February 24, 2017• VOL. 74 • NO. 36• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
GTMO Mudder
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Captain David Culpepper congratulates Master-at-Arms 3rd Class DANIELA ROSS for the Week of 7 - 14 February 2017 and ND2 Christopher Humphries 14 - 21 February .
MA3 DANIELA RIOS
ND2 CHRISTOPHER HUMPHRIES
Job/Department: Security/Access Control Age: 23 Hometown: Edinburgh, TX Position: ATFP-Phys Security Specialist Hero(s): Parents Ambition/goal: Working towards finishing Bachelors in Psychology, Ultimate Goal-Masters in Psychology TV Show: Bob’s Burgers NSGB Restaurant: Jerk House Currently working on: Art Series (Craft Painting) Quote: You must be the change that you wish to see in the world –Ghandi ■Sailor of the Week Because: On 03FEB during an emergent manning shortfall, MA2 Rios trained four new Security personnel at the Airport Terminal Security Inspection Point to screen passengers, baggage, and ensure the flight line remains secured. Her efforts provided the safe and secure passage for over 100 passengers traveling into and out of NSGB all while simultaneously utilizing her linguistics skills to assist NCIS in screening and entering 13 Coast Guard Detainees into the SEEK Biometric Database onboard the flight deck of CGC Diligence. She is a highly talented individual and is commended for her performance this week as it solidified her position as a skillful manager with proven ability to attain a high standard of performance in any endeavor. Bravo Zulu! VOL. 74 • NO. 36
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Job/Department: Port Operations Hometown: Port Orange, FL Age: 30 Position: Dive Locker Work Center Supervisor, Supply PO Hero(es): Vegeta Ambition/goal: Diving Supervisor Qualification Sports team: Orlando Magic TV Show: Arrested Development GTMO Restaurant: Dive Locker Kitchen Currently working on: Diving Salvage Warfare Specialist Requalification. Greatest passion: Family ■Sailor of the Week Because: ND2 Humphries was a vital team member during two heroic, lifesaving treatments on a recreational SCUBA diver suffering severe neurological decompression sickness. He performed his duties as an outstanding chamber operator by flawlessly preparing the chamber system for use, pressurizing and ventilating at the required rates, maintaining the required depth and monitoring the internal environmental readings, treatment gas banks and air supply manifold pressures. Additionally, he completed the legal binding recompression chamber log for both treatments. Although onboard for a short period of time, ND2 Humphries continues to prove himself as an essential dive team member time and time again.
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 2nd LT MEMORY STRICKLAND MC2 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.
February 24, 2017• PAGE 3
Shaping the Future by Giving Back
by Army 2nd Lt. Memory Strickland Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs
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nowing your heritage can shape your future; not only as an individual but also as a society. Not just during the month of February, but all year long, members of the Black Heritage Organization (BHO) can learn about black heritage while giving back to the community. Here at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (NSGB) service members have the opportunity to volunteer and become members of the local chapter. The organization was established January 1996. BHO is dedicated to increasing awareness and involvement of African American communities through professional associations. “The organization is open to anyone who wishes to join and we’ve members from many different ethnic backgrounds,” said Christopher Caton, president of the NSGB chapter of BHO. “We’ve been able to share in each other’s culture and heritage thus allowing for the success we’ve had here in GTMO.” The BHO has been successful here at conducting activities for all people to learn about black heritage through poetry and open discussions during lunch. The organization hopes to do more activities like this with the new members. “I think this organization allows service members to feel comfortable with celebrating and appreciating their heritage outside of the uniform. We are taught as service members we should remain neutral on
Photo courtesy of Black Heritage Organization
all things worldly. This organization gives African American service members a chance to step out and embrace their culture while in the uniform,” said Army 1st. Lt. Shay Howard, member of the Black Heritage Organization here. One of the ways Howard gives back to the community here is by coaching two students throughout the week in track and field. Howard is passionate about track and enjoys passing on this to students here. “As a young African-American officer, I want my Troops and even those who aren’t mine to see me out there getting dirty and giving back to the people we fight for,” said Howard. “I think when junior AfricanAmericans service members see me out on post volunteering it inspires them to want to do the same. It becomes a domino effect for the next generation.” Whether a member of the Black Heritage Organization or not, it is still important to learn about not only your heritage but about others. The United States is a melting pot of cultures, the more we learn about each other the more doors that will open. “I understand that my hardest time will bring about some of the greatest moments of my life and it will all be worth it in the end,” said Army Cpt. Latasha Ketchum, Black Heritage Organization Public Affairs Officer here.
READY, AIM, FIRE
ore than 180 Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community members participate in the M 2nd Annual GTMO Mudder. The 1.7 mile course consisted of seven different stations consisting of a tire run, tire flip, mud pit, burpees, pole carry, hurdles and bear crawls. Each constestant could run up to four laps, each time a contestant finished a lap they recieved a wrist band starting with the GTMO Mudder Rookie and finishing with the covetted GTMO Mudder Master. (photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr.)
February Heart Healthy Month PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Lt. Cdr Jim Ripple
Primary care clinic department head, Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay
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n ancient Greece it was thought the heart was a storehouse for and source of emotions. Along with other pagan beliefs, this made February synonymous with the Roman Catholic’s Saint Valentine’s Day. Maybe this February we need to consider your real heart instead of all those red and pink decorations. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. This includes heart disease and stroke. Heart disease alone is responsible for 600,000 deaths each year and is the number one cause of death of people of most ethnicities including whites, blacks and Hispanics. Cardiovascular disease costs the nation more than $300 Billion each year. The entire defense budget was a little less than $600 Billion in 2015. The three biggest contributors to cardiovascular disease are tobacco use, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If you have one or more of these risk factors this is the month to make some changes! Tobacco use is on the decline, due to the publicized negative health effects over the last 30 years. If you still smoke or use oral tobacco there are numerous cessation resources available from your doctor or local clinic. These range from online and mobile support groups to daily medications reducing the urge to smoke. It is never too late to quit and each day after you do, your risk for heart disease decreases.
Have you had your cholesterol checked? Ask your health care provider if you don’t know. Depending on other risk factors, the age you should begin screening is different. The results of your cholesterol test should be discussed with your health care team as well. In general, your total cholesterol should be 200 or less. That total number is further broken down in to “good” and “bad” components having different targets based upon your risk. Sometimes a medication is recommended to improve poor cholesterol, but maintaining a heart healthy diet low in carbohydrates and saturated fats is a great way to begin to positively impact your numbers. If you’ve ever been to a medical appointment, you have likely had your blood pressure checked. Blood pressure readings have a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic) and are often written like a fraction (120/80 = systolic/ diastolic). Normal blood pressure is a systolic less than 120 and a diastolic less than 80. Just like with cholesterol, blood pressure numbers can be interpreted differently for different people based on risk, but if you are over those goals you should ask your medical provider what you can do to improve. A diet low in sodium, less than 2,000mg per day, is a good start; but just like with high cholesterol, high blood pressure often requires treatment with medication. Tackling these three risk factors can go a long way in preventing cardiovascular disease. As always if you need more information please contact your primary care provider!
Helping Children Drug Free through Education by Timm Bentley, Program Manager, Drug Education for Youth
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aval Station Guantanamo (NSGB) is currently soliciting enthusiastic, fun-loving, positive adult role models to serve as mentors for its year-long Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) program. DEFY is a substance abuse prevention and comprehensive life skills program specifically designed for 9-12 year old Navy dependents. DEFY deters “at-risk” behaviors by giving kids the tools they need to resist drugs and develop positive social skills. A key component of DEFY is mentoring and positive adult role models. NSGB will kick off its program this summer and is in need of volunteers to fill the role of DEFY mentor. Volunteers must be over the age of 18, affiliated with the Department of Defense and approved by the command. Volunteers are expected to participate for the entire year starting with an intensive summer component (Phase I) and monthly events throughout the school year (Phase II). Phase I is structured in a 5-day residential or 8-day nonresidential format. Phase I includes educational trips, fitness activities, classroom learning and the President’s Fitness Challenge. Residential programs require volunteers to remain with the youth throughout the phase, sometimes in summer camp-like conditions. Phase II reinforces the concepts and training delivered in Phase I, usually one Saturday each month, although local program schedules vary. During Phase II, mentors and staff provide positive support
during group mentoring sessions and interactive workshops that provide life skills training, team building and leadership skills. “Participating as an adult mentor is no vacation,” said LaNorfeia Parker, Deputy Director of the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Office and Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager. “Its hard work and volunteers should not approach this opportunity with the illusion of being a DEFY mentor as an easy assignment,” Parker said. Volunteering contributes to personal development such as building and maintaining personal relationships with youth and staff, and developing mentoring skills. Professional experience gained from volunteering includes management, logistics, administration, complex task completion and decision-making skills. Volunteers also gain valuable leadership experience through team building, leading teams, coaching and evaluating performance. Volunteers gain valuable experience and commands get back a better person. “I have kids and parents who to this day still let me know how our job helped their child’s confidence and ability to make the right decisions when they were exposed to drugs. It’s rewarding to know our job helps shape their future,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Mirna Morales, a five year DEFY mentor and volunteer. “I have been a mentor, Big Brother and tutor for almost 25 years, but my five years with DEFY were the best,” said Michael Diggs, SGTMAJ Michael Diggs, USMC (Ret). For more information about the DEFY program, go to http:// www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_ Sailor/nadap/DEFY.
MOVIES
THE CLASSIFIEDS
To place an ad please send an e-mail to PAO@GTMO.NAVY.MIL
for
more
information.
Fire 7pm, Tues -Fri 9am -11am, and
Fighting Combat Challenge: Sat 1pm-4pm. Located at the Mar, 25, 10am at the Dowtown Legal Assistance Office, Bldg
February 24, 2017• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
Lyceum, Free Registration , by 2525 (near the I.C. Red Cross.) FRIDAY
The
Scoop
Mar 24; for more info call 4222.
Defense
2016
Service (Formally DRMO)Representatives:
Free
Tax
Services:
NAVSTA Hours: Mon-Fri on a Annual Sea Bee Ball: walk in basis 10am-12pm and March 4 at the Windjammer. Sat 12pm-3pm Bldg 760 near
Contact Mary Caldwell at 5673 PSD. JTF Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-
OMBUDSMAN
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NAVSTA:
Carrie McCormick Kendra Keesey E-mail: ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com Phone: 84792
NAVAL HOSPITAL: TC Bacon E-mail: Ombudsman.usnh.gtmo@gmail.com Phone: 55379
Logistics
AgencyDisposition
will be on island and open for business in BLDG 696C Mar 20-23 for more information
Feb 24 7:00pm A Dog’s Purpose PG-13 9:30pm
The Bye Bye Man PG-13
SATURDAY
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter R
9:30pm
Live By Night R
contact PO1 Eric Gain at ext. 5492 or Eric. Gain@gmto.navy.mil
Diver SafetyTips:
1. Open and Close your Dive Plan with Port Authority (CALL 4188) 2. Know your limits 3. Look at your gauges regularly 4. Know you gear 5. Ensure your ready to Dive 6. Find out about the Current Conditions 7. Know your limits 8. An alert dive is a Safe Dive 9. Discuss dive signals 10. Ensure you have a Dive Marker 11. Dive your certification Level 12. Plan the Dive, and Dive the Plan 13. Stay with your Dive Buddy 14. NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH 15. Know what to do if you see a shark 16. Dive in authorized areas 17. Have Fun
Feb 25
7:00pm
SUNDAY
Feb 26
6:30pm
Rock Dog PG
MONDAY 7:00pm
Feb 27: Hidden Figures PG-13
TUESDAY 7:00pm
Feb 28 Monster Trucks PG
WEDNESDAY 7:00pm
Underworld: Blood Wars R
THURSDAY 7:00pm
Mar 1:
Mar 2
The Lego Batman Movie PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
“We build, we fight” By MC2(SW/AW) John Philip Wagner, Jr.
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arch 5, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the Naval Construction Force, established March 5, 1942.
Over the years “bees” have built or improved many roads, orphanages and public utilities in remote parts of the world.
From the start, Seabees island-hopped while building “What made we walk into the recruiting office almost ten years bases, bulldozing and paving thousands of miles of roadways, airstrips, bridges, warehouses, hospitals, gasoline storage ago now and make me wanna a be a Seabee was knowing we have the tanks and more. Often in combat conditions and under fire. opportunity to go and improve peoples lives around the world, its pretty special to impact peoples lives like that” said Utilitiesman 1st Class The first “bees” were recruited from civilian construction Kyle Ciopryna, Naval Station Gauntanamo Bay Public Works Seabee. trades and placed under the leadership of Navy’s Civil In 1971, the “bees” began one of the largest peacetime construction Engineering Corps - the emphasis on experience and skills rather physical standards. The average age of the “bees” was 37. projects on Diego Garcia, a small atoll in the Indian Ocean.
The project took 11 years and several million dollars More than 32,500 men served with the Seabees during World War II, fighting and building on six continents and more than 300 islands. to complete, enabling the atoll to accommodate some of the Navy’s largest ships and biggest military cargo jets. Between 1949 and 1953, Naval Construction Battalions were This base proved very important when Iraq invaded organized into two types of units: Amphibious Construction Battalions (PHIBCBs) and Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs). Kuwait in 1990 during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. During our most recent conflicts, the “bees” made up of more Soon after the end of the Korean Conflict the “bees” embarked on a new mission - providing assistance in than 5,000 Sailors with 4,000 active and 1,000 reserve personnel. the wake of a devastating earthquake in Greece in 1953. They were responsible for building 10 camps for more Through construction work and training undeveloped than 42,000 personnel; 14 galleys capable of feeding 75,000 countries Seabees became “the Navy’s Goodwill Ambassadors.” people; and 6 million square feet of aircraft parking apron.