The official publication of the USS Emory S. Land
THE
LANDMARK
Inside this issue PG. 19 Christmas on the ESL PG. 5 Highlights from XO PG. 9 MM1 Troy Hall PG. 13 History of Deck Log Poetry
JAN 2018
V9|1
THE COMMAND TRIAD COMMANDING OFFICER | Capt. Douglas A. Bradley EXECUTIVE OFFICER | Cmdr. Robert J. Lopez COMMAND MASTER CHIEF | CMDCM William T. Greene THE LANDMARK MAGAZINE STAFF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | Lt. Daniel Moore ASST. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | MC1 Timmy Wakefield LEADING PETTY OFFICER | MC1 Oliver Cole LEAD EDITOR | MC2 Alex Miller SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER | MC2 Daniel Willoughby STAFF JOURNALIST | MCSN Destinyy Reed STAFF JOURNALIST | MCSN Benjamin Zuercher The Landmark 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, Dept. of Defense, Dept. of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the ESL. All news, photos, and information for publication in The Landmark Magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer of the USS Emory S. Land. The Landmark Magazine is produced by ESL Media Services department. ESL is manned by an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian mariners under the administrative control of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and operational control of the Commander, Task Force 74. As a forward-deployed naval force, ESL is tasked to provide epeditionary, intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, hotel services, and logistics support to deployed GuidedMissile and Fast-Attack submarines deployed in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MUST BE AUTHORIZED BY THE PUBLISHER AND CREDITED TO THE LANDMARK MAGAZINE AND THE CONTRIBUTORS INVOLVED.
Dessert dish served by Military Sealift Command personnel to Sailors aboard the ESL on Christmas day. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Oliver Cole
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Capt. Douglas Bradley Commanding Officer, USS Emory S. Land
2018: The Big Picture We are anticipating Frank Cable’s return in the first quarter of 2018. That will bring on a Lead Maintenance Activity turnover shortly after, enabling us to exercise our capabilities away from the island. We do not have exact dates for when and where that will be, but it is in the big picture for 2018. We are also looking ahead toward an extensive maintenance period for our ship with outside contractors and a more in-depth level of attention than we are capable of while operating as LMA. That’s notionally scheduled to about 90 days of maintenance work. The details aren’t fully ironed out, but as we progress through these next few months we will have more resolution. Those are the key things for 2018: tender turnover, underway, and maintenance. First Quarter Goals Our focus as a ship is still keeping our submarines fit to fight. In conjunction with that, we must ensure we are materially ready and our crew is trained to get the ship underway. We will continue to press on those areas in
the first quarter of 2018. Tender turnover will be a major undertaking, as the ships haven’t swapped LMA duties since summer 2016. Important Events for January With stand down over, our crew should return to its full size a few weeks into January after we celebrate starting our new year. Midway through the month we have Martin Luther King Jr. Day, where we remember Dr. King’s efforts and driving force behind our civil rights movement. Our diversity committee has a few events planned to commemorate that, including a 5k run toward the end of the month. Resolutions I don’t typically make resolutions, but I’d like to commit to the same standards we set as a crew in 2017. We need to keep getting better and resolve to learn from our mistakes and to hit on our goals as a ship. Happy New Year to the USS Emory S. Land crew and their families. I appreciate the continuing support and hard work and look forward to what lies ahead in 2018.
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Cmdr. Robert Lopez Executive Officer, USS Emory S. Land
Interview conducted by MC2 Willoughby MC2: What are some highlights from the ship you’ve seen since the last time we spoke? XO: The crew has done many wonderful things. I am proud of each department because each one is doing things that put ESL in a positive light. Between the COMRELs, community outreach or working tirelessly to make their department better, every sailor is making a difference. I look at where ESL was last year compared to this year and we have made significant improvements across the board. Inspection results are proof of our success. Team tender has also matured and we are ONE TEAM with a common goal and I could not be more proud. MC2: What are some things you hope the crew can do to prepare for a successful 2018? XO: To remain successful we must strive to do better. This is in qualifications, ships drills, as well as perfecting our skills as leaders, mentors and workers. We need each sailor to take ownership of the ship and drive to make a positive difference each and every day. Besides the ship, each sailor must develop a plan to keep themselves healthy. For me, working out, religion and spending time with my family balances out work and keeps me in a great mood. MC2: What are some things you are looking forward to during the holidays and after? XO: I love the holiday spirit, trees, lights, music but most of all seeing the excitement within families. It is just a great time of year. I am looking forward to Facetiming with the grandkids while they open presents since I am not there in person. Also this is the dry season so
I am looking forward to getting out more (hikes, bike rides and kiteboarding). MC2: What have you been busy with in your spare time? Any triathlons? Are there any events you’d like to invite the crew to partake in? XO: Now that it is windy season, I will focus a lot of time on kiteboarding, but there are a few triathlons I will compete in next month. Again, I challenge each sailor to come out and TRI to beat the XO. 14 & 28 Jan are super sprint triathlons which are great for children, families or individuals to get into the sport (200m swim, 6 mile bike and a 3K run). MC2: You’ve been on the ship for nearly a year. How does this tour compare with your other submarine tender tours? XO: I couldn’t ask for a better XO tour on the tender; the crew works hard and produces exceptional results. This tour is different because it is the first time I am working alongside MSC but they have thoroughly impressed me with their professionalism and positive attitudes. MC2: Have you read any good books lately? XO: Actually, there is a book called “The Leadership Moment” which is quite interesting. It is comprised of 9 short “true” stories of moments where leaders face their moment of truth. This relates to all of us here because at any given moment any person might make a decision that save lives, from Damage Control to recognizing a sailor needs help. Each and every person is a leader to someone; from the lowest rank to the most senior we are all leading people and leaders must better themselves every day.
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CMDCM William Greene Command Master Chief, USS Emory S. Land
Interview conducted by MCSN Reed MCSN: What were your biggest personal and professional accomplishments in 2017? CMC: My personal accomplishments would be that my last daughter was born and I earned my pilots license. A professional accomplishment is how we’ve worked the bugs out and are really working together as Team Tender. We’ve figured out how to coexist as two tenders effectively, as a result 2017 was a good year for maintenance for the submarine enterprise. MCSN: What are your command goals for 2018? CMC: I want to get the ship ready to get underway. We have a deployment and a maintenance period to get through. We have to do everything to make sure that we’re ready to go, especially since it’s nearly been two years since the ship has been underway. My biggest goals are to get the ship underway, deploy, satisfy the operational commander’s needs and then get ready for our own maintenance period. MCSN: What are your personal goals for 2018? CMC: I want to keep developing myself as a leader and continue to make Team Tender a place that Sailors want to stay and a place new Sailors want to come to. I want to leave the tender a better place than when I got here. MCSN: Have you seen any good movies lately? CMC: I saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi and I really liked the movie. Even though some people didn’t like the way the story goes, I think it was good. They’re taking the franchise into a
new direction that applies to everyone. They’ll get a new generation of fans behind them. The Star Wars I grew up with knew Luke Skywalker as the guy who came into his own and a lot of people wanted to see more Luke Skywalker. I’ll challenge anyone to grab something to watch or read and figure out how to get yourself some “me time” during the day. Whether you watch a Netflix documentary, grab a book or read an article on your smart phone, it’s good to stay engaged with what’s going on and the current events. MCSN: What two teams are you looking forward to seeing play in Super Bowl LII? CMC: Although I have nothing against Tom Brady, I’m not a huge New England Patriots fan. I would just rather see someone else in the Super Bowl. Both Texas teams are out of the playoffs, so it doesn’t matter to me who is playing as long as it’s not the Patriots. MCSN: If you had to choose one song to play every time you walked into a room what would it be? CMC: It would probably be something electronic or dubstep. I’d bring in the drop of the dubstep song as I walked in. I like the beat and energy that that type of music brings and I’m a huge dubstep fan. MCSN: Do you have any additional remarks? CMC: I’m looking forward to a great new year with Team Tender. I’m also looking forward to getting underway so some of our newer Sailors get to see other parts of the world besides Guam.
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COMMITMENT TO FITNESS Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Destinyy Reed Photos provided by Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Troy Hall
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“There was never any set goal of what I wanted to do with my body; I do it because I love it.”
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he 2017 Guam Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship took place Friday, November 17 at a resort in Tumon, Guam. The event was affiliated with the International Federation of Bodybuilders. It featured three women’s categories: Bikini, Figure, Physique and Body Fitness, and two men’s categories: Physique and Bodybuilding. USS Emory S. Land’s very own Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Troy Hall won 1st Place in the Men’s Physique Tall Class Division. “My goal going into the competition was just to see if I could bear with all of the eating,” said Hall. “The meals were so strict and I love eating cinnamon buns. It was like losing my soul to not be able to eat any cinnamon buns, but I wanted to make it all the way through the competition so I stuck with it.” Hall, a former certified personal trainer, stands out as an example of the Navy’s commitment to fitness and has dedicated his life and diet to living fit. He’s always been athletic lifting weights and playing basketball and football since a young age, but he’s never done anything quite like this before. “I’ve had some people ask me before if I’ve ever tried body building or physique and I’ve always told them that I’ve never done any of that,” said Hall. “But this time around my girlfriend motivated me to compete. I figured if she supported me, then it was something I could try doing.” In preparation for the physique competition, Hall boosted his workout regimen from training once a day
two or three days a week to twice a day in the gym. Hall’s diet, which he maintained even at work, consisted of eating six to eight well-proportioned meals a day. “Usually I would eat healthy during the week and then eat whatever I wanted on the weekends, but for this competition it was strictly healthy eating,” said Hall. “My biggest challenge was eating food that I don’t usually care for; chicken, fish and broccoli with no salt or flavor.” When asked how long he’s been bodybuilding, Hall replied by saying that he honestly doesn’t consider it as bodybuilding, he’s just been working out. “There was never any set goal of what I wanted to do with my body; I do it because I love it,” said Hall. Looking forward Hall plans on bettering his body and keeping the competition going. Hall will go on to compete in the national qualifiers competition sometime this summer or fall. His goal is to qualify in order to get his Pro Card. “I love what I do, especially because of my son,” said Hall. “My son is so proud to show his friends videos of what his dad is doing. It fuels me knowing that he’s watching.” Bodybuilding is a lot like the Navy. It takes honor, courage and commitment to a diet and workout program. It takes a certain individual to do that and that’s the same type of individual that usually makes a great military member.
MM1 Troy Hall receives a medal from Miss Teen Guam 2017 at the Guam Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship on Nov. 17.
Contestants pose for photos at the Guam Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship on Nov. 17.
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PROSE WITH PURPOSE The Navy’s Tradition of the New Year’s Day Deck Log
Story and Photos by Naval History and Heritage Command 14
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Well, this is the watch on that special night, When the OD writes poetry by gangway light ’Tis the 1st of January, 1968 And I’ve the watch that runs quite late. USS Agerholm (DD 826)
The naval service, by its very nature, thrives on rules and regulations. Above all else, a ship and her crew must promote self-reliance, discipline, and teamwork to maintain effectiveness and ensure mission accomplishment in the unforgiving and uncertain environments of both ocean and fog of battle. This truism of rules and regulation is particularly reflected in the official record maintained by all commissioned U.S. navy vessels — the deck log. The deck log is kept by the Quartermaster of the Watch and prepared by the designated Officer of the Deck (OOD) for each commissioned ship in accordance with Navy regulations and specific instructions. In either handwritten, typed, or in electronic format, the deck log chronicles the daily locations and movements of the ship, and captures all significant and prescribed events taking place either aboard or otherwise in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. Deck log entries are reviewed daily by the ship’s Navigator for clarity and final approval as they document particular
circumstances for administrative and legal purposes. Completed deck logs are subsequently forwarded each month to the Washington Navy Yard, where the Naval History and Heritage Command is tasked to maintain the records in its archives. At the end of thirty years, the individual deck logs are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Maryland, for ultimate retention and future research access. As a permanent official record of the ship, the deck log is efficient and succinct in its purpose, professional in appearance, and certainly not a forum for creativity. On the First Night of the New Year, an unofficially endorsed truce allows the sacrosanct veil of regulation to be pierced — if only for a brief moment. During the mid-watch from midnight to 0400 (and only during the mid-watch) it is permitted for a ship to record the first entry of the New Year in verse. In this annual, fleeting, first entry of the New Year, the deck log bears witness to a hint of individuality, personality and sometimes the mindset of shipboard life. However,
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navy regulations remain ever obstinate, and the leeway for creativity comes with a caveat: all entries should still include the specified requirements noted in current Navy Regulations, and administered under OPNAV instruction issued by the Chief of Naval Operations And therein lies the rub. The OOD (often with some assistance from the crew) is granted the freedom to compose the entry as they artistically deem fit — provided they include such mandatory details as the sources of electric power, steam and water; the state of the sea and weather; position of the ship; status of the engineering plant; courses and speed of the ship, bearings and distance of objects sighted; changes in status of ship’s personnel, disposition of the engineering plant, and even the strain upon anchor chain or cables when anchored and the placement of lines while moored. This tradition presents a challenge to the imaginative (or unlucky) author to maintain meter or rhyme and still report all these details in an original manner over multiple stanzas whether on wartime patrol or closer to home.
Quartermaster 3rd Class Jonathan Wenrich prepares his poem for entry into the deck log as the first entry for the New Year on the bridge of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
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Lt. j.g. Jason Crile writes a New Year’s Day poem in the ship’s log book at the stroke of midnight on the bridge of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). At 8kts, steaming with Hanson in stride, Richmond K. Turner serves country with pride. Dangerous waters are these on the coast, Rimmed with Viet Cong who are hardly our host. Nothing must daunt on this New Year’s night, This year, as last, we must concentrate might, Fighting aggression, and guarding our home, Wary, lest Commies try farther to roam. This ship is darkened as Hanson is too, Hiding the fact we’re on 020 True. SOPA and Officer in Tactical Command – Captain of Turner is much in demand. His is the judgement, on which we rely, He calls the shots, and TE 77.0.1.2 does comply. COMSEVENTH Fleet has positioned us here Near North Vietnam, where our purpose is clear. USS Richmond K. Turner (DLG 20) 1 January, 1967
Berths Mike and November, and here’s the location: San Diego, California at North Island Air Station. As an added precaution again any trouble, Our mooring lines are, not singled, but doubled. Our boilers are cold at the start of this year So we must receive various services from the pier. To list all ships present indeed would be hard But Oklahoma City (CLG 5) and Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) Are two of the ships, one forward, on aft The others are various yard and district craft. SOPA Admin said tonight, and I quote, ‘COMFIRSTFLT is senior officer present afloat.’ He’s presently embarked in Oklahoma City, But being aboard tonight, what a pity. The night has been long, but would you believe, That this watch is over – I stand relieved USS Constellation (CVA 64) 1 January, 1968
I’d like to say ‘Happy New Year to you’ And tell you our ship is moored starboard side to
As OOD I greet with scorn This wet and dreary New Year’s morn! It seems to me as I shiver with cold
That the Year is nearly 100 days old The New Year is greeted with much good cheer As MAUNA KEA is moored to number 2 pier At berth number 1 port side to is this craft Standard lines are doubled with wires fore and aft The PARICUTIN; the FIREDRAKE, and the MT KATMAI Along with yard craft, are moored nearby At NAD Concord our home port we wait A long sea detail to the Golden Gate Boiler #2 and generator #1 are in use this hour To give to the ship the much needed power The pier provides services as they usually do The brow, fresh water, and telephone too The pertinent facts; I have told them all While other this night have had a ball 0345 has come and I must not glance back I look ahead to a siege in the sack I must end this verse, I cannot go on For very soon will break the dawn To all the world, and to those near and dear I wish a peaceful, prosperous, and HAPPY NEW YEAR USS Mauna Kea (AE 22) 1 January, 1963
The exact origin of the New Year mid-watch verse is hidden in the recesses of navy history, but was certainly known among some younger American Sailors in the years following the First World War. Indeed, the tradition is not practiced in Royal Navy or her Commonwealth, and appears wholly American in nature — with all the informality and irreverence that often brings. Former Lieutenant (junior grade) Arthur Ageton, was aware of the New Year’s Eve entry as early as 1926 while he was stationed aboard the battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB 38). In the 1972 issue of “Shipmate”, the official alumni magazine of the United States Naval academy, LT (j.g) Ageton related his unsuccessful attempt to submit a mid-watch entry of what must have been a relatively new endeavor since the experienced “…Skipper was a humorless fella who had never heard of this tradition and sent the Log back
to me for rewriting in less rhythmical style.” The Commanding Officer instead recommended submitting the verse to the ship’s paper. An article in the January 1959 issue of U.S. Naval Proceedings says “generations” of U.S. Sailors had practiced the tradition, and provided contemporary examples, but regrettably offered no additional historical background. By the time of escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, the tradition was well enough known throughout the Navy to generate a “New Year’s Eve Log contest” promoted by the Navy Times. In 1968, the publication received over 1000 submissions competing for the grand prize of $100 awarded to the author and $50 to the winning ship’s Welfare and Recreation Fund. The finalists were published over several issues with a generous $5 sent to each entrant and their commanding officer. By January, 1970, All Hands,
the official magazine of the US Navy, confidently referred to the New Year’s mid-watch verse as a “growing naval tradition”. However, despite the optimism of All Hands, Navy culture changes with each generation, and the annual Navy Times contest of decades past appears to be the heyday of the tradition. With a focus on operational commitments and warfighting, it is understandable that ships and crew of the new millennium devote valuable time, energy, and manpower to training and readiness, rather than composing verse for an extremely limited audience. In 2016, fewer than 30 ships made a New Year’s Eve mid-watch verse; in 2017 that number dwindled to fewer than 20. And, although the outlet for creativity in the form of the New Year’s Eve deck log is waning, it is certain that today’s Sailors, both at sea and on shore, will continue to ring in the New Year with hope for the year to come.
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Roberto Juanito cuts a cake during a Christmas celebration on board USS Emory S. Land.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ESL Story and photos by MC1 Oliver Cole
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T’was the night before Christmas on the Island of Guam. I had duty the next day so I kept the night calm. I cleaned up a bit. I washed the dishes that were dirty. I brushed my teeth and was in bed by nine-thirty. When I woke the next day, Christmas was here! So, I grabbed my seabag and packed up my gear. As I drove up to the ship, it appeared so grand. Then I climbed up the brow of the Emory S. Land. I was greeted by the messenger, with the shiniest of boots. He granted me permission aboard with a perfect salute. When I got to the mall, there were Sailors in a cluster. But within a few seconds we were lined up for muster. Senior chief exclaimed “Attention to quarters!” Then the CDO gave us our orders. “Stand vigilant watches and keep the ship clean. Other than that, it’s Holiday routine.” We had our orders for the plan of the day. Senior dismissed us and we went on our way. As the day went on, it was usual business. I was simply standing my duty, nearly forgot it was Christmas. That was until, it was time for evening chow. I walked into the galley. It was transformed somehow! The lighting was different. It set a festive mood. I looked around and there were all types of food. There was roast and turkey and stuffing and yams. There were cheeses and fruits and cakes and jams! It was a magical scene, wonder filled my eyes. My heart filled with joy, and my belly filled with pies. But that’s not at all where the magic ends. The tables were filled with family and friends. There were husbands and wives, daughters and sons. The place filled with laughter and smiles and fun. We talked and chuckled and grinned and ate. We filled our hearts and cleaned our plates. It couldn’t have been possible without MSC. They filled this ship with holiday glee. It was truly an amazing event to view. So, thank you to the MSC crew. I’m not sure how you did all, but you made a way, For the crew to enjoy duty on Christmas Day.
ESL’s civilian mariners and Navy Sailors enjoy Christmas dinner.
Military Sealift Command personnel serve Christmas dinner on board USS Emory S. Land.
HM1 Kimberly Brandes, SHSN Keadre Harrisfarmer, and HN Greg To eat dinner together.
Jaime Tuano cuts roast beef before Christmas dinner on board USS Emory S. Land.
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BE 2 0 1 8
safe respectful honest ready