EST. 2011
INSIDE Makin Chiefs Surface Line Week Dry Dock
AUG/SEPT 2017
COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Mark A. Melson EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. David M. Oden COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (SW/AW) Larry A. Lynch PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER ENS Kassandra Collins DEPUTY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER MCC (SW/AW) James Thierry MEDIA LEADING PETTY OFFICER MC1 (SW/AW) Larry Carlson LEAD EDITOR MC2 (SW/AW/IW) Dennis Grube LAYOUT DESIGN MC2 (SW) Devin M. Langer STAFF MC1 (NAO/AW) Mathew Diendorf MC1 (SW) John Hetherington MC2 Eric Zeak MC3 Asher Allen
AROUND THE ISLAND is an authorized publication for the crewmembers of USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8). Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of MAKIN ISLAND. ATI is edited, prepared and provided by the MKI media division. All news releases, photos or information for publication in AROUND THE ISLAND must be submitted to the PAO. All submissions are edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity and conformance to style. The staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.
On The Cover Photo illustration of USS Makin Island (LHD 8) pulling into dry dock
Photo of the Month By MC2 Dennis Grube “GOOOOAAAAAAALLL”
FEATURE
7 Lunch Time! 13 Chief Season
Makin Island Pins the Newest CPOs
MKI Sailors Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House NEWSWORTHY
5 Surface Line Week 11
A Fish Out of Water
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A Fish Out of Water Makin Island Enters Dry Dock for Scheduled Maintenance U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Zeak, USS Makin Island Public Affairs
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he amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) entered a floating dry dock at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), Aug. 25.
making the transition to the yards can be challenging. We have to change our mindset from being operational to one of rebuilding and repairing.”
The depot-level planned maintenance availability (DPMA) will last 14 months and will outfit the ship with the latest war fighting capabilities.
Repairs for the ship will include a variety of routine maintenance contracts, upgrades to the ship’s systems, and other work to prolong service life.
Makin Island Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Melson said DPMA will be a unique time for Makin Island.
“The flight deck will be resurfaced during the DPMA,” said Melson. “The new flight deck will be able to accommodate the F-35B Lightning II aircraft and increase the capabilities of and reach of Team Raider.”
“We are a warfighting team,” said Melson. “We’re coming off a deployment, and
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Safety for the ship’s crew will be a major concern during the overhaul stages. Makin Island Safety Officer Lt. Cmdr. John Gutierrez said the work environment of the ship will change drastically. “The ship is getting taken apart,” said Gutierrez. “There will be grinding, welding, loud noises, open hatches, cranes,
and heavy machinery. All of this creates a safety hazard. Our Sailors will have to stay focused on safety, and I’m sure we will navigate the DPMA without any issues.” The DPMA period marks the first time the ship has been raised from the water since its christening in 2006.
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Welcome to the Goat Locker
Reserved for the Tried, Tested and True U.S. Navy story by Mass Commmunication Specialist 2nd Class Dennis Grube, USS Makin Island Public Affairs
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ccording to folklore, goats were kept aboard Navy ships during the days of the wooden sailing ship. They were highly valued for their ability to provide milk and cheese for sustenance and to do the work of consuming shipboard refuse. When the rank of chief petty officer (CPO) was established, no ships had separate berthings for senior enlisted personnel. The newly-minted chiefs gladly accepted the same quarters as the ship’s most invaluable crewmember, the goat, leading to the term “Goat Locker.” After a month of being tried, tested and proven to be true, Makin Island’s Chiefs Mess made room in the goat locker for 27 newly frocked chiefs, Sept. 15. Before they don the combination cover and the gold fouled anchors symbolizing the rank of chief petty officer, the selectees must be tempered like the steel hull of the ship’s they sail. Part of this initiation into the mess is a sixweek training period known as CPO 365 Phase II, which began when the CPO advancement results were officially released. During Phase II, senior enlisted leaders introduced the chief selectees to a myriad of challenges designed to strengthen their leadership skills and to provide a better understanding of what it means to be a Navy chief. Phase II also included training on the history and traditions of the chiefs mess, physical challenges, and mentorship. “Throughout the training cycle, chief selects will be put through physical training, leadership
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scenarios, and be involved in daily CPO activities,” said Command Master Chief Larry Lynch. “The goal is to give them the opportunity and foresight on what they will encounter after donning anchors and how to face adversity while handling their responsibilities as ‘the chief’ on the deck plates.” Chief Gunner’s Mate Rachel Maestas added that through each event they took part in, there was always a lesson to be learned and applied. “Whether it was a team building exercise, an evolution at work or something happening in our personal lives, there is always something we can take from that to learn from and pass on to our Sailors,” said Maestas. Chief Legalman Shanna Todd said that although the training is aimed to emphasize humility and honoring the traditions and legacy of those who came before them, it goes beyond the personal development of the new chief. “Even though we work on building the chief selects into minted chiefs, we also stress the importance of using their new rank and responsibility to continue to work for their Sailors’ successes,” explained Todd. “They also learn that they are never alone in these endeavors. They now have the combined experience and trust of the Chief’s mess to lean on when they need it.” To help bring the chief selects into the folds of the mess, they are assigned sponsors after their initial selection. “A sponsor is tasked as a guide for the sixweek ‘chief season’ to aid in the transition from chief select to chief,” said Todd. “They also continue to mentor the newly frocked chief for their first year in the mess with the purpose of offering an outlet for guidance from someone with different career experience outside of the select’s chain of command.”
Lynch explained that there is a method to selecting sponsors. They are selected by not only seniority and experience in the mess, but also by their strengths and how they complement each individual selectee. “Sponsors are responsible for guiding the selectees by being involved in each evolution,” said Lynch. “They are there as a guide, mentor and counsel in every scenario that the selectee would need help piecing together.” Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Dustin James said that having a sponsor was pivotal during the process. “One of the biggest things I was able to take away from my sponsor and the mess was how to see the big picture and prioritize,” James explained. “When you’re a first class or a second (class), you may be expected to prioritize based on certain specializations, but as a chief, you have to step back, see the big picture and evaluate every outcome of every possible scenario. You then need to use this foresight to prioritize tasks or even events in your personal life that you may have overlooked before.” Maestas added that, throughout the training cycle, whenever times were tough, her sponsor helped her to keep a positive attitude. “During one point in the training, I was really struggling, but that struggle was met with nothing but encouraging words and their belief in me which helped me persevere,” said Maestas. “Through that encouragement, I discovered that my will to fight and strive were much stronger than I previously had thought.” Despite the challenging road to making chief, the newest members of the chiefs mess acknowledge that this is an incredible milestone, but not the final destination. “After serving for 13 years, I still have plenty of gas in the tank to refocus my attention on my Sailors and those around the command,” said James. “Now that I’m at this level, I can use my experience to guide them in the right direction and ensure that they have all the opportunities to succeed in the Navy and in life.” Maestas noted that her success was not only her own and that they all owe their ascension to chief to the supporting casts around them. She emphatically expressed, “There is no way that I could have gotten to this point without the help of my junior Sailors and
my supporting family. I just want to continue to make them proud and use my new position to continue mentoring and developing any junior Sailors and officers who come to me for guidance and even those who don’t.” Lynch expanded by saying that as soon as they put on their anchors, the expectations and responsibilities only increase as they move forward in their careers. “At the end of the day, chiefs are expected to lead Sailors,” expanded Lynch. “After the trials, ceremonies and celebrations are complete, the new chiefs are expected to do what every chief petty officer is charged to do: lead their Sailors by being true to themselves and effect change at any possible chance by showing Sailors what right looks like through their combined experience and the examples they set.” Like the ship’s goat of old, the Navy chief embodies a being who is willing to act as a servant leader by doing the necessary work, no matter how thankless; to deliver the sustenance of experience and deckplate leadership invaluable for the growth of their Sailors, and to display the resilience and fortitude to work earnestly every day. For those who display the strength, dedication and perseverance of the Navy goat, there will come a time when they will earn their place in the goat locker.
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Lunch Time! Makin Island Sailors Volunteer at San Diego Ronald McDonald House
U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin M. Langer
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ight Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) volunteered to help prepare and serve lunch for families at the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) Sept. 6. RMHC is a facility that offers families care and services as their children receive treatment for serious or life-threatening conditions at
nearby medical facilities. Volunteering gives Sailors the chance to give back to the community and, after being deployed for seven months, allows them to reconnect with those who support them. “I’ve always enjoyed being able to volunteer my services,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Christian Rodriguez. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m helping support families going through hard times.” Eric Guerrero, a cook at RMHC, said that because the RMHC is a non-profit organization, having the Sailors provide their services is a big help for them. “I like having Sailors come out to volunteer with us,” said Guerrero. “They generate a great impact for the community, especially in San Diego where everyone loves the Navy.” The preparation for lunch included cooking sausage, slicing vegetables, making salad and putting out desserts. Makin Island is conducting a dry dock maintenance availability. This period of maintenance for the ship will provide Sailors more opportunities to volunteer and participate in community relations projects.
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