December 16, 2016• VOL. 73 • NO. 31• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
CNO Visits NSGB
CNO Adm. John Richardson speaks to Sailors, Marines and NSGB Civilians during an All Hands Call at the Downtown Lyceum, Tues Dec. 13. Photo by John Philip Wagner, Jr
Julie Ann Ripley Public Affairs Officer
N
aval Station Guantanamo Bay Navy, Marine and civilian personnel welcomed Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. John M. Richardson during an All Hands Call at the Downtown Lyceum for his Dec. 14 visit. Approximately 800 attended the event, the focus of CNO’s schedule. Adm. Richardson thanked everyone for coming out and expressed his pleasure to be in Guantanamo Bay for his first visit, giving him an opportunity to “have a conversation with the team.” His trip revolved around infrastructure conditions and what the base has to offer residents noting, “You do get a sense of what we’re asking of you.” “We’ve got the most talented Navy we have ever had. You could have done just about anything you wanted,” Richardson stressed. For all the demands and sacrifices the Navy asks “we have a high performing and spirited team. I have an amazing amount of respect for what you do. Every decision I make, around the world, or there in Washington. Every day starts with you in mind. Every day finishes with you in mind. I want to make sure that every decision I make keeps you front and center, enabling you to do your job with fewer obstacles to reach your potential.” CNO also made a point to highlight the Navy-Marine Corps team and discussions with Gen. Robert E. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps on “the compelling case for Naval Power. We are working to bring the blue-green team together in these creative combat packages.” He discussed his visit aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) with22MEU aboard, “What
a powerful team. The way they used that ARG/MEU; spreading it over a couple of different COCOMs, escorts coming and going from different units. Very, very fluid. Very adaptable. Just like the team here.” “You’ve got to adapt a lot.” Richardson reflected “How historic the base is here, at Guantanamo Bay. Our oldest facility outside the continental United States, going back to 1898, cemented in place in 1903, and revalidated in 1934 with the treaty, and we’ve been here ever since. A very important parcel of U.S. presence here in the Caribbean providing so many options for the Southern Command and the United States Navy.” He recognized the Naval Station is “not without challenges. You’re a lot more like a ship than a base. You make your own power. You make your own water. You’ve got some geographical confines. It really struck me how closely you have to monitor things. How creative. How adaptive you have to be to execute the missions down here.” During his windshield tour Adm. Richardson had also spent time at the Fire House and with JTF Guantanamo, and later flew with the Coast Guard Aviation Detachment. Adm. Richardson finished the All Hands Call by reemphasizing his respect, gratitude and determination to take care of the base and its residents. He acknowledged the Base Master Plan, its objectives and how it will renew the base infrastructure. “Particularly for this team, who does so much, and does so much forward. We need to make sure that we’re taking good care of you.”
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Captain David Culpepper congratulates SN Jose Barajas, left, on his selection as Sailor of the Week, Dec. 6 - Dec 13, and PO3 Gordon Brown, right, on his selection as Sailor of Week, Dec 13 - 20.
SN JOSE BARAJAS
■Job/Department: Security ■Age: 22 ■Hometown: San Luis Obispo, California ■Hero: My Dad ■TV Show:The Walking Dead ■Hobby: Working Out ■Greatest Passion: Cooking ■Quote: “It’s not how hard you can get hit, it’s how hard you can get hit, and get back up and keep moving forward.” ■Goals: Join the L. A. P. D. (Los Angeles Police Department) ■Currently working on: Awaiting his Patrol Supervisor Oral Board ■Sailor of the Week Because: On Nov. 20, 2016, while responding to a crowd control incident, SN Barajas took control and coordinated with five fellow patrolmen to ensure safety and secuirity measures were being employed for all personnel involved. SN Barajas’ ability to take control of the scene and maintain his composurelet to the de-escalation of a situation that could have potentially gone out of control. In addition, SN Barajas is also extremely committed to his duties as a Security Department Field Training Officer, and recently led three fellow Patrolman to pass their qualification test, and now are awaiting their Patrolman oral boards. SN Barajas is a true Law Enforcement professional who carries out his duties with a great deal of respect for everyone onboard and brings great credit upon Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. VOL. 73 • NO. 31
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
PO3 GORDON BROWN
■Job/Department: Port Operations ■Age: 25 ■Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida ■Hero: Courage the Cowardly Dog ■Greatest Passion: Sports ■Hobby: All Sports and working out ■Book: Tales from Arabian Nights ■Goals: Start a Family ■Currently working on: DSW, Diving Life Support System Technician ■Greatest Accomplishment: Earning the title of Deep Sea Diver ■Quote: “Don’t be a product of your environment. Make your environment a product of you.” ■Sailor of the Week Because: PO3 Brown has been devoting his off duty time since October, teaching and instructing two personnel stroke development at the pool three days a week. This is enabling them to be more comfortable in the water. He has also been a volunteer coach committed to helping the female flag football team prepare to destroy the Army flag football team. He has been coaching twice a week since November.
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. DENNIS MOJICA CMDCM (SW/AW) THOMAS MACE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER PHOTOJOURNALIST EDITOR/LAYOUT
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
MS. JULIE ANN RIPLEY PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR. PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR.
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 535.
December 16, 2016• PAGE 3
Guantanamo Bay Fire’s Chiefs PO2 John Philip Wagner, Jr Photojournalist
As the year comes to a close, so does the three-year tour of Fire Chief Paul Pitrat at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Fire Department, while beginning the tour of Fire Chief David Rose. “One of my fondest memories of NSGB is the people that you meet and how you are able to help each other meet the goals and mission of the command,” said Pitrat. Rose has been involved with fire protection since July of 1992 when he joined the United States Air Force, retiring after 24 and a half years. Since Pitrat became Chief several improvements have been made. “One of the biggest has been hiring 32 firefighters, bringing our total number of firefighters up to 85 Jamaicans,” said Pitrat. “Watching these men and women
go from trainee to firefighter its a big accomplishment, most of these people have little to no firefighting background.” Chief Rose noted,“One of my goals is to keep the department on the track and moving toward national accreditation, its a lofty goal we’re going to work toward.” As Pitrat looks to retirement he had this to say,”I plan to go back to alot of places that I was stationed, overseas and be able to sit down and talk to the friends that I made, visit with family and just relax.” During thier careers Rose and Pitrat have crossed paths on more than one occassion, but for Rose this is special because he can continue the mission and goals his friend and mentor started here at the NSGB fire house.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NSGB Children Sent Letters North
Children of Gauntanamo Bay, Thank you for all your letters! Santa and I have been happy receiving so many amazing notes this year and we really do appriciate them. Oh! Sorry I forgot to mention who I am - I am Santa’s Senior Elf, Clifton. He asked me to send a note to the Gazette this week and tell you that as Christmas approaches, Santa’s Work Shop continues to be busy preparing for our Big Night. I am working with Santa to help him keep track of all your Wish Lists. (I know you asked especially for the really sweet puppy - we will see what we can do.) Also, make sure you leave Santa and The Reinder their favorite snacks. See you next week! Keep being good little boys and girls, and obey your parents! We are still checking our lists, and checking them twice! Sincerely, Santa’s Senior Elf Clifton
MOVIES
December 16, 2016• PAGE 7
Christmas outfit and chase vs 5 Double elimination THE Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Call tournament . Register CLASSIFIEDS 2113 for more info. by Tues. Dec 21 To place an ad please send an e-mail to Coaches will meet PAO@GTMO.NAVY.MIL NSGB BOY SCOUT Wed. 21st. Call 2113 for DOWNTOWN LYCEUM TROOP more info. Meets every Tuesday at HO-HO Cosmic The FRIDAY DEC 16 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bowling Rogue One: A Star Wars the Scout Hut. Welcome Dec. 24 Unlimited 7p.m.: Story PG-13 to all boys 11-18. For more bowling 9am - 11:30pm, info email gtmotroop435@ includes shoe rental. 9:30pm: Edge of Seventeen R gmail.com. Two free slices of pizza, Jingle Bell 5K five hot wings, special Dec 23, Starts at 6pm at Holiday Basketball prizes and surprises. DEC 17 Copper Field, Register by Tourney Dec 24, 8am Dress in your Christmas SATURDAY Collateral Beauty 7p.m. Dec 22 at Denich Fitness Denich Fitness Center, 5 Best. Call 2118 for more Center. Dress-up in your Office Christas Part 9:30p.m.
Scoop
OMBUDSMAN
NAVSTA:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NAVAL HOSPITAL:
Jamie Yeich Carrie McCormick
TC Bacon
Kendra Keesey E-mail: ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com Phone: 84792
E-mail: Ombudsman.usnh.gtmo@gmail.com Phone: 55379
Fleet and Family Support Center
UPCOMING CLASSES Interviewing 360: Jan. 5, 0900-1100 at FFSC. This is a class that covers all aspects of the Interviewing process and you will learn how to prepare, dress, give strategic answers, ask the right questions and close with confidence. Sponsorship Training: Jan. 17, 0900-1000 at FFSC. Do you want to help other service members as they prepare to transfer to NSGB? Well this class will help you learn your responsibilities as a sponsor to be better able to help those Sailors, Marines and Civilians as they transition to NSGB. TGPS Capstone Event: Jan 18, 0900-1000 at FFSC. For individuals who have completed the Transition Goals Plans Success (TGPS). Students will work with staff to review the ITP, resume and budget to meet Career Readiness Standards for transition. Million Dollar Service Member: Jan 18-19 0800-1630 at FFSC. Do you want to be financially sound? Do you want to stengthen your career? Do you want to build wealth? This two day course will help you be able to do that. DODTAP Transition Assistance Program: Jan 30 -Feb 3, 0730-1630 at FFSC. Transition GPS is mandatory and open to all military personnell, prior to registration, please complete DD form 2648 or 2648-1 with the career counselor. Are you Separating within a year, retiring within two years, or a Reservist? This class will help you prepare. To register or for more information please call 4141 or 4153. Hours of Operation are: Mon-Fri., 0730-1630.
SUNDAY
DEC 18
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them PG-13
MONDAY Inferno 7 p.m.:
DEC 19
PG-13
TUESDAY DEC 20 7 p.m.: Ouija: Origin of Evil PG-13
WEDNESDAY DEC 21 7 p.m.: Keeping up with the Joneses PG-13
THURSDAY Arrival 7 p.m.:
DEC 22
PG-13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880