DECEMBER 8, 2013
USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) VOL 4 ISSUE 21
The Battle of
Wake Island ay Leno JGives Thanks, Welcomes Military Ranks
Tuning Up for Some Jingle Bell Rock
Preparing for the Next Level
Q&A
Montgomery and Post 9/11 G.I. Bill
The “98 Rock” on Wake Island is a memorial for the 98 U.S. POWs, who were forced through slave labor by their Japanese captors to rebuild the airstrip, then were blind-folded and killed by a machine gun, Oct. 5, 1943. An unidentified prisoner escaped and chiseled “98 US PW 5-10-43” on a large, coral rock near their mass grave on Wake Island. The prisoner was recaptured and beheaded by Japanese Rear Adm. Shigematsu Sakaibara, who was later convicted and executed for war crimes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
The Battle of Wake Island
by MCSN Matthew A. Carlyle
PG 2
L
States Naval Base at Pearl ast year, The Harbor, Hawaii. Voice released Though it lasted merely an article 90 minutes, more than 400 Japanese aircraft regarding the attack destroyed 18 ships and on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, killed 2,386 Americans. 1941. This year, to honor West of Pearl Harbor and our Marine brothers across the International and sisters, we wanted Date Line, Marines to highlight a lesserstationed at Wake Island known battle that began were alerted to the attack the same day and cost and ordered to prepare the lives of American for imminent battle. service members and Personnel stationed in contractors. This is a all parts of the wishbonesummary of the Battle of shaped island mobilized Wake Island. for war. In early 1941, with Marines of Marine the shadow of another Fighting Squadron (VMF) world war looming, the 211 readied their 12 F4F-3 United States focused Wildcat fighter jets. Four on protecting its people of the planes took to the air from direct involvement. prior to the raid in order to Despite the U.S. conviction to avoid The U.S. flag is raised over Wake Island on Sept. 4, 1945. This was provide air patrol, a move conflict, tension between the first time the Stars and Stripes had flown over the island since which would be critical to the U.S. and the Empire its capture by the Japanese. Photo courtesy of National Archives the Marines later. Meanwhile, Marines of of Japan mounted. After Japan invaded and occupied the Japanese ambassador to the the 1st Marine Defense Battalion French Indonesia and parts of U.S. began negotiations to amend prepared dugout plane shelters, China, America banned trading of the rift between the two countries. posted sentries and manned oil and supplies with the Empire Meanwhile, Japan secretly planned machine guns and antiaircraft of Japan. military actions against the U.S. guns. The garrison on the island, The U.S. also took measures to significantly weaken America’s to deter Japanese aggression by naval presence and ultimately totaling 450 Marines, was ready to moving the Pacific Fleet base of ensure their dominance in the engage the enemy by midday when lookouts at the island’s southern operation from San Diego to Pearl Pacific. Harbor and constructing military On the morning of Dec. 7, at 7:48 shore watch towers spotted planes bases at the atolls, Midway and a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the emerging from a thick wall of lowWake Island. Imperial Japanese Navy conducted hanging clouds. The sky quickly became The U.S. Secretary of State and a surprise airstrike on the United
blanketed with 36 Japanese Japanese fleet attempted a Mitsubishi G3M3 bombers, or second invasion. Nells, flying at 1,500 feet and The Nells provided cover fire droning like a swarm of angry and bombarded American forces bees toward the small speck of while transport ships of more land. Marine gunners opened than 1,500 Japanese troops fire as the bombers began to crept closer to shore. unleash their assault on the tiny By midday, Japan landed – island. and soon captured the atoll and Despite damaging 12 of the all remaining U.S. personnel. Nells, the Marine squadron and During the 15-day battle, the battalion suffered significant American forces lost 47 Marines, casualties. The eight grounded three Sailors and 10 civilians. Wildcats were destroyed and 23 The Japanese forces suffered Marines were killed by the end of significantly greater personnel the first day of fighting. losses, with more than 700 killed. Wrecked U.S. Marine Corps Grumman F4F-3 “Wildcat” fighters of The following day, in a speech After considering America’s Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211) addressing Congress and the steadfast protection of the base Photo courtesy of National Archives nation, President Franklin D. and fearing a counter-attack Roosevelt declared Dec. 7, 1941, “a date repelling the Japanese landing. from the U.S., Japan fortified the atoll’s which will live in infamy” due to the Days later, Japan deployed two defenses to occupy the base for the attacks by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor aircraft carriers for a second attempt to remainder of the war. and Wake Island. capture the atoll. On Sept. 4, 1945, two days after the After the speech, Congress formally In spite of their best efforts, the Wake Empire of Japan surrendered to the declared war against Japan, thrusting Island garrison suffered increasing Allied nations aboard the USS Missouri the United States into World War II. supply and manpower losses as the (BB 63), the remaining Japanese Wake The assault on Pearl Harbor was over, airstrikes continued. Island garrison formally surrendered but the Battle of Wake Island continued Realizing the need to provide relief to a Marine detachment in a ceremony to rage for days and was the first U.S. to the Marines’ dogged but waning aboard destroyer escort USS Levy (DE battle of the war. resistance, the Navy deployed a task 162). Because Japanese bombers targeted force of ships from Pearl Harbor that Col. Walter L.J. Bayler, reportedly the the Wildcats during the first day of included aircraft carrier USS Saratoga last Marine to leave Wake Island before the raid, most of the Marine artillery (CV 3), three heavy cruisers and 10 its capture in 1941, was the first to set remained intact, allowing them to destroyers. foot back on the island to accept the defend the island effectively in the On Dec. 22, after receiving intelligence Japanese surrender. subsequent days of battle. that a convoy including two Japanese Though the Marines at Wake Island On Dec. 11, the squadron’s last four aircraft carriers was near Wake Island, were initially defeated, their gritty Wildcats – which escaped the original the task force was ordered to retreat for defense of the atoll in the first battle destruction by providing air patrol – fear of incurring further casualties to an of the war served as an example of delivered the first Japanese defeat of the already wounded Pacific Fleet. America’s courage in the wake of war, sinking a cruiser and destroyer and Before dawn on Dec. 23, the reinforced disaster and the face of adversity.
PG 3
Tuning Up for Some
Jingle Bell Rock
A
by MCSA James P. Bleyle
s days shorten and the tourists withdraw from the beaches, the holiday season rolls in with winter fog on Naval Air Station North Island. The California holidays are here with decorated palm trees, surfing Santas, and Carl Vinson’s Holiday Party. That’s where Rebekah McKoy, Carl Vinson’s afloat recreation specialist, or “Fun Boss”, comes in. Along with McKoy, the members of Carl Vinson’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Division have been like Christmas elves prepping for the big day. “It takes a lot of planning to set up the holiday party,” said McKoy. “We’ve spent $130,000 on this event already, so we need to make sure that money is well-spent. We plan out what the prizes are and how we present them. We also plan out the timeline of the party, such as how long the band plays and when the meals need to be ready.” McKoy is not alone in the massive task of planning a gala for nearly 1500 people; MWR representatives from around the ship formed a holiday committee to help plan the event. “All of the MWR representatives got together and some of them volunteered to be a part of the holiday committee,” said MWR Committee Vice President, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Elizabeth Mongkhonvilay assigned to Air Department‘s V-3 Division. Mongkhonvilay was in charge of organizing the committee. Every detail of the party underwent careful scrutiny from McKoy and the holiday committee. “We just finished a tasting, which is my favorite part of the planning process,” McKoy said. “We got to taste all the different options for the party’s meal. The caterers present us with choices, and the committee and I tried to decide what we think the crew would like best when it came to the main course and the dessert. With 1,400 people expected to attend, we had a lot to consider.” Feeding that many people can get expensive, but McKoy has managed to keep ticket prices down. “At ticket prices as low as $20, this party is a really good deal,”
PG 4
Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SW/AW) Cynthia Toole purchases her command holiday ticket from AOAN Bradley Goodwin, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) representative. Photo by MC2 (SW) Megan L. Catellier
said McKoy. “The meals alone are $60 a plate, and we’re also giving away goodie bags with mementos.” In addition to choosing good food and entertainment, McKoy had to decide on several big-ticket prizes to raffle off during the evening. She began the process by polling the holiday party committee. “We picked out potential prizes at our own discretion, finding things that we liked,” Mongkhonvilay said. “Then we submitted a list to the Fun Boss detailing what we found and where we found it, and she went out and bought it.” Each ticket to the party automatically enters you into a drawing to win more than 400 prizes, including a car, iPads, 50-inch televisions, and three-day passes to Disney World and Knott’s Berry Farm. “The most stressful part of setting up the party is trying to please everybody. Different people like different things,” McKoy said. The hardest decision McKoy and the holiday party committee made was choosing the entertainment. “For example, we have some Sailors that want a live band, while others want a DJ. In the end, we decided on both,” said McKoy. Despite the high stress of setting up the event, McKoy says she enjoys getting caught up in the holiday spirit. “I love watching the looks on people’s faces when it all comes together on the night of the party,” McKoy said. “For them it’s just an awesome party; they don’t really realize the crazy amount of little individual things that add up to it.” “Last year was my first Christmas spent away from my family,” said Personnel Specialist Seaman Joseph Heller, transfers clerk for Administration Department’s X-3 Division. “It was really special to see everyone from the ship come together and celebrate as a Navy family. People that I had only ever known as first class petty officers were there in a more relaxed state. It was really fun.” Heller urges his shipmates to attend. “I am absolutely going again this year. You almost have to show up. If MWR does something like this for us, then why not go? It’s this huge, orchestrated event that is just for us.”
PG 5
A
Jay
eno L Gives Thanks,
Welcomes Military Ranks by MC3 Curtis D. Spencer
PG 6
yearly invitation to The Tonight Show, hosted by Jay Leno, is one tradition service members in the California area have been fortunate to partake in for years. This year’s All Military Thanksgiving Show was a finale in the tradition as Leno will leave the Tonight Show later this year. Carl Vinson sent 45 Sailors to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) studios Nov. 27 for the taping, followed by an early Thanksgiving dinner. “I love variety shows,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kelly Eubanks, an air control technician lead assigned to combat system’s CS6 radar navigation division. “I was really excited to see what the night had in store for us from the moment I heard I was selected to attend.” The Tonight Show Band opened the show and played Jay Leno to the stage. “Jay Leno is hilarious,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Justin Gates, a baker assigned to Supply Department’s S-2 Division. “I have never been to a live show before and I really enjoyed the band and jokes.” Guests for the show included pop singer Christina Aguilera and comedian Jay Mohr. “I am a big fan of Christina Aguilera,” said Electronic Technician 3rd Class (SW) Leonidas Liriano, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technician for Combat Systems Department’s CS6 Division. “I have been a fan since her debut; she is just as beautiful in person as she is on TV!” Following Aguilera’s interview, Mohr was introduced to the audience, immediately starting a banter with Jay Leno. “Christina Aguilera’s presence was electrifying, but Jay Mohr really stole the show with his humor; he was hilarious,” said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class (SW) Michael A. Love, work center supervisor for Combat Systems
Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show, presents himself to the military audience. Photo courtesy of NBC Studios
Department’s CS8 Division. The show ended with a performance by Aguilera who sang her popular song “Candy Man.” “Christina has an amazing voice,” Liriano said. “She picked the perfect song to sing on a night with military in the crowd.” Once the show came to an end, Leno stayed and shook hands with the studio audience and posed for photographs. After the meet and
greet, service members were treated to a Thanksgiving dinner inside NBC Studios. The spread was organized by Leno to thank service members for their sacrifices. “The dinner was awesome,” Eubanks said. “The turkey was delicious, the cranberry sauce was wonderful and the desserts were great. It was a really nice and I am very thankful to have had this opportunity.” Carl Vinson service members left
with more than a full stomach, though. “Jay Leno has an appreciation for the military and that is really cool,” said Division Officer Lt. David Yi of Dental Department. “It was great to see all branches of the military sitting together, away from our operational environments, able to just enjoy the show. I am grateful to our command for giving us this unique opportunity and to Jay Leno for acknowledging the sacrifices made by service members.”
PG 7
around
PG 8
Preparing for the Next Level “
the
Y
by MC3 Curtis D. Spencer
VINSON
ou always want to push for that next qualification,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Adam Torres, assistant leading petty officer for Supply Department’s S-8 Division. “If you want to better yourself and further your career you need to show leadership and demonstrate that you can perform the duties of the next pay grade. If you can do something that is going to benefit you, then you should.” Torres is a Sailor who practices what he preaches. In August, he set out to to qualifiy as Officer of the Deck (OOD) In Port, a position only held by chiefs and officers. “On an aircraft carrier it’s uncommon for an E-6 to have this qual,” Torres said. “I wanted to show that I am doing things to demonstrate that I can succeed.” When Torres arrived to the command in March, he secured his messenger of the watch, petty officer of the watch and junior officer of the deck qualifications. “After I got the prerequisites completed I talked to my leading chief petty officer and requested permission to seek my OOD qual,” Torres said. After getting permission, Torres stood nine watches under instruction in order to get the Personnel Qualification Standard signed off. “ He then stood an initial board, where he was challenged regarding basic expectations of the OOD, followed by a final board. “They asked me questions about the general duties of the OOD like log entries and bell-ringing procedures,” said Torres. “In my final board they covered mostly scenario-based information.” Torres said a Sailor must be knowledgeable about the Navy, the ship, and ship instructions in order to be the OOD. “For example, if the OOD needed to provided honors to a high-ranking officer, he or she would need to know a few details about the individual’s service, rank and position in command in order to ring them aboard properly,” Torres said. When he began the qualification process, Torres knew it would be a complex training period, but he was driven to develop and demonstrate his leadership abilities. “It took me two and a half months to get qualified and it was worth it,” Torres said. “It’s something I knew I could do. I want to reach out and attain all possible qualifications so I can get to the next level.”
PG 9
Q&A with
PS1
Suarez
Montgomery and Post 9/11 G.I. Bill by MCSA Matthew A. Carlyle
S
ailors can benefit greatly from the experience they earn over their Navy career. They have the potential to develop a strong work ethic and learn skills to benefit them throughout their lives. Once separated, a Sailor may find the civilian workforce sometimes requires more than just a strong, capable person. By 2018, it is estimated that 60 percent of job openings will require a college education. In order for veterans to maximize their post-military success, the military offers The Montgomery and Post 9/11 G.I. bills.
PG 10
Q: What is the Montgomery G. I. Bill? A: The MGIB is available to enlisted military service members. They enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed at least 36 months, or equivalent, of active duty service. Q: What is the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill? A: It is a program open to active duty service members with an honorable discharge who enlisted on or after Sept. 10, 2001 that covers the cost of college tuition and fees. Q: What are the benefits of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill? A: It gives users a monthly housing allowance and $1,000 per year toward books and supplies. The housing allowance depends on the cost of living in the state they are attending school. Q: How long do Sailors have after their discharge date to use their G.I. Bill benefits? A: Once they separate from the Navy, Sailors have 10 years to use their MGIB or Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. Q: Is it possible to use either the MGIB or Post 9/11 G.I. Bill while a service member is serving on active duty? A: Yes, Sailors with either bills can use them while on active duty. Visit www.gibill.va.gov for more details. Also, if a Sailor with the MGIB has exhausted their tuition assistance (TA), they can also take advantage of the “BuyUp” program and contribute an additional $600 to the MGIB. In exchange, during any month the Sailor is using their MGIB, the service member will receive an additional $150 per month which they can use toward school or living expenses. Q: Is one G.I. Bill more beneficial than the other? A: It depends on the individual and their circumstances. If a service member is enrolled in the MGIB, they have the option to switch to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill if they find it more beneficial. Q: How does someone switch from one G.I. Bill to the other? A: You can switch from the MGIB to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill by submitting an application for the change at VA.gov but you will only be allowed to use the unused entitlement of the MGIB. However, once you have switched, you cannot revert back. Inversely, if a service member initially enrolled in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and has not paid into the MGIB then they are not able to switch. Q: What is an example of why someone would switch from the MGIB to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill? A: If a person was living in an area with a high cost of living, like New York, utilizing the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill might be more beneficial because it provides a housing allowance. Q: How does a military member get the $1,200 they paid into the MGIB back if they switch to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill? A: You get your $1,200 back once you have used your Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. You will receive the repayment via direct
deposit from Veteran’s Assistance (VA). Q: What is the highest level of college degree the G.I. Bill’s will cover? A: The G.I. Bills will pay for a service member to receive their associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees depending on the level of education at the time the G.I. Bill is initiated. They do not cover doctor of Philosophy (PHD) or doctorate degrees at this time. Q: How many classes can someone using a G.I. Bill take in a semester? A: An individual may take as many classes as they can handle. Q: What schools will the G.I. Bills cover? A: Both bills allow the applicant to attend any college that has been accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE). Both allow veterans to attend a trade school, such as welding or an automotive school. The MGIB on the other hand will also cover online schools. Q: What happens if a person fails a class while utilizing either G.I. Bill? A: Unlike Tuition Assistance (TA), they will not need to repay the money for the class not successfully completed. Members will still continue to receive the benefits of their selected program; however, they will not be able to take the class again utilizing their benefits. Q: Does either G.I. Bill cover a service member’s family? A: Only the 9/11 G.I Bill allows service members to share benefits with family members as long as the member meets the enlistment requirement. The member must have four years left on their enlistment when the benefits are shared with their dependents. Q: What other programs, in addition to the G.I. Bills, should Sailors be aware of? A: They should be aware of the Tuitions Assistance (TA) program, the Navy College Program For Afloat College Program (NCPACE) which starts aboard Carl Vinson in January, the College Equivalency Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). It is best for Sailors to knock-out as much of their education as possible using these methods before utilizing a G.I. Bill because they are of no cost to the service member. Q: If someone decided not to take advantage of either G.I. Bill at the beginning of their enlistment, what is the process for signing up? A: If you declined the G.I. Bill at the beginning of your enlistment, there is currently no way to sign up. Q: Where can someone find additional information about either G.I. Bill? A: Sailors can make an appointment in Personnel, they can look at the VA website at VA.gov, or they can call 1-800827-1000 for VA educational assistance.
PG 11
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DIALOGUES
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D E C K P L A T E
“I want a million dollars or to see my family, whichever comes first.”
CARL VINSON CINEMA
NOW PLAYING
ITSN Derrick Hay
LTJG TREVOR DAVIDS Assistant Public Affairs Officer
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF MCCS (SW/AW) MONICA HOPPER Media Leading Chief Petty Officer
MCC (AW/SW/EXW) DAVID CRAWFORD
MEDIA DEPARTMENT
“going home to Pickyune, Miss.”
LCDR KYLE RAINES Public Affairs Officer
Media Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer
JUNIOR EDITORS
AN (AW) Taneiqua Malden
MC1 (SW/AW) RYAN TABIOS MC2 (SW) MEGAN L. CATELLIER
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DC2 (SW) Ricardo Broughton
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“I want to be home for Christmas this year because I have duty.”
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What do you want for Christmas this year?
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