May 15, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO.19• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520
Navy Lodge Recognized For Hard Work and Dedication
Employees of the Navy Lodge proudly show off their awards during an award ceremony, May 14. The employees were recognized for their continued support to the Naval Station, tenant commands and Guantanamo Bay Community. MCC Keith Bryska Gazette Editor
Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay’s Navy Lodge held an awards ceremony, May 14. The ceremony was to recognize the employees and the hard work they do day in and day out to support the Naval Station’s mission. Not only were individual awards handed out, but Navy Lodge Manager Joycelyn Johnson also displayed her Marketer of the Year Award which she credits to all of the staff ’s hard work and contributions. “Marketing is a lot of art, science, legwork, creativity and networking,” said Johnson. “By winning this award we have also shown the Navy Lodge value to the installation by increasing active duty occupancy, visiting every command on the base and in the surrounding area.” Like most installations, the Navy Lodge houses and hosts all military services and it was because of Johnson’s marketing she was able to teach each of these services the value that the Navy Lodge.
“You cannot enter a building on the installation without seeing a marketing item from the Navy Lodge - directory, PCS scratch off card or local material,” said Johnson. “Some locations include the Office of Military Commissions, Fleet & Family Service Center, U.S. Naval Hospital, Public Works Department, Navy Region Human Resources Office, base PAO office and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay.” The staff ’s hard work is often seen during their weekly manager’s reception. The receptions are known to be lively, well attended events with great food. “We are proud of the hard work that we do on base and are appreciative of the positive feedback that we receive,” said Johnson. “We have learned that utilizing social media, updating pictures on the web, networking at military events and being present at all installation events are all important elements of becoming the face of the Navy Lodge.”
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates YNSN Rivera on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Admin Clerk/ ADMIN ■Age: 18 YNSN JIMMY RIVERA ■Hometown: Reading, PA ■Goal: To invest in different things and make my money grow. ■Heroes: Father ■Favorite Movie: Furious 7 ■Favorite Hobbies: Going on different adventures. ■Favorite Accomplishment: Getting AAP in A school. ■Favorite Quote: “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” – Douglas Adams ■Sailor of the Week Because: YNSN Rivera was selected as the Sailor of the week for his outstanding work for his customer service while working in the Naval Stations Administration Office. Rivera accurately processed ten administrative correspondences and more than 100 awards for the upcoming award ceremony. He was also responsible for conducting the inventory of all admin storage spaces resulting in 100 percent accountability for supplies and equipment. VOL. 72 • NO.19
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. AL ROSS CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
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 595.
May 17, 2015• PAGE 3
“What we’ve always known is that the way we recruit, develop, retain and promote Sailors and Marines is critical to our success. To fight and win, we need a force that draws from the broadest talent pools, values health and fitness, attracts and retains innovative thinkers, provides flexible career paths, and prioritizes merit over tenure. Whether we are talking about systems and tactics in the digital age or personnel management, we must evolve to meet the needs of the future battle space and the needs of our people. Today we shift from ‘what-ifs’ to what’s next‌â€?
• Optimized Service-Assignment for USNA (2016) – The USNA will continue to evolve our service assignment process by moving further away from a class-rank based selection model to a more market-based system that pairs the natural talents and interest of USNA graduates with the focused skills needed in our warfare communities.
• Office of Talent Optimization at USNA (September 2015) – New office will be funded by and report to the Chief of Naval Personnel. Those in this office will provide critical advice on labor market conditions and new proposals, informed by the private sector and academia, to keep our personnel systems competitive. Those in this office will work to further flatten our personnel system, coordinating efforts with warfare communities, manpower planners, and USNA faculty to create a true marketplace of talent.
Navy fitness initiatives (2016-2017) The Navy and Marine Corps’ fitness culture should focus on producing warfighters capable of accomplishing any mission any time and supporting healthy lifestyles to reduce overall medical costs. To do so, we will make the following changes: • When measuring body fat, we will evaluate health, not shape.
• Incorporate physical fitness spotchecks to augment cycles, promoting the year-round culture of fitness. • Performance scores documented on FITREP / Evals • Expand Navy gym hours, including many CAC accessible 24/7 beginning in 2016 • Issue Navy fitness suit by the end of 2016
• Authorize the “Outstanding Fitness Awardâ€? for those who perform at an outstanding level over 3 consecutive cycles, with corresponding badge to be worn on the new fitness suit • Begin “Fuel to Fightâ€? healthy eating pilot programs at sea and ashore, fleet implementation 2017.
• One Uniform – Navy and Marine Corps are trending toward uniforms that don’t divide us as male or female but unite us as Sailors and Marines. The Department of the Navy has conducted a thorough review and both services have initiated the transition to the same uniform for both males and females.
Continued on Page 8
Bishop Robert J. Coyle, Episcopal Vicar Visits Guantanamo Bay Kelly Wirfel Public Affairs Officer
The Religious Ministries Team at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay hosted Bishop Robert J. Coyle, Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Half of the United States, May 8-12. Bishop Coyle celebrated Sunday mass at the base chapel and also administered the sacrament of confirmation to four Guantanamo Bay residents. It was Bishop Coyle’s first visit to Guantanamo Bay since being ordained as a Bishop in 2013. “The purpose of my trip is to visit Guantanamo Bay’s Catholic Community,” said Coyle. “It has been a very positive experience and I could not ask for a warmer welcome. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s Religious Ministries Team plays such an important role on this base because residents do not have any other options and I think they are doing an amazing job.” Prior to his ordination Coyle served in the United States Navy for more than 24 years. “Getting to work with the military again and specifically in this capacity is one of the most rewarding assignments I have had,” said Coyle. “It is an honor to work with and minister to the men and women who proudly serve our country each and every day. I am also honored to be part of the confirmation ceremony. There is a lot of work and preparation that takes place prior to receiving the sacrament of confirmation and I could not be prouder of these individuals.” Those receiving the sacrament of confirmation were; Riley Salvatore-Henson, MacKenzie Byrnes, Paul Smith and Angle Plante.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
“What is in a Name?” CDR Daniel Mode
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
e all know who chaplains are and what they do. W However, have you ever wondered how the title “chaplain” came to be?
The word “chaplain” derives from the Latin word for cloak (capella); it was a cloak of an early Christian saint which became for all time the symbol of care and service manifested by the men and women who serve as chaplains today. As the story goes, Martin of Tours began his career as a soldier for Caesar and ended his life as a soldier for Christ. He was born around the year 315, the son of a pagan army officer, and at the age of fifteen was inducted into the army against his will. Sometime around the year 337, while stationed at Amiens, France, Martin came upon a poorly clad beggar freezing to death in the bitter cold. Feeling compassion for the unfortunate man, he drew his sword and divided his own cloak in two, giving half of it to the beggar. Later that night, Christ came to Martin in a dream, dressed in his half cloak. Martin converted to Christianity and, refusing to fight, received his discharge from the military. In defense of the Gospel, Martin suffered scourging and exile; yet he was known for his extraordinary compassion
to enemies, even intervening to prevent the execution of heretics whom he had publicly opposed. He finally settled in France where he founded the first monastic community in that area and, ten years later, despite his objections, he was made Bishop of Tours. He died in 397 and his tomb became a favorite shrine of pilgrims in the Middle Ages. The courage and compassion of Saint Martin is a cornerstone in the history of chaplaincy. A relic of his famous cloak, capella, was preserved by the kings of France and carried with their armies when they went to war. On the field, it was placed in a tent and cared for by the capellanus, the chaplain, who also saw to the spiritual needs of the king and his men. I hang a famous copy of El Greco’s painting “Saint Martin and the Beggar” in my office to remind myself that my “job” as a chaplain is to always care for souls on the “battlefield” of life. As well, during my PCS leave before arriving on the island, I took the opportunity to make my own personal pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Martin in Tours, France. During the time I spent at his tomb, I prayed for the souls I would encounter here and Guantanamo Bay and asked for God’s grace to be your chaplain.
Skin Cancer (Why should I care?) CAPT James Flint General Surgeon, U.S. Naval Hospital
D
id you know that the largest organ of the body is your skin? Did you also know that skin cancer is the most common of all cancers? May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. If you have ever had a severe sunburn (almost all of us!), you are at increased risk for most forms of skin cancer. Count me in that group, too! Makes you wonder, right? It has been proven that UV light, or sunlight, directly damages the skin cells and can cause their transformation into skin cancer. Fortunately, the two most common types – squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer – uncommonly metastasize (spread to distant sites in the body), and rarely cause death. But the one we cannot miss is melanoma. It originates from pigment cells, or melanocytes, and is usually dark, or multi-colored. It can be aggressive and can metastasize early in its growth. It also arises in much younger patients. Just last year, I saw a 28 year-old active duty member with advanced-stage melanoma. It is commonly NOT responsive to radiation NOR chemotherapy. In other words, if it has spread already at, or near, time of diagnosis,
all the surgery in the world usually can’t cure it, and often results in an untimely funeral. What can we do? Like almost all cancers, melanoma can be cured, if caught in time. The “cornerstone” of treatment is early recognition. Any new or rapidly growing mole should be biopsied. Any chronic or non-healing skin lesion should prompt a visit to your local healthcare provider. Certainly, any sore or lesion that bleeds, also needs an inspection by a professional. Surgery usually involves wide excision of the melanoma and often involves biopsy of the lymph nodes that drain the surgical site to check for potential spread. So if you notice anything unusual or new growing anywhere on your skin, make an appointment! Do not let “white coat syndrome” keep you from seeking care. Simple skin biopsies to identify the type of growth are usually easily performed in the clinic setting and the pain involved is equivalent to a typical blood draw or an IV placement. Remember, next time you hit the beach, don’t forget that SPF 30+; your tan status isn’t THAT important.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
E-mail classified ad submissions to
Mares - Fins X Stream size regular, color yellow. List price $198.95. Like new, asking $175.00, please call 77166 and leave a message.
ELECTRONICS 40 inch Coby HDTV Full HD, HDMI,
P A O - C L A S S I F I E D A D S @ still have the box and will include a U S N B G T M O . N A V Y . M I L HDMI cable. $125.00 call 84623 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
We are in need of a French speaking tutor with a good command of grammar to help our French students study for a successful final exam completion in June. Please call 77199 and leave a message with clear name and phone number.
YARD SALES GARAGE SALE, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, from 8:00-12:00 @ Caribbean Circle 30C, Everything must go.
The
Scoop
FACILITIES Need to place a trouble call? Facilities has changed their number. It is now 3694 for all trouble calls.
Lost clarinet. Most likely lost on W.T. SAMPSON school bus. If found call 77189. W.T. Sampson would like to remind parents the re-registration packets OUTDOOR REC for School Year 2015-2016 for Perfect bicycle to get around all Elementary, Middle and High GTMO for sale. It is a Diamond School students are due and there back Insight 2 which on GTMO will be no school for students on roads is easier to ride than a mountain bike and smoother to Tuesday, May 19 due to educator ride than a regular road bike. I training for teachers. will also throw in my bike pump, spare tube, helmet and Shimano HOSPITAL SPD pedals if you need them. In honor of the Corpsman BirthBicycle without extra’s is $399 day Ball the hospital Corpsman at NEX. The bike and extras can be yours for $300. Call Mark at Ball Committee is hosting an auc79525 (evening), 9777 (day).
May 15, 2015• PAGE 7
tion on Thursday, May 28 from 1800 to 2000 at the Bayview during Mongolian Barbeque night. The event will include DOWNTOWN LYCEUM both live and silent auctions. May 15 Some of the items that can be FRIDAY Mad Max: Fury Road bid for are a Brian Teal canvas, 8 p.m.: R Memorial Day flag flown over the Northeast Gate, 7-night Hilton Grand vacation package, 10:15 p.m.: It Follows R NFL helmet and more. SATURDAY May 16 FILAM 8 p.m.: Unfriended R The Filipino-American Association would like to invite every- 10 p.m.: The Longest Ride one to their 117th Philippine PG13 Independence Day Celebration SUNDAY May 17 on June 13 starting at 1900 at 8 p.m.: Home PG Phillips Dive Park. There will be cultural performances, a live band, Filipino food and an MONDAY May 18 after party. For more informaFurious 7 8 p.m.: tion please call Neil Mendoza PG13 at 90201. NAVY LODGE Navy Lodge would like to remind everyone that their interior renovation has begun and is expected to be completed in September. They will still be open for business and accepting reservations with limited room’s availability. During the renovation period, they apologize for any inconvenience and offer sincere thanks for your patience and support. If you have questions or concerns please call 3103 or 3526.
TUESDAY May 19 Woman in Gold 8 p.m.: PG13
WEDNESDAY May 20 8 p.m.: Avenger: Age of Ultron PG13
THURSDAY 8 p.m.: The Gunman
May 21
R
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
!!!!WATER RESTRICTIONS!!!! THE NAVAL STATION IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WATER PRODUCTION LIMITATIONS. TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC LOSS IN SERVICE PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES: No lawn watering. No washing of sidewalks with potable water. No vehicle washing at residences. Limit plant watering. During working hours report possible leaks or violations to PWD at 5601 and after hours to 4375.
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• Continue to increase female enlisted accessions (2015) – Navy and Marine Corps should reflect the nation they serve. As American industry teaches us, greater integration produces vast improvements in innovation, adaptability, and resilience – all powerful forces for an even stronger Navy. The Department of the Navy will continue to place emphasis on attracting, recruiting and retaining women to work in ratings in which women are under-represented. • Opening all operational billets to women (2016) – The Secretary of the Navy supports the Navy and Marine Corps’ efforts to provide data-based gender integration recommendations to the Secretary of Defense. He is personally committed to opening all operational billets to women and believes in imposing one standard for both sexes, a standard that matches the needs of the job. • Environment intolerant of sexual assault – The Department of the Navy will continue to offer programs of prevention, advocacy and accountability. The Navy and Marine Corps have instituted an extensive Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program which has led to increased reporting and has provided critical support to those who come forward, including regulations prohibiting any form of retaliation against those reporting sexual assaults.
• Update co-location policy (2015) – New policy will promote career progression and opportunity for each member serving our Navy and Marine Corps families and support joint and reserve co-location initiatives. • Extended Child Development Center hours (2015) – To accommodate the needs of Navy and Marine Corps families subject to high operational tempo, we will begin hiring immediately so that we can extend the operating hours of CDCs worldwide by four hours – two hours in the morning and two in the evening. • Proposal to extend maternity leave (2016) – Propose legislation that will double paid maternity leave from 6 to 12 weeks. • Expanded Career Intermission Program (2015, 2016) – Have proposed legislation this year that will allow us to expand CIP from 40 billets to 400. Next year we will propose legislation developing a customized menu of compensation, length of intermission and payback options. • Increased bonus opportunities – Propose legislation allowing Department of the Navy leaders to selectively grant bonuses based on specific skill-sets and talent, rather than across the board.
• Establish Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP)(2015) (Will replace Command Advancement Program) – Will grow the number of meritorious advancement opportunities to further empower command triads to directly pick their best Sailors, rather than relying on a bureaucratic points system. Allows commanding officers to petition for more meritorious advancements or surrender those they don’t need, and expands the MAP to include shore units
• Altered promotion selection board process (2016) – Replace zones with weighted milestone achievements to ensure the best officers are promoted regardless of zone placement and prior selection board decisions. Ending an all-or-nothing, “up-orout,â€? system, allowing all to compete based on professional success • Revised Year Group management (2017) – Propose legislation to eliminate officer management by year group to ensure performance determines timeline and eligibility
for promotion and leadership assignments. Allows those who are not ready for promotion to continue to serve in same paygrade longer, or for those ready, to advance through the system faster • Squad Leader Development Program (Implemented) – Will mature the Marine Corps at the field grade level by identifying superior junior enlisted Marines and providing them with increased opportunities for education and advancement
• General Military Training changes – Ending GMT as we know it. Will allow commanding officers to determine what DoN-directed training is necessary and when. Will also develop a mobile app for relevant training and continued education (2017 • Increased opportunities for graduate education (2015) – Expand fully-funded, in-residence graduate degree opportunities at civilian institutions by 30 billets. TYCOMS will identify proven operators to represent the Navy at our
nation’s top institutions and bring knowledge and expertise back to the Fleet • SECNAV Industry Tours (2015) – Establish SECNAV Industry Tours, which allow commanding officers to send their best qualified officers to work at some of America’s top civilian companies, gaining valuable experience and further enriching the talent pool of the Navy and Marine Corps with the competitiveness of the corporate business cycle
May 15, 2015• PAGE 7