Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards – 2016 Best Newspaper in the Navy
64th year, No. 21
Friday, May 31, 2019
Musician 3rd Class Erik Horne, assigned to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, plays “Taps” among the graves of fallen U.S. service members during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, on May 24, 2019. Throughout the course of U.S. history, service members have paid the ultimate price in defense of our nation. Memorial Day is a time to honor their sacrifice and remember their legacy. This Memorial Day weekend, service members from the United States European Command participated in ceremonies at 21 American World War I and World War II military cemeteries across Europe. This year marks the 75th anniversary of World War II. The partnerships forged 75 years ago endure today as U.S. forces in Europe remain committed to European allies and partners. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gregory N. Juday
New PCS Services Simplify Sailor Moves From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
To support the summer permanent change of station (PCS) season, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) is taking action to improve the PCS move experience for Sailors and their families. Sailors who have already completed at least one PCS move, know the process can be quite complex – from the household goods shipment to budgeting for potential out-of-pocket expenses. Navy Personnel Command (NPC) is working with numerous partners across the Navy and Department of Defense to rapidly field numerous customer oriented
improvements to simplify the process for hardworking Sailors and their families. The new MyPCS Checklist, a tailored and interactive checklist to assist in move preparation and execution, is available now via MyNavy Portal at https://my.navy.mil. The MyPCS Checklist provides a comprehensive timeline for action beginning six months prior to the scheduled move date and takes a Sailor and family through the entire process to include critical post-check-in items. This is available for use by all active and Reserve Sailors. Chief Mass Communication Specialist Dustin Kelling, assigned to NPC and in receipt of PCS orders,
has accessed the MyPCS Checklist for his upcoming transfer. “MyPCS Checklist works,” Kelling said. “It produced a tailored timeline based on my desired transfer date and has been an invaluable planning tool for my spouse and me. The timeline is editable as things change and I can download it in a PDF form. That way my spouse and I can both keep up with all the things we have to do.” The MyPCS Checklist currently requires command access card (CAC) access; however, it will ultimately be available for protected use via the web and mobile devices for spouses as well without requiring the use of a CAC. SIMPLIFY PCS MOVES
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CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2 BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 0%
SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 BZ TO SAILORS SELECTED FOR ADVANCEMENT . . . page 4
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN MOVING TIPS . . . . . . . . page 14
USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 14
Tuition Assistance and Navy College Program Policy Updates Announced From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
The Navy announced changes to Tuition Assistance (TA) and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) program management May 21 in NAVADMIN 114/19. Beginning October 1, 2019, enlisted Sailors and officers must complete a minimum of two years of service before becoming eligible to use TA or NCPACE instructorled or Distance Learning (DL) courses. This requirement may not be waived. In aAddition, TA and NCPACE (DL) funding is capped at 12 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) per fiscal year (FY) and a total of 120 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) in a career. Most Sailors in recent years have only used up to an average of nine semester hours annually. “Due to unprecedented usage and fiscal constraints, Navy is reshaping how we administer the TA and NCPACE programs,” Jim Johnson, head of Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED), TA-NAVY COLLEGE PROGRAM UPDATES
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