Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy
61th year, No. 1
Friday, January 8, 2016
Defense Department Proposes UCMJ Changes DoD News
USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Following a two-year review of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Defense Department on December 28, 2015, forwarded to Congress a legislative proposal outlining a number of reforms. The UCMJ is the statutory framework of the military justice system, according to a news release announcing the proposed changes. The proposal is based on the recommendations of the Military Justice Review Group, which conducted a detailed analysis of each article of the UCMJ, including the historical background of the UCMJ, current practice, and comparison to federal civilian law. In October 2013, then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, in response to a request from the senior uniformed leadership, directed the review of the UCMJ and its implementation in the Manual for Courts-Martial, the release said. Hagel also directed the review to consider the recommendations of a separate, congressionally-established panel that examined the systems used to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate adult sexual assault and related offenses in the military. Each of the military services detailed military personnel to serve as members of the Military Justice Review Group. Andrew S. Effron, former chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, serves as director of the MJRG.
WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 14
UCMJ CHANGES Page 7
More than 400 people enjoyed the spectacular display of colorful fireworks igniting around Mount Vesuvius, the most active volcano in Europe, during the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at the top of the East Parking Garage and the Chaplain John Keith’s Fellowship Hall and Chapel, on December 31, 2015- January 1, 2016, on board Capodichino. The last event of 2015 for Naples’ area service members and families was a joint collaboration by USO and MWR Naples and the Religious Ministry Department (RMD) from both the region and NSA Naples. USO Naples provided the giveaways, hot drinks (coffee and chocolate) and refreshments and MWR Naples had a PA system in place, more giveaways, and three 50-passenger buses from the Support Site to Capodichino. The RMD facilitated the event by providing one of the places of the event at the Capo Chapel. Photo by Cmdr. Don Biadog Jr.
Carter, South Korean Defense Minister Discuss North Korean Nuke Test DoD News
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and South Korean Defense Minister Han Minkoo spoke by phone Wednesday to discuss potential responses by the alliance to the apparent nuclear test conducted by North Korea Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said. In a Defense Department statement, Cook said that the two leaders “agreed that any such test would be an unacceptable and irresponsible provocation and is both a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to the peace and sta-
bility of the Korean Peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region.” During the call, the defense secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to South Korea’s defense, he said, adding that “this commitment includes all aspects of the United States' extended deterrence.” In turn, Cook said, Han emphasized the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance “and its vital role in assuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Asia-Pacific.” CARTER Page 13
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Korea Han Min-Goo at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this past spring. The pair spoke by phone on Wednesday to discuss potential responses by the alliance to the apparent nuclear test conducted by North Korea. Photo by Glenn Fawcett
CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2
40%
BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NAVY HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5
30%
SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
50% HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH page 11
WHY DO SEASONS CHANGE? . . . . . . . . . .page 14