Truman Sailors Participate in Command PT

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) attended the ship's command physical training (PT) at Naval Station (NS) Norfolk April 4.

Truman command fitness leaders (CFL) worked alongside Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Waterfront Fitness to train a group of more than 1,000 Truman Sailors.

"The purpose of the PT session was to build morale and serve as a team-building exercise for Truman," said Chief Legalman (AW/SW) Kristine Skupnik, Truman's CFL. "PT builds camaraderie and is a good way to start the day."

Skupnik said the event was important because it allowed Sailors the chance to work out built-up energy in a positive way.

"Truman really rocked it today," said Susan Lowry, NS Norfolk MWR fitness director. "I enjoyed the enthusiasm and participation that the Sailors displayed out there."

The PT session was the first of its kind aboard Truman. The event featured cardio-kickboxing and strength training exercises.

"I always enjoy leading these classes for Sailors," said Lowry. "I have a Sailor at home, and I like to give back to the Navy anyway I can."

According to Sailors who attended, the session was a great way to prepare for the upcoming physical fitness assessment (PFA) cycle.

"I take my role as a CFL seriously," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Stephanie Rodriguez, air department CFL. "I like to help Sailors prepare for the PFA, and I want everyone to pass and do their very best."

The PT session gave Sailors a chance to have a good time, said Rodriguez.

"It was a real morale booster," said Rodriguez. "PT brings us closer together as a crew and prepares us to work together as a team."

Truman is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Fitness is one of the key elements of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department of the Navy.

Truman Sailors participate in Mind, Body, Spirit Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) attended a Mind, Body and Spirit symposium aboard the ship's auxiliary barge March 22.

The event was designed to provide personal, physical, spiritual and professional guidance for Truman Sailors.

"Today, we are hosting our Mind, Body and Spirit campaign aboard the barge, and we are emphasizing that Sailors are our most valuable asset," said Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Truman's commanding officer. "We have more than a dozen of our program managers out there to provide important information to the crew."

Various command program representatives were present to answer questions and specific information.

"We coordinated a one-stop shop for Truman Sailors to get information," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW/AW) Tanisha Scruggs-Thomas, Second Class Petty Officer Association president. "It is a great opportunity to educate the crew and bring awareness to our programs."

The event also gave Sailors a chance to socialize and meet new people, said Scruggs-Thomas.

"Communication is very important," said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Kathy-Ann Gomez, Truman's command drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA). "Knowledge is power. If Sailors are more knowledgeable about the things around them, they can make better decisions."

The event also included Sailors signing contracts with the commanding officer regarding alcohol use and expectations as part of the Right Spirit Campaign.

The Navy's Right Spirit Campaign requires responsibility and accountability from all hands regardless of rank or rate. The goal is to enhance fleet readiness by reducing alcohol abuse and related incidents.

"They are making a promise to themselves, the commanding officer, the Navy and their families to do the right thing," said Gomez. "The contract brings awareness to the situation, and causes Sailors to be more mindful of themselves and their shipmates."

Health and wellness are important elements of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.

Truman is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Truman Sailors Participate in National Reading Program

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) volunteered at a local school March 12 to participate in "Read Across America" (RAA).

RAA is an annual project created by the National Education Association in 1997. The program is designed to motivate children to read and emphasize the importance of reading.

Eight Truman Sailors read stories by Dr. Seuss to children in first-grade through fifth-grade at Sewells Point Elementary School.

"I think it is important for Truman Sailors to be involved with the schools," said Cmdr. Dan Rossler,

Truman's chief engineering officer. "A child's interest level in reading plays a vital role in their development."

Rossler said he enjoyed the chance to step away from the ship and read to his son's first-grade class.

"This event shows that our Sailors realize that it is not just enough to come to work and do our jobs," said Rossler. "We are also trying to get them to become better people. That involves going out into the community and volunteering their time."

Truman Sailors had a chance to read in more than 35 classrooms, said Frank Seemar, a communication skills specialist from Sewells Point Elementary.

"I noticed great participation today between the students and Truman Sailors," said Seemar. "The event gave the students a break from their everyday routine and allowed them to interact with Sailors."

Truman's Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) organized the project at the school and plans to provide tutoring sessions in the future.

"JEA is committed to an ongoing relationship with Sewells Point Elementary School," said Yeoman 3rd Class (SW/AW) Richard Gozon, JEA member and event coordinator. "We look forward to coming back to the school to volunteer."

Truman Sailors Attend Women's Personal, Professional Growth Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leona Mynes, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Female Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) attended a women's personal and professional growth symposium aboard the ship's auxiliary barge March 7.

The symposium, hosted by senior female leadership, addressed career obstacles female Sailors may face and introduced available resources.

"We want female Sailors to know they can accomplish anything," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW) Maria Fernandez, the leading chief petty officer of Truman's medical department. "A successful Navy career and having a family is possible, and it has been done throughout the Navy's history."

Fernandez and other female leadership spoke about experiences with families, pregnancies, marriages, barriers they faced when they entered the Navy, and how female Sailors can care for families and foster a strong career with planning.

"When I entered the Navy, it was a different environment for females," said Fernandez. "We want the female Sailors to be aware of things that have changed since then and all of the career opportunities for junior Sailors."

Fernandez said female Sailors can take advantage of several programs that were not established when she was a junior Sailor, including the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program, family care plans, and education and special duty assignments.

Navy resources and a base of experienced female senior leadership aboard Truman give female junior Sailors several opportunities to receive assistance when making life decisions, said Fernandez.

"What affects one Sailor affects us across the board," said Fernandez. "We want to give each female the tools they need to overcome obstacles we have dealt with in our past."

For Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Bilikiss Blambert, a supply liaison for the aircraft intermediate maintenance department, the symposium was eye-opening.

"I think that in a comfortable, less formal setting like this, people can absorb and use the information well," said Blambert, who has been in the Navy for 13 years. "In my experience, junior and senior personnel are more apt to be productive if they can trust the people they work with or for."

Senior leadership is accepting of junior Sailors talking about and seeking assistance for personal issues, which helps Sailors with morale and readiness, said Blambert.

"When we're at work we are all about the mission, but at the end of the day, family is what ties it all together," said Blambert. "Knowing we can come to our chain of command with family matters reinforces that Sailors are a family away from home."

Blambert appreciated how positive intrusive leadership considers all facets of a Sailor's life.

"They're able to open their arms to us," said Blambert. "Knowing that senior leadership aboard Truman is open to giving junior female Sailors support speaks highly of the strong women who serve in the Navy."

Truman is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Truman Installs Port Anchor Chain

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Thomas Miller, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

Portsmouth, Va (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) installed its port anchor chain Dec. 16, marking completion of another goal in Truman's docking planned incremental availability (DPIA).

More than 30 Sailors and 10 shipyard workers assisted in lifting the 249,000-pound anchor chain 80 feet from the dry dock into the ship's forecastle. Truman expects installation of both anchor chains and anchors to be complete by the end of January.

The anchor chains and anchors were removed in April for sandblasting and painting.

"Having the anchors back on the ship is important because without them, we would not be able to go underway safely," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Shawn Pankratz, assigned to Truman's deck department.

Prior to the evolution, the deck department and rehabilitation teams were working in the forecastle, sand blasting and painting the hawse pipe, the hole for the anchor chain on the bow of the ship.

"We had to make sure that the hawse pipe was being rehabbed properly, so we stayed in constant communication with rehabilitation teams to make sure we were on schedule," said Pankratz.

When anchor chain and anchor rehabilitation was complete, the anchors were transported to Truman. Sailors attached a line to the anchor chain and pulled it up using the ship's port side capstan.

When the bitter end of the chain, or the attaching link, reached the forecastle, Sailors wrapped it around the wildcat and guided it into the chain locker. There, the chain was attached to the bulkhead.

"By sandblasting and painting the chains, we can clearly see the markers on it, which is key to dropping the anchor underway," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Mason Ellison, assigned to Truman's deck department. "It also ensured that the detachable links are working properly, making it easier to conduct maintenance."

Truman is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to conduct maintenance and refurbish shipboard systems.

Truman is expected to return to the fleet in the summer of 2012.

USS Harry S. Truman Commanding Officer Dies Unexpectedly

From Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The commanding officer of the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) died suddenly Nov. 8 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Capt. Tushar Tembe was departing the ship at approximately 10 a.m. when he collapsed.

The ship's medical response team provided immediate medical assistance until Tembe could be transported to Bons Secours Maryview Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The cause of death has not been determined.

"We offer our sincere condolences to Capt. Tembe's wife and children, his family and the Truman crew. They are in our thoughts and our prayers as we deal with this tragic loss. Capt. Tembe served the Navy and our nation honorably and with great distinction. We honor his outstanding contributions to our nation," said Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Tembe, 49, a naval aviator, assumed command of Truman last August. He was born in Bombay, India and came to the United States as a child and later graduated from Texas Tech University. After receiving his Wings of Gold, Tembe flew a variety of aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet. His many assignments included a tour as commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 87, the "Golden Warriors" at NAS Oceana, Va.

Tembe is survived by his wife and two sons.

Planning for a memorial service and funeral arrangements is ongoing.

The ship's executive officer, Capt. Craig Clapperton, has temporarily assumed command.

Harry S. Truman is undergoing repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.