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SAFETY IN EXERCISE PG. 12
July 15, 2019
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE 6 Why I Joined Sailors that joined for love of country speak on the Navy
8 Water Safety Tips to stay safe in the water
12 Safety in Exercise New NAVADMIN addresses PRT injuries
16 Staying the Course A look at what MAs do during RCOH
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Around the Fleet USS John P. Murtha celebrates the Fourth of July at sea
W
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USS George Washington (CVN 73) Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Surveyor Magazine Editor-in-Chief Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Copy Editors Capt. Glenn Jamison
Capt. Daryle Cardone
CMDCM Maurice Coffey
Lt. Tyler Barker MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Gary Johnson MC3 Trey Hutcheson
Media Department Public Affairs Officer
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Layout Designers
Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Lt. Tyler Barker
MC3 Adam Ferrero
Departmental LCPO
Divisional LCPO
MCCM Reginald Buggs
MCC Christina Shaw
Production LPO
MC3 Tatyana Freeman MCSN Jack Lepien
Journalists
MC1 Gary Johnson
MC2 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Trey Hutcheson
Media Department Requests PRINT REQUESTS
PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS
E-MAIL MEDIA PRINT REQUESTS
(757) 534 - 2369
MC3 Tatyana Freeman MCSN Jack Lepien
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY: TUESDAY & THURSDAY: 0800 - 1300 0800 - 1400 2600 WASHINGTON AVE. SUITE 203
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.
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SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
GW’S NEWEST WARRIORS
ABH3 (AW) Clayton Luce AMC (AW) Damon Hegg AS2 (AW) Jason Goguen DC3 Robert Yarborough EMFN Garrett Brasseaux EMN2 Adrianna Pasquarella EMN2 Gunner Weller EMN2 Kaemen Meyers HM2 Chevoirye Wade
LS2 Alexandre Brummell HOMETOWN: St. Louis, Missouri
WHERE HE WORKS:
HMC (FMF) David Long LSSN Darwin Holland MM3 Arilene MartinezSanchez MMN3 Anthony Hise SHSN Drechell Rush
S-1 Division
WHY HE JOINED: To get a degree and see the world
FAVORITE PART OF HIS JOB: Meeting new people and helping Sailors strive to be great
HOBBIES: Playing sports, working out, traveling, and eating
WHY THIS SAILOR WAS NOMINATED: LS2 Brummell is an outstanding Sailor who excels beyond his level as a second class. He has been an excellent mentor to the Sailors around him, getting them qualified to help bring the ship out of the yards. He demonstrates inspirational and innovative leadership by setting an example both on and off-duty. LS2 Brummell continually leads his peers and subordinates by example, and his professional attitude and technical acumen have been paramount to the continued success of USS George Washington. 4 ■ The Washington Surveyor
ESWS Coordinators HMC Knesha Wimbush CSC Joe Magri
EAWS Coordinators
EIWS Coordinators
AOC Volario Lott CSC Jose Valencia
ITC Xica Johnson CTT1 Nicollette Jeffery
WHY I JOINED
FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY
Story by MCSN Jack Lepien, Photos courtesy PS3 Lauren Wozniak and IT2 Samantha Barnaby As America’s premier maritime fighting force, the United States Navy is tasked with defending freedom and democracy around the world. As the seagoing branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Navy fills a unique and crucial need in service to the country. To that end, some citizens of the United States have felt the call to serve their nation and now carry themselves as proud Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).
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One such Sailor is Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Sam Barnaby, a system administrator aboard George Washington. “My grandfather was in the Navy, and my uncles still are,” said Barnaby. “Growing up with that kind of patriotism and service in my family made me want to know what it was like to serve the nation I loved.” On July 17, 2017, Barnaby left her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico to serve in America’s Navy.
“Leaving for the Navy was surreal,” said Barnaby. “To know that very soon I would know what it was like, the camaraderie and service I’d heard my family talk about all my life, it was insane.” Barnaby would go on to boot camp, where she heard a creed she would learn to live by. “When you’re in boot camp, you say the Sailor’s Creed and you think ‘This is what I plan to do,’” said Barnaby. “But now, in the
fleet, the Sailor’s Creed is what you live, what you do every day.” The patriotism that caused her to join also influences her day-to-day life. “Out in town, people see me in my uniform and thank me,” said Barnaby. “It’s easy to think of the Navy as just a job, but seeing kids look at me in public with wonder reminds me of not just who I am, but what I represent, and I strive to carry myself as such.” Like Barnaby, Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Lauren Wozniak, a personnel clerk aboard George Washington, also joined out of pride for her nation. “I was very fortunate to grow up in the United States,” said Wozniak. “It meant everything to me, so when the opportunity arose, I knew I had to serve.” Wozniak entered the Navy as an undesignated seaman, meaning she had
no assigned job. However, Wozniak was not deterred by embarking on a career without knowing the path she would eventually take. “My job every day was hard, routine work, like painting and cleaning,” said Wozniak. “Some people might not like that, but the bigger picture is that all the hard work adds up to making sure the ship is capable of serving the interests of our nation overseas. That’s the important part. That’s what matters.” Now, she is a personnel specialist, and that same sense of justice and duty to her country carries on in her current work. “Every day, I put on my uniform and am reminded what I stand for,” said Wozniak. “I go to work ready to help my shipmates and act with honor, courage, and commitment. I am a Sailor in the United States Navy, and I will gladly say that with pride to anyone
who asks .” For nearly two and a half centuries, proud Americans have answered the call to arms, and new generations will continue to do so long into the future. Each and every George Washington Sailor serves as a reminder of the testament of our nation and all it stands for, as a piece of the proud legacy of service, as the love and respect of our friends and allies, and as a threat to our enemies. From America’s first day until her last, Navy Sailors’ patriotism motivates them to join the armed forces to protect and serve these United States. This story is part of The Washington Surveyor’s new series “Why I Joined,” which looks at common reasons our Sailors joined the Navy. Check back later for the next in the series: education!
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WATER SAFETY E V E RYO N E ’ S R ES P O N S I B I L I T Y
Story by MC3 Tatyana Freeman, Graphic courtesy of Safe Kids As the summer begins to heat up, more and more people will be jumping in the water to find relief from hot and humid days. While being in the water can be fun, it also presents dangers that Sailors and their families should know and guard against. According to the Naval Safety Center, swimming, boating, surfing, jet skiing, and snorkeling are the top five activities where water accidents are reported. Of the five, swimming has the most reported fatalities, especially among young children. “If you have kids, please keep an eye on them and always have them within an arm’s reach,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Travis Land, a Sailor assigned to the medical department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). “Things such as waves, currents or even just swimming can affect them more than it can us.” Statistics from Stanford Children’s Health show that roughly 830 children below the age of 14 die every year because of drowning, making it the second-most
preventable cause of death among young children. Because of the prevalence of drowning, especially among young children, water safety is important for everyone to know and observe every time they or their loved ones are in or near the water. “Water safety has to be a part of our everyday lives,” said Land. “We work on a ship and at some point we are going to go underway and we work in an environment where our spaces may flood.” Recognizing your swimming limitations, further advancing your skill in swimming, and not participating in swimming activities while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are all ways to reduce your chances of drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lack of supervision, lack of swimming ability, location, such as an ocean or swimming pool, and alcohol use are the most common factors associated with drowning among all ages. Getting trained in CPR could save a
life in the event that someone goes under water and stops breathing, but there are additional measures one should take in such a scenario. “Call for help immediately – 911, lifeguard, medical emergency – and check for scene safety,” said Land. “If the scene is safe and you are able pull the person from the area, a body of water or flooded compartment, check for responsiveness and check for circulation, airway and breathing. Then wait for medical personnel to arrive.” Drownings during the summer months are a real danger, and most are completely preventable. This summer, keep an eye on your friends and families and do your best to abide by the tips above in order to have a safe and fun time in the water.
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DAMAGE C
OLYM
CONTROL
MPICS
Story by MC2 Marlan Sawyer, Photos by MC3 Trey Hutcheson
SAFETY IN EXERCISE Physical Readiness Program updates policy with NAVADMIN 108/19
The Navy places a high value on maintaining physically fit Sailors and frequently takes steps to ensure the safety of Sailors participating in any form of exercise. According to Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 108/19, four Sailors have passed away in the past year during regular physical fitness exercise. The NAVADMIN informs Sailors of the risk factors for exercise-related death and the strategies to prevent those risks. “I feel sympathy for the families, friends, and shipmates of the four Sailors across the fleet who passed away during physical training during the past year,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long. “It motivates me to reexamine our program for anything we might be missing, meticulously implement [operational risk management], and try to inspire healthy choices by Sailors before they suffer injuries. A basic principle of what we do as hospital corpsman is to eliminate preventable causes of death, so I
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hate hearing that we’ve lost Sailors during what should be very safe training.” Command fitness leaders (CFL), like Long, pay close attention to Sailors during workouts, looking for warning signs that a Sailor may be struggling during exercise. They are trained to provide initial medical assistance if needed, and are charged with removing a Sailor from an unsafe situation if necessary. The Navy continually reevaluates its processes, taking feedback from Sailors throughout the service. In light of this, modifications have been made to the Physical Readiness Program. These modifications are outlined in NAVADMIN 108/19, which was released in May 2019. Notably, commanding officers have been given more leniency in awarding “bad day” makeup Physical Readiness Tests (PRT) “for those impacted by any signs of distress.” This will allow the individual to prioritize health safety over a score, according to the NAVADMIN. Additionally, video links
have been provided in the document, and CFLs, first responders, corpsmen, recruit division commanders, and supervisors are encouraged to watch the videos and apply some of the lessons presented in their current positions. Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Angel Ortega, administration department’s CFL, echoed some of the sentiments seen throughout the NAVADMIN. “Sailors should ensure they are consistently making good habits to improve their lives,” said Ortega. “A Sailor should make plans to exercise regularly outside of their scheduled command [or] departmental [physical training] sessions. They should also try their best to track their calorie intake on a day-to-day basis.” According to the NAVADMIN, all personnel should be on guard for signs that a participant is struggling and be ready to terminate the evolution. Some of these signs can be rapidly apparent, while others can be a gradual worsening of a physical
condition. Any signs of distress must be evaluated by a medical provider before returning to exercise. Long also described what he does to ensure the safety of Sailors during any physical exercise. “Our command fitness team and medical departments already do a great job working together to screen Sailors and keep them safe during physical fitness,” said Long. “Most of the changes at our
command will be behind the scenes in the way we track [Physical Activity Risk Factor Questionnaires], medical waivers, and “bad day” chits. Some of the more visible changes will be new information included in the briefs we provide at command indoctrination, new pre-physical activity questions before every physical fitness event, and wet bulb globe temperature devices being monitored by hospital corpsman during training events.”
Ortega also added that he encourages Sailors to drink an adequate amount of water daily and during the Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP) and command physical fitness sessions. By exercising regularly, monitoring hydration, and not over exceeding one’s own physical limitations, Sailors can stay safe for all of the future physical training and readiness tests to come.
MASTER-AT-ARMS STAY THE COURSE IN RCOH
Story by MC3 Trey Hutcheson, Photos by MCSN Cory Daut Whether preventing crime or carrying out anti-terrorism measures, the Sailors responsible for security and law enforcement are trained to deal with any situation. These Sailors are called master-atarms, and they are the military police for the Navy. Master-at-arms assigned to the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington
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(CVN 73) are in a unique situation while the ship undergoes refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. Master-at-arms serve the Navy in a variety of roles all over the world. They can work on shore bases in the United States and overseas, aboard ships, or as part of a maritime security squadron. George Washington’s master-at-arms have a mission
to accomplish in all phases of the ship’s lifecycle, whether underway, in port, or in RCOH. “Security’s mission here is to provide a safe and secure environment for shipboard personnel to operate, and to enforce good order and discipline,” said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms John Nitti, the operations leading chief petty officer for security
department. “We support naval aviation by ensuring they can operate without any security concerns.” Sailors in the security department are doing their due diligence to prepare for any security threat. “In general, you have your basic threats that we train for all the time,” said Master-atArms 1st Class Susan Olander, the leading petty officer for security department. “We have Navy security exercise plans, which is a [Navy Security Operations Exercise Program] (NSOXP) that we train to. We have preplanned responses that we plan for any emergency or security alert that we can possibly think of.” NSOXP contains 16 anti-terrorism scenarios designed to provide ashore and afloat commanders with anti-terrorism assessment tools designed to evaluate watch standers and small unit leaders. This enables watchstanders and those who evaluate them to reference a standard model for success, improving performance
across the board. The key to success for master-atarms and Sailors assigned to the security department, then, is training. Extensive training ensures they are prepared to meet a variety of potential threats. “I would say [master-at-arms] receive extensive training while in RCOH,” said Olander. “We train every day, twice a day; doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. We are constantly running drill packages for full drills twice a month, and our drills are very extensive. The schools that we send our Sailors to are very in-depth and good for their careers, as well as bringing that knowledge back here to the ship.” Eventually, the rest of the Navy will be using the training initiative as a guide. “This effort was labeled as a best practice during a recent [Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic] visit and will be pushed to the rest of the fleet as an example to follow,” said Nitti. RCOH brings complexities to every
department aboard George Washington and the master-at-arms in the security department are no different. “RCOH brings a whole new set of challenges as far as keeping the ship safe while working with the civilians,” said Olander. “We have shipyard workers onboard our ship at all times, and we have to maintain that good contractor to military relationship to make sure everybody is safe, because as soon as they step onboard, they become our responsibility.” Due in no small part to the efforts of master-at-arms and Sailors in George Washington’s security department, the crew is progressing every day to reach its goal of returning to the fleet as the Navy’s premier and always ready aircraft carrier.
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USS John P. Murtha Celebrates NAVY NEWS the Fourth of July at Sea
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom, Amphibious Squadron Five Public Affairs
GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines celebrated the Fourth of July with a “Firecracker” fun run and steel beach picnic while at sea aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The fun run, hosted by the ship’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) committee and medical department, included a relay run and four-mile run. “The run was our way of celebrating our nation’s birthday while we’re out here at sea,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class David Liberty, the ship’s MWR president. “We found a break in the schedule which allowed us some time to run on the flight deck and bring something new to the crew on board.” With temperatures in the high 90s to low 100s, the ship’s medical department was on hand to ensure the Sailors and Marines stayed safe and more importantly, hydrated. “Safety and the mission; our Sailors and Marines, is our number one priority,” said
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Lt. Mary Coughlin, the ship’s senior medical officer. “While the focus of the fun run is to have fun, we have to make sure everyone stays safe, and that includes them staying hydrated.” Later in the day, the ship’s first and second class petty officer associations hosted a steel beach picnic. “This is the first time two associations have come together to host a steel beach picnic,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Earnest Hightower, president of the ship’s First Class Petty Officer Association. “We wanted to make this as great a time as we could for everyone. We’re out here doing what we signed up to do, protecting our families back home, so why not enjoy a cookout and games while we’re out here.” Instead of the traditional hamburgers, the two associations broke out steaks, a welcomed treat by the crew. “This might have been the best steak I’ve ever had since I’ve been in the Navy,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Raychard Dauphin.
“This is only my third steel beach picnic since being on board,” said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Ryan Elrod. “I was expecting a hamburger, which are usually good, but these steaks are amazing.” Hightower said he was happy so many people were enjoying themselves on our nation’s birthday. “It’s not every day you get to celebrate holidays while on a deployment,” said Hightower. “But here on John P. Murtha, when that opportunity arises, we make the best of it. And on a day like today, we tried, and I think succeeded, in making this feel like a day back home as best we could.” John P. Murtha is currently on its first deployment and part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit team and is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operation in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.
GAMES CORNER
HAMPTON ROADS EVENTS SUNDAY
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MONDAY
8
15
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
11
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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12
Safe Powerboat Course
Norfolk Liberty Pool Party
Dive-In Movies
Cheatham Annex Luau
NAVSTA Norfolk 4 p.m.
NAVSTA Norfolk 5 p.m.
JEB Little Creek 7 p.m.
Kings Pointe Pool 12 p.m.
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LIberty Movie Mondays
Kickball Tournament
Bowling 101
Paint and Sip
Christmas in July
NNSY Mariners Reef Liberty Center
NAVSTA Norfolk 10:30 a.m.
NAVSTA Norfolk 10 a.m.
NAVSTA Norfolk 5:30 p.m.
NAS Oceana 11:15 a.m.
EVERY WEEK - FITNESS CLASSES Yoga Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Mixxed Fit Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Zumba Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Yoga Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Mixxed Fit Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Zumba Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.
Mixxed Fit Class Huntington Hall 12 p.m.