SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 • VOL. 70 • NO. 34• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
Navy Ball Committe Hosts Fundraiser
MC3 Joe Koerber auctions off a dinner for six with NAVSTA Commanding Officer, Captain J.R. Nettleton during the annual Navy Ball Auction, Sept. 26. Proceeds from the auction will be used for the 2013 Navy Ball. Kelly Wirfel Public Affairs Officer
The Navy Birthday Ball Committee at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba held their annual auction fundraiser, Sept. 26. Held at the Bayview restaurant patio, the purpose of the event was to raise money for the upcoming 238th Navy Birthday Ball. “All the money we raise goes directly to the support the ball. The more money we raise, the better the ball will be,” said Navy Ball President, ETC Rolando Robles. According to Robles, numerous departments and tenant commands donated the items that were auctioned off. Items auctioned off included coins, American flags flown at various locations and dates, jewelry, photos and dinner with Naval Station Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton and Joint Task Force Commander, Rear Adm. Richard Butler.
Throughout the year, NS Guantanamo Bay’s Navy Birthday Ball Committee hosted numerous fundraisers and community outreach events in preparation for the ball. The auction raised $6,743. “The Navy Ball Auction really turned out to be an amazing event. At first, we were all nervous about the weather, but then good ol’ King Neptune came out and took care of us for the evening,” said YN2 Benjamin Roodhouse, Navy Ball Committee Secretary. “All the hard work and collaboration really paid off. We want to thank everyone and tell them how much we appreciate all the donations we received from the entire base. The Navy Ball Committee is really excited about returning these profits back to our community for NAVSTA GTMO’S 2013 Navy Birthday Ball - it’s going to be an amazing event! Thank you GTMO and see you on the 12th of October!”
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates BU3 Allbritton on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Crew Member/PWD ■Age: 31 ■Hometown: Buffalo, TX ■Favorite TV Show: Duck Dynasty ■Favorite Movie: Star Wars ■Favorite Ports Team: Atlanta Braves ■Favorite Hobby: Fishing, Hunting, Baseball ■Greatest Accomplishment: Playing Baseball in a professional stadium ■How Has The Navy Improved Their Life: Made me a more rounded, and responsible person, able to deal with an ever changing environment. Improved my Leadership skills. ■Sailor of the Week Because: Great job to our Sailor of the Week, BU3 Allbritton. He manufactured and installed 50 feet of trim for the Guantanamo Bay Light House and helped correct an uneven floor in the Light House. BU3 Allbritton also assisted the Post Office in making a new message board with cover.
BU3 JARED ALLBRITTON
VOL. 70 • NO.34
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW/EXW/AW) ROSS CRAMER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MCSN 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 1,000.
Chaplain’s
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013• PAGE 3
Corner
LT Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay
Marriage Values: Closed Fist or Open Hand T
here are certain things in life we hold onto with a closed fist—these are non-negotiable and are different for everyone. Then there are things in life we hold onto with an open hand—these are things we desire to influence but ultimately are far more flexible and we may have to entirely let them go. The challenge for many of us, especially those who are married, is determining what are closed fist issues and what is an open hand issues; what is nonnegotiable and what is negotiable. Here’s my suggestion: have a conversation where, as a couple, you can figure out what you each value in your marriage. Once this is done, draft a mission statement for marriage that uniquely conveys your values. Understand this though: you both may have different values and that can create, how shall I say it, ‘intense fellowship’. This is
alright though because it is through the wrestling over what values matter most that the end result will not only be the best of both of you, but will have been determined based on your passion, not your apathy. Writing a marriage mission statement is also a great exercise for the engaged couple as well as it helps you determine your purpose for marriage beyond the “we just love each other” rationale. This can be a guiding document that may even be reassessed every year on an anniversary. Exercises like these keep a marriage growing throughout the years. Enjoy!
By Terrina Weatherspoon
Sailor office. “What we are trying to do is promote a feeling of cohesion, a feeling of family, and community to make sure Sailors don’t feel like they need to go this alone.” “My command has been a great support,” said Powell. “And I’m glad the Navy is taking this seriously. I was afraid to ask my son outright if he was considering killing himself because I didn’t want to put any ideas in his head or make him feel that by me asking the question, I wanted him dead. Training should be tailored to an environment that people, such as myself who have been through it, can talk to it and ensure Sailors know, understand, and can be comfortable asking the hard question, ‘are you thinking about killing yourself?’” “Since I’ve been in the Navy I’ve lost three friends to suicide; one Navy, one Marine and one Army,” said Chief Petty Officer Laura James. “I almost lost [a friend] earlier this year but made the call that had my friend admitted as an inpatient. Substance abuse, downward spiral, severe depression. I was getting vague hints, so finally I flat out asked, got her location and called the police.” The Defense Suicide Prevention Office is working together with the Department of Veterans Affairs to encourage service member, veterans and their families to contact the Military/ Veterans Crisis Line. They can obtain confidential, crisis support 24/7 at MCL/VCL by calling 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1), going online to www.militarycrisisline.net and texting by phone at 838255. “Everything happened to me at once,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Joyce Ledge. “I lost my father, my job and my home. My Continued on PG 6
pax Christi Chaplain Baron Miller
“He Didn’t Say Goodbye” Defense Media Activity
“I got a phone call Dec. 7, 2011 from the school,” said Chief Petty Officer Rita Powell. “They told me my son might possibly have a ‘people to kill’ list in his bedroom. When I found the list my name was first, then my husband’s name, then his older sister’s name third. There were 14 other names on that list as well; kids from school.” When confronted, he denied the list and then went into a fit of anger and began screaming about how much he hated his life. We immediately took him to the ER and he was admitted for the first time to a mental health facility.” Powell’s son was admitted two more times after evidence suggested he was cutting himself and had thought about killing himself. He has been seeing a therapist twice a week since being discharged. “I miss my little boy that was all smiles and had a great heart,” said Powell. “We don’t talk much at all. We coexist in the house. He stays very separated from what the rest of the family is doing.” September is Navy Suicide Prevention Month and the start of year-long efforts to encourage service members to reach out. Whether you know someone who has committed or threatened suicide, or whether you have contemplated it for yourself, the Navy is promoting efforts to build resilience and unit cohesion, navigate stress, and promote a culture supportive of seeking help as a sign of strength. “The theme of this year is ... Thrive in Your Community,” said Rear Adm. Sean Buck, director, Twenty-First Century
NAVSTA Firefighters complete HazMat Training By MCSN Jason Bawgus Photo Journalist
Twenty Firefighters from Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay took part in Hazardous Material (HazMat) training from September 17-26. The training consisted of classroom work, two mock scenarios allowing the firefighters to take what they had learned and put it to use, and a final exam. “We came down here to train the members of the Guantanamo Bay Fire department to become a HazMat technician,” said Steven Heller, Emergency Services Instructor from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Team. “In the morning we did a scenario involving a leaking chlorine cylinder and in the evening we used a leaking 55 gallon drum.” The training took place at the Paperclips high pressure storage yard where a scenario like the ones being practiced could become a real live situation. The training began with the team lead learning of the situation and dividing up his men into different teams; an entry team, the entry team backup and a decontamination team. The entry team and their backups would have to wear the Level A HazMat suite which consists of a fully encapsulating chemical entry suit with a full-face piece, self contained
breathing apparatus and offers the highest level of protection against vapors, gases, mist, and particles. “We have Corpsman here to take the vitals of the trainees after the exercise and to help monitor hydration levels,” said Heller. “It’s not uncommon for someone in one of these suits in heat like this to lose around 7 pounds of water in a few minutes.” The decontamination team was responsible for making sure the entry teams were properly decontaminated of any substances that could have a potential effect of the health of anyone in the area. “We try to make the scenarios as real as possible without endangering the people taking part in the training,” said Heller. “We also like to try and make them think and have to react to an unexpected situation such as a man down.” The teams completed the early morning training in about an hour and a half and the afternoon in just over an hour. “The practice went very well, most of them have never responded to a HazMat incident as a HazMat Technician,” said Heller. “This was their first training at this level and I think they are well on their way to becoming a great HazMat Team.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
father was the only unconditional love I had ever known. I was in despair. I was broken for the first time in my life. I couldn’t remember a goal, a dream, or a desire. Even worse, I had a daughter who needed me, and I just could not find the strength to be there for her. My XO picked up that there was something going on with me,” continued Ledge. “I was able to tell him how I was feeling and he genuinely showed interest. Many knew my father had died, and they all saw me crying, but he was the only one to ask me if I needed to talk. That’s all I needed that day; someone to ask me how I was doing and really listen for the answer.” “All of the stress that we may come across in our daily lives or in our professional lives in the Navy, if you don’t feel as though you have someone to turn to, or you’re not part of a team, it may cause you to lose hope quicker than not,” said Buck. “So we are trying to provide that feeling of team, that feeling of family, and encourage a sailor to seek help.” Not all Sailors are comfortable reaching out to their chains of command. However, there are many other options. Sailors are encouraged to reach out to someone, anyone; that includes friends, family, health care professionals, and regardless of religious affiliation or faith preference, Navy Chaplains are a confidential source of help as well. “I had a Sailor of mine text at almost midnight with suicidal comments,” said Chief Jennifer Brown. “He was fairly new and I didn’t program his name into my cell, but he listened to me when I told him to contact me if he needed to talk. He wouldn’t tell me where he was, so I called 911 and tried to trace his location. I was not stopping until I found him and got him help. Thankfully we found him. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I had blown off that text, or not taken him seriously. He reached out to me, and that was a cry for help.” The message that seeking help is a sign of strength has resonated from the top down throughout the Defense Department, said Jacqueline Garrick the Pentagon official in charge of the suicide prevention effort, noting that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have sent that message repeatedly. “Right now a big strategic change that we have in the military and in our Navy right now is to be sure that a sailor knows that seeking help is actually a sign of strength,” said Buck. “It takes courage to seek help. It is part of our Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment and Sailors need to be sure that if they do have the courage to seek help, they know they are part of a team and have teammates or shipmates that will help them.” “I didn’t even know details about what led to his demise,” said Chief Joshua Bright. “That’s part of the guilt I feel all the time, especially once I had been selected for Chief. He always told me he would be here for that. I hadn’t talked to him for several months because he was on deployment. Then I heard he was returning early and the details were sketchy. I was transferring, so I didn’t call him. The first few weeks I was at my new duty station, were his last few weeks on this earth. I had this feeling that I needed to call him, but I never did. Then I got the call that they found him in the barracks. He never reached out. He was so busy taking care of everyone else. He was a caring father to three girls and an amazing chief who always had the answers until that moment.” Suicide leaves so many unanswered questions and feelings of hopelessness with those left behind. “He didn’t leave a note. He didn’t say goodbye,” said Petty Officer Alexandra Snyder. “His younger sister found him
hanging in the bathroom of their upscale home,” said Snyder, who got the call that her friend, a member of the Air Force, had killed himself. “People who commit suicide have to be in a place so dark they can’t see a way out, but what they don’t realize is their pain won’t end with their death; it will transfer to their parents, siblings, friends and everyone they love.” Spotlighting this problem during September is only the first step, said Buck. Throughout the year Sailors will continue to see literature, blogs, command activities and outreach by leadership to constantly and consistently refocus the Fleet on this epidemic and keep commands from getting the phone call nobody wants to receive. “I don’t have many words for it,” said Senior Chief Wendy Hooks-Kramer. “I got the call that he was dead; his family asked me to escort his body home. I flew from San Diego to Dover, I never saw his body. All I got was a metal casket and a dog tag. He hung himself, and because it was overseas he was not embalmed in time. The HMC there said it was best for me not to see the body. He was my shipmate and friend for 12 years. I figured I would meet his parents at some point, but not like this. They were wonderful but heartbroken.” As with sexual assault, suicide has an everlasting effect that never completely dissolves with time. “My dad committed suicide,” said Seaman Emily Coler. “I remember the moment clear as day. I rushed home from my friend’s house because my mother had something to tell me. I knew it wasn’t good. When she told me, I crumbled to the ground. I was in shock. That was almost eight years ago and I still feel guilt wondering if there was something I could have done; knowing that it probably wouldn’t have made a difference. It hurts to know he won’t be here for so many things in my life. He didn’t see me graduate or get married. He won’t get to hear my kids call him grandpa. The situation has made me more sensitive to struggle an in general. For example, when people put a finger to their head and pretend to blow their brains out, thinking it is funny, I just stare at them, because it’s not. I don’t joke like that or talk about things like that in a light way.” The Navy recognizes that there is a need for more education when it comes to suicide prevention and they are encouraging Front-line leaders at all levels to embrace this issue and take measures to create a command climate that encourages Service members to seek the help they need without the stigma that it will negatively impact their careers. “One boy on my ship had killed himself by jumping out of a five story hotel room,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandra Arroyo. “He had a girlfriend who had a child by another man. He was in love with her. He drank himself silly and then just jumped. I had seen him a few days before and could sense something was wrong. I asked him if he was okay. He smiled and assured me he was alright. I didn’t question him further because most people on the ship were always somewhat sad in ways I couldn’t really read into. That’s why I always try to smile. You never know when someone just needs to see a little bit of kindness. I had a friend reach out to me when he felt like he was going to commit suicide. I took him to medical. I ended up sitting with him and reading to him. He was really a mess, but he thanks me to this day for just being there for him.” “Suicide prevention is all hands effort,” said MCPON Mike Stevens. “We may never know how many lives are saved through your everyday efforts, but we do know that a single life lost is one too many.”
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.
VEHICLES FOR SALE - 1994 Toyota Previa $ 1,800. OBO Call 74300 1994 Jeep Wrangler, Blue 4cylinder, 4” lift, new 33” tires, soft top, tubular bumpers, new Chrysler coded paint available. $6,500 OBO call 77435 1977 Jeep CJ-7 3.7L inline-six cylinder motor, new clutch, rebuilt transmission (3-speed manual), 4 wheel drive, lifted with 33-inch all terrain tires, stereo with aux and USB plugin, amplifier and subwoofers! $6000. Call 77662 for more information. 1979 Ford Bronco Dual Flowmaster Super 44 exhausts, Hooker headers, 33 inch General Grabber tires, 4 wheel drive, stereo with aux plug-in and CD player, amplifier and subwoofers! $3500. Call 77662 for more information.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS Pro-Style french-fry cutter w 3/8” die $30 call Eric at 75506 Glass top dining table with 4 chairs in excellent condition $200, round corner table $10, small computer table $15,Weber round charcoal grill $10, E-mail at sametawut@hotmail.com or call Samet at 3715 or 78459. Samsung 40” 720p LCD Flat Screen TV. Near perfect condition and great image quality. Contact Matt x79576 or email matthewstoerrle@yahoo.com
OUTDOOR REC 25ft Parker Center Console, Twin Yamaha 250’s,Built in Live Well, Built in Cooler in Transom, Raw Water Wash Down, Anchor Windless, Garmin Fish Finder, GPS Garmin Marine Radio, Fusion Stereo, CD, MP3, I Pod, Sirius Radio Ready Down Rigger Out Riggers Trailer, $32,000, Call Troy at 90376 Pontoon boat, 24ft, and duel axel trailer, new paint top and bottom, new wiring, lights. New stainless bolts, stereo and VHF radio. Low hours on 2005, 4stroke engine (Great gas mileage). This is a great dive/family boat, $6,500 Call 77435
BOAT 15’ Carolina Skiff, new 25 Hp Johnson engine. Great gas mileage. All paperwork, boat slip. No trailer. $1500 or $2000 with extra engine. Call 84968.
ELECTRONICS Wireless router and modem $40 OBO, Call 58795 New IPhone 4S 16GB unlocked for sale FMI 77001 New Sony Vaio Laptop ($450.00) Brand new, used maybe six times to watch movies while waiting on another computer to arrive. Nothing has been installed or added or modified. I still have the original box. Purchased on July 20, 2013. If interested, email mikepapabub@gmail.com or call 79786 after 1900 and ask for Brantley.
THE SCOOP Gas and Diesel prices fell 11 cents. Therefore, starting Oct. 1, pump prices will be lowered 11 cents. Midgrade - $3.989 Diesel
- $3.879
*National Night Out is scheduled for Oct. 1st at the downtown Lyceum beginning at 1700. This event is a great way for the community to interact with different services such as Security, Fire and Emergency Services and Emergency Management. There will be tons of activities for all ages.
high and is not feasible in this economic environment. The Marina previously offered a variety of fresh sandwiches, but due to low sales and high volumes of waste this service with discontinued. The Marina previously had a fleet of five 17’ Hunter Sailboats that were damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The decision was made to not replace these vessels because of their low rental statistics. Many years ago, prior to the Hunter 17’s the Marina offered Hobie cats for rental. I was informed by my staff that these vessels did not hold up to the abuse and extreme conditions we encounter here. We have seen an increase in the rentals of our Hunter 25’ sailboats this year and have begun to update and refurbish various parts to increase the comforts and ease of sailing for the community. So far we have replaced some lights, jib sails, and main sails. Additionally, we will be replacing the rudders over the next 2 weeks. If you are having difficulty getting a sailboat reservation, please remember that Active Duty receive priority rental opportunities on Monday’s for the following weekend. Thank you for your suggestions, we look forward to seeing you on the water!
Q& A Q. Hi QOL Board Members. Good afternoon and thank you for addressing the Disney/ Nickelodeon Channel question I emailed in August. I have a couple more things I would like to bring to your attention if I could regarding our Base Marina. What would be the possibility for having the following Marina upgrade and/ or makeover in the near future: a) A small seafood sandwich shop at the Marina (I think this would be a bighit especially for Base personnel living at the BOQ just up the street). b) A fleet of at least five 16-foot Hobie Cats that has the great potential to bring renewed thrill and excitement back into “Sailing.” (These extremely fast sailing catamarans are almost maintenance free and relatively easy to sail for anybody for even a short couple hour of fun-filled excursion out on the Bay). A. Provided by the MWR Outdoor Recreation Director: Unfortunately, we cannot offer food at the MWR Marina at this time due to the damage sustained from Hurricane Sandy. We explored the option of offering a venue for foods/ drinks in the future with the new marina. However, the cost to properly and safely creating a facility on the water is extremely
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY Sept.27 8 p.m.: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 PG13
109 min.
10 p.m.: Mortal Instruments:City of Bones PG13
SATURDAY 8 p.m.: Getaway PG13
130 min.
Sept. 28 90 min.
10 p.m.: Lee Daniels The Butler PG13
SUNDAY 8 p.m.: Kick-Ass 2 R
126 min.
Sept. 29 103 min.
MONDAY Sept. 30 8 p.m.: We’re The Millers (LS) R
109 min.
TUESDAY Oct. 1 8 p.m.: Percy Jackson (LS) PG 105 min. WEDNESDAY Oct. 2 8 p.m.: Planes (LS) PG
THURSDAY 8 p.m.: You’re Next R
80 min.
Oct. 3 95 min.
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
COMMANDING OFFICER NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA NAVY FAMILY OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM 43rd ANNIVERSARY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, forty-three years ago, Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, introduced the Ombudsman Program to the Navy in Z-Gram 24 as a means to address viewpoints, concerns, and suggestions facing Navy families; and WHEREAS, Navy Ombudsmen are an important liaison between the Commanding Officer and the Command Family Members, providing official command information and resources. They also assist in emergencies and disasters, and provide valuable resources and referrals to the families they serve; and WHEREAS, Navy Ombudsmen are military spouses who understand the challenges that frequently come with the military lifestyle. Although they do not wear military uniforms, they stand firmly beside our Sailors and their families as important members of the Command Support Team; and WHEREAS, the support they provide plays an important and vital role in ensuring the resiliency of each family member, and the success of our Navy’s mission. Our Navy Ombudsman’s support has helped to relieve the stress on deployed Sailors, allowing them to concentrate on the details of preparing for and executing the mission, and being more focused at work because their families have a safety net; and WHEREAS, 14 September is the date set aside to express gratitude and to recognize these remarkable individuals for service to their commands, families, and the Navy; and Now, I, Captain J. R. Nettleton, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, do hereby proclaim 14 September 2013 as Ombudsman Appreciation Day in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and join Navy leadership worldwide in honoring their service to the Navy and the United States of America.
USNH GTMO Blood Bank Passes Intensive Inspection The U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Laboratory has just undergone an intensive inspection and has been accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) for two more years. AABB is an international, not-for-profit association that advances the practice and standards of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies to optimize patient and donor care and safety. AABB is considered the Gold Standard for accreditation in blood banking services. Membership consists of nearly 2,000 institutions and 8,000 individuals, both military and civilian, comprised of physicians, nurses, scientists, researchers, administrators, medical technologists and other healthcare providers located in more than 80 countries. Capt. Lynn Beach, MC, USN, Laboratory Medical Director for USNH GTMO, and Director for Clinical Support Services, Naval Hospital Jacksonville (FL), said the hospital was initially inspected and accredited by the AABB in August 2011. “I am ecstatic to state that our lab had a highly successful inspection and has been reaccredited for another two years,” CAPT Beach said. CAPT Daryl Daniels, Commanding Officer of USNH GTMO, said laboratory personnel have been working for months leading up to the AABB inspection.
“While the entire lab team participated, special mention goes out to HM3 Shevonne Marcelle and CDR Suyen Teran, MSC, USN, who were specifically recognized by the inspector for their outstanding performance,” Daniels added. “Congratulations to all who helped USNH GTMO achieve this significant milestone.”
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013• PAGE 7