Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, May 26, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates hosts an honor cordon to welcome Indonesian Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro to the Pentagon at 10:30 a.m. EDT.  The cordon will be held on the steps of the Pentagon River Entrance.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the Pentagon River Parking Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort to the cordon.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

This Day in Naval History - May 25

From Navy News Service

1952 - USS Iowa (BB 61) bombards Chongjin, Korea.

1973 - Launch of Skylab 2 mission, which was first U.S. manned orbiting space station. It had an all Navy crew of Capt. Charles Conrad Jr. (commanding), Cmdr. Joseph P. Kerwin, and Cmdr. Paul J. Weitz.

Obama, Cameron Discuss Security Aspects of U.S., U.K. Ties

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 – The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is the lynchpin for security for both nations, President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron said in London today.

The two leaders conducted a news conference following meetings at No. 10 Downing Street -- the home and offices of the British prime minister -- and said they discussed some of the security concerns the two countries share.

The president and the prime minister discussed the progress in Afghanistan. The United Kingdom has the next largest military contingent in the country after the United States.

“We reaffirmed the importance of beginning the transition to Afghan lead for security this year and completing that transition by 2014,” Obama said. “We discussed the opportunity that exists for promoting reconciliation and a political settlement, which must be an Afghan-led process.”

Cameron agreed that 2011 is a vital year in Afghanistan. “We’ve broken the momentum of the insurgency, and even in the Taliban’s heartland -- in Kandahar and central Helmand -- they’re on the back foot,” he said. “Now is the moment to step up our efforts to reach a political settlement.”

Both men have stressed that military force cannot impose peace on Afghanistan. Obama re-emphasized that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will talk to anyone who is willing to end the violence, split with al-Qaida and accept the Afghan constitution.

Cameron and the president said they agree there is a long-term security interest in preventing extremists such as the Taliban from regaining power and again turning the nation into a terrorist haven.

Change is surging through North Africa and the Middle East. And the U.S. and U.K. support those who seek peaceful, democratic processes, the leaders said.

“We agree that the pursuit of self-determination must be driven by the peoples of the region and not imposed from the outside,” Obama said. “But we are both committed to doing everything that we can to support peoples who reach for democracy and leaders who implement democratic reform.”

Cameron addressed the notion that many people have that terrorism cannot be defeated.

“There are those who say that this terrorist threat is beyond our control, and we passionately believe that is wrong,” the prime minister said. “We can defeat al-Qaida, and the events of recent months give us an opportunity to turn the tide on their terror once and for all.”

Cameron congratulated the president on the May 1 operation that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. “This was not just a victory for justice, but a strike right at the heart of international terrorism,” he said.

The two leaders agreed that close cooperation with Pakistan is needed.

“People are asking about our relationship, so we need to be clear: Pakistan has suffered more from terrorism than any country in the world,” the prime minister said. “Their enemy is our enemy. So, far from walking away, we’ve got to work even more closely with them.”

Naval Base Coronado Opens New Child and Youth 24/7 Center

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique Pineiro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Base Coronado officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony May 24 to unveil the new Child and Youth 24/7 Center on board Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif.

The center is open all hours of the day and is intended to provide care to children of single and dual-military shift-working parents and children of Department of Defense employees. The center specifically seeks to help people who work rotating shifts on the weekends, or extended or non-traditional hours in support of the Navy's mission.

"About two to three years ago, we didn't even have a child development center," said Capt. Yancy Lindsey, commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado. "Opening this is an invaluable service for the families. We ask (parents) to work odd hours in the evening and the weekends so to have a facility where they can drop their kids off and get quality care on the same installation where they're working is very convenient."

Christine Swind, the Child and Youth 24/7 Center director, said the facility offers a much needed service to parents by combining the strengths of in-home care and traditional daycare centers.

According to Swind, the center has many staff members to supervise the children in a larger social environment to ensure each child is on the right developmental path.

"We use creative curriculum to help the children meet all their developmental milestones, and that's the primary goal," she said. "We're able to provide a service that you really can't find anywhere else."

In addition to the development services offered at the center, Swind said it gives the children a "home away from home" feeling.

"Each child will have their own bed, and we give the children three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between," said Swind. "We try to offer all the comforts of home."

The San Diego Child and Youth 24/7 Center houses up to 20 children, from ages 1 – 12, at any given time. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, groundbreaking took place April 15, 2010. The $2 million building is the first 24/7 center to open on the West Coast.

Family Forum: A Pledge to Remember

By Deborah Mullen

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 – Deborah Mullen, a Navy wife and mom and a military family advocate, has been married to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for 40 years.

“Please don’t ever forget my son.”

That’s what a Mom -- a Gold Star mother -- said to my husband recently.

“He was my only son,” she continued, “and he died doing what he loved. But please don’t ever forget him.”

Michael promised her that he wouldn’t. He and I hear that same entreaty and make that same promise each and every time we have the privilege of being in the company of Gold Star families. These proud Americans have lost so much, have endured such pain. And yet they ask nothing for themselves. All they want is for someone, anyone, to remember the life and the service of a loved one.

And so we carry with us the photos and memory cards of their sons, daughters, moms, dads, brothers and sisters. We wear bracelets engraved with their names. We visit their graves when we can, and attend their funerals. We remember.

Monday is Memorial Day. In Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, the families of our recently fallen will spend another holiday weekend at the grave of a loved one. They will not be alone. They will be surrounded by other Gold Star families from these and other wars who share with them the same sacrifice and loss, the same pride and even some of the same stories. They will comfort one another, even as they grieve for themselves.

There isn’t much the rest of us can do to assuage that grief. The pain of such loss is incalculable. But we can, and we should, promise them that we will remember those who lived and loved and fought for this country -- a young man or woman who, when duty called, performed that duty nobly and with passion. We can -- and we should -- take pains to remember also the special needs of surviving family members, especially the children. Theirs will be an extraordinary life.

If it’s true that a nation defines itself by those it honors, let us also define ourselves by those we support.

Gates: Defense Cuts Must Be Prioritized, Strategic

By Fred W. Baker III

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is determined that the department not fall victim to the mistakes of the past, “where the budget targets were met mostly by taking a percentage off the top of everything, the simplest and most politically expedient approach both inside the Pentagon and outside of it.”

“That kind of ‘salami-slicing’ approach preserves overhead and maintains force structure on paper, but results in a hollowing-out of the force from a lack of proper training, maintenance and equipment -- and manpower,” Gates said during a speech at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research here today. “That is what happened in the 1970s -- a disastrous period for our military -- and to a lesser extent during the late 1990s.”

In delivering his last major policy speech during his tenure as defense secretary, Gates laid out the department’s cost saving initiatives over the past few years, and outlined what he expects from a comprehensive review he launched last week.

Gates said the review should ensure that future spending decisions are focused on priorities, strategy and risks, and are not simply a math and accounting exercise.

“In the end, this process must be about identifying options for the president and the Congress, to ensure the nation consciously acknowledges and accepts additional risk in exchange for reduced investment in the Department of Defense,” Gates said.

Gates said the analysis will include going places that have been avoided politically in the past, such as re-examining military compensation levels, retirement, pay and pensions and spiraling health care costs.

The review also will examine force structure -- the military’s fighting formations such as Army brigades, Marine expeditionary units, Air Force wings, Navy ships and supporting aviation assets.

“The overarching goal will be to preserve a U.S. military capable of meeting crucial national security priorities even if fiscal pressure requires reductions in that force’s size,” Gates said.

“I’ve said repeatedly that I’d rather have a smaller, superbly capable military than a larger, hollow, less capable one. However, we need to be honest with the president, with the Congress, with the American people, indeed with ourselves, about what those consequences are -- that a smaller military, no matter how superb, will be able to go to fewer places and be able to do fewer things,” he said.

Gates said that in considering cuts, some assumptions that historically have been used to guide defense funding should be questioned.

For example, the assumption behind most military planning since the end of the Cold War has been that the United States must be able to fight two major regional wars at the same time.

“One might conclude the odds of that contingency are sufficiently low, or that any eruption of conflicts would happen one after the other, not simultaneously,” the secretary said. “What are the implications of that with respect to force structure, and what are the risks? One can assume certain things won’t happen on account of their apparently low probability."

“But the enemy always has a vote,” Gates added.

Still, those are the kinds of scenarios the department and U.S. officials need to consider, he said.

“If we are going to reduce the resources and the size of the U.S. military, people need to make conscious choices about what the implications are for the security of the country, as well as for the variety of military operations we have around the world if lower priority missions are scaled back or eliminated,” Gates said.

America needs to understand that a smaller pool of forces could mean greater impacts on troops and families, should the United States find itself in another protracted war.

“To shirk this discussion of risks and consequences -- and the hard decisions that must follow -- I would regard as managerial cowardice,” Gates said.

In the end, the secretary said, the tough choices ahead are about the kind of role the American people -- accustomed to unquestioned military dominance for the past two decades -- want their country to play in the world.

“Since I entered government 45 years ago, I’ve shifted my views and changed my mind on a good many things as circumstances, new information, or logic dictated. But I have yet to see evidence that would dissuade me from this fundamental belief -- that America does have a special position and set of responsibilities on this planet,” Gates said.

“I share Winston Churchill’s belief, that ‘The price of greatness is responsibility … [and] the people of the United States cannot escape world responsibility.’ This status provides enormous benefits -- for allies, partners, and others abroad to be sure, but in the final analysis the greatest beneficiaries are the American people, in terms of our security, our prosperity, our freedom,” Gates said.

Gates acknowledged that after a decade of conflict, the American people are tired of war.

“But there is no doubt in my mind that the continued strength and global reach of the American military will remain the greatest deterrent against aggression, and the most effective means of preserving peace in the 21st century, as it was in the 20th,” he said.

Navy Spouse Hosts Benefit Run for Tsunami Victims

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico

Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (NNS) -- Emiko Coughlin, a Navy spouse from U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), together with the COMPACFLT Officers' Spouses Club hosted the Kizuna 5K fun run/walk, May 21 to benefit those affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami last March 2011.

More than 160 service members and families participated in the fun run and raised more than $4,000 in proceeds to be donated to the American Red Cross.

"I am from Sendai," said Coughlin. "I continue to receive frequent phone calls from my parents who still live in the area. Sendai was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. Those who remain continue to face great hardship. I felt strongly that I wanted to help the people of Sendai. Not only did I want to raise funds for the recovery effort, I wanted to send hope and encouragement."

The fun run consisted of two laps around the old Ford Island runway. Participants received T-shirts after the run.

"I was able to reach out to our Hawaii Ohana," said Coughlin. She recruited several local sponsors including Dumbell Fitness; Hair Attitudes; Hakubundo; Kiewit Pacific; Runner's HI; Dr. Neil Furuta, DDS, Honolulu Peridontics; and Pacific Aviation Museum, Pearl Harbor.

James Campbell High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JCHS NJROTC) also volunteered 18 cadets for the event as they assisted in setting up and directing runners around the runway.

"We're coming out to help everyone run, basically falling in where we need to be, where they need help," said Michael David, 16. David is the JCHS NJROTC student leader, and he said he was happy to be at the fun run to benefit Japan.

Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Wischmeier, assigned to Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, was the first to finish the fun run. Wischmeier lived in Japan for three years, and he said the earthquake and tsunami was a devastating tragedy.

"It doesn't matter how I finished the race, it was good to run it," said Wischmeier. "It was for a good cause."

The COMPACFLT Officers' Spouses Club is a social organization designed to promote camaraderie among the officers' spouses in all branches of the military here in Hawaii. Membership is open to spouses of active duty, reserve and retired military officers. The club organizes a variety of special interest groups designed to introduce members to recreational and cultural opportunities in Hawaii.

Frontline Psych with Doc Bender: How Mental Health Concerns are Treated In-theater

By Dr. James Bender, DCoE psychologist

Dr. James Bender is a former Army psychologist who deployed to Iraq as the brigade psychologist for the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Hood, Texas. During his deployment, he traveled through Southern Iraq, from Basra to Baghdad. He writes a monthly post for the DCoE Blog on psychological health concerns related to deployment and being in the military.

I talk to many civilian doctors and they sometimes ask me about treating psychological health concerns in-theater. Many are surprised to learn the extent of our mental health resources: we have psychologists and psychiatrists, provide medications and therapy, and even have programs to help service members quit smoking available. As combat theaters mature, more assets are available to help service members and their mental health. However, there are differences in how we manage mental health treatment in-theater compared to how we manage them at home. While managing care in-theater, because of limited time, importance of the mission and unit cohesion, we use the “BICEPS” model to guide mental health treatment instead of methods civilian providers may be more familiar with.

The “BICEPS” approach uses six components to help guide providers while they manage treatment of service members during intense situations, like being in a war zone:

■Brevity: Treatment is brief, usually a few sessions occurring over days. It's solution-based and future-focused.

■Immediacy: Treatment is provided immediately to keep problems from getting worse. This is when service members can’t wait weeks for a referral from a primary care doctor.

■Centrality: Treatment occurs where the service member is stationed and close to their unit’s medical clinic. Combat stress control clinics are set up to resemble a common doctor or dentist office.

■Expectancy: Service members who experience a psychological health concern are expected to get better with treatment. After reactions pass, the assumption is that the warrior will return to the fight.

■Proximity: Treatment happens on base. Service members aren’t sent miles away to see a psychologist. We don’t want to pull individuals away from their unit, reinforcing the idea that they’re sick or that something is permanently wrong with them. Also, this provides the people in their unit a chance to offer support.

■Simplicity: Treatment should be simple. We look for practical, real-world solutions to address individuals’ war-related psychological and emotional symptoms.

This model ensures deployed providers are able to deliver quality health care, including mental health care, to service members during military deployments.

For more on in-theater care, read the DCoE newsletter article, “BICEPS Model, Leader Support Mitigates Combat Stress.” Also, join us for the May webinar, Operational Stress and In-theater Care Thursday.

Thanks for reading and thank you for your service. Please post a question or comment if you have one.

Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, May 25, 2011

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

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen delivers remarks at 1:15 p.m. EDT at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Lee Hamilton Lecture Series at the Ronald Reagan Bldg, Washington, D.C.  Media interested in attending should contact JCS Public Affairs at 703-697-4272

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley will give the commencement address and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz will introduce Donley at noon EDT at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.  Media interested in attending should contact USAFA media relations at 719-333-7731.

Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Robert F. Hale testifies at a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at 2:30 p.m. EDT on assessing efforts to eliminate improper payments in room SD-342, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

This Day in Naval History - May 24

By Navy News Service

1917 - First U.S. convoy to cross North Atlantic during World War I leaves Hampton Roads, Va.

1918 - USS Olympia anchors at Kola Inlet, Murmansk, Russia, to protect refugees during Russian Revolution.

1939 - First and only use of Vice Adm. Allan McCann's Rescue Chamber to rescue 33 men from sunken USS Squalus (SS 192).

1941 - Authorization of construction or acquisition of 550,000 tons of auxiliary shipping for Navy.

1945 - Fast carrier task force aircraft attack airfields in southern Kyushu, Japan.

1945 - Nine U.S. ships damaged by concentrated kamikaze attack off Okinawa.

Face of Defense: Air Force Doctor Meets Oprah

By Linda Frost

59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, May 24, 2011 – Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Van Adamson said he never imagined that he’d appear on Oprah Winfrey’s television talk show -- but he has.

In her second-to-last episode today, celebrity talk show host Winfrey highlighted her charity efforts over the years. Adamson appeared along with about 300 other Morehouse College scholarship recipients.

In 1998, Oprah made a dream come true for Adamson, who was raised in Spartanburg, S.C. As a recipient of an Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship, he was able to complete his undergraduate degree at Morehouse College, a private, historically black, all-male college in Atlanta, Ga.

Adamson, a cardiology fellow assigned to the 59th Medical Wing here was also one of five individuals selected by the producer to appear in a short interview segment to speak about how the scholarship has impacted his life.

"It was amazing to me that Oprah cared enough about me as an individual, someone she didn't know, to help me get through school and accomplish my dreams, and it was absolutely amazing that I had the chance to meet her in person and tell her thank you," said Adamson, who currently rotates duties between Wilford Hall and Brooke Army medical centers.

Morehouse College is known for its outstanding graduates in the fields of education, politics, business, religion, science, medicine, dentistry, law and more.

"Oprah's scholarship gave me an opportunity to continue my education and attain my goals and head to medical school," Adamson said. "Honestly, if I had not received that scholarship, I would not have been able to go back to school my sophomore year."

Adamson said he was caught by surprise when the Oprah show's producer contacted his father.

"First, I didn't believe my dad, and then I called and they wanted to interview me to discuss my accomplishments since graduation," he said.

Adamson completed his internal medicine residency at Langley Air Force Base, Va., prior to entering the fellowship program at Wilford Hall. He served for six months at the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, where he stabilized battle-wounded soldiers.

"(Appearing on the Oprah show) was very exciting," he said. "Rehearsal for the taping started at 4:30 a.m. and took six hours. Everything had to be done with precision. I also had the opportunity to meet Tyler Perry, black author and playwright. It definitely will be a star-studded show."

Navy Medicine Tackles TBI with Philadelphia Eagles

By Valerie A. Kremer, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

PHILADELPHIA (NNS) -- Navy Medicine and the Philadelphia Eagles met at the Eagles training facility in Philadelphia to discuss shared initiatives both Navy Medicine and the National Football League (NFL) face related to treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), May 23.

Rear Adm. Thomas Beeman, deputy commander for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Md., met with the top athletic trainer and medical staff of the Eagles during the visit as part of Philadelphia Navy Week.

"I think the Department of Defense is doing a fabulous job in helping identify and treat traumatic brain injury," said Rick Burkholder, head athletic trainer of the Philadelphia Eagles. "We are glad we could learn from Navy Medicine on how the Navy is providing care for TBI and we will hopefully continue to trade information on treating TBI in the future."

During the visit, Beeman and the Eagles medical staff discussed concussion management, resiliency training, advancements in virtual reality treatment, and alternate TBI therapy.

"We thank the NFL for paying close attention to traumatic brain injury," said Beeman. "There are many similarities Navy Medicine and the NFL face in the types of injuries that come from head trauma, rather it be on the battlefield or the playing field."

During his presentation, Beeman also pointed out the advancements in Navy Medicine's research and development as being a key factor in the Navy's maritime strategy and a priority of the Navy Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson.

"The more data both Navy Medicine and the NFL collect regarding TBI, the better off we will both be in finding ways to advance care and therapies for the injury," said Beeman. "Adding the medical component of the NFL and the academic components of Navy Medicine in collaboration can provide the best care possible to our service members and players."

As a global force for good, Beeman also addressed the importance of not only providing rehabilitative care to the players but also to warriors and their families.

"We also have to equip warriors with the skills to navigate a life altering event," said Beeman. "This is also true in treating TBI and post-traumatic stress of players when they come off of the field."

Philadelphia Navy Week is one of 21 Navy weeks across the country in 2011. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they make in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.

Gettysburg Participates in Saxon Warrior

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Betsy Lynn Knapper, USS Gettysburg Public Affairs

USS GETTYSBURG, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) participated in Saxon Warrior 2011 off the coast of England, May 20.

Saxon Warrior 11 is an exercise led by the United Kingdom-based Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). It is designed to develop theater-specific combat skills as well as enhance cooperation between multi-national forces and government agencies. USS Gettysburg is training as part of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group.

"One of the exercises we ran today was an air defense exercise, and the HMS Dauntless (D 33) was activated as the air warfare commander for this event," said Lt. Curt W. Chaffinch, USS Gettysburg air defense officer. "They joined into our communications, command and control."

According to Chaffinch, Dauntless, a British navy destroyer, and her crew did all the tactics, techniques, procedures and reported in using the same communication circuits as Gettysburg would have done had they been executing the exercise as air defense commander for the strike group.

"Saxon Warrior provides us an opportunity, as a deployed force, to integrate coalition partners into our command structure and that is happening for the first time," said Capt. Patrick. O. Shea, USS Gettysburg commanding officer. "We are training in a deployed operation, so it improves our readiness should we become involved in any real world operations."

The exercise, non-scripted and unpredictable, consists of challenges for the multi-national and multi-platform force by creating a diverse war environment based on fictional geo-political and military scenarios.

"It is important for our navies to be able to work together under common mission objectives," said Shea. "The opportunity to integrate the Dauntless into our air defense structure is an important part of furthering that cooperation."

Dauntless has recently been certified to deploy as an anti-warfare platform and one of its last requirements is to join a U.S. strike group for a joint credit and work as an air defense commander.

"Today gave us an opportunity to see how our coalition partners work," said Chaffinch. "And it's even better in this case because we've not only got the United Kingdom here putting on all the events, but we have the Spanish destroyer ESPS Almirante Juan De Borbon who has joined us as well."

"The opportunity to work with George H.W. Bush and Gettysburg as part of this exercise is unparalleled, really," said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Wall, an air warfare officer attached to Dauntless. "This has been a brilliant opportunity for us and we are so grateful. I think on both sides we are really learning a great deal about how each other operate, so this is a unique opportunity."

The George H.W. Bush Strike Group is made up of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Anzio (CG 68), and guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Mitscher (DDG 57).

Program Offers Free Museum Visits

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 – Service members and their families can visit a wide array of museums free of charge from Memorial Day through Labor Day, courtesy of the second-annual Blue Star Museums program.

Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families chairman, and Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, announced this year’s program yesterday in San Diego.

“Blue Star Museums recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country,” Landesman said, “and simultaneously begins young people on a path to become lifelong museum-goers.”

Roth-Douquet noted the program’s success in its first year.

“We are thrilled that 300,000 military family members visited our partner museums in the summer of 2010,” she said.” We hope to exceed that number this year as the military community takes advantage of the rich cultural heritage they defend and protect every day.

“We appreciate the NEA and the nation's museums who chose to partner with us,” she continued. “We also are grateful to our friends at the MetLife Foundation, the lead supporter of the Blue Star Museums outreach initiative, whose generous donation helps make our work possible."

This year, more than 1,300 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa, are taking part in the initiative.  This number includes more than 500 new museums, officials said, with the potential for others to join throughout the summer.

The Blue Star Museums program runs from May 30 through Sept. 5. The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members -- military ID holders and up to five immediate family members. Active duty National Guard and Reserve members also are eligible.

New Competition Requirements Will Increase Procurement Lead Times

From Commander, Fleet & Industrial Supply Centers Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISC) announced May 18 that new competition requirements have lengthened procurement lead times.

A Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP) memo dated April 27 requires that all competitive solicitations over $150,000 to include commercial item procurements, orders against the General Service Administration (GSA) federal supply schedule, and multiple award contracts be advertised for a minimum of 30 days and receive effective competition (two or more offers).

"These new competition requirements are expected to yield better prices but have also increased the minimum lead times for competed delivery and task orders by at least 31 to as much as 45 days," said Robin Green, Field Contracting Operations manager

Customers are being urged to submit RCPs as early as possible to ensure award of FY11-funded actions by Sept. 30 and to allow timely award of FY12 contracts.

For new/follow-on contracts, the required submission dates are as follows: more than $25 million (Jan. 3); $5million to $25 million (March 1); $1 million to $5 million (April 29); and $150,001 to $1 million ( June 1).

The RCP submission date for annual rental or maintenance (ARM) contracts over $150,000 is June 1. RCPs for ARM contracts $150,000 or less must be submitted by Aug. 8.

Procurement requests for delivery/task orders over $150,000 must be submitted by June 13; however, RCP submission no later than June 1 is highly encouraged. The deadline for exercise of option actions in any amount is June 27.

RCPs are due no later than Aug. 8 for purchase/delivery orders $25,001 to $150,000 and Aug. 22 for purchase/delivery orders $25,000 or less.

RCP due dates will be more strictly enforced this fiscal year due to impacts of the late passing of the FY11 budget coupled with the new competition requirements.

Although the final RCP due date for delivery and task orders over $150,000 is June 13, customers are strongly encouraged to submit RCPs to their servicing FISC no later than June 1 to minimize risk and allow sufficient time to meet the new competition requirements.

"Due to expected heavy end of fiscal year workload, longer procurement lead times and fixed contracting workforce, it is critical for customers to develop solid work requirements, plan, and communicate their projected FY11 procurement project list early with their servicing FISC," said Green. "This will allow the FISC contracting departments to better plan to meet customer needs."

COMFISCS provides an array of integrated global logistics support and contracting services to Navy and Joint operational units across all warfare enterprises. The command is responsible for facilitating best business practices and efficiencies across the seven FISCs headquartered in San Diego, Calif.; Norfolk, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Yokosuka, Japan; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Bremerton (Puget Sound), Wash.; and Sigonella, Italy; and for optimizing the performance of base supply functions and standardizing levels of service across 11 regions and 70 Navy installations.

Comprised of more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals, COMFISCS operates as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., COMFISCS is part of a worldwide network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

USS Avenger Arrives in Sembawang

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone, USS Avenger Public Affairs

SEMBAWANG, Singapore (NNS) -- USS Avenger (MCM 1) arrived in Sembawang, Singapore May 23 for a port call.

Avenger Sailors will take part in maintenance training opportunities and have afloat training group (ATG) personnel come aboard to conduct training and inspect ship's records pertaining to equipment maintenance, as well as opportunities to take liberty out in Singapore.

"I'm looking forward to going out and sightseeing," said Quartermaster Seaman Joshua Kissel. "It should be fun."

Lt. Cmdr. Patrick L. German, Avenger's commanding officer, spoke to Sailors about their responsibilities in an all-hands call shortly after arriving in port.

"This is a great opportunity to see things within this area of responsibility. I have high expectations that all of you will be great ambassadors," said German.

USS Avenger is visiting Singapore during a patrol of the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Program Offers Specialized Help to Support Those Transitioning

By Nicolle Bettis, inTransition Program coach

inTransition, a Defense Department (DoD) program, helps service members who are receiving mental health treatment transition—to a new health care system or provider. Program participants are assigned a personal coach who monitors and guides them through their transition.

Nicolle Bettis became an inTransition coach six months ago and although she herself, never served in the military, she feels a strong connection to the military community because of her Navy veteran father and retired government civilian mother. The DCoE Blog staff recently took the opportunity to chat with Nicolle about her work—supporting service members.

Q. What is an inTransition coach?

A. As a coach, I help service members through a transition, like relocating from one base to another; retirement; or temporary leave prior to discharge. I provide resources and information and coordinate mental health treatment. In some cases, I even help the service member initiate treatment for the first time. The treatment can be provided by military treatment facilities, VA hospitals/clinics, TRICARE providers, independent insurance or community service agencies.

 

Q. What makes inTransition different from others programs?

A. I believe inTransition provides a bridge when there’s a gap in services. inTransition helps service members and their families receive continuity of care while moving between health care systems or providers. The majority of service members I work with feel overwhelmed with all the changes they’re experiencing. They’re often juggling many large issues at once like relocating, trying to find employment (or filing for unemployment), struggling financially, enrolling in school—all while coping with mental health concerns, like post-traumatic stress disorder.

The majority, if not all, of the service members I have worked with are unfamiliar with the resources available, including: OEF/OIF program managers at the VA; community resources designed to assist service members; Vet Centers; veteran discounts; support groups; and employment resources specifically designed to help prior-military men and women to name a few.

 

Q. What’s your most memorable experience?

A. Through motivational interviewing techniques, I was able to encourage a guarded service member to open up about their military experiences. After a few sessions, the service member was connected to a mental health professional and thanked me for motivating and assisting them through the process. Helping this service member realize the benefits of continuing treatment was a rewarding feeling because I knew they were on the right track to getting better.

 

Q. What should we know about inTransition?

A. Both providers and service members should know that we offer coaching and support for service members transitioning—we are here to help. Separating from active duty or returning to civilian life can be extremely difficult and just knowing that someone is available to talk to, if and whenever needed, can be comforting. I’ve had several service members say that they appreciate me checking in with them regularly.

Also, as a coach I can provide resources on several topics in addition to mental health, and I think this aspect is often not used because most people simply don’t know about our services.

 

Q. How can people contact inTransition?

Call 800-424-7877 to speak with a licensed clinician 24/7 or visit www.health.mil/inTransition.

Missouri Guard Begins Support Operations in Joplin

From a Missouri National Guard News Release

CARTHAGE, Mo., May 23, 2011 – About 140 Missouri National Guard troops are working under the orders of Gov. Jay Nixon to assist local authorities after a tornado ripped through the city of Joplin, Mo., yesterday.

Guardsmen are assisting in search and rescue missions in support of local authorities, and are expected to conduct a number of missions in the upcoming days, including emergency route clearance, communications support, door-to-door safety visits and security, officials said.

“As soon as we heard the news of the tornados, the Missouri National Guard began mobilization activities,” said Army Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general. “Your Missouri National Guard is bringing experienced citizen-soldiers and leaders to provide the best support we have to our neighbors in Joplin.”

Among those responding are soldiers of the 117th Engineer Team, of Monett, and 294th Engineer Company, of Carthage and Anderson. Additionally, a Joint Task Force Communications Kit out of Jefferson City is en route to assist local authorities.

The troops are part of a task force organized under the 203rd Engineer Battalion and is using the Carthage Armory to stage and deploy troops to Joplin. The Missouri National Guard has a total force of more than 11,500 Guard members who are ready to respond, officials said.

Army Spc. Daniel Brown of the 117th Engineer Team said his unit was the first to respond and worked throughout the night.

“We got the call while doing our annual training in nearby Anderson, and we immediately packed up and went straight to Joplin,” he said. Along the way, he added, he saw overturned trucks at the intersection of highways 71 and 44, and his unit stopped to check a gas station for people who might have needed help.

“We moved on to Joplin, where we spent the night at the Walmart and a local sports store searching the rubble,” Brown said. “This is something nobody wants to see and thankfully we haven’t needed to save anyone yet. But we’ve got a lot of good knowledge and training to help. This is our job and Joplin is our backyard.”

The 117th Engineer Team has special equipment, and the soldiers have extensive training and expertise to conduct search and rescue missions. The soldiers are working 12-hour shifts.

Army Spc. Richard Stotts of the 294th Engineer Company said he was driving with his girlfriend when the storms hit. After taking shelter and making sure his family was safe, Stotts immediately began helping. He pulled three people out of the local AT&T building when he got the call that he was mobilized.

For Stotts, the transition from citizen helping citizens to soldier helping citizens was seamless.

“This is what I signed up for -- to help people,” he said.

The 294th Engineer Company worked throughout the night and is supporting the 117th and local authorities.

Supporting people throughout the area is the main mission, said Army Maj. Michael Brown, executive officer for the 203rd Engineer Battalion.

“We are here to support the citizens of Joplin any way we can,” he said. “Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. The residents here are our fellow citizens, neighbors and friends. We will remain here as long as they need us.”

Missouri’s soldiers and airmen will continue supporting local authorities until released by the governor, officials said.

WORTH Pampers Bataan's Female Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tamekia Perdue, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, Mediterranean Sea (NNS) -- The Women's Organization to Reach Teach and Help (WORTH) aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) held a beauty shop day for female Sailors and Marines in the ship's barber shop May 22.

Beauty shop day was organized to provide female service members aboard time to spend with one another in an atmosphere not typically found aboard Navy ships.

"Sometimes you just need an outlet," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) Connie Blevins, one of the many active members of WORTH. "Sometimes you just want to talk to another female that might understand what you're going through. I can hang with the guys for 12, 16, or even 18 hours a day, but at the end of the day, I want to be a female. I am a female. I want to go somewhere and just be a girl."

WORTH is an organization started by senior enlisted female Sailors aboard Bataan as a way to give junior female Sailors guidance and an outlet to discover themselves.

Beauty shop day is the first of many WORTH-organized activities for female service members aboard Bataan.

"We decided to come up with the beauty day, so we could go over the regulations of how we can wear our hair, what's acceptable, and what isn't, as well as boost morale for the junior personnel aboard," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Trinika Savage.

WORTH members opened the beauty shop doors to all females aboard Bataan, providing hair, nail, and eyebrow care.

"It is a free event, and all of the services were donated by the talents [of female Sailors] aboard Bataan," said Blevins.

A day at the beauty shop gave Bataan's females an opportunity to relax and feel pampered.

"I got my nails and eyebrows done, and it made me feel quite elated," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fueling 3rd Class Ananasa Dobson. "There is never a day for females to take a break and get something done for themselves without it being after taps in the berthing."

According to Blevins, the members of WORTH are trying to coordinate beauty shop day at least once a month. The goal is to boost the morale aboard the ship and continue to give females the beauty outlet they normally would not obtain on a warship.

There are a number of planned events for Bataan's current deployment. Movie night, bingo, and fitness challenges are just a few of the upcoming events in the works.

Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready (ARG) group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.