WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
Mar. 10, 2017
By MCSN Oscar Moreno Jr.
doubleagent Sailor by day, rapper by night
By MC3 Kashif Basharat
keepitin
thebank gw cfss HELP sailors Save MONEY
By MC3 Carter Denton
earnitinport SAILORS CAN earn WARFARE QUALS while in port
On the cover: AN William Walsh plays practices playing guitar. (Photo by MC3 Joshua DuFrane)
lessonsthrough
PHOTO of the
MUSIC
DAY
sailor shares what brings him peace by MC3 Joshua DuFrane
A
t the young age of six years old, Airman William Walsh heard his older sister playing saxophone in their house. Using his childish humor, Walsh thought it would be funny to try and mimic his sister’s music on the family’s antique piano, playing
note-for-note what his sister was playing; this led to the discovery of his musical talents and near-perfect tonal pitch. It wasn’t long after this moment that Walsh, his adolescent hands barely able to wrap around the neck of his guitar, started strumming his first chords.
“From that point on it wasn’t anything else except music,” said Walsh. “It wasn’t that one day I decided I wanted to be a musician or wanted to be a music performer; that’s just the way it’s been. Music is my hobby, it’s my passion, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.” (continued on next page)
Sailors take the Navy-wide E-5 advancement exam. (Photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
The Washington Surveyor Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
CAPT Timothy Kuehhas
CDR Colin Day
CMDCM James Tocorzic
Public Affairs Officer
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Media DLCPO
LCDR Gregory L. Flores
LTJG Andrew Bertucci
Editors MC1 Alan Gragg MC2 Kris R. Lindstrom MC3 Kashif Basharat
MCC Mary Popejoy
Staff MC2 Alora Blosch MC2 Jessica Gomez MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Joshua DuFrane
MC3 Anna Van Nuys MC3 Michael E. Wiese MCSN Jamin Gordon MCSN Oscar Albert Moreno Jr. 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*
AN William Walsh practices in the studio.
DOUBLE
“Music is my hobby, it’s my passion, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
AGENT
- AN William Walsh
SAILOR BY THE DAY, RAPPER BY THE NIGHT By MCSN Oscar Albert Moreno Jr.
T AN William Walsh practices with his band.
(continued from previous page)
For the next few years, Walsh dabbled with musical instruments, piano and guitar, but never played with any conviction or passion. It wasn’t until Walsh turned 12 years-old that his passion for music took over. “I’ve been seriously playing guitar for about eight years now,” said Walsh. “As I grew older, my friends in high school and I got together and we formed a band and practiced all the time.” Throughout the years, Walsh has performed in multiple bands, taking up the mantle leading different roles. Currently, Walsh is a member of a band called Upon An Alter. “My favorite place in a band really depends on the genre that the group is in,” said Walsh. “For Upon An Al-
ter I sing clean vocals and hard vocals; which mean singing and screaming. I also really enjoy playing the guitar, but it really comes down to the mood and direction that the group is going toward that dictates what position I’ll be in, whether that’s guitar, drums or vocals.” When Walsh joined the Navy in 2016, he had to re-adjust his performances and lifestyle to accommodate his musical endeavors. “Being in the military has matured me in a lot of areas,” said Walsh. “I am glad I joined the Navy. The experience I’ve gained so far has helped me grow up and learn a lot of valuable lessons, and I have experienced a lot of interesting things that a lot of my friends back home haven’t. It’s been
hard for me to perform my music with my band, but the Navy has taught me how to balance my time to do what I need to do and what I want to do.” Walsh hopes when people listen to his music they can relate to the message that he is putting out in his lyrics; and if he can help a person through a rough time with his message then that makes everything worth it to him. “There is this quote that I heard when I was younger, and as I’ve gotten older it has become my favorite message,” said Walsh. “It is a quote by Horace Mann that says ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’ If my music can help people, then I can die knowing I’ve done some good in this world.”
he night of Feb. 17 was a loud one inside the Origami Lounge in Virginia Beach. With the crowd hyped up for the next performer to get on stage, Airman Tony Edwards, from Chicago, enters the fray and does what he does best--rap. The Origami Lounge held an artist showcase, where music artists compete for the chance to open up for the rapper known as A-Boogie. Edwards is a music artist under the name Tony Rich, whose specialty is upbeat, hype rap. His music is to motivate and talk about overcoming real-life experiences. He has always had a passion for the art and has taken a more aggressive stance toward making it a career.
“I fell in love with music and as I grew up decided that I wanted to make it myself,” said Edwards. “I would lock myself in my room and just get to working a piece or just start recording. It’s a big part of my life and I love all aspects of it.” Edwards has performed in 22 shows since 2014, and in the past year since he’s arrived in Virginia has performed in seven different venues in Richmond, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. “I love being in front of a crowd,” said Edwards. “Hyping them up, keeping the good vibes going, it’s all a part of being up on stage.” Besides shows and venues, Edwards spreads his music through various mu-
AN Tony Edwards performs at the Origami Lounge. (Photo by MC3 Joshua DuFrane)
sic sources, such as Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud and Live Mixtapes. His single “Crash the Porsche” on Live Mixtapes has over 51,000 views. Edwards’ manager is another George Washington Sailor, Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Marcus Ellis. The pair is working together as an independent group, and plans to publish and license their own music. “We’re a self-funded and independent group,” said Ellis. “We aren’t looking for others for help, assistance or loans. It’ll just be our own effort that’ll get us to where we want to be.” Edwards has an upcoming show at the Hofheimer building in Richmond on March 26.
AN Tony Edwards performs at the Origami Lounge. (Photo by MC3 Joshua DuFrane)
EARNIT INPORT OBTAIN YOUR WARFARE DEVICE IN PORT By MC3 Carter Denton
A
ttaining the enlisted warfare specialist qualifications during normal operation of an active aircraft carrier at sea is challenging enough, but to earn a qualification while the ship is no longer going underway can be an even more difficult endeavor. Although the ship is not at sea, Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) can earn enlisted surface, aviation, and information warfare specialist (ESWS, EAWS, and EIWS) pins throughout the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance process. It is impossible to earn any warfare qualification without the help of qualified and will-
ing personnel, but George Washington’s enlisted warfare coordinators are eager to help Sailors who are seeking to earn qualifications. “We’re always willing to help a Sailor gain their qualification,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Shana Simpkins, a damage control ESWS coordinator. “If any Sailor needs training or a walkthrough on warfare qualifications we will make time for them.” Although coordinators are always willing to help, it may be more difficult to find a coordinator during the hectic RCOH process. Sailors must be willing to take the initiative and seek them out. “Getting your ESWS is hard in general, and even harder in port,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Tyler Vandagrifft, a navigation ESWS coordinator. “But it is possible
with perseverance and initiative.” It is important for Sailors to stay proactive in seeking out help for their warfare qualifications. Sailors in paygrades E-1 to E-4 must qualify in their primary warfare area within 30 months of the day they checked into the command. Non-nuclear coded Sailors E-5 to E-9 have 18 months to earn their primary qualification. All Sailors with a nuclear-coded Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) have 30 months to complete their primary pin, regardless of rank. “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can get done today,” said Vandagrifft. Sailors who fail to complete warfare qualification requirements on time could lose their chance to be promoted, and will be assigned mandatory warfare extra military instruction (EMI) until their qualification is complete.
All three enlisted warfare programs will continue through the entire RCOH period and deadlines for the qualifications will still need to be met. While it may be hard work, it is the responsibility of Sailors to earn their primary warfare device no matter the obstacles. “Achieving any qualification takes drive, ambition and perseverance,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Cassandra Styles, a naval heritage ESWS coordinator. “You have to push through till it’s done.” Although many Sailors currently assigned to George Washington will no longer be assigned to the ship by the time it gets back underway, earning warfare qualifications and helping others achieve theirs will set up the ship for future warfighting success.
By M C 3 K a s h i f B a s h a rat
keepitinthebank
H
aving sufficient amount of money can help Sailors when it comes to their health, relationships and overall morale. On the other side, not having enough can put strain on their lives in multiple ways. Command financial specialists (CFS) are one of the many resources Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) can use when it comes to managing their money. “I enjoy helping my Sailors keep track and save their money,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Charles Paulino, a CFS for air department. “All my Sailors are hardworking individuals who deserve every single penny they earn.” Each department aboard George Washington has at least one financial specialist. The CFSs are E-5-andabove Sailors who have gone through a mandatory week-long course taught by the Fleet and Family Support Center. “The course is a reality-check for us,” said Senior Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Ralph Casimiro, the command CFS. “Some-
gw CFSs HELP SAILORS SAVE MONEY
times we just go through life’s daily grind and spend money without paying attention to where it’s going. One of the first things we do in the course is a budget on ourselves to see how we are actually spending our money. We can’t help Sailors manage their money if we can’t manage ourselves first.” Sailors often come to their CFS when they are transferring or applying for Public/Private House Venture (PPV). However, they may also seek the guidance of a CFS if they intend to buy a car, a house or want to utilize their Thrift Savings Plan. “Our primary goal is to provide financial resources for Sailors as needed,” said Casimiro. “Our job is not to tell Sailors how to spend their money, but to provide them with resources which can help them budget their money better. If a Sailor is interested in buying a car and comes to see me, I will provide them with all the resources they can take advantage of to save money.” Another aim for CFSs is to help Sailors with their spending habits.
ABH1 Charles Paulino helps a Sailor budget his finances. (Photo by MC3 Kashif Basharat)
“One of the things I’m seeing with my Sailors, especially now were pierside, is that they are eating their paychecks away,” said Paulino. “There are many fast food restaurants on the base and just outside. Some Sailors love to eat out and unfortunately, they do that too often. When I see that, I love to sit with my Sailors and crunch their numbers. They are usually shocked by the numbers and that, in itself, is a great first step to keeping a better track of their money.” Whether Sailors need tips on how to budget or need help buying property, Casimiro encourages them to speak with their departmental CFSs on a regular basis. “We all need resources to help us in life,” said Casimiro. “If you do not want to talk to us, we have no problem referring you to someone who you feel is more capable. We just want to help our Sailors and educate them on how to save their money.” Sailors can also go to the Fleet and Family Support Center for financial counseling, or to take classes on budgeting.
NAVY NEWS U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) assisted in the medical evacuation of a Pakistani navy sailor, March 6. The sailor, assigned to Zulfiquar-class frigate PNS Aslat was in need of medical attention. “After finding out the status of the patient, I coordinated with my corpsmen and the chain of command to come up with a plan to provide assistance,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kelvin Murphy. That evening, Truxtun sent a crew in a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to meet Aslat, pick up the sailor and transport him back to Truxtun.
Truxtun Aids Pakistani Navy Sailor
CVN
By MC2 Tyrell K. Morris, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
“It was just after nightfall so visibility was low, which provided a challenge for our boat crew,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Martinez. At approximately 7 p.m., after the sailor was safely aboard Truxton, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 detachment launched from Truxton to transport the sailor to a shore-based medical facility for treatment. “Our corpsmen did an outstanding job ensuring the patient was in stable condition prior to transferring him onto the helicopter for medevac to the hospital,” said Cmdr. Troy R. Denison, Truxtun’s commanding officer. “The coordinated effort be-
tween our medical team, deck Sailors and embarked air detachment enabled us to respond with urgency and precise execution.” The sailor is expected to make a full recovery. U.S. and Pakistan maritime forces have a long history of working through various exercises and real-world operations. These professional engagements have greatly increased interoperability between the two nations. Truxtun is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.
MAZE
GAMES CROSSWORD
SUDOKU KAKURO
USS Truxtun departs Naval Station Norfolk (Photo by MC3 J.M. Tolbert)