VA Budget Request Signals Commitment to Vets

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 – President Barack Obama’s $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the United States stands by its commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press Service.

“It says that VA and veterans are the president’s top priority,” Gould said during an interview in Snowmass Village, Colo., last week at the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

Gould said the budget request reflects a renewed commitment to VA’s charter as President Abraham Lincoln enunciated it in his second inaugural address: “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.”

“If you look at our fiscal year 2010 budget, it was the largest in 30 years,” Gould said. “It was followed by another roughly 7 and a half percent in 2011, and now we have another 3 and a half percent on top of that. So it is a striking level of investment by the administration.”

Gould cautioned, however, that VA can’t take this commitment for granted. “We are working really hard to make sure we use every dollar wisely,” he said.

The fiscal 2012 budget request supports VA’s five-year strategic plan, with priority goals to:

-- End veteran homelessness by 2015, with $940 million in the fiscal 2012 request for programs to reduce and prevent homelessness among veterans and their families;

-- Implement a paperless claims-processing system by 2012, a major step toward eliminating the disability claims backlog so no veteran has to wait more than 125 days for a decision;

-- Build and deploy an automated Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits system to speed tuition and housing payments for all eligible veterans;

-- Create the next-generation electronic record system that begins when service members enlist in the military and remains with them through retirement or after they return to civilian life;

-- Improve the quality, access and value of mental health care provided, with $6.2 million in the fiscal 2012 request for mental health programs, including $68 million for suicide prevention; and

-- Deploy a new management program to improve client access to VA services and benefits by June 2012.

“We have a very bold strategy,” Gould said. “And we are very focused on making sure that we get the resources to support it in a way that ties the budget to this strategic strategy.”

Much of VA’s focus is on making the organizational changes and systems improvements required for it to function more efficiently and effectively, Gould said.

“We want to invest in the people, their training and the systems that make our organization more intelligent, more able to deliver on the promise of these priorities and the overall strategy,” he explained.

VA is working to transform into Secretary Eric K. Shinseki’s vision of a veteran-centric, results-driven, forward-looking organization, Gould said.

This, Gould said, involves new management systems that ensure accountability as well as maximum efficiency and effectiveness, while eliminating waste and improving the delivery of high-quality and timely veterans benefits and services. Toward that end, VA is seeking nearly $3.2 billion for fiscal 2012 to maintain and improve its information technology systems.

Gould reported progress already made on the IT front. “Two years ago, only 20 percent of projects were on time, on budget and to technical standards,” he said. “Today, 80 percent are.”

Similar improvements are bearing fruit in how VA manages its human resources. “Two years ago when we started hiring people, it took us 108 days,” Gould said. “Now we have it down to 76, and will achieve a goal by the year’s end of 60 days, the private-sector standard.”

Another improvement uses strategic sourcing, with VA’s separate operating units pooling their buying power to get the best price for their goods and services. Previously, the department’s separate operating units did their buying separately.

In addition, VA adopted a strategic capital investment plan that improves the way it manages its capital infrastructure –- 6,500 buildings nationwide, with a replacement value of $87 billion.

“Two years ago, there was no integrated process for evaluating where you would invest your next dollar in that physical infrastructure,” Gould said. Today, VA makes a business case for every proposal, pools these proposals, then evaluates and prioritizes them to identify the best use of its infrastructure funding.

“So now we can go to the secretary and say, ‘For the limited dollars we have, here is the best investment we can make to improve the security and safety of our veterans and improve quality and access,’” Gould said.

Gould noted an adage in the health care realm: health care is 85 percent business systems and 15 percent medicine.

The VA’s health-care providers, who make up the country’s largest direct-care health system, receive consistently high marks in the quality of care they provide, he said. In fact, he added, many are on par with their counterparts at the nation’s most prestigious hospitals and medical centers.

“So think about how much cost [savings] and how much potential efficiency is created if you can improve the underlying systems” that support them, Gould said, “while giving the doctors the maximum freedom to make the best judgment they can based on health care principles.”

Today in the Department of Defense, Monday, April 04, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

Troops in Parts of Japan to Receive Hardship Pay

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2011 – Service members in certain prefectures of Japan will receive hardship duty pay effective April 1, Defense Department officials announced.

Service members will receive $50 hardship duty pay per month if they are based in the Tokyo Capital Region and the prefectures of Aichi, Kanagawa, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.

“The designation is in recognition of the hardships caused by the March 11, 2011, earthquake, the tsunami that followed and issues related to Japan nuclear reactors,” according to a letter signed by Lynn C. Simpson, acting principle deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. The letter went to the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force and to the director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Service members who are permanently assigned to the designated locations are eligible for the pay. Service members who are on temporary duty to the specified prefectures in support of Operation Tomodachi for longer than 30 days also will receive the pay. Those aboard ship are not eligible.

The pay is additional compensation paid to service members in recognition of the hardships associated with duty assignments in designated locations.

Those eligible will receive the pay automatically. Service members do not need to apply.

Seventh Fleet to Conduct Exercise Malabar with Indian Navy

By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Naval personnel from India and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2011, April 3-10.

Malabar is a regularly scheduled bilateral naval field training exercise and has grown in scope and complexity over the years. Malabar 2011 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues.

The at-sea portions will be conducted in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Luzon Strait and east of Okinawa. The location coincides with the Indian Navy's western Pacific deployment. The exercise is designed to advance U.S.-Indian military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations.

Events planned during the exercise include liaison officer professional exchanges and embarks; communications exercises; surface action group exercise operations; formation maneuvering; helicopter cross deck evolutions; underway replenishments; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; gunnery exercises; visit, board, search and seizure; maritime strike; air defense; screen exercise; and anti-submarine warfare.

U.S. Navy participants include USS Sterett (DDG 104), USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and a nuclear powered attack submarine. Indian Navy participants include INS Dehli, INS Ranvijay, INS Ranvir, INS Jyoti and INS Kirch.

Family Matters Blog: DOD Supports Families Departing Japan

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Robert L. Gordon III is the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy. In this blog, Mr. Gordon urges families who voluntary departed from Japan to stay in touch with their service so they have access to timely information and support.

By Robert L. Gordon III

Military Community and Family Policy

April 1, 2011

Earlier today, Dr. Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, wrote a blog post about the comprehensive support effort under way in response to the recent devastating events in Japan. Supporting an effort of this magnitude takes many hands across personnel and readiness.

As I write this post, your team in military community and family policy  is specifically focused on taking care of our military families who have voluntarily returned from Japan to designated alternate locations or their ultimate destinations. We expect that many more will depart in the coming days.

I want to assure all families everywhere that your military community and family policy team is focused on two things during this time of uncertainty: staying connected with you and ensuring your basic needs are met.

The impact on our Defense Department schools in Japan and our military students is a key concern. The Department of Defense Education Activity website is an outstanding ready resource that can help answer many questions, including issues involving voluntary departures, education records and school closures. Please be sure to pass this information on to those who may not know about it.

The staff at DODEA also has set up a crisis information center, available around the clock, to provide help when you need it.

Perhaps the most important thing for our displaced families is to stay in touch with your service. We can provide critical information or help with needed resources only if we can find you.

Remember that online accountability systems are currently “live” for each branch of the service to account for, manage, and monitor members and families impacted by the events in Japan.

Please update your contact and location information at the following websites:

-- For Navy and Marine Corps military, civilians, overseas contractors and families, go to the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System.

--  Air Force civilian employees, nonappropriated fund employees, overseas contractors and families, go to the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.

-- For Army military, Department of the Army civilian, NAF employees, overseas contractors and families, go to the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.

These sites also will allow you to identify your needs, and a case manager will be assigned to provide you with personal assistance. More importantly, your assigned case manager will stay with you as long as you’re away from home station and can continue to assist you, even as your needs change.

I strongly encourage you to continue following your command or installation website and social media pages, even if you've already returned to the States or your preferred final destination outside of Japan. This will allow you to stayed plugged in to your friends, neighbors and your local leadership.

Finally, Military OneSource has a Japan Earthquake and Tsunami page, and we have added a section dedicated to information for returnees.

These are challenging times, and having reliable and useful information is critical to helping us all band together and stay strong. As a result, I will be providing routine updates to this blog with the most up-to-date information that I have to ensure that you are informed. Until then, be sure to take care of one another. Thank you all.

Naval Air Forces Chiefs' Association Celebrates 118th Birthday Serving Others

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joseph H. Moon, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Chief Petty Officer Association (CPOA) spent the morning of April 1, away from their usual duties to serve food at San Diego's St. Vincent de Paul Village.

The Village, designed as a one-stop center to address all the rehabilitative needs of the homeless, provides meals for its residents daily, via two separate kitchens with the help of volunteers, making it an ideal charitable choice for the CNAF Chiefs.

The CNAF Chiefs prepared and served food for the Village's clients as a way to honor their rank's 118th birthday.

"Volunteering to serve your country is along the same lines as volunteering to help out in your community," said Chief Electronics Technician (SW/AW) Gene Martin, CPOA master-at-arms. "It's about making things better."

The Village's two kitchens serve between 250-300 meals each at breakfast, totaling roughly 600 meals. The food service program requires a minimum of eight volunteers each day.

"Volunteers are a big thing … we don't always have the people to do the chores," he said. "If we don't have volunteers, we have to scramble around to get things done."

The work ethic of military volunteers is what the Village needs to succeed, noted Kitchen Supervisor Jacob Titus.

According to Titus, the CPOA provided 14 pairs of hands, making quick work in producing the "well-balanced, daily meals."

"We all worked together as a team," said Village Shift Supervisor Ronald Hawkins, who noted that he enjoys working with military volunteers because they are organized and are positive role models for the residents.

While CNAF CPOA members engage in community relations events throughout the year, the Chiefs' Mess gathers as a group to participate in outreach programs quarterly, stated CNAF CPOA President Senior Chief Yeoman (EXW) Kim Barr.

"As chiefs, helping our community and giving back honors the heritage we celebrate today – it's more than a responsibility, it's our privilege," said Barr.

Respect Highlights Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Training

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Respect for all service members is at the heart of training for the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said today.

Clifford L. Stanley and Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, testified before the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel subcommittee about preparing the force for repeal of the law that bans gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

“My focus is total force readiness, caring for our people and creating a culture of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency,” Stanley said. He told the subcommittee that he views total force readiness as encompassing a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual state of preparedness and resilience.

“This policy change embodies that view of total force readiness. More simply put, it’s about respect,” Stanley said. “Respect is not a word I use lightly. It embraces the true meaning of honorable service. Respect is also a word that captures the indelible bond shared by all who serve, especially when serving in harm’s way.”

All services began training before March 1, Stanley said, and he expects all to be finished by the end of summer.

Because the training emphasizes leadership, professionalism, discipline and respect, Stanley said, he believes it “will enable any change in policy to be executed with minimal disruption to the force.”

Gortney spoke of the three-part process the military has put in place to repeal the law. The first step was implementing or changing policies. The second was training changes and the third step was actually training service members.

“The services have reviewed policies and directives that will require change, and are on target to implement them effective the date of repeal,” he said.

A repeal implementation team and the services developed the training for the force and planned how to put that training in place, Gortney said.

“The services have implemented these plans,” he said, “and are proceeding smartly with the training of tier 1, experts; tier 2, leadership; and tier 3, the total force.”

Gortney said the Joint Chiefs of Staff discuss the training and monitor progress regularly.

“Our intent is to ensure that a preponderance of the force, including the Reserve and National Guard, is prepared expeditiously, but in a careful and responsible manner,” the admiral said.

The repeal will take effect 60 days after the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify the process should move ahead.

“The secretary of defense and the chairman will not certify until, in their judgments, the force is prepared to implement the new policies and regulations consistent with our standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruiting and retention of the armed forces,” Gortney said

Both Stanley and Gortney said the military is being very deliberate to ensure all questions are answered before repeal.

USS Boone Begins Southern Seas 2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Stuart Phillips, USS Boone Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Boone (FFG 28) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 Det. 4, departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., April 1, to conduct Southern Seas 2011.

Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and carried out by Combined Task Group 40.0 (CTG 40.0).

Southern Seas involves the deployment of CTG 40.0, USS Thach (FFG 43), USS Boone (FFG 28), and HSL 44 detachment 4, which will sail the waters from the East Coast of the United States to the Caribbean, Central and South America from April through September 2011.

"We're scheduled to visit countries like Brazil, which is hosting the Atlantic phase of UNITAS," said Cmdr. Roy Love, Boone's commanding officer. "Chile is hosting the Pacific phase of UNITAS and of course Panama is hosting PANAMAX."

UNITAS, which means "unity" in Latin, is the U.S. Navy`s longest-running annual multilateral exercise, building ties with partner nation navies since 1960.

Supporting USSOUTHCOM objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of responsibility, Southern Seas 2011 concentrates on strengthening relationships with regional partner nations and improving operational readiness for all assigned units. In addition, Southern Seas provides the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability and demonstrate flexibility.

"It's extremely important for us to strengthen relationships in these regions," said Love. "Part of the mission for U.S. 4th Fleet is to conduct theatre security cooperation exercises. This will be important, not just to protect the U.S. from terrorists who may try to come up through South America, but also in terms of drug-interdiction and the prevention of human trafficking. What we're doing is working to solidify ties and build cooperation with South and Central American countries."

"This is about building a partnership of education between us and these countries we'll be visiting," said USS Boone Command Master Chief Charles David Slaton. "We'll teach them a lot and we hope to learn a lot from them."

Love anticipates Boone's crew will benefit from this deployment not only in terms of training, but culturally as well.

"For the crew this is going to be a great experience," said Love. "Many of them have never been outside of the U.S. This will be a great learning experience, and it's going to increase their cultural understanding of other nations."

COMUSNAVSO/C4F supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

22nd MEU Air Combat Element Lands Aboard Bataan

From USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) Air Combat Element (ACE) completed a successful embark of aircraft and aircrews aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5), April 1.

The 22nd MEU ACE, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) (Reinforced), brought aboard a complement of aircraft that includes MV-22B Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, AH-1W Cobras, UH-1N Hueys and AV-8B Harriers to support the ship and MEU's deployment to the Meditteranean Sea and anywhere else around the world.

"With this Blue/Green team together on Bataan, we become an extremely flexible force capable of a wide range of missions," said Capt. Steve Koehler, USS Bataan commanding officer. "Our Sailors and Marines are well-trained, professional, and ready to execute whatever mission they are called upon to perform."

The ACE is capable of providing air assault and personnel and equipment transport, as well as aerial reconnaissance. Bataan's Air Department is responsible for safely directing, launching and recovering the ACE aircraft.

"Our report card is based on how well the air plan is executed," said Bataan's Air Boss Cmdr. Dan Olson. "We were about an hour and a half late today due to weather, but we finished right on schedule, so I'd say we're all off to a good start. I think the ACE is already striking on all cylinders.

"We have one more aircraft than we did last deployment," said Olson. "The deck is full. The hangar bay is full. We haven't moved Osprey in 18 months, but today, we were able to land them, move them and stuff them like a day hadn't gone by."

Bataan and the 22nd MEU, including the ACE, previously operated together in 2009, during a seven-month deployment to U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets for the first at-sea operational deployment of the Osprey.

Leading up to the current deployment, coordination between leadership was ongoing.

"[Bataan's] Air Boss drove down to New River with the ship's air operations officer, and spent a day training our leadership, talking about best practices, asking questions," said Lt. Col. Chandler Nelms, VMM-263 commanding officer. "It was extremely valuable, both for the fly-on today and as we continue through the deployment."

"It's important to build those professional relationships," said Olson. "We've done that, and we'll continue to do that. We're ready, and the ACE is certainly good to go. They're pros."

Bataan and the MEU will conduct integrated training prior to arriving in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

"The training is a continuous process," said Nelms. "We're always honing our skills, training to each mission set. We want to be ready to go for anything."

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group/22nd MEU (BATARG/22MEU), which includes Bataan, along with the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and landing transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), is scheduled to relieve the Kearsarge ARG/26th MEU, which has been on station in the Meditteranean Sea since the beginning of coalition operations in Libya.

Policy Aims to Better Identify, Treat Concussions

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – A memorandum that took effect throughout the Defense Department in June is expected to have a major impact on efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injuries in the combat theater faster and more systematically, medical officials reported at the recent Armed Forces Public Health Conference in Hampton, Va.

The directive memo, which sets policy and management guidelines concerning TBI in deployed settings, relies for the first time on events, rather than personal reporting, to trigger a chain of institutional responses, Army Maj. Sarah Goldman, the Army’s TBI program manager, told an audience of health care professionals.

“This is an absolutely revolutionary policy,” Goldman said. “This is really the first time in traumatic brain injury care, and certainly in the Department of Defense traumatic brain injury care, that we have an event-driven protocol. What that means is that you don’t have to rely on service members to raise their hand and say, ‘I am having some problems’ after they have been involved in an event.”

Instead, the new policy lays out a response whenever a service member experiences something that could cause TBI.

“This is an event-driven policy,” Goldman said. “So, for example, if the service member hits their head or is somewhere near a blast, they have to get checked out, they have to get treated and they have to get reported. There also is mandatory downtime.”

DOD officials have long struggled to find ways to more quickly identify and treat what has become a signature -– and often invisible -- combat injury. TBIs often result from bullet blasts, vehicle accidents that cause a jolt to the head or exposure to a blast. The most common symptoms are loss of consciousness, memory loss, alteration of consciousness and other neurological problems.

Moderate and severe TBI is relatively easy to recognize, Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) David Tarantino, director for clinical programs at Headquarters Marine Corps, told the group. What’s far more challenging, he said, is recognizing the 80 percent of TBI patients whose conditions are mild –- meaning they have suffered a concussion.

“In layman’s terms, you feel dizzy, confused, see stars and have some alteration of consciousness,” Tarantino said. Other symptoms, he said, include disorientation, headache, balance difficulties, sleep disturbances, nausea and vomiting.

Not diagnosing a service member with mild TBI can have serious operational impact, Tarantino said.

“You have difficulty following instructions, poor marksmanship, slow reaction time and decreased concentration. All of those have an impact on the battlefield,” he said. “If someone has a concussion, you don’t want to give them a weapon and send them right back to the front lines. That can do a lot of harm.”

It’s the same principle the National Football League uses to protect its players, Tarantino said. “You don’t want to have your quarterback in on a final drive if he has been knocked loopy,” he said. “It’s a similar kind of thing.”

But as the NFL and military are learning together, there’s another reason to identify and treat mild TBI as quickly as possible. Not only is it the best way to ensure a full recovery; it’s also the best way to prevent more severe issues if the patient gets another concussion before the first one heals.

Studies on athletes show that a history of three concussions increases their risk of chronic problems three-fold, Tarantino said. “We are starting to see from NFL players what the cumulative, long-term effects are,” he said, including early Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative disease.

“This is an issue we are concerned about and trying to prevent” in U.S. service members, Tarantino said. “We have a lot of guys exposed [to blasts] many times. So the question is: ‘How do we make sure that they get the proper rest and care and treatment before they get exposed again?’”

Goldman called the new DOD memorandum a major step in the right direction. Developed by scientific experts from around the country, “it represents what we understand is the best science to date to manage concussion,” she said.

“As the science continues to evolve, we certainly will be updating this policy,” she said. The first policy update is expected later this year, when the memo becomes a permanent DOD instruction.

The new memo requires commanders to ensure all service members involved in potentially concussive events receive a medical evaluation, even if they have no apparent injuries. It also authorizes commanders to refer a soldier, sailor, airmen or Marine under their charge who appears to be showing symptoms for evaluation.

It also mandates that all cases of TBI be documented into an electronic medical record. This, Goldman said, will provide a registry for the Defense Department and a tool to inform commanders whose units are about to redeploy.

Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Laura Baugh, the Air Force TBI program manager, called this leadership responsibility a key part of the new policy. “It requires leaders to recognize service members who have been involved in an event that could cause a concussion and to ensure they get a medical evaluation, and requires them to track these service members in the electronic database,” she said.

“Not only does this ensure service members get the follow-on care they need down the road,” she said. “It also helps [DOD] understand the true incidence of this problem in the theater.”

The policy establishes new protocols for service members with recurrent TBIs.

“If there is a service member who has sustained three or more concussions within a 12-month period, they are getting a four-hour neuropsychological battery,” Baugh said, including vestibular and functional testing.

“They get the entire ‘works,’” Goldman said.

“Don’t get me wrong. Certainly the ones who experienced just one event also are getting checked out,” Goldman continued. “But I will tell you, it is a much more intensive evaluation for service members involved in the recurrent concussion protocol.”

The memo revises the military acute concussion evaluation screening test, introducing a three-part score that includes patient history and results of cognitive screening and a neurological screening exam, she said.

In terms of patient care, it mandates two of the best-known treatments for mild TBI: rest and education.

Troops suffering mild TBI require at least 24 hours of rest before returning to duty, and often more as they receive their medical evaluations, Tarantino said. Ideally, that rest is offered in a “reduced-stimulus environment” –- a place that’s cool, quiet and comfortable and allows patients to rest and catch up on lost sleep, he said.

Often service members need to be moved to find these conditions, he recognized. “It’s pretty hard at a forward operating base getting shelled or [under] mortar fire, or where there’s no air conditioning or it’s noisy or loud of uncomfortable,” he said. “That, in itself, might be a reason to move the patient back to get rest.”

Tarantino cited the Marines’ Concussion Restoration Care Center at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, as a new approach to providing this respite in the combat theater. It offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary concussion care that includes sports medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and even acupuncture that he said “has proven very popular with the Marines and, at least anecdotally, very effective.”

The center tends to treat some of the more severe concussions, offering care that typically lasts about 14 days. However, 95 percent of its patients return to full duty, Tarantino reported.

As the military works to improve the way it diagnoses and treats mild TBI, it’s also focusing more heavily on educating service members about TBI. The education effort begins during the pre-deployment cycle and continues in the combat theater and on redeployment home. “The best treatment is education, providing information, counseling and instructions about common symptoms and expected outcomes,” Tarantino said.

Goldman said she’s enthusiastic about the potential of the new policy to help the military better identify and treat mild TBI and to ensure service members have the best chance of a full recovery.

“I just can’t overemphasize just how revolutionary this policy is,” she said. “We are really looking forward to the long-term results to see how this impacts long-term outcomes.”

DOD to Drop Social Security Numbers from ID Cards

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Beginning June 1, Social Security numbers on military identification cards will begin to disappear, said Air Force Maj. Monica M. Matoush, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The effort is part of a larger plan to protect service members and other DOD identification card holders from identity theft, officials said.

Criminals use Social Security numbers to steal identities, allowing them to pillage resources, establish credit or to hijack credit cards, bank accounts or debit cards.

Currently, the Social Security number is printed on the back of common access cards, and on the front of cards issued to dependents and retirees. Beginning in June, when current cards expire, they will be replaced with new cards having a DOD identification number replacing the Social Security number, officials said. The DOD identification number is a unique 10-digit number that is assigned to every person with a direct relationship with the department. The new number also will be the service member’s Geneva Convention identification number.

An 11-digit DOD benefits number also will appear on the cards of those people eligible for DOD benefits. The first nine digits are common to a sponsor, the official said, and the last two digits will identify a specific person within the sponsor’s family.

Social Security numbers embedded in the bar codes on the back of identification cards will remain there for the time being, and will be phased out beginning in 2012.

The department will replace identification cards as they expire.

“Because cards will be replaced upon expiration, it will be approximately four years until all cards are replaced with the DOD ID number,” Matoush said.

The identity protection program began in 2008, when DOD started removing Social Security numbers from family member identification cards.

ONR Promotes Navy's Diverse Opportunities at Conference

By Paula Paige, Office of Naval Research

Arlington (NNS) -- Office of Naval Research (ONR) officials said the National Society of Black Engineers' (NSBE) annual convention, held March 23-27, in St. Louis, offered a gateway for showcasing the U.S. Navy's diverse educational and career opportunities.

Programs and workshops targeted the more than 15,000 students, engineering professionals and exhibitors who attended NSBE's 2011 convention.

"NSBE is a perfect intersection for ONR," said Dr. Anthony Junior, ONR education programs manager. "We hope this partnership will benefit underrepresented minorities who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and that this population will complete their education and put it to work for the Navy and Marine Corps."

Statistics showing the U.S. lagging the world in students who pursue STEM degrees and census figures forecasting a more diverse demographic population have fueled the Navy's investment in science education.

At the NSBE convention, ONR officials shared information about educational opportunities, such as its Naval Research Enterprise Internship and its Science and Engineering Apprentice Program.

"Investing in STEM careers is a key priority for ONR as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps science and technology provider," Junior said. "We want this investment to pay off by producing the next generation of naval scientists and engineers.

Founded in 1975, NSBE serves African-Americans in engineering and technology and supports professionals, students and pre-college students.

According to the organization's website, its mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community." NSBE has more than 33,000 students, professional and pre-college members in over 430 chapters nationwide and overseas.

NATO Dignitaries Visit USS Monterey, Learn About PAA, BMD Capabilities

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Edward Vasquez, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ANTWERP, Belgium (NNS) -- USS Monterey (CG 61) hosted 300 multinational dignitaries from NATO as a part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense while in Antwerp, Belgium, for a port visit, March 29-31.

While aboard Monterey, dignitaries were given the opportunity to learn about the ship's Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capabilities.

"The United States takes this seriously," said Rear Adm. Archer M. Macy, director of Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization. "This ship demonstrates our commitment to what we are doing, and [Monterey] is doing a great job. This is vital to the United States and its allies to prevent others from trying to coerce them by threatening them with ballistic missiles."

According to a release from the White House, the U.S. Navy is working with allies on integrating a European Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense architecture with NATO members' missile defense capabilities, as well as with the emerging NATO command and control network.

"Eighteen months ago, President Obama adopted a new approach to missile defense, when he decided that we need a missile defense that is smarter and swifter than the one the previous administration had in place," said Ivo H. Daalder, U.S. Ambassador to NATO. "This ship is a part of the first phase of that commitment to deploy missile defense capability in Europe to help defend our forces in Europe, and our European allies against the threat that already exists today."

This phased approach is developing the capability to augment the current protection of the United States and Europe against short and medium-range ballistic missile threats.

"We are the first ship to become a part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach of the missile defense mission," said Capt. James W. Kilby, USS Monterey commanding officer. "We went to Belgium to coincide with a NATO convention and they came to visit the ship to view our missile defense capabilities."

According to the Missile Defense Agency, the first phase consists of Aegis ships deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and a forward-based transportable radar surveillance system in southern Europe. This will help provide protection across much of southern Europe against medium-range ballistic missiles.

Modern U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers perform primarily in a battle force role. The ships are capable of multi-mission support in carrier battle groups, amphibious forces, as flagships of surface action groups or operating independently. Cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles that give them additional long range strike warfare capability. Some, like Monterey, have been outfitted with a ballistic missile defense capability.

Monterey, a Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser homeported out of Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled six-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Sailors aboard IKE Participate In Autism Awareness Day

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ridge Leoni, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va, (NNS) -- Sailors aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) participated in Autism Awareness Day, April 1.

The event is intended to acknowledge autism as a growing public health crisis and to inform those who simply may not know what the disorder is.

"For the first of April there will be blue lights illuminated on various iconic structures all over the U.S.; such as the White House and the Empire State Building in New York City to support autism awareness, and I thought to myself 'how about [have] the IKE show support by lighting up the island on the flight deck?'" said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Henry Cooper, the founder of IKE's Autism Support Group. "I feel that it will make a huge statement and spark a lot of conversation when people see an aircraft carrier is also taking part in Autism Awareness Day.

"There are a lot of Sailors in the IKE family that have children who are diagnosed with autism and overall the majority of the IKE family at least indirectly knows someone diagnosed with the disorder," said Cooper. "IKE's participation with Autism Awareness Day will ultimately bring us closer and may promote early detection of the disorder."

Along with lighting the "69" on the carrier's island, Cooper and other members of IKE's Autism Support Group passed out blue ribbons that are recognized as a part of Autism Awareness Day. The ribbons were worn under the crew's "I Like IKE" pins on their uniforms.

"We have ordered blue ribbons for those who would like to wear it," said Cooper. "The blue ribbon is another way to promote awareness. I remember when the NFL was wearing pink gloves and cleats during the game to promote breast cancer awareness; that type of advertisement is very effective and raises that question 'what's the ribbon for?'"

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood.

Autism affects one out of every 117 children in the U.S., and IKE's crew represents approximately the same rate of children diagnosed with autism. Cooper encouraged everyone to learn as much as they can about the disorder and welcomes anyone who has questions about autism.

"As a parent of two kids diagnosed with autism, I feel that we should be able to lean on one another that also may have kids with autism," said Cooper.

U.S. Marine Team to Aid Japan Recovery Effort

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2011 – A team of Marines specifically trained to operate in chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological environments is deploying to Japan, Defense Department officials said today.

A 155-member initial response force composed of Marines from Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md., could arrive in Japan as early as tomorrow, said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The unit is part of the Chemical, Biological, and Incident Response Force. The initial response force will support the U.S. on-scene commander by providing a rapid response capability. If requested, it could also advise Japanese authorities.

The Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant is leaking radioactive materials, and the extent of the damage to the plant is not known. The Marine force will bring equipment for agent detection and identification; casualty search, rescue and personnel decontamination; and emergency medical care and stabilization of contaminated personnel.

As part of Operation Tomodachi, U.S. personnel continue to help the Japanese following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated large areas of northern Japan.

U.S. Navy divers helped to reopen the harbor at Hachinohe. American ships used side-scan sonar to survey the harbor’s waterway, enabling divers to remove obstacles such as vehicles, a small storage building, 20-foot storage containers and 100-ton concrete blocks the tsunami washed out to sea.

Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force and commercial divers are coordinating with U.S. 7th Fleet units to assess the port of Miyako and plan for clearance operations there. The U.S. units include the USNS Safeguard, the USS Tortuga, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 and Underwater Construction Team 2. The Navy teams may do the same in the port of Oshima after completion of operations at Miyako, officials said.

U.S. Navy barges containing 500,000 gallons of fresh water from Yokosuka are being used at the crippled nuclear power plant. The water will be used to replace salt water in the reactor cooling system to lessen the corrosive impact of salt from the sea water still being used for emergency cooling.

SPS 2011 Concludes in Nicaragua

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeffery Tilghman Williams, High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) Public Affairs

CORINTO, Nicaragua (NNS) -- U.S. Sailors and Marines supporting Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011, joined Nicaraguan sailors at a closing ceremony and celebration at the local school where they completed a five-day construction subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) in Corinto, Nicaragua, March 31.

Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 and Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) were honored during a farewell ceremony and certificate presentation at Instituto Parroquial Pbro. Emilio S. Chavarria, to recognize and thank them for constructing a classroom and library at the school.

The event marked the conclusion of a 10-day visit to Corinto that included medical, security and construction SMEEs with Nicaraguan military counterparts.

Indiouis Reyes, school director, presented Cmdr. Mark Becker, SPS 2011 mission commander, and Lt. Rama Mutyala, NMCB 28 detail bravo officer-in-charge, with certificates of appreciation for the construction work completed by Sailors and Marines from NMCB 28 and 2nd MLG, as well as the Nicaraguan navy.

"We can't express how thankful and grateful we are to these men who have taken the time to provide us with the tools we need to teach these kids," said Reyes.

The SPS 2011 construction team partnered with their Nicaraguan counterparts to build two 16-by-32-foot wood frame Southeast Asia (SEA) huts as part of an information exchange designed to build and strengthen ties with the Nicaraguan government.

"We could not have completed this task in such a short period of time without the exceptional assistance of the Nicaraguan sailors who helped us build these two structures," said Mutyala. "The cross training which took place between the two services was a testament to professionalism and partnership."

"Throughout our visit to Nicaragua, the local people have been so receptive and helpful, and we thank them for hosting this event for us," said Becker. "We're committed to continuing to develop enduring relationships with the people of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan government."

This project is just one of the projects the Seabees and Marines have completed in six South and Central America countries since SPS 2011 began in November 2010. They have also conducted SMEEs with foreign militaries in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

SPS 11 is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission's primary goal is information-sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) is the naval component command for U.S. Southern Command and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility.

COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. Maritime Strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations, and counter-illicit trafficking operations.

Riverine Squadron 3, Royal Netherlands Marines Conduct Cross Training

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW) Paul D. Williams, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NNS) -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, Det. 1, Sailors spent three weeks aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., cross-training with Dutch marines from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps to exchange tactics and refine their skills as combat boat crewmen, March 14 through April 1.

The training was the first portion of a six-week cross-training schedule providing riverines the opportunity to share their knowledge of river warfare. The next phase of training focuses on amphibious ship-to-shore operations provided by the Netherlands marines.

"As Riverines we haven't done over-the-horizon or amphibious operations," said Lt. j.g. Michael Diehl, RIVRON 3, detachment 1 officer-in-charge. "We can give them our experience and knowledge in the brown water, and when we train with the Dutch later this year, they can pass along their experiences and educate us."

The Caribbean-based Dutch marines conduct amphibious based missions out of Aruba and Curassow including hurricane preparation and relief, anti-piracy interdictions and boarding operations. The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps recently purchased boats allowing them to integrate river based operations as a part of their mission skill sets.

"We are setting up a riverine capability," said Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Lt. Macheal Bussemaker, platoon commander. "We are primarily trained in using amphibious ships off coastal waters, and we are now bringing up the notion of pushing through to brown water delta areas. We don't have any operational experience in using the brown water, but the Riverines, with their experiences in Iraq, do."

During the three-week training, RIVRON 3 provided Dutch marines with the chance to practice riverine boat maneuvers using the Riverine Patrol Boat and the Riverine Assault Boat. They also provided training on riverine security tactics and combat skills.

This isn't the first time Riverines have trained with other nations' militaries on river combat tactics. In May 2008, Riverines in Iraq shifted their mission from combat operations to a training mission to assist in the turnover of inland waterways control back to the Iraqi military.

Since then they have performed other cross-training missions with the British and the Panamanians, providing a unique capability that allows the U.S. and its allies the ability to conduct maritime security on rivers and inland waterways.

"The capabilities and the equipment that Riverines have are specially made for riverine operations; they are built for combat," said Bussemaker. "Seeing how the Riverines operate is very helpful to us because we can use it ourselves when we are going into our own rivers of operation."

According to Diehl, the Dutch marines have adopted the training provided by RIVRON 3 very quickly.

"The Dutch have been amazing, and these guys are seasoned operators," said Diehl. "They came to the table prepared, and they're well versed warfighters. These guys are now deploying tactics and making smart decisions that, in real river combat, will save people's lives."

Riverine Sailors continue to build allies around the world and create multinational expertise that can be applied across the spectrum of warfare.

DOD Celebrates Month of the Military Child

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Children of U.S. service members around the world will be honored throughout the month for their contributions to their families’ well-being and sacrifices on behalf of the nation, a Defense Department official said.

Each April, Americans pause to recognize the nation’s 1.8 million military children during the Month of the Military Child, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

“It’s really exciting that the Department of Defense, the White House and civic leaders recognize the sacrifices that military children make,” Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon’s office of family policy, children and youth, told American Forces Press Service. “It’s particularly important during these times of conflict, when children are missing their parents and are sacrificing a lot, to say your sacrifice is recognized and we want to commend you for what you do for your family.”

Throughout the month, military installations worldwide will host programs and activities for military children, including fairs, picnics, carnivals and parades, Thompson said. Communities also can get involved by sponsoring fun events to celebrate military children, she added.

Military children’s sacrifices and contributions have risen to the forefront in recent years, Thompson said, as people have become increasingly aware of the impact a decade of war is having on military families. Along with the typical military-related stressors of multiple moves and schools, children also have had to deal with long-term, multiple deployments and separations from one, or both, parents over the past 10-plus years, Thompson said.

More than 900,000 military children have had a parent deploy multiple times, she added.

Military children have known only war since 9/11, Thompson noted, and recent research suggests deployments and the length of time separated have an impact on children’s academic success and psychological well-being. Other research regarding children and attachment indicates that “this has to be a difficult time for military children,” she said.

Just as important as caring for children is caring for their parents, Thompson added. “We know that if the parent is taken care of, the children are taken care of,” she said.

Thompson praised the introduction of programs such as the Defense Department’s military family life consultants, who provide coaching and nonmedical counseling to children, families and staff in schools and child development and youth programs. Sports and camps offer other opportunities for children to thrive and grow, she said.

However, she said, the Defense Department can’t tackle all of these issues alone.

The nation took an important step forward in January, Thompson said, when President Barack Obama unveiled a governmentwide plan to strengthen military family support. Federal agencies committed to nearly 50 new programs and cooperative efforts to improve quality of life and well-being for military families.

Thompson also called for a strong “circle of support,” in which schools, communities, health care providers and federal agencies come together to support military families. “We know that it takes a village,” she said.

“Without a doubt, when we can recognize their sacrifices, when we can tell them that we’ll reach out and help them, that we care about them and will connect them with the resources they need, then we’re doing right by them,” she said.

Mullen Assesses Global Security Environment

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen provided his assessment of the global security environment during the annual Rostov Lecture at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies here last night.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke about the challenges facing the world and the role that militaries play.

The United States and its military cannot be complacent, Mullen said. “If past is prologue,” he added, “there will be challenges this century that we cannot imagine today.”

Military power alone cannot solve the problems facing the world, the chairman said, but it should be seen as one piece of the whole-of-government approach. “While military power may prove to be the best first tool of the state,” he said, “it should never be the only one.”

When it’s used, Mullen told the students and faculty, military power must be applied in a precise and principled manner, “even against enemies that may not demonstrate similar restraint.”

These realities are daunting as they occur at a time of constraints –- fiscal and otherwise, the admiral said, repeating his assertion made last year that America’s national debt represents the greatest threat to national security.

The Defense Department has to adjust to this more constrained environment, Mullen said, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ efficiencies program is a start. The efficiencies effort “cancels costly programs, improves business practices and even eliminates more than 100 flag and general officer jobs and more than 200 senior executive service jobs from our rolls,” Mullen said. “All told, we believe this will result in a total reduction of $78 billion from the five-year defense plan submitted last year.”

While money is one constraint, another is energy, the chairman told the group.

“In my profession, … the cost of fossil fuel manifests itself far more profoundly than just a heftier bill at the gas pump,” he said. “I’m acutely aware of the cost in blood and treasure of providing energy to our forces in Afghanistan today.”

The military is responding to the challenge. The Navy is building a “green fleet,” the Marines are deploying solar panels with units, and the Army is insulating roofs to save millions in fuel costs. And the military’s efforts may affect climate change, Mullen said.

“Whatever the root cause, climate change’s potential impacts are sobering and far-reaching,” the admiral said. “Glaciers are melting at a faster rate, causing water supplies to diminish in Asia. Rising sea levels could lead to a mass migration and displacement similar to what we saw in Pakistan’s floods last year.”

Other shifts could pull thousands of square miles of arable land from Africa, the chairman noted. “Scarcity of water, food and space could create not only a humanitarian crisis, but conditions that could lead to failed states, instability and potentially radicalization,” he said.

These constraints could place the United States at a strategic turning point, Mullen said, noting that the National Military Strategy released earlier this year takes these issues into account.

“How we lead will be as important as the military capabilities we provide,” Mullen said.

The emerging security environment calls for more extensive and broader security partnerships “within government, between public and private, and most importantly, internationally,” Mullen said. The United States, he said, must ensure its military can operate across the full spectrum of its capabilities -- from stability and counterinsurgency operations to more traditional capabilities.

“Underpinning this strategy is the belief that there is a place and a need in this world for America’s leadership,” Mullen said. “But in leading, our military must be ready to play a number of roles –- facilitator, enabler, convener and guarantor -- sometimes simultaneously.”

Military-to-military contacts are enabling nations to deepen relationships and address challenges, the chairman said.

“We saw these connections pay very real dividends recently in Egypt –- a nation we’ve shared a strong military-to-military relationship with for decades,” Mullen said. “While the situation is still evolving, Egypt’s military -- their professionalism and restraint -- help lend stability to an incredibly dynamic situation, and our relationship provided mutual benefits to this challenging time.”

This, Mullen said, is why he visits his counterparts in Pakistan and China.

“When a crisis or misunderstanding occurs, it is too late to build a relationship,” he said. “It must be cultivated beforehand over time, one conversation and one friendship at a time.”

Mullen asked the students and faculty to remember the sacrifices service members make as they look for ways to solve the problems confronting the nation.

“This decade at war has included some very tough fights, and tragically, we have lost some tremendous young men and women,” he said.

This Day in Naval History - April 01

From the Navy News Service

1893 - Navy General Order 409 of Feb. 25, 1893, establishes the rate of "chief petty officer".

1942 - The first Naval Air Transportation Service (NATS) squadron for Pacific operations is commissioned.

1945 - More than 1,200 Navy ships and Army troops begin invasion of Okinawa.

1966 - U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam established as a command.

1967 - Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 is activated at Vung Tau.

Kearsarge Engineering Plant Reaches A Milestone

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman, Commander, Amphibious Squadron Four Public Affairs

AT SEA (NNS) -- The engineering department aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) reached 225 consecutive days of operations on 29 March.

Kearsarge has been underway for all but eight days of its current deployment which is in its seventh month. The Sailors charged with the daunting task of maintaining and operating the propulsion plant of Kearsarge belongs to the main propulsion divisions of engineering department. They are responsible for the two boilers that provide steam to two main engines and five generators used to generate the ships electrical power.

"We're trying a new concept where we have fewer watchstanders in our main space than past deployments," said Engineering Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Machinist's Mate John Tucker. "This allows us to have a maintenance team to supplement our three watch teams. It enables a 'four on, eight off' watch rotation, which allows propulsion engineers an opportunity for more time to study, rate training, and personal time while underway."

The modified watch organization is modeled after a program used by the Military Sealift Command. Since the boilers aboard Kearsarge were lit on August 25, 2010 they have been running, barring planned maintenance, with exceptional proficiency. That much time at sea does result in general "wear and tear" on systems and equipment so Kearsarge engineers plan accordingly.

"We've been able to conduct all of our routine preventative maintenance repairs by strategically securing boilers without impacting the ship's propulsion requirements," said Kearsarge Chief Engineering Officer, Cmdr. Jerry Chapmon.

The hard work and planning of Kearsarge's engineering department has kept the ship functioning without any time taken away from operational commitments. This effort has not gone unrecognized, as Kearsarge was awarded its fifth Command Engineering/Survivability Excellence Award on Febuary 11. The Navy gives this award annually to recognize sustained superior engineering and damage control readiness.

"I have never seen an engineering department, as a whole, overcome as many obstacles as these Sailors have with only eight days in port during a deployment," said Chapmon.

With 225 days and counting the men and women of Kearsarge engineering department are steaming toward the future, ready for anything and any mission.

Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, currently deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.