USS EMORY S. LAND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION || JULY 2017 || VOLUME 8 || ISSUE 7 || TEAM TENDER
NEW INCENTIVES FOR PRT The best way to motivate a Sailor is to provide a benefit for hard work, and the Navy answered the call by incentivizing the PRT. Pg. 23
SUB TENDER HISTORY Our primary mission is repairing and reloading submarines, but tenders have answered the call to enter battle and fight. Pg. 41
SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER The journey to qualifying SWO goes through a destroyer or cruiser. One of ESL’s officers recently completed that journey. Pg. 11
L ANDM ARK magazine is an authorized publication for Sailors aboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by, the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Emory S. Land. All news, photos, and information for publication in Landmark magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. Magazine produced by USS Emory S. Land Media Services. USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is manned by an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian Mariners under the administrative control of Commander, Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and operational control of Commander, Task Force 74. As a forwarddeployed naval force, USS Emory S. Land is tasked to provide expeditionary intermediate level maintenance and repairs, hotel services, and logistics support to deployed Guided Missile and Fast Attack submarines deployed in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
COMMAND TRIAD COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Douglas Bradley EXECUTIVE OFFICER Cmdr. Robert Lopez COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM William Greene
MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Bradley Newsad
ONE GIANT STRIDE FOR THE NAVY PRT Sailors and Marines assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) participate in a 5k run. With the new PRT instruction, preparation has never been more fullfulling. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Adaecus G. Brooks) 1 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
LEADING PETTY OFFICER MC1(SW) Timmy Wakefield MEDIA SERVICES MC1(SW/AW) Oliver Cole MC2 Alex Miller MC3 Daniel Willoughby
ON THE COVER: A ribbon over the Emory S. Land seal recognizes the efforts of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and honors the seven Sailors lost in the tragedy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ESLs NEWEST SWO Check out Ensign Brandon Shellenberger’s twoplus month journey aboard USS Stethem (DDG 63), where he earned a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) device.
PAGE 11 LEADERSHIP Pg. 03 - The Commanding Officer
Pg. 07 - The Executive Officer
PG 17
FEATURES
Pg. 11 - The Journey to SWO Pg. 15 - BRS or Legacy Pg. 17 - April 16, 2014 Pg. 23 - Navy Incentivizes the PRT Pg. 25 - Fightin’ Fitz
HISTORY
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LEADERSHIP
THE COMMANDING OFFICER THE HIGHLIGHTS
As we enter another month in Guam, we should be proud of several accomplishments from the month of June, including a successful Tomahawk missiles inspection and a timely and successful Continuous Maintenance Availability on USS Oklahoma City.
“ONE GUAM” MISSION This past month we heavily focused on our local mission, ‘One Guam,’ to improve the quality of life for the people of Guam as well as the military that call Guam home. We pursued our goals through conservation and environmental clean-up in and around the local schools and communities of our sister villages, Asan, Dededo, and Merizo. Much of this work was facilitated by the local Island Girl Power organization – I appreciate their collaboration and assistance. I am proud of the effort put forth by Team Tender Sailors. Keep up the hard work! TOURS We hosted several tours aboard the ship in which Team Tender Sailors were able to demonstrate our missioncritical capabilities. Most notably, several crew members of the Republic of Korea submarine ROKS Jung Woon (SS 67), including commanding officer, Cmdr. Kin Joon Yup, toured the ship. 3 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
I was proud to demonstrate and strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and South Korean navies. Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Frederick J. Roegge, our type commander, also toured our ship and held an all-hands call stressing the importance of Team Tender’s mission to the fleet. MISSION HIGHLIGHTS Completing our mission requires a plethora of inspections and certifications. June was all about inspecting and certifying our capability to handle Tomahawk missiles. Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Systems Program Office (PMA-280) came out to record, inspect, and certify the weapons department in the handling of Tomahawk missiles. Their efforts got ‘rave reviews’ from PMA-280, who said our team was the best they’ve seen from a tender crew in several years. Bravo Zulu to all those who made this certification a success!
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AS AMBASSADORS TO NOT ONLY THE U.S. NAVY, BUT THE UNITED STATES, IT’S IMPORTANT TO SHARE CULTURE AND HERITAGE WITH THE RESIDENTS OF GUAM. As a submarine tender, our name is our mission; we tend submarines. USS Oklahoma City completed their first Continuous Maintenance Availability in Guam. We had a short timeline coupled with a lot of work so we had to come up with some creative solutions. Although we came down to the wire, the repair department came up with a solution to get Oklahoma City’s main ballast tank operator tanks fully functional and we got them out to sea on time. Bravo Zulu to the entire repair department! USS FITZGERALD I’m impressed every day by the caliber of people that serve in our Navy. Commander, Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott Swift said it best when he said, “[w] e fight the ship to save ourselves. Every time we go to sea, the ship is our sanctuary and all Sailors have to come together as a crew and fight their ship, and that is exactly what Fitzgerald did.” I will continue to stress my four tenants to all of our Team Tender Sailors. The tragedy on USS Fitzgerald should remind everyone to Be Ready. We train like we fight, fight like we train so we can always be ready for the unexpected and respond appropriately. I want to stress another of my four tenants to all of our Sailors – Be Respectful of the ongoing investigations. Do not share information, photographs, or speculate. Not only are we ambassadors to our country, but we are ambassadors of the U.S. Navy. We owe it to our seven fallen Sailors to be respectful of the ongoing investigations during the coming days, weeks, and months. This is how we take care of our Shipmates, by being respectful. LIBERTY MISSION On July 4th, we celebrate our independence. We will have musical guest Papa Roach and an awesome fireworks show at Polaris Point. As always, I challenge the crew to Be Safe both on and off-duty. Team Tender’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team did an amazing job last month with the command picnic. For July, they will be leading a command sports day. Thank you to our MWR team for continually sacrificing your time to keep the crew’s morale high. 5 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
EMERGENT REPAIR FACILITY (ERF) The ERF is transitioning from the initial start-up operations to testing. We are assessing the facility on a functional level, determining what we can do now, and recognizing the limitations of its capabilities. In time, the ERF will be the ‘home-base’ for initial screening work, parts, and repairs to keep our submarines fully operational and productive in the fleet. LIBERATION DAY As ambassadors to not only the U.S. Navy, but the United States, it’s important to share culture and heritage with the residents of Guam. In preparation for Liberation Day on July 21st, we will engage in a number of events with our sister villages, including helping them prepare for the parade, decorating floats, and taking time to appreciate the Chamorro culture. I encourage everyone on Team Tender to participate in both the events leading up to Liberation Day and the celebrations on July 21st. It’s a chance for us to support the military’s ‘One Guam’ mission and to give back to the community for their outstanding support and patriotism. 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER Be Safe – we are officially in the ‘101 Critical Days of Summer.’ It’s always summer on Guam, but I highlight safety for this very reason. Because it is always summer here, we expose ourselves to year-long shipboard safety hazards, weather-related dangers, and off-duty recreational activities. If one Shipmate becomes injured, it affects the whole team – that’s why it’s so important to recognize safety as an integral part of a productive team. I also don’t want to see any of my Sailors get hurt. It’s critically important to take safety to heart so know your limits, the rules, and have a solid plan. Lastly, Be Honest. No Sailor should be afraid to admit they need to use a backup plan. Reach out to the ship if your plan fails. We are here to help.
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THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Interview and photos by MC2 Richard A. Miller
In this month’s interview with the XO, Commander Lopez talks about earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree and his mission to inspire his Sailors to seek further education. He also talks about being goaldriven, what he enjoys doing on July 4th, and some of his favorite musical artists.
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MC2: When you introduce yourself at the ship’s indoctrination class, you stress the importance of the Navy’s off-duty education opportunities. Why are you so passionate about this specific opportunity? XO: College is extremely important because the more we educate ourselves, the more we are able to contribute and help other people. That’s what the Navy’s all about. I started my bachelor’s degree in 1998 and it took me 14 years to get it. I used every excuse I could think of, but when it came time to get my master’s degree, it took me less than a year. The job was exponentially harder, but I made it a priority. By making college a priority, it fit into my schedule. I had to cut out some of the fat in life, whether that’s watching TV or lounging around on the couch, but cutting those alone freed up time for school. Neither work nor my family life ever had to suffer. If you just prioritize and reorganize, it will all fit into your schedule. MC2: You individually ask each Sailor in INDOC what’s stopping them from getting a degree. Then, you address each excuse with a solution. Have you always had this “can do” attitude or have you developed throughout your career? XO: There are many reasons we use to justify our lack of progress, but most of those are just excuses. There can be legitimate obstacles in life that prevent someone from going to college, but for those people I recommend furthering themselves through books, seminars, and mentorship. While I have an audience, I’d like to mention a great program called the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA), which provides qualifying spouses up to $4,000 in scholarship money for school. There are certain requirements, but you can’t beat $4,000 of free money. With respect to my “can do” attitude, I had that drilled into me at a young age, but my naval career has helped me become a better problem solver. When it comes to household chores or things of that nature, I am guilty of being a common procrastinator – because who wants to do household chores? MC2: What advice would you give to someone who has a goal, but feels like there are obstacles hindering them? XO: First, never give up. Second, never lose focus. You have to set goals, establish priorities, and always make
strides toward where you want to be. A roadmap that has worked for me is setting one, three, and five year personal and professional goals. That helps me focus on what I want to achieve. Those goals compliment my personal vision. That personal vision is where you see yourself 20 years from now: what you’re going to be doing, where you’re going to be living, etc. If you line all those up, you can achieve your goals. I haven’t achieved every goal, and maybe a few were unrealistic, but one saying that always keeps me motivated is “reach for the stars; you may not reach them, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either.” MC2: You mentioned cutting out some of your leisure time to get things done, but I’m hoping you made room for the holidays. Do you have any special 4th of July traditions? XO: Growing up, the 4th of July was always about barbecue and fireworks. Now, as I get older, I don’t enjoy sitting in the long lines trying to leave the fireworks shows. My kids are fully grown, out of the house, and have kids of their own, but this year my grandson is on island for the 4th of July and you can bet it’s going to be all about barbecuing and fireworks. MC2: As a music fan, what do you listen to? XO: When it comes to music, I listen to everybody. I grew up with country and western, classic rock, but also heavy metal: Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, AC/ DC. My first concert was Steppenwolf and The Guess Who back in the mid ‘80s. I’m also a trumpet player, so I like jazz, classical, and rhythm and blues. I like almost everything out there. MC2: You said you’re into heavy metal, are you a Black Sabbath fan at all? XO: Absolutely, Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy Osbourne! Black Sabbath is a great band. MC2: Which singer do you prefer: Ozzy or Dio? XO: I would have to say Ozzy. I had posters of Dio on my wall way back when, but I don’t hear many Dio songs being played nowadays. Both singers are great, but Sabbath with Ozzy is legendary and has that staying power.
I WOULD HAVE TO SAY OZZY. I HAD POSTERS OF DIO ON MY WALL WAY BACK WHEN, BUT I DON’T HEAR MANY DIO SONGS BEING PLAYED NOWADAYS. BOTH SINGERS ARE GREAT, BUT SABBATH WITH OZZY IS LEGENDARY AND HAS THAT STAYING POWER. LANDMARK | JULY 2017 | 10
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THE JOURNEY TO SWO Story and photos by MC1 Oliver Cole
importantly, we do not have a combat systems department. This is required in order to qualify as Combat Information Center Watch O f f i c e r (CICWO), which is a required competency before earning a SWO pin. Becoming a warfare-qualified SWO requires each officer to meet Navy-wide standards and to demonstrate your ability to fight wars in any type of surface warship.
Ensign Brandon Shellenberger, the Assistant Weapons Officer and Anti-Terrorism Officer aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), recently completed the rigorous qualification process required to earn a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) device. He was pinned on May 26, 2017 by Commander, Task Force 70, Rear Adm. Charles Williams. His pinning culminated a challenging 75-day temporary assignment to USS Stethem (DDG 63).
MC1: Congratulations on earning your SWO pin! It sounds like it was hard-earned and well deserved. How would you summarize the process? ENS: It was similar to the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist device – there was a lot of information to learn and understand, followed by exams and oral boards. In order to qualify for the SWO pin, I met the requirements to qualify as antiterrorism watch officer, officer of the deck underway and in port, and much more. MC1: Can you talk about being temporarily assigned to USS Stethem? Was that something you chose to do or something that was required in order to earn the SWO pin? ENS: In short, it was required that I go TAD (Temporary Additional Duty) to either a cruiser or a destroyer. Emory S. Land serves a unique and important mission in the fleet. There are a lot of capabilities that we possess that no other ship outside of the USS Frank Cable possesses. However, there are a few capabilities associated with U.S. Navy surface warships that we do not possess. Most 11 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
MC1: Were you able to find time to work on anything other than qualifications while you were assigned to Stethem? ENS: Going solely to get a warfare device is something I tried not to do. As soon as I got there I was asking “how can I help?” I’ve been in the Navy for nearly 14 years, so I’ve seen riders come aboard a boat only to get their pin. They ate the chow, used the stalls, slept in the racks, got their pin and left. I didn’t want to be that Sailor. I got there and helped with 3M, I stood as many watches as possible, and I assisted on each evolution they performed in order to free up their watch bill. When I left I didn’t want that crew to say we had a rider from the Emory S. Land. I wanted them to say we had a Sailor who helped out from the Emory S. Land.
LOOKING AHEAD Ensign Brandon Shellenberger stands on USS Emory S. Land’s bridge. Shellenberger recently received the SWO device while aboard USS Stethem (DDG 63).
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MC1: What was the most challenging part of the qualification? ENS: The whole experience was challenging, and especially so because of the time restraint. The CICWO and OOD qualifications were very detailed in all aspects, including equipment, knowledge and watch-standing responsibilities. The qualification deadline is generally a year but I needed to complete it in ten weeks. In addition to studying every day, I was helping out with 3M, running drills, and standing watch. As a result, I was usually working on 3 to 4 hours of sleep. It was very tough, but well worth the experience and knowledge. MC1: It sounds like it was hard-earned and well deserved. How many pins do you have now and how was each process different? ENS: I now have two warfare devices – enlisted submarine warfare and SWO. The difference between them is night and day, but not because one is harder than the other. They both have their challenges but submarines and surface ships are two completely different platforms. It’s important to continually educate yourself on your current platform because we become a more effective team with the knowledge we gain as Sailors.
MC1: It seems like you took this pretty seriously. Why was it important for you to get a SWO pin? ENS: Getting a SWO pin while assigned to a surface ship is important for career progression, but I also take pride in the accomplishment. I remember when I earned my dolphins – there was a huge sense of pride because I knew how much time, effort, and energy was spent earning it. I thought about all of the Sailors who had earned dolphins before me and the associated history and heritage. I almost forgot that when I started working towards a SWO pin. I was initially focused on just getting it done. It wasn’t until I went to USS Stethem and worked with the crew, including officers who had their SWO pins, that I recognized and remembered the pride in earning a warfare device. MC1: What was your favorite part of being on Stethem? ENS: I loved the windows. My favorite part of the day was going to the bridge and seeing something new. The crew and the wardroom were just awesome. The entire two and half months on Stethem were very job satisfying. I’d like to say thank you to the crew of Stethem for the opportunity and helping to earn my SWO pin.
NOT ONLY WAS I STUDYING EVERY DAY, I WAS RUNNING DRILLS AND RUNNING ON 3 TO 4 HOURS OF SLEEP. IT WAS VERY TOUGH BUT WELL WORTH THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
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PINNING DAY Ensign Brandon Shellenberger receives his SWO device from Rear Adm. Charles Williams, Commander CTF-70.
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BRS OR LEGACY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION Story by Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
NAVADMIN 133/17 is the official release of the Department of Defense Blended Retirement System (BRS) Comparison Calculator on the Military Compensation BRS webpage. The calculator is designed to assist eligible service members in comparing the legacy military retirement system and BRS and used in conjunction with the BRS OptIn Course. Along with these developments comes the Navy’s Financial Literacy app available in the iOS and Android app stores.
The BRS calculator can be found at http:// militarypay.defense.gov/Calculators/BRS/. Another tool for Sailors to help select which retirement system works best for them is the Navy Financial Literacy app. It’s designed to provide Sailors with access to both training and resources that are especially critical during the transition to BRS. The free app is available for download at the Google Play and iTunes app stores. To find the app, search “Navy Financial Literacy” in the app store or in your web browser.The decision to stay in the current retirement system or opt into BRS is an important and irrevocable decision that eligible Sailors must make based on their own individual circumstances. The BRS Comparison Calculator and the mandatory Opt-In Training are tools designed to help opt-in eligible Sailors make this crucial decision. Along with the BRS Opt-In training and Comparison Calculator, Sailors can seek financial information and counsel from their command financial specialists, or personal financial managers at Fleet and Family Support Centers. Military OneSource personal financial
counselors are also available to assist on line at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/ or via telephone at 800-342-9647. The mandatory opt-in training for those opt-in eligible members is available on Navy eLearning at https://www.aas.prod.nel.training.navy.mil/ ELIAASv2p/ or Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) at https://jkodirect.jten.mil/html/ COI.xhtml?course_prefix=J3O&course_ number=P-US1332(course#:J3O P-US1332). Commands can also request no cost DVDs through the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center at http://www.dimoc.mil/ customer/contact.html. In the order forms comments section include Course Title (J3OP-US1332 Blended Retirement System Opt-In (2hrs)), Pin Number 505679, quantity (provide justification if ordering over 50 copies), branch of service, and shipping address including name of person receiving the package. For the most up-to-date information on BRS and links to training go to the Uniform Services Blended Retirement web page at http://militarypay.defense.gov/ BlendedRetirement/. LANDMARK | JULY 2017 | 16
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APRIL 16, 2014
Story by MC3 Daniel Willoughby
While nearing the end of a deployment in the Western Pacific, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Eric Santiago and the crew of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) were called into action to assist in a search and rescue mission. For many reasons, it’s a day that Chief Santiago will never forget.
LESSONS FOR JUNIOR SAILORS Chief Boatswain’s Mate Eric Santiago, bottom, assists his Sailors secure a rigid-hull inflatable boat during an evolution in Guam harbor. Santiago was a Sailor aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in 2014 when disaster struck. LANDMARK | JULY 2017 | 18
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THE LASTING IMPACT A relative waits for their missing loved one at a port in Jindo, South Korea (AP Photo by Ahn Young-joon)
Within their first few years of service, most U. S. Navy Sailors will have deployed on a naval vessel. It’s hard work – Sailors work long hours performing their day job, but also stand watch and stay sharp through training. It’s also a chance to grow as a person and create life-long memories. While underway, far from friends and family, Sailors often reflect on their careers and life. The sea becomes a source of meditation. Looking out into the infinite void of the sea can be a transcendental experience for some. The days are long but it’s often rewarding to see the crew come together to complete a mission. A Sailor’s thoughts towards the end of a deployment are often of home and their loved ones. However, sometimes the mission can take an unexpected turn and the thought of home becomes a distant memory. It is in these moments where sea stories are made. Chief Boatswain’s Mate Eric Santiago, Deck division’s leading chief petty officer aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), has experienced one of these moments. In 2014, while deployed in the Indo-Asian Pacific area of operation aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the mission changed abruptly. Bonhomme Richard was completing a routine patrol in the waters west of the Korean peninsula when the officials from the Republic of Korea (ROK) reached out for assistance. “We were nearing the end of our deployment and all I could think about was home,” said Santiago. “The end of a deployment sparks unique excitement about returning home
to your loved ones. The journey can make your whole body tingle with excitement. But sometimes the mission changes – we’ve all experienced it. A new mission has a way of galvanizing a crew. In this case, we quickly resolved to help those in distress.” On April 16, 2014, Santiago was met by the assistant 1st lieutenant. He came into Santiago’s office with breaking news. The Korean passenger ferry, Sewol, was sinking near the island of Jindo off the southwestern coast of the Republic of Korea. The ferry had capsized carrying 476 people, mostly from a secondary school of Danwon High School. “I remember hearing the news and learning that we might help with the rescue mission,” said Santiago. “Thoughts of home diminished when I heard the news, and then completely vanished when the ship made a hard right turn and headed towards Jindo at full speed. My team and I knew exactly what was happening and more importantly, what we needed to do.” Upon our approach, all 120 deck department Sailors prepared the small boats for launch once we were in the vicinity of the ferry,” said Santiago. “Something incredible happened along the way there: for the first time in my career, I experienced the true spirit of a cohesive Navy and Marine Corps. The whole crew became single, missionfocused unit.” Each department had specific jobs in preparing for the event.
SOMETHING INCREDIBLE HAPPENED ALONG THE WAY THERE: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY CAREER, I EXPERIENCED THE TRUE SPIRIT OF A COHESIVE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS.
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THE SEARCH BEGINS An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in search of the ferry Sewol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Achterling)
“Deck department prepared the rigid-hull inflatable boats; Marines prepared the combat rubber-raiding crafts; air department sent aircraft to scan the area, relay information and provide search-and-rescue operations; supply department prepared blankets, pillows and other supplies necessary for the event; and the food service department began to plan and prepare food and water,” said Santiago. “Everyone was focused on doing their part to save these people and each Sailor worked with an uncommon determination to make that happen.” The Bonhomme Richard crew and air wing searched an area of 15 nautical miles from the site of the sunken ferry with MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, MV-22 Ospreys and UH1Y Hueys. Although the ROK and U.S. Navy provided search and rescue missions, only 172 lives were saved of the 476 onboard the Sewol ferry. Three hundred and four passengers and crew members perished in the two-and-half hour tragedy. Santiago uses this particular experience to teach teamwork and help prepare his Sailors for the unpredictable. “At the time of the tragedy, I had been in the Navy for 11 years. I had never felt a sense of team as strong as I did that day,” said Santiago. “No one thought of themselves. We were focused on helping and saving lives.” Santiago is also proud to have been able to assist an ally in a time of need. “It reinforced and reinvigorated my purpose in the Navy,” said Santiago. “That purpose may not always be related to warfighting. It can become something entirely different like saving the lives of those in distress.” LANDMARK | JULY 2017 | 22
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NAVY INCENTIVIZES THE PRT By Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs Photo by MCSN Bill M. Sanders
You asked for it, and the Navy answered -- the Physical Readiness Program now has an incentive that is sure to push you to achieve more. Starting Jan. 1, 2018, Sailors will be able to take one PRT instead of two per year by passing the body composition assessment (BCA), being within age-graduated body fat standards, and scoring an overall “excellent low” or better on the PRT.
The Navy announced several changes Tuesday to its Physical Readiness Program in NAVADMIN 141/17, including an incentive for Sailors to validate one physical readiness test (PRT) each year based on their fitness performance. Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke said that during his fleet visits he often hears ideas from Sailors on how to improve the Navy’s PRT process. “I want Sailors to know we’ve heard them,” Burke said. “Many Sailors work hard to maintain high levels of physical fitness year-round and I believe this provides an 23 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
incentive to continue to excel. This effort is aimed at both incentivizing physical fitness and also reducing administrative distractions throughout the fleet.” Those Sailors who pass the body composition assessment (BCA), are within the Navy age-graduated body fat standards, and score an overall “excellent low” or better on the PRT, with no single event lower than a “good low,” will be exempt from participation in the next test. These changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2018, but be based on a Sailor’s performance during the second PRT cycle of 2017. All Sailors, regardless of PRT performance will still be required to participate in the BCA each cycle. If a Sailor who is exempt from taking the PRT fails the BCA, they will be required to participate in the PRT that cycle. Additionally, the Navy is also eliminating the use of elliptical machines as an alternate cardio device for use because of low-usage across the fleet during the PRT. This decision was based on two factors. First, less than 4 percent of the Navy uses the elliptical for the PRT,
MANY SAILORS WORK HARD TO MAINTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS YEAR-ROUND AND I BELIEVE THIS PROVIDES AN INCENTIVE TO CONTINUE TO EXCEL. and maintaining PRT-compliant elliptical machines was becoming increasingly cost prohibitive. Shifting to non-PRT-compliant elliptical machines will allow for more modern elliptical machines in Navy fitness facilities. While the 1.5 mile run remains the service standard, commanding officers may still authorize the use of approved stationary bikes, treadmills or allow Sailors to swim as alternate cardio. The Navy is also exempting post-partum Sailors from participating in the physical fitness assessment (PFA) for six months following the Sailors’ maternity/ convalescent leave. This change reflects an increase to the Navy’s increased maternity leave policy of 84 days following child birth.
This will ensure Sailors have adequate time to return to weight standards and pass a PRT following a pregnancy. “We want to ensure our Sailors have adequate time to recover and succeed post pregnancy,” said Burke. “This extended time will help Sailors return to fitness levels and standards in a safe and healthy way.”Additional information can be found at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupersnpc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/physical and in NAVADMIN 141/17.For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www. facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/ usnavy.For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT Sailors conduct their bi-annual Physical Readiness Test (PRT) in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
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Photo by AFP via Getty Images
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FIGHTIN’ FITZ
HONORING THE FALLEN Photos released by U.S. Navy
Bios provided by The Washington Post
HELP ALONG THE WAY This image shows the USS Fitzgerald next to tugboats off the Shimoda coast after it collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship June 17, 2017. LANDMARK | JULY 2017 | 26
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GUNNER’S MATE SEAMAN DAKOTA KYLE RIGSBY Dakota Kyle Rigsby graduated from Fluvanna County High School in rural central Virginia, where he played football. His friend Ryan Boon told CNN affiliate WVIR that Rigsby was “one of the most positive, uplifting guys I knew in school, no matter what.” Before joining the Navy, Rigsby served as a volunteer in the Lake Monticello Fire Department. “He grew into what we would consider a good man,” Assistant Fire Chief Jean Campbell said
at a press conference Sunday, as reported by WVIR. Rigsby’s family was originally set to speak at the press conference but was too overwhelmed to do so. The fire department’s flag is flying at half-staff, and the department has changed its Facebook profile image to a portrait of Rigsby. “It’s a tragic loss and he was definitely taken entirely too soon ...” Campbell said. “We just know that he is watching over us right now.”
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FEATURES
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FIRE CONTROLMAN 2ND CLASS CARLOS VICTOR GANZON SIBAYAN Carlos Victor Sibayan was always smiling. “There was never a time that Carlos wasn’t making people laugh,” Chase Cornils, a fellow cadet in Chaparral High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “He always had a cheerful attitude and a smile on his face. When I think of Carlos, I can only remember an extremely happy guy who was willing to help all of his friends.” Sibayan grew up in a military family, as his father served 21 years in the military, his mother told NBC7 in San Diego.
Carmen Sibayan said that while her husband was away, her eldest son became the “dad” of the family. “In every sense of the word, he is my hero,” she told the news station. Friends said Sibayan was driven to enlist in the Navy as soon as he graduated high school. One posted on Facebook, in part: “Carlos was such an amazing guy and great friend. He could always bring a smile to your face with his humor and personality. He served our country well.
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FEATURES
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GUNNER’S MATE 2ND CLASS NOE HERNANDEZ Hernandez’ cousin says that pictures the sailor shared of his travels brought them closer, even though they were separated by thousands of miles of ocean. “We lived through his experiences. His travels,” Aly Hernandez-Singer told CNN affiliate KTVT. “We were just proud that our boy was up there.” The cousin said Hernandez died in the collision from a head injury as he slept. “When they confirmed it, it was like a kick to the chest,” she told
KTVT. Noe met his wife Dora, who was in the ROTC, in high school. “That was his first love... his only love,” Hernandez-Singer told the affiliate. Hernandez also is survived by a young son, Leon. The family’s next step is to come together to honor his life and legacy. “We all came from poverty in Guatemala,” says Hernandez-Singer. “He was the one who made it. And we were so proud of him.”
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FEATURES
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SONAR TECHNICIAN 3RD CLASS NGOC T. TRUONG Huynh’s family moved to Connecticut when he was in eighth grade, his sister Lan Huynh told WVIT. The siblings graduated from Watertown High School, Lan Huynh said. Her brother, who went by the name “Tan,” attended Naugatuck Valley Community College before joining the Navy in 2014. The family moved to Oklahoma after Huynh enlisted, and that might have led to a delay in notifying them of his death, according to his sister. “We got a phone call from the Navy
personnel in Connecticut. He couldn’t find us because he didn’t know we had moved to Oklahoma,” Lan Huynh told WVIT. She said the family is coping as best they can. “He was a really quiet person. He was also very nice, very selfless. He helped us, the family with a lot,” she told WVIT. “He had the brightest smile.” One friend posted on Facebook how much she cherished her memories of Huynh: “You were such a genuine and kind hearted person and it pains me that you are no longer here.
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FEATURES
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PERSONNEL SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS XAVIER ALEC MARTIN When Darrold Martin saw the Navy chaplain at his front door on Sunday -- Father’s Day -- he knew his son was gone. “It’s very hard. He’s my only child, he’s all I have,” Martin told CNN affiliate WJZ of son Alec, who joined the Navy to follow in his father’s footsteps. Martin said he raised his son as a single father for most of the young man’s life and that they shared a close bond. They even had
matching tattoos. His son graduated from Lansdowne High School with honors in 2010. Now Martin is trying to come to grips with his new reality -- and encouraging others to appreciate what they have. “It just occurred to me call everybody ... every dad that I knew, and say ‘Happy Father’s Day,” Martin said.
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FEATURES
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YEOMAN 3RD CLASS SHINGO ALEXANDER DOUGLASS Douglass, a 2010 graduate of Fallbrook High School north of San Diego, was an avid video game player who followed his dad into the Navy, his father told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We’re still in sort of a state of shock,” said retired US Marine Corps Master Sgt. Stephen Douglass. Douglass was born at the naval hospital in Okinawa and spent many summers as a boy in Japan, learning to speak fluent Japanese, according to a family statement. He was proud of both his Japanese and military family background, they said. Douglass enlisted in 2014 and joined the destroyer in early 2015 after entrylevel training at Naval Station Great Lakes and in Mississippi, the paper reported. In a 2015 interview with the Military Press, Douglass said he was proud to be serving his country. His duties included maintaining the outside of the ship by sanding and painting, line handling and
raising and lowering the rafts. “The Navy is allowing me to travel, get a better understanding of how they operate while out at sea,” the sailor said. His family described him as an adventurous young man, who loved to travel. He was a certified scuba diver and a Black Belt in karate, and played tennis. He was also an avid gamer, studied computer game design and loved to attend Comic Con, they said in a statement. In a post on Facebook the mother of one of Douglass’ friends called him “a very sweet kind boy with a big bright smile that lit up the room.” “Shingo served his Nation proudly, and we are also very proud of him and his service. We loved him very much and his parents and younger brother will miss him more than words can express,” his family said in a statement.
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FEATURES
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FIRE CONTROLMAN 1ST CLASS GARY LEO REHM JR. Rehm Jr., from a suburb west of Cleveland, was just three months shy of retirement from the Navy, friends say. His wife, Erin Rehm posted to Facebook after his death: “We were obsessed with each other. I’m just so lost right now,” she said in response to a friend’s comment. His uncle, Stanley Rehm said he heard from Rehm’s father that his nephew made heroic efforts to save his fellow sailors.
“He went back down to where the other ones were at to save them,” Stanley Rehm told CNN afiiliate WJW. “The ship was flooding so fast they had to close the hatch to save the ship. They had to sacrifice the few to save the many. Guess he died a hero.” “The world has lost a wonderful person,” another family friend posted on Facebook. “I can confidently say that he was one of the best people I had the pleasure of knowing.”
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HISTORY
USS PROTEUS THE STORY OF AS 19
Research and Story by MC2 Richard A. Miller Photos from Naval History and Heritage Command
USS Proteus (AS 19) served as an active U.S. Navy ship for nearly 50 years, spanning both World War II and the end of the Cold War. Her history is tied to USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in many ways, including significant service here in Guam.
DUTY AND HONOR Japanese submarines I-14 and I-400 sit alongside Proteus. One of Proteus’ missions was to escort captured or surrendered enemy submarines. 41 | LANDMARK | JULY 2017
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HISTORY
THERE UNTIL THE END An American flag flies above a frayed Japanese flag on a Japanese submarine as it sits alongside Proteus.
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USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), the lead submarine tender in her class, carries with her a history and tradition dating back to an entire century of submarine tenders. USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Land’s sister ship, are the only two submarine tenders in the entire Navy fleet, consisting of more than 300 ships. Submarine tenders have played roles in several wars, most notably in the Pacific theater of World War II. The submarine tender, USS Proteus (AS 19), the third ship to carry the name, was commissioned January 31, 1944 with Capt. Robert W. Berry in command and played a key role in the later stages of World War II. Proteus spent much of 1944 and 1945 forward deployed to Midway and Guam, making its mark in Guam’s detailed history of service to the submarine community, which continues today with the current submarine tenders, Land and Cable. Shortly after commissioning, Proteus departed from San Francisco on March 19, 1944 for the Midway Atoll to assist Submarine Squadron 20. She operated at Midway from May 3 to December 1, 1944, completing 51 voyage repairs and 14 refits for submarines. Months of extensive repair work took a toll on the crew, who worked long hours around the clock to get the submarines in working order. Proteus made its way to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in December. After a brief dry dock phase, the ship completed two voyage repairs and one refit while in Hawaii. The lighter load of repair work provided the crew with a much-needed rest period after the grueling work schedule at Midway. The relaxation period didn’t last long for Proteus Sailors. The ship got underway again on February 5, 1945, accompanied by the destroyer USS Doherty (DE 14). The convoy arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam, on February 16, 1945 to start another extensive round of refit and repair work. The Proteus crew gave every submarine returning from patrol the most in-depth attention possible, taking care of the boats while the crews rested at a nearby camp. Along with refueling the submarines, Proteus Sailors brought fresh fruit, ice cream and mail on board, arranged medical and dental care
for the submariners, and took care of all the soiled laundry. These replenishments provided a major morale boost for the exhausted submariners, helping them get back in fighting condition while resting and preparing to depart again. During her time in Guam, Proteus tended around 30 different submarines, completing refits in anywhere from a few days to a month. The shortest refit service was given to USS Tinosa (SS 283) in a period of six days. The repair department worked through the assignment 24 hours a day. The longest refit was given to USS Grouper (SS 214) and took an entire month due to reinstalling all cells of both main storage batteries. On August 15, 1945 Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Charles A. Lockwood Jr., issued orders to Proteus and Commander Submarine Squadron 20 to proceed to Japan to assist in the invasion. Extra personnel were immediately ordered to Proteus to maximize the number of prize crews to man captured enemy submarines. Proteus was underway in less than 24 hours after receiving the orders. The crew worked tirelessly to load approximately 400 tons of gear onto the ship in a six-hour span before departing. Proteus and Commander Submarine Squadron 20 rendezvoused with U.S. Third Fleet 270 miles southeast of Tokyo, forming a support force of 26 ships named Task Group 35.80. The task group anchored in Sagami Wan, off Honshu, Japan, and prepared to enter Tokyo Bay. On August 27 Commander, U.S. Third Fleet, received a message reporting aircraft contact with a Japanese submarine flying the designated surrender colors. Proteus prepared one of its 12 prize crews of four officers and 40 enlisted for immediate departure. Shortly after, aircraft contact was made with a second Japanese submarine nearby. On August 29, 1945 the surrendered Japanese submarine I-400, the largest submarine in the world, and its prize crew moored alongside to port of Proteus. Less than an hour later, the second surrendered Japanese submarine, I-14, moored alongside to port and outboard of the I-400.
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HISTORY
Proteus and the two surrendered submarines got underway a day later en route to Tokyo Bay and anchored in Berth 54, passing seven mine fields on the way. Immediately after anchoring, three demilitarization units from Submarine Divisions 161, 201 and 202 went ashore to occupy the Yokosuka Submarine Base, in Yokosuka, Japan. Proteus, I-400, I-14 and I-401, a third surrendered Japanese submarine intercepted by the USS Segundo (SS 398), proceeded to within the breakwater of Yokosuka Naval Base adjacent to the submarine base. Proteus anchored with Vice Adm. Lockwood on board, the captured submarines and 12 U.S. submarines moored on both sides. Commander, Yokosuka Occupation Force, assigned to Submarine Squadron 20 aboard Proteus, went ashore to demilitarize all submarines, human torpedoes, torpedo-carrying boats and suicide boats at Yokosuka and surrounding areas in the Tokyo Bay. Vice Adm. Lockwood was in the region to represent the U.S. Naval submarine forces at the formal signing of the Japanese surrender documents on September 2, 1945 aboard USS Missouri (BB 63). At 9:45 a.m. Lockwood’s flag was raised on the Japanese submarine I-100 during the signing of the surrender ceremonies and remained flying for several hours. Lockwood and the 12 U.S. submarines departed the following day, leaving Proteus and the captured submarines in the Tokyo Bay. The Proteus departed Japan on November 1, 1945 to return home. She transited the Panama Canal on December 6 and arrived at New London, Connecticut ten days later. On September 26, 1947 she was decommissioned and placed in service as the station ship for the submarine base at New London. Proteus served in that role served until January 1959, when she arrived at the Charleston Naval Shipyard for conversion to a tender for the Polaris Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines. Proteus recommissioned on July 8, 1960, accomplishing its first SSBN refit from January 20 to February 21, 1961 in New London. This ushered in a new era of submarine service through support of the Fleet Ballistic Submarine Force. The revamped Proteus provided service to Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarines for more than 30 years. The ship was inactivated at Apra Harbor, Guam, on July 11, 1992 before proceeding to Bremerton, Washington, where she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval registry in September, 1992. Proteus remained in Bremerton until December, 2007, when she was towed to Brownsville, Texas, and scrapped. Throughout 50 years of service, Proteus left her mark in the history of the U.S. Navy submarine force and the island of Guam, where she was homeported for half her lifespan. Whether through the dedication of the hard-working crews during World War II, or through setting the standard for future submarine tenders by supporting the new SSBN submarines in the 1960s, the Proteus’ impact can still be seen today. Long after being scrapped, Proteus’ legend still finds its home anchored in Apra Harbor, passing her history and wisdom to the crews of her few surviving descendants.
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SURRENDER Proteus, along with subs from COMSUBRON 20, sits in formation on the official day of surrender.
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