and I believe we've come really far as a country and as a service," said Seaman Recruit Maria Frazier, of Springfield, Ohio. "I think it's really beneficial because as we work side by side, we have to work as a team. For me, it's important that as we're working together, we look uniform so we can work in uniform."
The Dixie cup will match the recently redesigned Service Dress Blue uniforms in jumper style for both men and women, beginning Oct. 1. The jumper will incorporate a side zipper and the slacks will have a front zipper to help with changing in and out of uniform. This will be the eventual end of the female version of the "crackerjack" uniform with a jacket and tie for female petty officers and junior Sailors. "I feel that females have been performing to a standard equal to their male counterparts, and right now, with these new covers, we look more as a team," said Floyd. For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc/.
Commander, Navy Installations Command Proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month By MC3 Eric Brann Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Installations Command, signed a proclamation in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, inside CNIC headquarters at Washington Navy Yard, April 1. This year's campaign, "Children Thrive, When Supervised, Safe and Sound," focuses on active supervision parenting practices and precautions to keep children safe in their homes by removing potentially harmful or dangerous objects and situations. "Nine million children are injured a year in preventable accidents, and of those 9 million kids, 9,000 of them die in preventable accidents, said Smith. "The Navy averages about 11 child fatalities a year from child abuse." Speakers urged service members and caregivers to use active supervision of children, ensuring a responsible adult would be accessible and free from distractions. "We need to take extra precautions to keep our children safe and that starts in the home," said Towanda Jackson, a child abuse prevention advocate. "Active supervision is one of the main attributes that can prevent child abuse from occurring. When a child is engaged in any activities, parents need to
refrain from using electronic devices such as tablets, phones or computers and give all their attention to the children." Smith called for all Navy personnel and their families to participate in the practice of preventing child abuse and to make ourselves, our families and others aware of the resources available. He added we need to provide a healthy and safe environment for our kids. According to the Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation, effective child abuse programs succeed because of partnerships created among leadership between social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the Navy community recognizing that children deserve our utmost protection and care and, that they have a fair chance to thrive. The month of April has been declared Child Abuse Prevention Month since 1986 to help service members and their families recognize situations and help prevent child abuse. For more information on child abuse prevention please visit www.ffsp. navy.mil or www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil For more information on Commander, Navy Installations Command visit www.cnic.navy.mil
By mc2 ramon go NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
CEFALU
Over a three-day weekend, I ventured out to the other side of the island to explore Palermo and Cefalu. It has been on my list of places to go since November 2014, and I was not going to wait until the last month before I PCS to travel around Sicily. Palermo was a unique experience. Between the unexplained rivalry between the east and west to the food and wine. In Palermo, I visited the Teatro Massimo. It was exquisite, from the arena of chairs to the sound reverberating from the stage. It will surely have you daydreaming about its history and entertainment. From there, I walked to the Cathedral which is two blocks long. For a small fee, you can climb a narrow stairway to the top for a better view which is well worth it or visit the underground crypt. Traffic is very bad in the city center so I suggest walking. If you get tired, there are many
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food vendors in the area. Even though it's not officially granita season, I grabbed some of the Italian shaved ice to satisfy my sweet tooth. Another thing to see that you can't find anywhere else is the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo. They look so real they almost seem fake and they sure don't smell, so you will have to decide that for yourself. There are a few bodies cased in for preservation. One girl will make your jaw drop. The color of her hair, the lashes on her eyes, and what used to be veins under the skin, will leave you speechless. I spent the remaining time in Cefalu. A small beautiful town by the water. I can only imagine how busy it will be when summer comes around. There is also a campground for those who want to be at the beach all weekend long. Many of us have traveled extensively around Europe but don't forget all the local treasures right here on the island. Sicily is beautiful, so take advantage and get out and explore on your next three-day weekend.
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All Hands News Bulletin: Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) skit performers needed! It's that time again!!!! The DAPA team is looking for highly motivated individuals for the upcoming DAPA training event that will be held on April 27 at the NAS 1 Midtown area. There are volunteer opportunities for actors, tear down/set up crew and more. All volunteers will receive a letter of appreciation for the event.
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program release date has been identified of April 15 we will inform everyone if the electronic option becomes available before the start of Cycle 1. If the electronic version is not available prior to BCAs please fill out a hard copy form and bring with you to the official BCA, if a medical signature is needed please complete that portion prior to the BCA. If you take the late BCA/PRT you will need an approved Special Request Chit routed through your immediate CoC.
If you are interested, please contact MM1 Lange at 624-4189/alexander.lange@ eu.navy.mil, LS1 Moreno at 624-5511/Dionicio.Moreno@eu.navy.mil or ABF2 Aguilar at 624-5511/Alexis.Aguilar@eu.navy.mil
Please remember to be in the official Navy PTU with ID card for all PFA evolutions. If you need to wear cold weather gear remember to wear only APPROVED cold weather gear; black watch cap, black gloves, approved Navy sweats are examples of approved cold weather gear.
2016 PFA Cycle 1 season is under way! PRIMS is still not allowing the completion of the PARFQ electronically, a partial
If there are any question please do not hesitate to contact one of the CFLs or ACFLs.
Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services 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 ROMAN CATHOLIC • Sunday - 9 a.m. Catholic Mass at NAS 1 Chapel • Tuesday - Friday - 11:30 a.m. at NAS 1 or NAS 2 Chapel PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICE • Sunday - 11 a.m. Traditional Worship at NAS 1 Chapel; 6 p.m. Non-Denominational Sunday at NAS 2 Chapel • Wednesday - 7 p.m. Bible Study at NAS 2 PROTESTANT MEN OF THE CHAPEL • Wednesdays 6 a.m. @ NAS 1 Fellowship Hall
Catholic Religious Education • September - June - 10:30 a.m. at DoDDS Knights of Columbus • First Wednesday of the month - 5 p.m. at NAS 2 Chapel
PROTESTANT WOMEN OF THE CHAPEL • Tuesdays - 9 a.m. at NAS 1 Fellowship Hall; Thursdays 5 p.m. @ NAS 1 Fellowship Hall LATTER-DAY SAINTS • Sunday - 1:30 p.m. at NAS 1 Chapel Contact: sigonellalds@gmail.com or 624-9049
CLUB BEYOND • Middle School Club & Small Group - Tuesday - 2:45 - 4:45 p.m. at NAS 1 Chapel • High School Club and Small Group - Wednesdays - 6 - 8 p.m. at Marinai Home
NIGHT STUDY • AA Meetings - Monday - 5:30 p.m., 2nd Floor at NAS 1 Chapel; Thursday - 7 p.m. at NAS 2 Chapel • AA Family Group - Tuesday - 7 p.m. at NAS 2 Chapel • Tuesday - Italian Class - 7 p.m. at NAS 1 Chapel Classroom • Tuesday - Awana Club - 4:45 p.m at NAS 1 Chapel
Weekly Traffic Reports: April 4 - 11, 2016
Ristorante Bella Etna
Breakfast: $3.45 Mon - Fri: 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. Weekend / Holiday: 7-9 a.m.
Lunch: $5.55 Mon - Fri: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Weekend / Holiday: 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Dinner: $4.85 Mon - Fri: 4 - 6 p.m. Weekend / Holiday: 4-6 p.m.
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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Hazards Around the Home By Fleet and Family Support Center
Risks to your children's safety and health can be overlooked in our busy lives — knives accidentally left out on the kitchen counter, stovetops in use and unattended, firearms left loaded or unsecured, or prescription drugs kept on a bedside table or bathroom counter. Even the places where your kids spend a lot of time, like their bedroom or playroom, could contain hazards missed at first glance. The most common hazards that can cause children's injury or death include: • Medications and vitamins • Water in bathtubs • Unsafe sleeping environments • Unsecured weapons • Climbing hazards (like unsecured bookcases or open windows) • Hot stoves For military families, frequent deployments and moves can make staying on top of home safety a greater challenge. But eliminating hazards in and around your home is necessary to keep your kids safe and sound. • Almost 9 million children are treated for unintentional injuries in hospital emergency departments each year. • Every day, 20 children in the U.S. are hospitalized for gun-related injuries. • More than three-quarters of injury-related deaths among children younger than 1 year old are due to suffocation. • Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but are not paying attention.
How can I keep my home safe for my kids as they grow?
Risk factors change as your children get older. Start by learning about the safety risks for your children's ages. Then go room by room inside your home — and look outside too — to find what your child can touch, reach, and get into. Get down on the floor to take a look from their height so you don't miss things your children can see or reach. To learn more about childproofing your home, go to the website below for a Steps to Home Safety checklist: http://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Safe_and_Sound/Safe_and_ Sound_Checklist_Steps_to_Home_Safety.pdf Keep in mind when using the list that children of different ages may require more safety measures. For more resources on keeping your child safe, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children website. The site is organized by age, so you can check every box when maintaining a home that's safe for your kids.
Crib comforts: What's safe, what's not
Here are some general guidelines: Stuffed animals and pillows. Having these items in the crib can cause suffocation because infants are too young to change positions easily if their airway becomes blocked. Keep cribs free of all pillows, stuffed animals, and the like. Blankets and other soft bedding. Accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed is one of the primary causes of sudden infant death. If you live in a cold climate and a blanket is a must, talk to your pediatrician about the safest way to swaddle your infant and whether sleepers, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are safer alternatives. Pacifiers. It's OK to give your baby a pacifier, but buy one made of a solid piece of molded plastic, with a shield that is at least 1.5 inches across and has ventilation holes. Never tie the pacifier to the crib, and replace the pacifier as soon as it begins to deteriorate. Loose, dangling, or sharp objects. Check all toys, stuffed animals, and blankets often, as they become worn over time. Buttons grow loose and ribbons fray, becoming choking and strangling hazards. For more information on safe sleeping, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Safe to Sleep campaign website.
Is my yard safe for my kids?
For keeping children safe, what's outside your home is just as important as what's inside. Some examples of outdoor hazards are driveways, rodent traps, plant pesticides, garden tools, and lawn mowers. Here are some tips for protecting your kids: • Keep toys away from the driveway, and use tape, a fence, or other markings to mark off safe areas for children to play. • If your lawn has been treated with fertilizers or other chemicals, keep your children off it for 48 hours. • Return tools and equipment to childproof locations immediately after use. • Make sure backyard areas are well-lit. If you would like more information about keeping your home safe, contact the New Parent Support Program at DSN: 624-4291. The Fleet and Family Support Center also offers a wide variety of support services. To learn more about Parenting classes, workshops and counseling services, contact the Fleet and Family Support Center at DSN: 624-4291, Commercial: 095 56 4291. Source: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/safe-and-sound/hazards-around-the-home
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GAMEZONE Hockey
Find and circle all of the Hockey words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message - a Rodney Dangerfield quotation.
ARENA ASSIST BLUE LINE BOARDING BOARDS BODY CHECK BREAKAWAY CENTER CHARGING CONTACT CREASE DEFENSEMEN DEKE EJECTION ELBOWING ENFORCER FACE MASK
FACE-OFF FOREWARD FOUL GAME GLOVES GOALPOST GOALTENDER HAT TRICK HELMET HOLDING HOOKING ICE RINK ICING JERSEY KNEEING LEAGUE LINE CHANGE
LINESMAN MISCONDUCT NHL OFFENSE OFFICIALS OFFSIDE OVERTIME PASS PENALTIES PENALTY BOX PERIOD PLAYER POINT POKE CHECK POWER PLAY PUCK RED LINE
REFEREE ROUGHING SAVE SCORE SKATES SLAPSHOT SLASHING SLOT SPEARING STANLEY CUP SUSPENSION TIME-OUT TRIPPING WHISTLE WINGS WRIST SHOT ZAMBONI ZONES
DIFFICULT
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"MAFIA" continued from Page 6 Before the city was buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash, espionage, backstabbing and murder were par for the course. Now, two millennia later, an army of spies has been recruited to work among the ruins in what is being called “Operation Deep Throat.” The whistleblowers’ job is to look out for dodgy dealings involving routine criminals as well as the local Camorra Mafia, which is keen to get its hands on some of the 100 million euro being poured into the ancient site in a bid to save it from permanent collapse. Mobsters are all too happy to sell low-grade cement and carry out cheap and dodgy repairs – activities that have already put some parts of Pompeii at risk. Luigi Curatoli, the director general of the ongoing Great Pompeii Project, said he was confident that the new operation would prove effective in protecting the site’s finances. “Obviously we always hope that no criminal offenses occur. But if they are discovered, thanks to this system of whistleblowers we’ll be able to respond swiftly,” he told Naples’ Il Mattino newspaper. The need to root out corruption has become a priority, given the huge sums being spent on saving and restoring ancient Pompeii. Something approaching financial salvation for the site appeared in April 2012 with the inauguration of the Grand Pompeii Project. This saw the European Union promising to stump up nearly 75 million euro, with the Italian government contributing another 30 million euro. Staff shortages and administrative problems meant Pompeii was unable to spend the EU’s 75 million euro by the December 2015 deadline for the project, which has been extended for another year. But there were already concerns about how the millions were being spent. In 2013, as work began, police in Campania, the southern region in which Pompeii is situated, arrested the head of one restoration contractor previously involved at the site and probed the activities of four senior officials, whom they suspect of paying inflated prices for restoration work on Pompeii’s Teatro Grande. Engineers employed at the site had previously been blacklisted from their profession, it emerged, and materials of suspect quality were used in the ancient building’s reconstruction. But something more worrying lurks in the shadows – the Camorra Mafia. Just 15 miles away lies the southern port of Naples, the crime group’s home base, where it has a hand in everything from drugs and construction projects to rubbish collection. In April 2013, a small army of carabinieri officers, finance police and officials led by Mariolina Goglia, the head of the Naples prefecture anti-Mafia unit, marched into the Pompeii site in the hunt for evidence of Camorra activity – with one eye, no doubt, on watching EU benefactors. There are signs that Pompeii is on the up, however. In the past few months six ancient residences, or domus, at the site have reopened to visitors following restoration – it was this sort of progress which helped persuade EU authorities to extend the deadline. The restored houses opened at the end of December and are attracting large crowds. In addition to repairing individual houses, the top priority is the installation of a new drainage system. Heavy rainfall, if not removed, is absorbed by
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unexcavated sections of the site. In 2010 this caused a large building to collapse on Via dell’Abbondanza. Pompeii’s main street.
Florence Cracks Down on Rising Number of Corner Shops in Bid to Preserve Cultural Identity Story by the Telegraph
Decree comes amid growing backlash in Italy's historic cities against Internet centers, kebab shops and money transfer outlets Florence is cracking down on the burgeoning number of convenience stores and “mini-markets” crowding its medieval streets, sparking a debate in Italy about how to safeguard heritage without quashing entrepreneurial immigrants. The city, the cradle of the Renaissance, is bridling at the establishment of the convenience shops, which are often garishly-lit and run by immigrants from South Asia, many of them Bangladeshi. While some Italians have welcomed being able to buy milk at 10 p.m., in a country where such corner shops are rare, others say they are eroding the fabric of cities such as Florence, Rome and Bologna. Florence has decreed that from now on all new restaurants and food shops in the city’s historic center will have to source at least 70 per cent of their products from Tuscany. So it’s out with packs of generic plastic cheese and in with wheels of local pecorino. Mass-produced ham slices will be shunned in favor of legs of airdried prosciutto. The decree, described as a “gastro-crusade” by one Italian newspaper, is intended to preserve local food traditions and uphold the city’s cultural identity. "There’s an erosion of cultural values relating to food in Florence,” said Dario Nardella, the city’s mayor. "A restaurant opens every week, often serving mass-produced food and replacing traditional restaurants and artisans’ workshops.” Traditional businesses were suffering from the invasion of mini-markets, kebab outlets and takeaway food outlets, he said. The city denied that there was anything racist about the initiative. “We’re not attacking ethnic food but raising the quality of what is offered in the city,” said Giovanni Bettarini, Florence’s councilor for economic development. Several other cities were interested in adopting similar measures, he said, including Venice, Ferrara and Bologna. Critics said the decree smacked of parochialism and pointed out that just because ingredients were sourced from Tuscany, it did not necessarily mean that they were of high quality. Italy has so far avoided the homogenized look of the British high street, but there is a growing backlash against the rising number of fast food outlets, openall-hours convenience stores, money transfer points and Internet call centers. Last month the mayor of Verona said he would allow no new kebab joints to open in the city, which attracts millions of tourists a year through its associations with Romeo and Juliet. The aim was to protect “the architectural patrimony of the city center” as well as Verona’s culinary traditions, said Flavio Tosi, the mayor.
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