USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
October 10, 2012 Issue
Enterprise Implements Force Revision Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Robert Guerra USS ENTERPRISE, At-sea – The importance of proper maintenance is instilled in all Sailors as soon as they are introduced to the fleet. From the moment they step foot aboard any Navy vessel, Sailors are told of the importance of the material, maintenance and management (3M) program to the mission. Over the last week, Sailors and Marines aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) implemented the Navy’s most recent force revision to the 3M program. But with Enterprise scheduled to inactivate shortly after its return to home port, personnel may ask the question; “Why is it necessary to perform the force revision at all?” According to the Chief Engineer, Cmdr. Lawrence F. LeGree, there are a number of important reasons. “To begin with, it’s a misnomer that we’re just shutting the ship down when we get home and never lighting it off again. There is a significant amount of gear and equipment that will remain functional for the remainder of the ship’s inactivation and defueling. We have support systems that we are required to maintain for months yet, and it is important to capture the updated MRC’s and maintenance updates that come with installing a new FR.” As Enterprise wraps up her final deployment, it is crucial that its crewmembers not become complacent with the maintenance that keeps its equipment operational. “Literally thousands of pieces of equipment will be transferred to other operational units. We have an obligation to ensure that government property intended for use by other ships is in the best possible condition for our shipmates out there on other vessels,” LeGree explained. The 3M program is designed to provide a simple and
standard means for planning, scheduling, controlling and performing planned and corrective maintenance on all equipment aboard Navy ships. The force revision is imperative in making the 3M program successful. “We still have to do our maintenance,” said Lt. Cmdr. George V. Bodine, Enterprise’s 3M officer. “Even though we are the 51-year-old warship that is supposed to be inactivated soon, we would not want to have our equipment downgraded because of lack of maintenance. We need to implement the latest information available and keep our systems as operational as possible.” The force revision is intended to update the information about equipment and procedures that is passed down to the fleet and its maintenance personnel…information that usually originates from individual maintenance work centers through the use of feedback reports. 3M work center supervisors take the latest information provided and perform the force revision by updating their maintenance index pages, maintenance requirement cards, list of effected pages and record of change pages in order to give their maintenance personnel the tools necessary to maintain a successful 3M program. “The key point is to understand your equipment,” said Bodine. “So, that you don’t inadvertently get rid of equipment or line out equipment that you should be doing maintenance on.” Although this is not the final force revision that the legendary carrier will undergo (another force revision is scheduled for March, 2013), it will be the final force revision the ship will undergo underway.
3M
Navy Reopens TA Funding For Vocational Programs By Mark D. Faram, NAVY TIMES Sailors can once again use tuition assistance dollars for many civilian vocational programs now that the Navy’s lifted a two year ban on the practice. The Navy in March 2010 stopped allowing Sailors to use TA for vocational programs measured in so-called “clock hours,” as opposed to more traditional semester or quarterhour credits offered at colleges and universities. Officials reasoned at the time that programs resulting in certifications instead of degrees were inconsistent with the Navy’s degree-heavy off-duty education program and therefore should not qualify for the allowance. They now say many vocational education programs would translate into better-qualified Sailors.
“The Navy continuously reviews its training and education policies to ensure a balance between professional and personal development goals for Sailors,” said Dr. Jonathan Woods, a voluntary education specialist on the staff of the chief of naval personnel. And upon further review, clock-hour programs are back in the game and eligible for Navy funding. “Clock hours is one area where we found value rebalancing non-degree skill acquisition with academic goals, as these programs provide vocational education opportunities that often enhance Sailors’ skills in technical career fields on active duty and can benefit them when they eventually return to the private sector,” Woods said. TA continued on page 3
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Big E Happenings
Engineman 3rd Class Crystal S. Purvis, from Queens, N.Y., and Engineman 3rd Class Brian Murden, from Virginia Beach, Va., checks the bearings for oil flow on an emergency diesel generator. (Photo by MC3 Jared King)
Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 sit on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during routine operations. (Photo by MC2 Brooks Bartow Patton, Jr.)
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jessica Buffum, from Cuba Ill., stands watch in the hangar bay during a replenishment at sea. (Photo by MC3 Randy J. Savarese)
Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman John J. Cocchiola, from Viroqua, Wis., checks electrical cables on the afterburner of an F404 engine in the jet shop. (Photo by MC3 Jared King)
The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. navy.mil. Commanding Officer Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.
Executive Officer Capt. G. C. Huffman
Command Master Chief Public Affairs Officer CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler Editor MC3 Brian G. Reynolds
Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) pulls alongside Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) during a replenishment at sea. (Photo by MC3 Randy J. Savarese)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
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In the News
Iran Raises Rhetoric Against Israel By Benot Faucon and Joshua Mitnick, WALL STREET JOURNAL
Iran accused Israel of launching cyberattacks on its oil facilities and derided the Jewish state’s air defenses, although it didn’t take responsibility for a drone that entered the Jewish state’s airspace Saturday before Israel shot it down. Tehran’s comments Monday came as political pressure inside Iran rises over the country’s fragile economy, partly the result of Western sanctions against its nuclear program. Lawmakers, which have been sparring with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over a range of issues, said they would try to require him to testify over Iran’s economy in the coming weeks. Tehran has grappled with an acute currency crisis since last week, when the long-dipping Iranian TA continued from page 1 Clock hours are used in programs that require a certain number of hours where the student must be observed by instructors. Often, these programs satisfy the minimum educational requirements for certifications or licenses set by a state or national accreditation organization. Examples could range from an electrician’s license to the Federal Aviation Administration airframes and power plant license for aircraft maintenance. The new TA rules were announced Oct. 2 in a fleetwide message, NAVADMIN 305/12. Sailors can use TA funds for clock hours only if they meet all the same TA eligibility requirements for traditional semester and quarter-hour programs, according to the message. Many of these requirements are new, issued after the Navy first eliminated clock hours from the program. For example, the Navy doesn’t allow first-term Sailors to use tuition assistance during their first year at their initial duty station. Sailors must also be recommended for advancement to be eligible. Sailors should check with their command for all the requirements, officials say, because any requests for funding must be approved first by their chain of command. Additionally, before the Navy will authorize tuition assistance for any courses, Sailors must have a degree plan on file with their local Navy College office. If approved, Sailors are issued an “electronic education voucher” to be given to the school to pay for the classes they take. TA, By The Numbers Navy TA funds tuition and authorized fees up to 16 semester hours, 24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours per person each fiscal year, but there are limits. The Navy caps payment of TA at $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour and $16.67 per clock hour up to an annual maximum of $4,500 per Sailor. There have
currency, the rial, began to plunge. On Sunday, parliamentarians lambasted President Ahmadinejad for a 25 percent drop in the rial’s value against the dollar in the prior week. Mr. Ahmadinejad blames currency speculation and the economic sanctions. Some analysts said the accusations against Israel could be the regime’s attempt to provide a distraction from internal political wrangling and deflect attention from its domestic problems. “Iran has lost control of its currency,” said Cliff Kupchan, a director at the Eurasia Group, a New Yorkbased risk consultancy. So the government’s “talking point in the morning is about what the scapegoat of the day is.” been talks of having to reduce TA in the near future, as the Navy faces a budget crunch, though new figures have not been announced. There are options for Sailors who want to exceed TA caps. “Navy approval also offers Sailors the option to use the GI Bill top-up program to cover costs that exceed the TA cap for a given fiscal year,” said Tom Smith, enlisted education coordinator for Navy Education and Training Command. Completion rules for TA-funded clock-hour programs are the same as for other college programs. If you drop out or fail, you’ll have to reimburse the Navy for the full cost of the course. In addition, the new rules only allow Sailors to take one clock-hour vocational or technical program during their career. The Navy will pay for costs tied to certifications related to clock-hour programs, but not with TA funds. Since 2006, the Navy has operated a website detailing the wide range of certifications it can pay for. The site is called Navy COOL, or - Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online - and it shows what civilian credentials match up with Navy ratings and many Navy enlisted classifications. Upgrades to the https://www.cool.navy.mil website went live Oct. 3, officials said, further linking Navy skills and credentials. These qualifications would also translate to skills in the civilian sector, for exiting Sailors. Examples include ratings such as culinary specialist and electrician’s mate, as many jobs in those areas outside the fleet are tied to certified skill levels. Information systems technician where outside employment can hinge on Microsoft and other certifications - is another example.
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Sailors of the Day Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Cory Lee McIntyre
AO3 Cory Lee McIntyre, from Kansas City, Mo., joined the Navy four and a half years ago to have a better outlook on life. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out and spending time with family. In the future, he plans to earn a degree and further his knowledge about his rate.
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Aaron Russell
AD2 Aaron Russell, from Plainfield, Ind., joined the Navy six years ago to see the world. In his spare time, he enjoys personal time with his wife, son and close friends. In the future, he plans to earn a degree in landscape architecture.
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