November 4, 2016• VOL. 73 • NO. 28• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
Beautifying Cuban Community Center
Seabees assigned to the Public Works Department are pictured in front of the new Cuban Community Center sign they helped construct after the community volunteers designed and painted it at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, October 15. (Photo by Jose Cabret) Jose Cabret Cuban Community Assistance Program Manager
S
eabees assigned to Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay Public Works Department and community volunteers recently dedicated a new community sign at the Cuban Community Center. After the Seabees tore the old sign down and constructed a new one, community volunteers Olivia Munoz and Marcus West designed and painted the sign. From start to finish the project took approximately six months to complete. “A new sign for our Community Center was something that I wanted to tackle as soon as I arrived to NS Guantanamo Bay in Dec. 2015,” said Jose Cabret, NS Guantanamo Bay Cuban Community Assistance Program Manager. “I reached out to the Seabees and Olivia and their response and willingness to help was overwhelming! The sign looks amazing and it makes a huge difference in the overall appearance of our community.”
The history of the Special Category Residents and Cuban community dates back to the late 1950’s when Fidel Castro overthrew the U.S. backed Batista administration. During this time close to 4,000 Cubans worked on the base. Most of the Cuban workers were allowed to keep their jobs, and to commute back and forth to the base. The last two Cuban commuters retired in Dec. 2012. Some of the Cuban workers requested asylum and lived on the base. The Cuban workers granted asylum are classified as Special Category Residents (SCR) and some of them continue to hold jobs on NS Guantanamo Bay and have become an integral part of the installation. Currently 26 SCR’s reside on base. For additional information or volunteer opportunities available at the Cuban Community contact Jose Cabret, Cuban Community Assistance Program Manager at X2093.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates PO1 John George, left, on his selection as Sailor of the Week, Oct. 25-30, and PO3 Allyson Brickzin, right, on her selection as Sailor of Week, Oct. 31- Nov. 4.
PO1 JOHN GEORGE
■Job/Department: Port Operations LPO ■Age: 36 ■Hometown: Lakeside, CA ■Hero: Father ■Sports Team: Seattle Sea Hawks ■TV Show: House ■Hobby: Spending time with my children ■Crrently Working on: Qualifying as Dock Master ■Ambition/goal: To make Chief Petty Officer ■Sailor of the Week Because: Petty Officer George was instrumental in leading a team of twelve personnel in the set-up of 30 hurricane shelters throughout the installation in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. These ensured the safety of over 1,000 service members. His crew worked around the clock to ensure residents relocated to Naval Station shelters were safe and as comfortable as possible; including bunker shelters identified for pets and managed by volunteers. He was also instrumental in managing teams working day-and-night, completing ferry movements to evacuate 717 dependents off the island. George was also responsible for the breakdown of all shelters after the hurricane passed. VOL. 73 • NO. 28
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
PO3 ALLYSON BRICKZIN
■Job/Department: Port Control Watch ■Age: 26 ■Hometown: Belle Plaine, MN ■Hero: Grandfather ■TV Show: Vikings ■Musician: Korn ■Hobby: Drawing ■Book: Harry Potter ■Currently working on: Qualifying as Port Control Crew Member ■Greatest Passion: Testing my limits ■Sailor of the Week Because: PO3 Brickzin was instrumental in filling in as 911 dispatch operator. While dispatch was undermanned she volunteered herself to qualify and stand in during the hurricane evacuation to ensure that the watch could remain properly manned. During her time as a dispatcher she answered 30 requests for emergency services. Petty Officer Brickzin’s willingness to qualify and help another department shows her dedication to NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay.
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. DENNIS MOJICA CMDCM (SW/AW) THOMAS MACE
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER/EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST PHOTOJOURNALIST
JULIE RIPLEY PO2 JOHN WAGNER ARMY SGT NATASHA PRICE
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.
November 4, 2016• PAGE 3
HALLOWEEN FUN
SGT Natasha Price Photojournalist
ver 600 service and family members O attended the 4th annual Trunk-orTreat event at the Downtown Lyceum Oct.
29. The Trunk-or-Treat event was hosted by the 525th Military Police Detention Battalion and Morale, Welfare & Recreation. Service members and civilians were involved with decorating the trunks of vehicles with Halloween decorations and handing out candy to children during the event. The 525th MP Battalion even decorated the inside of a bus to make it like
a haunted house for kids to go through. There were lots of children, adults and even dogs in costume for the event. There was a bounce house available for kids’ fun as well as face painting. During the Trunk-or-Treat a hayride was available to take families to the Youth Center where a pumpkin patch was created. Karen Sloan, Child and Youth Programs Administrator, was in charge of setting up the Pumpkin Patch and the hayride to and from Trunk-or-Treat. According to Sloan, 400 pumpkins were provided so that each
FOR GTMO RESIDENTS family could get one pumpkin for free and take photos. “We wanted to replicate the idea of being back home,” stated Sloan. “I love to see all the families dressed up and having a really good time.” SGT Ruben Rodriguez, the 525th MP Battalion Recreation Coordinator, was responsible for working with the volunteers and rotating them around to ensure they were engaged with all the activities during the Trunk-or-Treat. “Seeing the reactions on the kids faces,
the smiles and also hearing them scream when they go through the haunted buses, it was well worth it,” said Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez, a lot of people were involved in making the event a success. Around 40 volunteers were involved with both events. With the months of planning, preparing and coordinating, approximately 80 man hours were involved for the execution of the event, said Rodriguez. “It’s all for the kids,” stated Rodriguez. “We just wanted the families to come out and have a great time.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
MOVIES
THE CLASSIFIEDS
To place an ad please send an e-mail to PAO@GTMO.NAVY.MIL
The
Scoop
HOLIDAY MAILING SCHEDULE
Nov. 25 recommended date to mail via USPS ground. Dec. 2 recommended date to mail via USPS Priority. Dec 20. recommended date to mail via USPS First-Class. Dates have been adjusted due to flight schedule. Call 2156 for more info.
Use. Per references (c) and (d), when walking from point to point while in uniform, it is inappropriate and detracts from military smartness for personnel to be smoking or using tobacco products. Tobacco use is only permitted in designated tobacco use areas. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking. It is no more or less acceptable than smoking. Smokeless tobacco use is only permitted in designated tobacco use areas. Where smokeless tobacco use is permitted, tobacco spit shall be held in containers with sealing lids to prevent odor and accidental spills. Tobacco spit and residue shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner which prevents public exposure. Per this policy, use of tobacco products is prohibited in all DONcontrolled spaces
MAX PERFORMANCE Come compete Nov. 12 at 7:30 a.m. at Denich Gym. 16 team max, HEALTH FAIR 2 person teams. Register by Nov. The Naval Hospital will host a health fair Nov. 5 from 9:00 a.m. 10. to 12:30 p.m. at the NEX atrium. There will be presentations as well SMOKING UPDATE DON Military Personnel Tobacco as flu shots beginning at 10:00 a.m.
for ages 18 and older.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BALL
November 4, 2016• PAGE 7
It will be held Nov. 19 at 5:30 DOWNTOWN p.m. at the Windjammer Ballroom. It is formal attire and FRIDAY Trolls tickets are $20. Contact 4222 8 p.m.: PG for more information.
LYCEUM
NOV 4
The Birth of a Nation 10 p.m.: FISH FRY R Black Heritage Organization NOV 5 will host a fish fry at the NEX SATURDAY Atrium Nov. 12 from 10:00 a.m. 8 p.m.: Doctor Strange PG to 2:00 p.m.
ARMY TEN-MILER 10:30 p.m.: Bridget Jones’s Baby R Shadow Ten-Miler run will be held Nov. 12. Registration at 6:00 a.m. and race begins SUNDAY NOV 6 at 7:00 a.m. Race is free 7 p.m.: Middle School: The and starts at the Downtown Worst Years of My Life Lyceum. PG13 MONDAY NOV 7 OLYMPIC TRIATHLON 7 p.m.: Snowden Come out and compete Nov. R 19. Check-in at 6:00 a.m. at the Downtown Lyceum. The NOV 8 Triathlon will begin at 6:30 a.m. TUESDAY Blair Witch at Ferry Landing. Sign up at 7 p.m.: R Denich Gym for more details.
OMBUDSMAN
CONTACT INFORMATION: NAVAL HOSPITAL: TC Bacon E-mail: Ombudsman.usnh.gtmo@gmail.com E-mail: ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com Phone: 55379 Phone: 84792 NAVSTA: Jamie Yeich Carrie McCormick Kendra Keesey
WEDNESDAY NOV 9 7 p.m.: Deepwater Horizon PG13
THURSDAY NOV 10 Miss Peregrine’s Home 7 p.m.: For Peculiar Children PG13
9:30 p.m.:
Inferno PG13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Fleet and Family Support Center
UPCOMING CLASSES
MILLION DOLLAR SERVICE MEMBER COURSE: Nov. 7-8, 0800-1630 at FFSC. A two-day interactive program for active duty service members, reservists, retirees and family members who are looking to be financially stable and desire information on topics such as understanding your pay, financial goal setting and implementation, debt reduction, savings, investing and long-term wealth building. LEADERSHIP/CFS FORUM: Nov. 9, 1100-1230 at FFSC. This quarterly forum in accordance with OPNAVINST 1740.5B, allows Command Financial Specialists and Command Leadership tomeet in order to share ideas about their respective programs and concerns. Openly discussing possible trends, what’s seen during the quarter, and decide if training throughout all commands needs to be conducted on current issues that affect financial readiness of service members. Guest speakers also provide up-to-date information on situational awareness of financial issues. LENDING/BORROWING BASICS: Nov. 9, 1400-1500 at FFSC. Learn the basics of installment loans. Define the types of loans available. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls associated with certain lending types. 10 STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOB: Nov. 10, 0800-1530 at FFSC. In this class, participants will learn how to write a formatted federal resume and navigate the USAJOBS system with the Ten Steps to a Federal Job method. Example steps include: Reviewing the federal process, analyzing vacancy announcements, and applying through the USAJOBS system. ASSESSING HIGHER EDUCATION: Nov. 15-16, 0730-1630 at FFSC. Designed to guide participants through the complicared decisions involved in choosing a degree program, college institution, and funding, as well as completing the admissions process. Academic acculturation and connection to veteran student organizations is also a key part of service members’ success. SMOOTH MOVE: Nov. 15, 0900-1100 at FFSC. For families and sailors PCS’ing within the next 4 months from NSGB. This workshop provides specific installation check-out information from housing, Personal Property, SCSI, and the hospital. In addition, it covers relocation timelines, pet considerations and communication with family members. A brief summary of Move.mil and MilitaryInstallations.com will also be included. All spouses welcome! NEW TO NS GUANTANAMO BAY: Nov. 17, 0800-1100 at FFSC. This orientation class provides new residents an introduction to key base personnel, a summary of base history, an overview of installation rules, and a base tour to familiarize them with locations and resources. PAYING FOR COLLEGE: Nov. 21, 1100-1230 at FFSC. Provides information on sources of funding for higher education, focusing on financial aid resources, college savings plans and tax incentives. Information on federal financial aid is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov and www.studentaid.ed.gov. To register or for more information please call 4141 or 4153. Hours of Operation are: Mon-Fri., 0730-1630.
Reef Raiders Carve Underwater PO2 John Wagner Photojournalist
H
alloween brings many traditions - trick or treating, costumes, parties and pumpkin carving. This year the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay dive community came together again for a tradition that takes pumpkin carving to greater depths, making things a little more difficult. Reef Raiders, the NSGB dive club, sponsored underwater pumpkin carving Oct. 30th at Windmill Beach. “This is an annual event for the club and it’s a way for us to give back to our members and the community by offering a fun activity,” DeAnna Shaw Berget, Reef Raiders Secretary said. Underwater pumpkin carving isn’t as easy as it sounds. “Carving a pumpkin is much harder underwater because it’s (the pumpkin) is buoyant and it wants to float to the top and take you with it,” said Berget. “It’s kind of funny as I came out of the water I could see lots of fin sticking out of the water as the participants were holding their pumpkins and their bodies were flipped upside down trying to get their pumpkins carved.” Peyton Culpepper participated for the first time in the event and had a lot of fun.
“We spent a lot of time the night before deciding what to carve on our pumpkin and I enjoyed looking at all the fish that came over to see what we were doing,” said Culpepper. Tina Imhof, a local diver and Reef Raiders member said the best part of events like this is being with others. “I would encourage people to participate in events like this because we have a lot of fun, and it gets your mind off of world affairs - being around friends, enjoying a picnic on the beach and we have a lot of fun.” It’s always interesting to see what participants come up with. “It’s hysterical to watch and I’m amazed at the talent,” Berget said. “Some of the pumpkins looked professionally done. We could hardly cut ours.” For those NSGB community members looking for something to do, get involved with the dive community. “It’s a fun way for people to get out with their friends and enjoy a day of diving, laughing and having a good time. Have fun with us,” Berget said.