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.