USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71 )
ROUGH RIDER November 26, 2017
IN THIS EDITION TR Celebrates Thanksgiving C h i l l i n ' w i t h A . C o ro n a
The Corporal Course
CONTENTS
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM Andrew Frederick
Sailors pray before Thanksgiving dinner on the mess decks. Photo by MC3 Rachael Treon.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Cmdr. Beth Teach
Life Skills CRMD teaches skills that go beyond the Navy
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'We' Is All We Have Rough Riders celebrate Thanksgiving aboard the Big Stick
ASST. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. j.g. Brittany Stephens SENIOR EDITORS MCCS Misty Flynn MCC Jay Pugh EDITORS MC1 Michael Russell MC1 John Hetherington MC2 Jason Pastrick MC3 Alex Perlman
Chillin' with A. Corona Get to know TR's Assistant First Lt.
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Rating on the Radar Pg.16
COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Carlos A. Sardiello EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. Fred Goldhammer
On the Cover
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STAFF
What it's like to be a Hull Maintenance Technician
h t 6 2 r e b m e v Sunday, No
ROUGH RIDER STAFF MC3 Alex Corona MC3 Jimmi Lee Bruner MC3 Robyn Melvin MC3 Anthony Rivera MC3 Spencer Roberts MC3 Rachael Treon MM3 Andrew Langholf MCSN Michael Colemanberry
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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Bettering yourself with 'Life Skills' Photo and Story by MCSN Michael Colemanberry USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
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ife at sea can be a rewarding experience that gives Sailors the opportunity to travel to new places and meet new people. However, deployment can also present new hardships for those aboard, which can lead to stress and anxiety. For the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), the Command Religious Ministry Department (CRMD) offers Life Skills class to provide support to those facing obstacles. Life Skills classes address a variety of challenges that deployed Sailors and Marines may be facing. While those aboard Roosevelt may have heard of this class, they may not be aware of what it offers. “When we become adults, we need another set of skills beyond those we learn early in life, such as communication or how to manage emotions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Reinel Castro, a TR chaplain. “Life Skills helps to develop those skills to be successful in life.” Castro added that Life Skills goes beyond the basics that Sailors may expect from the course. He asks his students what they want to learn from the course, whether it be how to deal with stress, finances, emotions or issues back home, providing assistance on an individual level. “The classes are more than just a requirement to fulfill or a signature on a form,” said Castro. “Let
us talk about your issues. Let us talk about your challenges. Let us talk about your future, not just here in the Navy, but beyond the Navy as well.” Life Skills is meant to not only give Sailors the tools to handle challenges presented to them, but overcome the challenges in the first place. The course provides support that Sailors may need at an early stage. “One of the core values that Life Skills conveys is to take what the student views in themselves as an asset versus what they have that can be a deficit,” said Lt. Stephen Warfield, a TR chaplain. “Life Skills provides the skills and tools to build those deficits so that they may become an asset.” Warfield said that Sailors may sometimes be in a situation that they can not control, but Life Skills can provide the tools to help them navigate the situation. “Our ultimate goal is to help people to better themselves,” said Castro. “In their careers or emotionally, to deal with problems and issues.” The Life Skills course is offered to all aboard Roosevelt. Classes are held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the theater next to the ship’s chapel. Stress and anxiety come in many different forms and help is always available through CRMD, which can be reached at J-dial 6642, or through the TR SharePoint. 3
This Week in Review
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1. An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, prepares to land on the flight deck. Photo by MC3 Spencer Roberts. 2. Seaman Jasmine Lutzi handles line during a fueling-at-sea. Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin. 3. AD2 Ashley Arns, assigned to the Battlecats of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, applies sealant to a gasket of an MH-60R Seahawk. Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin. 4. EM3 Breanna Richardson congratulates EMFN Shaunakaye Simms on her advancement to petty officer third class. Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin.
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5. AWS3 Mackenzie Gibson loads ammunition for a GAU-21 .50-caliber machine gun on an MH-60S Sea Hawk assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera. 6. Lt. Pamela Rakoski, left, and HM2 Nicholas Forsythe transport a patient during a medical drill. Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin. 7. Sailors and Marines run during a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K on the flight deck. Photo by MC3 Rachael Treon.
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'W E' IS AL L WE HAVE Sailors and Marines celebrate Thanksgiving Story by MC3 Anthony Rivera with each other aboard the Big Stick
USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
Culinary Specialists and Food Service Attendants pose for a group photo with CMDCM Andrew Frederick. Photo by MC3 Anthony Rivera.
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s the leaves changed color and the turkey thawed, a different type of Thanksgiving day parade made its way across the Indian Ocean. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) celebrated Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, while deployed. The celebration included holiday-themed meals, leadership serving the crew and contributions from departments at all levels. “If I could jump in the kitchen and cook, I would totally do it,” said Senior Chief Quartermaster Betty Moreno, vice president of the Chiefs Mess, and native of San Jose, Ca. “The least we can do is go in there and just serve.” Moreno has served 16 years in the U.S. Navy,
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10 of those years spent away from home during Thanksgiving. “For some Sailors, this is their first time being away from home and dealing with those emotions,” said Moreno. “I felt that once upon a time, but after 10 times of being away I know what to expect and how to handle those emotions.” One way Moreno challenges those emotions is by easing the stress and sadness that can affect the crew. “That’s my way, and the Chiefs Mess way, of helping out,” said Moreno. “We care about you guys more than you think and this is a day for us to come THANKSGIVING continued on page 8
CWO5 William Duka adds whipped cream to pumpkin pies in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by MC3 Jimmi Lee Bruner.
CS2 Pan Phau prepares bread rolls for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by MC3 Robyn Melvin.
Chief petty officers serve Sailors and Marines during Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by MC3 Spencer Roberts.
Chief petty officers serve Thanksgiving dinner to Sailors and Marines on the mess decks. Photo by MC3 Rachael Treon.
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THANKSGIVING continued from page 6
together and just be human beings.” Human beings with a lot on their plate, according to Master Chief Culinary Specialist Andre Harris, food service division leading chief petty officer and native of Kansas City, Mo. Harris revealed the staggering amount of food and days of preparation that went into a Thanksgiving meal of this scale. With 360 pounds of smoked pig, 1,800 pounds of roasted turkey, 1,780 pounds of ribeye roast and 600 pounds of honey glazed ham, the galley enlisted the help of several officers, warrant officers, master chief petty officers and senior chief petty officers to get the job done.
This was truly an all hands effort as described by Harris. “Everybody plays a role in making this ship run,” said Moreno. “It’s okay to take that moment and tell a fellow shipmate, ‘thank you for what you do.’ That day is a day to stop, pause and thank one another for what we do for each other on board the ship.” According to Moreno, conversations reveal how much in common Sailors embarked together truly have, and days like Thanksgiving are an opportunity to connect and learn more about the Navy family each Sailor raised their right hand to become a part of. “Don’t forget where you came from,” said Moreno. “It’s Thanksgiving and we have to come together and enjoy this holiday because ‘we’ is all we have.”
Capt. Carlos Sardiello, commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), talks to Sailors on the aft mess decks. Photo by MC1 Michael Russell.
Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman Luz Vandorn puts whipped cream on cheesecake. Photo by MC3 Spencer Roberts.
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CSSN Wenjian Shi sculpts a watermelon in the galley for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by MC3 Joseph Yu.
CNO Message to the Fleet: Be Ready to Earn Title of Best Navy in World -Adm. John Richardson
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to run our teams through their paces. We need to do the he United States Navy has over 100 ships proper planning - planning for the best case, planning forward deployed, that includes three Carrier for the worst case. We need to do the practice to that Strike Groups with their Air Wing, two plan so that we do the sets and reps as a team and then Amphibious Ready Groups, and over we need to execute to that plan. sixteen attack and SSBN By planning, practicing, and submarines. We've got "There are a lot of navies out there vying executing, we'll make sure our SEAL Teams and SEALs for the title of best in the world and we teams are ready. deployed fighting Isis and counterterrorism across need to come to work every day ready to Finally, as your CNO I need Africa in the Middle East. to back you up 100% and I earn that title of best Navy in the world." This is a global Navy. will. I will make sure that you This is the best Navy in the get the resources you need and world – the United States Navy - but I'll tell you what, I want to crush every obstacle that stands between you the competition is on. There are a lot of navies out there and being the best Sailor that you can be. Let me know vying for the title of best in the world and we need to what I can do to enable you to do that. come to work every day ready to earn that title of best I'm here on the USS Gridley DDG 101 in Everett, Navy in the world. How can you do that? Washington. It was captain Gridley who got the order As individual Sailors, we've got to know how to from Admiral Dewey to fire when ready. We need to be fight our ships. We have to know how to run our watch ready to execute that order. We need to be ready to fire stations for normal, combat, and casualty conditions. on command. That's the way we're going to stay the best As team leaders and especially as commanders we need Navy in the world. Let's get to it. 9
AD2 Donovan Vassey, left, and ADAN Kenny Valdivia replace the engine nozzle vein assembly on an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 113, in the hangar bay. Photo by MC3 Alex Perlman.
Chillin' with
A. Corona
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ife in the inner city, in the ‘90s, was wild,” said Lt. j.g. David King, Assistant First Lt. (AFL), assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). “I grew up in a bad area of Camden, New Jersey, but my family and I made the best of it.” King said that his mom raised him and his little brother and did well despite the realities of the environment. After years of running with the wrong crowd, his brother was sentenced to life in prison, his mother moved away and King struck out on his own. “I enrolled at Stockton State University, but after a year my son was on the way, and that changed everything,” said King. “Having my son was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me at the time.” King said that he moved back home to provide for his son, but started making risky decisions. After a few close calls and many of his friends passing away around him, King knew he needed a change. “Honestly, the Navy was a last resort, but before you knew it I was in a recruiter’s office,” said King. “I didn’t tell a soul and three days later I was in boot camp as an undesignated E-1 in April of 2000.” Once he was out in the fleet, he experienced a sense of freedom he never felt before and found options he never knew were available to him. “It was a different time in the Navy,” said King. “There were less requirements and I could really experience what it was like to be a Sailor.”
Photo and Story by MC3 Alex Corona USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
King felt as though being in deck department wasn’t for him. He tried to strike out of deck on several occasions. “My captain at the time, who was a former boatswain’s mate himself, said that if I took the BM3 exam and failed, he would sign off for me to get the rate of my choosing,” said King. “I took the test, passed it, and since then I haven’t looked back.” King said that the turning point in his career happened when he went to Norfolk, Virginia, and was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 2. He met people in leadership positions at that command who walked and talked like he did. “It was the first time in my career that I saw people like me who were officers and chiefs,” said King. “They understood my background and I knew I wanted to sit at that table.” King went on to serve as a detailer in Millington, Tennessee, where he earned his anchors and became a Chief Boatswain’s Mate. He was then selected for the limited duty officer program. “Once I became an officer, I went to USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) as the Ship’s Bos’n from 2014 through 2017,” said King, “I was then selected to be the AFL here on TR. This was a path I never saw myself taking back when I was thinking about striking out of deck.”
King wants junior Sailors to know that they have to find some way to balance the stress and being away from family while deployed. Working out and finding a routine helped King find his balance. “Having events like the Turkey Trot is cool for Sailors to get out there and let off some steam, especially between port visits,” said King. “I have done a Turkey Trot for nine of the past 11 years.”
King said aside from the Turkey Trot being a holiday tradition for him for over a decade now, it is the holiday memories that make him smile. King said wants the crew to know that even though they will be missing out on time with their family, to stay strong, make the most of this time, and in no time they will be back with their loved ones. 13
CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP IN THE
CORPORAL COURSE Photo and Story by MM3 Andrew Langholf USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs Sailors and Marines practice sword and guidon movements. Photo by MM3 Andrew Langholf.
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enior enlisted leadership assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 are teaching the Marine Corps Corporal Leadership Course aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN) 71, from Nov. 15 to Dec. 6. The course, a requirement for E4s in the Marine Corps, will be offered three times during deployment, which makes an ideal setting for focused training. For the first time, VMFA 312 invited TR Sailors to participate. “The goal of having Sailors enrolled in Marine Corps training is to share leadership ideas and philosophy that will benefit those they serve now and throughout their careers,” said Sgt. Maj. Marcus Fleming, director of the Marine Corps Corporal Leadership Course. “It doesn’t matter what rating or military occupational specialty they hold, either. The courses are simply designed to cultivate leaders.” The three-week course prepares future leaders for success. The curriculum includes physical conditioning, nutrition education, sword and guidon drill training, weapons handling, and mentorship fundamentals. From war fighting techniques to acceptable social media behavior, each lesson has an important role to play in today’s military. “It’s good to have Sailors in the course because we are giving them a little insight of what we do in the
Marines so they can take that back and focus it into training their junior Sailors, which in turn helps joint operations,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Nicholson. “The more we integrate ourselves jointly, the better we will be in the future, fighting wars against the enemy.” With such a wide variety of classes being offered, there are 19 instructors devoted to teach for the duration of the course. Each instructor provides a unique perspective and attitude on topics covered. “I love being able to pass on what I’ve learned from the Marines, and being able to share that insight and knowledge with our future leaders,” said Sgt. Gregory Pressley. “This training gives the foundation of what it takes to become a good leader and helps to instill discipline to train accurately.” For TR Sailors participating in this course with their Marine shipmates, the lessons offer a unique leadership perspective that many Sailors do not get the chance to experience. “It’s really cool to experience the culture of the Marines firsthand,” said ET3 Christian House. “I’ve learned how to lead and execute commands. This course helped me become an all-around better military member.” Junior enlisted Marines also shared their experiences after attending the leadership course with Sailors. “I enjoy it. They get to see what we do versus what
Gunnery Sgt. John Rotellini fireman carries Staff Sgt. Brian Gustafson. Photo by MC3 Alex Corona.
Sailors and Marines attend the Corporal Course. Photo by MM3 Andrew Langholf.
they do, and experience the traditions unique to being a Marine,” said Cpl. Krystal Coloma. “We learn from each other. Marines and Sailors have different ways of training, but at the end of the day we share a common goal.” The next Corporal Leadership Course is slated for December, with dates to be determined. Any third class petty officers interested in attending a future course should express interest to their chain of command and keep an eye on e-mail traffic for updates.
Sailors and Marines practice sword and guidon movements. Photo by MM3 Andrew Langholf.
Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Pegues instructs Sailors and Marines on proper sword and guidon movements. Photo by MM3 Andrew Langholf.
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R a t i n g on the R a d a r
Hull Maintenance Technician Photo and Story by MC3 Robyn Melvin USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
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he Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) rating was created by merging the Metalsmith, Pipefitter and Shipfitter ratings, according to the Navy’s official website. The combination of many ratings makes the duties and responsibilities of an HT very diverse. “You need an open mind because you never know what jobs you’re going to get,” said HTC Bryan Abbot, leading chief petty officer of repair division. “You can go from installing and maintaining plumbing systems to sheet metal and wood-working projects.” Abbot said that important characteristics of HTs are good vision and memory, manual dexterity and resourcefulness. HTs are also trained to work with various hand tools, metal-forming equipment and cutting machines. “As an HT, I get great hands-on experience which could qualify me for high-paying welding jobs outside of the Navy,” said HTFN Alexis Rivero. “Each day I learn new ways to create and design anything I want.” Abbot and Rivero agree that the biggest reward of being an HT is the satisfaction of creating something from raw material. “It may be a thankless job at times,” said Rivero, “but knowing that everything I am tasked with affects the integrity of the ship gives me pride in my work and makes me want to do my job the best that I can.”
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WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S EDITION OF
HEAD HUNTERS
A THEODORE ROOSEVELT COMIC BY MC3 JIMMI LEE BRUNER
MALE HEAD
NAME: BULLY, SEAMAN THE NEXT HEAD HAD REAL CHARM. BULLY SEEMED A LITTLE DISPLEASED WITH A FEW STALLS. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS AN OPTION.
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SE
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SEAMAN BULLY IS LOOKING FOR A HEAD THAT IS TETANUS FREE, CLOSE TO HIS WORK, WITH TOILET PAPER, AND RUNNING WATER.
THIS HEAD WAS IN BULLY‛S PRICE RANGE BUT HE EXPRESSED CONCERN WITH THE SECURED SIGN, SO WE‛RE GOING TO THE NEXT HEAD.
BULLY ENDED UP GOING WITH THE HEAD NEAR HIS BERTHING. IN THE END, HE SAID HAVING WATER WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. REALLY HOT WATER.
Name: MMN3 Luis Colonacosta
Hometown: Orlando Favorite thing about the Navy: The port calls Message to the crew: Everything will be better after ORSE Favorite food: Pepperoni pizza Favorite movie: Deadpool