USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71 )
ROUGH RIDER November 12, 2017
IN THIS EDITION
Rating on the Radar 24 2 Ye a r s o f ' H o o r a h '
Damage Control Olym pics
CONTENTS
COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Carlos A. Sardiello EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. Fred Goldhammer
On the Cover
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM Andrew Frederick
Cpl. Ryan Black, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle Cochran perform maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck. Photo by MC3 Spencer Roberts.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Cmdr. Beth Teach
Rating on the Radar Guiding aircraft in the skies with Air Traffic Controllers
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Photos of the Week Highlighted photos from TR’s Media Department
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What 242 years of 'Hoorah' means to Marines
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Damage Control Olympics Lockers pitted against each other in a head-on, DC aptitude challenge
h t 2 1 r e b m e v Sunday, No
ASST. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. j.g. Brittany Stephens SENIOR EDITORS MCCS Misty Hubbard MCC Jay Pugh EDITOR MC1 Michael Russell MC1 John Heatherington MC2 Jason Pastrick MC3 Alex Perlman
Marine Corps Birthday
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STAFF
ROUGH RIDER CONTRIBUTORS MC3 Jimmi Lee Bruner MC3 Robyn Melvin MC3 Alex Perlman MC3 Anthony Rivera MC3 Spencer Roberts MC3 Rachael Treon MCSN Michael Colemanberry MCSA Bill Sanders COMMAND OMBUDSMAN
cvn71ombudsman@gmail.com The Rough Rider is an authorized publication for the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of TR. All items for publication in The Rough Rider must be submitted to the editor no later than three days prior to publication. Do you have a story you’d like to see in the Rough Rider? Contact the Media Department at J-Dial 5940 or stop by 3-180-0-Q. CHECK US OUT ONLINE about.me/ussTheodoreRoosevelt @TheRealCVN71
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R a t i n g on the R a d a r
Air Traffic Controller Photo and Story by MC3 Robyn Melvin USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
ir Traffic Controllers are known for having one of the most stressful jobs in the military or civilian world, as cited by the Forbes Magazine website, but why? ACs direct and divide planes in the air and on the ground. However, on a carrier ACs have an added challenge of helping to land aircraft on a moving object, sometimes in hostile territory. “I first came into the Navy as an undesignated airman,” said AC3 JC Hopkins. “By doing that, I learned that I wanted to do a job where I would challenge my mind more than my body. During an air operations walkthrough, I sat down in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) while they were recovering planes and fell in love with its organized chaos.” Ideally ACs are decisive, attentive and able to handle crisis under stressful conditions. They should also have a love for video gaming, said Hopkins. “There is an adrenaline rush I get when I control,” said AC1 Jennifer Oberholzer, leading petty officer of CATCC. “It’s very fast-paced. There are multi-million dollar planes in your control and there are people’s lives on the line. That means there is no room for errors or mistakes.” ACs typically have excellent short-term memory and the ability to perform quick mental math calculations. It is essential that ACs can work well under close supervision and with a team. One reward of being an AC is the advancement rate, said Oberholzer. Advancement to AC3
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is currently at 100 percent and 99 percent to AC2, according to the Navy’s official website. Oberholzer and Hopkins both agree that although becoming an AC may be difficult, it is worth being part of a very unique community that combines math, science, skill and artistry. “As an air traffic controller you are an artist,” said Hopkins. “You have a picture in your head of where planes are supposed to go and how they get there. Bringing that picture to life is an amazing feeling.”
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This Week in Review
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1. MMFN Shane Brooks climbs up a ladder leading from a shaft-alley. Photo by MC3 Alex Perlman. 2. BMSN Cassandra Liriano secures tools to a pipe fitting in a fueling sponson. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera. 3. AWS1 Xavier Aldrete monitors the approach of an MH-60S Sea Hawk during a replenishment-at-sea. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera. 4. AM3 Carl Stenvallyanez, left, and AM3 Kristi Cotter unfold rotor blades on an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera.
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5. DCFN Cheyenne McIntosh flushes a fire hose. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera. 6. Aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group and Ronald Reagan Strike Group fly in formation. Photo by MC1 Michael Russell. 7. Sailors perform maintenance on an E-2C Hawkeye, assigned to the Sunkings of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116. Photo by MC3 Spencer Roberts.
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The Few, The Proud
Story by MC3 Rachael Treon USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
Photo by MC3 Rachael Treon
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ovember 10 marked the 242nd birthday celebration for the United States Marine Corps, honoring the Marines’ history and tradition of warfighting excellence. At the Corps’ founding in 1775, Congress envisioned infantry troops capable of fighting on shore and at sea. Through the toughest battles in American history, the Marines have exceeded this expectation. The Marine Corps became a component of the Navy in 1834 to create a powerful team with the ability to serve all over the world. The Checkerboards of Marine Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 celebrated their heritage alongside their shipmates aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with a ceremony on the fo’c’sle. “The birthday is an annual reminder that our existence in war and peace has had a significant impact on the history of our great nation,” said Sgt. Maj. Marcus N. Fleming, the Checkerboards’ sergeant major. “Furthermore, as we are currently
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embarked on this historic warship, we are in fact aiding her in creating tomorrow’s history.” The Checkerboards are embarked with 224 Marines and their F/A-18C Hornets to strengthen Theodore Roosevelt’s mission ready capabilities just as Congress intended 242 years ago. “As a team, we are far better equipped to serve the American people and all of the many allies in the world,” said Fleming. “We have always had mutually supporting roles from a strategic perspective. Beyond that, our relationship supports that of a humongous family.” With less than 184,00 active duty members and 40,000 reservists, the Marine Corps is the smallest U.S. military service, but the impact is irreplaceable. The doctrine of “every Marine [is] a rifleman” emphasizes the infantry combat capabilities of every Marine, regardless of military specialization. Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressed the Marine Corps for this year’s birthday, in a message sent to the fleet.
Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin “At places like Trenton, Tripoli, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Chosin, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, Sangin and so many others, Marines have fought with an inner spirit,” wrote Neller. “A spirit that bonds us, binds us together as a cohesive team. It’s that intangible spirit that has formed the foundation of our warfighting reputation for the past 242 years. Now it’s our responsibility to ensure we honor and carry on that legacy. The American people expect a Corps of men and women who are committed, selfless, willing to sacrifice, who epitomize honor, courage, commitment, virtue, and character. We owe our nation and our predecessors no less.” The motto “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “always faithful,” was adopted in 1883 to represent the lifelong commitment to honorably serving the title of United States Marine. Sgt. Dillon Russell, an ordnance technician assigned to the Checkerboards, found his home in the Marine Corps after meeting with a recruiter and falling in love with the atmosphere and traditions.
More than eight years later, Russell continues to dedicate his life to serving loyally as a Marine. “If you base everything you do on a daily basis off of the core values of honor, courage, and commitment, then you will always be faithful to the Marine Corps,” said Russell. The Checkerboards filled the fo’c’sle for the birthday ceremony, which included a traditional cake cutting. The first piece was passed to the guest of honor, Rear Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, then to the oldest Marine, Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Pegues, and finally to the youngest Marine, Lance Cpl. Bryan Audor. Following the ceremony, Marines gathered for pictures, laughed about old memories and remembered the fallen. “We must remember who we are, where we came from, and why we’re here,” wrote Neller. “We must remember the past, honor those who are no longer with us, focus on today’s battles, and get ready for tomorrow. We can and will prevail as we always have, in any clime and place.”
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Damage control OLYMPICS Photo story by MCSA Bill M. Sanders USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
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even separate repair lockers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) participated in the ‘Damage Contol Olympics’, Nov. 7. ‘DC Olympics’ is a training tool that allows Sailors to put the skills they’ve learned throughout their careers to the test in a competitive environment. The event included stations evaluating injury assessment, first aid and CPR to help prepare Sailors for the medical aspect of a real emergency situation. The exercise gives Sailors more confidence in the areas they’re strongest in and an awareness of where they can improve.
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Name: OS2 Mariel Jamilla Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii Favorite thing about the Navy: Visiting different ports. Message to the crew: Always remember where you came from. Favorite food: Chicken Curry Favorite movie: The Notebook