the
SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Sunday, April 3, 2011
Graphic illustration by MC3 Brooks Patton
Sunday, April 3, 2011
the SHUTTLE
Page 3
Enterprise News
Enterprise launches Ultimate Command Challenge By USS Enterprise Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At sea - You may not be aware of it, but right now there are thousands of Sailors and Marines eager to lay a smack down on you and your department. That’s right, the gauntlet has been laid, and you and your fellow shipmates will have to claw your way to the top in a wide variety of ship-wide competitions if you want your department to be crowned the champion of the 2011 Ultimate Command Challenge - a no-holds-barred battle royale for departmental superiority aboard Big ‘E’. The Ultimate Command Challenge is a ship-wide program running from the first of April until the end of June. It will feature a variety of activities encompassing creative, mental and physical challenges for Enterprise Sailors and Marines. Enterprise’s departments and air wing squadrons will be competing against each other to earn the Big ‘E’ Ultimate Command Challenge crown. The challenge is designed as a large team-building exercise meant to help boost morale and encourage a healthy, competitive spirit throughout the ship. “Our goal is to get as many Sailors and Marines as possible involved in all aspects of the competition, from the competitors themselves to those planning and judging the competitions,” said Lt. Nick “Beaker” Keller, an Enterprise tactical action officer and Ultimate Command Challenge
coordinator. “The challenge is a great way to help instill departmental and squadron pride by having them compete in activities that do not involve their daily work tasks. It will also be a good outlet for deployment-related stress and to help break-up the dayto-day monotony cruises can cause.” Keller said the challenge will also be a key component in fueling Enterprise’s esprit de corps throughout the second half of deployment. Esprit de corps, a French term literally translated as ‘spirit of the body,’ describes feelings of pride, fellowship and common loyalty by the members of a particular group. A healthy esprit de corps is considered to be a valuable asset to maintain a smoothly-running work environment, especially when that environment has enough employees to occupy a small city. Enterprise crew members will have to opportunity to compete in the following scheduled events throughout the Ultimate Command Challenge: an Enterprise
Photo by MC3 Austin Rooney
Sumo wrestling is one of the competitions scheduled for the 2011 Ultimate Command Challenge.
logo and department guideon design contest, karaoke, spades, ping pong, video games, baggo, geezer golf, sumo wrestling, sudoku speed challenge, giant tricycle race and a command-wide fitness challenge. The schedules for these events will be announced throughout the challenge and all events are subject to change. Challenge competitors will also be able to check-up on their team’s scores, standings
and progress throughout the challenge as well. Each department will also have an Ultimate Command Challenge representative that can provide more information on events and how to sign up. “There really is something for everyone in the Ultimate Command Challenge, and everyone aboard Enterprise is encouraged to participate,” said Keller. The gloves are officially off - may the best department or squadron win.
50th Birthday Logo Design Contest
Department Guide-on Design Contest
•
•
•
• •
Designs should contain references to Enterprise’s 50th birthday. The winning logo will represent Enterprise on all materials and memorabilia associated with the 50th birthday celebration. This includes: coins, mugs, t-shirts, posters, etc. and should be designed in such a way that looks great very small or very large. Common sense applies. Entries with profanity or inappropriate content will be disqualified. 50th Entries are due no later Birthday than April 22 for judging.
Logo
• • • •
Guide-on should represent your department in a proud manner. Dimensions are limited to a maximum of 40 inches by 60 inches. Any dimension up to that size is acceptable. Departments will supply their own materials. Unveiling and judging of all designs will take place at the awards ceremony on April 22. Guide-ons with profanity or inappropriate will be disqualified. Dept. Design Here
Page 4
the SHUTTLE
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
the SHUTTLE
Page 5
Page 6
the SHUTTLE
World News
Sunday, April 3, 2011
MCPON Testifies before Congress on Quality of Life By MC1 (SW) Abraham Essenmacher
Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West and other senior enlisted leaders testified before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies March 30. MCPON Rick D. West, along with the other top enlisted leaders from the Marines, Army and Air Force, discussed quality of life, family readiness, recruiting and retention, reserve force, and veteran affairs issues. “In my travels this past year I have enjoyed the visits I’ve had with Sailors who defend America every day. In these visits I have taken special note of the quality of life in which they live and serve,” said West. “As you know, quality of work and quality of life programs for our Sailors, their families and our Navy civilians is directly tied to military readiness.” Navy’s Homeport Ashore program, bachelor and Navy family housing, and Continuum of Care were other important issues that were brought up to the congressional subcommittee. West said that as the environment in which Sailors and their families’ lives change, along with global requirements and
photo by MC1 (SW) Abraham Essenmacher
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West testifies before the House Committee Subcommittee, Veterans Affairs and related agencies to discuss quality of life issues.
world events, new and better ways to support our Navy families must be continuously explored. West also discussed the integral part deployments play in Navy life. The Navy has been deploying forces since its formation during times of both peace and conflict, but it is important not to underestimate or take for granted the incredible strain that a long deployment imposes on Sailors and their families. Multiple deployments, frequent relocations and the stresses associated with being part of a military family all impact the overall readiness of the unit, the readiness of the individual Sailor and the readiness of their family. “The strain on our Sailors and their families
is greater than ever, but our Sailors recognize the significance of their mission.” West said that keeping Navy families informed about resources available to them to mitigate the strain of deployment and provide support is instrumental to their peace of mind while waiting for their Sailors to return from a year-long assignment in the Middle East or a six-month deployment safeguarding our seas. West discussed the Navy’s current operations and told the committee that approximately 55 percent of the Navy’s force is underway; and more than 14,000 Sailors are on the ground and more than 11,000 are at sea in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility;
and more than 18,000 personnel along with 22 ships and 140 aircraft have participated in Operation Tomodachi providing relief and delivering humanitarian assistance to the people of Japan. “Our Navy, America’s Navy has no boundaries and we are a Global Force for Good,” said West. “Our Navy team will accomplish any mission or task that we ask of them and they do this knowing their families will be supported and cared for when they go over the horizon in harm’s way.” The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy periodically testifies before Congress along with the senior enlisted leaders of the other services. This was his fourth appearance before the congressional committee.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
the SHUTTLE
Page 7
Sports
The case for (and against) each Final Four team By Seth Davis SI.com
If there was ever a perilous time to be a professional prognosticator, this is it. In case you haven’t noticed, we so-called experts have been turned on our heads during this unforgettable NCAA tournament. You might say we’ve been Shaka’d. That might not be great for us, but it sure is great for the sport. All season long the rule in college hoops has been to expect the unexpected. So nobody should be surprised that our picks have been so wrong so often. Of course, we like it when our picks turn out to be correct, but isn’t being wrong half the fun? (That’s called rationalizing. I’ve gotten good at it.) The jig is up. We “experts” are guessing, just like you. We can break down these matchups for hours on end, but they always come down to the simple things -- who is making shots, who is staying healthy and out of foul trouble, who is getting the lucky bounces. If you assess all four teams that have alighted in Houston, you can make a case both for and against each one to be the team that will hoist the big trophy on Monday night. What follows below are my reasons to pick -- and not pick -- each of the Final Four teams. Don’t worry, I’m not straddling the fence the whole way. I’ve made my official picks at the conclusion of the column. Fortunately, this tournament only has three games left, so I only have three more opportunities to be wrong.
VCU Reason to pick them: They’re the hottest team left. No school in recent memory has outperformed its regular season quite like these Rams. This is especially true with regard to their three-point shooting. Reason not to pick them: They can’t possibly keep this up. True, it didn’t seem possible that VCU could make it this far, but at some point the Rams have to float back to Earth, right? They’ve had another week of hype to deal with, and they’re coming to Houston with distractions they’ve never encountered before. Butler Reason to pick them: They’ve been there, done that. Imagine being a No. 8 seed from the Horizon League and making it to the Final Four ... and having to play the part of Goliath when you get there. But if you’re a believer in the benefits of Final Four experience (which I am), then you take note that Butler is the only team full of players who have actually competed in a Final Four. (Kemba Walker is the only player on UConn who participated in the Final Four two years ago.) Reason not to pick them: Their luck is bound to run out. The Bulldogs’ march to this year’s Final Four is even more unexpected than last year’s. In 2010, Butler was a 5 seed whose only really close call before the Final Four came in the second round against 13th-seeded Murray State. This year Butler had to survive
three crazy endings just to make it to Houston. Kentucky Reason to pick them: They’re the most talented team in Houston. If you define “talent” as having a future in the NBA, then Kentucky is the team for you. That includes big Josh Harrellson, who has played his way onto the radar of scouts and GMs the last few weeks. Reason not to pick them: They’re the youngest team in Houston. At each successive stage of the NCAA tournament, the perils of inexperience tend to get exposed more and more. UConn Reason to pick them: Kemba. It has been a long, long time since any player has had a month, much less a season, like the one Walker just had. It started in November, when he averaged 30 points per game while leading the Huskies to the Maui Invitational (including a 29-point performance in a championship rout of Kentucky) and carried right through his epic five-wins-infive-days march through the Big East tournament. Reason not to pick them: Lack of inside scoring. Oriakhi has evolved into a dependable rebounder and shot blocker, but if UConn needs to throw it to him in the post to win this game, it’s going to be in trouble. Oriakhi has made a total of nine field goals in the NCAA tournament and has yet to hit double-figure scoring. Ditto for freshman center
Tyler Olander. He played well during the Big East tournament and continues to start, but he played a total of 10 minutes against San Diego State and Arizona. The Picks Here goes nothing. •
I’m taking Butler (score prediction: 64-60) in Saturday night’s first game because I think VCU is due for a return to normalcy, and I like the Bulldogs’ Final Four experience.
•
I’m taking UConn (77-76 in OT) in the nightcap because I don’t believe Kemba Walker will let his team lose.
If past is prologue, those picks should be welcome news for fans of VCU and Kentucky. This is, after all, the 2011 NCAA tournament, where the experts ask all the right questions but produce very few right answers.
AP Photo
Kansas had no answer for VCU’s Jamie Skeen, who torched the Jayhawks for 26 points, including four three-pointers.
Page 8
the SHUTTLE
Sailors of the Day
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Aviation Electronics Technician Airman
David B. Hall - Fort Wayne, Indiana
William D. Vaeth - Hillsboro, Missouri
HM1 (SW/AW) Hall, a leading petty officer and surgical technologist assigned to Enterprise’s Dental department, joined the Navy 16 years ago after serving in the Marine Corps for three years in order to receive medical and dental training. To Hall, the most rewarding aspect of his job is listening to and helping out fellow Sailors. Hall aspires to make chief petty officer and attain a nursing degree in the near future. During his free time, Hall enjoys the company of his wife and children.
ATAN Vaeth, TAD to Supply’s S-5 division from the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, joined the Navy two years ago to take care of his family and to see the world. To Vaeth, the most rewarding aspect of his job is “getting to do my laundry on Sundays in ship’s laundry!” Vaeth is working hard to be able “to get my girls through college comfortably and to take my wife on a vacation with every tax return.” He also aspires to be a state trooper or park ranger after his naval career is over. Vaeth enjoys calling his wife and daughters, working out and watching movies during his free time.
Photos by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez
FUN ZONE!
Down 1 Aide: Abbr. 2 Essen basin 3 “Catalan Landscape” painter 4 Temporary solution 5 Impudent 6 Letters for a prince 7 Gulf VIP 8 Quagmire 9 Two cents worth 10 Resolute 11 Clothing 12 Addition problems 15 Paraphrased 18 Organic fuel 22 Circles overhead 24 “No problem!” 26 “The Sound of Music” setting 27 Altimeter units 28 Jagged wound 30 Stationed 32 German shepherd 34 Cosmologist Sagan 35 Hoskins role in “Hook” 37 Gastric woe 38 Hoity-toity type 41 Targeted 43 Japanese warrior caste 45 Was a wanderer 46 Hawaiian feast 47 Magna ___ 49 Mimicking behavior 50 Lone Ranger’s need 51 Volcanic discharge 53 Card spots 54 “In ___” (actually) 55 First president of South Korea 58 Address book no.
Across 1 “A Farewell to __” 5 Bogus 9 “Against All __” 13 Interview wear 14 Full metal jacket? 16 Land of the Incas 17 English county 19 Bit of news
20 Figures of speech 21 Impetuosity 23 Motown’s Marvin 25 Domestic flights? 26 G-sharp equivalent 29 King David’s wayward son 31 Bound 32 Dead ___ dodo
33 Bracers 36 Chest muscle 37 Joyce masterpiece 39 “Apocalypse Now” setting 40 Swipes 42 Conclusion 43 Desiccated 44 Actor Montalban
46 Dipper 47 Awoke 48 Oz creator 50 Fabric 52 Poor person 56 Dry, as a desert 57 Unskilled 59 Ancient colonnade
60 At no time 61 Church part 62 “Critique of Pure Reason” philosopher 63 Tyne of “Cagney & Lacey” 64 Comprehending phrase