Volume 7, Issue 3
June 2016
LANDMARK
The Official Newletter of USS Emory S. Land (AS 39)
On the Cover: Volume 7, Issue 2
May 2016
LANDMARK
The Official Newletter of USS Emory S. Land (AS 39)
ND3 Jake Sanders helps a student from Jose Rios Middle School don a Kirby Morgan dive helmet as part of their tour of the ship’s spaces.
LANDMARK TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMSERV
4
20
ESL Sailors clean up in support of the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts.
Fire, Fire, Fire 6
Come to the Ready! 26
Get a better understanding of what the ship’s Damage Control Training Team is looking for.
ESL’s fitness leaders assess our performance during the May PRT and give suggestions for improvement.
Kids Tour ESL 12 Get a look at photos of kids touring spaces on the ship!
100
Sweet Liberty
Naval Base Guam’s Liberty Center has a lot to offer in June. Find out what, when and where.
Chaplain’s Corner 28 Chaplain Skelton has a new message for the crew.
Survey Says...
16
June Events
17
Heritage
18
100 Sailors and civilian mariners let their feelings be known about today’s most meaningless issues. We asked the soft hitting questions!
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in new sports teams and upcoming events. Check them out!
Meet some Asian American/Pacific Islanders on board! LANDMARK MAY 2016
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COMMUNITY SERVICE AT ASTUMBO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL IN SUPPORT OF THE 12TH FESTIVAL OF PACIFIC ARTS MCSN Dan Willoughby
The idea of a Festival of Pacific Arts was conceived by the Conference of the South Pacific Commission in an attempt to combat the erosion of traditional customary practices. Since 1972, delegations from 27 pacific island nations and territories have come together to share and exchange their cultures at each Pacific Arts Festival. A delegation of 2,500 performers, artists and cultural practitioners is expected, in addition to thousands of visitors from Asia and festival followers who see to it they are part of the festival every four years.
EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
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TRAINING LIKE WE FIGHT STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 JASON AMADI
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
“When there’s a fire burning in front of you and your shipmate is You only have time to react.”
Damage Controlman 1st Class Victoria Wells assists a Sailor assigned to the In-Port Emergency Team in doffing his second-stage regulator.
F
ire, flooding, and
bodily harm or death. Any of these
Land (AS 39) plan, conduct and
chemical, biological,
scenarios, if unchecked, could
observe drills designed to help
radiological (CBR)
very quickly mean disaster for a
Sailors more efficiently combat
ship and the entirety of its crew.
casualties, improve response times
attacks are among the biggest possible threats any ship in the
8
Because of the dangers that
and remain safe while doing so.
fleet can face. A few nascent
shipboard fire, flooding and CBR
flames could easily turn into a
attacks present, Sailors throughout
is safety,” said Senior Chief
towering inferno. A burst pipe
the fleet are required to familiarize
Logistics Specialist Mark
could lead to a flooded space,
themselves with damage control
Williams, senior member of
damaged equipment and could
and be ready to combat a casualty
DCTT. “We want to make sure
eventually claim lives. Infectious
at a moment’s notice. The
we have a safe environment for
biological warfare agents are
Damage Control Training Team
our team to train in. I break my
literally designed to cause serious
(DCTT) onboard USS Emory S.
silence and step in if I see one of
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“First and foremost
down from smoke inhilation, you don’t have time to think.
-LSCS Williams
our shipmates commit an act that
hoses? Are they taking proper
would get them or somebody else
safety steps? If they’re going to
what we’re looking for,” said
hurt.”
discharge the CO2 bottle, do they
Damage Controlman 1st Class
have proper control of it? Have
Trisha Smestad, DCTT member.
22-year Navy career, Williams
they grounded it on the floor? We
“One big thing is response time.
has served on six ships and been a
look at all the little things.”
We’re recording times from when
During the course of his
DCTT member on three of them.
During a drill, DCTT
“We have a checklist of
the quick response team (QRT) is
Over time he’s
called away to investigate,
come to find
we’re recording times from
that safety and
when the bells are rung,
proper technique
we’re looking to make sure
go hand-in-hand
the attack team is dressing
when it comes to
out quickly and taking note
damage control
of their overall firefighting
and looks for
efforts.”
junior Sailors
Along with
to implement
speed and safety, proper
Chief Machinist’s Mate Paul James observes the quick response team as when they combat a the they move towards the scene of a casualty. casualty. that philosophy
“Are they employing the
members evaluate the
communication during a drill is one of the consistent focal points for DCTT members. “As soon as a casualty
skills that they learned,” said
performances of the In-Port
is called away QRT is going to
Williams. Are they using repeat-
Emergency Team against an
take those initial actions securing
backs? Are they properly handling
established set of criteria.
the space and put agent on the
“It’s one thing to have a PQS signed off and another to be there in the moment actually doing it.” -DC1 Smestad LANDMARK MAY 2016
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
information up, then we
but we’re going to have to adapt
can’t keep people safe or
to certain needs of the ship. For
come together as a team
instance, this ship has dead spots
and fight the casualty.
in it where it’s very hard to use
Getting everybody on the
radios to communicate. Because
same page is probably the
of that, the CO mandates we take
hardest thing to do,” said
a pumpkin line and run it from the
Smestad.
locker to the scene. That’s his way
Damage Controlman 1st Class Methods of Victoria Wells trains the Quick communication, much like Response Team (QRT) fire or if it’s flooding trying to secure the valve or whatever it is.
But once that damage
control team shows up, are they getting proper turnover from the quick response
many aspects of damage
control, need to be altered
of ensuring that we’re proficient in being able to establish communications,” said Smestad. The frequent drills that
depending on the ship and
take place on the ship are intended
to get Sailors to “Communication is the heart of approach damage combating any casualty” control reflexively in -DC1 Smestad the face of an actual
team to the scene leader? Are they getting communications set up back to the locker so they know what’s going on and all the way up to Damage Control Central,” said Williams. Smestad often stresses the importance of communication when going over damage control with Sailors. “Communication is the heart of combating any casualty. If we don’t know what’s going on and we’re not passing that 10 LANDMARK MAY 2016
space. Emory S. Land presents
emergency.
some obstacles in establishing
“It’s all about practice,” said
communications that Sailors should be aware of. “I think our biggest hurdle here, especially with the influx of Frank Cable Sailors, is that things are going to be run a bit differently from ship to ship. So overall
Damage Controlman 1st Class Trisha Smestad talks to the attack team.
the idea is going to be the same,
Williams. “The reason we’re running these drills over and over
“People need to realize that when we’re training, that’s the optimal environment to combat a casualty. -LSCS Williams might not know.
control is a ship-wide effort. If
But I guarantee you
someone doesn’t know who to
if you’re in a real
call or what to do when they
environment and you
come across a casualty either it
don’t have a proper
gets prolonged to the point where
seal on your SCBA,
it’s too out of control for our
you’re going to
capabilities or that person ends
immediately know,”
up getting injured or worse,” said
Damage Controlman 1st Class said Williams. Jeffrey Dallemand evaluates the Smestad spends much performance of a phone talker in of her time educating Repair Locker 2. is to develop muscle memory. When there’s a fire burning in front of you and your shipmate is down from smoke inhalation, you don’t have time to think. You only have time to react. The only way you know how to react is the way you were trained.” “People need to realize that when we’re training, that’s the optimal environment to combat a casualty. The lights are on, everyone can see and there’s no smoke in the air. If you don’t have a proper seal and you’re in a training environment, you
Sailors and tries to find
Smestad. If any Sailors are in need of additional training or education when it comes to damage control,
different ways of imparting both
Smestad says her door is always
the technique and the gravity of
open.
damage control. “There are different ways
“Anybody on DCTT, especially everyone in the training
people learn,” You’re going to
department, we’re all pretty
find that everyone has a different
passionate about helping people
learning style, so I think the best
learn and be confident that they’ll
way to help is to address all the
be able to combat any casualty.
different ways people on the ship
We’re always here to help or take
learn. But it’s one thing to have a
suggestions on how to make ESL
PQS signed off and it’s another to
better at responding quickly and
be there in the moment actually
effectively to a casualty,” said
doing it,” said Smestad.
Smestad.
“We’re training for what we hope never happens. Damage LANDMARK MAY 2016
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Jose Rios Middle School Students VISIT ESL Photos by mc3 Jason Amadi MCSN Dan Willoughby
Above: The kids come up and
across the brow before getting onto the ship. Left: One of the kids enjoys the Firearm Training Simulator. Bottom Left: In impromptu game of Uno breaks out between the kids and MRC Graves. Bottom Right: HTFN Graves shows the kids some products turned out by the wood shop.
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Top Right: ND3 Sanders helps a child put on a dive mask. Middle: The kids line up and take turns having fun with the Firearm Training Simulator. Bottom Right: The kids line up and make funny faces in an underwater camera in the dive locker.
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN TOUR EMORY S. LAND
Kids socialize and enjoy ice cream given out on the ship’s mess deck.
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IT3 Ashley Benjamin hands ice cream to a child on the ship’s mess deck.
ET2 Troy Lee helps lift a child up to the “big eye” as she gets a look at the waters past Polaris Point.
ND3 Jake Sanders accompanies a mother and her child up a ladderwell.
ND3 Jake Sanders leads the tour group down the starboard side of the ship.
The tour group poses for a photograph on the quarterdeck.
PHOTOS BY: MC3 MICHAEL DOAN
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
THE 100 By: MC3 Austin Ingram
Ever wonder what your shipmates think about today’s meaningless pop culture issues? Well we’ve got you covered. Every month we’ll interview 100 Sailors and civilian mariners to see where they stand.
Do you prefer the Apple iPhone or Android Phones? Here’s what your crewmates said...
Where do you stand on
Captain America:Civil War
60 Captain America
40
59
30
49%
20
TeamIronman Iron Man
41
10 0
We’re sure you’ve seen the #RUNNINGMANCHALLENGE and the new version of the dance, but is it actually better than the old one?
Android Android
iPhone
Iphone
Sure Beyonce’s new album ‘Lemonade’ was controversial, but was it any good?
"Lemonade"
Team Cap
51%
50
No
77%
81
Old Yes
New
19
0
10
20
30
40
Upcoming Summer SMASH Hits! 60 70 80 90
50
23%
What Summer Movie is the ESLIndependence most Looking Forward to... Jason Bourne 15%
Suicide Squad 54%
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Day 2 13%
Finding Dory 18%
Suicide Squad Jason Bourne Independence Day 2 Finding Dory
Advertisments, Reminders, & WhatNots Do you fancy football Or soccer or whatever? YES? Then Contact DC3 Cambre or GM3 Schmid to become part of the Emory S. Land soccer team TODAY!
Don’t let Yogi Bear steal YOUR pic-a-nic basket... at the upcoming Command Picnic June 24!
TRASH The Junior Enlisted Association is planning a Polaris Point Clean Up that will also include fun activities!
It’s almost tie season, also known as Fathers Day! Don’t forget to reach out to any fathers you know June 19th
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Immediate Right: Some Sailor entertains a chav against his or her will because they were told to.
Joe Meno Birthplace: Inarajan, Guam “My favorite part about Guam is the fishing.
Middle: Some Sailor entertains a chav against i like to throw-net fish. What we do is go his or her will because they were told to. to the rough part of the island and when
the fish come in to feed we sneak close, wait
Far Right Some Sailor entertains a chav for a big wave to break and once its white against his or her will because they were told to. wash we throw the net. We’ve caught a variety of fish like the sergeant, butterfly and parrot fish.”
Asian and Pacific Islander
Jon Ervin Cagang Birthplace: Pampanga, Phillippines “Although i was born in The Phillippines, i was rasied in Guam. my favorite part about Guam is the racetrack in Yigo. i went for my first time when i was 9 and fell in love immediatley. it was there where i met all my friends and really got me into building cars and drag racing.”
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Kenneth Glen Deguzman Birthplace: Quezonn, Phillippines “My favorite part about the Philippines would have to be the food, like Isaw, which is barbecue pig intestine.... So good! But Palwawan is also amazing. i had never been until this last deployment, but i will go back. that Underground River was like nothing i had ever seen. All in all PI will always be home for me.”
Hertiage Recognition Jomar Macareg Birthplace: Dededo, Guam “My favorite part about Guam is the beaches, like Gun Beach. it’s a good time playing beach volley ball down there during the day and just relaxing with my family or friends. you can stay there and have the nightlife come to you at Beach Bar.”
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CHECK OUT THE LIBERTY CENTER ON NAVAL BASE GUAM!
The MWR Single Sailor program is open to all active duty military personnel. The program accommodates geographic bachelors and unaccompanied service members from all branches of service. The program’s goal is to enhance the quality of life for these individuals by providing a comprehensive program of social, cultural, recreation, athletic and fitness activities in a safe and healthy environment. Navy Base Guam offers free use of internet computers, WiFi, a movie theater/TV lounge area, ping-pong, pool tables, a video arcade, and video game systems, including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Wii. The center offers liberty trip information and sign ups for your convenience, (hikes, barbecues, free bowling, local entertainment, tours and transportation to and from malls, Chamorro Village and local movie theater). They also host game tournaments of ping pong, 8 ball, skee-ball, 3 on 3 basketball, volleyball andbingo where winners get a great prize. This is a service member’s home away from home! Alcohol and tobacco Free! Most events will be free or at minimum cost! Much more and always open for suggestions. -Donna Spaddy LANDMARK MAY 2016
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
“I’m 19 years old, from Pattonville, Texas. I grew up on a farm, which gave me a strong work ethic. It taught me how to work hard and not give up, which relates to the Navy. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘You could be mad that roses have thorns or happy that thorn bushes have roses.’ I think Abraham Lincoln said that.” -MRFN Clinton Smoot
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“I’m 20 years old, from Bakersfield, California. It’s kind of rough out there, but we are a strong community. Everyone would go to the high school football games, and we won states while i was there. The school would host “Relay for Life,” which was something I was a part of. People would walk and donate to families of cancer victims. My church was also involved with Relay for Life. Church is a big part of my life, and I can’t wait to go back to see them. I’m going back to visit before our next deployment. I would like to stay overseas because I want to travel. It’s one of the reasons I joined the Navy. I’m learning a lot out here, and I’m enjoying Guam.”
-HTFA Yasmine Chalmers
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The May PRT is done, but it’s never too early to start preparing for the next PRT.
“Work out on your own time, watch your diet and be around like-minded individuals.” ND1 Kenneth Thompson Assistant Command Fitness Leader
“If you work out for a week and stop, it won’t work. If you want to go longer, do more reps. Have a workout plan that works for you. Stay hydrated, eat right and sleep. If you’re sore the next day, know that you did a damn good job.” MR3 Deanna Crowley Assistant Command Fitness Leader
“The best way to improve any one of these exercises is by actually doing it. If you get out and run more, not only will you improve, but it will become easier as your body becomes conditioned.” ND3 Jake Sanders Assistant Command Fitness Leader
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YN1 Alikhan addresses ESL Sailors before the 1.5 mile run for the PRT “Going over the initial scores and everything, it looks like about 97 percent of the command passed. Out of about 524 PRT scores, we only had 17 failures and a lot of those were due to the BCA. But 17 failures is still 17 failures that I’d like to prevent next time. Right now we’re looking at about 35 Sailors on FEP, but that includes satisfactory scores. I think a lot of people are confused as to why we put people who get a satisfactory on FEP. A satisfactory is a borderline failure. You may have done three push-ups over the failing limit to get a satisfactory. The reason we want them to go on FEP is because we want to prevent them from decreasing their performance further, which could result in a failure. It’s a process to identify those who might be borderline failures after giving maximum effort. If we have guys who score satisfactory and they didn’t give maximum effort, it kind of skews the pool that we’re actually targeting. My biggest goal after taking over the Fitness Enhancement Program was to shed the notion that FEP is a punishment for personnel that fail the PFA. I’m not sure why people look at FEP in a negative way but it’s a current mindset that is shared by a lot of individuals. How is something designed to assist Sailors, a punishment? As we all know, a Sailor can be separated from the Navy for failing multiple PFAs. The Fitness Enhancement Program is a resource provided by the Navy to assist those that might be in danger of having this happen. What tends to be forgotten is that you can enroll yourself into FEP. Some Sailors needing a motivational push or who felt like they were in danger of failing have previously self-enrolled. When structured in the right way, FEP is very beneficial to Sailors enrolled in the program and ultimately to the command because Sailors that we keep in the Navy can continue to support the mission. I’m thankful for all Sailors that have volunteered over the past few months to become ACFLs. This allowed the command to get rid of the 0530 PT sessions and conduct FEP as we currently do, at the divisional level. FEP shouldn’t be massive group sessions with one or two ACFLs leading the session. Sailors enrolled into FEP are there for different reasons. The workout that may help a Sailor increase his/her pushups may not help the Sailor that needs to improve his/her cardio time. With vastly smaller PT groups and a large number of ACFLs, we can provide better training and implement changes to better target the weaknesses of each Sailor. The more Sailors that pass and subsequently stay in the Navy, the better we can support the mission.” YN1 Mujahideen Alikhan
Command Fitness Leader
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EMORY S. LAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
C
R
haplain’s orner
Lieutenant Takana Skelton Command Chaplain USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) ose Kennedy once stated
island some people will never have the
scuba diving off of the Spanish steps or
“Life isn’t a matter of
opportunity to see in a lifetime!
jet skiing at one of the many premier
milestones, but of moments.”
beaches, there are moments to laugh and
For those who have the luxury
It is the moments we have in our lives
of having their family with them on such
smile about.
that create the milestones. Each day we
a beautiful island, it is truly a blessing.
wake up we are given new opportunities
Being able to walk along the soft sandy
as well as looking at life as an adventure
to “YOLO” the right way. Some of us
beaches of Tuman as the warm ocean
instead of a punishment that must be
are in Guam for the very first time, some
breeze blows against your skin, watching
endured to get to some destination we are
are here with families, and others are
the beautiful sun set and gazing into the
not even sure even exists, will increase
not. Whatever our situation may be we
eyes of your beloved creates moments
the possibility for great moments.
should look at it as a way to create great
that will yield you your milestones. One
moments.
day the milestones will be memories
to be thankful for and having the ability
shared over a Thanksgiving meal or
to design each of our moments and
very first time ever, this is your chance
family reunion.
weave our life story the way we want is
at freedom! Yes, you have the rules
truly a gift. Let’s not waste our gift on
of the military but this is your time to
without our families we can use this
wishing for what we don’t have. Use our
shine. You don’t have parents to answer
time to create moments to share with
gift to make the moments we desire for a
to anymore; you are truly the captain of
our loved ones. Whether it is a recorded
lifetime.
your ship. You finally get the chance
video of hiking the Pagat trail and
to experience life on your terms on an
swimming in dark underground caves,
If you are “adulting” for the
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For those of us who are here
Meeting and making new friends
There are so many things in life
The Official Newsletter of USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39)
Commanding Officer Captain Mark A. Prokopius Executive Officer Commander Brian C. Rednour Command Master Chief CMDCM (SS/NAC) William L. Greene Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Bradley Newsad JAGC Leading Petty Officer MC1 (SW) Brandon Shelander Editing/Design/Journalism MC3 Jason Amadi MC3 (SW) Austin Ingram MCSN Dan Willoughby