WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
May 16, 2017
By MCSN Kristen Yarber
THEUNCERTAINTY
OFLIFE
GW SAILOR HAS TWO SETS OF TWINS IN TWO YEARS By MC3 Joshua David DuFrane
FINANCING
ABETTERFUTURE By MC2 Alora Blosch
BRINGINGHISTORY
BACKTOLIFE
GW SAILORS CLEAR THE WAY FOR CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT
On the cover: (May 10, 2017) ABE2 Austin Komperda cuts trees into logs to clear space for a civil war reenactment at Endview Plantation. (Photo by MC2 Alora Blosch)
PHOTO of the DAY
(May 10, 2017) Sailors from Air Department move branches to clear space for a civil war reenactment at Endview Plantation. (Photo by MC2 Alora Blosch)
The Washington Surveyor Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
CAPT Timothy Kuehhas
CDR Colin Day
CMDCM James Tocorzic
Public Affairs Officer
Deputy PAO
Media DLCPO
Media LPO
LCDR Gregory L. Flores
LTJG Andrew Bertucci
MCC Mary Popejoy
MC2 Kris R. Lindstrom
Staff
Editors MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke MCSA Julie Vujevich
MC3 Kashif Basharat MC2 Alora Blosch MC2 Jessica Gomez MC2 Bryan Mai MC2 Jules Stobaugh
MC3 Devin Bowser MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Joshua DuFrane MC3 Jacob Goff MC3 Shayla Hamilton
MC3 Brian Sipe MC3 Anna Van Nuys MCSN Jamin Gordon MCSN Alan Lewis MCSN Oscar Moreno
MCSN Kristen Yarber MCSA Michael Botts
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 (7726).
*For comments and concerns regarding The Washington Surveyor, email the editor at julie.vujevic@cvn73.navy.mil*
THEUNCERTAINTY
OFLIFE:
GW SAILOR HAS TWO SETS OF TWINS IN TWO YEARS
“Y
By MCSN Kristen Yarber
ou don’t plan on twins. Twice,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Joshua Koren, leading petty officer of the ordnance branch workcenter of Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Koren and his wife had two sets of twins, back to back. The chances of a couple having twins are low to begin with, but the chance of having twins twice in a row is less than one percent. The couple has seven kids in total: six boys and one girl, who is five months old. The boys are age six and four, one set of twins are three, the other set of twins are two. Koren said that although he expected to have kids in his lifetime, he did not expect to have this many. “I’ve always wanted kids,” said Koren. “I finally met the right woman and she wanted kids just like I did.” Koren said when he told his kids they were having twins again, the children were nothing but excited be-
cause it meant they would have more playmates. Preparing for such an extreme change in their lives took a lot of planning. Saving money was a huge priority. They would need to buy more of everything including food, clothes, and toiletries. Buying extra supplies was not the only big change for the family. Renovations were also essential. Koren hired someone to convert more than half of their garage into a bedroom for the twins. Another aspect of their life that changed was their methods of transportation. In addition to their minivan, Koren bought a 12-passenger van to better accommodate his family. With reliable transportation for his growing family, Koren uses the smaller vehicle to and from work so he can continue to be 100 percent committed to his Navy responsibilities. “He still keeps everything in the shop in check,” said Chief Noah Korrell, the AIMD ordnance workcenter chief petty officer. “He’s a better man than most to be able to handle all that
and balance work.” Koren’s 13 years in the Navy have prepared him in many ways for his current lifestyle. He’s had to learn to manage stress and multitask as a leader in his department. Also, he’s had to learn how to adjust to changes in his life. These qualities directly translate into his life as a parent. He said the most difficult adjustment so far has been trying to find opportunities to get things done around the house. “It takes a lot of time, commitment, and patience,” he said. However, through all the changes, Koren said he wouldn’t change a thing. “I just love every minute,” he said. “I wouldn’t change anything. I love having kids. I love having a large family. I never thought I’d have such a large family. I just love everything about it.” Koren said there was really no way to plan for all the things that have happened in his life, but he takes each day as it comes, with the support of his family.
(May 12, 2017) Cmdr. David Whitman, acting Mini Boss, provides Sailors with a lecture on financial management and advice for smart financial careers during and after a Sailor’s career. (Photo by MC3 Joshua David DuFrane)
FINANCING
ABETTERFUTURE
By MC3 Joshua David DuFrane
A
s Sailors near the end of their naval contracts there are several paths ahead of them; to stay in the Navy and make it a career, or close the hatch and set sail for new adventures elsewhere in the civilian sector. The world’s economy is constantly evolving with technology, and because of advancements being made
(May 12, 2017) Sailors take notes during a financial lecture in training classroom four aboard the Floating Accomodation Facility (FAF). (Photo by MC3 Joshua David DuFrane)
every day across every job market available, how does one go about picking a career that will survive these advances? Cmdr. David Whitmer, acting Mini Boss aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), has a Master of Business Administration from Kelley School of Business with a concentration in Finance, he also has a successful
side business in which he writes compliance software for banks, has owned and sold a business and was featured in the 2009 book “How to make Money In Stocks: Success Stories,” by Amy Smith. Whitmer noticed several Sailors struggling, both financially and where to go after their Navy career was over, so he created a seminar passing the knowledge he has gained over the years to any Sailors who wish to learn. “This whole idea for the lecture series stemmed from conversations I had with Sailors in the tower,” said Whitmer. “During weather delays all of us in the tower would discuss
(May 12, 2017) A slide displayed during a financial lecture in training classroom four aboard the Floating Accomodation Facility (FAF) shows Sailors jobs currently in the market that are on a downward trend. (Photo by MC3 Joshua David DuFrane)
a variety of topics from taxes and financial management, to growth rates of the economy and job markets.” Word spread throughout Air department about the conversations, and the seminar series was the product of those early discussions. “A lot of Sailors join the Navy right out of high school,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Laeree Gordy, in Air department. “A lot of us didn’t learn finance or how to properly handle our money and that’s what I hope to gain from these seminars. You can really tell that Mini Boss cares about us. He saw some of his Sailors going through some tough times, and the fact that he created this series shows just how much he wants us to succeed.” Whitmer designed these seminars to reach a wide audience with the hope that everyone could benefit in one form or another.
“These classes have really helped me,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Joseph Lenz. “I’ve been working on getting out of debt, and these classes teach us how to balance our paychecks and how to make more money outside of the Navy. Mini boss also shows us different careers that are successful and where we should consider applying our skillsets once we leave the Navy.” The program has positively impacted the Sailors who have attended the meetings by teaching them a variety of financial skills that they didn’t know before. “If you are in a tough financial situation or if you want to know more about different job markets to be successful, you should come to these meetings,” said Lenz. “I think these are great classes, there is a lot you can learn from them, I certainly have.”
Throughout all of the seminars that Whitmer has provided, one message to his Sailors rings the strongest. “Get rid of your consumer debt,” said Whitmer. “Pay off any credit cards or car loans. Don’t build up consumer debt, it can get out of hand very fast and cause added stress to your life.” Whitmer normally holds seminars, open to all hands, on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in training classroom three aboard the Floating Accommodation Facility (FAF). Those interested in learning more can visit http://www.davewhitmer. com and log in with a Twitter account to stay alert for lecture time and location updates with the call sign #MBU. The lectures will restart shortly so those who have missed prior seminars will be caught up to date.
(May 12, 2017) Sailors listen to a financial lecture in training classroom four aboard the Floating Accomodation Facility (FAF). (Photo by MC3 Joshua David DuFrane)
(May 5, 2017) GW Sailors from air department move branches to clear space for a civil war reenactment at Endview Plantation.. (Photo by MC2 Alora Blosch)
BRINGINGHISTORY
S
BACKTOLIFE By MC2 Alora Blosch
ailors with routine underways and deploy ments in the rear view are balancing their ref ueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) requirements with projects off the ship that benef it the com munit y. Sailors in V-2 division of Air depar t ment assig ned to the aircraf t car r ier USS George Washington (CV N 73) found a new par t nership with Endview Plantation. For approximately nine weeks, the Sailors have been volunteering at Endview Plantation once a week. Endview Plantation was once a confederate hospital dur ing the Civil War, but is now a site to teach child ren and adults about the histor y of the war by br inging histor y back to life. “Senior [Chief Aviation Boat-
swain’s Mate (Equipment) Er ik] Reed wanted V-2 to be more active in the com munit y,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Rober t Van. “The f irst classes star ted looking around the area. I looked for things outside that would appeal to my interests. That’s when I got in contact with Endview Plantation.” A ny where bet ween 20 to 30 Sailors volunteer ever y week perfor ming tasks like weed pulling and cut ting dow n t rees. They are also helping prepare the grounds for a Civil War Reenactment of “On to Rich mond,” the f irst weekend of June. “I’ve been here a total of th ree times,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Air man Br ian na
Redmon. “I’m also a huge histor y buff, so this is a lear ning exper ience since they do reenact ments on the proper t y.” The workers at the plantation are gratef ul that the Sailors come to help, and say it has eased their workload t remendously. “It’s been a great exper ience,” said Todd Pfahl, a grounds keeper at the plantation. “There’s only t wo of us here f ull time and the work these g uys get done in a few hours would take us a week.” The plantation still needs work done to move t rees and build paths and different scenes to help prepare for that, and help f rom GW Sailors is making the evolution faster. “I like that they are engaged in the com munit y,” said Van. “I
(May 5, 2017) GW Sailors from air department move branches to clear space for a civil war reenactment at Endview Plantation.. (Photo by MC2 Alora Blosch)
bet a lot of them are going to come see the reenact ment because they have invested so much time to help make it happen.” Volunteer ing not only breaks negative routines and gives Sailors a pur pose, it also gives them the chance to see each other in a different environ ment outside of the ship. “It makes me look at them more human,” said Redmon. “W hat I
mean by that is on the ship ever y thing is work, work, work and quals, quals quals. Ever y thing is so robotic, but out here you get to see a different side of the people you work with. It shows that there is more compassion than what you nor mally see.” W hether beautif ying a plantation or volunteer ing at a school, GW Sailors continue to show that com mit ment to ser vice not only
(May 5, 2017) ABE1 Jacinto Espinoza cuts up trees to clear space for a civil war reenactment at Endview Plantation. (Photo by MC2 Alora Blosch)
creates a st ronger sense of communit y with the area and each other, but it st rengthens our par t nership with those that suppor t our militar y. The Endview Plantation is just one of many COMR ELs for GW Sailors to give back to the com munit y, if interested in par ticipating, the Chaplain’s off ice has a schedule of upcoming events.
(Dec. 3, 2016) MA1 Lindsay Jazwinski gives directions to MCSN Krystofer Belknap during an OC training evolution during the December of 2016 underway. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Clemente A. Lynch)
SECURITYSLATEDTOHOLD SECURITYREACTIONFORCES
BRAVO COURSE By MC3 Oscar Moreno
P
rotect the ship! That is what the Sailors selected to support USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) Security department are required to do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “A requirement that we have for our new TAD [temporary assigned duty] Sailors is that they are highly motivated,” said Master-At-Arms 1st Class Alan Anderson. “They must be willing to excel and have a drive to learn. What we don’t want are Sailors who are stagnant and not wanting to improve themselves.” Sailors who fit the bill and are chosen by their departmental leading chief petty officer (DLCPO), attend the Security Reaction Forces Bravo (SRF-B) course, which
is held at Huntington Hall, a barracks building located in Newport News, Virginia. It is two and a half to three weeks of training. The first week consists of non-lethal combat skills, culmination in a final five-station course during which Sailors are sprayed with OC spray and put their skills to the test to face off against the “Red Man.” SRF-B also focuses on weapons familiarization, specifically the M9 service pistol and the M16 service rif le. In the final lesson, the Sailors are graded on a live gun range on their proficiency of the two weapons. “Everything that you learned in the Bravo course is what you’ll be doing every day you work,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman
Danielle Cruz. “So be sure to retain what you learned because it will help get the qualifications you will need to advance in Security.” While the TAD has an important mission, the Sailor doesn’t have to stay with Security their entire sea tour. “If a department has a Sailor in Security they want back, they have to provide someone to replace that person,” said Anderson. “That department’s DLCPO communicates with our Master Chief and we attempt to put them in an upcoming SRF-B course and finalize the swap after graduation.” Sailors interested in joining Security can contact their chain-ofcommand for additional SRF-B requirements.
NAVY NEWS
Navy Drug Screening Lab Great Lakes Announces Review of Drug Testing From U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
(March 3, 2014) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) participate in a command wide urinalysis. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli)
N
avy Drug Screening Lab (NDSL) Great Lakes announced today an administrative review and scientific investigation is underway following the discovery of a sample that incorrectly tested positive for methamphetamine. Upon discovery, the NDSL Great Lakes lab immediately ceased its amphetamine and methamphetamine testing pending careful review of the incident, processes, staff actions and training. While NDSL Great Lakes continues to test for other illicit substances, its testing for amphetamine and methamphetamine has been decertified by the Dept. of Defense Drug Testing Program and Policy Office pending the results of this review. The administrative review will analyze the records of amphetamine and methamphetamine sam-
ples dating back to 2006, when this particular testing method for those substances was implemented. The purpose of the investigation is to determine how the cross contamination occurred. Both are being led by the commanding officer of NDSL Great Lakes with oversight from the Navy Drug Testing Program Office at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Additionally, a special inspection has been ordered by the Biochemical Testing Advisory Board, the DoD-level governing body that codifies procedures for the certification, decertification, and recertification of the DoD drug testing laboratories. This process will be led by civilian, board-certified toxicologists and will ensure the administrative review and scientific investigation were thorough and that any and all vulnerabilities in the testing method
that caused the false positive results have been identified and properly addressed. While NDSL Great Lakes is decertified, amphetamine and methamphetamine samples are being sent to NDSL Jacksonville and to the Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory (Lackland AFB, Texas), both of which use a different testing method for these substances. If the administrative review and investigation determine that any other service members incorrectly tested positive for amphetamine or methamphetamine, the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center will immediately contact the personnel bureaus of those service members. Additionally, NDSL Great Lakes will implement recommended process improvements to ensure cross contamination does not occur in the future.
CVN MAZE
GAMES CROSSWORD
HARD SUDOKU SUDOKU