October 30, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 43• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520
UCT ONE Sets The Ground Work For Fiber Optic Cable
Sailors from Underwater Construction Team ONE, Port Operations and Seabees from Public Works Department remove rocks from the site where the fiber optic cable will be connected, Oct. 22. MCC Keith Bryska Public Affairs Officer
U
nderwater Construction Team (UCT) ONE with the help of Seabees from Public Works Department and Sailors from Naval Station Guantanamo Bays Port Operations help pave the way for the fiber optic cable to be installed, Oct. 22. According to Navy Diver First Class Joseph Bryant the team was sent down here to help remove some of the obstacles that were obstructing the route that the fiber optics cables are going to be laid. “Our role down here this time is to conduct a site visit and start working to clear the path for the cable as it make its way to shore,” said Bryant. “Once we clear the path then the cables can come ashore where they will be connected to the conduits and make its way around base.” Bryant says the team was happy to come down here to help out and they know that the community is looking forward to the cable being laid. “Were in phase one right now and that includes having to remove the large obstacles that are in the way. We have
to do this because the cable cannot be suspended over large rocks or take hard bends,” said Bryant. “We will then assist with laying the fiber optics when it comes closer to the shore line by stringing it out and securing it to the bottom so the cable won’t shift around.” This is not the teams first time down here and they know they have more trips planned in the future. “We will come back when it’s all been connected,”said Bryant. “At that time we will place split type armor around the cable that will help protect it from the surf and rocks that could fall down on the cable and disrupt service in the future.” “We always love helping out where ever we go and we understand that this project will help improve the quality of life here at Guantanamo Bay,” said Bryant. “After this project is completed service members will have the opportunity to connect with family members back home more frequently with social media apps. To know you were part of making this happen is something our whole team is proud of.”
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Executive Officer Cmdr. Al Ross congratulates LS2 DeLuca on his selection as the Sailor of the Week.
LS2 JOSEPH DELUCA
■Job/Department: Air Department’s Logistic Specialist ■Age: 28 ■Hometown: Orlando, FL ■Goal: My number one goal is completion of my Supply Chain Management degree ■Heroes: My wife. Since day one, she has pushed me to be the best that I can be. ■Sports Team: Green Bay Packers ■Movie: The Empire Strikes Back ■Book: The Unknown ■Favorite Quote:“Don’t worry about those around you, just be better than who you were yesterday” ■Greatest Accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment was mustering up the courage to join the Navy. ■Sailor of the Week Because: LS2 Deluca was selected for his hard work and determination as supply petty officer for Air Department. LS2 manages all Air Ops ELMR assets including 30 hand held and vehicle radios essential to flight operations. He is also the Card holder for Air Operations and is responsible for managing more than $800,000 in OPTAR funds for the department. LS2 is also the department’s HAZMAT Coordinator, Vehicle Custodian and also reconciles all C-12 fuel expenditures. LS2 was also instrumental in providing transportation for VIP visits to Guantanamo Bay. Bravo Zulu on a job well done. VOL. 72 • NO. 43
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
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
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.
Chief Through it All Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul Coover Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Public Affairs
A
undra Howard sat in the first of 12 long rows of folding chairs, his Navy uniform meticulously pressed, family members sitting on his left and right. Among the hundreds of Sailors and family members filling the Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team 12 Combat Craft Maintenance Facility building at Naval Base Coronado, Howard was inconspicuous: a tall, young man who outwardly appeared not unlike many others in the building that morning. Officially, Howard had recently retired, and like other former service members in the crowd, he said he wanted to maintain a connection to the Navy after his service had ended. But Howard still had one piece of military business left to finish before he could call his Navy career complete. At the 2015 chief petty officer pinning ceremony for Naval Special Warfare’s West Coast commands, about 50 men and women in new khaki uniforms stood at parade rest in neat ranks, poised to become members of the U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Mess, one of the most exclusive military communities in the world. After introductions of distinguished guests, remarks from speakers, and traditional words read about the significance of the step they were about to take, the chief selectees looked to Master Chief Navy Diver Michael Allison, the master of ceremonies, for their cue to move to the front of the formation. Allison began to speak. “Before we begin pinning the FY-15 chief selects,” Allison said, “we’d like to recognize a very special occasion.” Aundra Howard was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up surrounded by negative influences he had no intention of imitating. Once he reached high school, Howard began making a life for himself in Memphis. At 17, he moved into his own apartment, bringing his brother and girlfriend with him, working at a movie theater to make ends meet. It was then he began to consider enlisting in the Army, realizing that the stability of a military job could provide for his family in ways jobs in the civilian world around him could not. By chance, a Navy recruiter in his area took an interest in him. Howard listened to what the recruiter had to say, and soon thereafter was headed to a United States Military Entrance Processing Station. He immediately became a standout Sailor. Howard enlisted as an E-1, but advanced to E-3 by the completion of basic training, based upon the strength of his performance at Recruit Training Command. He headed to Virginia Beach, Virginia to complete the Navy’s “A” school for operations specialists. He picked up E-4 on his first attempt, and was an E-5 before he’d even finished two years of his enlistment. It was while stationed aboard USS Vicksburg (CG 69) that things changed forever. At first, it just felt like heartburn. He tried to shake it off, until the pain became so bad that he was almost completely incapacitated by it. He could hardly stand, let alone work. Even so, he wasn’t expecting what came next. After an underway period with the Vicksburg, Howard walked into a medical facility for an exam. The doctors found a tumor near his spine. Surgeons removed three vertebrae and inserted a rod in their place; nerve damage made completing even basic tasks difficult. After surgery, Howard had to learn to walk again. Howard was moved to what is now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to heal. But he wanted to do more than simply be a patient. Howard began working in the hospital’s legal office, answering phones and filing paperwork. In Bethesda, Howard learned how to work as a legal professional.
October 30, 2015• PAGE 3
Unable to study for his operations specialist exam due to handling secret material, he dove into life in the legal office. He decided to leave his job as an operations specialist to become a legalman, or LN. Lt. Kristin Seewald described Howard’s work ethic and abilities, she said, “What he described was what I saw in a chief.” “LN1 Howard was a phenomenal Sailor, and a phenomenal legalman,” she said. “He was probably one of the best legalman I’ve been able to work with.” Howard left Maryland, and headed to legalman “A” school, and was then assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after completing LN “A” school. Soon after, the cancer returned. By the time Howard arrived at Naval Special Warfare Group-1 or NSWG, he had completed two intense surgeries and countless disappointments and setbacks. Those who know him say that nothing - not even the chemo therapy that doctors recommended after the second surgery failed to eliminate the cancer from Howard’s body - seemed to be able to affect Howard’s optimism or work ethic. “He was the consummate professional,” said Lt. Todd Hutchins, a staff judge advocate at NSWG-1. “Even while undergoing chemo therapy, he would come into work to get the job done.” Ultimately, the cancer proved too serious for Howard to continue his naval service. He was medically retired on Aug. 28, 2015. Without the Navy, Howard says, he wonders where he would be. He was able to learn valuable trades, to provide for his family, and perhaps most importantly, receive medical treatment to which he might not otherwise have had access. “Ultimately, it saved my life,” he said. The Navy, in turn, benefitted from Howard’s service. “The special warfare community as well as the Navy legal community lost an incredible asset in LN1 Howard,” Hutchins said. As a parting show of appreciation, the NSWG-1 Chief’s Mess rallied around Howard to bestow upon him the one honor he didn’t have time to accomplish on his own. On Aug. 26, two days before his medical retirement, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stephens affixed his signature to the document that would allow Howard to become an honorary chief. On the stage in the Special Boat Team maintenance facility, with an enormous American flag as backdrop, Howard stood rigidly straight as the NSWG-1 command master chief designated Howard an honorary chief petty officer. Howard smiled, his family surrounding him, flashes of cameras going off from all directions, chief selectees looking on. Soon thereafter, Allison, the master of ceremonies, provided Howard with a brief retirement ceremony. It was years sooner than Howard would have liked, but as he walked toward his peers standing at attention and away from life in a Navy uniform, his salute was as proud as it had ever been.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
NAVSTA CHAPEL WORSHIP SCHEDULE *ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVICES* Mon-Thur 1730 Daily Mass (Sacristy in Chapel) Sat 1700 Mass (Chapel) Sun 0900 Mass (Chapel)
* ISLAMIC PRAYER* Fri 1300 (RM 2)
* LITURGICAL PROTESTANT SERVICE * Sun 0930 Worship Service (RM 1)
*PENTACOSTAL GOSPEL TEMPLE* Sun 0800 & 1700 (RM 13)
* PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICE * Sun 1100 Worship Service (Chapel)
* CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS * Sun 0900 Sacrament Meeting (RM 19)
* GOSPEL WORSHIP SERVICE * Sun 1300 Worship Service (Chapel) * GTMO BAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP * Sun 1800 Worship Service (Chapel) *Jewish Torah Study* Fri 1930 (RM 16)
* SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST* Sat 0930 & 1100 (RM 19)
* THE LORD REIGNS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES * Sun 0600 Worship Service (RM 17) * IGLESIA NI CRISTO * Sun 0530 & 1900 Worship Service (RM 1)
For more information about these and other religious ministries contact NAVSTA Chaplains’ office at x2323
The Littlest Victims….
Amy Congdon Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Coordinator / FFSC
E
ven if you don’t have children, I ask that you contemplate this question for a second. What is the job of a parent? This is a subjective question to say the least, but I would presume that the majority of you would include answers like; to protect your children, to mold your children, to give your children examples to lead by, and to do your best to ensure that your children have the tools and skills they need to be productive members of society. The reality is all of these things are true. The issue is that many parents neglect to realize the devastating effects that even hearing domestic violence has on their children. As parents you are indeed molding your children. You are molding the way they view relationships, what they think is normal behavior between two adults, and what actions are deemed acceptable and not acceptable. Children are like sponges and they soak up everything they hear and see around them. It is never acceptable for child to have to hear, see, or be included in any acts of aggression, hostility, or violence between their parents; even if it is verbal. If you would not allow your children to watch a movie that includes these behaviors, then they should not be watching behaviors like these in your home. I have no doubts that most, if not all, of you would go out of your way to protect your child from anything that could cause them harm. Please don’t forget that you are also responsible for
protecting them against any harm that could come to them from within the home. Studies show that children who witness domestic violence within the home are at a greater risk for juvenile and adult behavioral issues, educational delays, social isolation, emotional issues, and the worst possible consequence in my opinion, continuing the cycle of abuse in their own adult relationships. As scary as this reality is, it can be avoided. However, to do so requires education, courage, cooperation, and a commitment. Educate yourself on what services are available here on post to assist you and your family. Be courageous and stand up if you see something happening that is not right, or to admit that you have a problem and need help, or to reach out to a local service for protection. As the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate I am asking that Commands do their best to be mindful of what is going on within their units and to be as cooperative, understanding, and as accommodating as they can be, while keeping the mission in mind, if a service member needs to take time to address the needs of their family. And lastly, I ask that everyone stay committed to help end domestic violence and continue to be supportive of anyone that comes to you for help. It is never too late to make a change for the better. Please do not hesitate to contact the Fleet and Family Support Center at 4141, or me directly at 4243, if you need help, referrals, or additional information.
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 Futon- Solid oak frame, excellent condition, folds out into a double guest bed. $100 OBO. Steve at 75714, 55337 or 5632.
VEHICLES 1991 Toyota Corolla, Automatic with 126000.00 GTMO miles, Dependable car and a great gas saver, Price $1800.00 OBO, Call Sammy at 78742 Or email at Shearsam61@yahoo.com
ELECTRONICS IPOD Touch 5, 32GB Blue, Excellent co nditions $160.00, IPOD Touch 5, 64 GB Space Gray, Excellent conditions $200.00, call 77024
The
Scoop
FAMILY HOUSING Navy Family Housing has extended the time period for the Navy’s annual Resident Satisfaction Survey. Family “Looking for Female Rock/ Housing did distribute all Metal singer to record on 1 surveys to residents of original song - Home Studio. Guantanamo. If you did not complete a survey and wish Eric at 77886.” to do so, you request an
online survey by sending an e-mail to DONFHSurvey@ celassociates.com The resident will need to put their address in the e-mail, example: Radio Point 720, Guantanamo Bay Cuba. No names need to be added, just your unit number and Guantanamo Bay. You will receive an e-mail with a link to complete the survey and a passcode to enter the site. This is the resident’s opportunity to provide feedback to improve Navy Family Housing. CFC The Combined Federal Campaign season is underway. Whether you make a onetime donation or payroll deduction I encourage everyone to give if they are able. There are hundreds of different charities to choose from. For more information contact GM1 Coffey at 4847.
OMBUDSMAN CONTACT INFORMATION: NAVFAC: NAVSTA: Brittany Roley Laura McManus gtmopwdombudsman@gmail.com ombudsmangtmo@gmail.com Home: 78096 Cell: 84792 Home: 77182 Brittany Morrell nsgtmoombudsman@gmail.com Cell: 55268 Home: 77129
Naval Hospital: Lauren LaBoy Usnh.gtmo.ombudsman@gmail.com Home: 75877
October 30., 2015• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 7 p.m.:
Oct 30
The Intern PG13
9:30 p.m.:
Sicario R
SATURDAY Oct 31 7 p.m.: Goosebumps PG
9:30 p.m.:
The Visit
SUNDAY 6:30 p.m.:
Hotel Transylvania 2
8:00 p.m.:
Bridge of Spies
PG13
Nov 1
PG
PG13
MONDAY 7 p.m.:
Everest
Nov 2
TUESDAY 7 p.m.:
The Perfect Guy
PG13
Nov .3
PG13
WEDNESDAY Black Mass 7 p.m.:
Nov 4
THURSDAY Pan 7 p.m.:
Nov 5
R
PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Housing Department News FAMILY HOUSING TRICK OR TREAT Children are authorized to Trick or Treat within Family Housing areas during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (1700 – 1900) on 31 October 2015. ALL personnel need to be aware and alert during the hours of trick or treating. Remember the speed limit through all Family Housing areas is 15 MPH.