MWR: Get Run Ready
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Lake Lugano:
AIMD Sigonella:
Switzerland with an Italian Accent
Best in Fleet
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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September 2, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 33
Earthquake Preparedness Military Spouses Face BY Stuart Hitchcock American Red Cross Sigonella
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – The recent earthquake in central Italy this month underscores the importance of being aware of our surroundings and prepared for the unexpected. Preparedness starts with an understanding of the consequences we may face should an earthquake hit Sigonella or the surrounding area. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake occurs when the ground shakes suddenly and violently as a consequence of the release of stress along the earth’s tectonic plates. Earthquakes often result in fractures of the earth’s crust adjacent to these plates and are called faults. The island of Sicily is bordered by the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas and is separated from mainland Italy by the Straits of Messina. Beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea lies the Eurasian tectonic plate and the island of Sicily sits on top of it. Just
to the south of Sicily lies the African tectonic plate which is continually colliding with the Eurasian tectonic plate that is ‘subducting’ or going beneath it. As a result of this continual movement of tectonic plates over millions of years, Mt. Etna was formed along with three significantly active earthquake fault lines: the Tindari fault, the Capo Peloro fault, and the Messina Strait fault which all intersect here in Sicily. Incidentally, the Messina Strait fault was responsible for the most destructive and deadly earthquake in the history of Europe which occurred in 1908. To protect yourself and your family you need to be aware and prepared. The American Red Cross has developed a checklist to help you with preparedness. If you have questions or would like more information contact your American Red Cross office at 624-4900 or visit www.redcross.org/ get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/ types-of-emergencies.
Unique Challenges
As a military spouse, Mrs. Shanna Chambers has been through nine deployments and eight duty stations, and like many military spouses, she faces unique challenges, particularly in continuing a career. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released) By mc2 ramon go NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Military life presents unique challenges – for the service member, their family, and particularly their spouse. Their sacrifice may not always be visible, but military spouses play a vital role in supporting the service member. Whether it’s holding down the home front during a deployment, or maintaining stability in the family during yet another permanent change of station (PCS), the life of a military spouse is challenging and difficult. Mrs. Shanna Chambers is no stranger to this way of life. After 22 years of marriage, nine deployments, eight duty stations (including two overseas tours), Mrs. Chambers and her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Odarious Chambers, have experienced many things in their journey together. As many spouses can attest to, one of the greatest challenges of a PCS is continuing a career, and as with previous duty stations, finding work was difficult for Chambers when they first arrived to NAS Sigonella. “It’s hard for spouses to get a job here, but you have to keep trying and keep a positive attitude,” encourages Chambers. After 11 months of actively looking for work, Chambers began working side-by-side with military members attached to Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Sigonella, her first experience working in the government civilian sector. “I think military spouses have so much to offer. They support our team, add value and speak volumes to us as a community,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Mervens St. Hubert, deputy disbursing officer at PSD. Chambers is an integral part of the PSD team, providing assistance for those arriving or leaving Sigonella, processing claims for advance pay, advance dislocation allowance or travel claims, and verifying paper work. “I deal with about 15 claims a day through the Transaction Online Processing System (TOPS) and coordinate with the Command Pass Coordinators (CPC) for accurate and fast transactions,” said Chambers. With roughly 15 claims per business day, she processes approximately 3,900 claims a year, equivalent to the entire population of NAS Sigonella. In addition to handling claims for the Sigonella community, Chambers is also in charge of the TOPS from Vaihingen, Germany. “My goal is to get the service member paid as accurately and as quickly as possible because we know that transitioning to a new duty station brings a lot of uncertainties and we don’t want their pay to be one of them,” said Chambers. Chambers is not new to deployments and PCS, and understands the stress that comes with them. However, this is her first time working with the military. “I always wanted to join the Navy and I feel that working in PSD gives me that sense of camaraderie,” said Chambers. Chambers will bring the experience and knowledge she has gained working at PSD to her next job once the family arrives at their next duty station in Florida. “I have a whole new outlook on how things are run every day, and I enjoy the culture of diversity and getting to interact with people from all walks of life. Working at PSD has also given me a sense of pride to work with service members because I know it’s hard and I see the sacrifices they make.”