MARCH 28, 2014 • VOL. 71 • NO. 12• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
Public Works Promotes Energy Conservation
The wind turbines on top of JPJ Hill is just one of the many energy conservation initiatives onboard Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Naval Station Public Affairs
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aval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Guantanamo Bay Cuba works diligently each day to promote energy conservation and awareness. According to Tim Wagoner, Naval Station Installation Energy Manager numerous projects have been completed and there are more to come. “One of the new projects that will be kicking off soon is a new solar facility installation behind the Navy Exchange like the one that is located behind the high school,” said Wagoner. “This one will produce 700 kilowatts of direct power to the exchange and put us over a megawatt of solar power on base.” All of these projects help the Naval Station save money and helps with our energy security. “With the replacement of most of our street lights and perimeter lights to solar, if we lose power these lights will come on as soon as it gets dark,” said Wagoner. Another project in the works is the retro commissioning of some of the buildings on base. “Some of the buildings have new equipment in
them, but we need to balance the operation with the design operation. Matching them up will help them work as efficiently as we want them to be,” said Wagoner. PWD is also putting direct digital controls in buildings on the Leeward side that control the temperature of rooms when occupied. “These spaces will have motion controlled sensors in the room,” said Wagoner. “As soon as someone walks in to the room the air conditioning unit will start and when they exit it will then shut off. This will help save energy when a building is not occupied.” Even thought that base has added new power saving devices to include the solar installations, the wind turbines and LED Lights, Wagoner would still like to remind Guantanamo Bay residents that everyone still needs to do their part in energy conservation. “We are proud to say that the base has produced 100 percent of its own power since the 60’s, but we still are finding ways to conserve energy and make everyone’s life easier,” said Wagoner.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates CS3 Solomon on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Gold Hill Galley/ Warehouse Supervisor ■Age: 26 ■Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio ■Favorite Movie: Coach Carter ■Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Cavaliers ■Favorite Hobby: Basketball, Coaching youth sports ■Currently Working On: Receiving my MOVSM and making 2nd class petty officer ■How has the navy improved my life: It has put leaders in front of me that I can learn and grow from and take what is necessary for me to improve my leadership skills. ■Sailor of the Week Because: CS3 Raymon Solomon always has a can do attitude. Reorganized the Gold Hill galley warehouse. He removed and separated all unsalvageable equipment for DRMO processing. As a MDMAA he always remains professional as representative of the Naval Base.
CS3 RAYMON SOLOMON
VOL. 71 • NO. 12
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.
describing what that Sailor did. Now if I’m on a destroyer and I know there’s only one PS1 working in admin. If they’re not the LPO I’m concerned. Leadership has a responsibility of setting Sailors up for success. The way I do that is by sharing information with them and giving them opportunities. Now, once I’ve given someone an opportunity, it’s their responsibility to capitalize on that opportunity. So, if you’re a first class petty officer and I’m trying to set you up for success and giving you an opportunity, and you’re not rising to the challenge, I think I need to be brutally honest with you on that eval. Maybe you just don’t have what it takes to be an LPO, and maybe that command is sending the selection board a message. I don’t think that just because you’re not an LPO you’re not going to make chief. That’s what Block 43 is for, and that’s why commands expand on what that Sailor is doing in whatever billet is listed in Block 29. Myth 5: Having a comment such as “Performing as an EP Sailor” in Block 43 is just as strong as getting an EP promotion recommendation in Block 45. A: I think this is very important. Sometimes you have a first class mess that’s hitting on all cylinders. Someone’s going to get a promotable and they’re really an “EP.” That’s when I see that statement and it sends a message to the board to say “Don’t even look at that P promotion recommendation.” Let me talk about this EP Sailor, and he performs at a much
MARCH 28, 2014• PAGE 3
higher level than I can give him credit for. When a commanding officer, department head or department LCPO is using a line like that, they mean what they’re saying and sending a strong message to the board. Myth 6: Sailors do not get promoted with “P” promotion recommendations, especially if the evaluations are below a reporting senior’s summary group average. A: I don’t think that’s a myth. That type of eval is also sending the board a message. You’re not only saying that this Sailor is a “P,” but also that they are below the reporting senior’s summary group average. So, let’s say that the summary group average is 4.00. And this Sailor is coming in at 3.17. There’s a big difference between a 3.17 and a 3.86. The 3.86 is very close to the reporting senior’s average, so that Sailor I would give him the benefit of the doubt. But if that commanding officer is giving me a 3.17, he’s probably telling me something, and that Sailor is probably not ready right now to be promoted. If the myth is “Sailors don’t get promoted with P promotion recommendations,” then that is a myth. Because I’ve seen some “Ps” that were above or at the reporting senior’s average get selected. But if you’re below the reporting senior’s average, then you’re probably not doing everything that you need to be doing. My final thought on this topic is that we should all be familiar with the evaluation instruction, BUPERS Instruction 1610.10C. It is our responsibility to understand what the instruction says, and then guide our evaluation processes accordingly.
National Nutrition Month: Eating Right Amy Myers, MSN, RNC WIC Overseas
Improving overall health requires a lifelong commitment to healthful behaviors, emphasizing sustainable and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity. As National Nutrition Month draws to a close, remember the basics of healthful eating: Build a healthy plate Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein foods contain the nutrients you need without too many calories. Try some of these options. o Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. o Switch to skim or 1% milk, or lower-calorie milk alternatives. (Whole milk for 1 year olds) o Make at least half your grains whole. o Vary your protein food choices. o Keep your food safe to eat - www.FoodSafety.gov. Cut back on foods high in solid fat, added sugars, and salt Many people eat foods with too much solid fat, added sugars, and salt (sodium). Added sugars and fats load foods with extra calories you don’t need. Too much sodium may increase your blood pressure. o Choose foods and drinks with little or no added sugars. o Look out for salt (sodium) in foods you buy - it all adds up. o Eat fewer foods that are high in solid fat. Eat the right amount of calories for you Everyone has a personal calorie limit. Staying within yours can help you get to or maintain a healthy weight.
o Enjoy your food, but eat less. o Cook more often at home, where you are in control of what’s in your food. o When eating out, choose lower calorie menu options. o Write down what you eat to keep track of how much you eat, even if you don’t count calories. o If you drink alcohol, limit to 1 drink a day for women or to 2 drinks a day for men. Be physically active your way Pick activities that you like and start by doing what you can, at least 10 minutes at a time. Every bit adds up, and the health benefits increase as you spend more time being active. Note to parents: What you eat and drink and your level of physical activity are important for your own health, and also for your children’s. You are your children’s most important role model; they pay attention to what you do more than what you say. You can do a lot to help your children develop healthy habits for life by providing and eating healthy meals and snacks. For example, don’t just tell your children to eat their vegetables - show them that you eat and enjoy vegetables every day.
Joint Exercise Takes Place on Leeward MC3 Jason Bawgus PhotoJournalist
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aval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay held a training exercise at Leeward Airfield on March 20. “The exercise was an opportunity for the Regional Operation Assistance and Assessment Program (ROAAP) to evaluate the command’s training team and how the command reacts to an emergency,” said Lt. Peter Kennedy, the exercise coordinator. “The scenario we chose was one of the most likely emergencies that could take place at Guantanamo Bay since it is one of the closest air fields to the United States.” The exercise involved the participation of Naval Station Security Force (NSF), Marine Corps Security Force (MCSFCO), Guantanamo Bay Fire Department, and Guantanamo Bay Air Operations. The exercise began with an unscheduled emergency landing due to an engine fire. The pilot was forced to abandon his current course and make a stop at the Leeward Airfield. MCSFCO quickly responded to the unscheduled landing by setting a perimeter around the plane so that all personnel could be accounted for.
Shortly after the perimeter was set up NSF arrived and with the help of the Marines began to question and detain the personnel aboard the plane so that the Fire Department could set up their protective perimeter in case of another fire or possible explosion. “Getting to the opportunity to work with all of the different groups was an eye opening experience for me,” said Master-at-Arms Seaman Jacob McCormick. “All the groups have a different way of handling situations and being able to communicate with each other helps eliminate a lot of the confusion.” Once all perimeters were established the Military Working Dog (MWD) team moved in to search the plane for any possible weapons or explosives. “All of these units typically train separately and this gave them all a chance to work together and test out a cooperative exercise environment,” said Kennedy. “Overall we safely executed the event which was the top priority and also identified deficiencies that will allow us to set up a training plan for future events.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Fleet Master Chief April Beldo shares her thoughts on evaluation myths
20 March 2014 From Defense Media Activity s
DMA interviewed Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, the fleet master chief for manpower, personnel, training and education, to get her thoughts on six evaluation myths. Myth 1: Because this is a Sailor’s first evaluation at a new command, he or she should expect to get a “P” promotion recommendation when ranked against his or her peers. A: I would not say that it is a “given” that any Sailor’s first evaluation at a command is automatically going to be a “P.” I have seen where that is not true. I have seen some first evaluations be “MPs.” What I would share though is we have to be practical about it. For instance, you have an RDC coming from Recruit Training Command. They’ve been there for three years and they’re a hot runner “EP.” Then they check in to VFA-136 as an AT1, let’s say, and they’ve only been there for four months. Should that Sailor have the expectation that they get an “EP?” I don’t think they should. I got it that you were an EP at RTC, but you’ve been here for four months. There are other Sailors that have been at that command for maybe a year or two and they’re also front runners. So, we have to take that into consideration. The automatic “myth” is just not true. Are there some commands that use that as a “going in” for recommendations to the ranking board? Sure. Remember, these are the first evals these guys are going to get at this command. They’re going to be here for three or four years, and if they’re on a ship, some of the sea intensive ratings are going to be there for five years. Are we setting that Sailor up? Is he or she going to be able to sustain that hot running [performance] for five years? We have to take all that into consideration. So, I don’t think that it’s automatic. I think there is a lot of leadership thought that goes into how we rank our Sailors, and I have to trust that the command master chiefs and commanding officers out there are doing due diligence and really using integrity when they sit down and evaluate their personnel. I believe a board member is going to look at Block 14 and Block 15 and it will tell them right there how long that evaluation period is for. Myth 2: Block 40, the individual trait average, is not as important as the promotion recommendation for a Sailor. Performance trait averages fluctuate based on where Sailors are ranked in a summary group, and are not a true reflection of a Sailor’s individual performance. A: Some Sailors may have come to that conclusion because when we take advancement exams, for example, we are not looking at Block 40 for the individual trait average. We are calculating their PMA based on whether they were an “EP,” “MP” or “P.” So, that might be where that myth comes from. But let’s talk about [Sailors] taking the E-7 exam and they get to the [CPO] selection board. And I’ll tell you what, as a board member Block 40 meant a lot to me. Because I would compare Block 40 to the reporting senior’s summary group average, and whether that Sailor was a “P,” “MP” or an “EP,” if they were well above that reporting senior’s average I took that into account. That meant a lot to me. So, I think maybe there are two stories there: for calculating your exam score, that’s why we use the promotion
recommendation. But, now that you’re taking that chief’s exam and you’re making the board, I’m definitely looking at Block 40 to see what your individual trait average is. As we all know, we do make some very junior chief petty officers - seven or eight years. That board member will go back at least five years. I might see a second class eval. Is Block 40 then going to come into account for me? Absolutely, and I’m definitely going to be reading it. Block 40 might not matter today, but is it going to matter in your future? So, let’s not discount how important it is to work hard for every single trait. Myth 3: Block 41, assignment recommendations, are essentially meaningless and not taken into account by detailers or selection boards. A: If I have a Sailor that the chain of command does not feel that that individual does not perform at a rate where they would recommend them for a more responsible billet out in the fleet, I would be concerned. If the recommendation said “None” and “None,” I would be concerned. So, it does matter, and I do think that board members do look at that. That [block] also tells me, if I was a supervisor or LPO, what I am going to challenge that Sailor with for their next job. I know they’re going to want to take on greater responsibility, what am I going to recommend them for; LPO at sea, RDC, instructor duty? But if I see “None” and “None” then I’m going to be concerned. As petty officers, when we prepare our brag sheets for our leadership we should be telling them what we’re interested in also. Let us know what your desires are. However, if I have a Sailor that struggles with physical fitness, I’m probably not going to recommend them for recruit division commander. We need to make sure that our Sailors are qualified for what we’re recommending them for. Because we’re sending them mixed messages when we say they’re recommended for RDC or flag writer and they have some challenges. We need to be brutally honest with our Sailors so that they can aspire to get better. If I tell you that you’re a “5.0” all the time, you’re not going to do anything to get better. Myth 4: In order for PO1s to be selected by the CPO selection board, they must have the title “LPO” listed in Block 29, primary duties, from a deployable command, i.e. ship, squadron, NECC billet, etc. Also, LPOs who change positions from one evaluation cycle to the next, and no longer have the LPO title on their evaluation, should view this change as a detractor. A: In Block 29, each [rating] community has specific expectations of milestones they want their Sailors to reach. If I see an eval from a large command, like an aircraft carrier - I know in air department there are dozens of first class petty officers. They’re probably not all going to get to be LPOs. The board members understand that. So, I’m not going to have LPO in Block 29, but in Block 43 that’s where I really get to share information about what that Sailor is really doing. If there are still some leadership roles the Sailor holds that aren’t LPO, that information should be captured in Block 43. For example, I see that an ABH1 has been aboard USS Carl Vinson for three years and hasn’t been an LPO. OK, so I’m a little concerned, but when I turn the eval over and read Block 43, that command has done an outstanding job of
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 2003 Saturn Ion, only 88k miles, new tires, runs great, leather interior, good a/c, keyless entry, NOT a GTMO Special. $4,400. Call 75545 for more information. 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback, AUTO, PW, PL, REMOTE W/2KEYS, SYNC, SIRIUS SAT RADIO. Dark Grey with 30K mi, asking 10,750$. OBO. Questions ask for John day: 5653 evenings and weekends: 77912. 1996 Ford Ranger $1400, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500 $2650 call 77516 for more info.
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. Two Kawasaki STX 12F Jet Ski’s - year 2006, with double trailer (trailer can be broken down for ship out), Jet Ski covers, water ski’s, knee board. NOW $ 6,000.00 Contact Richard @ 90068
and durable hardshell case. Hardly played and is in excellent condition. Asking $200, or best offer. Call 79003.
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. Eset family security pack antivirus, 5 pc and Mac computers. $45 obo Call Omar at 77689 or 8153
MISC
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Fair condition $15.00, Little Tikes Mobil Red Push Car $20, Step2 Play and fold Slide $15, Little Tikes Small Trike $15, Radio Flyer Big Flyer Red $15 Please call 77516. 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. Wall mounted hanging pot rack $20, 19” LCD computer monitor $20, floor lamp $10, desk chair $10, 22 book set Southern Living Cookbooks $25, side-by-side refrigerator $150, hose reel cart $10. Call 84147
GTMO JOBS
MWR is offering the following jobs:
Food Service Worker Laundry Worker
scoop
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 17 April 1900 12 Gospels Service 18 April 1900 Lamentation Matins 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.
Maintenance Worker NEX is offering the following jobs: Sales Clerk Burns and Roe is offering the following jobs:
Patio table set with 6 chairs, $100; Grill with side burner & newer propane tank, $75; Nice keyboard with stand, $75; two matching corner desks, $75 each. Call 75545 for more information.
Passenger Service Representative
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,
Housing Manager
ELECTRONICS
The
NAVSTA HRO is offerring the following jobs: Financial Technician Navy Federal is offerring the following jobs: Member Service Representative
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
MARCH 28, 2014• PAGE 7
MOVIES DOWNTOWN LYCEUM FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Divergent
Mar. 28
PG13
10:35 p.m.: Noah PG13
SATURDAY Mar. 29 The LEGO Movie 8 p.m.: 10 p.m.:
PG
Son of God PG13
SUNDAY Pompeii 8 p.m.:
Mar. 30
PG-13
MONDAY Mar. 31 8 p.m.: The Monuments Men PG13
TUESDAY
Apr. 1
No movie due to concert stage set up
WEDNESDAY Apr. 2 7p.m.: Join us at the lyceum for Step Afrika show open to all ages
THURSDAY Act of Valor 8 p.m.:
Apr. 3
R
(Happy Birthday Navy Chiefs)
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Preserving Old Ironsides
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Giorda Defense Media Activity
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aunched in 1797 and made from southern white oak, “Old Ironsides” now resides at Charlestown Navy Yard, in Charlestown, Mass. Like any modern ship, she requires plenty of care and maintenance. But how do you find the material to repair a 216-year-old frigate? Just ask the folks at Naval Support Activity Crane, Ind. Naval Support Activity Crane is home to more than 53,000 acres of trees, including the white oak. The oaks are periodically harvested and used during Constitution’s maintenance periods, including an upcoming dry dock period scheduled to begin in early 2015. “We jumped on board in 1973 to begin to be the sole provider of the hull planks and the non-laminate material that goes on the ship,” said Trent Osmon, a forester with Naval Support Activity Crane. The white oak tree was chosen for the overhaul because the tree offers similar properties to the original southern white oaks used in building Constitution in the 1790s. “White oak has special properties that make it more waterproof and rot resistant than other trees,” said Osmon. The Naval History and Heritage Command’s Boston detachment, overseeing the overhaul of Constitution, determined how many trees were needed to complete the work. “We have arrangements with the shipwrights in Boston Harbor who are going to be working on the Constitution,” said Cmdr. James Stewart, Naval Support Activity Crane commanding officer. “We have selected 35 [trees for the refit.]” The oaks go through a long process of getting selected to be harvested for the ship, and not every tree makes the cut. “When we are doing our normal routine of forest management and we come across a stand of really good white oak, we will GPS that site,” said Osmon. “We keep a database of more than 150 white oaks just waiting to get that call.”
White oaks are extremely tall and heavy trees, (on average they grow to 100 to 120 feet,) and require heavy equipment to load them onto trucks. “Once they cut the tops of the logs, they’re still anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 pounds,” said Osmon. “Normally, trees of that size you’re going to have a skid or heavy equipment to drag them out of the woods and to the road’s edge, where they load them on [a tractor trailer].” The trees are then prepared for their journey to Charlestown Navy Yard. The harvesting and storage of the logs can take up to a year to get them ready for Constitution. “We store the trees on site; we have some warehouses that have some space for the trees,” said Stewart. “They will be stored here for six months to a year. As they are required in Boston, we will ship them in lots of five or six trees at a time. They will be shipped as the whole log so they can get milled to shape once they get to Boston.” Because white oak trees are so large, the trees require special equipment in order to mill them to the correct size for the ship, which led to the production of a special saw mill just for Constitution. Once the trees arrive in Boston, many of them will be cut in into 30 to 40 foot hull planks, which will be six inches thick. The trees used for this refit were originally selected for harvesting in 2012. According to Constitution’s website, the ship’s hull “employs a white oak/live oak/white oak sandwich design that repelled gun shot and earned the ship its famous nickname.” In some places the hull is as much as 24 inches thick. Crewed, maintained and operated by active duty Sailors, Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.
MARCH 28, 2014• PAGE 7