December 4, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 47• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520
NS Guantanamo Bay Dive Locker Enables Dive Training Capabilities
Members from the Underwater Photo Teams sharpen their skills during underwater photo training off the coast of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 20. (Photo by MC1 Kori Melvin) Expeditionary Combat Cameras’ Underwater Photo Team
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t’s called the pearl of the Antilles. Guantanamo Bay’s crystal-clear waters offer a wide range of possibilities for commands seeking cost-effective training grounds for diving. Chief Navy Diver Julius McManus, Command Diving Officer for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) says the GTMO facility is fully equipped to support dive-training operations. The dive locker is outfitted with a MK-16 charging station, a MK-III Lightweight Dive System, and a Recompression Chamber Facility 5000 that can provide 100% O2 and 50/50 N2/O2. Additionally, the locker is capable of supporting SCUBA, ships husbandry, and light salvage operations. “GTMO’s geographic location allows divers to take advantage of 300 days of ideal weather conditions, diving in waters that range from 45 to 1000 feet in depth, less than a 15-minute commute from the dock,” says McManus. U.S. Navy manned Port Operations has 100% control of recreational boat traffic, allowing military divers open access to secured waterways and providing an added sense of safety to the dive side. In addition to ideal diving conditions, the base goes on to offer several facilities that appeal to commands in the planning phase of a training evolution, such as hundreds of rooms through Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, a fully outfitted dining facility and a level four treatment center at
Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay. In comparison to traditional, more commonly used dive training locations, it is significantly more cost effective to send divers to train in GTMO, says McManus. On average, diving commands could save roughly $20,000.00 per week in training expenses because of lower per diem and lodging costs; as well as lower airline expenses by utilizing Navy Air Logistics Office (NALO) flights vice commercial airlines or convoys. In addition to NALO flights, base air operations include helicopter capabilities with a maximum ceiling of 4,000 ft. for water jumps and fast roping; as well as an airfield capable of handling wide-body jet airliners and strategic airlift aircraft. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is host to several weapons ranges, a demolition range, and offers the possibility of supporting underwater demolition operations. The GTMO Dive Locker stands as a willing and able participant to commands of all branches seeking to develop their divers; especially in times where divers of all branches must seek to streamline their forces while maintaining the same standard of proficiency. McManus says, “Our schedules are completely open”. For more information about the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Dive Locker contact NDC Julius McManus at julius. mcmanus@gtmo.navy.mil.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates UTCN Basile on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
UTCN KODY BASILE
■Job/Department: Seabees Self-help/ NAVFAC PWD Guantanamo Bay ■Age: 21 ■Hometown: Swedesboro, NJ ■Ambition/goal: UCT Diver ■Sports Team: Philadelphia Flyers ■TV Show: Game of Thrones ■Movie: Platoon ■Hobby: Hockey ■Guantanamo Restaurant: The Jerk House ■Musician: Dave Matthews ■Greatest Accomplishment: Winning hockey tournament in Canada. ■How the Navy has Improved his life: Set me up with a career path and giving me opportunities to fulfill my dreams. ■Sailors of the Week Because: UTCN Basile was instrumental in assisting the Seabees from UCT ONE in their recent mission to land the fiber optic cable at Guantanamo Bay. UTCN Basile provided labor intensive support to the team for the duration of the project. His hard work and Can-Do attitude led to an increased working relationship between the Naval Station, NAVFAC, and the Underwater Construction Team. VOL. 72 • NO. 47
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. AL ROSS CMDCM (SW/AW) RODD TOOKER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC2 KEGAN KAY
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 4, 2015• PAGE 3
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates Sgt. Lopez on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
SGT ADRIAN LOPEZ
■Job/Department: Intelligence Analyst/N2 ■Age: 22 ■Hometown: Bellflower, CA ■Hero(es): Darth Vader and Dwight Schrute ■Ambition/goal: To make Master Guns ■Sports Team: Los Angeles Dodgers ■TV Show: The Sopranos, the Walking Dead, The Office, Ed Edd N Eddy, The Regular Show, Family Guy, and The Simpsons. ■Movie: Star Wars, Knocked Up, Step Brothers, Dodgeball, Wedding Crashers, and How High. ■Hobby: Playing video games, Working out, and Making good food at the CBQ. ■Greatest Accomplishment: Spending my time in Guantanamo Bay free of stress while constantly connected to my wife and family despite the geographic separation. ■Quote: “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” – John C. Maxwell. ■Greatest Accomplishment: Providing for my family, my commitment to service, the pursuit of knowledge and happiness. ■How the Marine Corps has improved my life: The Marine Corps has taught me how to give respect and gain respect. I have emulated my leadership style from the best leaders this service has to offer. I have learned the value of living with your commitments and completing the task at hand no matter what obstacles are presented along the way. ■Sailors of the Week Because: Sergeant Lopez was selected due to his determination and commitment to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s mission. Sergeant Lopez is a dedicated Marine who on multiple occasions during this reporting period has selflessly demonstrated his commitment and patience to maintain communication between NAVSTA and the Cuban Frontier Brigade. With Sergeant Lopez’s steadfast approach and timeliness, any issues that may have occurred were resolved due to his actions. Sergeant Lopez routinely performs above his peers.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Financial Forum Agenda Mike Rivera Personal Financial Specialist
redit / Credit reports: C -www.annualcreditreport.com (statistics show that 35% have not checked within last 2 yrs / 25% check reports at least 1x/yr) - Cost per person (TOP SECRET $3k - $15k/ SECRET $300 - $3k) or their Career - Used for multiple purposes (Buying Homes, cars, loans, employment, rent, insurance, etc.) - There are no magic bullets to fix your credit overnight - Place 100 word statement to tell your side if not satisfied with resolution ID theft: - 55 cases of ID Theft / compromise of PII – in last 6mos (increase from 27 cases 51%) - OPM Breach – fake letters phishing watch
out (see samples). Debt Management: -Using Financial planning Worksheet to create a spending plan to show you how to reduce or eliminate indebtedness at FFSC with Financial counselor 4141 / 4050 Security Clearance issues: - Check your Report before you fill out the forms - Be honest when filling out SF86 - Know financial information can & will affect their situation - Let Security Manager know - PFM & Security Manager will work with you, but you have to put forth the effort in correcting your credit report.
3D-Drinking and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Contributed by; Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Schaffeld and HM1 Alesha Foster U.S. Naval Hospital Guantnamo Bay
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he Thanksgiving - New Year’s Holiday Season is a time of joy and celebration. It is also marked by an increase in driving to see friends and family or attend holiday parties which increases the risk of driving accidents. Celebrating a little too much can have deadly consequences. LCDR Amanda Schaffeld, U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay’s Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, encourages everyone to consider what is at stake when a person who is impaired gets behind the wheel of a vehicle. She reminds Sailors about the Navy’s “Keep What You’ve Earned Campaign.” With the slogan, ‘You’ve earned it; don’t waste it’, the campaign promotes responsible decisions. She encourages you to become informed on the risks and myths regarding drinking and driving. Blood alcohol content (BAC) is the most commonly used definition of intoxication, and has varying effects driving. • At a 0.02 percent BAC, people experience loss of judgment and a decline in visual function. • At 0.05 percent BAC, a person’s alertness is lowered and they have reduced coordination. • At 0.08 percent BAC, muscle coordination becomes poor and perception is impaired. • At 0.10 percent BAC, people demonstrate a clear deterioration of reaction time and control, and a person behind the wheel has reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately. • At 0.15 percent BAC, people experience substantial impairment in vehicle control and have extreme difficulty in processing necessary visual and auditory information. Even at levels below the legal limit, alcohol can seriously impair judgment and coordination, as well as slow reaction time. If a person plans on drinking, they should decide how they will get home before they start drinking. Local
alternatives to drinking and driving include walking or the base bus, which runs on a regular schedule and makes stops throughout the base. Myth: Coffee can sober up someone who has had too much to drink. Fact: Only time sobers. It takes about one hour to oxidize each drink. Myth: Hard liquor is more intoxicating than beer or wine. Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as 1 1/2 oz. of liquor. Myth: Someone who has had too much to drink will look intoxicated. Fact: Someone’s physical appearance can be misleading. One drink can impair someone’s ability to drive. Judgment is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next. Drinking and driving do not go together. In 2012, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes one every 51 minutes. Alcohol impairs attentiveness, impairs one’s ability to make quick decisions on the road, react to changes in the environment, and execute specific maneuvers behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey found that more than 22 percent of drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs. This Holiday Season, the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) Office’s Keep What You’ve Earned Campaign is running the second annual “Give the Gift of a Designated Driver (DD)” Pledge. Whether it’s here or back home, clip it out of the paper, and give it to individual friends and family members. This gift doesn’t cost anything but a little time.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
Double firm mattress for sale, practically new, $100. Contact 75586 if interested.
The
Scoop
NAVY COLLEGE Interested in college credit-byIf sent to any other e-mail, it may not be pubexamination? The Columbia lished. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays College of Missouri Testing for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after Center has 33 CLEP and two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The 34 DANTES DSST exams Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editoavailable to the Guantanamo rial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bay community. These exams Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. are at no cost for active duty Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items. personnel and $80.00 to civilians. For more information FOR SALE please contact x75555 or visit 2006 Yamaha Virago motorcycle our office located at Room 6 of for sale. Price $1500. Please the Chapel Annex. call Maurice at 2631w, 3103w, SEABEE BURRITOS 3077h. Come out and support the For sale: 2 sets of Golf Clubs in Seabees at their Breakfast Golf Bags, Golf balls and tees Burrito Sale on Fri., Dec. 11 for $200 ONLY. For more info: at Ferry Landing. They will e-mail eballesteros@mcm- be there for the 0700 Ferry and the 1000 Ferry. Burritos gtmo.com or call 90025. are $3 each or 2 for $5 and include eggs, cheese, bacon E-mail classified ad submissions to
PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL
Holiday Parade Event
KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY No Movies The First Class Petty Officer Association is hosting a Kids Christmas Party on Sat., SUNDAY Dec 6 Dec. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at 6:30 p.m.: The Last Witch Hunter the Youth Center for ages PG13 3-10. 8:30 p.m.: Spectre PG13 NO HOLIDAY FERRIES Dec 7 There will be NO FERRIES MONDAY Love the Coopers running on Christmas Day, 7 p.m.: PG13 December 25, or on New Year’s Day, January 1. Only Uboats will be running on TUESDAY Dec 8 those days so please plan 7 p.m.: The Hunger Games: accordingly. Mockingjay Part 2 PG13
OMBUDSMAN CONTACT INFORMATION: NAVFAC: NAVSTA: Brittany Roley Laura McManus gtmopwdombudsman@gmail.com ombudsmangtmo@gmail.com Home: 78096 Cell: 84792 Home: 77182 Brittany Morrell nsgtmoombudsman@gmail.com Cell: 55268 Home: 77129
December 4, 2015• PAGE 7
and sausage. Offices may Pre-Order before December 9 by e-mailing a.amantea@ yahoo.com. Minimum of 10 for pre-ordering and they will DOWNTOWN LYCEUM deliver! FRIDAY Dec 4 Burnt 7 p.m.: R JEA FUNDRAISER The Junior Enlisted Association will be having 9:00 p.m.: Paranormal Activity: a Bagging and Bake Sale The Ghost Dimension fundraiser at the NEX Atrium R on Sat., Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. SATURDAY Dec 5 to 2 p.m.
Naval Hospital: Lauren LaBoy Usnh.gtmo.ombudsman@gmail.com Home: 75877
WEDNESDAY Dec 9 7 p.m.: Crimson Peak R
THURSDAY Dec 10 Goosebumps 7 p.m.: PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
ATTIC ENCAPSULATION PROJECT BEGINS JANUARY 2016 Harold Parker Housing Installation Program Manager
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major housing project will begin the first week of January 2016 in the in Caribbean Circle. The project will require all residents to be relocated for approximately 5 days when their housing unit is scheduled. The project will replace all fiberglass insulation currently covering the air conditioning duct work with a spray on fiberglass creating a proper tight fitting seal preventing water intrusion damage to the units. In addition, the fiberglass will be sprayed in the attic spaces to reduce the ambient temperature in the attic. Reduction of the heat in the attic spaces will reduce the loss of cool air in the duct work allowing cooler temperatures in the house and reducing energy consumption in the units. Residents will be notified approximately 30 days in advance of the potential start date to ensure residents are aware of the work to be done in the housing unit. The letter of notification will include the date the resident can begin to move and the temporary unit to be utilized
for housing. The housing staff has identified temporary housing units for the move. Residents will need to take their linen and personal belongings they desire. The temporary units will be provided with furniture and basic household appliances, such as refrigerators, washer, dryers, stoves, and microwaves. Personnel who do have pets will need to take their pets with them. The project will not prevent personnel from taking vacations or leaving the installation for emergencies. Residents who will be off island need to complete an absence from quarters form and have on record at the housing office. This will identify who is watching the unit while the residents are off the installation. Once the project is completed in Caribbean Circle, the contractors will be moving to Nob Hill and then to Villamar. Project in all 3 areas should be completed approximately in 12 months. Residents who have questions and concerns should contact their housing manager or the housing front desk at #4172.
Left Photo: NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper and Navy Diver 1st Class Joshua Crowder pin third class crows on Navy Diver 3rd Class Gordon Brown during an underwater pinning ceremony on Nov. 23. Top Photos: The dive team was also conducting an underwater environmental assessment of Kittery Beach.