January 23, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 3• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Tours NS Guantanamo Bay
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment Dennis McGinn cuts the ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new photovoltaic array (PV) behind the Navy Exchange, Jan. 16. By MCC Keith Bryska Gazette Editor
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ssistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment the Honorable Dennis McGinn conducted a site visit to Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Jan. 15-16. During his visit McGinn toured the power plant, water desalinization plant and several other facilities on base while also looking at ways to improve the utilities on the island. “We have a group of contractors coming in next week to take a look at the whole infrastructure of this base and see it we can’t put together a holistic systems engineering approach to get better prices and more important better quality use out of our facilities,” said McGinn. McGinn said he was going to find the most efficient way to provide utilities to the people of NS Guantanamo Bay. “The energy question has two big parts, one is how
you get your energy and here at NS Guantanamo Bay it relies on diesel power,” said McGinn. “The other part of it is something that we can all be part of the solution of and that is helping lower the energy demand.” McGinn believes that we can reduce the amount of energy required on base without effecting the quality of life or mission effectiveness. “The best example is turning off your lights or other energy sources when they are not in use,” said McGinn. “We all need to be aware that there is a cost to energy and the more effective we are at conserving it the better it will be for better a mission readiness.” McGinn was also on hand to cut the ribbon at the new photovoltaic array (PV) behind the Navy Exchange. The PV Array will produce more than 1,015,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year saving the Naval Station $508,000 annually.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Master Chief, CMDCM(SW) Jeff Tidwell congratulates MA2 Ludwig on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Security ■Age: 27 ■Hometown: Okarche, Oklahoma ■Goal: All Navy Softball Team ■Favorite Musician: Too Short ■Favorite Movie: The Natural ■Favorite Sports Team: The A-Team ■Favorite Hobbies: Softball ■Favorite Accomplishment: Still working on it. ■Sailor of the Week Because: MA2 was selected SOW for his outstanding effort while he coordinated, dispatched and accounted for more than 100 volunteers during search efforts, stressing the importance of safety while searching on rough terrain especially during low-light conditions. MA2 took it upon himself to stay after his watch was over to ensure the relieving watch commander had full control then he physically assisted with the search efforts.
MA2 NICHOLAS LUDWIG
VOL. 72 • NO.3
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. SCOTT GRAY CMDR. AL ROSS CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA
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 670.
Submarine Force Will Begin Integration of Enlisted Women
January 22, 2015• PAGE 3
Kevin Copeland Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs
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ollowing the successful integration of female officers onboard submarines, the Submarine Force will be immediately opening service on submarines for enlisted female Sailors. The Chief of Naval Operations detailed the enlisted women integration plan in Naval Administrative (NAVADMIN) message 19/15 entitled, “Opening Submarine Force Billets to Enlisted Women.” The plan was formally approved in December 2014 for federal funding by Congress. With Congressional approval, Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander, Submarine Forces, can begin implementing the plan which was first submitted and approved by CNO, June 30, 2014, and Secretary of the Navy, July 1, 2014. The plan includes opening all submarine ratings and Navy enlisted classification codes to enlisted women in Fiscal Year 2015 for a two-phase integration onboard the Ohio-class ballisticmissile submarines (SSBN) and Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN), and the Virginia-class attack submarines (SSN). “We are the most capable submarine force in the world,” said Connor. “While we have superb technology, the ultimate key to our success is our people. In order to continue to improve and adapt in a rapidly changing world, we need to ensure that we continue to recruit and retain the most talented Sailors. Today, many of the people who have the technical and leadership skills to succeed in the Submarine Force are women. We will need them. Integrating female officers into the submarine force has increased our talent pool and subsequently the force’s overall readiness, ensuring that we will remain the world’s most capable force for ensuing decades. Following our successful and smooth integration of women officers into the Submarine Force, the Navy’s plan to integrate female enlisted is a natural next step.” On July 28, 1994, Congress was notified of policy changes to expand the number of assignments available to women in the Navy. The change was not considered by the submarine force until then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates formally presented a letter to congressional leaders on Feb. 19, 2010 notifying them of the Department of Navy’s desire to reverse current policy of prohibiting submarine service to women. In addition to NAVADMIN 19/15, the CNO has also release two messages outlining conversions to submarine rating specialties - NAVADMIN 20/15 announces the “FY16 Enlisted Women in Submarines Chief Petty Officer Conversion,” and NAVADMIN 21/15 announces the “FY16 Enlisted Women in Submarines E-6 and Below Rating Conversion Process.” Rear Adm. Charles A. “Chas” Richard, commander, Submarine Group 10 and leader Women in Submarine Task Force, said the two-phase integration will begin in Fiscal Year 2016. “The Submarine Force’s integration of female officers on our submarines has been very successful,” said Richard. “We will mirror that successful pattern during the integration of enlisted females which will be done in two phases. During the initial phase we will select and train Sailors for service
onboard female officer-integrated SSBNs and SSGNs in the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. In 2016 we will integrate the first two crews, the Blue and Gold crews of the guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727), and continue with 12 additional crews roughly over a five-year period through 2021. Phase Two will consist of integrating the crews of new construction Virginia-class SSNs. The plan minimizes operational impacts, and provides optimal flexibility, equity, and timeliness at reasonable cost. “In addition to new accessions into the submarine community, our plan presents an opportunity for female Sailors in selected ratings and from pay grades E-1 (seaman recruit) to E-8 (senior chief petty officer) to convert into submarine force ratings. All prospective female enlisted Sailors will be provided the same opportunity to succeed in the submarine force as their male counterparts. “Supporting the integration of submarine crews will require modifications of the SSBNs, SSGNs, and new construction Virginia-class SSNs. These modifications will ensure conditions meet Navy guidelines for habitability and privacy while maintaining equity for male and female Sailors embarked on submarines.” Women volunteering to serve in non-nuclear enlisted ratings will join the submarine force through both conversions and new accessions pipelines. For new accessions that will require completion of Navy Training Command (boot camp) in Great Lakes, Ill.; Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) in Groton, Conn.; rating “A” school at various sites; and then assignment to the fleet. The only exceptions will be those females who elect to become culinary specialists (CS), logistics specialists (LS), and yeoman (YN). They will complete their rating “A” school in Meridian, Miss., before entering BESS in Groton. Women currently serving in the fleet who wish to convert to a submarine rating must complete the two-month BESS. The prospective enlisted women volunteering to serve in nuclear enlisted ratings will join the submarine force through the new accessions pipeline. This will require completion of Navy Training Command (boot camp); Nuclear Field “A” School and Nuclear Power School at Navy Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston; prototype training at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in either Charleston or Ballston Spa; and then assignment to the fleet. SSGNs provide the Navy with an unprecedented combination of strike and special operation mission capability within a stealthy, clandestine platform, while SSBNs are specifically designed for extended strategic deterrent patrols. There are currently 14 SSBNs and four SSGNs in the Navy’s inventory, each with two crews assigned. There are currently 11 Virginia-class attack submarines in commission (as Nov. 24, 2014). These submarines have multifaceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.
NS Guantanamo Bay Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Story by MCC Keith Bryska
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aval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay community members participated in a march from the Navy Exchange to the base chapel to honor Martin Luther King Jr., Jan 19. The march was organized by the Black Heritage Organization (BHO) as a way for people to come out and remember Dr. King’s contributions to the civil rights movement. According to 1st Lt. Joyce Lewis, who was the master of ceremonies for the BHO MLK Program, the March is a way to demonstrate some of Dr. King’s actions in 1965. “I volunteered to help with the event today because I support the ideals for which Dr. King stood for. This is also an opportunity to teach younger people to believe in set goals and to follow through with them,” said Lewis. “History repeats itself and if we (the society) do not continue to honor people like Dr. King, our younger generations to come will not understand the sacrifices taken to get our society the way it is today. Today is a day to commemorate that one person had a dream and because his dream was shared by many others, they
were able to create change.” Guest speaker Cmdr. Al Ross, NS Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Executive Officer said he was honored and humbled to speak at the event. “Today we have the opportunity to celebrate a man of peace, equality and love. “Dr. King Jr. was a man who changed history. He was a man who taught us how to live and work together peacefully and amicably,” said Ross. “We can all learn from his example and leadership and take inspiration from his accomplishments.” The march concluded at the base chapel where guest speaker Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Paul, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo gave an account of what Dr. Kings legacy detailed and what it meant to him. “Dr. King taught us all how to work together and boldly challenged our thinking,” said Paul. “Dr. King’s mission was freedom to all Americans and he accomplished this by using a philosophe of nonviolence. He made a lasting contribution of freedom, justice and equality to all people not just in this country, but overseas as well.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
Did You Know… LT Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
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id you know when you meet with a Navy Chaplain, everything you say to that Chaplain is confidential? It’s true. Everything you say is confidential. But you may be thinking, “Surely not everything? I mean, don’t you have to tell the CO some things?” Nope. Everything you say to us is confidential; SECNAVINST 1730.9 guarantees it. “But I thought…” Wrong. What you say is, in the words of Seinfeld, “in the vault”. Now, I’m sharing this with you to clear up what the Navy has found are common misconceptions on this matter. For instance; 57% of Sailors believe that what they say to a Chaplain isn’t confidential, when in fact it is. 13% of Sailors believe that confidentiality only extends to service members when in fact it’s for civilians as well. And 62% believe that we have to report certain matters to our command when the fact is, we report nothing
specific (when it comes to tone of force, we may report a general sense of morale to CO’s, but that is never linked to any one person or counseling). Now, a common question asked is, “Well, what if I say I’m going to hurt myself or someone else? What if I confess a crime?” Still; we don’t talk. We will however do whatever we can to keep you and others safe, but what you say to us stays with us. And if you’re wondering; yes, it’s a difficult responsibility to balance. However, the Navy has ensured that our service members will always have some channel where you can discuss ANYTHING in a truly off-line forum. No matter how controversial, secret, embarrassing, shameful, sad, joyful, or difficult your “stuff ” is, we are willing and able to listen and provide guidance to help you where you need it most. And by the way, this privilege extends to all ranks too. So, if you need to talk, we’re here to listen.
Welcome Aboard Captain Scott Gray
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aptain Scott Gray graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs. He served briefly as an investment banker before receiving his commission in June 1989 through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program and was subsequently designated an E-2C Naval Flight Officer in June 1990. Captain Gray served in operational assignments with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons ONE TWO SIX (VAW 126), ONE TWO FIVE (VAW 125), and ONE ONE THREE (VAW-113). He served as Flag Aide to the Commander, Second Fleet/ Striking Fleet Atlantic and deployed on numerous Joint Task Force exercises. After selecting for command, he served as Commanding Officer of Carrier Airborne
Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO FOUR (VAW 124) before reporting as the Operations Officer for USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). Captain Gray has logged more than 500 carrier-arrested landings and 2,800 flight hours in tactical aircraft. Captain Gray assumed duties and responibilities as Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer on Jan. 21. His shore duty assignments include the Royal Australian Air Force as part of the Personnel Exchange Program, E-2C/ C-2A Assistant Program Manager, Aviation Training Systems, Military Legislative Assistant to the Chairman, House Appropriations Military Construction Subcommittee, Legislative Affairs Officer to United States Central Command, and Plans Director at Navy Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Virginia. CAPT Gray served as Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, from June 2011 to July 2014 and assumed his current position as Chief of Staff, Navy Region Southeast, in September 2014.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
E-mail classified ad submissions to
PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
OUTDOOR REC.
Direct TV Satellite Dish and DVR for sale. Basically plug and play set-up. $500. Call evenings @75586 interested.
YARD SALE Yard Sale: West Bargo 42A, Sunday 25 January 8-11 am.
The
Scoop
SHIP-SHAPE Interested in getting in shape. The Naval Hospital is offering Ship-Shape an 8-week comprehensive weight management program geared to help Sailors and others learn about proper nutrition and exercise, and gives participants the opportunity to interact with classmates while learning new techniques for weight management. All of the eight Ship-Shape sessions will be offered twice per week. The class will meet for one hour, 1500-1600, Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Jan. 27, at Denich Gym. For more information please contact Mr. Kovacs at 72298 or HM1 Franklin at 72144.
ANNUAL PHYSICAL INVENTORY HOURS
* Main Store Close Sat Jan 31 @ 1800 *Marine Hill Mini-Mart Close Wed Jan 28 @ 1900 Re-Open Thur Jan 29 @ 0700 *Camp A Mini-Mart Close Wed Jan 28 @ 1700 *TK Mini-Mart Close Wed Jan 28 @ 2100
SAFE-Talk Want to make a difference in someone’s life, then sign up for SafeTALK. SafeTALK is an interactive suicide awareness program that prepares the trainees on how to talk about suicide and how to take the person considering suicide to those that can help. There will be 4 classes starting on Jan. 21 from 0800-1115. To sign up call the CREDO Facilitator, Bobby Hinton at 2373
BHO The Black Heritage Organization is currently selling tickets to their annual banquet. Tickets are $40.00. The banquet is scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Windjammer Ballroom and is formal and semi-formal attire. For more information call 79449. W.T. SAMPSON W.T. Sampson School Advisory Committee will be holding a meeting Thursday, Feb. 9 from 1730 to 1830 at the W.T. Sampson H.S. Campus Media Center. All interested are invited to join. For more information call 3500.
January 22, 2015• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 7 p.m.: Wild 9p.m.:
Jan. 23
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The Wedding Ringer PG13
SATURDAY 7 p.m.: Blackhat
Jan. 24
R
9:30 p.m.: American Sniper PG13
SUNDAY Jan.25 6:30 p.m.: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb PG
8:30 p.m.: Selma PG13
MONDAY 7 p.m.: The Pyramid
Jan.26
R
TUESDAY Jan.27 7 p.m.: The Theory of Everything PG13
WEDNESDAY 7 p.m.: Taken 3
Jan.28
THURSDAY 7 p.m.: Annie
Jan.29
PG13
PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
*Leeward Point Mini-Mart Opens @ 1300 Wed Jan 28
**Attention NS Guantanamo Bay Residents** NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Captain Gray will be holding a Town Hall meeting, tonight Jan. 23. Details are as follows; Who: NS Guantanamo Bay Community. What: Town Hall meeting. Where: Downtown Lyceum. When: Jan. 23 at 1700 (5 p.m.). Why: Introduce Commanding Officer to community and address community questions and concerns.
Navy Seeks Nominations for 2014 Humanitarian Award Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2014 annual Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award is March 31. This award honors and recognizes a private-sector individual or organization that demonstrated exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concerns for members of the United States Armed Forces or their families. For questions or nomination package submissions, commands can contact contacting Millie King, Chief of Naval Personnel’s 21st Century Sailor Office (N17) personal readiness and community support branch program analyst, at (703) 604-7137/DSN 664 or via e-mail at Millie.King@ navy.mil. The Navy will select one nominee to compete with the nominees from each of the other services for the award. The winner will be honored in a ceremony at the Pentagon in the fall of 2015. In 1996, the award was established by the military departments in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, who contributed extensively to the support and welfare of members of the armed forces.
For the criteria and nomination package requirements, visit http://doni.daps.dla.mil/default.aspx, then go to the advanced search box at the top of the right hand corner and type in SECNAVIST 5061.16. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www. navy.mil/local/cnp/.
The Vickery family has the proud distinction of adding the newest member to the Guantanamo Bay family. Veda Leigh Vickery, the first baby born at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay in 2015, was welcomed into the world on Jan. 20, at 10:21 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and was 21 inches long. The Vickery family posed for a family portrait just prior to leaving the hospital – Mom Courtney, with new baby Veda, Dad Steven, and big brother, 3-year-old Mason.
January 22, 2015• PAGE 7