60th year, No. 39
Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter visits NAS Sigonella By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and his wife Stephanie visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella as part of a five-day trip to Europe Oct. 6. During the three-and-a-half hour visit Carter met with Col. Vincenzo Sicuso, commander of the Italian Air Force 41st Stormo; the Italian Minister of Defence and visited the NATO facilities. Mrs. Carter toured the facilities at NAS 1, including the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) school, the newly renovated Memorial Park, the Midtown Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) complex and chapel before hosting a meet and greet with family members of the Sigonella community. During this time, Mrs. Carter engaged in an active discussion with the participants concerning base life and the challenges and rewards of living abroad. The dialogue provided a valuable opportunity for her to exchange view with the participants as well as discuss
Friday, October 16, 2015
Navy Announces Rollout and Wear Dates for Upcoming Uniform Changes By Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs Office
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti are greeted by members of the Italian Air Force Honor Guard during Carter’s visit to NAS Sigonella Oct. 6 as part of a five-day European tour. During the three-and-a-half hour visit, Carter met with his Italian counterpart, NAS Sigonella leadership and hosted a town hall meeting with approximately 250 Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Photo by MC2 Ramon Go
things that were going well, and opportunities for improvement. After meetings with NAS Sigonella leadership, Carter
hosted a town hall in the Global Hawk Hangar with approximately 250 Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fielding questions on a variety of top-
ics ranging from cyber warfare, the Russian presence and women in combat roles. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Page 7
Mediterranean Scout District 2015 Fall Camporee at Carney Park Seventy-five Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts from the Mediterranean area got together, despite a one-day delay due to heavy rainfall, for the annual Mediterranean District Fall Camporee at Carney Park this past weekend. Scouts from five units: Troop 007, Pack 007, Crew 7, Pack 53 (Signonella), and Troop 236 (Rome) learned new Scouting skills, including first aid and pioneering. They also enjoyed a crossover ceremony when the Cub Scouts transition to Boy Scouts and a campfire Sunday evening. Photo courtesy of Troop 007
CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2 BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NAVY HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 12 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
UNIFORM CHANGES Page 4
SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FARMER FINDS WOOLLY MAMMOTH page 12
Unisex covers • Effective immediately, the Alternative Combination Cover (ACC) and current male combination cover for officers and CPOs can now be worn by both men and women in service dress uniforms. • The ACC is now available in Navy Exchange (NEX) Uniform Stores and through the call center. • All Officers and Chiefs will be required to wear either the ACC or current male Combination Cover Oct. 31, 2016. • The enlisted white hat, or Dixie Cup, is available for wear by E-6 and below April 2016, and must be worn in service dress whites (Oct. 31, 2016) and service dress blue (Jan. 1, 2020). • Recruit Training Command (RTC) will begin issuing the Dixie Cup to all recruits beginning April 2016. Redesigned E-6 and below Service Dress Blue (SDB) • Beginning Oct. 1, 2016, Recruit Training Command (RTC) will begin issuing the redesigned SDBs for E6 and below.
FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SIGNONELLA VICTORY FOR TIGER SHARKS . . . . . . page 6
The Chief of Naval Personnel released NAVADMIN 236/15 Oct. 9, which announces several key uniform changes. The Navy has been working to meet Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’ plans to redesign several uniform elements for Sailors that improve uniformity across the force as well as improve the function and fit of their uniforms. Several wear-tests have been conducted and the Navy has incorporated Sailors’ feedback into the final uniform and cover designs announced Friday. NAVADMIN 236/15 provides detailed information on the upcoming uniform changes and rollout plans, including: