CONTENTS
KHAKI CORNER
pg 4
explore japan: camping
TEAM MEDIA DEPARTMENT MEDIA SERVICES DIVO
sailor in the spotlight
pg 6
friendship day
pg 10
secnav visits blue ridge
pg 10
LEADERSHIP COMMANDING OFFICER
LTJG ERIC J. UHDEN
CAPT BRETT E. CROZIER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MCC CHARLES L. LUDWIG
CDR RICHARD J. ZAMBERLAN
LEAD DESIGNER
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
MC3 ANGELES A. MIRON
PRODUCERS
MC1 MARVIN E. THOMPSON JR. MC2 ADAM K. THOMAS MC2 JORDAN KIRKJOHNSON MC2 PATRICK SEMALES MC3 DYLAN MCKAY MC3 ETHAN M. CARTER MC3 ANGELES A. MIRON
CMDCM JAMES W. GRANT
Russell Smith, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, was pinned to MCPON, Aug. 31, during USS Constitution’s underway, which concluded this year’s Chief Petty Officer Heritage Weeks. “To be honest, I can’t think of a better place to be pinned,” Smith said. “I have a long history with USS Constitution; I’m an honorary crew member. Constitution was the place where I reenlisted the last time. Where I have had so many fun experiences with chiefs and chief selectees.” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced Smith as the 15th MCPON Aug. 29. Smith is the first MCPON in the Navy’s history to be pinned aboard USS Constitution. He was pinned by chief petty officer selectees Legalman 1st Class Melissa Whitaker and Damage Controlman 1st Class Ryan Reffitt. “To have two chief selectees pin me who represent the promise and the hope of the mess that I get to very proudly represent, nothing can top that,” Smith said. After the pinning, Smith discussed two of his goals as the MCPON. “One, is to provide transparency and opportunity for everyone that serves in our Navy so that all of us as Sailors recognize that whatever we choose to be, however we choose to apply our talents, is going to improve our U.S. Navy,” Smith said. His second goal is to ensure the Navy is ready for an era of great power competition. “There’s a storm on the horizon and we have a job in the chief’s mess to prepare our Sailors to face those challenges. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to get there.”
The Beacon is an authorized publication for Sailors aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by, the U. S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of USS Blue Ridge. All news, photos and information for publication in The Beacon must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. Produced by Blue Ridge Media Services Ext. 4154
CAMPING photos and story BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS adam k. thomas
Being assigned to a forward deployed duty station can be a trying and stressful experience, but there are several ways to mitigate the strain. One fantastic way is camping, and Japan is filled with seemingly endless locations to choose from. If you hit the open road you can spend your nights at well-maintained campsites or roadside stations. With English-language navigational systems and emergency assistance just a phone call away, all you need to worry about is where to go next. There’s a beautiful oasis for every seeker whether you prefer beach front or mountain top sites. For example, you can enjoy a lakeside snooze in a hammock at the wonderful lake Sahara campsite located three hours north of Tokyo and just West of Fukushima. Don’t worry, you won’t be radiated, as the location is far outside the restricted zone where the air is crisp and clean. The swimming is pretty good too. You can even fish for that monster trophy you’ve always been chasing. Perhaps lakefronts aren’t your thing with too many winged bugs bombarding your hotdog dinner. Or maybe the chorus of frogs singing their midnight melody doesn’t send you off to sleep. Well, why not try a night in a tent along one of the famed emerald sand beaches?
The Izu peninsula is just an hour’s drive from Yokosuka and has more than 75 miles of coastline to explore. With a mild climate, scenic mountain interior, and a host of hot springs, it’s hard to beat for a weekend getaway. In addition, Mount Fuji lies about 30 miles to the north and can be viewed from the peninsula’s western coast. So pitch your one-man or family-sized tent and enjoy the ocean breezes. If you don’t like sand in your underpants or sunset sanctuaries, why not head up to Japan’s northernmost prefecture? The island of Hokkaido is quite possibly the top location in Japan to have a camping adventure. Several of the campsites, situated in the pristine countryside, provides opportunities for trekking, canyoneering, and mountain biking. You could spend an entire day exploring all the landscape has to offer. In the evening, the picturesque encampments make for an ideal overnight location, with the chance to catch your own rainbow trout supper from one of the area lakes or view the northern lights for a fascinating flashlight festival. Wherever you choose to pitch your tent or hang your hammock, camping can be a great way to reduce stress and melt away your cares. Just strike a match, start a fire and break out the marshmallows.
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I REALLY WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY SOMETHING. I TRIED THE PIANO AND A BUNCH OF OTHER INSTRUMENTS BUT THEY WEREN’T FOR ME.
I PICKED UP A GUITAR AND I JUST KNEW.
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sailor in the spotlight
MUSIC FOR THE SOUL photos and story BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3rd class angeles a. miron The life of a Sailor is not an easy one. From busting rust to fighting fires, there’s so many things a Sailor does on the daily. A lot of these requirements often bring stress. Destructive decisions might seem like the easiest way to cope. However, there are much healthier and less expensive ways to destress. For many, one of the easiest ways to relax is to listen to music. Seaman Pangkou Thao takes it one step further and makes her own tunes.
PT: My mom sang a lot. I’d watch videos of her and was always so excited that I guess it made me want to do it too. I did choir my whole life and eventually moved to band. I played the flute, and it was cool but it wasn’t something I could sing with. I really wanted to learn how to play something. I tried the piano and a bunch of other instruments, but they weren’t for me. I picked up a guitar and just knew. TB: I imagine that’s what it’s like to hold a baby.
The Beacon (TB): How long have you been playing music?
PT: It is my baby! I don’t really have a name for it but I always just refer to my guitar as my baby.
Pangkou Thao (PT): I started playing music when I was in the eighth grade. I didn’t take classes or anything. It was all self taught. But I did get a head start. My cousin was the one who showed me how to read and play chords on guitar.
TB: How often do you play? PT: I play all the time. Especially when I’m in my feels. Everytime I was upset I’d go to my guitar and start strumming my feelings out. That or I’d just walk outside listening to music. It doesn’t really matter what I’m doing, music is always involved. TB: Have you ever tried to teach anyone?
TB: You must be a quick learner. PT: I would say for certain things, yes, but I did have extra motivation to learn guitar. I found out there was going to be a talent show, and I really wanted to be a part of it. So I started learning a song. I mastered it quickly so I sang with it, auditioned, and was told to be there at this time. TB: Pressure is always a good motivator, but aside from stress was there anything else that made you want to pursue music?
PT: I actually have taught a few people around the ship. I’ve learned a lot and teaching others helps me out too so I love it when people ask me to teach them. I’ve actually considered becoming a music teacher when I leave the Navy. TB: Aside from relieving stress has music helped you out in other ways? PT: In terms of the Navy, it’s definitely gotten me more involved. Back when Lt. Um was Chaplain he’d always ask me to play at the chapel during services. I’m a religious person as well so I was always more than happy to be a part of that. When it comes to worship, though, I’m not playing for myself but for Him. Thao’s musical drive has done more than push her to be a better guitarist but also to be a better Sailor. She recently earned ESWS and hopes to become a rated GM.
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FRIE
P I H S ND DAY
BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS PATRICK U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) allowed thousands of visitors to tour the ship Aug. 6, as Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) opened the base gates to the Japanese public in observance of the 41st annual Friendship Day. Friendship Day is an open base event that allows the Japanese public and other base visitors to see and enjoy what the CFAY community has to offer while highlighting the Navy’s close partnership with Japan as a host nation. In all, more than 38,000 people visited the base. “This is my third time stationed in Japan, and I’m always humbled at the graciousness and generosity of the Japanese nation and citizens,” said Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Brett Crozier. “In some ways, this event is our chance to express our gratitude for what they’ve been able to do for us and thank them for welcoming us here.”
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According to Crozier, Friendship Day is also a great opportunity to train the crew in preparation for part of their mission in foreign ports.
photo by MC3 Dylan McKay
SEMALES “We’ve come through a two-and-a-half year maintenance period, and a big part of what we do as the Navy’s flagship is to show off the ship,” said Crozier. “Obviously, it is important with our allies in Japan, but dressing up the ship before we reach all foreign ports is a critical piece of our mission. With the high turnover that we’ve had, today has been a great chance for everybody in the crew to get familiar with the processes and what it takes to host friends and allies onboard the ship.” Preparation for Friendship Day was an all-hands event, requiring the hard work and determination of each and every department, said Crozier. “Today I think we all have a lot of pride in the ship, and we can look back and remember how clean and nice it looks,” said Crozier. “It’s the oldest operational ship, but it just looks like a classic car right now. When you take care of it, it looks really great. It looks like a great classic car that is ready to go to sea.” The ship tour route took the public all the way from
the quarterdeck to the pilothouse and featured informative displays on the flight deck. “We had a damage control display laid out for the Japanese public to get hands on with some of the equipment and to learn about what we do,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Anthony Brooks. “It was super fun to see how excited they were about firefighting gear. The faces people made when they activated the portable fire extinguishers were hysterical.” After the tour was completed, the public was allowed on the pier where there were a number of tents set up with Blue Ridge memorabilia, grilled food, cold drinks and refreshments such as kakigori (shaved ice) to compete with the summer heat.
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NAVY ARRIVIN
photo by MC2 Jordan KirkJohnson
NG
secretary of the navy visits big blue
BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS PATRICK SEMALES
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer met with leadership and spoke to service-members aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a ship visit as part of a tour July 12. Spencer began his visit by meeting with Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Captain Brett Crozier and other command leadership before participating in the tour, which highlighted some of the ship’s recently renovated spaces. During the meeting, Spencer took the time to discuss the ship’s projected schedule, command mission, and the responsibility Blue Ridge has as 7th Fleet flagship. Following the tour, Spencer sat down for lunch with the enlisted crew on the ship’s mess decks and took time to connect with a number of junior Sailors on a personal level. “It was an honor to have the secretary aboard,” said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Derek Coglievina. “I thought he was a great speaker and truly personable. It was pretty surreal to dine right next to somebody so high up in the Navy’s chain of command.” Blue Ridge has undergone an extensive maintenance period over the course of two years in order to modernize the ship, allowing it to continue to serve as a robust communications platform in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. “After all of the hard work we’ve been putting into the ship, it was a privilege to show the secretary just how far we’ve come in order to bring the ship back to sea,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Joshua Nightengale, Blue Ridge Sailor of the Year. “We spoke throughout the entire lunch, and it was interesting to learn about his own personal story and to communicate with him on a working level.” During his visit the secretary also met with a few select Blue Ridge Sailors in order thank them for their exceptional performance under the ship’s command. “It was an incredible feeling to receive a coin from the Secretary of the Navy, and I won’t forget it anytime soon,” said Seaman Jackyly Dayto. “I think the fact he was so invested in spending time with the lower-ranking Sailors is a good sign of a true leader.” Spencer was sworn in as the 76th Secretary of the Navy Aug. 3, 2017. In 1976, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an H-46 pilot until 1981 before departing active duty to enter the private finance sector.
EYE FLEET ON
THE
NAVY ANNOUNCES RATING MODERNIZATION PROGRESS UPDATE by Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
Navy released an update on the Sailor 2025 Rating Modernization’s four lines of effort (LOE): Career Fields, Marketplace Force Management, Advancement, and Credentialing in NAVADMIN 196/18, Aug. 13. The updates listed below provide a summary on the current status and way ahead of the four LOEs, but all personnel are strongly encouraged to read the NAVADMIN for greater detail on each topic. Career Fields The alignment of Navy ratings into 23 career fields and 12 broad communities has provided a foundation for future development of more flexible and sustainable career paths for Sailors. In October 2017, and March and June of this year, three groups of over 850 Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) codes were successfully converted to a new construct. More information about the revised NEC construct and communities and career fields can be found at http://www. public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/nec/Pages/default. aspx. Marketplace Force Management Driven by the urgent requirement to update and modernize personnel systems, the Navy began to expand career fields, in order to transform enlisted force community and career management in the future.
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A new “Navy Detailing Marketplace” is currently under development, through which the foundational elements of
an automated personnel management system will tie Sailor enlistment directly to negotiations for a billet, which will then allow Sailors to reenlist or extend for that billet assignment. The marketplace will be a single system that uses the new NEC construct to better represent Sailors’ qualifications, experience, and performance in the form of a resume. The “Sailor Resume” function will be available in the future under “My Record” on MyNavy Portal (MNP). Starting in Fiscal Year 2019, Sailors will be able to view all advertised billets for which they are qualified and to then submit a resume that includes: ASVAB scores, security clearance status, worldwide deployability, qualifications, evaluations, NECs earned, education degrees and training certifications. Ultimately, the resume function will provide the ability to better match Sailors to billets. Advancement Process Late in 2017, Navy senior enlisted leaders completed the first phase of the Advancement Exam Readiness Review (AERR) testing bank improvement plan by drafting advancement exam questions that match current and relevant ratingspecific technical requirements with the hands-on, real-world knowledge and experience needed in the Fleet. The establishment of the Professional Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE) focuses the Navy Wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) on occupational knowledge and will serve as an eligibility requirement for advancement to paygrades E4/5/6/7. PMK-EE will be delivered electronically, and will be available via the MyNavyPortal (MNP) website beginning in October 2018.
The online Enlisted Advancement Worksheet (EAW), will automate the manual advancement processes and enable Sailors to review their worksheets before the exam and take charge of their advancement records. An EAW pilot, available through the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS), will be implemented with the Active Duty and Reserve spring 2019 advancement cycles. The Senior Enlisted Advancement to Vacancy (A2V) pilot was announced in June and will fill senior chief petty officer and master chief petty officer priority billets using a spot advancement incentive, and will lead enlisted advancement modernization for exceptional Sailors in all paygrades with critical NECs in the future. Credentialing Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) currently funds over 2,700 certificates/licenses with opportunities for Sailors in every rating. Navy COOL recently reduced the minimum service remaining on a Sailor’s enlistment contract to earn credentials from 12 to six months, and expanded opportunity for Sailors to earn credentials mapped to an academic degree or technical education certificate. Additionally, there are more opportunities for Sailors to maximize their Navy training and qualifications toward attainment of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) licenses, to include funding the Transportation Worker Identification Card. These opportunities are highlighted in a dedicated “USCG National
Maritime Center (NMC) Credentialing� tab for ratings with applicable USCG license alignment on the Navy COOL website. Sailors will be able to convert their military training records, billet assignment history and other credentialing data to a compatible civilian resume by the end of fiscal year 2019. Using those standardized data, Sailors can easily research information on civilian and federal occupations mapped to their ratings at https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn or via the Navy COOL app available on the Google Play store or iTunes. The goals for Rating Modernization are to provide greater choice and flexibility for our Sailors with respect to detailing and training, to provide greater flexibility for the Navy in assigning highly trained personnel, and to increase professional alignment with civilian employers. Rating Modernization supports Sailor 2025 initiatives through the goals of redefining career fields, improving talent management and the detailing process, offering more career choices, and expanding professional development opportunities. These initiatives are intended to increase Fleet readiness, sustainability, and fit.
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photo by mc2 adam k. thomas
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