July 17, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 28• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520
Learning to be an Effective Sponsor with FFSC
Emily Kolenda, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Work and Family Life Specialist and Sponsorship Training Instructor, teaches a Sponsorship Class at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s FFSC to service members and civilians, July 16. Kelly Wirfel Public Affairs Officer
he command sponsor program is one of the most T important quality-of-life programs for Sailors and families relocating under permanent change of station orders
and is especially important at isolated and unique duty stations such as Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay. “The Navy has been using the term “Brilliant on the Basics” for several years now which includes six fundamental elements; Sponsorship, Mentorship, Indoctrination, Career Development Boards (CDB’s), Ombudsman and Recognition. The Sponsorship program is the first building block in setting the tone and preparing our Navy families for success,” said CMDCM Rodd Tooker, NS Guantanamo Bay Command Master Chief. “Providing vital information on resources, services, housing and specific command information early on through direct lines of communication is essential to the success of every Sailor and family. Without question our most valuable resource is our people and our sponsorship program is vital in establishing a successful and satisfying tour.” NS Guantanamo Bay’s Fleet and Family Support Center has recently held several Sponsorship Training classes which were open to both military and civilians who are interested in becoming a sponsor. “The sponsorship program is important for multiple reasons. First, the incoming service member and their family are provided information and resources regarding the place they will call home and work for a period of time. This information cannot always be learned through Google searches so the sponsor provides insight from someone who is currently experiencing the local lifestyle,” said Emily Kolenda, FFSC Work and Family Life Specialist and Sponsorship Training
instructor. “Secondly, it provides the sponsor an opportunity to learn more about the resources and information available to them base wide and have the responsibility to create a positive experience for new residents. Lastly, the sponsorship program allows for networking and continuity within the commands to remain mission focused and often times it establishes long lasting friendships.” The hour long training covered a variety of topics to include; the history of the sponsor program, sponsors roles and responsibilities, qualities of an effective sponsor, making the initial contact with the newcomer, pre-arrival, arrival and post arrival tasks and resources available. According to the training, several keys to being an effective sponsor are; the sponsor is motivated and trained, the sponsor is not the person the newcomer is replacing, the sponsor is not scheduled for TAD, training or extended leave, the sponsor is equal or higher pay grade, they are matched with the same marital status (single people are sponsors for other single people and sponsors with families are matched with newcomers with families), the sponsor has been on board for six months and will not be leaving within three months. “Moving always brings about new experiences and information but it also creates stress and anxiety for people. A good sponsor should be motivated, resourceful, welcoming, and have a vested interest in helping others during this stressful transition in their life,” said Kolenda. “Another key qualification is having a positive attitude regarding their work and family.” If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more information about the program contact Fleet and Family Support Center at 4141.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Executive Officer, Cmdr. Al Ross, center, congratulates MA1 Borja on his selection as the Sailor of the Week.
MA1 LENNY BORJA
■Job/Department: Military Working Dog (MWD) Division/Security ■Age: 35 ■Hometown: Fayettville, North Carolina ■Goal: Put on anchors. ■Heroes: Parents ■Sports Team: LA Lakers ■TV Show: Bobs Burger ■Book: War Dogs ■Sailor of the Week Because: MA1 Borja was selected for taking the lead on last week’s Splash Pad Event. He came up with the idea, collaborated with the First Class Petty Officer Association and executed the event. The event included games and prizes for the kids and food for the children and parents. The event was not a fundraiser or donation based drive, it was solely to give back to the community. The event had a great turnout and was a HUGE success. Great job MA1 and keep up the hard work. VOL. 72 • NO. 28
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 PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL 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.
July 17, 2015• PAGE 3
Losing Control: One Sailor’s Struggle with Alcohol Abuse Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Pankau
y mother kicked me out of the house after an M arrest and countless teary-eyed conversations at the family table concerning my drinking. Drunk and
homeless, I suddenly found myself sitting across from a Navy recruiter, one of the only smart decisions I made during that period of my life. He described the Navy in grand terms, gesturing in sweeping motions with his hands and arms, which were accentuated by the colorful tattoos serving as a visual history of his Navy career. He described Tokyo, Singapore, Italy, and oh the places I could go! I was enchanted with the idea and he placed me under the wing of a senior chief culinary specialist. I think the only reason he pushed me through was my high ASVAB score. Suffering from the delusion that the Navy would solve all of my problems and the promise that I would be allowed to write news stories as a career, I took the oath. I had it half right. Drinking was so ingrained in my daily life that I carried it with me into the Navy. My father was diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer, a death sentence at the time, when I was 12. He battled it for about two years until he passed away in 2001. One would think after watching a close family member wither away, his body eaten up from aggressive chemotherapy and a more aggressive cancer, I wouldn’t pick up the torch. Normal people would probably shy away from drinking or at least treat booze with a healthy respect. Guys like me start drinking after that. I used his death as an excuse to drink exactly the way I wanted to: uncontrollably. Sometimes I could drink a couple of beers, play video games, and go to sleep. Other times I would unpredictably black out at the most inopportune times, and the people around me identified this behavior as normal. The Navy didn’t cause my alcohol abuse. I brought it with me. No Sailor initiated my alcohol abuse, no overbearing chief or leading petty officer, no long deployments or crazy working hours. I would tell everyone that these were the things that set me off and made me drink. Truthfully, beer and liquor just had to be present to set me off. Alcohol already ran my life prior to me joining. I just lied to myself and maintained that lie in front of others. Authority figures started sitting me down and talking to me about my drinking and encouraged me to talk to the ship’s drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA). A normal person would equate these conversations with the same conversations spent at the family table with a tearyeyed mother sitting across from me. But I was too far-gone. When my mother died, that was it, the last push I needed to justify my behavior. A DUI and a brig stint were among my first eye-opening experiences. Real consequences resulting from my drinking and my behavior finally caught up with me. Deployment was a painfully polarizing experience for me. At first I welcomed the chance to sober up and clear my head. Eventually the separation of alcohol and I evolved into a bitter spat ending on terms of attrition rather than choice. Though I did not make the connection at the time,
I was so dependent upon alcohol that staying sober for a significant period of time was uncomfortable for me. I had two glasses of wine in Florence, Italy, and I used the fact that I did not spontaneously combust to justify more drinking. This new bender coupled with the recent memory of my DUI cleared the path for me to take the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) seriously. Prior to SARP I thought people who stopped drinking were either prudes or just weak minded. I learned it takes a concerted effort to end up in a substance abuse treatment center, and that there were men and women who could not control their drinking, no matter how much effort they applied. Apparently, I was one of the special few. My age, the amount of alcohol I drank during binges, even the length of my drinking career had very little to do with my condition. Fortunately SARP had certain tools they deployed for cases like mine, and I realized I was not such a hopeless case anymore. I continued following the plan outlined for me and soon I was a triple-warfare qualified Sailor. I received early promotion evaluations from my chief aboard Nassau; evaluations that in the past had been ripped up after an inevitable screw up. My wife, the same girlfriend who stood by me through the series of drunken outbursts related to my mother’s death, was soon pregnant and happy about it. She was confident in my ability to be a father, and we are now expecting another baby in April. At my current command I serve as my division’s leading petty officer as a second class petty officer, training my first class replacement. I am an assistant command fitness leader (ACFL) and the president of my command’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decision’s chapter (CSADD.) I owe SARP and the Navy a debt and this is how I try to repay it. Because of my new way of life, I can be a warning and an example to Sailors currently struggling with drinking. My only hope is that my story will shed light on someone else’s torment with alcohol. Note from Navy Alcohol and Drug Prevention office: You’ve worked hard for your career as a Sailor. Only one-third of 17 to 24 year olds in the United States are even eligible for Navy service, and even fewer are capable of enduring the physical and emotional challenges of being a Sailor. From boot camp to advancement exams, job training and deployments, you have conquered them all through hard work, sacrifice and dedication. Making responsible drinking choices is an extension of that dedication. Just one bad decision while drinking alcohol can jeopardize everything you’ve earned. Sailors involved in alcohol related incidents face serious consequences, including: -Loss of rank, rate or pay -Separation from the Navy -Civilian consequences, such as fines and jail time Irresponsible drinking not only threatens your health and career, it threatens the Navy’s ability to be missionready.
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PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
Marriage Matters LT Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay Deputy Command Chaplain
’d like to share a dandy resource I’ve developed for I married couples to grow in their communication skills and learning. I often suggest to a couple that reading a marriage book together will enhance their relationship and help them grow in a much needed area of life. But, the challenge (besides actually reading a book) is how to adequately discuss what you’ve read. That is why I’ve created a simple tool that if done properly will help a couple grow in their marriage through learning and communication. It all starts with picking a book that will be of use to you. Let’s say you’re a newly-wed couple with three years of marriage under your belt. Things aren’t as they should be and you both feel it. He’s closed off and cold; she’s feeling lonely and un-nurtured. The list of “challenges” could go on. I may suggest a couple read “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” or one of my personal favorites, “The First Five Years of Marriage,” an edited book by Focus on the Family. Once you’ve bought a book and are both committed
to reading it, I encourage you to both read the same chapter and at the end of reading, you each write down your answers to these three questions: 1. What is one new thing I learned from this reading? 2. What is one thing/behavior I’ll change based on this reading? 3. What is one thing I want my partner to know/ learn from the reading? Once you’ve each written your answers, you go on a date (or if you’re deployed here, have a “phone date”). This can be either a dinner out or if that won’t work, maybe even a quiet night where the kids are asleep and the TV is off. You then share your answers to the questions with each other. The strength of this exercise is it synthesizes what you read and helps develop meaningful conversation. At the end of the date night conversation, you both will know more about how you each think and hopefully both feel listened to and encouraged that your marriage matters.
Advancement Profile Notifications Made Easy Katrina Gergely Naval Education Training and Personnel Development Technology
T
he Navy Advancement Center (NAC) announced a new service July 13, allowing Sailors to request to receive profile sheet updates via email. The move by the Naval Education Training and Personnel Development Technology Center’s (NETPDTC) information technology department, is geared toward reaching out to Sailors. “This is another example of the Navy Advancement Center’s mission to make the advancement system more user-friendly,” said NETPDTC’s Command Master Chief, Master Chief Electronics Technician James Berhalter Jr. To access this service, Sailors can log onto the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) home page and select Navy Advancement Center under the Career Management drop-down tab, then click on My Advancement to access the Advancement Profile Sheet link. At the top of the profile sheet, there is a block to enter an email address. Once entered, push the button Register for Email Notification. Users can also easily opt out of the automatic notifications at any time.
Once registered, candidates will receive an email every time an updated advancement sheet profile is generated due to a change in advancement status. The email directs the candidate to access their account. The benefit of signing up for notifications is the time and effort that it saves the Sailor. “Prior to the email notification service being implemented, Sailors who were frocked had to spend valuable time each month checking NKO to see if their pay status had changed,” said Navy Enlisted Advancement Execution Division Head Thomas Updike. “Now an email will be generated for anyone who signs up for the service, doing away with the need to check for that profile sheet notification.” For all of the latest updates and information concerning Navy advancement visit NAC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Navy-AdvancementCenter/213190711299 . For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/ or https://www. facebook.com/NavalEducationAndTrainingCommand .
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.
MISC
Navy Lodge is selling Mini Refrigerators for $25. There are only 13 left. If interested please stop by Navy Lodge or call 3103.
The
Scoop
applicants may contact Lori Seymour at 74788. SISTERS IN ARMS July is Volunteer Month with Sisters in Arms. On July 18 SiA will be hosting a Spa Day Cuban Community Residents from 1 to 4 p.m. Support needed for supplies, services and snacks. On July 25 they will be providing plant nursery support from 8 to 10 a.m. For more information please contact Ms. Misty Heath at misty.heath@gtmo.navy.mil POWER OUTAGE There will be a power outage on Saturday, July 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Multiple areas will be impacted. Please check the roller for the places that will be effected.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BBQ Safety- Never leave cooking unattended; Keep it fire safe and you won’t have unexpected guests for dinner. Cookouts are great fun and makes for great food, but it only takes a second for everything to go wrong. Safe BBQ is Good BBQ.
CSADD The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions is hosting a Dodgeball tournament on Saturday, July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hockey Rink outside Denich Gym. Contact MA1 Towle at 55269 ASAP as limited spaces are available for you team of 5 people. Cost per team is $15. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place teams.
IOM JOB VACANCIES International Organization for Migration are now hiring Social Services Assistants and Social Services Admin Assistant. Interested
53RD INDEPENDENCE Come celebrate the 53rd Jamaica Independence on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Phillips Park. There will be food, entertainment, door prizes and
a night of celebration. JOG-A-THON The Navy Ball Committee is hosting a Jog-A-Thon on August 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to: Top Fundraiser, Most Laps and Most Sponsors. For more information please contact HM1 Benitez at 84682 or LS2 Prendergast at 84364.
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Ant-Man
10:15 p.m.:
Terminator: Genisys
July 17
PG13 PG13
SATURDAY Trainwreak 8 p.m.:
July 18
R
10:15 p.m.: TRASH Remember to pick up your trash and dispose of it in the SUNDAY proper receptacles. Help keep 8 p.m.: our base looking clean. SUN SAFETY Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours. Wear clothing that cover your arms and legs. Wear a hat. Wear sunglasses. Use sunscreen and of course remember to hydrate.
July 17, 2015• PAGE 9
MONDAY 8 p.m.: TUESDAY 8 p.m.:
Spy R
Dope
July 19
R
July 20
Insidious Chapter 3
PG13
Aloha
July 21
PG13
WEDNESDAY 8 p.m.: Minions
July 22
PG
THURSDAY July 23 San Andreas 8 p.m.: PG13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880