WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
Mar. 17, 2017
By MCSN Alan Lewis
GWMCson
theB-BALLcourt By MC3 Jacob Goff
WELCOME
ABOARDSHIPMATE GW SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS TO ENHANCE RELATIONS WITH NEW SAILORS
By MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke
READYTO GETOUT? SERVICE MEMBERS PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE WITH TPGS CLASSES
On the cover: The BCU women’s basketball team compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament . (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
PHOTO of the DAY
GW chiefs and PO1s pose for a photo aboard the USS Wisconsin after volunteering as CPO 365 community relations project. (Photo by Martin Willis, USS Wisconsin staff)
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 Jennifer O’Rourke MC3 Kashif Basharat
MC2 Alora Blosch MC2 Jessica Gomez MC2 Kris Lindsrton MC2 Bryan Mai MC2 Jules Stobaugh
MC3 Wyatt Anthony 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*
WELCOME ABOARDSHIPMATE GW Sponsorship PROGRAM aims TO set new sailors up for Success By MC3 Jacob Goff
S
etting up new Sailors for feed them and work out a place they ceives the command will really afsuccess is critical in en- can sleep until they’re able to get a fect how they act when they get here. suring the aircraft carri- cash card and move into a room.” The program has shown er USS George Washington (CVN Recently, the sponsorship program forward progress, but Ka73) maintains an outstanding track has improved. For the first time in al- louch said the credit is not his. record. That success starts with most two years, surveys from two in“It’s not a ‘me’ effort, it has notha strong sponsorship program. doctrination classes have shown 100% ing to do with me,” said Kalouch. Chief Fadi Kalouch, the command of new Sailors have had sponsors. “All the departmental and divisional sponsorship coordinator, is work It doesn’t stop at suc- coordinators and their chains of coming to build a reliable sponsorship cessful indoc surveys, though. mand have been doing an awesome program so Sailors who are com“Just treat people how you want to job. Keep on with the great work.” ing to the ship for the first time be treated,” said Kalouch. “We all If you want to get involved will have a positive experience. have to be the new guy, so whether with George Washington’s spon“The sponsorship coordinators be- it’s this command or the next one, try sorship program, contact your fore me had a rough time because to make the experience for whoever’s departmental sponsorship coof how much adjustment they had coming as great as you can before ordinator or contact Chief Fadi to do with the hull swap,” said Ka- they get here. However the Sailor per- Kalouch for more information. louch. “But information is power. When we have information, we need to empower our Sailors to be engaged so that our prospective gains have the information they need to have when they show up.” As George Washington makes the transition into its refueling complex overhaul maintenance period, sponsorship will change, and already has. “If a Sailor is reporting here, they don’t have barracks and they can’t live on the ship, so what do we do?” said Kalouch. “They actually report (Jan. 26, 2016) - MMN1 Daniel Schultz speaks with new Sailors aboard Washington during indoctrination week. (Photo by MC3 Jamie Marcial) to the FAF and we will
Service members attend a TGSP class. (Photo by MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke)
“
We want Sailors to leave here with the skills necessary.” -Matthew Krivda
Service members attend a TGSP class. (Photo by MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke)
READYTO GETOUT? SERVICE MEMBERS PREPARE FOR FUTURE WITH TGPS CLASSES By MC2 Jennifer O’Rourke
“I
am separating in about a month after being in the Navy five years and 10 months,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Rigel Skinner, stationed aboard the cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56). “So after TGPS (Transition Global Positioning System), I have a resume now and a lot of other things that I didn’t even know I needed, so I am glad I am here.” Sailors, alongside Marines, Coast Guard and reservists who are getting out attend the transition program hosted by the Fleet and Family Support Center. TGPS is mandatory for service members with less than a year left in their contract intending to separate from service. The program is designed to provide resources to service members transitioning back into the civilian workforce or formal education. “It’s a requirement for demobilizing reservists,” said Builder 3rd Class Kelley Gee, assigned to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18. “I just got back from a six-month deployment to Chad. This is a lot of good information because I am looking for a job as soon as we get back. I am interested in the resume stuff, mostly, I had a pretty generic one.” The class spent a full day focused on the art of resume writing. The re-
sume is an often underestimated part of the employment process, but it’s the one chance the job seeker has to capture the employer’s attention. “The biggest thing is analyzing military skills and seeing what that can do, in terms of employment,” said Matthew Krivda, a transition educator. “Some don’t know what they want to do. One way to identify career fields that would be a good fit for them is through an interest profiler. It’s just a series of questions for them to answer. We have them pick a direction and build a resume from that, and it all leads to coming out the door employment-ready.” Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) teams with the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service to create a comprehensive program for transitioning Sailors. “We want Sailors to leave here with the skills necessary,” said Krivda. “A lot of times they have a resume, and in their mind, they think they are completely ready. We want them to know how to put together another resume or how to conduct themselves in an interview, things like that.” The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans suggests the struggle for post-military employment for veterans is in-part due to the differences
between civilian and military training. The non-profit organization estimates about 40,000 veterans are homeless. “My opinion is that it has a lot to do with how we are trained in the military,” said Krivda. “We are trained to find a way—trained to get it done. We are used to having a team and not relying on ourselves. And so I think that they aren’t really willing to seek out help or even become familiar with what resources are out there.” FFSC takes a proactive approach to veterans’ concerns. Any need or hardship expressed by service members and veterans can be met by the center’s flexible infrastructure. “I love it when the Sailors come back,” said Krivda. They are thankful because they are prepared or they have a job. “A lot of times it’s rewarding by Friday because in just about every class you will have a couple of Sailors that will have a phone interview set up. That’s a lot of stress off their shoulders. You just see the change from a stressed out Sailor who doesn’t know what’s next, to their life’s set.” Sailors in the Norfolk area can contact FFSC at 757-444-2102. GW Sailors interested in signing up for the transition class, should talk with their departmental career counselor for more information.
GWMCsON
THEB-BALLCOURT by MCSN Alan Lewis
I
t’s late in the 4th quarter, and the Bethune-Cookman University Lady Wildcats just called a timeout. Savannah State just cut the lead down to five and the Lady Wildcats were starting to look flustered. The fans cheered so loud I couldn’t hear myself think. I looked over the Wildcat’s bench and saw the players com-
pletely tuned into the coach’s every word. The buzzer sounded and the ladies walked to the court with a look of determination I hadn’t seen all game. The ball was inbound to the guard and she moved it up the court quickly with her head up looking for an open player. She saw a gap and drove to the basket causing the defense to
collapse onto her. Last second, she passed it out to a wide open player on the wing for the shot. Splash, all net and the crowd goes wild. That play was the deciding factor that led BCU to a 53-43 win over Savannah State. Mass Communication Specialists aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) partnered with
MC3 Jacob Goff, right, speaks with Dan Ryan. (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
A Bethune-Cookman University women’s basketball team player warms up before a game. (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
The Bethune-Cookman University women’s basketball team competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament in Norfolk. (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
The Florida A&M women’s basketball team links arms during the national anthem. (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
Dan Ryan, senior writer for Bethune-Cookman University athletic department to cover the school’s run in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament. “My colleagues wonder why I do this, and I go ‘You do community service your way and I’ll do it mine,” said Ryan. “It’s giving [military] public relation/journalism colleagues who sleep six to a closet and get shot at occasionally a new experience and chance to expand their horizons,” said Ryan. In 2011, BCU established a mutually beneficial relationship with Navy journalists to cover important sporting events in the Norfolk area. “This is the third time we’ve done it. Kearsarge and Eisenhower were the first two ships,” said Ryan. “Everyone seems to enjoy it and I appreciate the enthusiasm of the [Media department] and the command on this project.” As a part of the George Washington team, I covered the men’s team to their second round defeat to North Carolina Central and the women’s team to their championship game loss to Hampton University. “This year, the George Washington public affairs crew delivered some outstanding written and visual content that helped the coverage of our teams during the MEAC tournament,” said Ryan. “They represented well, and their contribution this week and defending this country are greatly appreciated. Let’s do it again. Heck, we won the first two times you staffed our games… not superstitious though.”
The Bethune-Cookman University women’s basketball team compete in the MidEastern Athletic Conference tournament . (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
The Bethune-Cookman University women’s basketball team compete in the MidEastern Athletic Conference tournament . (Photo by MCSN Alan Lewis)
SAFETYISPARAMOUNT THERE IS A REASON TO WEAR PPE By MC2 Alora Blosch
A
s the crew of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) rapidly approaches refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period, new challenges and hazards present themselves. The hangar bays are filled with civilian contractors and moving parts. The mess decks are unrecognizable. As new equipment and various tubes and piping are added to bulkheads and overheads, safety becomes crucial to the crew’s success. George Washington has expanded its role in crew safety. Particularly, hard hats, safety goggles and hearing protection are now mandatory uniform items aboard ship to keep pace with the increased dangers. “We are in an industrial environment, which means work is constantly going on around the ship,” said Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Sean Mok, George Washington’s mishap report coordinator. “People are grinding, performing hot work, and working on the overheads where things could fall. A lot of ship yard systems are being added around the ship where people can walk into it. With all the work going on around the ship, it’s inherently more dangerous than our normal operations. In an industrial environment, it’s very important to have a hard hat and goggles because you don’t know what work is going to be going on in your work space or where you’re transiting.” In the injury reports last year, there were only two concussions reported through medical, however, in 2014, when GW went through a six-month maintenance period in Japan, eight
concussions were reported. Mok said eye injuries can be difficult to track because they aren’t put in their own category of injury. If someone cuts their eye, it’s noted in the cuts and lacerations category for tracking. According to the CDC, a concussion is a blow or jolt to the head that affects the way the brain works normally. It can happen from a car accident, hitting your head on something on the bulkhead or even a fall. A majority of eye injuries result from small particles or objects striking the eye. Safety department issued gear to the crew in order to ensure all crew members were safe performing daily tasks. They also issued out multiple types of safety gear depending on each Sailor’s work requirements. “So we have three different types of work goggles,” said Mok. “We have the regular safety glasses, the over the glasses which are a lot bigger than the other ones, and then we have goggles. The difference is that the goggles are like the ones we use for maintenance. They have an edge that forms a small seal against your face so if you’re doing something like deck work and you have really fine particulates that regular glasses won’t block those out, the ones with a seal will.” Safety department often polices the ship ensuring all Sailors are wearing the proper safety gear and not walking into harm’s way. “We are here to make sure everyone is safe,” said Mok. “We aren’t here to punish people for not wearing PPE (personal protective equipment). We just don’t want people to get hurt. I think getting hurt is the worst punish-
ment of all, because it’s so preventable.” Mok said when people do get injured and go to medical, their department then fills out a report on how the injury happened. These reports are sent to the ship’s safety department and forwarded to the Navy Safety Center to be transferred into data. This data is kept approximately two to four years so if a Sailor gets out of the service and tries to receive disability for the injuries, the ship will have a record of what happened and when the injury occurred. An article on www.concussion. wellicornell.org says although it is rare, concussions can result in symptoms lasting longer than six weeks, such as dizziness, headaches and difficulties concentrating. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can cause severe problems with attention and short-term memory, as well as, difficulties performing tasks and feeling slower as a whole. Long term injuries not only impact Sailors directly, it also affects their families and future career options depending on the severity. When protective equipment isn’t used properly, it only heightens the risks of injuries and increases the potential for more serious and long-lasting effects. “Safety is paramount,” said Mok. “Safety department is here to make sure people go home every day. We aren’t here to make things difficult and we are willing to work with people, but if you aren’t protecting yourself, we can’t protect you.” Anyone who sees an unsafe activity aboard George Washington should report it safety department by calling j-dial x7600 or x4762.
NAVY NEWS NORFOLK (NNS) -- Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) announced the 2016 USFF Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Navy League at the Half Moone Cruise Center in Norfolk, March 10. Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Courtney Evers of Navy Information Operations Detachment Kaneohe Bay was named the 2016 Sea Sailor of the Year and Personnel Specialist 1st Class Aliscia Malone of U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command won Shore Sailor of the Year. “All the Sailor of the Year candidates represent the best the United States Navy has to offer. They all exemplify the attributes of integrity, initiative, accountability, and toughness. The selection process was not an easy one,” said Davidson. “Petty Officers Evers and Malone deserve this honor and are role models for the rest of the fleet.” The two winners were called on stage with the admiral to be recognized as the crowd, including those whom they competed against, applauded. Evers was honored by her selection, turning to her fellow nominees she shared these words “You guys are all amazing, we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t helping each other out and having each other’s backs.” The candidates spent the week participating in several Navy heritage events as well as being interviewed by a panel of master chief petty officers as the final winners were determined. Malone was proud to have been selected and recognized that she was up against the best in the fleet. She also thanked her biggest supporter, her husband. “No one person can be here alone. This is such an honor.” Evers will travel to Washington, D.C.,
Commander of US Fleet Forces Announces 2016 USFF Fleet Sea, Shore Sailors of the Year By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Fiorillo, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs
and be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer by the Chief of Naval Operations. Malone will advance to the final selection process for the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year. The Sailor of the Year Program was established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet. The intent of the competition is to recognize individual Sailors who best represented the ideals of the professional Sailor and the Navy. Initially only Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors on sea duty were recognized. Within 10 years, however, the SOY program was expanded to include shore duty and Navy Reserve Sailors. Finalists for Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year: Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/ SW/AW) Benjamin Foy Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), 2nd Battalion 6th Marines, 2D Marine Division Electricians Mate 1st Class (EXW/SW) Kelelu Kromah Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit (ESU) 2 Sonar Technician (Submarine) 1st Class
(SS) Thomas Hudgins Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT), USS Florida (SSGN-728) (BLUE) Intelligence Specialist 1st Class (IW/ AW/EXW/SW) Kevin Pulley U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet, Maritime Coordination Committee for Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Strike Coordination Detachment, Naples, Italy Finalists for Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year: Aviation Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class (IW/EXW) Brittany Burris United States Fleet Forces, United States Fleet Forces Command Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/ SW) Christopher Carter Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/ AW) Circia Howe Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT), Afloat Training Group Yeoman 1st Class (SS) Fausto Viera Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT), Submarine Squadron 16 Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class (IW/SW/AW) Jaxi Sehorn Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), Farragut Technical Analysis Center
Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, poses with Sailors of the Year CTT1 Courtney P. Evers, left, and PS1 Aliscia S. Malone . (Photo by MC2 Stacy M. Atkins Ricks)
CVN KAKURO
HARD SUDOKU
GAMES CROSSWORD
SUDOKU