W
THE
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URVEYOR Vol. 21, Issue 8
Apr. 19, 2021
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
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6 APRIL: SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH
USS George Washington (CVN 73)
Take an active role to support Sailors and prevent sexual harassment and assault
Commanding Officer
Surveyor Magazine Command Master Chief
Executive Officer
URVEYOR
Editor-in-Chief Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake
Copy Editors Lt. Chelsea Cannaday
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MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Stacy Atkinsricks
DENTAL DRILLING IS BACK ON THE SHIP!
Capt. Michael Nordeen
Capt. Kenneth Strong
Dental department enjoys new equipment in their new space
CMDCM Christopher Zeigler
Media Team
Media Department Sailors assigned to the duty section seven in-port emergency team participage in a class-alpha fire drill in the aft engineering berthings. On the cover: Machinery Repariman Fireman Elijah Stockar, assigned to the duty section seven in-port emergency team, simulates firefighting during a class-alpha fire drill in the aft engineering berthings.
MC2 Elizabeth Cohen
MC2 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Tatyana Freeman
Public Affairs Officer
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake
Lt. Chelsea Cannaday
MC3 Cory Daut MC3 Robert Stamer MC3 Aislynn Heywood
Departmental LCPO
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DO'S AND DON'T'S OF THE GALLEY
EXERCISING SPIRITUAL FITNESS
Wash your hands, be respectful, and befriend a shipmate
MCC Christina Shaw
MCSN Jacob Van Amburg MCSN Jack Lepien
Media Department Requests PRINT REQUESTS
MCSN Justin Lawson
PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS (757) 534-0613
E-MAIL CVN-73 Media Print Requests mediaprintrequests@cvn73.navy.mil
MCSN Dyxan Williams MCSN Joshua Cabal MCSN Joseph Negusse MCSN Grant Gorzocoski MCSA Preston Cash
AROUND THE FLEET
Navy decommissions USS Bonhomme Richard
SAN DIEGO (April 14, 2021) – Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three, and Capt. G. S. Thoroman, commanding officer, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), salute the ensign for colors during a decommissioning ceremony for Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego April 14. The ceremony highlighted the history of the ship, its crew, and their legacy. Due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, the event was closed to the public. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Millar)
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MC3 Michael Hazlett
MC1 Stacy Atkinsricks
MCSN Dakota Nack
CRMD's observance of Easter
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Departmental LPO
PHOTO STUDIO HOURS 0900-1200 1900-2100 MONDAY - THURSDAY, located in 01-165-3-Q
A special thank you to all those who let us tell your stories to the crew and to the fleet. 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.
The Washington Surveyor • 3
SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
GW’S NEWEST WARRIORS ESWS ETN2 Jeremy Adams FC2 Matthew Green
EIWS fill
EAWS fill
MESSENGER OF THE WATCH PETTY OFFICER OF THE WATCH JUNIOR OFFICER OF THE DECK fill fill fill
HOMETOWN:
BMSN Lucas Watson
Nashville, Tennessee
WHERE HE WORKS:
OFFICER OF THE DECK fill
Deck department
HOBBIES:
Watson enjoys running cross country, especially long distance. He is always striving to better himself on his five-mile run time. Watson also loves to work on and detail cars and appreciates the effort it takes before he is able to drive it around.
WHAT HE ENJOYS ABOUT HIS JOB:
He loves cleaning the boat decks. He finds it enjoyable because he is able to be by himself outside in the morning with sun and fresh air. The time he spends alone in the morning helps him prepare to crush his responsibilities for the day.
WHAT ‘SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT’ MEANS TO HIM:
He is honored to be recognized, but is dedicated to continue working harder everyday and bettering himself. He is proud of his effort, especially in keeping the ship's ventilation clean so everyone aboard has healthy air.
WHY HE WAS NOMINATED:
First Lieutenant Lt. Gordillo wanted to recognize Watson for his exceptional work as PM-12 "FAST" production leading seaman, his flawless management, and for being a great shipmate and doing his part to build the ship.
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ESWS
EAWS
EIWS
Coordinators
Coordinators
Coordinators
Deck Watch Coordinators
OSC Zachary Machnics MAC Thomas Bohannon
ACCS Matthew Cuppernoll AOC James Cooksey
CTMC Kathleen Chandler IT1 Thaddeus Wiedemeier
CDR. Steve Yargosz LT. John Coughlin
APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH STORY BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) and it is pivotal that Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) recognize the importance of this topic. The message is clear that the Navy does not tolerate sexual assault or harassment. This year, the Navy and George Washington are focused on talking about and showing how people can support and take an active role in sexual assault prevention. All personnel are responsible for creating an environment in which speaking up is met with support and respect rather than retaliation from others. George Washington Sailors are encouraged to report sexual assault in order to connect victims with needed care and support. The command is committed to promoting a culture of respecting and protecting each other while empowering them to seek support if they are sexually harassed or sexually assaulted. A Department of Defense report indicated that the Navy made tremendous strides over the past several years to raise awareness of sexual assault within our ranks, but more work must be done to increase the Fleet’s understanding of this crime if we are to eliminate it from our Navy. According to the same report, in fiscal year 2019, the military services combined received a total of 7,825 reports of sexual assault involving service members as either
victims or subjects. The fiscal year 2020 Annual Report on Sexual Assault is due to be released by the end of April.
a sexual assault response coordinator (SARC), who falls under the Fleet and Family Support Center of Yorktown, who deals with cases, whether it is restricted or unrestricted, and she will be the one that reaches out to our victim advocates and assigns them a case. Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Damian Dodge, the ship’s Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) point of contact, is responsible for all of the victim advocates aboard George Washington. Dodge makes sure victim advocates are well qualified to assist and come from all paygrades to help Sailors get the help they need. Victim advocates need to be available at all different paygrades is because it is essential for the victim to feel comfortable. An offender could be any paygrade, which ultimately might become a roadblock for the victim, so it is best to try and circumvent any problems that could arise. “We don’t want just officers as victim advocates; we want chiefs, we want all types of enlisted, even junior Sailors. As long as they have their basic qualifications completed, they can ask to be a victim advocate,” said Dodge. Being a victim advocate is not merely a collateral duty. Becoming a victim advocate aboard George Washington requires dedication and selflessness, says Chief Logistics Specialist Tania Montalvo.
TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION
6 • The Washington Surveyor
Sexual assault and harassment do not belong in the military, but if they do occur, we must know how to support victims. There are programs and people aboard George Washington, including victim advocates, who have gone through training and vetting processes to help anyone impacted by sexual assault. There is also
“Victim advocates are agreeing to the fact that at any moment when the phone rings, there is another Sailor on that line who is in need, which requires the victim advocate to drop everything they are doing right then and there, personally and professionally, so they can immediately respond to the Sailor on the other line,” Montalvo says. According to Dodge and Montalvo, anyone interested in becoming a victim advocate needs to have at least 18 months
left on board George Washington, because the training obligation, especially in the current COVID-19 climate, could take between six and nine months. There are approximately 40 hours of courses involving training and roleplay. A prospective applicant will undergo many interviews and screenings, as well. Outside of just SAAPM, all Sailors should maintain mindfulness around the ship in regards to unwarranted remarks
or inappropriate actions in the workplace. Every month should include sexual assault awareness because this a topic that cannot be undermined or overlooked. The goal is to mitigate the number of sexual assaults that take place in the Navy, with the overall intention of eliminating it entirely.
The Washington Surveyor • 7
F
"OUR CHAIN OF COMMAND IS REALLY GOOD. THEY MAKE SURE THAT I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING AND THAT I AM CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB RIGHT ."
F
-HM2 BAUTISTA
F
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Bautista adjusts dental machinery.
DENTAL DRILLING BACK ON THE SHIP STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN JOSHUA CABAL
Aboard an aircraft carrier, the dental department is essential for the health and comfort of the Sailors. The dental department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has begun to treat Sailors’ dental needs on the ship instead of on the nearby floating accommodation facility (FAF). “It makes me feel proud to know I’ve been here for the ship to be built and to see us move on from the FAF to the ship,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Damien Richardson, assigned to the dental department aboard George Washington. “I
was there for the decommissioning of the USS Enterprise, so it will be interesting to be there for the exact opposite process.” “Because of the massive undertaking of moving from the FAF to the ship, everyone in the department, as well as local contractors, and a few others from other departments have assisted in the move, such as reactor department helping out with supplying compressed air, weapons department aiding with the use of the elevators, and contractors supplying a forklift to drive equipment onto the ship,” said Richardson.
In order to prepare for the move, dental department had to renovate their ship’s spaces completely, then move everything from the FAF to the newly restored spaces. The department completed a huge milestone when they finished testing the x-ray machine for the dental shop. “Operating on the FAF has been challenging for the dental department because of the extra walking distance it takes to get from the ship,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Bautista, assigned to the dental department aboard George Washington. “The equipment we have been
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Monae Lewis examines the results of an x-ray.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Monae Lewis assembles dental cleaning equipment.
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using on the FAF was clunky and hard to work with. In addition to a new environment, the department has also received brand new equipment. “X-rays and chairs are just a few of the new pieces of equipment that we are receiving on the ship,” said Bautista. “The department will also be expecting more doctors to arrive so they can start helping patients.” Bautista said he is ready for the move to be complete and he is eager to begin working with patients. “I am ecstatic,” said Bautista. “I am excited for the new stuff to show up.” Moving to the ship makes it more convenient for the Sailors to show up to their appointments, and everything is consolidated into a functioning shop. The move over to the ship is beneficial to the experience and skill the dental technicians have regarding procedures and patient care. “I did not know anything about dental work apart from school,” said Bautista. “There was not much hands-on experience at school, so the practice I am able to get onboard the ship is important.” The Sailors will be able to receive better
care onboard the ship with better leadership and experienced doctors.
"It makes me feel proud to know I've been here for the ship to be built." -HM1 Richardson “CVN-73 has helped me a lot because our chain of command is really good,” said Bautista. “They make sure that I know what I
am doing and that I am confident enough to do the job right before I started working on actual patients.” Many Sailors have been looking forward for the dental department becoming operational again, and it is a big step towards RCOH completion. The dental department has already started seeing patients. The physical health of the Sailors is of utmost importance, so dental being readily available for everyone is integral for the functionality and readiness of the ship. “Our goal is to make sure that we have a 98 percent readiness rate when it comes to the dental health of our Sailors,” said Richardson. “Since we are a huge component to medical readiness, we want to make sure that every Sailor that comes in is taken care of.” Walk-in dental exams are now available, and Sailors can also request appointments for cleanings.
The Washington Surveyor • 11
DO'S AND DON'T'S
OF THE GALLEY STORY BY MC3 TATYANA FREEMAN, PHOTOS BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK Many junior Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) are seeing the functions of an operational aircraft carrier for the first time as the ship comes together. Spaces that were previously without doors are suddenly hidden behind them. Ruined decks and bulkheads are being completed and polished into shops, and departments are settling in their respective spaces for the first time in four years. For Sailors who have been aboard other ships, George Washington is starting to look familiar again, and with the familiar scenery comes familiar rules for it—some of which may be new to Sailors who have only seen George Washington in the midst of refueling and complex overhaul. Some of these new rules are coming into effect with the opening of the galleys. “A lot of work went into getting the galley set up,” said Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Juan Fernandez, the mess caterer onboard George Washington. “I’ve been mess caterer for a year and a half. When I first came down here, you would have had an anxiety attack. It was so bad because there was so much work that needed to be done. For me, I think the biggest milestone was coming down the ladderwell and smelling food being cooked. And, for the record, I was the first one to eat on the morning of the first meal.” Every department onboard contributed to the opening of the galley, and in order to ensure that every department can enjoy the results of the hard work, it is imperative that the galley runs smoothly: getting in line, getting food, eating, and leaving.
12 • The Washington Surveyor
“Be mindful of the amount of people standing around [the galley waiting to eat],” said Fernandez. “So if you’re eating and there’re people waiting to sit down, try to hurry up and eat. Don’t rush, but be mindful of other people.” In addition to being mindful of the crowds, Sailors must also remember all of the COVID-19 restrictions in place. “We have to maintain six feet apart in the lines,” said Fernandez. “Another thing that’s happening is you’re supposed to take your mask off to eat and then put it back on. But
people are taking off the mask to eat and then socializing and forgetting to put their mask back on. Remember to wear your mask when you’re not eating.”
“The mess decks are the
heart
of the ship." -CWO2 Williams
Captain Kenneth Strong lauds Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carrol Williams for successful reopening the ship’s galley.
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Artem Kucherenko prepares food for the reopening of the Chief's Mess.
Even though the galley is on a naval vessel, all normal table manners still apply and are highly encouraged, even if they are not delineated in a formal Navy regulation. “Foul language is prohibited,” said Fernandez. “The mess decks are not for that. Be mindful of good manners. I was raised old-school, so don’t eat with your mouth open, be obnoxiously loud, or keep your elbows on the table.” Navy customs also go hand-in-hand with the galley running smoothly. “Always take your cover off when you’re entering the mess decks. There’s no written rule, but take off your jacket, roll up your sleeves, make sure you’re hitting up sanitation, and go through the line,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carrol Williams,
the food service officer onboard the George Washington. Once Sailors have gotten their food, they are encouraged to take full advantage of being able to eat together. “Watch TV, talk, and don’t sit with Sailors you already know,” said Williams. “This is a networking place. It’s almost like you’re forced to speak.You start to learn people and you start to get well-rounded.You start being yourself. Then you’ll start seeing your network grow .” Sailors are encouraged to remember to be respectful towards one another, the fellow Sailors cooking and serving the food, and the hard work the entire ship did in order to have an operating galley. “We may not be the elite of the fleet,
but without us, the fleet won’t eat,” said Williams. “We are the morale. The mess decks are the heart of the ship.” Meal times can be found on the plan of the day, and Sailors are encouraged to partake. With the heart of the ship back up and beating, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the ship follows.
The Washington Surveyor • 13
CVN-73 WELCOMES REAR ADM. JOHN MEIER PHOTOS BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK AND MCSA GRANT GORZOCOSKI
A visit from Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, coincided with the opening of George Washington's aft crew galley April 16. CONGRATULATIONS to the hard-working Sailors from every department whose work was represented during the visit and especially the departments that contributed to another major CMA milestone!
EXERCISING SPIRITUAL FITNESS:
EASTER ABOARD CVN-73
STORY & PHOTOS BY MCSN JOSEPH NEGUSSE
“They are learning and gathering teachings that are practical and relevant to their situation.” - Lt. Cmdr. Jones
Lt. Cdmr. Reginald Jones prepares for communion on Easter Sunday Service.
Expectations flip when the usual traffic and noise of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is replaced with empty passageways and silence. As families prepare to go to church in their Sunday best on Easter Sunday, Sailors, who are on duty and must remain on the ship, gather in their coveralls and Navy working uniforms to celebrate Easter with the help of the command chaplains. Lt. Cmdr. Reginald Jones, a chaplain aboard the ship, delivered the sermon on Easter this year. Assisting him were the religious program specialists assigned to the
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command religious ministries department. “I like to instill hope,” said Jones. “When [Sailors] come, they are learning and gathering teachings that are practical and relevant to their situation." Allowing Sailors the opportunity to partake in religious services is integral for their morale and spirit. “When you are in an operational unit, it's about getting production done, keeping people in the fight, and showing them that they have a purpose and that they are exactly where they need to be," said Jones. “No matter how hard things are on the ship, or
in life, they know that God’s invisible hand of providence is at work for their good.” All services are inclusive and open to all Sailors on the ship, regardless of religious preferences. “It goes back to the Sailors’ spiritual fitness,” said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Bradley Smith. “When you work and live without building up the strength of your spirit, you run the chance of weakening your spirit. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a specific religious service, but attending a service does help with your spiritual fitness." These services offer a safe space for
Sailors to come to share their faith and beliefs. It also uplifts and strengthens their spirits. “I'm not going to lie; there are days I don't like coming here,” said Jones. “I don't feel like coming here every day, but I know I am here for a reason. How God is going to take what I am doing today in the present and use it for the future, I don't know, but I do know he has a plan." The chaplains on the ship do more than offer religious services. They offer guidance and welcome all Sailors to come and talk to them about the good and the bad. “When you change the way you think, your perspective changes, and when you start to see things differently, now you can change the destination," said Jones. The services that the command religious ministry department perform are a direct representation of the religious freedom granted to us by the United States Constitution. “[Spirituality is] one of those intangible things; it helps put people’s minds at ease and helps them strengthen their spirit," said Smith.
Sailors participate in Easter Sunday Service.
PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE
1-800-273-8255
helpful resources
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DRUG & ALCOHOL PROGRAM ADVISOR (DAPA) The Washington Surveyor • 17
N ANEWS VY
NAVY DECOMMISSIONS USS BONHOMME RICHARD
SAN DIEGO-- The U.S. Navy held a decommissioning ceremony for amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego April 14. The ceremony highlighted the history of the ship, its crew, and their legacy. Bonhomme Richard was the third ship to bear the name. It was named in honor of John Paul Jones’ famous frigate, named the French equivalent for “Good man Richard.” This was in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. Ambassador to France at the time. The name Bonhomme Richard is derived from Franklin’s pen name. "[The original Bonhomme Richard] Sailors gave their all to prevail against seemingly impossible odds, and they won,” said Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3. “They taught us that you don’t always save the ship, but you never stop fighting. The reputation of that fighting spirit began to proceed our Navy wherever we sailed and that same spirit persists today." Like the previous five Wasp-class ships, Bonhomme Richard was designed to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in amphibious assault operations by helicopter, landing craft, or amphibious vehicles. Throughout its history, Bonhomme Richard projected power and maintained presence by serving as the cornerstone of Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG) or Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG). It transported and landed elements of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) or Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) with a combination of aircraft and landing craft. Not long after commissioning, the ship was called to action for Operation Stabilize in February 2000, providing peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the coast of East Timor. This made Bonhomme Richard the first U.S. Navy ship to make a Western Pacific deployment in the 2000s. Bonhomme Richard’s following deployment put it in the spotlight of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship offloaded more than a thousand Marines and their equipment from the 3rd Battalion, 1st
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From Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet
DEOCS SURVEY Available until 23 April
Marines into Kuwait. After delivering attack and transport helicopters, as well as troops and vehicles, Bonhomme Richard took position just miles off the coast of Kuwait to launch AV-8B Harrier aircraft into Iraq. From the deck of Bonhomme Richard, Marine Attack Squadrons (VMA) 211 and 311 flew missions into Iraq and expended more than 175,000 pounds of ordnance and provided close air support to Marines on the ground. In total, the ship launched more than 800 sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 500 of those were combat launches. On April 23, 2012, Bonhomme Richard replaced USS Essex (LHD 2) as the ESG Strike Group 7 command ship and switched homeports from San Diego to Sasebo, Japan. After six years as the centerpiece of the U.S. Navy amphibious operations in the forwarddeployed naval forces, Bonhomme Richard returned to San Diego in May 2018 in a homeport change. As the crew prepared the ship for decommissioning, members of the team slowly began transferring to new commands across the fleet, leaving a minimal-sized crew aboard for the decommissioning ceremony. “As BHR [Bonhomme Richard] Sailors disperse
throughout the fleet, take the teamwork, spirit, and unity to your next command,” said Capt. Gregory S. Thoroman, Bonhomme Richard’s commanding officer. For this crew and what we experienced together is the embodiment of our core values of honor, courage, and commitment. The resiliency I saw—man or woman, seaman and up to our highest ranks, united in our common cause and strength to depend on each other—lived up to my motto of train to fight and fight to win. It has been my honor and absolute privilege to serve as your commanding officer.” In parting words to his crew, Thoroman left them with some counsel for their futures in the Navy “If I can leave you with any advice moving forward it is to be true to yourselves, own it and earn it every single day,” Thoroman said. “There is always something you can do to make your command better. Seek it out. Find it and do it.” Following its decommissioning, Bonhomme Richard will be towed to International Shipbreaking Limited, LLC’s facility in Brownsville, Texas for dismantlement.
COMPLETE THE SURVEY!!!
Talk to Department Head, DLCPO, or Department CMEO for codes All participants should use this survey link https://www.surveysdrc.com/mil
Was hi ng e g r o e G ton USS Second Class Petty Officer Association
“bridging the gap” upcoming events:
April 20, 2021@1000
E4 and below “Safe Haven” topic: CFS
April 24, 2021@1100
Street Clean-up
April 30, 2021@1000
Hail & Bail
The mission of the SCPOA aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) is to ascend our Navy’s future by making a direct impact on junior Sailors, our peers and local community. We strive for excellence through our commitment to leadership. For information about events or membership, contact SCPOA cabinet members: SCPOAcabinet@cvn73.navy.mil