HM "A" School Chiefs, Students Honor Medal of Honor Recipient

By Larry Coffey, Navy Medicine Training Support Center Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO (NNS) -- Chief petty officers, CPO selects, staff and students from Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC) joined local veterans' organizations for a graveside memorial service honoring Medal of Honor Recipient Hospitalman John E. Kilmer Aug. 13 at the San Jose Burial Cemetery in San Antonio.

Approximately 50 hospital corpsmen and officers, and 40 veterans and civilian guests gathered 62 years to the day that Kilmer died from injuries sustained the day before when he used his body to shield another man from enemy fire Aug. 12, 1952, during the attack on "Bunker Hill" in Korea.

"The memorial was inspiring and was shared with veterans from most major conflicts, our chief petty officer selectees and our current NMTSC student choir," said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Melissa Foster, NMTSC command master chief. "This was an opportunity of a lifetime for all of us, especially for our future corpsmen."

Foster said Kilmer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, has had an impact on her since she first entered the Navy.

"HN (Hospitalman) Kilmer's picture has graced the bulkhead of every MTF (military treatment facility) I have been associated with throughout my career," she said. "As an HN, I remember reading his Medal of Honor citation and thinking how he was so selfless and honorable at such a young age."

The ceremony was put on by several San Antonio area VFW posts and other veterans' organizations with help from the NMETC chief petty officers and Hospital Corps "A" school students. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran John Rodriguez, from VFW Post 9186, has been leading the annual ceremony honoring Kilmer for nine years. He said he brought NMTSC on board to help with the ceremony four years ago because it's important for Hospital Corpsmen to see their heritage.

"I consider corpsmen to be as much a Marine as a Marine is," Rodriquez said of Fleet Marine Force corpsmen. "I want these young Sailors to know how one of their own served and gave his life.Corpsmen don't necessarily carry a rifle, but they save lives and they give their lives. Their service is very important to the nation and to us Marines."

The ceremony included remarks by Rodriguez, the national anthem sung by the NMTSC student choir, an invocation and benediction by the NMTSC chaplain, reading of Kilmer's bio and his Medal of Honor citation, citing of the Hospital Corpsmen Pledge and taps played on a bugle by a local VFW post member.

Rodriguez said 32 Medal of Honor recipients have ties to San Antonio. Of those, only one is from the Korean War and served in the Navy, Kilmer.

"Here we have a guy who was two days shy of his 21st birthday and he gave his life to save others," Rodriguez said. "It's very important to me that that we remember and honor him and never forget what the nation's veterans have done for their country."

NMTSC is an echelon four command reporting to the Navy Medicine Education and Training Command. NMTSC provides administrative and operational control over Navy Medicine staff and students assigned to the Medical Education and Training Campus and San Antonio area medical education programs. NMTSC is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global healthcare network of Navy medical professionals around the world who provide high quality healthcare to eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

Riverine Training: The Next Generation

By Darryl Orrell, Center for Security Forces Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Center for Security Forces is working towards developing a new training continuum for the Coastal Riverine Force, in response to new training requirements identified by the fleet last December.

The Navy's Coastal Riverine Force (CRF) was formed in June 2012, as part of the Chief of Naval Operation's directed force consolidation. As a result, the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force and Riverine Group One were merged to form a single combat ready force.

William McFarland, who serves as the Expeditionary Warfare Course Curriculum model manager (CCMM) at the Center, shared some of what Sailors can expect to see in the new courses.

"The major difference between what is currently taught at the schoolhouse and the new training will be the addition of 'Coastal' and 'Expeditionary Security' skill sets," said McFarland. "This new content will teach the knowledge and skills that Sailors will need in order to perform additional maritime and expeditionary missions undertaken by the CRF."

Trying to develop these new courses in an unpredictable fiscal environment has proven to be a major challenge at times according to McFarland. The instability caused by continued overseas operations adds to the mix of challenges faced as well.

"The Center has facilitated several JDTA's [Job, Duty, Tasks Analysis] that are directly related to the CRF HPRR [Human Performance Readiness Review] held last December. Each of these JDTA's helped define critical skills that need to be taught within the new Coastal Riverine Continuum," said McFarland.

Facilitating a JDTA is just the first step in the Naval Education and Training Command's (NETC) End-to-End or E2E process. E2E is a process specifically designed to guide training from cradle to grave. This serves to ensure the training community remains responsive to new and changing training requirements, and provides the most relevant, efficient and effective training to the fleet.

"The JDTA is just the first step in the E2E process; therefore, much more work is still ahead to determine exactly who, what, when, where and how this training will be delivered," said McFarland.

"When complete, the fleet could expect to see topics that will support the Coastal Riverine Force's mission requirements and capabilities, as specified in OPNAV's Required Operational Capabilities (ROC) and Projected Operational Environments (POE) documents," he added.

Once the business case analysis is complete, OPNAV will then decide how and what training will be funded in order for the Center to move forward with development.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 28,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the U.S. and around the world.

USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Volunteer

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leeanna Shipps, USS Abraham Lincoln Media Department

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Nearly 1,700 Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) volunteered at more than 25 locations over a 70-mile area in the Hampton Roads region during an all-day community relations (COMREL) event, Aug. 15.

This marks the third COMREL Lincoln has coordinated throughout the Hampton Roads region since the ship arrived to Newport News Shipbuilding in February 2013. Lincoln Sailors volunteered more than 4,000 hours during this event.

Capt. Ronald Ravelo, Lincoln's commanding officer, visited various COMREL locations alongside Command Master Chief Gregg Webber, to thank the crew for their volunteerism.

"The ability for us to be out here and help beautify the community and to contribute in such a positive manner to the region is obviously a big deal," Ravelo said. "I thank all the Sailors who took the time to come out."

The all-day event included volunteers from 18 departments divided throughout the region.

One of the assistant coordinators for weapons department's COMREL at Lafayette Park in Norfolk, was Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Courtney Dorsey.

"It was awesome to be a part of this experience," Dorsey said. "I am grateful I had the opportunity to come out and volunteer alongside my shipmates during this event."

More than 120 Sailors assigned to Lincoln's aviation intermediate maintenance department (AIMD) volunteered at Mount Trashmore Park, a world-renowned park encompassing 165 acres, comprised of two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park, a vert ramp, and multi-use paths.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be in such a place where children have a secure environment to play and learn things in life," said Master Chief Avionics Maintenance Technician Jean Previllon, AIMD leading chief petty officer. "It is also an opportunity for Sailors to learn and realize what the enlistment oath really means. To learn that freedom is not free."

Engineering department's Damage Controlman 3rd Class Sarah Sepulveda volunteered at the Norfolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a private no-kill humane society dedicated to fostering the human-animal bond to ensure that every adoptable companion animal finds a home.

"I love helping animals. It's just one way I can give back to the community," Sepulveda said.

Quarter Master Seaman Apprentice Quincee Miller, currently assigned to training department, volunteered at the Mariners' Museum. She helped clear scrap metal, organize debris, and fill three and a half construction dumpsters with recyclable material.

"COMRELs are great because the community can depend on us to be there if they need help," said Miller. Air department came out in force with over 190 Sailors covering three different locations to include Mount Trashmore Park, Newport News Park, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

Jamison Ditto, Newport News Park superintendent, expressed his gratitude for having such a large group of volunteers.

"It's a lot of money saved because we don't have the staff we need for these projects," Ditto said.

Reactor department cleaned up a mile of beach at Fort Monroe under the supervision of Ranger Aaron Firth of the National Park Service.

"We cannot keep parks like this clean and maintained without the time Lincoln Sailors are volunteering today," Firth said.

At the end of the day, Lincoln Sailors were happy to help in any way they could.

"It was impressive coming up here seeing all the Sailors happy to be here," Webber said. "They are actually having a good time. They are forming stronger bonds, which translates into the workforce. This is a great way to give back to the community and environment."

Lincoln is currently undergoing Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo a RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class carriers.

Blue Ridge Now Second Oldest Behind Constitution

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

BUSAN, South Korea (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) now holds the honor of being the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy's active duty fleet, next to USS Constitution, after the decommissioning of the USS Denver (LPD 9) Aug. 14.

Blue Ridge's keel was laid Feb. 27, 1967, and she was commissioned Nov. 14, 1970. Since 1970 the flagship has had a rich history to include commanding Operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind during the Vietnam War, receiving the Humanitarian Service Medal in 1984 for rescuing Vietnamese refugees during Operation Boat People, performing a nine-and-a-half month deployment as flagship for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command during the Persian Gulf War and rushing supplies and relief to Japan during Operation Tomodachi.

"Blue Ridge has a rich history of providing our Navy with the most capable afloat command platform in the world," said Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Richard McCormack.

To maintain her position as the most capable flagship in the world, Blue Ridge utilizes the most advanced communication satellite and computer technologies available.

"Blue Ridge has a superior and more robust communications system than any other type of ship by far," said Cmdr. Hezekiah Natta, Blue Ridge communications officer.

As the demands of the mission evolve over the years, so too must Blue Ridge. The ship is constantly updating its equipment to stay a step ahead of its competition.

"Last year we did a complete overhaul and upgraded our communications equipment to allow us to continue our mission well into the future," said Natta.

In 2016 Blue Ridge is scheduled to install a brand new Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise System (CANES).

"CANES will provide the ship and her staff the capability to continue efficiently commanding and controlling all of 7th Fleet's assets in her area of responsibility," said Natta.

At every port the ship visits, the crew and embarked staff participate in community service engagements designed to promote peace, partnership and cooperative security. The mission requires Sailors who take pride in their service and hard work.

"It's a great opportunity to serve and be part of U.S. Navy history," said Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Terrence Daye. "I feel good knowing I play a critical role in something great and meaningful to the command mission."

Blue Ridge's mission is unique and requires a top-of-the-line crew ready to respond, at a moments notice, to any threat or humanitarian crisis.

"I'm honored to command this ship knowing she will continue, well into the future, to play the lead role in promoting stability and theater security cooperation in the Pacific," said McCormack.

The flagship is currently on patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific with embarked 7th Fleet staff, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 and Marines from Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Pacific.

Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for 34 years. As the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Blue Ridge is vital in maintaining partnerships in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

Auburn University NROTC Midshipmen Commissioned

By Auburn University NROTC

AUBURN, Ala., (NNS) -- Two Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen, were commissioned as naval officers at the Auburn University Nichols Center Wardroom, Aug. 2.

The Navy-option nursing students, Ensigns Mary Catherine Kelley, 22, from Windermere, Fla., and Randi Danley, 21, from Pensacola, Fla., were recognized by Auburn's NROTC Executive Officer Cmdr. Kevin Downey in front of an audience of more than 30 people.

Downey told those in attendance that he was able to spend time with each midshipmen prior to their commissioning. He said it was an honor to teach them leadership skills and offered the newly commissioned officers advice for their careers.

"The ceremony was a beautiful thing," said one family member attending the ceremony. "I've never seen the Navy look so good!"

The successful audience turnout, first salutes from the unit's Officer Candidate Bryson Wilson and husband of Ensign Danley, U. S. Marine Corps Cpl. Christopher Danley, and presence of veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines made the Auburn University NROTC summer 2014 commissioning ceremony a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.

Prior-enlisted parents and grandparents granted sons and daughters a first salute in honor of their commission.

One father stated, "It fills me with pride to know that our legacy will be carried on through the careers of these fine young men and women."

The NROTC program, overseen by Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.