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JAN. 27, 2020
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE 6 MLK Jr. Heritage Event USS George Washington holds an event to remember Martin Luther King Jr.
8 GW Gets Back in Shape Tips and tricks for keeping fitness resolutions
12 Reopening the Galley Sailors work to reopen to galley to serve George Washington
16 Fire Watch Keeping the George Washington out of the hot seat
18 2 â– The Washington Surveyor
Around the Fleet Navy Names Future Aircraft Carrier Doris Miller During MLK Jr. Day Ceremony
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THE
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URVEYOR Vol. 20, issue: 2
JAN. 27, 2020
USS George Washington (CVN 73) Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Surveyor Magazine Editor-in-Chief Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Copy Editors Capt. Kenneth Strong
Capt. Daryle Cardone
CMDCM Maurice Coffey
Lt. Tyler Barker MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Gary Johnson
Media Department
MC2 Trey Hutcheson
Public Affairs Officer
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Lt. Tyler Barker
Departmental LCPO
Divisional LCPO
Layout Designers
MCCM Reginald Buggs
MCC Christina Shaw
MC3 Tatyana Freeman MCSN Cory Daut
Production LPO MC1 Gary Johnson
Journalists
Media Department Requests PRINT REQUESTS
PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS
E-MAIL MEDIA PRINT REQUESTS
(757) 534 - 2369
MC3 Adam Ferrero MC3 Zack Thomas MCSN Cory Daut MCSN Stephen Sullins
mediaprintrequests@cvn73.navy.mil
Customer Service Hours MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY: 0800 - 1300
TUESDAY & THURSDAY: 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 Natasha Stubbs AN Kiyanna Shamsiddeen AN Tyler Langston-Stewart CS3 Shamari Reams ETN2 Abigail Hedgepeth FC2 George Du FC3 Bismark Diaw HM3 Emely Gamezcarrillo
RS3 Jacob Green
MA1 Bryan Cortez MM3 Philip Giulani MMN2 Alexis Paige-Glenn
HOMETOWN:
MMN3 Hayden Holt
Port Arthur, Texas
OS3 Taylor Faulkner
WHERE HE WORKS:
PSSA Vanessa Pettway
S-7/ Boat Barber
FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: Meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about them ABH3 Lauren Sorensen
HOBBIES:
EM2 Jana Smith
Watching college football- GEAUX TIGERS!
FC2 Ramon Carneiro IT1 Jeff Powell
WHY HE JOINED:
MMN2 Deandre Hicks
To travel the world, better himself, and serve his country
ESWS Coordinators
EAWS Coordinators
EIWS Coordinators
MMC Flyod Hollier CSC Joe Magri
AOC Volario Lott CSC Jose Valencia
ITC Xica Johnson CTT1 Nicollette Jeffery
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USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) HOSTS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HERITAGE EVENT STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ADAM FERRERO In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Heritage Committee held an observance ceremony on the mess decks of the floating accommodation facility (FAF). Lt. Cmdr. Robert Guilliams, a chaplain assigned to George Washington’s command religious ministries department (CRMD) echoed King’s own words when delivering the invocation prayer. “In these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are dynamic in extent and chaotic in detail, give us penetrating vision, broad understanding, and the power of endurance and abiding faith, and save us from the paralysis of crippling fear,” said Guilliams. “Oh God, we ask you to help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world and for the brotherhood that transcends race or color.”
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Chief Interior Communications Electrician General Livingston, the head of the heritage committee, highlighted the reason the ship gathered to honor the life and legacy of King. “The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left such a mark on this world that Congress designated the third Monday in January as a national day of service for the last 25 years,” said Livingston. “This day of service is a way to channel Dr. King’s life and teachings into the community. The theme every year is the same; Remember, Celebrate, Act. Remember where we were as a society, celebrate where we are, and continuously answer the call to act by serving and volunteering in our communities. An overarching theme is ‘A Day On, Not a Day Off,’ encouraging everyone to serve their communities. Each and every one of you answer the call to act daily by putting on the uniform and coming
to work. For that, I thank you. Be proud to know that your service is a contributing factor in us realizing the dream.” Featured during the ceremony were King’s speech “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?,” delivered at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on Oct. 26, 1967, as well as King’s sermon, titled “The Drum Major Instinct,” preached from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Feb. 4, 1968. Capt. Kenneth Strong, George Washington’s commanding officer, gave praise to Sailors who volunteer their time, not just on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but on the other 364 days of the year as well. “Those who serve the community from our command, thank you for living Dr. King’s legacy,” said Strong. “You represent the Navy, George Washington, and yourselves so well. Thank you for taking his words to
heart.” Strong also touched on King’s renowned speaking ability and its impact on the nation. “His reaction to injustice, segregation, and disenfranchisement of people who were unable to vote changed our nation for the better,” said Strong. “Martin Luther King Jr. is in my pantheon of greatest Americans. Few match his mastery of the English language and oration. I recommend reviewing his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, as well as his final speech in Memphis before he was slain. There are no greater words spoken by any American to move us to change and make our nation greater.” Lt. Chandler Irwin, the divisional officer of CRMD and the event’s guest speaker, shared her perspective as well. “A few weeks ago, the heritage committee stopped by our office to inquire if one of the chaplains would be
interested in speaking to the theme of ‘Act’ as we honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. this morning,” said Irwin. “If I’m being honest, my first thought was ‘no.’ On the day that we celebrate a man who fought against injustice, particularly racial injustice, my immediate instinct was that black or African-American voices should be heard. Then I took some time to reflect, and I realized how very sad that was. More than 50 years have passed since King stood in Memphis, Tennessee on the eve of his death, and he said to the crowd, ‘I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know, tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!’ As we step into a new year and new decade, I can’t say that I believe that we’ve reached that promised land. I think there’s still work to be done.” Irwin ended her speech by encouraging those in attendance to take advantage of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day by applying the subjects and lessons discussed during the ceremony. “Take some time for hands-on help and care for others. Maybe you volunteer where you already serve. Maybe you look in our bulletin today and see that the Peninsula Rescue Mission needs volunteers, people to feed the hungry in this community, or maybe your day takes on a different approach – spending time reading Dr. King’s speeches or sermons; go to a local museum. The hope is that these things cause us to learn and reflect, that these things stir within us a desire to act [and] a desire to care for the poor and those in need.” To read and listen to the full speech delivered in Memphis, Tennessee by Dr. King referenced by Capt. Strong and Lt. Irwin, Sailors are encouraged to visit https:// www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON GETS IN SHAPE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN STEPHEN SULLINS Between milk, cookies, eggnog, or that extra party snack, Sailors aboard the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) may look in the mirror coming out of the holiday season and see the need to get back to their yesteryear fit selves. Getting back into shape after the holidays may seem daunting, but with
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the right help and information, Sailors can adequately exercise their bodies to achieve the fitness level they desire and to prepare for upcoming physical readiness tests. “Having a set workout each day with several different workouts to change up for just 30 minutes a day can make a huge change to a healthier work life,” said Hospital
Corpsman 2nd Class Fallon Major , assigned to the medical department aboard George Washington . “So get into that mindset of working out on a day-to-day basis because that’s what our job entails.” The best work out routine to get back in shape can be hard to discover, but George Washington’s command fitness leaders
(CFLs) can solve this dilemma with a variety of workout routines. “Don’t just do the same workout every time; you have to have variants,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long, the leading chief petty officer of George Washington’s medical department, and a prior CFL. “Don’t just run five miles. Don’t just do sprints or weights. You have to have a routine that hits everything. The Navy’s official guidance is 150 minutes a week, including strength training and cardiovascular training, so you need to hit all of those things.” Working out with peers each week is just as essential as changing what type of workouts are done. “Motivation tends to fade,” said Long. “We all know this, but discipline is what really holds you to a routine over time, and that discipline comes from people around you. I would say the mistake that people who are new to fitness continue to make is wanting to work out all on their own. Don’t do that, because you’re going to run out
of ideas, or your motivation is going to be down on that day where you just don’t want to get out of bed.” Working out with a friend or friends can help all members achieve their fitness goals, but ensuring that the group is working on the right kind of exercise is critical as well. Diversity of exercise and targeting different muscle groups with different exercises ensures that Sailors can improve their overall fitness level. “Strength training is for power,” said Long. “Speed training is for bursts of energy and energy development, and endurance training is for cardiovascular endurance.” Finding time during the week to take charge of one’s fitness goals may actually be easier than it seems. By staying motivated and taking advantage of resources like CFLs and departmental leadership, physical fitness is a better done than said goal in 2020.
“During the holidays, we kind of slow down and relax a little bit more because we’re spending time with our families,” said Major. “We’re enjoying the downtime, the food, and all the little things we normally miss out on throughout the year. So once you start back up at the beginning of the New Year, you have to get back up and get yourself into a routine that allows you to continue to progress through your physical fitness.” With motivation from peers and enough quality exercise, George Washington Sailors can stay true to their fitness goals. With the help of the ship’s CFLs and workout gurus, keeping the Spirit of Freedom crew in tiptop shape is an achievable and sustainable resolution.
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APPREHENSION AND Sailors assigned to security department participate in Security Reaction Force Basic (SRF-B) Jan. 21, 2020 at Huntington Hall.
D ARREST
PHOTOS AND STORY BY MCSN CORY DAUT
SERVING S FOR THE N
SAILORS FOOD NEXT 25 YEARS
GW WORKS TO REOPEN THE GALLEY Now in the second half of their refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) period, the crew aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has their sights set on 2020’s biggest milestone, crew move aboard (CMA). Scheduled for August 2020, CMA will signal a major shift in the RCOH process, and will require substantial efforts by all Sailors aboard George Washington. Playing a crucial role in this milestone is supply department, who will once again serve food from the ship’s galley at CMA. “Some of the major milestones that we are going to have are filling up the storerooms with all of the food that we are going to need, getting the galley up to par,
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and testing all of the equipment before we start cooking over there,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Jose Valencia, the leading chief petty officer of the general mess division of the supply department. “We also need to have some deep cleaning and training all the [culinary specialists and food service attendants] on the new equipment that we will be getting.” Successfully completing all of these prerequisites ensures that supply will be ready for the galley’s grand reopening, scheduled for Aug. 21, 2020. “We have a team that does maintenance on the galley, but as they do that, we need to clean and [prepare] to get the spaces ready,” said Culinary
Specialist 3rd Class India Kelley, a Sailor assigned to the general mess division of the supply department. “We need to get our equipment back on the ship. Right now, we don’t have any ovens, reefers, or any other equipment.” Working side-by-side with George Washington’s supply department, contractors and Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard workers are helping to keep the drive to CMA on track. “We are working hand and hand with the contractors to get the galley ready for crew move aboard in August,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Louis Fierro, leading petty officer of the general mess division of the supply department.
According to Operations Specialist 3rd Class Kye Sampson, a food services attendant aboard George Washington, even as the culinary specialists are currently serving food on the floating accommodation facility (FAF), they will ensure that George Washington Sailors have a place to sit down and enjoy three square meals a day aboard the ship. With the opening of the galley and successful completion of CMA, George Washington Sailors may notice a change in their allocations. The basic allowance for subsistence, or BAS, which has been provided to the crew to offset the cost of meals not provided by the ship’s galley, will go away. With the galley up and running, however, Sailors will find it much easier to eat and work from the ship, and will have three meals a day readily accessible to them on their ship.
Supply will be ready for the galley’s grand reopening, scheduled for Aug. 21, 2020.
“So, we are looking to increase our meals for about 2,000 for lunch and dinner,” said Valencia. With the number of Sailors eating at the galley most likely to increase, the workload for all of the galley workers is going to grow as well. “Even though we are all pretty stressed out about the upcoming workload, it still feels very good serving Sailors our food to provide that kind of comfort for them, especially during their busy day,” said Sampson. With the reopening of the galley onboard George Washington, it is not just about moving where Sailors eat from the FAF to the ship. It is about having the ability to serve Sailors on George Washington for the next 25 years.
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PUTTING THE SHIP BACK TOGETHER: THE SAILORS OF FIRE WATCH STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ZACK THOMAS Refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is a multifaceted process spanning nearly four years and requiring millions of man-hours of work by contractors, shipyard workers, and the Sailors assigned to George Washington.
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The fire watch team helps ensure the completion of RCOH by ensuring the safe, accurate, and timely completion of hot work throughout the ship, as well as helping the Sailors assigned achieve higher qualifications and experience. “Every day we have approximately
75 Sailors on watch in two 12-hour shifts,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) David Hooker, the leading chief petty officer of fire watch. “Fire watch isn’t a job everyone wants to do, but it is an important job for the ship. Without the fire watch, no hot work could happen, and that
means the ship can’t be put back together.” There are many benefits to training Sailors to stand fire watch. From actively saving the Navy money in the RCOH process to helping undesignated and junior enlisted Sailors accomplish qualifications, fire watch directly benefits mission and ship readiness. “Most of the Sailors on fire watch are undesignated,” said Hooker. “So being here gives the Sailors time to not only get their qualifications, but it also helps them choose a rate they want to strike into.” Like every other job and aspect of the RCOH process, fire watch prepares for and carries out their watch in a specific manner day in and day out. “We start our watches by getting assigned to a space and a contractor, then we get our [carbon dioxide] bottle, flash gear, and personal protective equipment,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Shelby Gillman, a Sailor assigned to fire watch. “After we have our equipment, we go to the space and the contractor directs us on where and what they are doing so we can be prepared for any fires.” The Sailors of fire watch stay missionfocused at all times, whether in the space with the contractor or in the fire watch office. “If someone comes to see fire watch, we want them to see the room empty because Sailors are standing their watches,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Travis Bond, one of the fire watch’s shift leaders. “When our Sailors are off watch, we want people to see them studying for their next qualification or warfare pin.” Fire watch is not typically the first duty a Sailor thinks about when they check in to the ship. While all Sailors are firefighters in some capacity, it can be difficult for the fire watch team, who fills a vital yet more RCOH-focused niche on the ship, to find motivation on a daily basis. With a focus on camaraderie and building bonds throughout the team, however, the morale and job satisfaction of fire watch has seen an uptick. “Fire watch used to be: you show up, stand your watches, and then go home, said Bond. “The morale wasn’t great. Now we have things like fire watch day and engineering day, where we have lunches and awards ceremonies, and I think fire
watch has come closer together because of things like that.” With nearly 75 Sailors assigned to fire watch, completing a 24-hour work day over two shifts, fire watches are helping ensure that the ship can be put back together efficiently and effectively. By standing the watch, hot work on bulkheads, decks, pipes, and hatches, just to name a few, can be accomplished. Fire watch standers also ensure that an assortment of missioncritical welding, grinding and installation tasks can be completed, all with the ship’s next milestones in mind. Hundreds of George Washington Sailors
have served in some capacity with the ship’s fire watch team. It is through their efforts, working alongside their civilian and shipyard counterparts, that the massive scope of work in their RCOH project can be completed. The pride and professionalism they bring to their task will allow George Washington to finish RCOH and return to her rightful place as one of the world’s most capable and reliable military assets.
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NAVY NEWS
Navy Names Future Aircraft Carrier Doris Miller During MLK, Jr. Day Ceremony
By Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly named a future aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN 81) during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony honoring African Americans of the Greatest Generation in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Jan. 20. The backdrop for the day’s ceremony paid homage to the beginning and ending of America’s role in World War II and the scene where Doris Miller’s heroic actions cemented him into books of American history. “It’s an honor to join you today on the birthday celebration of one of our nation’s, and the world’s, greatest spiritual, intellectual and moral leaders,” said Modly. “Seventy-five years ago our nation bound together to secure victory against an existential threat, but also to secure opportunities for broader liberty and justice for the entire world. But we were not perfect in our own pursuits of these values here at home,” Modly continued. “That contradiction is an undeniable part of our history, one that cannot be glossed over or forgotten.” Secretary Modly noted that throughout the history of our nation, the finest of every generation have stepped forward to serve the cause of freedom around the world even if they were denied those same freedoms at home simply because of the color of their skin. On December 7, 1941, Doris Miller did not let the prejudice of others define him, he said. “Dorie Miller was the son of a
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sharecropper,” said Modly. “And, he was an American Sailor -- so designated by the uniform that he wore -- the same uniform all Sailors wore, and still wear, regardless of race, ethnic background, or political persuasion.” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, U.S. Representative for the 30th Congressional District of Texas, delivered an emotional and moving speech about the influence Miller’s legacy had on her life. “All of my life I’ve heard about how great Doris Miller was,” said Johnson. “[He] was my childhood hero. It was the spirit of Dorie Miller that made me appreciate being an American more than anything else because, in the days of real segregation, a black man from my home town had stepped up to help save America. Dorie miller started the civil rights movement and perhaps even gave Martin Luther King Jr. the spirit to lead us into the era of which he did.” Johnson said naming CVN 81 in honor of Doris Miller has done so much to recognize and highlight that no matter the color of a person’s skin, they can achieve anything. Congressman Bill Flores, U.S. Representative for Texas’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Doris Miller’s hometown of Waco, said it was an honor to pay tribute to one of America’s heroes from the greatest generation. “[Miller] was a man who exemplified the hearts of our Sailors and the spirit of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who we also recognize today,” said Flores. “Dr. King
once said ‘the time is always right to do something right’ and that is what Petty Officer Miller did. His story of bravery is a testament to his courage and commitment to serve both his fellow Sailors and his country.” For the members of Miller’s family present at the ceremony, it was a moment to reflect on the legacy their family lives to honor with every generation. “When Uncle Doris decided that he was going to step up to the machine gun and shoot, it was a ‘why not me?’ moment,” said Henrietta Blednose Miller, a niece of Miller. “As we go through life, we’re all going to be confronted with ‘why not me?’ moments whether they are small or big, but with each one, you will be affecting someone if you take an action at that moment. At the time [Uncle Doris] did what he did, he did not realize how proud he was going to make this family.” This will be the second ship named in honor of Miller, and the first aircraft carrier ever named for an African American. This will also be the first aircraft carrier to be named in honor of a Sailor for actions while serving in the enlisted ranks. The future USS Doris Miller and other Ford-class carriers will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and humanitarian relief, and early decisive striking power in major combat operations. The aircraft carrier and the carrier strike group will provide forward presence, rapid response, endurance on station, and multimission capability throughout its 50-year service life.
GAMES CORNER
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HAMPTON ROADS EVENTS SUNDAY
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MONDAY
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Learn to Bowl
President’s Day Movie Marathon
10:00 a.m. 5:00 a.m. NAVSTA Norfolk Huntington Hall
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3
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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Liberty Pool Tournament
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
National Hot Chocolate Day
Hustle + Muscle
Valentine’s Day Cards
6:00 p.m. NNSY
5:00 p.m. Huntington Hall
5:00 a.m. Huntington Hall
11:30 a.m. Cheatham Annex
All Day NAVSTA Norfolk
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5
6
8
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Superbowl Party Birthday Cupcakes
NBA 2k20 Tournament
Wallet Wednesday
Swim Series
Admirals Hockey Trip
Wintergreen Ski Trip
5:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. NAVSTA Norfolk, Portsmouth NNSY
5:00 p.m. Huntington Hall
12:00 p.m. Portsmouth
6:00 p.m. Dam Neck
7:30 p.m. Headquarters
5:00 p.m. NAVSTA Norfolk
6:00 p.m. Huntington Hall
EVERY WEEK - FITNESS CLASSES M
T
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Strength Training Huntington Hall 5, 6, 7:30 a.m.
Core Training Huntington Hall 5, 6, 7:30 a.m.
GW Run Club Mariners Museum 6:30 a.m.
Functional Fitness Huntington Hall 3:00 p.m.
Functional Fitness Huntington Hall 3:00 p.m.
Functional Fitness Huntington Hall 3:00 p.m.
T Yoga Huntington Hall 5;15 a.m.
F HIIT/Core Huntington Hall 5, 6, 7:30 a.m.