SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) VOL 4 ISSUE 14
Ombudsmen: Support In Port and Out
Q&A Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
senior Sailor of the Quarter ABH1 (AW/SW) Ezekial Clifton
Naval Operations,
Arriving!
Naval Operations, Arriving!
by MCSA James P. Bleyle
S
CNO VISIT
ideboys line the quarterdeck, stoic in their whites in the important moments before the delegation’s arrival. The ensign flutters in the cross breeze passing through the hangar bay as the boatswain’s pipe blasts a note in the stillness to announce their arrival. The People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA(N)] Commander in Chief Adm. Wu Shengli and a delegation of Chinese officers escorted by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert visited Carl Vinson Monday. The U.S. visit was Wu’s first since 2007, a visit which coincided with the arrival of three ships from the PLA(N) on Friday at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The visit was part of a larger diplomatic effort between the two naval leaders to further improve international maritime relationships. Greenert and Wu were greeted on the quarterdeck by Capt. Kent Whalen, Carl Vinson’s commanding officer, where Whalen and Wu exchanged pleasantries through the aid of a translator. Whalen led the group on a tour of mission critical ship’s spaces over the course of a few hours. “It is a rare privilege to welcome aboard such distinguished guests,” Whalen said. “To have not only our own chief of naval operations, but Adm. Wu from the People’s Republic of China as well is truly an honor. I’m pleased and excited some of our terrific Sailors had the opportunity to engage with them both.” The delegation toured the waist launch control room, combat direction center (CDC), arresting gear operations room, crew’s mess and medical wards, where junior and senior enlisted Sailors demonstrated their work center’s professionalism, high-quality standards and the critical functions they perform every day. “I was really looking forward to seeing the delegation visit my work center,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class (AW/SW) Miguel Scatliffe, the waist catapult leading petty officer. “In my 12 years in the Navy, I’ve never had the opportunity to meet any of the CNOs, much less the CNO from China.” After arrival, the delegation rode Aircraft Elevator One up to the flight deck, where they split up into two groups. Wu and Greenert first went to the waist launch control room where Scatliffe briefly explained aircraft catapult operations to Wu and his delegation. “I presented our rotary traction engine and the central charging panel here in catapult three,” Scatliffe said. “Then I briefed them on how we do catapult operations onboard Carl Vinson. It felt good to have both CNOs in my space and to be able to demonstrate the pride I
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have in my work. I think it’s good that our countries are cutting down boundaries. I feel like our military leaders are taking steps toward a better future.” Whalen then led the group to the CDC. “I gave the Chinese CNO a brief overview of the primary functions and responsibilities of the officer and enlisted watch teams in Carl Vinson’s CDC, and also talked about the secondary functions of the CDC,” said Master Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Kevin Guy, CDC’s leading chief petty officer. “Anything I can do to support national objectives and strengthen ties with foreign nationals is something that fills me with pride. We are obligated as Sailors to help support the command in completing the mission at hand.” Wu’s tour included medical department spaces, which were presented by Cmdr. Christopher Orsello (Flight Surgeon/FMF), medical department’s senior medical officer. “It was a tremendous and historic experience,” Orsello said. “The whole department was excited about it. They were very interested in how we respond to medical emergencies as they happen around the ship, because it is so large. It was a great privilege to field questions that pertained to aircraft carrier medicine, which is practiced by both countries.” Wu and Greenert also met with chief petty officers to discuss the important role senior enlisted perform in the U.S. Navy. Following a question-and-answer session on the differences and similarities between the two navies, Capt. Whalen hosted a lunch in the wardroom in honor of Adm. Wu. “It filled me with a great sense of pride to see our Sailors intelligently and passionately present their work centers and explain their work to both CNOs,” said Carl Vinson’s Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Jeffrey Pickering. “It really spoke to Carl Vinson’s high standard of excellence.” The diplomatic visit was one of many to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commands in the San Diego area and supports the goals of both military leaders to establish clear paths of communication, encourage transparency and trust, mitigate risks, and focus multilateral cooperative efforts to address common regional and global security challenges. The visit is also especially important as PLA(N) accepted an invitation to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC) 2014 earlier this year. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC is held every two years and will include more than 20 nations in 2014.
People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA(N)] Commander in Chief Adm. Wu Shengli is introduced to senior enlisted by Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Jeffrey Pickering. Photo by MC3 (SW) George M. Bell
Chief Warrant Officer Kathryn Thompson, Carl Vinson’s Food Service Officer, speaks to Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert on the ship’s mess decks. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA(N)] Commander in Chief Adm. Wu Shengli, left, transits the flight deck with Carl Vinson’s Commanding Officer Capt. Kent Whalen, right. Photo by MC3 (SW) George M. Bell
People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA(N)] officials greet Sailors on the mess decks. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
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An EA-18G Growler from the Vikings of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 prepares to land on the flight deck. Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) John P. Wagner
Sailors disassemble the jackstaff on the flight deck. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
Air department Sailors observe flight operations from vulture’s row. Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) John P. Wagner
Sailors prepare to cast off a line in a sponson. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
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AROUND
Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Bryan Fuentez mans a sound-powered phone on a sponson. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
Sailors observe San Diego Bay from the fantail. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Marquis Clark directs a C-2 Greyhound, from the Providers of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 on the flight deck. Photo by MC3 Dean M. Cates
VINSON
THE
An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Strike Squadron (VFA) 122 lands on the flight deck. Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) John P. Wagner Aircraft conduct Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications on the flight deck. Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) John P. Wagner
Sailors man an M2 .50 caliber machine gun on the faintail. Photo by MC3 Scott Fenaroli
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Senior Sailor of the
QUARTER
ith almost 14 years of Naval service, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Ezekial Clifton has made a career out of a what started as just a change of pace. The Los Angeles native was attending college pursuing his architectural degree when he realized it wasn’t the right path for him. “I realized I hated math,” Clifton said with a laugh. “I wanted to do something new because I felt like it wasn’t going anywhere. That’s when I decided to join the Navy.” Since joining the Navy on Sept. 27, 1999, Clifton has rolled with the changes and never looked back. He married his wife, Amy, shortly before he decided to reenlist for the first time and then decided to make a career out of the Navy when his son Brady was born five years ago. “When it comes to those life-changing events, you reassess what you want to do,” Clifton said. “I didn’t plan on being in as long as I have been but I wanted to take care of the family, and I’ve been successful. You should continue to do what you’re good at, so I kept going.” Clearly Clifton is good at what he’s doing; he was selected as Carl Vinson’s Senior Sailor of the Quarter (SSOQ) 3rd Quarter 2013. Clifton said he doesn’t measure his success by personal accolades, but rather by the successes of the more than 90 Sailors he leads day-in and day-out as air department’s V-3 division leading petty officer (LPO). “In order for me to deserve an award, I need to be producing results as an LPO,” Clifton said. “Those results
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A KI ZE )E ABH1 (AW/SW
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by MCSA Matthew A. Carlyle
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CL IFT O
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V-3 T DEPARTMEN
come through my Sailors contributing to the command, working efficiently, being on time, getting awards and not getting into trouble. This award is a testament to their work under my leadership. When it comes to the ‘senior Sailor’ part of the award, it’s about how well you lead your Sailors.” As a Sailor who works under Clifton’s leadership, Airman (AW) Anthony Hunt, air department’s V-3 divisional yeoman, said his division’s success starts with the example Clifton sets. “ABH1 Clifton is an exceptional Sailor and a great role model,” Hunt said. “He makes a point of trying to be perfect at everything he does every day. He definitely practices
what he preaches.” His chain of command recognizes the value of Clifton’s leadership as well. Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (AW/SW) Scott Doty, air department’s V-3 division leading chief petty officer (LCPO), said Clifton has had a substantial impact as a leader through his LPO responsibilities and collateral duties as a command fitness leader (CFL) and career counselor for the division. “His drive and motivation as an LPO set the standard for his Sailors,” Doty said. “When it comes to his collateral duties, he knows all the instructions and policies and asks for answers anytime he’s unsure. Those traits make him an outstanding leader.” Clifton strives to set the standard for his Sailors because he wants his division to set the standard for the ship. “The mentors in my career have said, ‘It’s not about you, it’s about your Sailors,’ so I’ve tried to take that approach in building a division,” Clifton said. “When you come by hangar bay 1 in the morning and hear the Sailor’s Creed and see our uniform inspections, I want everyone to know those are my Sailors. I want them to know that’s how a division should be run.” He goes further than pushing the division to succeed as a whole. Clifton takes the time to push each and every one of his individual Sailors to reach their full potential, Hunt said. “He’s like a big brother to the division,” Hunt said. “He’s constantly reminding me to put in for a rate and get my surface warfare pin. He doesn’t just do that for me, but for everyone. He’s always riding people to get this and that because he knows it’ll make our careers better and more opportunities will be available to us.” “The time and extraordinary effort Clifton puts into molding each of his junior Sailors into success stories shows me that he understands the responsibility of leadership. I would like to see him be the Senior Sailor of the Year, become board eligible, and be selected for chief petty officer
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Ezekial Clifton, right, trains Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Xana Billiot, left, on aircraft placement on the Ouija board in hangar deck control. Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) John P. Wagner
one day,” Doty said. It’s a goal Clifton is adamant about reaching in order to show his Sailors and his family how important it is to continue to strive to be the best you can be. “Making chief is a huge benchmark in a Sailor’s career and that’s the goal that’s closest to me,” Clifton said. “I’m excited to hopefully be able to go through the time-honored tradition of becoming a chief. I want to be able to share in that moment with my family because they’ve been there for me this whole.” For a Sailor who’s earned his success by doing what he loves and taking care of Sailors, Clifton is going to continue to let his work speak for itself. “I’m just going to keep taking care of my Sailors,” Clifton said. “I’m going to make sure they continue to get trained and qualified and help them make rank and further their careers. I know if I keep working hard to help them improve it will all pay off in the end.”
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Q&A P S 1
with
Baah
Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses by MC3 Michael H. Lee
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ecent changes in Department of Defense policies and regulations provide a number of member-designated benefits which can now be extended to samesex domestic partners. The Voice met with Personnel Specialist 1st Class Ernest Baah to understand the changes in military benefits and entitlements.
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Q: What is the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)? A: DOMA was passed in 1996 by Congress to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. It also prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, even if they were sanctioned by a state government. Q: What happened with the DOMA on June 26? A: On June 26, the Supreme Court ruled Section Three of DOMA as unconstitutional. Section Three prohibited the federal government from recognizing state-approved samesex marriages for the purpose of federal laws or programs. NAVADMIN 218/13 is a result of the June ruling, and extends benefits to same-sex spouses of military members. The same benefits and entitlements are now available to all spouses of military members regardless of marriage type, with certain exceptions to OCONUS assignments. Q: How will this change affect military families? A: All military families are entitled to the same benefits and entitlements as defined by the Department of Defense and the DOMA with the recent exclusion of Section Three. Q: What are some of the benefits for same-sex marriages? A: Same-sex spouses of military members are authorized to receive basic allowance for housing (BAH), overseas housing allowance, family separation allowance and travel and transportation allowances for permanent change-of-station (PCS) moves. If the same-sex spouse has any children, they can claim them as step-children and register them into the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Healthcare is provided through Tricare, but Tricare does not offer retroactive Tricare prime coverage. Department of Defense ID cards are available to family members as of September 3, 2013, granting them access to military installations, including the Commissary and the Exchange. Q: Are these changes only for active-duty service members? A: The change is across the board. This includes active and reserve, uniformed and retired service members. Q: If you are now eligible, what is the first step to qualify for benefits and entitlements? A: The first step is to determine if the marriage was before or
after June 26, 2013, which is the official back-date. The service member needs to bring an original marriage certificate to verify and update both the service member’s Page 2 and DEERS so family members can receive ID cards. Q: What if a service member lives in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage? A: The command will only update a member’s Page 2 and DEERS based on an official marriage certificate. Therefore, military personnel in a same-sex relationship are granted nonchargeable leave, for up to seven days for CONUS assignments or up to 10 days for OCONUS assignments, to travel to a jurisdiction that allows same-sex marriage. Q: What about overseas assignments? A: When a service member is stationed overseas, the service member is in that country based upon a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the U.S. and a host country. The United States is looking to determine if host nations will expand the SOFA to recognize same-sex marriages, allowing the dependents to enter the foreign country. There is no clear guidance if host nations will allow members in samesex marriages to bring their families. Until these issues are resolved, overseas assignments – excluding U.S. territories – are not authorized for same-sex spouses. Q: Does the change in DOMA modify other instructions? A: All instructions that exclude same-sex marriage will have to change to reflect the new instruction. Q: Are there any other restrictions that remain in place for same-sex marriages? A: So far, only overseas assignments and travel are restricted until host nations agree to recognize same-sex marriages in the SOFA. Q: Which resources are available to same-sex marriage families? A: NAVADMIN 218/13 specifies Navy guidance on same-sex marriages. Command staff and the personnel office are great resources. If there is an issue with the status of a marriage, the legal department is available to assist with questions. Ombudsmen and family readiness groups will also be trained as liaisons between the command and dependents.
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Ombudsmen: Support In Port and Out by MC3 Curtis D. Spencer
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or Sailors, it’s a common-enough experience. Those all-too-brief moments before a deployment, as they take leave of a parent, a spouse, or children for six, seven, even nine months. No matter how diligent the planning, issues can arise, and despite the comprehensive gains made in shipboard communications, outside help may be needed. Carl Vinson Sailors are given that help in the way of five command ombudsmen—Kimberlee Jackson, Terra Johnson, Havilah McMeans, Cami Shaw and Valerie Sloan. These spouses of Sailors within the command have been trained to provide support for the crew and their families, particularly leading up to and during a deployment. “I point families in the right direction,” said Sloan. “As ombudsmen, we are here to provide resources to families in times of need or to answer general questions. We are liaisons between the command and the families.” “We assist with family matters like new births, child care information, or information about the exceptional family member program,” McMeans added. “We provide information on financial assistance available to Sailors and their families. Through our resources we can also help find counseling support, whether it be
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for an individual or a family, and we aid people in following the correct procedure as it pertains to legal matters.” “Additionally, we provide information for Sailors and their family members who are new to the area and need information on housing, schools and what life is like in the San Diego area,” said Jackson. Though different in their personality and approach, all five Carl Vinson ombudsmen share a common purpose, and each stressed the importance of protecting the anonymity of those who seek their assistance. “Our goal is to get the word out about our program and help people,” McMeans said. “We work together and communicate with each other to ensure the best possible outcome. Confidentiality is a primary concern; the information we receive stays within our office.” The ombudsman team said they feel privileged to be able to aid the crew in this capacity. “The Carl Vinson chain of command does a great job promoting this program,” said McMeans. “The CMC for example has been very involved, getting our faces and names out there so that Sailors know who to contact when they are in need. We are also given the opportunity to address all Sailors new to Carl Vinson while they
are in INDOC, so we know they are informed and know how to get their family members on the distribution (DISTRO) list so that we can communicate with them.” Shaw explained why a family member should be put on the email list. “For us to be able to assist a Sailor’s family member directly, their name needs to be put on that DISTRO list. It becomes a list that allows us to see who we are authorized to share information with,” Shaw said. “Once that step is completed, we can send them the command newsletter and answer their specific questions.” Once on the list, those who are in need of direction or assistance – no matter how large or small the issue may be – will find a reliable support system. “It is important for Sailors and their families to know if they have problems or even just questions there is someone they can turn to for help, especially during a deployment when a Sailor is apart from their family,” Johnson said. “We are a direct link to the command, and we help to bridge the gap that develops with the physical separation by being available to their families 24/7. “ Sailors looking for additional information can visit www. VinsonOmbudsman.org.
USS Carl Vinson Command OMBUDSMEN
Cami Shaw
Havilah McMeans Kimberlee Jackson
From: Hamburg, New York
From: Ketchikan, Alaska
From: Hayward, California
Family: Husband, two children, and a third on the way
Military experience: “I was an Aviation Ordnanceman stationed in Japan with VFA-27.”
Family: Husband and triplets
Family: Husband and two children.
Hobbies: “I enjoy being outdoors, visiting Las Vegas, baking, and watching my favorite sports teams.”
Profession: Nurse Hobbies: “My hobbies are traveling, crafts and camping.” Motivation to Volunteer: “I volunteered on the Family Readiness Board for USS Carl Vinson prior to being an ombudsman. During that time I knew I wanted to help more if I could. I wanted to support my husband’s command, Sailors and their families. Navy life can be a hard transition for many, and if I can help others and make that easier, I want to do that.”
Profession: Freelance hairdresser
Profession: Stay-at-home mom
Motivation to Volunteer: “I’ve seen how the Navy Family Ombudsman Program has impacted lives at previous commands Motivation to and I wanted to Volunteer: be a part of the “I am prior enlisted positive force for the and have been a greater good. I enjoy Navy spouse for seven-and-a-half volunteering and this years, so I have a lot of is my way of giving knowledge on being back to the Navy not only a spouse, but community.” about being in the Navy. I just want to help.” Hobbies: “I like to surf, I like to read, and I enjoy spending time with my kids.”
Terra Johnson From: Camano Island, Washington
Valerie Sloan From: Quincy, Massachusetts
Family: Husband and four children
Family: Husband, three children, and a fourth on the way
Profession: Stay-at-home mom
Profession: Works for TEKsystems
Hobbies: “Singing, reading, crafts and going to the beach.”
Hobbies: “Knitting, cooking, relaxing and spending time with my husband and dogs.”
Motivation to Volunteer: “It is how I have always been. Because of that drive to serve, I try to position myself to find where I can help others. I have been a Navy wife for over 17 years. Over the years I have found many opportunities to help my fellow spouses and their families unofficially. When we moved here five months ago, I was hoping to find some way to connect with others and help where needed. When the opportunity to become an ombudsman came up, I took that chance because I saw that I may be able to make a difference.”
Motivation to Volunteer: “I was selected at our last command to serve the families as an ombudsman and I wanted to serve again.”
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DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E
“What impressed you most about the CNO and the People’s Republic of China’s CNO visiting Carl Vinson?” “I got to serve them dinner and it was an honor.”
“It’s great to see our countries come together and take a step on the path of change.”
CS3 Stacey Roberts
AO2 (AW/SW) Marsades Ceasar
“How the whole ship
“It’s good to see
pulled together
two superpower
DPD
and got the ship
countries
looking good for
participate in a
our visitors.”
joint diplomatic
DC3 (SW) Cameron Michalak
PSSN (SW) Urgessa Gemeda
“All the work we did together as a ship in preparation.”
IT1 (IDW/SW) Jacob Leslie
visit.”
“I met our CNO and he was very down-to-Earth and cares about what’s going on with his Sailors.” ABHAN Kiara Bond
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SATURDAY
EXECUTIVE EDITORS
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CAPT. KENT WHALEN Commanding Officer
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0815 Oz the Great and Powerful Fast Times at Ridgemont 1030 Real Steel High 1245 Water for Elephants White House Down 1500 Les Miserables the Time Traveler’s Wife 1745 Indiana Jones & the Last 21 and Over The Adjustment Bureau Crusade 2000 Oz the Great and Powerful 500 Days of Summer 2215 Real Steel Fast Times at Ridgemont 0030 Water for Elephants High 0230 Les Miserables White House Down 0515 Indiana Jones & the Last the Time Traveler’s Wife 21 and Over Crusade The Adjustment Bureau 500 Days of Summer
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LCDR KYLE RAINES Public Affairs Officer
LTJG TREVOR DAVIDS Assistant Public Affairs Officer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MCCS (SW/AW) MONICA NELSON Media Leading Chief Petty Officer
MEDIA DEPARTMENT
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NOW PLAYING CARL VINSON CINEMA
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MC3 MICHAEL H. LEE MCSA JACOB G. KAUCHER
STAFF WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
MC2 (SW/AW) JOHN P. WAGNER MC3 (SW) GEORGE M. BELL MC3 SCOTT FENAROLI MC3 HANSEL D. PINTOS MC3 CURTIS D. SPENCER MC3 MICHAEL H. LEE MC3 DEAN M. CATES MCSA MATTHEW A. CARLYLE MCSA JAMES P. BLEYLE
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