Reagan Riders Roll Toward Summer with Motorcycle Safety in Mind

By Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Kevin Hastings, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE KITSAP-KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 30 motorcycle riders from aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) joined nearly 300 fellow riders from military commands throughout the Pacific Northwest for a motorcycle safety standdown aboard Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport, May 17.

The safety standdown was conducted to reinforce the Navy's standards for motorcycle safety, especially with more motorcycle riders taking to the roads as weather conditions in the region continue to improve.

"There were 34 motorcycle-related deaths in the Navy last year," said Chief Hull Technician Nick Brunney, Ronald Reagan's command motorcycle safety representative. "We want to bring operational risk management to the forefront of Sailor's minds."

The safety standdown brought riders of all skill levels together to help less-experienced riders improve their proficiency. Those in attendance received safety briefs before taking to a slalom course to demonstrate basic motorcycle riding and safety skills.

According to Brunney, rank was of no concern to the riders in attendance.

"It's important we get all the riders together as peers," said Brunney. "The person who might be helping you become more familiar with riding, and therefore a better and safer motorcycle rider, can be junior or senior (in rank) to you."

Capt. Thom Burke, USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer and a motorcycle rider himself, said attending safety courses like the one held aboard Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport are important for all riders.

"It's imperative to keep everyone in the fold when it comes to motorcycle safety," said Burke. "This critically important training helps riders develop those crucial habit patterns that don't come naturally... and it's those patterns that could end up saving your life."

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Tyrone Perriott, a seven-year motorcyclist, believes courses such as this one are important to instill basic bike-riding skills based on one simple principle-safety.

"We have safety standdowns to give our riders the tools to develop better riding habits and become better riders," said Perriot. "The only way to become more comfortable with riding is with time and practice."

As part of the Navy's motorcycle safety guidelines, Sailors must complete a standardized motorcycle riding course before they ride a motorcycle. The course includes training on how to ride safely, how to ride in traffic, tips on how to react to a myriad of different scenarios, and much more.

"It's important that our Sailors take the course," said Brunney. "It builds camaraderie between shipmates and it helps develop good riding habits. And it's not important to own your own bike before you take the course, because loaner bikes are available for new riders."

Ronald Reagan is currently homeported in Bremerton, Wash., while undergoing a Docked Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Secretary General Kicks Off NATO Summit in Chicago

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

CHICAGO  – NATO’s largest-ever summit opened here today to focus on keeping Afghanistan secure, ensuring NATO’s capability in the 21st century, and enhancing the alliance’s global network of partners, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

Representatives from 60 countries and organizations have gathered in this busy midwestern U.S. city for a meeting that NATO officials characterize as preparation for the alliance’s future.

President Barack Obama arrived this morning after hosting a daylong G-8 summit at Camp David in Maryland with leaders of Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is here to participate in discussions and attend North Atlantic Council sessions on 21st-century NATO capabilities, the long-term commitment of nations participating in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and NATO partnerships.

Panetta also will convene a working dinner of his fellow defense ministers, attend a signing ceremony for the purchase by 13 NATO allies of a ground surveillance system for future alliance operations, and join Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki for a visit to a first-of-its-kind joint Defense Department-VA hospital in north Chicago.

During a short preliminary briefing on the first day of the two-day international meeting, Rasmussen said discussions today will focus on security in an age of austerity.

“We will ensure that the alliance has the capabilities to deal with the security challenges of the future, even as we tackle the economic challenges of the present,” he told reporters at the summit’s media center at McCormick Place on the shore of Lake Michigan.

“We will adopt a concrete package of multinational projects which can provide greater security for all our citizens at lower cost, we will embrace a renewed culture of cooperation which we call ‘smart defense,’ and I expect we will take the first step to make our missile defense system operational,” he added.

Tomorrow, on the second day of the summit, Rasmussen said, “we will meet 13 of our most active partners around the globe, from Europe to Asia and the Middle East, because today’s security challenges are global and they need global solutions.”

NATO will continue to cooperate with partners from around the world, building on successes “so that we can provide more security for NATO, for our partners, and for the world,” he added.

Tomorrow also will be the day that summit participants shape the next stage of NATO’s engagement with Afghanistan. “We will complete transition of security responsibility to the Afghans by the end of 2014, but we will continue to support them for the long term,” Rasmussen said.

NATO officials and ISAF partners will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, leaders of many countries in the region and beyond, and key international organizations, the secretary general added.

“This will be a powerful demonstration of the commitment of the whole international community to the future of Afghanistan,” he said.

Basic Training for Your Money

The July 12, 2012, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with US Army Veteran and author of Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money Steve Repak.

Program Date: July 12, 2012

Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Basic Training for Your Money
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2012/07/12/basic-training-for-your-money

About the Guest

Steve Repak is “an Army veteran, transformational speaker and consultant. Steve was selected  the 1995 Fort Bliss, Texas Non Commissioned Officer of the Year and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Management Communications from Amridge University. He now works for himself as a successful Certified Financial Planner™ in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife and three children.”  Steve Repak is the author of Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money.

According to the book description of Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money, “Most people are living paycheck to paycheck and the average credit card holder is $15,799 in debt. If you are like most people you could be one paycheck away from financial disaster. In Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money, Certified Financial Planner ™ and former US Army Sergeant Steve Repak outlines a strategy to change your misguided common sense ideas about money and learn to think like a true builder of wealth. Steve left the service with over $32,000 in credit card debt. Drawing on his 12 years of military experience in the Army he put his own finances through boot camp, getting himself out of debt and turning his finances around. Now Steve wants to help others do the same.”

About the Watering Hole

The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2012/07/12/basic-training-for-your-money

Listen from the Archive:

http://www.americanheroesradio.com/basic_training_for_your_money.html

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

LinkedIn Event:

http://linkd.in/JKn0Mx

NAVSEA Commander Discusses Shore-Based Energy Initiatives

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, met with executives with Duke Energy Center to discuss shore-based energy initiatives May 17 during his two-day tour of Charlotte.

Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy was given a tour of the Duke Energy Center, a LEED Platinum-certified building built to high energy efficient standards.

"It is great to hear about the active initiatives Duke Energy is undertaking to reduce energy consumption," said McCoy. "Developing new relationships with our industry partners and working together is win-win for energy independence, the Navy and all Americans."

McCoy's visit to Duke Energy is part of the Navy-wide 50-50 program, which is sending 50 Navy leaders to 50 cities across the United States to meet with corporate executives, civic leaders, government officials, educators, non-profit executive directors, veterans and members of the media. The campaign is designed to increase Americans' understanding of the Navy's mission, capabilities and relevance to national security.

"I am impressed with the new energy standards that Duke Energy is working on to help the U.S. become more energy independent," said McCoy. "This has been a great opportunity to share ideas between the Navy and Duke Energy."

McCoy's two-day visit to Charlotte included visits to the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Providence High School, Bank of America, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, the Wells Fargo trading floor, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Armed Forces Career Expo and the Charlotte Navy League.

The Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the Navy's five systems commands and is responsible for engineering, building, purchasing and maintaining ships, submarines and combat systems for the U.S. Navy.

New Web-Based Housing Early Application Tool

From Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) announced the phased Navy-wide release of the Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT) beginning in May.

This web-based tool will allow Sailors and their families to apply for housing online from any computer.

"HEAT makes the Navy house hunting process smoother and less stressful for our Sailors and their families. By providing the early housing application online, Sailors and their spouses can use HEAT to review housing and community information, and make an informed decision on a home before receiving their permanent change of station (PCS) orders," said Vice Adm. William French, commander, Navy Installations Command.

HEAT utilizes authoritative systems to reduce the amount of personal information and to steam line the online process. HEAT can be securely accessed from any computer with an internet connection. Service members or their spouses can use HEAT prior to receiving permanent change of station (PCS) orders to request information about community housing or check on their eligibility for military and privatized housing. They may also submit HEAT requests to multiple Installations if they are not sure where they may be stationed next.

"Our goal with HEAT is to reach out to Sailors early in the PCS process to reduce stress and provide proactive support when moving from one duty station to another," said Corky Vazquez, CNIC housing program manager. "With HEAT, Sailors and their families are able to make contact with our Navy Housing Service Centers and Privatization Partners to discuss their housing needs and learn about their housing options at any time. HEAT makes it easy to connect with our housing professionals and make informed decisions before even having orders."

HEAT will be deployed Navy-wide by Navy Region according to the following schedule:

* Naval District Washington, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and Navy Region Midwest began May 1,

* Navy Region Southwest began May 8,

* Navy Region Southeast began May 15,

* Navy Region Europe, Africa, Asia beginning May 22,

* Navy Region Hawaii beginning May 29,

* Navy Region Japan, Navy Region Korea and Singapore Area Coordinator beginning June 8,

* Joint Region Marianas beginning June 15.

HEAT will be implemented by region and will be Navy-wide by June 30.

To access HEAT and for more information about when your base will have HEAT, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT.