A Ribbon’s Worth a Thousand Words

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle Newsletter Edition

October 26, 2012 Issue

“We are Legend”

A Ribbon’s Worth a Thousand Words

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Jesse L. Gonzalez

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – For many Sailors on aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), serving aboard the legendary carrier as it completes its 25th and final deployment is a reward in and of itself.

However, each of these “Big E” Sailors also takes pride in recognition for a job well done, recognition that often comes in the form of awards.

The question many Sailors have as the carrier continues its transit home is what awards they have earned during Enterprise’s final deployment.

According to SECNAVINST 1650.1 series, Sailors aboard “Big E” qualify for the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (SSDR). The instruction states that personnel assigned to U.S. home-ported ships, deploying units, or units of the Marine Corps operating forces, are eligible for the SSDR upon completion of 12 months of accumulated sea duty, which includes at least one deployment of 90 consecutive days.

According to the same instruction, Sailors assigned to Enterprise have also qualified for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Ribbon

under the criteria that the Sailors aboard have served in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism by being deployed abroad for designated operations in a specified area of eligibility (AOE). Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.

“Approximately 4,500 personnel have earned the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Those who came toward the end of deployment do not meet the criteria of 90 consecutive days, however” said Ensign Daniel R. Morrison, Enterprise’s educational services officer.

“Everyone who has been onboard for six months is considered to have the criteria for the GWOT Service Medal, and everyone who has been onboard and deployed for at least the 30 consecutive days is considered eligible for the GWOT Expeditionary Medal. Both the GWOT Service and Expeditionary Medal must be approved by the Combatant Commanders to specific units and cannot be worn until approved.”

AWARDS continued on page 2

Sea service deployment ribbon

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Big E Awards AWARDS continued from page 1

Another prestigious award that can be earned by a command or a Sailor is the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC). The guidance for each is in the Secretary of the Navy’s Awards instruction, said Lt. Cmdr. Stefan L. Walch. To put it simply, for the MUC, a command must have performed service comparable to that which would merit the award of a Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation. Additionally, the service must have been above and beyond that expected of other comparable strike groups and a command must have performed as a team.

Taking a 50-plus-year-old carrier on two deployments in less than two years made it easy to show that Enterprise Carrier Strike Group performed above and beyond other carriers, including all the exercises and theater security cooperation efforts that Enterprise Carrier Strike Group ships and squadrons conducted while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom at the same time.

“Admiral Carter decided to submit the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group for the Meritorious Unit Commendation award for both the 2011 and 2012 deployments, including the training cycle held before the 2012 deployment,” said Walch. “The submission encompassed all assigned ships and squadrons that participated in both the 2011 and 2012 deployments.

Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet recommended approval of our MUC submission to the Chief of Naval Operations on Oct. 19. We continue to track the progress of the award submission and will notify the strike group as soon as we know the CNO’s decision.”

Another award Sailors aboard The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and Enterprise bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an have a high authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and level of interest comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. in is the Battle navy.mil.

Commanding Officer Executive Officer “E.” The Battle Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr. Capt. G. C. Huffman “E” award is Command Master Chief Public Affairs Officer CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler considered a very Editor MC3 Brian G. Reynolds prestigious award and it

The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

is one that Sailors aboard Enterprise are eager to earn. To be eligible for the Battle “E,” a ship must demonstrate operational excellence in addition to superior achievement during inspections, certifications, assessments and qualifications conducted throughout the competitive period, said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Amanda L. Ward of Enterprise’s Training department.

The award is considered to be so prestigious because it is awarded to the carrier that has demonstrated the highest level of proficiency across all warfare and primary mission areas throughout the competitive cycle. The Battle “E” cycle for aircraft carriers is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

“We currently meet the requirements for the Battle “E,” however, only one CVN on each coast is chosen to be the Battle “E” winner each year, from all of those that qualify,” said Lt. Cmdr.

Patrick Copeland, Enterprise’s training officer.

“The winner has yet to be determined for this calendar year.”

Whether or not Enterprise is awarded the Battle “E,” the Sailors aboard will qualify for campaign awards, if not individual awards, giving them another ribbon to wear proudly on their chests.

Ribbons can tell you a lot about a person, their career, and where they have been, said Morrison. One can glance at a Sailor’s chest and immediately tell you what campaigns that Sailor has participated in, their years of service, if he/ she was at a Joint Command, and how many deployments he/she has completed. Campaign ribbons and good conducts can give one an idea of when a Sailor first entered the military.

“Many Sailors wear only their top three ribbons, which is all that is required, but I feel if you earned them, wear them,” said Morrison. “It signifies that you are proud to have been a part of those campaigns, your deployments in support of your country, and that you have been recognized for your hard work and efforts. Sailors should be as proud of their achievements, as their friends and family are, and wearing those earned ribbons shows that you are.”

Following Enterprise’s final deployment, the Sailors aboard the historic carrier will be able to proudly wear a few more ribbons, showing all that they were a part of carrying on a legacy and a legend.

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In the News Largest U.S.-Israel Military Drill Under Way

By Daniel Estrin, ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEL AVIV, Israel -- The U.S. and Israel simulated rocket attacks during their largest-ever joint military drill Wednesday, just as real ones fired from Gaza exploded in southern Israel.

U.S. military officials insisted the joint exercise, called Austere Challenge 2012, was planned long before the latest flare-up between Israel and Hamasruled Gaza and a long-running debate over how to deal with Iran, unrelated to specific threats facing Israel.

It comes at a time when Israel and the U.S. have openly debated the merits of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and as U.S. support for Israel has emerged as a central issue in the upcoming American presidential elections.

In this week’s presidential debate, President Barack Obama cited the joint drill, calling it testament to the strong military cooperation between the two countries.

Presidential contender Mitt Romney has claimed that the Obama administration has undermined Israel as it faces threats from Iran and Arab countries.

About 1,000 troops brought in from the U.S. troops are in Israel alongside a similar number of Israeli troops. An additional 2, 500 U.S. troops based in Europe and the Mediterranean are participating in the drill. The armies say they are practicing their ability to work together to thwart a variety of threats that face Israel. The exercise will continue for about three weeks.

“Make no mistake. The U.S. is 100 percent committed to the security of Israel. That commitment drives this exercise,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin in a news conference at a training site near a beach in the Tel Aviv area.

Iran Weighs Tougher Line In Stalled Nuclear Talks

By Ali Akbar Dareini, ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran is weighing a more confrontational strategy at possible renewed nuclear talks with world powers, threatening to boost levels of uranium enrichment unless the West makes clear concessions to ease sanctions.

Such a gambit - outlined by senior Iranian officials in interviews this week - could push Iran’s nuclear program far closer to the “red line” set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for possible military options.

But it also suggests that economic pressures and diplomacy have pushed Iran to the point of

considering an ultimatum-style end game in efforts to seek relief from the U.S. and European sanctions, which have targeted Iran’s vital oil exports and its ability to use international banking networks.

Mansour Haghighatpour, deputy head of Iran’s influential National Security Committee in parliament, told The Associated Press that the hardline negotiating formula under consideration would put Western negotiators on notice that failure to ease sanctions could open the way for uranium enrichment above 20 percent - currently the highest level acknowledged by the Islamic Republic.

U.S. Spending Shifts To Demands Of Asia-Pacific Theater

By Marcus Weisgerber, DEFENSE NEWS

The U.S. Defense Department plans to purchase weapons and equipment geared to combat in the Asia-Pacific, a maritime-heavy region that will require long-range, stealthy systems that were rarely used over the past decade of combat.

Even as it prepares to downsize, the Pentagon plans to purchase fighters, unmanned aircraft and intelligence aircraft in the coming years, while beginning development of systems, such as a longrange bomber.

“With the war in Iraq now over, and as we transition security responsibilities to the government of Afghanistan, we will release much of our military

capacity that has been tied up there for other missions, like fostering peace and strengthening partnerships in the Asia-Pacific,” Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said during an Oct. 3 speech at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.

“Naval assets that will be released from Afghanistan and the Middle East include surface combatants, amphibious ships and, eventually, aircraft carriers,” he said.

The Air Force will transition its unmanned systems, bomber and space forces to the Pacific, Carter said.

The Air Force is also investing in a new aerial refueling tanker, the Boeing KC-46.

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Sailors of the Day Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Alexander N. Titcomb-Benitez

IS3 ALexander N. Titcomb-Benitez, from Baltimore, joined the Navy one and a half years ago to fulfill a family tradition. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, writing music and going to the gym. In the future, he plans to become a chief or officer.

Navy Counselor 1st Class Hnorsha Mills

NC1 Hnorsha Mills, from Douglas, Ga., joined the Navy 13 years ago for educational benefits and to travel. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling and shopping. In the future, she plans to complete her degree in counseling and psychology.

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