Expeditionary Express - January 2017

EXpeditionary e xpre s s A

Navy

E xpedi t i on ary

ASVAB Tutoring

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in the Marshall Islands

Operation Deep Freeze

NCHB 1 Sailors Return to Support

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Selective Reenlistment Bonus New Updates Released for 2017

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New Year; New You

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How to Partner with Navy Medicine

Co m bat

Com m and

Pu bl i cat io n

Continue the Seabee Legacy

nmcb 11 provides site clearing for historic air field JANUARY 2017

everything you need to know about your 2017 pay raise 14

Vol. 1 Issue 6

Expeditionary E xpre s s NECC in the Spotlight

Civilian in The Spotlight -- Think Differently in 2017

NECC’s Civilian of the Month -- Deborah McAlister

NECC Recovery Care Management -- What you need to know.

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NECC Overview

Va. -- Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 (NCHB 1) are preparing to deploy to Antarctica in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), the nation’s research program on the southernmost continent, which is managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

News You Can Use SRB Update Released

Twelve ECRC Sailors Reenlist Aboard USS Wisconsin - NORFOLK, Va. Twelve Sailors

from Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) reenlisted aboard the decommissioned battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64), on Jan. 4 as shipmates, family members and friends looked on.

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NCHB1 Sailors Return to Support Operation Deep Freeze -- WILLIAMSBURG,

-- The Navy released an update to the Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan, Dec. 21, for active component (AC) and full time support (FTS) Sailors in NAVADMIN 212/16. This update, NAVADMIN 284/16, increases 16 SRB award levels, decreases 49 awards, adds 49 new eligible skills and removes seven skills eligible to receive bonuses from the Navy’s most recent SRB NAVADMIN released this past October.

Members of NMCB 11 Continue the Seabee Legacy on Tinian -- NORTH FIELD, Tinian. - OPM offers guidance for feds who telework Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion from home with children, dependents -- In (NMCB) 11 Detail Tinian provided site clearing for radar and communications sites, camp setup and operation, airfield clearing and assessment of historic North Field runways, and provided logistics support to Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 18, August 26th - October 2nd.

advance of the holiday season, the FBI reminds shoppers to beware of cyber criminals and their aggressive and creative ways to steal money and personal information.

Around The Fleet

‘Copy that, Red Leader’ Navy lab’s US Ambassador Reaffirms ROK, US GunnAR Helmet Brings Rapid Tech Alliance during Visit to Busan -- BUSAN, Transition to the Fleet -- It may look like a prop Republic of Korea (NNS) -- U.S. Ambassador to the 8

from a Star Wars movie, but this helmet can potentially save lives on the battlefield.

Republic of Korea, the Honorable Mark Lippert, reaffirmed the strength and resolve of the ROK and U.S. alliance during a visit to the ROK fleet base in Busan.

how to get help

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Follow us on Social Media

/NavyExpeditionaryCombatCommand

@COMNECC

NECC Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg Comm: (757) 462-4316 ext. 252 Email: jennifer.cragg@navy.mil

NECC Public Affairs Staff Lt. Tim Pietrack PO2 (SW/AW) Travis DiPerna PO3 (SW/AW) Lauren Booher

Civilian in the s pot l i g ht

Think Differently in 2017 Have you thought about your personal or professional way ahead for the year yet? If not, you may want to take a moment to think about it. You don’t want to be one of those individuals who makes resolutions they break by February. You deserve a year filled with success! We both know that requires a plan.

A guide to ensure you stay on track. Remember, smart people think differently. For example, Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations transitioned into his current position on September 18, 2015 and by January 5, 2016 he had a plan in place for the Navy, a guiding document to help the organization transition under his leadership.

The guiding document is referred to as “A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority.” In a nutshell, the document contains four Lines of Effort that focus on warfighting, learning faster, strengthening our Navy team, and building partnerships. The lines of effort are inextricably linked.

The Design was introduced to make a point about the scope and complexity of the challenges the Navy faces and to provide guidance for how they should move ahead for the future. The point: think differently. The how: use everything at your disposal to come up with solutions to those challenges, such as: • Working together to include the entire Navy Team,

military and civilian • Contacting industry and academic partners • Looking to history and best practices for possible answers • Building partnerships outside of the Navy and even

outside of the U.S. • Being creative and innovative to see what can be

accomplished without additional resources Truth be told, last January, when I first read the Design, I felt inspired and ready to tackle the world. By March, I realized that getting people to think differently is a bit harder than I thought. I also recognized that for people to change they must feel inspired and included. Sometimes that inspiration and inclusivity comes through trials and tests. Those trials are where we eventually triumph.

F. B. Meyer, a Baptist pastor and evangelist in England sometime in the late 1800s, shared the below explanation that illustrates how thinking differently can be a painful process at times, but in the long run produces great and valuable results.

“A bar of iron worth $2.50, when wrought into horseshoes is worth $5. If made into needles it is worth $175. If into penknife blades it is worth $1,625. If made into springs for watches it is worth $125,000. What a ‘trial by fire’ that bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, and the more it is hammered and passed through the heat, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater its value.”

I would like to think that if I had an iron bar I might just be creative and innovative enough to think of all of the things I could do with it; however, the truth of the matter is I know nothing about iron works, fabrication, processing or the like.

I would have to rely on metal experts to tell me what is in the art of the possible. To be completely honest, I would be very frustrated by the entire process. However, I would make certain I was included in that process, learn from it and be inspired by the end result. I would no doubt share what I learned. I would even think about other things I could make should I acquire another iron bar. The second time around I would think differently.

As you contemplate your way head for 2017, I challenge you to think differently. As you plan, look to your past for clues on where you succeeded and even failed. Talk to others to get different perspectives. Try something new and then assess it down the road. Enjoy the process!

Happy New Year!

-Jeannine

Necc’s Civilian

o f

Deborah McAlister

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA

BEACH, Va. – Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) selected Deborah McAlister as its January Civilian of the Month, Jan. 3.

McAlister, who is from Carlsbad, California, serves as the program manager for the NECC Command Inspections Program, Managers’ Internal Controls (MIC) Program, and Audit Liaison to support the TYCOM’s combat effectiveness throughout the expeditionary force. In these roles, McAlister has been instrumental in spearheading the issuance of a force-wide MICP instruction, inspection programs and auditing to streamline efforts to maintain unit readiness across the force to comply with required laws and directives.

t h e

mo nth

“Deborah’s outstanding and tireless efforts have made a difference in ensuring our programs and processes throughout the force are efficient and effective,” said Nancy Harned, NECC Executive Director.

As inspections coordinator, McAlister is responsible for coordinating various inspections throughout the force and tracks trends and best practices. As a military veteran who served on active duty for four years, McAlister enjoys the opportunity to continue to serve her country while assigned to NECC. “As a veteran and Navy wife I am honored and humbled to serve NECC Sailors and their families,” said McAlister.

“Their daily sacrifice and commitment is my inspiration.”

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing seato-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND Recovery care management What is NECC Recovery Care Management?

By Cmdr. Corey Littel, Deputy Force Medical Officer

The

Recovery Care Management (RCM) Program was

established by NECC for the purpose of providing recovery care support and non-medical case management to Wounded, Ill and/or Injured (WII) NECC Sailors. The Recovery Care Team, consisting of a Program Director, five Recovery Care Coordinators and two Program Administrators, located across Little Creek, VA, San Diego, CA, and Gulfport MS. The RCM team develops an individual recovery plan based on a Needs Assessment and services required for each Recovering Service Member (RSM) and their family. No two cases are

alike. The focus of the RCM program is to provide seamless support for both rehabilitation and reintegration back to full duty, or when that is not possible, coordinate with the medical board and Veterans Administration to transition the RSM to life outside of the military.

To accomplish the goal, RCM works with the RSM, family members,

commands

and

various

Non-Government

Organizations to ensure all benefits, entitlements and services are provided in an efficient and effective manner.

RCM POC INFORMATION Program Director

CDR Howard Dodson, MSC USN Email: howard.dodson@navy.mil Phone: (757) 462-3706

NECC REserve Corner Twelve ECRC Sailors Reenlist Aboard USS Wisconsin

By Logistic Specialist 3rd Class Dana Williams

NORFOLK,

Va. Twelve Sailors from Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) reenlisted aboard the decommissioned battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64), on Jan. 4 as shipmates, family members and friends looked on.

Sailors fom Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center in Norfolk, Virginia reenlist aboard the decommissioned battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64). ECRC provides processing, equipping, training, certification and proactive family support to ADSW Sailors, Individual Augmentees and provisional units throughout all deployment phases in support of COCOM requirements, contingency operations, or national crises.

Sailors ranging in rank from second class petty officer to master chief signed on to extend their service in the Navy. The unusual locale for the ceremony made for a memorable experience for the participants and attendees.

“An unforgettable experience desired and achieved,” said Chief Information Systems Technician Jessica Curtis who re-enlisted. The ceremony was held on the main deck just underneath the battleship’s gun turrets.

in Operation Desert Storm. Wisconsin earned five battle stars for her World War II service and one for Korea.

ECRC provides processing, equipping, training, certification and proactive family support to ADSW Sailors, Individual Augmentees and provisional units throughout all deployment phases in support of COCOM requirements, contingency operations, or national crises.

“We are what the Navy is,” said Capt. Joseph Rehak, ECRC’s commanding officer, after administering the oath of reenlistment. “I am honored to lead such great sailors and even more proud that they are choosing to stay Navy.”

“It feels nice to go out with a bang,” said Command Master Chief Randy Watson. The ceremony marks his final enlistment.

The Wisconsin was launched on December 7, 1943 and commissioned on April 16, 1944. She was recommissioned for Korean War Service and subsequently decommissioned in 1991 after serving

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N E C C

OVERVIEW

ASVAB Tutoring in the Marshall Islands Story by Utilitiesman 3rd Class (SCW/ EXW) John P. Hurley, NMCB 11 CCAD Marshall Islands

KWAJALEIN, Marshall Islands.

– U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Marshall Islands out of Gulfport, Mississippi, are on a six-month deployment to Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 tutor students while on deployment to the Marshall Islands. (Photo by Utilitiesman 3rd Class (SCW/EXW) John P. Hurley, NMCB 11)

the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Throughout their deployment, the Seabees of CCAD Marshall Islands have been busy planning and estimating the final stages of a kindergarten project and will be breaking ground in the near future. The Seabees are also planning a project to install 625 linear feet of chain-link fence on the islet of Ejit on the capital atoll of Majuro, enclosing the island schoolyard to keep children safe.

(OIF), making him the first casualty from the Marshall Islands during the War on Terror, and an honored figure in this small island nation.

Steelworker 3rd Class Erica Jelowdar of San Dimas, California has been leading the tutoring program for NMCB 11, and has about 25 High School students from local schools attend the weekly sessions. She feels the experience has been mutually beneficial. “Teaching the kids throughout our time here has taught me a lot,” she The mission of the Seabees in the Marshall Islands is said. “Not only do I get the experience of teaching, but unlike a typical military deployment – in addition to I am also learning different things as they are teaching public infrastructure construction projects, the CCAD me about their culture and language.”

Seabees are tasked with community outreach initiatives to demonstrate that U.S. government’s commitment to Some Seabees have gained new appreciation for the helping the Marshallese people. The CCAD’s outreach power of learning. “I enjoy the look on the kids’ faces activities have included assisting local medical clinics, as they learn new things,” said Builder 3rd Class Evelyn participating in youth mentorship programs, beach Christie. “What we may see as simple can be a new clean-ups, sports days with local children, and general concept to them, and seeing the joy from the kids after ambassadorship as U.S. military personnel. learning something new is a humbling experience.”

Another important service provided by the CCAD is tutoring local men and women to prepare them for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

As part of the Compact of Free Association, Marshallese citizens are allowed to serve in the U.S. military; with youth unemployment around 63 percent, many young people see the military as a good opportunity to travel, earn money, and provide for their families.

The Marshallese are proud of their contribution to the defense of their homeland and the United States. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Solomon T. Sam was killed in action in 2008 while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Recently Petty Officer Jelowdar and Petty Officer Christie have started to incorporate games into their lesson plans to further engage the students. They have used jeopardy to teach math and word composition concepts, which has also taught valuable teamwork skills. Marcella Sakaio, Principal of Ebeye Public School, has been impressed with the benefits of these methods, “Challenging the students in this tutoring program helps them realize that they can come up with the correct answer on their own and need not rely on the teachers to give them the answer.”

Members of NMCB 11 Continue the Seabee Legacy on Tinian Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Shaffer and Petty Officer 3rd Class Eckert, NMCB 11 DET Guam

NORTH FIELD, Tinian. - Seabees

from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Detail Tinian provided site clearing for radar and communications sites, camp setup and operation, airfield clearing and assessment of historic North Field runways, and provided logistics support to Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 18, August 26th October 2nd.

Steelworker 2nd Class Kyrah Cantu, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, shows Tinian Locals equipment used by the Seabees during a community day as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2016 in Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Sept.

16, 2016.

Seabees deployed from Camp Covington, Guam in August 2016 to Tinian for a six-week field exercise in support of MACG-18 as part of Valiant Shield 2016 (VS-16).

Upon arriving at North Field, the Seabees and Marines worked together to clear an overgrown taxiway and establish the Logistic Support Area (LSA), a 55,000 square foot tent camp complete with berthing, dining, shower, laundry, and medical facilities for 235 Seabees and Marines.

As part of VS-16, all water being used by the Seabees and Marines was produced using the Seabees’ Lightweight Water Purification System (LWPS), and getting these systems up and running to provide drinking, cooking, and hygiene water to camp was a top priority. As the Seabees discovered, setting up the system was a physically demanding task.

“The system was erected by hand and involved excessive lifting, carrying, and the relocating of various pressure pumps and filters,” Petty Officer Third Class Crystal Trevino pointed out. Petty Officer Trevino was one of the Lead LWPS Operators. “Staying fit, for evolutions such as this one, allows us to (setup of the LWPS) in just one day without the use of other equipment.”

During VS-16, DET Tinian Seabees produced over 156,000 gallons of water, providing all potable and non-potable water for consumption, food preparation, hygiene, medical requirements, equipment operation and maintenance, as well as showers and laundry. For troops used to more austere field conditions, shower and laundry facilities were a welcome treat.

“Absolutely, I believe that having showers, laundry, and other facilities is a morale boost,” laughed Marine Sgt. Austin Janutol, assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. “I definitely enjoy being able to go and take a shower and smell good. After seven years in the infantry, you have to understand, this is a luxury. “ Once the LSA and LWPS were established, 40,000 square feet of jungle had to be cleared to make space for a radar and

communications site. Environmental restrictions in the area required the clearing to be completed by hand, and with a daytime temperature of 87°F with 95% humidity, it was grueling work.

Adding to the challenge was a tight timeline: to keep on schedule and avoid delaying the exercise involving approximately 18,000 personnel, the clearing had to be completed in 7 days.

“Motivation was a key element which allowed the job to get done without compromise,” said Petty Officer First Class Lindsey Pfallen, project supervisor for the clearing effort. “Highly motivated people make for higher efficiency and more attention to detail.”

Petty Officer Pfallen’s motivated and efficient team of 28 Seabees and Marines safely completed the clearing in just four days.

After clearing the radar site, the Seabees turned their attention to clearing and assessing the conditions of the historic North Field runways, originally built by Seabees during World War Two. The members of DET Tinian made the most of the opportunity by researching the island’s history and visiting many of its historic sites, and were proud to carry on Tinian’s Seabee legacy.

“The performance and pride shines on the small camp, especially because of its historically significant location,” said Petty Officer First Class Matthew Robison, Camp Maintenance Supervisor. “It has been 70 plus years, and the original Seabee construction still stands.”

Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps exercise held in Guam, focusing on real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace.

During the final week of the exercise, the Seabees acted as the opposing force during an island seizure completed by 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines.

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‘Copy that, Red Leader’ Navy lab’s GunnAR Helmet Brings Rapid Tech Transition to the Fleet

By Patric Petrie, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific Public Affairs, lead staff writer

SAN DIEGO -- It may look like a prop from a Star Wars movie, but this helmet can potentially save lives on the battlefield.

San Diego, Calif. (Dec 14 2016) Lt. Steven McGhan demonstrates GunAR developed at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Alan Antczak/Released)

Scientists from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific’s (SSC Pacific) Battlespace Exploitation of Mixed Reality (BEMR) Lab were joined, Dec. 13, by members of industry and representatives from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for a demonstration of the winning idea from ONR’s March 2016 Innovation Jam, which featured active duty Sailors pitching their technological solutions to fleet challenges.

Lt. Robert McClenning’s winning Unified Gunnery System concept is an augmented reality (AR) helmet that would fuse information from a ship’s gunnery liaison officer and weapon system into an easy-to-interpret visual format for the gunner manning a naval gun system.

McClenning, a training officer aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) who claimed the top spot and $100,000 in prototyping funds for his idea, said the way the information-sharing and authorization to fire is currently done, is via decades-old radios and soundpowered phones that are hard to hear over the din of machine guns and through the required ear protection.

His innovative concept, GunnAR, is an AR overlay placed onto helmets manufactured by industry partner, DAQRI, an AR technology company based in Los Angeles, California.

SSC Pacific and DAQRI have entered into a collaborative research and development agreement to further explore

and develop this technology.

What is the potential payoff for the Navy with this technology? According to McClenning, GunnAR provides greater situational awareness for the gunner wearing the helmet, and a quicker response time to ward off potential threats.

SSC Pacific’s innovative and groundbreaking BEMR Lab allows scientists and engineers to prototype virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, to generate ideas for low-cost solutions for fleet training and operational challenges.

Heidi Buck, BEMR Lab director, said GunnAR is an example of taking a Sailor’s concept (a unified gunnery system) from idea to prototype in a short amount of time with a small amount of funding.

“By using low-cost, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), virtual reality technology to aid in prototyping the concept, and low-cost COTS augmented reality technology to demonstrate the concept, we’ve been able to build this capability very quickly, all the while keeping the Sailors endorsing the idea in the loop,” said Buck.

Coastal Riverine Squadron EIGHT Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By Lt. Daniel Denton, Coastal Riverine Squadron EIGHT Public Affairs

NEWPORT,

R.I. -- Friends, family, and staff looked on as Capt. Daniel A. Daglio turned over command of the Navy’s Coastal Riverine Squadron EIGHT (CORIVRON 8) to Capt. Edwin N. Smith in Kay Hall on Dec. 3 in Newport.

LEMONNIER, Djibouti (July 6, 2016) Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Luke Desrosiers unmoors a line attached to a Sea Ark patrol boat of Coastal Riverine Squadron 8 (CRS-8). CRS-8 is currently forward deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Their mission includes conducting Force Protection of strategic shipping and naval vessels operating in the inshore and coastal areas, anchorages and harbors, from bare beach to sophisticated port facilities. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn/Released)

Rear Adm. Darren Hanson, deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), was the guest speaker for the event and took time to congratulate the incoming and outgoing leadership, as well as the squadron for their overall performance. Capt. Robert Cepek, commander, Coastal Riverine Group TWO was also in attendance and presided over the change of command.

Daglio thanked his family, friends and the CORIVRON 8 Sailors for their support.

“Leading this distinguished Squadron for the past two years has been a great honor for me,” said Daglio. “The Sailors, officers and chiefs have built upon the legacy of operational excellence at CORIVRON 8.”

Daglio was commissioned through the Holy Cross NROTC program in 1990. He took over as the executive officer of CORIVRON 8 in December 2012 and as commanding officer in December 2014. He is staying in Newport to serve as the commanding officer of the Naval War College Reserve Support Unit.

During the course of his tour as commanding officer Daglio guided the development of Coastal Riverine Force training to support the ever-changing requirements of High Value Unit Escort missions across the Force. He oversaw the successful mobilization and demobilization of 105 Sailors

to support Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and Shipboard Security in 5th Fleet, 2015 and 2016 New York Fleet Weeks the Star Spangle Banner Extravaganza in Baltimore in 2015 and Baltimore Fleet Week in 2016. The squadron also won the NECC Battle “E” in 2014.

During Smith’s remarks he praised Daglio for his leadership and vision.

“Capt. Daglio has established a culture of excellence that is evident in every facet of the command,” Smith said. “I am honored to serve the fine Sailors here at Coastal Riverine Squadron Eight and continue the squadron’s legacy as the premier Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection provider to the fleet.”

Smith graduated from the University of Arizona in 1995 with a bachelor of arts in political science, where he was commissioned in 1998 from the University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 2005, he received his master’s degree in business administration from Everest University. His previous command tours include Alpha Company Commander, CORIVRON 8, and his last tour as commanding officer of Cargo Afloat Rig Team Three, based in Alameda, Calif.

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NCHB ONE Sailors Return to Support Operation Deep Freeze

By Ensign James Griffin, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB 1) ONE deployed to Antarctica in mid-January, to support of the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), the nation’s research program on the southernmost continent, which is managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

NCHB 1 deploys to NSF’s McMurdo Station, where less than one percent of the world’s population has ever visited, as part of Operation Deep Freeze the military’s logistical support component of the USAP. McMurdo, the main U.S. station in Antarctica, is located at the southern tip of Ross Island, and is the primary logistics facility for supply for NSF’s AmundsenScott South Pole Station, 800 air miles Naval Cargo Handling Battalion ONE (NCHB 1) Sailors pose for a group photo after arriving at McMurdo Station, Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation annual resupply mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2016. (U.S. Navy Photo by Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Jeremy Bivens)

inland, and remote field camps and is also the waste management center for much of the USAP. As the USAP manager, NSF has a presidential mandate to manage three yearround research stations in Antarctica. McMurdo is the largest of the three stations and the globe’s southernmost seaport.

More than 50 Sailors from NCHB 1 will deploy to McMurdo station during Antarctica’s summer to offload containers of supplies to be used by scientists and support personnel. Cargo handlers will be working around the clock for nearly a month in below-freezing temperatures to transport hundreds of containers on and off the transport ship.

Military Sealift Command (MSC) chartered container ship MV Ocean Giant provides ocean cargo transport in support of Operation Deep Freeze. An MSC-chartered cargo ship and tanker have made the challenging voyage to Antarctica, which includes passage through a 15-mile ice channel, in places more than 13 feet thick, every year since the station was established in 1955.

Petty Officer 1st Class Derek McCleary, a Seabee from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, will be participating in Operation Deep Freeze for a second time and will bring with him his experience to ensure the mission is accomplished safely and efficiently.

“We’re the only command that supports McMurdo Station as far as getting cargo in and out of there,” said McCleary. “It can only be done during a certain time of the year because our winter is their summer so that’s why we go when we go.”

While McCleary has experience as a cargo handler, he looks forward to learning and new experiences so he can prepare the next group of Sailors for this annual mission to support the USAP.

Antarctica year-round.

We’re going down to Antarctica to support the National Science Foundation because throughout the year they are down there performing studies,” said Davis. “It’s our job to bring in more supplies and bring back some of their findings or equipment.”

While resupply and support the NSF is the main mission, Sailor’s must also keep their safety as a main priority.

“One of the biggest safety things to look out for is dehydration,” said Davis.

“It’s cold and you don’t really think about it because you’re not getting hot and sweaty, so dehydration is definitely one of those things we all need to watch out for, in conjunction with, ice and frost bite.”

Petty Officer 1st Class Cullen Cantrell, from Austin, Texas, agrees; safety is a major priority and nothing can prepare you better than the proper training.

“There’s a lot of training involved to go on a mission like this,” said Cantrell.

“We use our land-ship to practice moving containers on and off the ship but we also have to do cold weather training; how to wear the gear and to how to prepare for working in the elements. “ Like many others, this is also Cantrell’s first time going to McMurdo Station.

“I’m from Texas, so just moving up here to Virginia was a big change for me. I can’t imagine the temperature difference down there; I may turn into an icicle.”

“I think each time is a different experience, I’ll be in a new leadership position this time around so there will probably be some new things to learn, expect, and teach to the next group of Sailors.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Frazier, from Camdenton, Missouri, is another first timer; however, he plans to earmark his first mission to Antarctica in a special way by commemorating the upcoming 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Seabees. As a Seabee, Frazier understands the important role Seabees had in building up McMurdo Station. He is making plans to bring a Seabee flag and will fly it during his deployment to Antarctica.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michelle Panniell, from Baltimore, Maryland, also is excited to go on the ice and do her duty as part of the hatch team.

“I do have a Seabee flag in my house that comes to mind and I think I’ll have to fly it down there for the [75th] birthday,” said Frazier.

“The hatch teams are people who string up the containers and other equipment so they can be moved,” said Panniell. “We do things to balance the load and make sure no damage is done to that cargo.”

For all of the Sailors participating in Operation Deep Freeze they can expect to operate in 20 degree weather and will be required to wear three to four layers of clothing to carry out their cargo-handling mission.

One thing Panniell plans to do during her down time is collect some of the ice in a bottle to take home.

“When we go to Antarctica, we’re issued special cold weather gear that is better adaptive to ‘the ice,’” said Frazier. “Like boots that have better grips and extra insulated jackets.”

“So many people are amazed that I get to have this experience; all of my friends and family want me to bring something back. But I feel extremely fortunate and honored for this opportunity.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Davis, from Elkins, West Virginia, understands the value of their cargo handling mission to support the ongoing mission in

NAVELSG, a component of NECC, is a Navy Reserve command organized and staffed to provide a wide range of supply and transportation support critical for peacetime support, crisis response, humanitarian and combat service missions.

NAVELSG consists of a full-time, selective reserve support staff and five Navy expeditionary logistics regiments and 11 cargo handling battalions.

NEws you can use

Selective Reenlistment Bonus Update Released

By Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs Office WASHINGTON -- The Navy released an update to the Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan, Dec. 21, for active component (AC) and full time support (FTS) Sailors in NAVADMIN 212/16.

This update, NAVADMIN 284/16, increases 16 SRB award levels, decreases 49 awards, adds 49 new eligible skills and removes seven skills eligible to receive bonuses from the Navy’s most recent SRB NAVADMIN released this past October.

SRBs serve as an incentive for those Sailors with critical skills to remain in the Navy.

Sailors can keep abreast of changes through the Navy’s SRB webpage at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/ career/enlistedcareeradmin/Pages/SRB.aspx/ and review the NAVADMIN, which contains a complete listing of changes to skills award levels eligible for SRBs. Award levels are adjusted as reenlistment requirements for specific ratings and skill sets are met and are posted on the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) SRB webpage.

Enlisted community managers continuously monitor the health of their community to maintain acceptable manning levels in critical skills, and recommend adjustments to SRBs when necessary.

Skill removals and award level decreases take effect 30 days after release of the NAVADMIN. Eligible Sailors desiring SRB reenlistment are encouraged to work with their command career counselors, command master chiefs and chain of command to discuss timing of reenlistment and procedures well before their EAOS. Requests are required to be submitted a minimum of 35 days prior to the requested reenlistment date.

NAVADMIN 284/16 can be read at http://www.npc.navy.mil/.

sole purpose of meeting their dependent care responsibilities while performing official duties,” the guidance stated. “While performing official duties, teleworkers are expected to arrange for dependent care just as they would if they were working in the office.”

That doesn’t mean if there’s an emergency an employee can’t take a break to address it, but these interruptions should be brief, and the exception, not the rule when teleworking, OPM said.

“Although an occasional or brief interruption may occur when a dependent is present in the home, teleworkers should be careful to keep such interruptions to a minimum in order to avoid disruptions in work accomplishment,” the guidance stated.

“Also, employees should not engage in dependent care activities while performing official duties. Employees should work with their supervisors to determine whether scheduled breaks may be appropriate for such activities (e.g., using a lunch break). In instances in which the employee is unable to perform official duties because of dependent care responsibilities, he or she should advise his or her supervisor of the situation and request appropriate leave for that time.”

The key to setting a home telework schedule is establishing a dialogue between an employee and manager, OPM said, to define expectations and work output, while also understanding the level of dependency required by other members of the employee’s household.

“Managers must hold teleworkers to the same performance standards as non-teleworking employees,” the guidance stated.

“It is important to maintain open lines of communication, and to provide all employees with objective feedback regarding performance expectations (including work outputs completed in the office or at an alternate worksite). Any management decisions regarding telework eligibility and participation should focus on effective performance management and accountability measurement principles that are clearly addressed in the employee’s performance plan.”

OPM offers guidance for feds who telework from home with children, dependents

According to OPM’s latest telework congressional report, about 44 percent of the federal workforce was eligible in 2015 to use an alternative worksite, but only 46 percent of those eligible workers took advantage of the option.

Federal employees teleworking from home need to draw a clear line between their office and family responsibilities.

The same percentage of federal employees was eligible to telework in 2014, while 42 percent of eligible workers actually used the program that year.

The Office of Personnel Management recently released guidance for the workforce on how to handle working from home and balancing the care of a child or adult dependent.

OPM published a memo in August describing ways in which the agency would make more of an effort to monitor departments’ telework reporting.

“While the presence of dependents in the household should not be an absolute bar to teleworking, employees should not be engaging in dependent care activities when performing official duties,” the guidance stated. “While an occasional, brief interruption may occur when a dependent is present in the home, teleworkers must be careful to keep interruptions to a minimum to avoid disruptions in work accomplishment.”

“We will provide agency and subagency reports summarizing your agency’s data submissions for a single pay period under separate cover,” Mark Reinhold, OPM chief human capital officer, said in an Aug. 11 memo to agency CHCOs. “We are asking each agency to work with your HR staff and Telework Managing Officers (TMO) to examine the report to assess the accuracy of the data and determine any potential issues that may be affecting data reporting and accuracy. OPM will initiate a series of agency meetings that will bring together HR Directors, TMOs, and payroll providers to identify and discuss steps and assistance needed to ensure accurate data reporting to [the Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) system].”

By Meredith Somers

Telework is a tool for maintaining a work-life balance, OPM said in its guidance, but that doesn’t mean working from home is an excuse to spend the day focused on your family.

“Employees may not telework with the intent of or for the

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around the fleet

Navy Personnel Command Offers Live Chat Option From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center opened a live chat option on the Navy Personnel Command website Jan. 3.

The new function allows Sailors, families, and retirees located around the globe to chat directly with NPC representatives without the need for a long distance phone connection.

“Being responsive to our customers is our priority,” said Greg Moody, deputy director and customer relations manager.

“The live chat option provides just one more avenue for us to answer questions from our constituents.”

The CSC supports active duty, family members, and retired service members by answering questions on a wide range of topics including career information, selection boards, distribution, and Navy records maintenance.

“It’s a better option for Sailors and career counselors to receive updated information directly from NPC,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Deanna Ponder, assigned to the Career Transition Office at NPC, Millington, Tennessee.

The live chat function is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CST Monday-Friday. To use the function click on the “Live Chat” link on the NPC homepage, fill out your contact information, your question, and click the “Start Chat” button at the bottom of the page.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook. com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit http:// www.navy.mil/local/npc/, http://www.npc.navy.mil/, http:// www.facebook.com/NavyPersonnelCommand/ or http:// www.twitter.com/usnpeople/.

New Year, New You: Navy Medicine Encourages Sailors, Marines, Families to Partner in Health in 2017

By James Rosenfelder, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Navy Medicine is encouraging

Sailors, Marines, and their families to become a partner in their health in 2017.

Throughout the new year, Navy Medicine will provide Sailors and Marines information on how they can be proactive partners in their health and make healthy lifestyle choices.

“There is no better time than now to improve your readiness by improving your health,” said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). “Living a healthy lifestyle is essential to mission readiness and can prevent health problems before they occur.”

Utilizing innovative methods, such as tele-health services at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Navy Medicine helps Sailors, Marines, and their families improve their physical health, resilience, and ability to make healthy behavior choices in their efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.

“Navy Medicine is entrusted to provide Sailors and Marines the best care our nation can offer,” Faison said. “We do this by focusing on health, not health care -- but we need your active participation in order to succeed.”

As a partner in health, Navy Medicine provides programs to help Sailors, Marines, and their families improve their physical, mental, and behavioral health.

The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center’s “Crews Into Shape” and Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System (NOFFS) help Sailors and Marines maintain a healthy weight through good nutrition and exercise.

The Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control improves the cognitive health of Sailors and Marines by promoting resilience and providing best practices for maintaining their mental health.

Navy Medicine military treatment facilities have integrated behavioral health consultants to help our beneficiaries manage work, relationships, and their personal life. Behavior health programs also include tobacco cessation services such as counseling, medication, and self-help tools to provide Sailors and Marines the education and resources to quit tobacco.

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provides health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans, in high operationaltempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships, and research units around the world.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/ usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

around the fleet

us ambassador reaffirms republick of korea, us alliance during visit to busan

170109-N-SR567-080 BUSAN, Republic of Korea (Jan. 9, 2017) Hon. Mark Lippert, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), highlights the strength of the ROK and U.S. alliance during a visit to the ROK Fleet base in Busan. During the visit, Lippert, who was appointed in Oct. 2014, took time to thank more than 150 ROK and U.S. naval personnel for their combined service and support of regional security. . (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wesley J. Breedlove photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wesley J. Breedlove

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs BUSAN,

Republic of Korea (NNS) -- U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the Honorable Mark Lippert, reaffirmed the strength and resolve of the ROK and U.S. alliance during a visit to the ROK fleet base in Busan.

Lippert also received a scroll of appreciation signed by ROK Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Um, Hyun-sung, as well Rear. Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Jung and senior leaders of the ROK navy.

During the visit, Lippert, who was appointed October 2014, took time to thank more than 150 ROK and U.S. naval personnel for their combined service and support of regional security.

“We [ROK and U.S. navies] enjoyed a clear and distinct friendship with Ambassador Lippert and the entire embassy team,” said Cooper. “The accomplishments achieved during his tenure will have a lasting impact on not just the naval partnership, but the greater alliance for years to come.”

“I am often asked about the state of the alliance, and I am here to tell you that the alliance has never been as strong as it Lippert concluded his remarks by saying the strength of the is today,” said Lippert. “You are working together every day, partnership is the relationship forged between the ROK and doing hard things with increasing difficulty and achieving U.S. people. great results.”

“Change is inevitable,” said Lippert, “but what is lasting are Before Lippert spoke, Vice Adm. Jung, Jin-seop, commander the bonds of our people and that bond is as strong as it has of ROK fleet, presented Lippert with an honorary ever been. Together you have laid a great foundation, so use commissioning to admiral in the ROK navy for his tireless that to move forward and make this alliance even greater.” devotion to naval development and his support of maritime security. This ceremony marked only the 19th time the ROK For more information about Ambassador Lippert or the U.S. mission to the Republic of Korea, visit http://www.state.gov/. navy has bestowed the honor.

“He has been a strong friend to the ROK navy,” Jung said of For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.

Lippert. “He has served the U.S. and our alliance with great com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. honor and pride.”

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NEws you can use

Everything you neet to know About your 2017 pay raise

By Nicole Ogrysko In the waning days of his administration, President Barack Obama officially authorized a 2.1 percent pay raise for civilian employees in 2017.

The executive order, which the president signed Dec. 27, makes the alternative pay adjustments official for the next year. This follows Obama’s Dec. 8 letter to Congress, in which he directed agencies to give civilian workers a pay raise in line with that of Defense Department employees.

This executive order supersedes the one he signed Nov. 29, which called for a 1.6 percent raise that included a locality adjustment.

Federal employees looking for more details on their specific 2017 salary can find updated pay adjustment tables, including locality raises, from the Office of Personnel Management here.

An OPM memo also notes that the 2013 pay freeze on the vice president and some senior officials will continue through the beginning of the year. Because Congress passed a continuing resolution that holds agency funding at fiscal 2016 levels through Apr. 28, the pay freeze for those political

appointees will continue until lawmakers suggest and pass an alternative.

In addition, acting OPM Director Beth Cobert approved a 1 percent raise for roughly 40,000 employees covered under special pay rates. The decision comes after OPM’s annual special pay rate review. Because no agency made an alternative request to adjust the special rates, OPM will increase all special rate pay tables.

“Based on the 2016 annual review of GS special rates, I have approved a 1 percent increase for all Title 5 special rate tables equal to the 1 percent increase in GS base rates,” Cobert wrote in a Dec. 27 memo. “Both the increased GS base rates and the increased GS special rates will be effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2017.”

OPM may sometimes set higher special pay rates as an incentive to recruit or retain employees in certain occupations or specialties or workers in a remote location or with undesirable working conditions.

A MESSAGE FROM FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT

By May Jacobs

THE PEBBLE AND SAND

By starting with the largest, you are able to fit more into your Many blessings to you and your family in 2017. The jar. By focusing on the pebbles and sand, you have no room beginning of the year affords us the opportunity to start new for the rocks. again.

In order to make pebbles and sand in your life a little easier, A new year is an opportunity to start fresh on new goals NECCFamily.blogspot.com has being created for NECC’s or start fresh on ones in the past that we did get a chance commands, Sailors and families. complete.

The “one-stop” website contains current, relevant Consider looking at your management of time and priority information such as deployment checklist for single Sailors, you give your goals. Though “Jar of Life” is an old story, it is articles to build resiliency within the family, family readiness still very sound advice to follow. survey results from Blue Star Families, Family Connection newsletters and articles to help you quit smoking.

The story gives you a visualization of your priorities, as well as the amount and size of your priorities by using rocks, Check back often to see new information as NECCFamily pebbles and sand. The rocks are important things in your continues to grow and evolve. life that give it meaning such as family, friends, career, spiritually.

@NECC_

/NavyExpeditionaryCombatCommand