WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
March. 31, 2017
By MC3 Carter Denton
ELEMENTARY MYDEARWASHINGTON
gw sailors volunteer at JOHN TYLER ELEMENTARY school
By MC3 Kashif Basharat
CELEBRATING
PROGRESS GW CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
By MCSN Jamin Gordon
thepowerof powerlifting Using weight training to push through adversity
On the cover: (March 29, 2017) Cmdr. Tara Refo, right, and other members of the Navy’s first all-female E-2C Hawkeye combat mission stand during the national anthem at a women’s history month observance event. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
PHOTO of the DAY
(March 29, 2017) Capt. Timothy Kuehhas, center, meets with members of the Navy’s first all-female E-2C Hawkeye combat mission . (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
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 Bryan Mai MC2 Jessica Gomez MC2 Kris R. Lindstrom 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*
ELEMENTARY
MYDEARWASHINGTON
gw sailors volunteer at john Tyler elementary school By MC3 Carter Denton
C
hief petty officers and first class petty officers assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington went back to school for a day at John Tyler Elementary School, March 28. The event was part of George Washington’s CPO 365 training program for first class petty officers striving to become chiefs. As part of their training, the Sailors assist the school approximately once a month to strengthen George Washington Sailors’ relationship with their community. “We just want to interact with the kids and build some relationships in the community,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Robert Rubano, who helped organize the event. “It’s a pretty cool opportunity to hang out with the kids and try to be a positive role model.” The CPO 365 volunteers influenced the students, and assisted the teachers. “The Sailors will actually go to the board and help teach,” said Heidi M. Lewis, principal of John Tyler Elementary. “I didn’t think that they would actually take command and teach the class, so that’s been wonderful.” Participants volunteered in a variety of roles, such as assisting with math and reading programs. Some of the Sailors have a vested interest in area schools due to
their children’s attendance. “I was interested to see firsthand how the schools in this area function,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Joseph A. Murphy. “My children go to school in this area and it was nice to see what their day might be like.” The students were eager to meet and interact with the Sailors. “I actually had a kindergartener come in today and ask if there would be anyone in his class today, so they’re looking forward to seeing the Sailors here,” said Lewis. “It was also nice to have Sailors in front of the school this morning because the parents were excited to see Sailors were here too.” The students and their parents aren’t the only ones who are happy to see Sailors at their school. The staff of John Tyler Elementary was thankful for the Sailors’ presence as well. “We appreciate everything that the Sailors do and we definitely want this to continue,” said Lewis. George Washington CPO 365 plans to continue volunteering at John Tyler Elementary School. Sailors interested in doing similar COMRELs can contact the command religious ministries department or their chain of command to find out about future volunteering opportunities.
(March 27, 2017) AE1 Joseph A. Murphy reads a book to students. (Photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
(March 27, 2017) IT1 Joseph Hanus helps a student with his work. (Photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
(March 27, 2017) Sailors pose for a photo. (Photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
THEPOWEROF
POWERLIFTING
PUSHING THROUGH ADVERSITY USING WEIGHT TRAINING By MCSN Jamin Gordon
(March 25, 2017) From left, Amira Sixkiller, Dustin Sixkiller and IT2 William Workman pose for a photo . (Photo by MCSN Jamin Gordon)
A
ccording to Merriam-Webster, adversity is defined as a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune. It is something most people will face at some point in their life whether civilian or service member. Amira Sixkiller and her husband Dustin Sixkiller, owners of Project Sixkiller Performance, are all too familiar with the term. Amira Sixkiller was a Midshipman when she was discharged from the Navy after being diagnosed with stage-four cancer. Amira Sixkiller didn’t let this unfor-
tunate turn of events crush her spirts. Instead, the Sixkillers faced this adversity head-on, and pursued their dream of opening a gym dedicated to powerlifting. “We have a passion for the sport,” said Amira Sixkiller. “We wanted somewhere people could come and workout without all of the drama, and that was lift-oriented.” The Sixkillers motivate service members to be their best self, and push through any challenges they face. For Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Will Workman, assigned to
the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), and a member of Project Sixkiller Performance, meeting the Sixkillers changed his life. “When I got back from deployment, I was about 155-160 pounds,” said Workman. “I was unhealthy. I had a case of what I like to call ‘feeling sorry for myself.’ I was letting all the bad affect the good. I wanted to make gains and challenge myself.” Aware of the goals Workman wanted to reach, a friend pointed him in the direction of the Sixkillers. “I literally ran outside the gym and
chased them down,” said Workman. “At that time Dustin, Amira and I were members of a gym called Brute Strength. I talked to Dustin and Amira, and they got me on the right track with diet and technique.” After learning Amira Sixkiller and Dustin Sixkiller’s story, and seeing how positive they are on a daily basis, Workman recognized he could learn some things from them. “Working with Amira was such a humbling experience,” said Workman. “It took me forever to be able to deadlift more than her. This was the direction I needed. After I realized this, my personal and professional life improved. Not only was I stronger, but after taking the advancement exam for E-5 five times, and missing it by one or two points, I finally crushed it by 25 points. I received an EP (early promote) two times in a row, and became one of the top technicians.” Project Sixkiller Performance fosters a positive atmosphere. It is an environment like no other gym because the owners have one thing in common
with the majority of their patrons; serving their country in the Navy. Dustin Sixkiller is currently assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic. “We know what it’s like,” said Dustin Sixkiller. “Powerlifting keeps me sane in this crazy world.” With 15 years of service, and counting, Dustin Sixkiller has faced his fair share of adversity as well. “We recognize the importance of being able to blow off steam, especially since my husband faces issues with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” said Amira Sixkiller. “We wanted a place where people could come in and feel comfortable. We wanted somewhere that people could be themselves and talk to others about anything.” Despite what may go on in the Sixkiller’s lives, they are constantly thinking about others. “Our goal is to build relationships,” said Amira Sixkiller. “We know just about everyone by name. It’s like a family here. We don’t want anyone to feel like they are just a number.”
(March 25, 2017) PR2 Michael Duke performs a squat. (Photo by MCSN Jamin Gordon)
The Sixkillers warm spirits and kind hearts draw in Sailors from the Hampton Roads area. With Amira Sixkiller being a national title holder and Dustin Sixkiller being a state title holder, they never let their egos get in the way of helping their fellow shipmates, or anyone else for that matter. “It was amazing to me that someone of their stature in the powerlifting world would take the time to help me out,” said Workman about the Sixkillers. “Realizing how they’ve overcome adversity made me realize I needed to stop complaining and begin listening to others. I needed to pay attention to the advice the people around me were giving.” Amira Sixkiller has been cancer free since 2013, and the two are expecting their first child. For more information about Project Sixkiller visit their website ProjectSixKiller.com. Sailors may also find mental health help, from resources such as Fleet and Family Support Center, or via their command psychologist or chaplains.
CELEBRATING
PROGRESS
GW CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH By MC3 Kashif Basharat
T
he aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted five distinguished guests for a ceremony to celebrate National Women’s History Month, March 29. The guests were E-2C Hawkeye aviators who flew the Navy’s first all-female-crewed combat mission, Jan. 25, 2012. One of the five guests was Cmdr. Brandy McNabb, who served as the event’s guest speaker, and is now the commanding officer at Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Virginia.
“My squadron had a lot of females back then so the initial idea was not that out of the ordinary,” said McNabb. “We launched out, conducted our mission, debriefed and ended the day. It was only after the fact I realized that not only was my aircraft crew all female, but so was my maintenance crew. A chief arranged it all and it was unique. Our squadron was already fully integrated and we just had a lot of trust with one another so it did not matter who was there.” McNabb also briefly spoke about the reaching impact of the mission.
(March 29, 2017) Sailors participate in a cake cutting ceremony. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
“After our story went public and reached a national level, we realized that this was bigger than we thought,” said McNabb. “It is very rare for a Hawkeye Squadron to have five qualified females who can go out and fly a mission. It was not only significant in our community (aviation), but it was also when we started to see the progression that has been made since the repeal of the combat exclusion law in 1993.” The exclusion policy started when Congress passed the Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. The act re-
(March 29, 2017) Lt. Cmdr. Tara Refo, a member of the Navy’s first allfemale-crewed combat mission on a E-2C, is introduced. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
(March 29, 2017) RP2 Meredith Mockler, center, poses with the members of the Navy’s first all-female-crewed combat mission on a E-2C. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
stricted the total number of women in the services and the kinds of jobs they could hold. Congress repealed the law in 1993. Congress later deemed the month of March as National Women’s History Month in 1987. The inception of the idea, however, occurred seven years earlier when President Jimmy Carter designated the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation,” said Carter in his message to the nation. “Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed.” Each year, the Department of De-
(March 29, 2017) Cmdr. Brandy McNabb serves as the guest speaker. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)
fense has a theme for the month and this year’s them was “Honoring Trailblazing Women.” This year’s ceremony gave George Washington Sailors a chance to reflect on impactful women, including the Hawkeye crew visitors and others. “My trailblazer is my wife,” said Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Daeon Farrar. “I remember being on deployment and losing a loved one on top of facing other issues. She was the source of my strength to persevere through because she is the backbone of our family.” “When I was growing up, there were not that many strong female role models,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Meredith Mockler. “For example, when I would
watch TV, most of the firefighters, police officers and pilots were men. You would not really associate women with combat and it was inspiring to see these five women come out here and share their story.” Women’s roles in the military have come a long way and is still an ongoing process. There has been a lot of progress made in recent years, however. Women can now serve on submarines, apply for being an Army Ranger and even have infantry roles in the Marines. The event concluded with a cake cutting ceremony in which Capt. Timothy Kuehhas, George Washington’s commanding officer, McNabb and the four other members of the history-making Hawkeye crew all cut a cake together.
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GAMES CROSSWORD
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