WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
APRIL 7, 2017
By MCSN Alan Lewis
gunningat
therange gW SAILORS RECEIVE FIREARM TRAINING
By MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.
PRiSim A Whole New Side of the Weapons Training Spectrum
By MC2 Alora Blosch
ASPECIALBOND THE IMPORTANCE OF PETS
On the cover: (March 29, 2017) MA2 Jason Gordon, right, instructs YNSN Ivy Hernandez as she inspects her M4 rifle. (Photo by MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.)
PHOTO of the DAY
(April 4, 2017) Sailors have smoke blown in their face to ensure the respirator seals properly during a respirator fitting qualification. (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
MC1 Alan Gragg
Staff
Editors MC2 Jessica Gomez MC3 Kashif Basharat
MC2 Alora Blosch MC2 Kris Lindsrton MC2 Bryan Mai MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke 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 MC3 Michael E. Wiese MCSN Jamin Gordon MCSN Alan Lewis
MCSN Oscar Moreno MCSN Kristen Yarber MCSA Julie Vujevich
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 kashif.basharat@cvn73.navy.mil*
SWITCHINGSADDLES
GW MUSTANG ASSOCIATION HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY By MCSN Alan Lewis
T
hey began their Navy careers by enlisting, some even became chief petty officers, but their uniforms and collar devices are different now because they are commissioned officers. When enlisted Sailors become officers, they are affectionately known as Mustangs. A Mustang has no break in service and must have received one or more good conduct medals prior to commissioning. The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has approximately 70 Mustangs assigned to the command, and many are part of the George Washington Mustang Association. The association conducted an executive board change of command, March 14. The association selected Chief Warrant Officer 4 Carl Smith to president, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron D. Gipson to vice president, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gizette Lopez to secretary and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane D. Mott to treasurer. “It’s a great honor and privilege to be voted in as president of the GW Mustang Association,” said Smith. “During my 12 years of commissioned service, I have actively participated in Mustang associations and my goal is to make this one the greatest. Just to see the togetherness and friendship while completing the ship mission is priceless. Grooming my replacements and seeing junior Sailors come up the ranks brings great pleasure to me.” The Mustang Association brings together a group of officers that offer a different perspective for a command.
“A good mustang group aboard the ship or at any command will be able to exert influence,” said Cmdr. Don Wilson, George Washington’s combat systems officer. “The thing that the mustangs bring to the table that other officers can’t is that we have real life experience at the blue shirt level. We can bring that perspective because we lived it. So, we come together to collaborate and synergize to make sure everyone is on the same page in achieving the command’s goal.” The new executive board plans on improving the association. “As vice president of the Mustang Association, I want to get the association out into the public and shipboard’s view, so people who are not familiar with the Mustangs can become more knowledgeable with the association,” said Gipson. “Also, we want to bridge that gap between the military and civilians through community relation and volunteer relations. As a prior enlisted I received mentorship and as an officer I still receive mentorship, so as
an association we need to offer that same guidance to our enlisted Sailors.” Mustangs pride themselves on offering their experience, guidance and leadership advice to other officers and enlisted Sailors. “You have to make time for the things that are important,” said Lopez. “I always have time to mentor my junior Sailors because that’s what is important to me.” The executive board as a whole is looking to continue these beliefs and carry their motivation into the future. “Looking forward, it is the intent of our Mustang community to use this inport time to continue our specific shipboard mentorship and more frequently extend our involvement to the community, while our brothers and sisters are out at the tip of the spear,” said Mott. For more information on enlisted to officer programs, please see www. public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/ careercounseling/Pages/CommissioningPrograms.aspx or OPNAVINST 1420.1B.
(March 22, 2017) The executive board of the George Washington mustang association pose for a photo. (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
ASPECIAL
BOND
THE IMPORTANCE OF PETS By MC2 Alora Blosch
Members of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) are experiencing a unique challenge in their Navy careers. As George Washington quickly approaches the four-year-long refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period, a lot of work has to be done. Sailors are spending their days sweating through uniforms trying to clear all unnecessary equipment from various spaces throughout the ship. As the work day ends with cleaning stations, it can be difficult to find a way to relieve the stress of the day. Some service members hit the gym, while others may enjoy a more Zen activity like yoga to deal with stress, and then there are those find peace in their own home with their four-legged fur babies. This is life with pets. Pets provide companionship and health benefits and can have a positive overall effect on service members’ lives. According to the National Center for Health Research, companion animals can help improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and regulating heart rates. Children with animals experience decreased anxiety levels. “I’ve had animals growing up,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Anderson. “After joining the Navy and going through those first couple of months before I was married, it was one of the worst times in my life because I didn’t have that companion to go do things with. I would just
go to work and back to the barracks, it was an extremely lonely time.” Anderson lives in a house with
his wife, their three cats and a dog. “The way my wife and I look at it, our pets are our kids,” said Anderson. “We even have a bumper sticker on our car that says ‘our children have four paws.’” “Matzu, our only female cat, is kind of a trouble maker,” added Anderson.
“The two older cats are teaching her how to behave by swatting at her when she is being annoying. Orion is our fat cat. He likes plastic, but he likes to hoard it. If we catch him chewing on it, he will try to tear off a piece of it and hide it somewhere so he can play with it later because he knows we are going to throw it away. Percival likes to pounce at things. He will stare at you and then back slowly into a corner and then as soon as the other cats lose interest in him he will pounce. Toby, my dog, is a Great Dane. He’s a year old and 135 pounds already, but he still has some growing to do.” Anderson, who is a marathon runner, wanted a partner to run with. He found that partner in his dog, and hopes to eventually run a marathon with him in the future. They can currently run up to 10 miles at a time, which takes about an hour and 45 minutes. Anderson said Toby gets sad on days they don’t run together. “Toby is great for my pacing,” said Anderson. “If I start going too fast, he will push me to the side until I slow down. It’s fun to run with him because I get bored when I run alone, but when he gets bored he starts trying to weave between my legs and it makes me have to concentrate. I think he trains me more than I actually train him.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Thomas Grafton has two dogs that help
“Depending on how stressful the day is, taking care of them makes them happy and that in turn makes you happy.” - CS3 Patrick Anderson
him with getting house work done. “Dogs make it easier to [be an] adult,” said Grafton. “When I get home and want to do nothing, I can hear them whining and I know they need to go outside. So I get up and take them for a walk and that makes it easier to do things. I take them out, and then start on laundry and my other responsibilities. My dogs also comfort me when I’m stressed or angry.” Animals are often used to help with emotional distress. According to James Morrisey, a veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University, cats are very good at picking up stress in people. Anderson’s animals can tell when he has had a difficult day at work and do what they can to help. “Whenever I come home after a rough day, my cats--who usually prefer my wife over me--will all sit on my lap,” said Anderson. “Toby tries to get me out of the house. He will start grabbing on my clothes and trying to get me to take him for a run because he knows running makes me feel better. The days when I’m calm coming home, he doesn’t really try to get me outside.” While Anderson’s pet comfort him and try to get him out of the house on bad days, Grafton’s dogs teach him that being calm and reassuring can bring positive results in daily interactions. “They help me control my anger,” said Grafton. “When they start bark-
ing and getting riled up over a squirrel or another dog, I can’t just start yelling or screaming at them to get them to do what I want. I have to be calm and coax them. In turn, that helps me deal with people because instead of getting mad, I just talk to them to solve the problem.” Animals play a role in the lives of many service members whether they are working dogs for base police or a companion at home. Animals have the ability to add to the lives of others. Anderson said his pets make coming home a more positive experience. “I feel like animals give people a home,” said Anderson. “If you just have a room it’s just a place you live, but if you have an animal to go home to it becomes more. My animals give me something to motivate me to not just go home and sit and do nothing. Depending on how stressful the day is, taking care of them makes them hap-
py and that in turn makes you happy.” Service members looking to add a new addition to their family can contact the SPCA or a local animal shelter to make their house a forever home. For more information, call the Norfolk SPCA at (757) 622-3310 or Virginia Beach’s at (757) 427-0700. Sailors wishing to adopt a pet should check their lease or landlord before doing so, and remember that pets are not allowed within barracks.
PRISim
A Whole New Side of the Weapons Training Spectrum By MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.
A
s soon as Sailors walk into what resembles a cleared out music studio room, they are immediately drawn to the weapons pre-staged for use and projector screen showing a human silhouette as a target. A voice from an intercom instructs them to stand at the firing line as they prepare themselves to pick the weapon. Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) who are slated for security duty practice how to shoot the Beretta M9 and the M4 service rifle using a gun range simulator called the Professional Range Instruction Simulator (PRISim) on Naval Station Norfolk. Instructors utilize projector screens, computer software, laser sighting and simulated weapons, to properly teach new shooters the motions of how to operate weapons in a controlled environment. PRISim has been in operation in Norfolk since 2004 and the George Washington has made use of its facilities
since February 2017. PRISim is a more efficient way of preparing shooters for a live gun range due to its closed-off training environment, a stark contrast for Sailors trying to train on the ship. “At the ship, I had to use a megaphone
mander, Naval Air Force Atlantic) and we get requests to participate in our course,” said Ron Sunday, a staff member at PRISim. “Squadrons, carriers, destroyers, any kind of command that needs training we’re here to supply to.” Training is conducted at PRISim at a “need to” basis, ranging from once every two months to twice a week. Only essential personnel, those who actively require gun qualifications to perform their job (such as security and weapons) can schedule an appointment at PRISim. -MA2 Travis Hollyfield “We are constantly trying to have our security while the students wore hearing pro- personnel qualified on the weapons tection as jackhammers and circular they need for daily use,” said Hollysaws were being used around us,” said field. “So our time at PRISim is priorMaster-at-Arms 2nd Class Travis Hol- itized by the amount of personnel who lyfield. “The hustle and bustle from the haven’t shot these weapons or have ship is very disruptive when it comes their expiration dates on their weapons to these training scenarios. PRISim is qualification approaching.” a vast improvement in that sense.” Before Sailors are assigned to The PRISim training range handles George Washington’s security departanti-terrorism force protection train- ment, completing the PRISim training ing for a variety of weapons, including is mandatory. For more information Tasers. about PRISim visit https://rfmss.bel“PRISim is funded by CNAL (Com- voir.army.mil.
“Training students at PRISim is
a better and more efficient way at preparing them for a gun range.”
(March 27, 2017) Sailors practice target shooting using the simulator. (Photo by MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.)
(March 27, 2017) OS3 Jaclyn Davis practices target shooting using the simulator. (Photo by MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.)
(March 27, 2017) A Sailor practices target shooting using the simulator. (Photo by MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.)
GUNNINGAT
THERANGE
gw SAILORS RECEIVE FIREARM TRAINING By MCSN Alan Lewis
W
hile the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) prepares for Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) maintenance, many crew members are finding themselves in jobs polar opposite of what they came into the Navy to do. Airman Apprentice Avery Gasser is one of many Sailors who are learning a new trade and supporting George Washington in a different way, but it’s still vital to the ship’s mission. “As an undesignated airman going into the RCOH period I haven’t had many opportunities to gain experience as a Sailor, so I was extremely excited to get to go to security and earn new qualifications,” said Gasser. “I was already sharpshooter qualified with the M9 pistol, so I was jumping at the chance to get re-qualified with the M9 and go shoot the M4 rifle to get that qual done. Any qualification earned right away, especially with a gun I’m excited for.” Gasser and several of his security counterparts received firearm qualifications March 29 as a requirement for being assigned to the security department. They spent two days of simulator and live fire gun training to get the required qualifications to carry a firearm. “It’s important for security personnel to qualify and receive regular training with firearms because we carry these weapons on a daily basis to protect and
(March 29, 2017) Sailors shoot M9 pistols at a gun range to earn qualifications. (Photo by MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.)
defend the ship,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Travis Hollyfield, a small arms marksmanship instructor aboard George Washington. “So it’s my job to train the security students to the proficiency level needed in order to qualify with these weapons to carry for day-today operations.” Sailors arrive at the gun range before 4 a.m. to prepare and start their training. “I consider myself more of an outdoorsman, so I used to hunt all the time with mostly shotguns and longrange rifles, but I never used anything military-grade like this,” said Gasser. “When I got to the range that morning I was pumped since shooting was a hobby for me before I joined the Navy. Some shooters were nervous, so I tried to spread some of my knowledge while I was helping others out.”
Sailors often learn best when helping each other out and listening to personal experiences. “The MAs (masters-at-arms) were really helpful and they made it fun, said Gasser. “I was able to make expert with the M9 with the help they gave me.” Now after the training Gasser has gone through to become a part of the security department, this opens up options of another rate for him to strike in the future. “As an undesignated airman I still really don’t know what I want to do, but security is becoming a real possibility,” said Gasser. “If I could strike MA, I think I would love it.” For more information about small arms training and qualification please see OPNAVINST 3591.1F and www. cool.navy.mil.
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