MARCH 21, 2014 • VOL. 71 • NO. 11• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
NAVSTA Hosts “GITMOBAY” Reunion Group
Members of the GITMOBAY Reunion group visit the North East Gate during their visit, March 1418. This is the first time the base has hosted a reunion group since 1998. Naval Station Public Affairs
S
omeone stationed at Guantanamo Bay might wonder what life was like in the 50’s and 60’s. Ask any of the Guantanamo Bay reunion group that recently visited and they can tell you. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay hosted the GitmoBay Association, March 14-18. The GitmoBay Association was established after a significant number of Guantanamo Bay veterans attended a reunion in Chattanooga, Tenn. Although most of them had never met before they took it upon themselves to exchange contact information and decided to establish the association. In Oct. 2007 Shelia Evans, now President of the organization took the initiative to contact those individuals that had expressed a desire to get together again and eventually hosted their first gathering in Fort Mitchell, Ky. They stated the purpose of that event was to see if there was enough interest in establishing an official organization, one with stated objectives. This meeting was attended by a group of approximately thirty past and present residents of Guantanamo Bay. According to Treasurer/Newsletter Editor Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Mike Warman this was the first visit to
Guantanamo Bay for the organization and the chance to come back here was the experience of a lifetime. “Listening to the group talk I can tell you that this has been a special week for them,” said Warman. “Fortunately this is not my first trip down here. My first trip back in 2007 was so emotional to me, that I can understand how the others feel after coming back here for the first time.” While at Guantanamo Bay the reunion group enjoyed a base tour that included Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cemetery, the Lighthouse museum and the North East Gate. They also had a picnic at Windmill Beach and the Chief Petty Officers hosted them at the Goatlocker. Reunion member, Catherine Chapman whose father Cmdr. George Thomas Chapman Jr. was the Executive Officer on the Leeward Side from 1960-1962 said that this was about coming home. “Personally it was an experience seeing that my home area on Leeward has almost turned in to a ghost town compared to when I grew up. I wanted to whip out a paint can and “heave to,” as my father would say,” said Chapman. “While traveling on the Windward side I felt like I was a teenage kid with the family car and hanging
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates LSSN Merritt on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Post Office ■Age: 22 ■Hometown: Bluffton, South Carolina ■Favorite Movie: Scarface ■Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls ■Favorite Hobby: Fishing ■Favorite Restraunt: Rasta Hill ■Currently Working On: Finishing college ■How has the navy improved my life: It has allowed me to expand my horizon and realize my potential ■Sailor of the Week Because: LSSN Merritt is an invaluable member of the Postal Staff who holds one of the largest cash accounts as a front counter clerk, providing exceptional customer service to the customers. During a March audit he had the lowest audit error rate for a large cash account.
LSSN KENNETH MERRITT
VOL. 71 • NO. 11
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC3 JASON BAWGUS
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 905.
Chaplain’s
MARCH 21, 2014• PAGE 3
Corner
Praise: The Key To Open Any Heart Lt. Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
I
don’t know if there is a better way to get someone’s attention than with praise. I know it’s true with God; we read over and over in the Scriptures that God loves our praise. But I also believe it’s true with people. In fact, I would even go as far as to say that praise is the most absent yet most needed element in almost any relationship. Take marriage for example. If you and your spouse are in a rut, try more affirmation and less criticism. By intentionally looking for the things you appreciate and adore about your spouse, you’ll melt their frozen heart and find a fire being rekindled that has gone out. Fellas, you think you don’t need your wife’s affirmation, think again. Ask her what she loves about you and see if her adoration of you doesn’t give you a bit more confidence in your role as husband. Ladies, challenge your man to articulate for you the ways he adores you; give him a chance to make a deposit in your emotional love bank and see if you don’t view him with a softer set of eyes. Consider parenting or even military leadership for
that matter (both roles share similarities). They say we will communicate and receive criticism better if we buffer each critique with ten compliments. Have you spent time just singing your kids praises lately? Have you invested in the development of their confidence with honest comments about what they do well? Military leaders; one of the best things you can do in developing your team is celebrating their victories. Ten affirmations to every criticism is a good rule even in the workplace. I’m not advocating for syrupy accolades that have no merit; but I do believe regular, positive feedback is one of the best developers you may have for your team, your marriage, and your children. So this week, make an honest attempt to praise more than criticize. Let those close to you, family or staff, know you appreciate their efforts. Actually try and give ten atta-boys for every negative criticism and I believe you’ll see that the key to unlocking the heart and igniting its passion for work or relationship is praise.
CNO Says: ‘No Plan’ to Change Retirement
Chief Mass Communication Specialist Julianne Metzger CNO Public Affairs
I
n a one-on-one interview last week and during March 18 all hands call in Mayport, Fla. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert asserted that changes to the military retirement system are far from taking effect and that there is no plan in place to change it. Greenert made it clear at the all hands call and in a recent “Conversation with a Shipmate” interview, “If you wear the uniform today, today’s retirement system is your retirement system.” Pushing back on recent retirement articles, Greenert told Sailors in Mayport, “There is no plan today to change retirement.” Greenert said the rumors of retirement changes stem from the Department of Defense recommendations to the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission reviewing military retirement for Congress. The President established the commission to conduct a review of military compensation and retirement systems. The commission is tasked to submit a report of its findings, along with its member’s
recommendations, by May 1, 2014 to the President and Congress. “Any retirement change that would take place is quite a ways down the road,” said Greenert. When asked about the possibility of a new retirement system, Greenert said “It’s going to be a few years before we get one put together, studied, voted on and implemented.” An overhaul to military retirement is being considered to ensure fiscal sustainability for the Armed Forces as well as ensure quality of life for service members who choose to make the military a career. Greenert said if there are changes, service members will have the option to transition to a new system but will still have the option to stay in the current retirement system they signed up under. Watch a replay of the entire Mayport All Hands Call: http://www.livestream.com/usnavy/ video?clipId=pla_5c41519e-2a90-456c-908e2c087f58747a&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_ medium=ui-thumb
out with my three girlfriends as we explored the delights that the base offered. We even found a bunker where one of the girls had explored when she was a teenager. Some of my friends homes were gone, some dilapidated, and one doing quite well.” Another touching story that was told was that of Divina Lanzing who came on the trip with her best friend of 54 years, Diana Freeman. The two met as kids in GTMO and have never lost track of each other. When Divina was five years old she was living in Guantanamo Bay city when on the day the revolution started she was given to an American family to bring on base. Her new family adopted her and then moved to Virginia in 1959 for two years before returning to Guantanamo Bay in 1961 and staying until 1969. She told the story of what life was like for her through the revolution and then the Cuban Missile Crisis as she wipes the tears off her face. “This trip has been wonderful for me. This has been my first trip back since my mother passed away at the Naval Hospital in 1972,” said Divina. “There are a lot of great memories here and I never thought I would be able to come back and see my old house. This is my home and it always will be.” Freeman also speaks in an emotional tone explaining what their friendship has meant over the years while explaining why this trip has been so emotional to her. She spoke of what life was like for her growing up on the base and also saddened as she is reminded of the great memories she held here with her family. “My father was a Fire Chief when I got here in 1960. I was 11 and Divina was eight when we first met. Coming back here with my friend is more than I could ever ask for,” said Freeman. “I also had the chance to visit the fire station and I can still see my dad standing there in the doorway. Today he would have been 94.” The two continued to tell stories on their life growing up as young teenagers in Guantanamo Bay. They even jokingly talk about their old house and how they use to jump over the fence to meet their boyfriends up the street. Several members of the group spoke about how much has changed and noticed how the quality of life has improved on the base. They talked about how nice the Navy Exchange is and talked about when mail took months to get here and that was the only way to communicate with loved ones back in the states. According to Mrs. Arlene Parker life on GTMO might have been different or even difficult at times, but they loved every minute of it. “I was a school teacher at the time. I fondly remember teaching kids out of a hut down by the beach,” said Parker. “We felt really safe and very much taken care of while being provided for. This was also a wonderful place for our children to learn about different cultures and appreciate other people.” She continued to talk about how proud she is that her children grew up in Guantanamo Bay and that her and her two daughters had played on the women’s softball team together. She was also happy that the
base has better amenities than they did back then and residents are still keeping the GTMO spirit strong. “We didn’t have things to buy like clothes and fresh fruit and vegetables. If you didn’t get to the store when merchandise came in than you didn’t get anything at all,” said Parker. “My mom would send me fabric from the states and all summer long I would make our clothes to include the kid’s school clothes and prom dresses.” Her husband Senior Chief (Ret.) Jack Parker who worked at the Fleet Training Group said this trip has brought back such fond memories of Guantanamo Bay. “At first I was a little upset by how many buildings there are now and how few palm trees are now around. I am happy to see that the quality of life here has improved and the housing is a lot better,” said Parker. “Our first house was a Kwanzaa Hut until we moved in to a better place in Villamar. We had the same furniture as everyone else did. Everything was issued out to you.” Another reunion member who made the trip was Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Waller. Hank had been stationed at Guantanamo Bay with the Fleet Training group from 60-62. Today Hank is 90, but he still has a Sailors since of humor. When asked if he could answer a couple questions for an interview he said “It depends on what they are.” When asked if he enjoyed his trip he simply said “Yes.” The last question was if things had changed much and with a smirk he replied, “of course they have, what do you think?” Hanks wife Mrs. Marianne Waller said he has always been a man of few words, but this trip has been special to him. She mentions how things have changed so much and was glad to bring her daughter Robyn and son-in-law John down with them. “When traveling around they kept asking me if this looked familiar and I had to remind them that after 50 years it doesn’t look the same,” said Marianne. “Even though he’s 90 my husband is already talking about coming back next year.” It was obvious that they all had enjoyed this trip and the welcome that they had received from the all of the residents at the base. All of them said that even though buildings have changed and life has evolved that the family atmosphere was the same and that made them proud. While only several members of the reunion group were mentioned in the article, all 57 of them had a very unique story to tell and very fond memories of Guantanamo Bay. “This is the first time the base has hosted a reunion group since 1998 and I hope that it is something that the base continues to do each year. It was truly an honor for the base and for anyone who interacted with the reunion group members,” said Kelly Wirfel, NAVSTA Public Affairs Officer. “I want to thank everyone who played a part in making this trip possible and also thank everyone who welcomed these folks with open arms and made them feel right back at home.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Navy Tuition Assistance Continues 100% Reimbursement in FY15
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elliott Fabrizio, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
T
he Tuition Assistance (TA) program will continue to pay 100 percent of Sailors’ tuition and enrollment fees in fiscal year 15 (FY15), as announced by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, during an All Hands Call in Mayport, Fla., March 18. This decision modifies a proposal for FY15, which originally included a payment split for TA where the program would pay 75 percent of tuition costs and 25 percent of that would be the responsibility of the Sailor. “This is important to me because I want an educated Sailor, and I want you to leave with all the certifications you can, so you can get a good job when you leave the Navy and fall right into a career,” said Greenert. “We’ve accelerated your life, as we like to say.” The CNO added that he is focusing on a way to ensure that Sailors using tuition assistance take courses that will benefit both the Navy and the Sailor and lead to a marketable degree in the civilian sector. The split-pay proposal was designed primarily to improve the effectiveness of the program by increasing Sailors’ investment in their education. Usage analysis of Tuition Assistance suggests that when Sailors weigh personal cost as a factor, course completion rates increase. “Eventually, we may have to ask you to put a little skin in the game, as they say, but again I wanted
FY15 to be at 100 percent,” said Greenert. TA was created after the switch from a draft military to an all-volunteer military. It provided an incentive for people to volunteer, and operated as a cost share program for more than 30 years. In 2002, in response to retention and recruiting challenges, the TA reimbursement rate was increased from 75 percent to a full 100 percent. The current tuition assistance policy pays up front the tuition and fees for course enrollments. There is an FY credit limit of 16 Semester Hours, 24 Quarter Hours, or 240 clock hours per individual per fiscal year. Payments for tuition/fees will not exceed:
a. $250.00 per Semester Hour
c. $16.67 per Clock Hour
b. $166.67 per Quarter Hour
If you are considering taking courses, now is the best time to submit your TA application. The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) recently announced that the expenditure rate for TA funding is currently below normal levels. Usage is trending upward, and it’s expected to increase to normal levels over the next few month, but currently, there’s more funding available than usual at this time of the year.
National Nutrition Month: Pre-School Portion Sizes & Nutrition Amy Myers, MSN, RNC WIC Overseas
Many parents and caregivers have a distorted view of the amount of food toddlers and preschoolers need, as portion sizes have gotten larger throughout society. It is important to understand the appropriate serving size for your children. For children 2 to 3 years of age this is about one-half an adult serving. Most 2- to 3-year-old children should consume about 1,000 to 1,200 calories per day. Utilize these guidelines to distribute these calories: • Grain Group: About 3 to 4 ounces of grains per day, preferably half of them whole grains. For example, 1/2 slice of whole grain bread. • Vegetable Group: 1 to 1 ½ cups raw or cooked vegetables per day. • Fruit Group: 1 cup fresh, frozen, canned, or 2 tablespoons of dried per day. Limit juice to 4 to 6 ounces a day.
• Milk Group: 2 to 2 ½ cups per day. Whole milk is recommended for children younger than 2. • Meat and Beans Group: 2 to 3 ounces total per day. To visualize, this is about the same size as a woman’s palm. • Oils: About 3 teaspoons per day of liquid oil. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Overseas is a Department of Defense nutrition education and supplemental food program offered free of charge to eligible overseas beneficiaries. To learn more, contact the Guantanamo Bay WIC Overseas office at x2186.
GTMO SHOPPER
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.
VEHICLES 2010 Nissan Altima SL fully loaded with heated leather seats, moon roof, good A/C, and with 30,000 miles for $14,500 Contact at 84703 for more information 1994 Ford Taurus, $1,400 OBO call Robert @ 77323 or Esteven @78941 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback, AUTO, PW, PL, REMOTE W/2KEYS, SYNC, SIRIUS SAT RADIO. Dark Grey with 30K mi, asking 10,750$. OBO. Questions ask for John day: 5653 evenings and weekends: 77912.
OUTDOOR REC
Riffe Triple Band Spear Gun $250, Diving Belt $10, Titanium Diving knife $45. call 9735or 84087 Sea-Doo RS3 Sea Scooter for sale. Only used once. $500 Please contact jtneely@gmail. com.
ELECTRONICS
Wii U 32 GB with 4 games, gamepad, all cords. The games included are Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Brothers U, Mass Effect 3, and Batman: Arkham City. Item is in very good shape and I am asking for $350 for entire bundle, or best offer. Acoustic Guitar bundle. Fender Squire Acoustic Guitar comes with guitar stand, guitar strap, picks, extra strings, instructional DVD, tuner, guitar chords poster, beginners book, and durable hardshell case. Hardly played and is in excellent condition. Asking $200, or best offer. Call 79003. 35 inch LG Flat screen TV with remote and VCR excellent with Box hardly use both for $ 195.00,Ge Refrigerator medium size for bed room or anywhere you like, best condition only $ 49.00, Top Flight Golf club complete set in good condition with bag, golf ball, and Gloves for only $35.00, Router in good condition for $15.00, call for information @78477 or you can leave a message Thanks HP 21” LCD HD Monitor for sale, $50 with all cables. PCSing so it’s got to go! Call 78682
4 feet internet (Starband) Satellite dish complete system with receiver, modem, and router $600, Gateway netbook with windows 7 $150, Brand-new stateliness gas grill including one propane tank. $140 Please call J.B @ 78469. 6ft Satellite Dish for Directv with new LNB and Pole only $500.00. For more info call 90022 any time.
MISC
2 pet kennels, medium $30, large $50, Papsan chair with stool $40, sweing machine cabinet $40, call 84147
ORTHODOX CHAPLAIN AT GTMO FOR HOLY WEEK
Navy LT William Butts, an Orthodox Chaplain will be here 11-25 April. He will be available through the JTF Chaplains’ office (x2218) and will officiate the following Orthodox Worship Services at the NAVSTA Chapel Annex (Room 14): 13 April 1000 Palm Sunday Service 16 April 1900 Holy Unction
Lampes, Dishes, Wireless router etc. call 77123
17 April 1900 12 Gospels Service
1996 Nissan Altima V6 Parts New in the box Solenoid. Price $ 45.00, New in the box front Rotor. $ 35.00, New can of fiberglass bondo. $ 45.00 Please call 78742 and leave a message.
18 April 1900 Lamentation Matins
YARD SALE Yard sale from 8 AM to 1 PM. NH 24B. No early birds(Sat 3/22/14) Yard Sale Saturday, March 22 CC37B 0700-1000
GTMO JOBS
MWR is offering the following jobs: Food Service Worker Laundry Worker Maintenance Worker
NEX is offering the following jobs: Warehouse Worker Sales Clerk Furniture Store Service Operations Clerk
19 April 2200 Pascha Service/ Easter Service 23 April 1900 Bright Wednesday Service
HOUSEHOLD GOODS DISASSEMBLING, REASSEMBLING, AND UNPACKING
Unless member waves unpacking, Transportation Service Providers (TSP) are required to unpack a customer’s personal property on day of delivery including reassembly of all disassembled items, a onetime placement in the residence, and removal of debris. TSPs are required to have the proper tools to perform reassembling of items. TSPs are NOT required to return to the residence to remove empty boxes.
Sales Clerk Inventory Technician Store Worker (NEXMART) Burns and Roe is offering the following jobs: Passenger Service Representative NAVSTA HRO is offerring the following jobs: Navy Federal is offerring the following jobs: Service Representative
The Chapel is offerring the following jobs: Director of Religious Education
The
scoop
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
MARCH 21, 2014• PAGE 7
MOVIES DOWNTOWN LYCEUM FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Pompeii
Mar. 21
PG13
1015 p.m.: About Last Night R
SATURDAY Mar. 22 8 p.m.: Muppets Most Wanted PG
10:15 p.m.: Non-Stop PG13
SUNDAY Mar. 23 Need For Speed 8 p.m.: PG-13
MONDAY Mar. 24 8 p.m.: Labor Day PG13
TUESDAY Mar. 25 That Awkard Moment 8 p.m.: R WEDNESDAY 8 p.m.: Robocop
Mar.26
PG-13
THURSDAY Mar. 27 The LEGO Movie 8 p.m.: PG-13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
GTMO Remembers Master-at-Arms Daniel Ohlson
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay commemorated Daniel R. Ohlson by scattering his ashes at Cuzco Beach, March 20. Ohlson passed away in his sleep on Nov. 28, 2011 at his home. He was born Oct. 26, 1982, in Rockford, Ill. to Paul R. and Susan (LaGreca) Ohlson. Daniel was a 2001 graduate of McHenry High School West Campus and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2002 and received his diploma in law enforcement from the U.S. Naval Law Enforcement Academy in 2004. Some of his career achievements include serving as armed security for President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice while visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in September 2007. He was awarded two Navy achievement medals while engaged in detainee operations throughout Iraqi Theater of Operations. He was plank owner for USN provisional detainee battalion, USN Coxswain qualification – Harbor Patrol, small arms instructor/range master at Guantanamo Bay and ground defense forces, quick response
team at Guantanamo Bay. He enjoyed music of all varieties, was a collector of tattoos and loved spending time with family, friends and especially his son, Cullen. He is survived by his mother, Susan (Bud) Slack of Wonder Lake; his siblings, Jim (Heather) Rades of Wonder Lake, Kelly (Ryan) Udelhofen of Wonder Lake, Bill Slack of Wonder Lake and Tammy (Kent) Stinger of Wonder Lake; six nieces and nephews, Jimmy and Jonah, Lucas and Addison, and Jeff and Trevor; his maternal grandparents, Jim (Barbara) LaGreca; his paternal grandparents, Nancy (Harold) Bendt; an aunt, Debra (John) Graber; his uncles, Scott (Chris) LaGreca, Tony (Kay) LaGreca and David (Alice) LaGreca; and many loving cousins. “This is really a special moment for the Ohlson family as they’ve sent portions of their son’s ashes to all of his Navy duty stations, and we are the last on the list,” said Chaplain Baron Miller, NAVSTA Deputy Chaplain.
MARCH 21, 2014• PAGE 7