WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
NOV. 12, 2018
MC2 Mandi Washington
MCSA Jack Lepien
COMMAND MENTORSHIP
MEDICAL INSPECTION
THE FUTURE OF OUR NAVY
GW MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ACES INSPECTION
MC3 Kristen Yarber
MC3 Brian Sipe
FORE THE LOVE OF GOLF
VOTING
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT HITS THE GREEN
EVERY CITIZEN’S RIGHT
washington surveyor Commanding Officer Capt. Glenn Jamison
ET3 Bradley Groebel
QM2 Treonia Collier
ET2 Rebekah Turner
Executive Officer
MMN3 Troy Napier
ABH3 Hanshugen Haber
ADAN David Little
MMN2 Reba Cauble
EM2 Abriel Hernandez
ASAN Printiss Dupree
MM3 Renee Wagner
ABF1 Juan Legarda
AN Eliza Gonzalez
QMSA Christopher Wagner
BM3 Laura Taylor
ABFAN Eric Morentin
Capt. Daryle Cardone
Command Master Chief CMDCM Maurice Coffey
PS3 Cierra Hunt
ABFAN Santana Valencia
Public Affairs Officer
LSSA Luther Butler
ADAN Richard Byrd
Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
FC2 Michelle Portalskuehn
AOAN Colton Roth
MR3 Joshua Kuntzi
ABFAN Dillion Duvall
ETN3 Enrique Gamboa
ABFAN Jacob Smith
ETN2 Tyre Garner
AN Austyn, Stoops
Departmental LCPO
MMN2 Chelsea Ellington
ABHAN Raven Rivas
MCCS Reginald Buggs
CSSN Ethan TylerSutton
Divisional LCPO
GMSN Tomasz Rajkowski
MCC Mary Popejoy
SN Aurora Klukas
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tyler Barker
Editors
MC3 Julie Vujevich MCSN Zack Thomas MCSA Jack Lepien
Content
MC1 Gary Johnson MC2 Mandi Washington MC3 Michael Botts MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Jamin Gordon MC3 Trey Hutcheson MC3 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Brian Sipe MC3 Kristen Yarber MCSR Steven Young
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.
SN Noah Moorhead BM3 Sawyer Langbehn MMN2 Liam Mulloy SHSA Victoria Davilacruz OS3 Frances Hernandez
On the cover: Machinery Repairman 3rd Class Joshua Kuntzi uses a lathe at the Light Industrial Facility Nov. 1, 2018. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jack Lepien.)
SAILOR in the SPOTLIGHT
HA Ellysse Tilley HA Ellysse Tilley, from Dallas, joined the Navy Aug. 21, 2017 to help people by providing medical assistance and humanitarian aid both here in America and overseas. She loves teaching patients and by doing so, increasing their confidence in themselves. She says that oral health can affect more than most people realize. “My personal goal at the end of any appointment is for every patient to leave with a smile,” said Tilley. When she isn’t working to better Sailors’ dental health, Tilley likes to explore Virginia, run, read, and listen to music. She mostly listens to rap, R&B, and alternative. She also likes the movies “ET,” “Kill Bill,” “16 Candles,” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted.”
Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas Jones discusses mentorship paperwork with Personnel Specialist Seaman Vanessa Rocha Valenzuela. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mandi Washington.)
Be a Mentor
Make a Difference By MC2 Mandi Washington
M
entorship is an opportunity for Sailors of all ranks to extend the olive branch of leadership and mentor someone both personally and professionally. To aid in making such relationships a success, commands, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), have local mentorship instructions to assist mentors and protégés in forming meaningful mentorship relationships. According to USS George Washington (CVN 73) Instruction 5351.1B, the objective of the mentoring program is to develop Sailors personally and professionally by transferring the knowledge and experience of senior personnel to junior personnel. It affords Sailors at all levels the opportunity to grow, remain efficient, and develop teambuilding skills. Every Sailor should have a mentoring relationship with senior personnel. “I think everyone should have a mentor, whether it’s documented or not, or someone you can go to discuss your personal and professional development,” said Chief Sonar
Technician Corey Davidson, George Washington’s mentorship coordinator. “Someone that has been there before you, someone that might be where you want to be in the future.” All reporting E-6 and below Sailors will be assigned a mentor in the first 30 days after reporting, which will be their sponsor. They will be assigned a permanent mentor within 90 days of reporting. A Sailor can find their own mentor or be assigned one by their departmental mentorship coordinator. “The GW mentorship instruction outlines the process for getting one,” said Davidson. “There is a mentorship agreement that both the mentor and protégé have to sign. There is an individual development plan that goes along with it so they can identify what goals they have for short term and long term, milestones they get to and both mentor and protégé will sign off on this saying they’ve both agreed to this program. They’ve agreed to their responsibilities to each other and the milestones they need to meet.” When two Sailors agree to become mentor and protégé,
they should remember to remain professional, not fraternize, and keep communications confidential. With these things, a successful mentorshippartnership can develop. “Career progression, shortrange, medium-range, and longrange professional goals, leadership, administrative, personal goals, and education are just a few areas of focus,” said Master Chief Avionics Technician (AW/SW) John Carter. “Mentorships often become enduring friendships, where you as a mentor can change a Sailor’s life and decisionmaking even after the active phase of the relationship has ended.” Mentorship, whether short- or long-term, can provide opportunities to improve communication skills, develop leadership and management qualities, and increase confidence and motivation. If you would like to know more about the George Washington mentorship program, stop by FAF Room 307 to speak with the command mentorship coordinator.
By MC3 Kristen Yarber
F
alling rain and gray clouds rolled over the Virginia Beach National Golf Club causing water-filled golf cart seats and puddles between the small hills that dotted the course. This weather did not stop members of the Navy Supply Corps Foundation, Hampton Roads Chapter, from competing in their semi-annual fundraising tournament, Nov. 2, 2018. The tournament takes place every spring and fall, providing the opportunity for supply officers to network both professionally and socially. Cmdr. Kelly House, the supply officer onboard the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), organized the most recent tournament. “We really appreciate everything the George Washington has done,” said Capt. Rick Wilhelm, assistant chief of staff for logistics (N41) of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. “It’s great to get the active duty and retired supply officers together for events such as this. It builds camaraderie.” The tournament began with the foundation members meeting in the club house and socializing over food and drinks. After making their way to their assigned golf carts they loaded up their clubs, then listened for the introduction and rules. Once all the participants were ready, they sped off to their first tee. About half an hour into the tournament, the rain let up, boosting the group’s morale. After a few hours of golfing and some friendly competition, lunch was provided for those in attendance. In addition to participants, some local companies came to support the event and gave a portion of the proceeds to the Supply Corps
Fore the Love of Golf
Chief Culinary Specialist Joseph Magri, Supply Department’s S-2 leading chief petty officer onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), swings a golf club at the Navy Supply Corps Foundation Tournament at the Virginia Beach National Golf Club. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristen Cheyenne Yarber)
Foundation. “The foundation itself is for active duty and retired supply officers and enlisted supply ratings,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Sands, George Washington’s assistant supply officer. “But there were non-military-related people there as well.” Eighty-four people from different commands all across Hampton Roads ended up attending and supporting the tournament. Participants could buy raffle tickets for the chance to win prizes, with the voucher proceeds going toward the fundraiser. “They had a lot of prizes,” said Sands. “Golf clubs, gift cards for places like the Newseum in D.C., and tickets for things like the Norfolk Admirals hockey games.” He also said they had multiple winners for first, second, third, and
last place—the latter of which won a free mini golf pass. This event offered more than meeting people and prizes, though. “The event is for fundraising and providing money for the big initiatives of the foundation,” said Sands. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships to 2,165 dependents and descendants in the supply corps community. Sands also said the foundation recently provided $10,000 in memorial scholarships for children of members who were killed while on active duty. The non-profit’s motto is “taking care of our own,” and they exhibit that by seeking to uphold the long-held traditions of the Navy Supply Corps and increasing morale throughout its community.
GW MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ACES INSPECTION By MCSA Jack Lepien
Radiation Health Officer Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Jackson , right, inspects medical records for the Individual Medical Readiness Inspection onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trey Hutcheson)
M
aintaining the medical readiness of over 2000 Sailors and their records is no easy tasks, but the medical department aboard the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) went above
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Chevoirye Wade analyzes medical records aboard the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington Oct. 30, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trey Hutcheson)
and beyond the call of duty in their annual Individual Medical Readiness Inspection to score in the highest bracket possible. “The inspection is about the medical readiness of the crew being up-to-date,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Miguel Medina, the departmental leading chief petty officer of USS George Washington’s medical department. The inspection team from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic (CNAL) evaluated a sample group of medical records in order to determine how upto-date the forms were and the accuracy of the information contained within each of them. “They take 120 random records from our crew list and spot check each and every one of them,” said Medina. “It’s an all-hands event where all the corpsmen work hard to prepare for the inspection.” Medina said that preparation for
the inspection takes place every day. “Whenever we do a BMR, a PHA, immunizations, blood tests, anything, we have to work to make sure the records and computer systems are up-to-date,” said Medina. “What CNAL usually does, and this is ship-wide, is they take a sample from each department and make sure that there are enough medically-ready Sailors to deploy at a moment’s notice. We have to be ready to deploy at all times, and this inspection checks to make sure that
(from left) Force Nurse Charlene Ohliger, Radiation Health Officer Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Jackson, and Force Master Chief Nick Craig inspect medical records for the Individual Medical Readiness Inspection onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trey Hutcheson)
our crew is healthy enough to do so.” Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Chevoirye Wade said that they did well overall on the entire inspection. “We did well on the IMRI,” said Wade. “We scored a 91% on the overall inspection, which means we met or exceeded expectations is all categories,” said Wade. “The few hits we did get were mostly small administrative things, such as some of the forms not being current, particularly on the records of Sailors
who have been in long enough for several version of forms to have been released.” The inspection includes six elements, which are individual medical equipment, like eyeglasses and EpiPens, immunizations, blood work, dental readiness, deployment limiting conditions, like diabetes and pregnancy, and the periodic health assessment. “One of the CNAL Force Master
Chiefs talked to everyone E-5 and below, and it meant a lot to get that pat on the back from someone who’s been there and done that,” said Wade. “It was trying but it was rewarding, all those long nights and all that hard work finally working out.”
Sailors from the Medical Department onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) stand with inspectors from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trey Hutcheson)
WE PLEDGE TO BE THERE... GW’s Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) team distributed purple ribbons to Sailors in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Sailors signed and wrote messages on a banner and wore purple ribbons in support of victims of domestic violence.
Voting
Every Citizen’s Right
By MC3 Brian Sipe
E
very four years, near the midpoint of a president’s four-year term, United States citizens vote during the midterm elections for who they want to represent them in Congress, as their governor and in local offices such as their mayor or on school boards. Midterm elections determine which political party will control each chamber of Congress for the next two years. According to USA.gov, the midterm election voters choose one third of senators, all members of the House of Representatives and many state and local positions. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms and will be up for election during the presidential election year. “I believe everyone’s vote makes a difference,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Cory Ryder, a George Washington Sailor who voted in the midterm election. “People will win elections by only hundreds of votes. With how little people can win by, you have the opportunity to make a difference.” According to electproject.org,
during the 2014 midterm elections, only around 36.7 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot during the election. However, according to early estimates from electproject.org, voter turnout this year increased to 48.1 percent, the highest voter turnout since 1966 when it was 49 percent. An estimated 113 million Americans were predicted to have voted in this year’s midterm elections. “It’s for you, it’s for your kids, it helps shape the country,” said Ryder. “It could be personal beliefs you hold or for whatever reason you want to vote. It’s a privilege to be able to vote and I know those of us in the military fight for that right, so we should exercise it.” Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, any Sailor and their family can submit an absentee ballot. Sailors and their families, if they so choose, can register to vote in the state of the Sailor’s permanent change of station (PCS) orders, or they can vote absentee in the state of their home of record or any other location where they have lived and maintain a legal residency. For information on how to request and submit an absentee
ballot, visit FVAP.gov. “It’s a right that all Americans have that we should exercise,” said Lt. Robert Walsh, George Washington’s voting assistance officer. “Not everyone around the world has the right to have their voice heard. It’s what our forefathers fought for; it’s one of the inalienable rights that we all have thanks to them.” Control of the House of Representatives has shifted to the Democrats following the 2018 midterm elections. Republicans strengthened their hold in the Senate. Of the 36 seats for governor in the gubernatorial election, Democrats gained seven seats and Republicans lost six seats for a total of 23 Democratic governors and 26 Republican governors with one governor yet to be decided in Georgia (as of the writing of this article). For information on which states flipped and which states stayed the same, visit balletpedia.org. Every U.S. citizen above the age of 18 has the right to vote and each person can make a difference by casting their vote during both midterm and primary elections.
(U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Sipe.)
DID YOU KNOW?
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON’S INVOLVEMENT IN WWI By Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
O
ne hundred years ago, at 11:00 a.m. Paris time on Nov. 11, 1918, now known as the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Germany and the Allied powers signed an armistice that brought an end to the fighting of World War I. Although an armistice was signed, it was not until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919 that World War I officially ended. Diplomats from 32 countries and nationalities that participated in the war gathered to negotiate peace terms. President Woodrow Wilson represented the United States, crossing the Atlantic Ocean aboard USS George Washington (ID# 3018), the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named after the United
States’ first president. The ship was originally an ocean liner, built by Germany and launched in 1908, offering high-class comfort to passengers transiting the Atlantic Ocean. At the time of her launching, she was the third largest ship in the world. At the outbreak of World War I, the ship sought refuge in New York City, a neutral port at the time. When the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, the U.S. Navy seized George Washington and converted it to a troop transport. The ship first carried soldiers to the battlefield in Europe in December 1917. Over the course of the war, George Washington carried 48,000 passengers eastward to France and
President Woodrow Wilson waves his top hat from the deck of USS George Washington (ID # 3018) 8 July 1919. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.)
after the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice, it transported 34,000 passengers back to the United States. George Washington’s biggest claim to fame during this time was the special honor the ship was afforded after hostilities in Europe ceased. President Woodrow Wilson rode aboard George Washington twice on his way to France for the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. The peace treaty that resulted established the League of Nations, imposed heavy reparations on Germany, and redrew the political boundaries of many nations. In 1920, George Washington was decommissioned from naval service and returned to civilian passenger service.
USS George Washington (ID # 3018) steaming twenty-five miles at sea, while transporting President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson to France to take part in the Versailles Peace Conference, 5 March 1919. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.)
NAVY NEWS The U.S. and Bangladesh Navy kicked off exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Nov. 4. Sailors and Marines across five ships including a guided missile frigate and patrol craft from the Bangladesh Navy, and a maritime patrol aircraft and dry cargo ship USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams (T-AK-3009) from the U.S. Navy, will conduct a series of cooperative evolutions ashore and at-sea. Joint evolutions are designed to highlight the ability for both navies to work together in ensuring maritime security, stability and prosperity. “The long-standing partnership between Bangladesh and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander Task Force 73. “These engagements reflect our shared belief that regional challenges increasingly require cooperative solutions by capable naval forces.” “We all understand the complexities of the maritime domain, and we need collaborative initiatives for all like CARAT,” said Rear Adm. M Abu Ashraf, Commander, Chattogram Naval Area. “Our bond between our two navies will continue to develop; mutual cooperation will further enlarge.” The sea phase will encompass complex scenarios in the Bay of Bengal to include a tracking
US, Bangladesh Navy Commence CARAT Exercise From Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific Public Affairs
Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, right, commander of Task Force 73, and Rear. Adm. Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, commander of Bangladesh Navy Fleet, exchange command coins during exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2018, Nov. 4, 2018. CARAT 2018 marks the 24th iteration of the maritime exercise series and reflects the strong and mature partnership between the U.S. and Bangladesh Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristin Barth/Released)
exercise aimed at increasing both navies’ ability to together track and pursue targets through the coordinated deployment of surface ships and maritime patrol aircrafts, division tactics designed to enhance communication as ships sail together in complex maneuvers, and a screening exercise to increase proficiency of ships to defend from potential threats. “Bangladesh is highly privileged to host CARAT,” said Rear. Adm. Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet. “Like previous years, I’m sure CARAT 2018 will be a great source of learning for all of our officers.” The shore phase will involve symposiums across the full spectrum of naval capabilities that provide opportunities for both navies to share knowledge
and experiences with each other ranging from gas turbine maintenance and aviation warfare to medical and legal subject matter exchanges. Marines will also conduct joint training such as techniques in house clearing and raid operations. “CARAT Bangladesh scenarios are tailored with inputs from the U.S. and Bangladesh Navy to meet evolving threats through exchanges such as in explosive ordnance disposal, Marine tactics and dive operations, in addition to being a venue to improve best practices in information sharing and maritime domain awareness,” said Lt.j.g. Ben Ralen, U.S. lead planner of CARAT Bangladesh.
GEORGE’S
CORNER
Riddle #1
What rock group features four men who don’t sing or dance?
Riddle #2
When you need me, you throw me away. When you’re done with me, you bring me back. What am I?
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. ” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Riddle Answers Mount Rushmore/ An Anchor
I QUIT TOBACCO For my wallet • For my health • For my buddies • For my family
DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER YO U R
YO U UR R YO
NAVY NAVYhistory history SUPPORTING THE FLEET SUPPORTING THE FLEET SUPPORTING THE FLEET
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