washington surveyor Commanding Officer
IT2 Stephen Holdmeyer IT2 Calvin Blunt IT3 Nicholas Aben IS3 Nicholas Grabinski
Capt. Glenn Jamison
Executive Officer Capt. Daryle Cardone
Command Master Chief CMDCM Maurice Coffey
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tyler Barker
Departmental LCPO MCCS Reginald Buggs
Divisional LCPO MCC Mary Popejoy
Editors
MC3 Adam Ferrero MCSN Jack Lepien
Content MC1 Gary Johnson MC2 Kenneth Gardner MC2 Alan Lewis MC2 Mandi Washington MC3 Michael Botts MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Trey Hutcheson MC3 Kyle Loree MC3 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Zack Thomas MC3 Julie Vujevich MCSN Elizabeth Cohen MCSN Tatyana Freeman MCSN Jack Lepien MCSN Samuel Pederson
The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
ESWS Coordinators HMC Knesha Wimbush CSC Joe Magri
EAWS Coordinators
EIWS Coordinators
ABHC Rodney Martinez ITC Xica Johnson ABH1 Jade Cobb CTT1 Nicollette Jeffer
“Yo dawg, what’s the wi-fi password?” ~George Washington
SAILOR in the SPOTLIGHT
AO2 Amber Perrick Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Amber Perrick from Umatilla, Florida, joined the Navy in 2012. She’s currently assigned to George Washington’s security department where she serves as work center supervisor for the armory and damage control maintenance. One of her favorite aspects of her job is the relationships she’s forged with her fellow security Sailors. “I appreciate that they provide such positivity. I love those guys,” said Perrick. In her spare time, Perrick enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy, and her favorite food is pasta. She is a full-time mother, does crossfit to stay in shape, and really enjoys getting photo-bombed.
AOAN John Richardson works on a computer. (Photo by MCSN Tatyana Freeman)
W
Sailor Serves as First Responder By MCSN Tatyana Freeman
hen a fire broke out near the Light Industrial Facility (LIFAC) in Hampton, Virginia, Feb. 15, property was at risk, and only one person was around. Fire isn’t a common occurrence for Aviation Ordnanceman Airman John Richardson, a Sailor from
Abilene, Texas, and assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) preventative maintenance division 14 (PM-14). Despite that, he happened to be in the right place at the right time to be a first responder. Richardson was the first to spot
AOAN John Richardson sits in his workspace. (Photo by MCSN Tatyana Freeman)
the fire on his way to watch at the LIFAC building, and sprung into action. “The flames were coming into the curb and the cars were parked right next to it,” said Richardson. “I saw smoke and fire off the side of the highway and called 911 because no one else was there.”
After calling 911, Richardson got out of his car and was soon joined by other people that worked in the buildings around LIFAC near Southbound 664 where the fire had started. Together, they did their best to control the fire by throwing dirt and dumping bottles of water on the blaze in an effort to keep the fire damage to a minimum. “People down the road started running with fire extinguishers, and we all just tried to contain the fire,” said Richardson. Everyone did their best to help until the fire department arrived to put out the fire. According to the fire report, the entire incident lasted about 40 minutes. “For a lot of people in the Navy, when they see something like that, it’s kind of instinct to just try and fix it instead of panicking and
walking away,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Erin Hirose from Kansas City, Missouri, the PM-14 production leading petty officer. “I just thought about if it was my car, I would not want anyone to just watch it burn,” said Richardson. “He’s very caring,” said Hirose, “It doesn’t surprise me that he took the time to try and fix it instead of being a bystander.” Richardson received a bravo zulu, or congratulations, from Cmdr. Michael Windom, the maintenance officer in charge of aircraft intermediate maintenance department (AIMD) during one of AIMD’s quarters. “It’s a lot of training that we’ve had,” said Hirose. “Even if it’s not hands-on training, it still teaches us to recognize the warning signs if something were to go wrong on the ship. It allows us to protect other people and other people’s property.” Because of the quick actions of
AOAN John Richardson operates an engraving machine. (Photo by MCSN Tatyana Freeman)
Richardson and the other people that arrived on the scene, no one was hurt and no damage was done to any of the property. “I’m proud he acted and responded the way he did,” said Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Alexander Cardenas, from Houston, LIFAC’s leading chief petty officer. “It’s very important for Sailors to be vigiliant and aware of their surroundings.” Even though Richardson was not in a ship environment, he still used the training he learned in the Navy to help not only Sailors, but civilians and their property. As George Washington continues to go through refueling complex overhaul, even if a Sailor is not assigned to where he or she would typically be, it is important to know that the same basic skills apply to all Sailors everywhere – even if it is just a brush fire on the side of the road.
CROWSandANCHORS: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRST CLASSES AND CHIEFS
By MC3 Adam Ferrero
CSC Quwanda Burnett sings Anchor’s Aweigh with all the other newly pinned chiefs during the annual George Washington chief pinning ceremony. (Photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
T
he path of an enlisted Sailor is paved with milestones. When it comes to advancement, one particularly important milestone is when Sailors transition from petty officer first class to chief petty officer. While only one rank apart, it would be a mistake to underestimate how different they really are. “When I was a first class, I thought that being a chief would be easy,” said Chief Aviation Ordinanceman Kevin Kelly from North Kingstown, Rholde Island, a weapons department material maintenance management assistant on board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). “They had more meetings and made the plans while I executed them. Now, on the other side, I know that [there] is a lot more to it than I thought. While now I do make plans, I
am also out to make sure that things are going as scheduled and provide solutions for any obstacles that may come up. I would say that I had grossly underestimated the level that chiefs perform at.” There can be vast differences between first classes and chiefs, not just in their day-to-day work responsibilities, but also in their mindsets and priorities. “As a first class, my sights were set mainly on my division and not as broad as they are now,” said Kelly. “I now track things at a departmental level, and there [are] a lot more responsibilities and things to get done.” Being a chief may come with more responsibility, but petty officer first classes still play a vital role in the Navy. “I believe that first classes bridge the gap between junior Sailors and senior Sailors,” said Chief Culinary Specialist
Quwanda Burnett from Kinston, North Carolina, the restricted personnel division chief petty officer aboard George Washington. “Possibly, it’s because the Sailors feel more comfortable with their [leading petty officer] then they do with their chief. The first classes are the buffers in the division and often times boost the morale.” As a first class, Burnett already had firm ideas about what it meant to be a chief. “Being a chief meant being an expert in my field, a positive role model, and the backbone of the Navy,” said Burnett. “My feelings [now as a chief] are the same, and I am beyond grateful to be a chief. As a young [culinary specialist], at the time [mess management specialist], I had amazing chiefs that always took care of me and showed me the way. I believe that is my duty, to give that to Sailors,
if not more than what was given to me.” For first classes looking to become chiefs, bearing in mind just what comes with the position will come in handy as they remember the traits that got them where they are. “Becoming a chief was a goal I set for myself when I decided to reenlist for the first time in 2006,” said Chief Logistics Specialist Dominique Sherrod from Portsmouth, Virginia, ship’s force work package leading chief petty officer aboard George Washington. “Once I reenlisted, I decided that I would strive to become a chief. There have been roadblocks and pitfalls, but there have always been chiefs, senior chiefs, and master chiefs who have always been there for me, and peers and junior Sailors who have kept me grounded.” The rank of petty officer first
AOC Kevin Kelly is pinned by his wife during the annual George Washington chief pinning ceremony. (Photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
class is an important step to becoming a chief, but it’s also so much more than that. Not all first classes become chiefs in the Navy, but both play separate and vital roles in its operation. By
working together along with their junior Sailors, they ensure that the enlisted community will continue displaying just why this is the world’s strongest Navy.
CSC Quwanda Burnett stands in the conference room of the floating accommodation facility (FAF). (Photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
Women’s History Month Photos by MC3 Trey Hutcheson
HOOYAH! CHIEFS’ 126TH BIRTHDAY By MC3 Trey Hutcheson
U
A gold fouled anchor rests on a Navy service uniform chief petty officer cover. (Photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
nity. Service. Navigation. These three words guide all U.S. Navy chief petty officers. They are represented daily by the letters - U.S.N. which have adorned the gold fouled anchor collar device since April 1, 1893. That device is the symbol of deckplate leaders who have been deemed worthy of the title “chief.” Chief petty officers aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) share what makes the chief birthday special to them, and why it’s important. “The chief birthday to me means that we get to celebrate another year of legacy,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Daquann Woodall, from Brooklyn, New York, restricted personnel department leading chief petty officer. “126 years as the fore-runners of leading the charge in a fight, being able to execute the orders that come from higher than us, as well as meeting the needs of those that work for us. To figure that out and execute that for 126 years is definitely worth celebrating.” Command Master Chief Maurice Coffey, from Chicago, command master chief aoard George Washington, has worn anchors since
2001 and has experienced his fair share of chief birthdays. “When you look at the chief birthday you are talking about tradition and heritage inside our Navy,” said Coffey. “We are the gatekeepers of heritage and tradition. That is what the chiefs mess is called upon to do, and we always have to reflect. You have to know where you came from to know where you are going.” One way that chief petty officers from around the Norfolk area celebrate the chiefs’ birthday involves coming together for a luncheon. “The chief petty officer luncheon in Norfolk is where all the chiefs in the area come and network and share in camaraderie,” said Woodall. “I always tell people that chief birthdays are where we become stronger. For myself, I have been in the Navy for 12 years, and to have someone that has been in the Navy for 33 years tell me their experiences, I know there are lessons to learn.” Master Chief Navy Counselor Ellis Picheloupe, from Memphis, Tennessee, a command career counselor aboard George Washington, has spent 30 years in the Navy and shares some of the same
sentiments as Woodall. “When we get together, it is a time to see old friends and reminisce, but at the same time to get those lessons learned out there and try to improve on the things that have been done,” said Picheloupe. “[It is] a time to make sure the new chiefs are getting what they need to be able to do the jobs that we are looking for to forge the new Navy.” According to Picheloupe, the chief birthday is not just about looking back but also looking forward. One way to accomplish this is the relationships that chiefs have with one another that form because of celebrating the chief birthday. “There are always new chiefs, and it is nice to meet them and find out who is doing what in the fleet,” said Picheloupe. “We learn from others, and we find out what their abilities are from what your abilities are. Later on down the road, when you need help, you remember who those people are.” It was 126 years ago that the chief petty officer rank was created, and with more chiefs willing to help spread the history and what it means to be a chief, the rank will continue to grow for another 126 years.
Gen. George Washington at Trenton, John Trumbull, 1792
This Week in History: Congressional Gold Medals By MC3 Michael Botts
B
eginning in 1775, Boston was the American headquarters of the British army. On March 5, 1776, after months of preparation, Gen. George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, ordered his men to begin bombarding the city. After a few days of heavy artillery fire from Dorchester Heights, a series of small hills with a commanding view of Boston and its harbor, and other high ground areas around Boston, British Gen. William Howe, noticing that he and his troops would not be able to defend the city with the decisive positioning of the Continental Army, decided it would be in his best interest to withdraw the British army from Boston.. On March 17, 1776, the British occupation of Boston ended when all British troops evacuated the city and sailed to the safety of the British colony of Nova Scotia in present-day Canada. On March 25, 1776, because of his decisive victory during the Battle of Boston, Washington was awarded the first Congressional Gold Medal by the Continental Congress for
his “wise and spirited conduct” in bringing about the British evacuation of Boston. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The medal can be awarded to any individual the Senate and the House of Representatives deem fit. To be awarded the medal, legislation must be co-sponsored by at least two-thirds of the members of the House and 67 Senators before the nomination will be considered. The Congressional Gold Medal is considered to carry the same prestige as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The main difference between the two is that the Gold Medal is awarded as an act of Congress while the Medal of Freedom is awarded personally by the president of the United States, although Congress can authorize the president to award the Gold Medal to its recipients. The Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to 163 individuals, institutions, and events. In the beginning, the medal was awarded to citizens involved in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War, but Congress later widened the scope to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients. The American Red Cross was the first organization to be awarded the medal in 1979.
After Congress deems a Congressional Gold Medal appropriate to award to an individual or group, legislative action provides for the creation of the medal on an ad hoc, “for this” in Latin, basis. Each medal is designed by the United States Mint to commemorate the person and achievement for which the medal is awarded, thus making each medal unique in appearance and design. Following the nomination, the design for the Congressional Gold Medal is finalized, and the medal is struck. Usually, a ceremony is held to formally award and honor the recipient of the medal. Since its inception after the American Revolutionary War, the Congressional Gold Medal has been a crucial way for Congress to publicly recognize significant events, individual achievements, and exemplary institutions. The medal is “the highest civilian honor award program…[to] honor national achievement in patriotic, humanitarian, and artistic endeavors.” All facts in this article, as well as additional information about the Battle of Boston, can be found at https://www.battlefields.org/learn/ revolutionary-war/battles/boston and https://www.mountvernon.org/library/ digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/ article/siege-of-boston/. More information about Congressional Gold Medals can be found from the Congressional Research Service at https://crsreports.congress.gov/ product/pdf/R/R45101.
NAVY NEWS
SAN DIEGO - Disney is ready to sprinkle some magic over future Navy deployments. The Navy plans to plus up its fleet over the next five years, but its manpower goals may as well be ‘to infinity and beyond.’ Senior leadership hopes Disney holds the key to drawing and keeping the necessary personnel. “Industry partnerships are critical to rebuilding readiness. Disney can help us tackle that,” said a Navy spokesman. Disney executives touted the partnership as an opportunity to serve America’s heroes and responsibly dispose of ships no longer fit for paying customers. The groundbreaking deal includes ten former cruise liners that the Navy can retrofit with directed energy weapons and
Navy and Disney partner to offer ‘the most magical deployments on earth’
From duffelblog.com
an Avengers-themed Chief ’s Mess. Approximately 20% of new naval vessels will include Disney branding and amenities, such as chow with a Disney princess and flight deck runs with a CGI version of Mr. Incredible. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson acknowledged challenges to balancing a world class vacation vibe with national security goals. “Activities that do not directly increase lethality, like the Wreck-it Ralph karaoke shack, will shut down during threat engagement in order to minimize distractions and critical power loads,” he said. Sailors can add extra months to their “Disney Fun
Deployment” passes at a military discount. E-5’s and above can purchase week-long family passes for dependents. The first three ships will head to Pacific Fleet headquarters in Hawaii by December 2019. Machinery Repairman 1st Class Timmy Sailor was excited to re-enlist after hearing the news. “I’m a single dad and was looking to get out, but now my son can deploy with me over winter break. We’re gonna have breakfast with Moana every day. Deployments are about to get fun!” And if you’ve made it to the end of this article…Happy April Fool’s Day!
GEORGE’S
CORNER
April Fools Day Joke #1 A horse walked into a bar. Several people got up and left, spotting the potential danger in the situation.
Sudoku
Fill all the empty squares with numbers 1-9. Each of the nine blocks must contain every number, and each number can only appear once in a row, column or box.
April Fools Day Joke #2 Your mom is so fat that, when she dives into a pool, she displaces a proportionately larger volume of water than people with less body mass.
Kakuro
Fill all the empty squares with numbers 1-9. The numbers in each row must add up to the clue on the left and right, while the numbers in each column add up to the clue on the top and bottom. No number may be used more than once in a line.