USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
May 30, 2012 Issue
Enterprise Sailors Deploy on IA Duty Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian G. Reynolds It is no secret that a large portion of Sailors joined the Navy It was definitely different. I got to learn exactly what security as a means to see the world. As aircraft carrier USS Enterprise goes through, as far as dealing with detainees. It was tiring, but (CVN 65) continues its 22nd and final deployment, many I had an good overall experience.” of the men and women aboard are accomplishing that goal. Along with learning new skill sets and seeing different parts However, other Sailors, still attached to Enterprise, have chosen of the world, there are also monetary incentives that go along to experience other cultures via a professional avenue different with choosing an IA billet. Sailors can receive tax-free income than a regularly-scheduled deployment. and hazardous-duty pay, depending on the location of their The Individual Augmentee (IA) program is an option that deployment. Sailors choose to explore for many reasons, including the IA Sailors are also presented with wider opportunities for chance to visit locales they would not normally see while advancement. For example, an IA deployment may help with attached to an aircraft carrier. There are currently seven award points and an auspicious evaluation. Enterprise Sailors on IA deployments. Big E Sailors are “IAs are always a great career builder,” said Fewell. “Many currently deployed to Sailors aboard Enterprise Afghanistan, Africa have taken an IA because and . they see it as a path The reasons for toward promotion.” accepting an IA Contrary to popular assignment are as belief, the reason behind varied as the places the need for IAs has these Sailors are nothing to do with temporarily stationed. manning. The reason lies “There are a in the skill sets Sailors number of reasons that possess, skills that in Sailors have chosen many situations, are the IA option,” said Lt. not possessed by other Reginald Fewell, the branches of service. IA coordinator aboard “The Navy has unique Enterprise. “IAs can skill sets that the other give them the capacity services either are not to work in a field that as proficient in, or in is unrelated to their some cases, have done rate. It also gives away with,” said Fewell. Sailors the opportunity “For example, when I to work with different did my IA, I did it as an branches.” electronic warfare officer. At that point, the Army had done Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Britney Epps away with most of their electronic warfare discipline. So they volunteered for an IA billet in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to work went with the folks who had stuck with an electronic warfare with Army security forces. She was a part of a joint-forces program, which were the Navy (personnel).” operation to secure detainees on the base. Some Sailors take an IA billet to see how other services “I was sent IA from July 2010 to September 2011,” said operate. The IA option gives Sailors an opportunity to Epps. “Overall it was a good experience. I got the opportunity experience a broader view of the military. to learn new skills that I otherwise never would have had the “A lot of folks that come into the service may say, ‘I chance to learn.” originally wanted to join the Army or Marines.’ By doing an Like many Sailors who are sent IA, Epps, who was a IA, you get the opportunity to work with the Army, Marine Yeoman at the time, learned a skill set that was outside of Corps as well as the Air Force,” said Fewell. her rate. Epps was trained in non-lethal security tactics and Although IA billets are filled for a plethora of different monitored detainees during day-to-day activities. reasons, it is an option that many Sailors have chosen in order “It was hard work,” said Epps. “We stood 14-hour watches. to broaden their horizons and experiences.
The Shuttle
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Big E Happenings Photos by MC3 Britney Epps
Sailors pull in the line from the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) during a replenishment at sea.
Sailors tighten a line replenishment at sea.
as they complete a
Sailors wait for lines from the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) to return cargo during a replenishment at sea.
A Sailor transports cargo from the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) during a replenishment at sea in the hangar bay.
The Shuttle
Sailors heave in line from the USNS Supply (T AOE 6) during a replenishment at sea.
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 ABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler
Editors MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Brian G. Reynolds
Roman Catholic mass time changes: starting june 2 Roman Catholic mass will be conducted In the Chapel Saturday 1600 Sunday 1230 and 1900
The Shuttle
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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In The News
Advancements Skyrocket: 31 Percent Opportunity Highest in 5 Years By Mark D. Faram, NAVY TIMES Nearly 30,000 Sailors will put on a petty officer’s crow or add a stripe after advancements jumped 50 percent in less than six months. In all, 29,872 active-duty and full-time support sailors will move up. That’s 9,430 more than the 19,814 who advanced last fall. The overall Navy-wide advancement opportunity in all three paygrades combined is 31 percent — the first time it’s hit that level in at least the last five years, up from 20 percent last cycle and 18 percent last spring. Navy leaders had promised this uptick while making rounds to the fleet. They traveled specifically to ease deckplate concerns after last year’s enlisted retention boards, which cut 3,000 sailors. Their message was that the ERBs did their job and have resulted in an increase to both reenlistments and advancements. The purpose of the ERB was to reduce overmanning in 31 ratings. Officials said it looks like only nine ratings will remain in that problem status by Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. Most of those 31 ratings had been struggling to advance many Sailors in the petty officer ranks, and were experiencing very low reenlistment approvals through the Perform to Serve system. Not only has advancement increased, but officials said as many as nine out of every 10 Sailors in some ratings are getting approved to stay in. Now, as a group, the 31 ratings balanced during the ERB are advancing better than the rest of the Navy. The opportunity in those ratings is 41 percent this cycle,
compared with 26 percent when calculating opportunity for the rest of the ranks. “Force management is not easy, and the decisions we’ve had to make over the last couple years have been agonizing,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, head of manpower plans for the chief of naval personnel. “This is a sign our force is returning to the balance we want, and with that comes a return to more historic norms in advancement, too.” Kurta didn’t say exactly what the “historic norms” were, but said that based on their current projections, these levels of advancement should be sustainable next cycle and beyond, barring any new force cuts. “Achieving balance across the force and having a steady end strength is key to healthy advancement,” he said. “I can’t promise exactly these levels, but I think we are in the ballpark from what we see now.” Kurta said that on each cycle, planners look to at least the next one to three cycles to ensure they’re not advancing too many or too few in each rating. But they also try to ensure all ratings have at least some advancement. As a result, musicians trying to make E-6 were the only rating and paygrade combination who didn’t advance any of their 57 eligible candidates. As an overall community, the Seabees continue to struggle with advancement this cycle. This is mainly because the construction force is still looking at force cuts in the next couple of years before it evens out with the rest of the Navy, Kurta said.
Navy Testing Some Sailors For Blood Alcohol Content
By Kate Wiltrout, NORFOLK VIRGINIAN-PILOT NORFOLK -- About 10,000 Sailors Testing started last week and lasts in Hampton Roads face the prospect through September. But the program of breath alcohol tests while on duty isn’t just about measuring blood this summer as part of a Navy pilot alcohol levels - it’s also about figuring program to identify and assist those out how to best administer the tests struggling with alcohol problems. and develop guidelines for their use. Personnel assigned to 13 local Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus commands will be randomly asked to announced in March that the Navy blow into a handheld electronic device would use breath alcohol testers to that determines blood alcohol content. find personnel needing counseling or Testing will be done only when Sailors treatment for excessive drinking. are on duty, not during liberty hours. “Sailors who drink excessively or “It’s a tool for commanders to too late the night before and report ensure the health and safety of the to duty can place themselves, their Sailors, and it’s also a way to identify shipmates and equipment at risk,” abuse,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Kafka, a Mabus said during a visit to the spokesman for Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship which is overseeing the pilot project. Bataan in March.
Fleet Master Chief Mike Stevens, a member of the breath alcohol test implementation team, said the pilot program has no definitive standards for acceptable levels of blood alcohol content. Sailors won’t face disciplinary action during the pilot program solely because of the results of the breath alcohol test, he said. What happens if someone reports to duty with alcohol in his or her system but at a level below the legal limit for driving? “At this point, there are really no set guidelines, other than to conduct the test,” he said. Breath alcohol tests will be administered regardless of rank.
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The Shuttle
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Big E Entertainment 9. Important 10. Downplay 11. Clairvoyants 12. Delete 13. Airhead 21. Zero 25. And so forth 26. Labels 27. Friend 28. Render unconscious 29. Village 30. Varnish ingredient 31. “Oh my!” 33. Ascend 34. Wings 35. Badgers 36. Tall woody plant 38. Guard 41. Pelvis 42. Wither 44. Mountain pass 45. Leaf opening 46. Even DOWN 47. Adult male singing voice 1. Couch 2. Fourth sign of the zodiac 48. Travelled through water 50. Connecting point 3. Afflicts 51. Guy 4. A musical pause 52. Walking stick 5. Roomette 53. Astringent 6. Winged 54. Novice 7. 22 in Roman numerals 55. Biblical garden 8. Adriatic resort 37. Oversupply 38. Rope fiber 39. Winglike 40. Reasoning 42. Platform 43. Flax fabric 44. Cheddar or edam 45. Napped 47. Craggy peak 48. Flower stalk 49. Tasteless 56. Interlaced 57. Person, place or thing 58. Unexpired 59. Ends a prayer 60. Cocoyam 61. Habituate 62. Kiln-dried grain 63. Lascivious look 64. A tart fruit ACROSS 1. Cicatrices 6. Spindle 10. Utilized 14. Bay window 15. 64 in Roman numerals 16. Roman emperor 17. Not true 18. Assistant
19. Trade 20. Self-denial 22. At one time (archaic) 23. Deep-dish or meringue 24. Brusque 26. Anagram of “Steals” 30. Flat floating vessels 32. Change 33. Unwillingness