Support Center is ‘Oasis’ for Wounded Warriors, Families

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 5, 2011 – It’s only 10 a.m., but the Warrior and Family Support Center on Fort Sam Houston here is bustling.

Troops, some in wheelchairs and others heavily scarred, crowd around big-screen TVs to catch the latest sports news in the cavernous, sun-filled front room. In the kitchen up the hall, volunteers load baking sheets into ovens and the smell of fresh-baked cookies begins to waft through the air.

In a nearby craft room, a family gathers for a leather workshop. A triple-amputee soldier, dressed in jeans and a black cowboy hat, lays out a thin strip of leather onto a table as his brother, also a soldier, prepares to emboss a design.

The visitors here are a mix of civilian and military, from different backgrounds and services, but all come to the center with the same purpose in mind: to seek solace and support.

“The center is an oasis in the middle of a lot of things going on for [these troops],” said Judith Markelz, director of the Warrior and Family Support Center. “Everybody is welcome here, and no one notices anything. It’s a safe zone.”

This sprawling, 12,500-square-foot building -- completely funded through civilian donations -- opened in 2008 to offer wounded warriors and their families a place to connect and find emotional support, and to serve as a respite away from the rigors of recovery. It’s just steps away from Brooke Army Medical Center, where many combat-wounded service members are treated, and the Center for the Intrepid, a state-of-the art rehabilitation center.

Thanks to individuals and organizations’ generosity, the center offers wounded warriors and their families more than 100 free activities each month, including sporting events, movies, plays, concerts, shopping trips, lunches and dinners out, and fishing trips. Inside, it features a learning facility for computerized training, a counseling room, a business center, a video game room, a kids’ area, and a craft room popular among both family members and wounded warriors.

This day, military mom Saralee Trimble has stopped by to take a basket-weaving class. The busy work is soothing, she said, as she laid out thin strips of reed, and a healing break away from full-time care of her 19-year-old son, Army Pfc. Kevin Trimble. Her son lost his legs and an arm in a September roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan.

“The center helps you get a break from being hands-on with your soldier all the time,” she said. “It’s a place to go during appointments. It’s so important. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

Trimble said she takes needlepoint projects from here to her son’s bedside.

“It fills the many hours I’m there,” she said.

The crafts are an asset, but to Markelz, the center’s focal point is the well-equipped, spacious kitchen. “Food is the universal language,” she said. “And to many of the service members, food is love.” Although early, she noted the kitchen already was packed with volunteers cooking breakfast for the troops and their families.

More than 140 volunteers from the community frequent the center to cook, conduct classes or spend time with service members, she said, and there’s always a waiting list of more people eager to help.

Each day, donations of food and other items stream through the door. Later on, four ladies would stop by with 40 dozen cookies.

“It’s like ‘Field of Dreams,’” Markelz said, referring to the 1989 movie. “If you build it, they will come. I think of something we need, and someone walks through my door. I’ve never had to ask for anything.”

When the Texas heat allows, visitors can walk the grounds, taking a path that meanders through a butterfly garden, barbecue pit, water features, and past a soon-to-be unveiled children’s playground.

The center’s impressive size and offerings belie its more humble beginnings.

Eight years ago, a committee of therapists, physicians and other helping professionals came to Fort Sam Houston’s Army Community Service, where Markelz worked at the time, in the hopes of creating a space where wounded warriors and their families could gather and find support. They asked her to run this new center, which they tucked away in conference rooms on the second floor of the Powless Hall Guest House here.

The Soldier and Family Assistance Center opened Dec. 8, 2003, and became an instant hit. But the need for more space soon became evident. As word spread of the center’s positive effects, community members looking to help stepped in.

Through donations and the Returning Heroes Home project, the support center moved from a 1,200-square-foot area to its new $5.6 million home, and reopened Dec. 8, 2008.

Next up for the center is Phase 2, also funded through donations. The outdoor therapeutic garden and recreation area is slated to open in March 2012 and will feature a track, beach volleyball, fitness stations and Frisbee golf.

Since the center’s early days, Markelz -- known to many simply as “Mom” -- has seen thousands of warriors and family members come through its doors. Closest to her heart, she said, are the families of service members who die here and the families of service members who walk out of here with no legs, “but they walk out of here.”

These families “become part of my life; all of our lives,” she added.

Family members sacrifice everything to be by their loved one’s side, Markelz said. “I have never seen anything like this. They lose their jobs, their cars, their medical care, their houses, but when you ask them why, they say the same thing: ‘That’s what you do for your child.’ They are my heroes.”

She cited Trimble, the triple-amputee soldier’s mom, as just one example among many. Trimble left her home and her husband behind, and will be here for about two years aiding her son.

“I’ve never heard her complain,” she said. “She’s simply grateful her son is alive.”

The wars may be drawing down, but that won’t mark the end of the need here, Markelz noted. Wounded warriors and their families will continue to need help for years to come.

“We just can’t forget these young men and women and their families. They are the best of the best and we owe them, all of them,” she said.

As soon as she’s done speaking, Markelz rushes off. She has a long list of things to do and a phone that never stops ringing. She wears many hats as director: counselor, friend, mom and, more recently, wedding planner.

A scenic locale out back has become a popular wedding site for wounded warriors, and the center soon will mark its 28th wedding. Each bride gets a new dress -- 61 were donated three years ago -- a bouquet and cake.

“Weddings are a celebration of life,” Markelz said. “It goes on.”

Z-Z-1-3 Keeps Bahrain Sailors ARI Free

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tracey L. Whitley, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Commander, Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox, stressed the importance of "Z-Z-1-3" as part of a U.S. 5th Fleet alcohol awareness campaign during an all hands call, Dec. 1.

"Z-Z-1-3" is defined as zero alcohol-related incidents (ARI), zero driving under the influence (DUI), no more than one drink per hour and no more than three drinks per evening.

Throughout the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), many countries prohibit alcohol and some enforce a 0.00 BAC when driving. In Bahrain, 0.01 BAC is considered a DUI. The public consumption of alcohol is prohibited between midnight and 6:00 a.m., seven days a week, by all U.S. Naval personnel, civilian employees and contractors throughout the region.

As representatives of the United States serving overseas, the consequences of an ARI extend beyond that of the individual Sailor. An ARI can not only hurt a Sailor's career, but also affect the relationship between the U.S. and a host nation.

"Any incident involving alcohol can jeopardize our mission readiness and affect our regional relationships. Liberty is a mission in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and we must ensure that we are good ambassadors of the United States and the U.S. Navy," said Fox. "I expect all personnel to be good shipmates - follow Z-Z-1-3, and adhere to the command alcohol policy."

Alcohol abuse weakens combat readiness, is incompatible with the high standards expected of military personnel and puts the safety and welfare of Sailors and families at risk. Alcohol is also a well-known contributing factor in safety mishaps, sexual assaults and domestic disputes, which in many instances could have been avoided.

"Everyone is accountable to each other, to ensure that our shipmates, both military and civilian, are acting responsibly when they drink," said Master Chief Mark Tomlinson, NAVCENT Staff Command Master Chief. "The "Z-Z-1-3" AOR Alcohol Awareness Campaign is a good method to remember zero alcohol-related incidents, zero driving under the influence, no more than one drink per hour and no more than three drinks per evening."

Tomlinson added that if an individual, friend, family member, or shipmate struggles with alcohol-related issues, they should not hesitate to seek help.

"The Navy or your shipmates will not stigmatize an individual for seeking assistance. Resources are available for personnel and family members, including chaplains, medical specialists, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the command DAPA," said Tomlinson.

With the holiday season in full swing, Sailors may be more inclined to indulge in alcoholic beverages while engaging with family and friends at holiday outings and parties. However, Sailors stationed here have other opportunities to enjoy themselves that don't involve drinking, including community service, academic classes, working out, and sports.

Although there are many tools in place to avoid irresponsible drinking, ultimately it is up to each individual Sailor to make good decisions. By having a plan in place before going out, walking instead of driving or utilizing a designated driver, Sailors can have a good time and still get home safely.

DOD Reflects on 40 Years of Diversity Training

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 – It’s been 40 years since the military began training troops to accept each others’ differences and get along. And if anyone questions the value of diversity training, they need only to consider how much things have changed since it began, the director of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute says.

“When we started in the ’70s, the armed forces were faced with behaviors that really were drastic in nature,” Ronald M. Joe told American Forces Press Service in a Nov. 28 interview. “We had folks who were fighting each other. There were race riots, and physical violence in the armed forces, with one service member against another.”

The institute was created in 1971 as the Defense Race Relations Institute to quell the tensions. DOD officials thought their mission would be accomplished in three years, Joe said. “But because we deal with human beings, because we are dealing with a microcosm of the United States, … we are constantly having to train folks to be able to get along with one another … and valuing our differences and how they aid us in accomplishing our missions,” he said.

As the institute has continued to evolve, Joe said, more focus has been placed on removing barriers, understanding command climate and developing strategies to enhance workplace performance. Equal opportunity professionals help unit commanders appreciate the different perspectives each soldier, sailor, airman and Marine brings to the organization and how to leverage that talent to achieve the missions at hand. DEOMI, as it is known, has graduated more than 40,000 military and civilian students.

When the institute observes its 40th anniversary during its 8th biennial research symposium Dec. 6-8, more than 400 people are expected at its Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., campus to learn about the latest research and take part in panel discussions about diversity, inclusion, equity and cultural competence, Joe said.

For Joe and the other DEOMI professionals, their work is all about mission readiness.

“I like to refer to DEOMI as a national treasure,” he said. “I think this is the only organization in the DOD that does what it does, and probably the only one in the world. Our mission is all about readiness.”

Since its establishment DEOMI has moved beyond just keeping the peace, Joe said, to breaking down institutional barriers to advancement and drafting policies to promote equal opportunity, inclusion and value for cross-cultural competencies such as foreign language and cultural skills.

As the institute changes with the times, he said, it must stay true to its roots. The military has proven itself a model for inclusion and equal opportunity, he added, and must continue to do so.

“Our armed forces have been a real leader in showing how people can work together and live together regardless of differences,” Joe said.

“There has been great deal of progress,” he added. “People in our armed forces are much more caring about each other, and much more focused on the mission” than in the institute’s early days.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2012 MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR AWARD

Deserving Young Patriots Will Win $5,000

SAN ANTONIO – Operation Homefront today announced the opening of the 2012 Military Child of the Year Award nomination period.  The award will be given to an outstanding children of military personnel from each Service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.  The winners, who each will receive $5,000, will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for special recognition ceremony on April 5, 2012.  Nominations are being accepted online until January 15, 2012 at www.OperationHomefront.net/MCOY.  

Ideal candidates for the Military Child of the Year Award demonstrate resilience and strength of character, and thrive in the face of the challenges of military life.  They demonstrate leadership within their families and within their communities.

“The sons and daughters of America’s service members learn what patriotism is at a very young age,” said Jim Knotts, chief executive officer, Operation Homefront.  “Children in military families understand sacrifice and live with the concept of service.  This is what the Military Child of the Year Award honors.”

Nominees must:

•           Must have valid military ID or currently be enrolled in DEERS

•           Must be between the ages of 8-18
•           Must be able to travel to Washington, D.C., for the ceremony on April 5, 2012

Finalists must have a background check to confirm the information provided in the nomination and must provide references.

Recipients of the 2011 awards are profiled in the book “Our Youngest Heroes,” available through Amazon.com.

The Guide Book for Warriors

The December 7, 2011, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Albert W. Johnson who during his 30 year military career helped build the first military satellite and has been inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Hall of Fame. Lieutenant Colonel Albert W. Johnson is the author of Rules of Chivalry for Nuclear War: How We Fight and Persuade Each Other.

Program Date: December 7, 2011
Program Time: 1100 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: The Guide Book for Warriors
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/12/07/the-guide-book-for-warriors


About the Guest
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Albert W. Johnson “knows warfare. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he was assigned as an armament officer in the last year of the Korean War. He then became project officer in developing the B-52 bomber and was one of the original team members on the Discoverer/Corona project – the nation’s first spy satellite program – later inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame. He earned a master’s degree from MIT and worked at Lockheed Corp., a leading defense contractor. Lieutenant Colonel Albert W. Johnson is the author of Rules of Chivalry for Nuclear War: How We Fight and Persuade Each Other.

According to the book description of Rules of Chivalry for Nuclear War: How We Fight and Persuade Each Other, “This book is meant to be a guide book for warriors of they are willing to think 'out of the box'. It has some history, some fiction, some philosophy, some discussion of theology, some advice to young men about sex, and a little bit of physics. The center of the book is a proposal for "The Rules of Chivalry for Nuclear War" (The ROCNWAR). See Chapter 9 if you want to go directly to the proposal. The thrust of the book is that the characteristics of Chivalry are urgently needed when we engage in war.

A major premise is that fighting is one of the four "F" functions of life: i.e., feeding, fleeing, fighting, and reproduction, and how we fight is more important than what we fight about. The proposed rules are designed to: Be effective on promoting change; Lead to decreasing spirals of retaliation; Make the aggressor's sacrifice certain and limited and not dependent on the dice of war; Display the determination of the opponents; Permit the weak to attack the strong and the strong to attack the weak without recrimination; Promote the clarification and definition of issues Promote reconciliation; Recognize that the defender has an inherent advantage; and, And make war a spectator sport.

This book has its genesis in a supper conversation many years ago at Vandenberg Air Force Base when Colonel Lee Battle, Captain Bruce Pince, and Captain Albert Johnson were preparing the launch of one of the early Discoverer Satellites. Colonel Battle presented his ideas about the future of warfare which included the thought that future wars must incorporate decreasing spirals of retaliation. Pince and Johnson were intrigued by this idea and talked about it later.”

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:

Listen from the Archive:
http://www.americanheroesradio.com/guide_book_warriors.html


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

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/273823412668966/

LinkedIn Event:
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Panetta: Keeping Iran Free of Nuclear Weapons a Common Goal

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – The United States and its allies and partners in the international community must do everything possible to make sure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said tonight.

Taking questions from the audience after his speech during the opening session of the 2011 Saban Forum, Panetta addressed a range of Middle East issues, including the nuclear threat from Iran.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insists his nation’s nuclear program is a peaceful enterprise, but the International Atomic Energy Agency reported in November about evidence indicating that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb.

“Iran’s continued drive to develop nuclear capabilities, including troubling enrichment activities and past work on weaponization documented by the IAEA, and its continued support to groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” Panetta said in his opening remarks, “make clear that the regime in Tehran is a very grave threat to all of us.”

The forum is an annual gathering of U.S. and Israeli officials and policymakers. This year the group focused on the historic shifts taking place across the Arab world and their implications for U.S.-Israeli security and interests in the Middle East region.

About Iran, an increasingly menacing element of the region, President Barack Obama said last month that the United States will take no options off the table in dealing with that country’s nuclear ambitions.

“At this point, we believe that the combination of economic and diplomatic sanctions that have been placed on Iran have had a serious impact,” Panetta said. “Iran is isolating itself from the rest of the world. It is truly becoming, chiefly as a result of the attack on the British embassy, a pariah in that region. Their own government is off balance in terms of trying to establish any kind of civility within Iran.

The international community has a common goal, Panetta said: an Iran that does not develop a nuclear weapon.

Working together with Israel, with allies in the region and with the international community is the best way to pressure Iran, Panetta said.

“It’s the best way I believe to ultimately weaken this nation, so that ultimately they have to make a decision about whether they continue to be a pariah or whether they decide to join the international community,” the secretary added.

Panetta noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the use of military force should be a last resort. Using military force against Iran’s nuclear program would delay the nuclear effort only by a year or two, the secretary said. “A greater concern is the unintended consequences,” he added. These could include a backlash in the region that would serve to strengthen a regime that is now weak and isolated.

The United State would be blamed for such an attack, the secretary said, “and we could possibly be a target of retaliation from Iran, [which might] strike our ships [and] military bases.”

Using military force against Iran also could produce severe consequences for economies around the world, Panetta said, including those of Europe and the United States. And using force could prompt an escalation in the region, he told the audience -- a nuclear arms race “that I think would consume the Middle East in confrontation and conflict.”

The key, he said, is for the international community to work together to make sure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.

“We have made good progress in these efforts,” the secretary said. “We continue to make good progress in these efforts. That’s where we ought to continue to put our pressures and our economic and diplomatic efforts.”

The world always will have military action as a last resort, Panetta said. “But it must be the last resort, not the first,” he emphasized.

Officials Emphasize Patience and Planning to Reduce Holiday Stress

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The holiday season has arrived and as Sailors and families prepare to celebrate, Navy officials have provided a standard operating procedure that can help keep the holidays merry and light.

"The holidays can be a hectic time for many," said Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie Chavez, Navy Behavioral Health Program director. "A lack of money, a lack of time, and the hype and commercialism of the season causes increased stress."

Surveys indicate people in the United States are more likely to feel their stress increase rather than decreases during the holidays, according to Chavez, who offers this advice:

* Take advantage of leave periods and relax for a few days by doing something you enjoy. Holiday stand-down periods provide flexibility for much needed rest to recover from the demands of Navy life.

* Be a good listener. Holidays are short and demands from friends and family for your attention will be high so try to give the gift of good company.

* Keep to your shopping budget. When it comes to holiday gift-giving, find creative ways to save money and remain in your budget. Racking up credit-card debt over the holidays may only cause further stress when the bills come due.

* Plan ahead and allow for plenty of time for holiday travel. Expect lines and delays in airports as the number of travelers swell. Prepare your car for road trips and know you'll be sharing the highway with higher numbers of travelers. Getting plenty of rest can make the journey less stressful and help you arrive safely.

* When tensions begin to rise, pause, take a deep breath, reflect and evaluate if the source of tension is really something that should be causing stress.

* The holidays are a time of excitement and exhaustion for young children. Overtired, over stimulated children are ripe for a stress inducing meltdown. Plan accordingly to anticipate disruptions in children's routines and exercise patience. The holidays are supposed to be merry.

* If deployment or geographic separation will keep you away from family and friends, plan your own observance upon your return or for a future date.

Chavez reminds Sailors to look out for their shipmates, too. Deployments, work-ups and separations are simply a fact of Navy life, and Sailors are good at welcoming shipmates into their homes and including them in celebrations.

"Don't underestimate the positive difference you can make by taking a little extra time to care," said Chavez. "The things you do every day to make connections, to encourage, and show people how they are valued and belong, can help in small but important ways for the people around you."

Official Calls for 'Radical Changes' in Maintenance, Sustainment

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Praising the "absolutely phenomenal" way the United States has maintained and sustained its forces on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, a senior defense official said the military needs to do even better.

Budgetary demands and a persistent threat that shows no sign of going away require "radical changes" in how the military maintains an engaged, ready force, John B. Johns, deputy assistant secretary of defense for maintenance policy and programs, told attendees yesterday at this year’s Defense Logistics Conference here.

Johns drew a direct correlation between maintenance and sustainment operations and the combat capability and readiness they drive.

"The ability to conduct deterrence or to shape outcomes associated with our conflicts in the world is driven by what we view in the logistics community," he said. "It is not how much stuff we have, it is how we employ it and how we sustain it."

Yet with the high costs associated with maintenance and sustainment -- second only in the Defense Department budget to manpower costs -- Johns said it's obvious that more cuts are on the way.

"If you haven't felt the pressure yet, then get ready, because it's coming," he told the audience.

Also clear, he said, is that what has worked in the past won't be enough in the future.

"Referring to past success is good ... but not instructive about where we need to go," Johns said. "We are talking about fundamental new levels of efficiency and effectiveness, of agility and flexibility."

That includes a 50-percent reduction in average cycle times, Johns said, and a 25-percent cost reduction by 2020. Even defense activities that already have demonstrated major improvements will have to meet these new levels, he said.

"These are not trivial numbers," Johns acknowledged. "But those are the numbers that are going to get us where we need to be."

And if the department falls short of that goal, "we are exceeding the resources that we are going to have available," he said. "We will not make the warfighting requirements or generate the warfighting capability required if we are not operating at that level of performance."

Johns encouraged leaders within the maintenance and sustainment community to make the hard decisions and encourage innovation to address this challenge. "The change is here, and we can lead and shape it," he said.

But if pressured to take unacceptably large cuts, he urged them to defend the budgets needed to sustain a force that provides credible deterrence and is able to shape the outcomes of conflict or potential conflict.

What's at stake for the United States as the department deals with its fiscal challenges is huge, Johns said.

"If we don't make the right decisions with regard to addressing pressure from a budgetary perspective and pressure generated by the full-spectrum threat, we will make serious mistakes that put this at risk," he said. "And we cannot afford to do that."

USS Carl Vinson Conducts Change of Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Lori D. Bent, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) held a change of command ceremony Dec. 2, while the ship was underway.

Capt. Kent D. Whalen relieved Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey as commanding officer.

The ceremony's guest speaker and Vinson's second commanding officer, retired Rear Adm. Thomas Mercer, praised Lindsey's leadership, highlighting the ship's humanitarian and disaster relief efforts during Operation Unified Response with Task Force-Haiti and the subsequent deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibilities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Before being officially relieved, Lindsey credited Vinson's "Gold Eagle Team" as well as Carrier Air Wing 17's "Team Quicksand" for making the carrier's success possible as he transitions to Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

"The Gold Eagle and Quicksand team is simply stellar," Lindsey said. "It's about the people - the chiefs, the officers and the Sailor. Don't ever forget you are special, and that is why this ship is special."

After official orders were read, Whalen assumed all duties and responsibilities as commanding officer and addressed the crew for the first time.

"It is an honor and privilege to be your commanding officer, and I'm looking forward to witnessing all the great achievements this ship and Carrier Strike Group team will accomplish in the future," Whalen said. "Nothing has changed in the way we do our business onboard Carl Vinson; the safety of this crew should remain paramount."

Prior to assuming command, Whalen served on the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Forces, San Diego as the assistant chief of staff for force readiness.

Carter Recognizes Best Junior, Senior Enlisted Troops

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter today paid tribute to the military’s enlisted members while recognizing two deemed the best of the best.

“You may not read about them everyday … but, behind the scenes, they are the unsung heroes,” Carter said during a Pentagon ceremony honoring the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Senior and Junior Enlisted Member of the Year for 2010.

Carter pinned the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Air Force Master Sgt. Wesley K. Fleming II, operations manager of American Forces Network at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and Army Staff Sgt. Motavia S. Alston, manager and head chef for the Secretary of Defense’s executive dining facility in the Pentagon.

The value of strong enlisted members has been observed far and wide, Carter noted. Baron Friedrich von Steuben described them as the “backbone” of George Washington’s Continental Army, and Russian officials, while rebuilding the military after the collapse of the Soviet Union, said they could not have a great military without great NCOs.

Carter called Fleming and Alston the “living example of duty, honor, country,” noting their career excellence, as well as that to their communities.

Vice Chairman Honors Legacy of Naval Aviation

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Days after celebrating the 50th anniversary of USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hosted a video conference last night with commanders of the Navy’s newest carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, during a gala commemorating the centennial of naval aviation.

Navy Adm. James A. "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. treated attendees to a live conversation with the USS George H.W. Bush’s leaders a day after the carrier passed through the Strait of Gibraltar en route to its Norfolk, Va., home port after its first combat deployment.

Navy Rear Adm. Nora W. Tyson, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, which Winnefeld commanded from 2004 to 2006, reported a successful deployment that allowed the state-of-the-art carrier and its crew to shine.

Winnefeld noted that the crew conducted more than 2,200 combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the region and Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

Tyson, a naval aviation pioneer as the first woman to command a carrier strike group, said this performance reflects the capability carrier strike groups deliver. They provide a forward presence, she said, and an ability to respond quickly to promote security, prosperity and vital U.S. interests around the world. "In my opinion, the carrier strike group is and will remain for the foreseeable future an important instrument of our national security," she said.

Navy Capt. Brian "Lex" Luther, USS George H.W. Bush's commanding officer, praised the crew members who continue to live up to the standard set by the carrier's namesake from the "greatest generation."

"This spirit makes them the greatest of this generation," he said.

"They are proud to be part of the legacy," agreed Navy Capt. Jeffrey A. "Jack" Davis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 8, embarked on the carrier. "Like the naval aviators before them, they are the nation's best."

Davis achieved a personal milestone during a deployment, completing his 1,000th flight deck landing, or "trap," aboard USS George H.W. Bush in August.

Winnefeld, a career naval aviator, said the celebration of the" heart and spirit and honor and courage and commitment of naval aviation" can't overlook its most vital component.

"Our top weapon system, our ready-on-arrival platform, one that delivers time and time again and answers our nation's call, the true secret to our success, of course, is our people," he said.

Naval aviation -- which includes Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard air operations -- is a community effort, he emphasized. It includes not only air crews, but also the maintainers at all levels and ship's companies who work tirelessly to keep these aircraft safely airborne. Also key are industry partners who have driven innovation for the past century and will continue to do so into the future.

But behind the scenes, the admiral added, it all hinges on families, whom he called "the true strength behind our uniform and our service and our enterprise."

Winnefeld got an opportunity to thank some of the pioneers behind this effort earlier this week when he visited USS Enterprise for its 50th anniversary celebration.

Known throughout the fleet as "The Big E," Enterprise was commissioned in Newport News, Va., on Nov. 25, 1961. The one-of-a-kind vessel, considered by many to be a marvel of modern engineering, is the only carrier in the Navy's fleet powered by eight nuclear reactors.

Beginning with the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, Enterprise has served in almost every U.S. armed conflict since its commissioning.

Speaking at the Nov. 28 anniversary commemoration, Winnefeld told dozens of “plank owners” – original crew members -- and current and former Enterprise sailors and officers that he first laid eyes on the carrier he would later command on a National Geographic magazine cover in 1963.

"I remember thinking, 'There's something special about that,'" he told the group.

Little did he know at the time that he would lead "Big E" through its 18th deployment, which included combat operations in Afghanistan immediately after the 9/11 attacks.

Now scheduled to make its 22nd and final deployment this spring, Enterprise is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2015. Winnefeld its legacy set the standard for the future.

"I can only stand here and wonder what the next Enterprise will be," he said.

USS Chung-Hoon Returns Home

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin W. Sisco, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) returned home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) from a six-month independent deployment Dec. 1.

Families, friends and co-workers of Sailors aboard the Chung-Hoon waited pierside for their loved ones to cross the brow as the ship pulled in.

"It was a really tough six months, but I really appreciate how he called me and we kept in contact," said Relonda Begay, who waited for her boyfriend. "I supported him, he supported me while I was in school, so I'm finally glad that our six months is up and he's coming back."

While on deployment, Chung-Hoon participated in several missions including Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines, Naval Engagement Activity Vietnam, and CARAT Singapore.

CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Lt. Harry Bednarczyk talked about coming back from a long and successful deployment.

"It feels overwhelming," said Bednarczyk. "I am glad to be back. I was really looking forward to coming around the bend with the blind signals and all the whistles going. It brought a tear to my eye knowing that I was finally home again."

The crew of more than 275 Sailors conducted ballistic missile defense operations, as well as maritime interdiction operations and theater security cooperation, supporting the nation's maritime strategy.

Panetta Welcomes Army Vet, Dancing Champion to Pentagon

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta yesterday hosted a multi-starred Pentagon welcome for recent celebrity Iraq War veteran and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Jose Rene “J.R.” Martinez.

Martinez, a former Army infantryman who was severely burned by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2003, also met with Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior leaders, said Doug Wilson, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.

“As Martinez made his way down the corridor to Panetta's office,” Wilson said, “young military aides, seasoned officers and civilian assistants poured out of offices to meet and congratulate the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ winner -- who happily accommodated every request for a handshake or photo.”

During the brief visit, he added, Martinez also shook hands with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, who made clear his pride in Martinez as a national symbol of the determination and accomplishments of America's wounded warriors.

Martinez and partner Karina Smirnoff were crowned champions on the ABC television program after a final dancing competition against other contestants Nov. 22 in Los Angeles.

Panetta called Martinez on Nov. 25 to congratulate him on his victory and reiterate his conviction that Martinez stands as a testament to wounded warriors’ strength and resilience.

In 2003, Martinez was a 19-year-old Army infantryman assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. He was driving a Humvee there when the vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

Martinez suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body, including his face and hands.

He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, and later transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he spent 34 months. He has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.

While in recovery, Martinez began to visit other patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs. Since then, he has spoken to audiences at corporations, veterans groups, nonprofits and schools.

In 2008, Martinez landed a role as an Iraq war veteran on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children,” which led to his “Dancing with the Stars” appearances this year.

Martinez described his visit with Panetta for the Pentagon Channel.

“It was really cool,” he said. “There are a lot of important things happening right now outside J.R. Martinez, so for him and everyone else on his staff to take the time to meet with me was a tremendous honor.”

To Panetta, Martinez said, “Listen, I’m a soldier, I’ll always be a soldier, and I want to share the message from whatever platform that I have. As [the Defense Department is] hammering out ways to take care of our troops in different ways, I want to be able to find a way to express that to the general public.”

Martinez said he never could have imagined such a meeting at the Pentagon back when he joined the Army in 2002.

“It just goes to show that things happen in life,” he said. “As we continue to walk through our life after the adversity, our heads naturally are down because we’re grieving through that process.

“But it’s important for us to pick our heads up through that process,” the former infantryman continued, “because then you see opportunities, you see great things that could potentially be a new beginning for you.”

On Dec. 4 Martinez will visit Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division, where he was stationed before deploying to Iraq.

“I’ve been getting a lot of military support throughout this whole process of being on the show,” he said, “so it’s important for me when I’m close to any kind of base to go and visit these troops and their families and say thank you, sign some autographs, take some pictures and just hang out.”

Martinez said he thought meeting with his military friends would be “a lot tougher” after the Dancing with the Stars win.

“I thought I was going to get a lot of grief from my military friends about wearing rhinestones and ballroom shoes with two-inch heels,” Martinez said. “I thought I was going to get a lot of grief from that, but I guess they kind of left me alone because they’re like, ‘He actually can dance so we have no way to mess with him.’”

The feedback Martinez has received from the troops “has been overwhelming in a positive way,” he said. Troops have told him it’s great to see a fellow soldier succeed, he said, and to see him use his celebrity to be a voice for U.S. troops and their families.

Martinez’s next celebrity appearance is on Jan. 2, 2012, when he will serve as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses New Year’s Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Martinez said he’s also working on a book and wants to continue acting and doing motivational speaking.

“I’m booking myself a lot right now to travel the country and share the message of perseverance and positivity and faith,” he said.

Those activities “work together in a lot of ways,” Martinez said, and provide a platform for him to raise awareness about U.S. service members and their families.

“I have been able to be a role model and a voice for a lot of [troops] who don’t feel that they have a voice for themselves,” Martinez said.

“I’ve been able to be a source of inspiration to the families as well,” he added, “to say good things do happen and you’ve just got to be patient and have a great attitude.”

Panetta, Defense Leaders Celebrate Naval Aviation

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commemorated the 100th anniversary of naval aviation last night, praising military aviators’ boldness and courage and expressing hope that Congress will draw inspiration from it in tackling the nation’s financial challenges.

Speaking at the Naval Aviation Centennial Gala here, the secretary expressed concern about additional, automatic across-the-board cuts the Defense Department could face if Congress doesn't take action in the next year.

Those cuts, if implemented, would undercut all of the department's strategy-driven efforts, he said, and he called on Congress to draw inspiration from the aviation community and put partisanship aside to find a solution to the country's fiscal problems.

"If our aviators, if our men and women in uniform, are willing to put their lives on the line, are willing to fight and to die for this country, then surely our elected leaders should be able to take a small risk in order to do what's right for this country," he said.

Panetta joined a long list of aviation luminaries and military and defense leaders in paying tribute to the achievements naval aviators have made since aviation pioneer Eugene Ely first launched from the bow of the Navy test ship Pennsylvania in 1911.

“Boldness has been at the heart of our aviators ever since,” he said, and remains critical as aviation assets provide a capability “absolutely essential to projecting power overseas.”

While providing “an unrivaled force” on the seas, the secretary noted, their contribution also extends inland. “In Afghanistan, hundreds of miles from the nearest sea, carrier aviation assets account for fully half of all air combat missions and one-third of close air support for our troops in contact with the enemy,” he said.

Meanwhile, aviation assets provide critical relief in times of crisis, he added, recalling his visit last month to USS Blue Ridge, which dispatched helicopters loaded with food, water and supplies via helicopter after Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

“All this takes a talented team of more than just pilots,” Panetta said. He recognized the forward air controllers, logistics specialists, maintainers, rescue swimmers, crew chiefs and weapons system specialist who are integral parts of the naval aviation community.

“They, too, are the heroes we celebrate tonight,” he said.

That boldness will remain critical to maintaining air superiority into the future, he told the group. “We need the entire military to be bold – to take the offensive, to innovate, to embrace risk,” he said.

That, Panetta said, includes adapting -- not only to a changing strategic environment, but also to a new period of fiscal constraint.

As the department focuses on building a strong military for the future while meeting its fiscal responsibilities, Panetta offered assurance that it will remain the world’s best military while keeping faith with troops and their families.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, Assistant Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. all joined Panetta last night in paying tribute to a century of naval aviation.

Mabus noted the vision that has guided naval aviation for the past century. "[It] has adapted, grown and evolved over the past 100 years," he said. "It is continuing to do so, and due to the courage, skill and professionalism of every sailor and marine, naval aviation will remain an integral part of the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known."

Greenert recognized that people – not equipment or technology – are the heart of naval aviation. "As we turn our focus to the future, it is important that we remain focused on winning today and in the future, always work together to provide offshore options for our nation, and utilize our diverse and talented force responsibly when employing our resources," he said.

Dunford, who said he has witnessed aviators flying into harm's way to support troops under attack or provide lifesaving medical evacuation support, thanked the community for its strict code of honor to its comrades.

Papp recognized the commitment aviators repeatedly demonstrate as they put themselves into harm’s way to protect or save others.

Winnefeld, a career aviator, congratulated the aviation community for its first century of successes and looked to the future with a live video feed from USS George H.W. Bush as it transits home after its first deployment.

“You are the best,” Panetta summarized in his address to the aviation community. “You are great citizens. You are great warriors. You are great patriots.”

Navy Welcomes New Surgeon General

Navy Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan stepped into the role of 37th Navy Surgeon General in a ceremony at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center-Bethesda, Nov. 18.  Doing so, he assumed the role of top uniformed medical professional for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the chief of Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

Nathan addressed the military medical community in a blog on Navy Medicine Live Nov. 29, thanking the community for their service, leadership and accomplishments to date.

 “Though numerous challenges abound, I sleep better at night given the leadership team I inherited,” Nathan said.

He went on to address the issues of combat casualty care, support for the war fighter, readiness, value, health care informatics, joint operations and global engagements.  Nathan also wrote about a continuing strategic vision to maintain the equities and capabilities of Navy medicine.

 “I am encouraged by the opportunities and the shaping that will occur as we find our equilibrium with the evolving tactical and strategic imperatives,” Nathan said in conclusion.  “I am grateful we are shipmates and I look forward to rolling up our sleeves together and doing what we do best, providing ‘World-Class Care… Anytime, Anywhere!’”

DOD Observes World AIDS Day, Notes Contributions

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2011 – The Defense Department is commemorating World AIDS Day today with a broad range of activities aimed at helping more than 70 partner militaries with their prevention, care and treatment programs.

“Leading with Science, Uniting for Action,” the theme of this year’s worldwide commemoration, describes how U.S. military members work hand in hand with militaries around the world to address the disease, said Matthew Brown, deputy director of the Defense Department’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Program.

The Naval Health Research Center in San Diego serves as DOD’s executive agent providing technical assistance, management and administrative support for the program.

DOD has provided partner militaries support, technical assistance and resources for their own programs since 2001. That effort expanded in 2003, Brown said, with the launch of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.

The five-year governmentwide program, managed by the State Department, proved so successful that it was extended in 2008 for another five years, through 2013, Brown reported. Meanwhile, its funding more than doubled, from $15 billion -- the largest commitment any country had ever made to combat a single disease -- to $38 billion for the second five-year period.

DOD’s role in the broader U.S. government program, conducted in cooperation with geographic combatant commanders and embassy defense attaches, enhances what Brown calls “health security cooperation.”

It’s critical to promoting security and stability, he said, because governments realize that the prevalence of AIDS weakens governments, militaries and economies.

“HIV tackles the youngest, most productive segment of the population, and it hobbles the society’s ability to function,” Brown said. “This is exactly true in the military, because the military draws from this same population that is most at risk for HIV.”

That recognition makes nations eager to become partners in the program. “They want to work with us on HIV because it is such a devastating problem,” Brown said. “They want assistance and they want collaboration with the U.S. government.”

Working with foreign militaries, predominantly in Africa but also in Central and South America, Central Asia and the Pacific, teams assigned to DOD’s HIV/AIDs Prevention Program focus education and prevention.

They spend about 80 percent of their time on the road, meeting with their foreign military counterparts and providing technical assistance and support, Brown said.

The scope of the cooperation varies country by country, from periodic conferences and meetings to full-time representation on the ground.

But regardless of the size of the individual program, Brown said, partner nations benefit from new research and lessons the U.S. military has learned in identifying, treating and preventing HIV within its ranks.

“We are able to share 25 years’ worth of experience with HIV in the U.S. Department of Defense and in our services with the host country department of defense and their various services,” Brown said. “What we are trying to do is provide the learning curve.”

While progress continues in developing an HIV/AIDS vaccine, Brown said the most promising way to address the problem now is through education and treatment.

“We know exactly how it is transmitted, and we know how to prevent it,” he said. “And it is 100 percent preventable.”

Identifying people who are HIV-positive is an important first step. “The literature shows that if you are affected with HIV and don’t know, you are far more likely to transmit it,” often as much as five-fold, he said. “If you simply know that you are HIV-positive, your transmission risk goes down.”

Another effective prevention tool being promoted by many partner nations is male circumcision. Circumcised males are 30 percent less likely to transmit HIV than those who aren’t, Brown said. “In the absence of a vaccine, that’s the most effective prevention strategy we have, other than just knowing that you are infected,” he said.

Partner nations share state-of-the-art developments regarding HIV and AIDS during biennial conferences sponsored by the Defense Department’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Program. Mozambique will host the next one, scheduled for early May.

Meanwhile, the additional staff of the Naval Medical Center San Diego provides foreign military health-care providers training in HIV treatment being provided there.

Thanks to the PEPFAR program, that same level of treatment -- which consists of daily medication and close medical monitoring -- is now available to an additional 2.7 million people around the world. “The fact that we have free treatment available in these countries is just an amazing accomplishment,” Brown said.

An epidemiologist who has spent the past 11 years focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Ivory Coast, Haiti, Beijing and Kazakhstan before arriving in San Diego two years ago, Brown said he’s excited about progress made and what’s ahead.

“We have come so far and really know so much more now,” he said. “This is really an extremely exciting time where we have the knowledge and tools to be able to arrest the spread of the largest scourge that the world has seen -- the AIDS epidemic.”