Navy League Presents Awards to USS Bremerton

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League presented awards to four Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698), for outstanding achievement throughout 2011 at the submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Jan. 20.

Dr. Byron Faber of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League presented awards to the following submariners: Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Charles Corcoran was awarded the 2011 Engineering "Go-to-Guy" award for engineering excellence. Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SS) Bevon Drummond was awarded the 2011 Supply "Silent Specialist of the Year" for Supply Department excellence. Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SS) Christopher Beal was awarded the 2011 "Bowditch Award" for Navigation excellence and Sonar Technician (Submarines) 2nd Class (SS) Jerry Verant was awarded the 2011 "Tactical Adonis of the Year" for tactical and Weapons Department excellence.

"It is a great privilege to present these awards and recognize what a great job these Sailors are doing," said Faber. "This is our way of showing them that the citizens of Bremerton appreciate all that they do for our country."

The council sponsors USS Bremerton. The organization provides awards to four Sailors each year serving on USS Bremerton based on superior performance over the past year. This initiative was started in 2010 by Faber. He was also instrumental in the adoption of the submarine by the city of Bremerton. A ceremony commemorating this event was held in Bremerton in January 2011.

"Over the past year, Dr. Faber and the Navy League have provided outstanding support for USS Bremerton working to recognize superior performance and improve the quality of life of USS Bremerton Sailors and families," said Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, commanding officer, USS Bremerton. "This camaraderie between the city of Bremerton, the Navy League and the ship has paid big dividends in crew morale. It means a great deal to me that citizens of the fine city of Bremerton and the Navy League are supporting my Sailors and the ship particularly while we are deployed."

MCPON Speaks at Northern Virginia Council of the Navy League

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas L. Rosprim, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) spoke at the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Council of the Navy League dinner in Arlington, Va., Jan. 18.

The NOVA Navy League is composed of community and corporate affiliate members, retired military, family members, and other sea service supporters. The night served as an opportunity to trade sea stories and gain perspective for the audience.

"I love the Navy League; everywhere I go I am pleased to be affiliated with them," said MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West. "Organizations like Navy League are crucial to the awareness and education of our Sailors and the public, ensuring that none of us stop learning about our past and the road ahead."

Nancy Gorell, vice president and ship liaison for the NOVA Navy League, said the top priority for the organization is to take care of the U.S. sea services and their families.

During the dinner, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Timothy Leland was named Coast Guardsman of the Quarter for USCG Station Washington, D.C. NOVA Navy League and MCPON presented Leland with a certificate of appreciation and gifts from the Navy League.

"I enjoy every opportunity to recognize outstanding service members for their outstanding dedication and accomplishments," said West. "Petty Officer Leland is a phenomenal representative of the Coast Guard and our military team."

West briefed the Navy League on the current state of the Navy, issues facing the Navy and Sailors, and reinforced the importance of the Navy League and the work they do for Sailors and families, particularly their partnership with Navy Safe Harbor and the Anchor Program which helps wounded warriors.

"I learn something new from Sailors every single day. They are our nation's treasures, they're the crown jewels," said West."It's 120 degrees on the flight deck of that carrier and they'll look at you, smile, and then say, 'What else you got?' That to me is amazing."

CNO Sees Hawaii as 'Gateway' to Operate Forward

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) appeared on local Fox affiliate television station KHON2's Wake Up 2day morning show in Honolulu, Jan. 19.

CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert talked to news anchor Olena Heu about the strategic importance of Hawaii and the Pacific region.

"Hawaii is really the gateway to the western Pacific," said Greenert. "Here in Hawaii, you have a hospital, a shipyard. You have ships, aircraft, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and Airmen. Really, this is our gateway. It is probably the most important strategic base for the western Pacific, which is the centerpiece of our strategy."

In the morning show, Heu asked how potential budget cuts will impact the Navy and specifically the Navy in Hawaii. Greenert provided no details but emphasized the strategic importance of Asia Pacific and of Hawaii as a base to operate from.

"It's a matter of where the proper investments should be to really align with our strategy," adding, "Hawaii and the Pacific are key to our strategy and that will be reflected in the budget."

Adm. and Mrs. Darleen Greenert arrived in Hawaii, Jan. 18, to meet with Sailors and their families and to participate in the U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) change of command ceremony, Jan. 20. Adm. Cecil Haney, former deputy of U.S. Strategic Command, will be replacing Adm. Patrick Walsh as PACFLT commander.

On Thursday morning, Darleen Greenert visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and toured the Center Drive Child Development Center with Joint Base Commander Capt. Jeff James. She also visited the Ford Island Community Center and was invited to visit the homes of several military families, where she discussed quality of life issues.

After Adm. Greenert's morning show, the CNO held an All Hands Call with more than 500 Sailors at Sharkey Theater on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

"We are so lucky to have a generation who give much more than themselves to a larger institution, and we have a generation of people who are dedicated to our country," said Greenert. "I just want to say thank you to them and thank you to the people of Hawaii for supporting these Sailors and their families. They are truly the land of Aloha. It's a privilege to be here."

With a world map as a backdrop, Greenert fielded questions and talked about the Navy's overall strategy not only in the Pacific region but to the entire world. He said that at any given time, there are about 100 ships forward deployed around the world, more than half of which are in the Pacific region.

"The focus of the Navy in the future is the Asia Pacific region - where you are," said Greenert.

Construction Completed on the Most Energy Efficient CDC in Hawaii

By Denise Emsley, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii turned over the newest military Child Development Center (CDC) in the state to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) Morale, Welfare and Recreation Jan. 17.

"We are extremely happy to accept this new structure and begin the installation of furniture and other items needed prior to opening a highly anticipated addition to our CDCs for Navy and Air Force military families," said Al Worley, facilities and projects manager JBPHH Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR).

NAVFAC Pacific awarded the design/build $18.9 million contract to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company Inc. Sept. 29, 2009. NAVFAC Hawaii executed and administered the project. A ground breaking ceremony was held June 4, 2010 at the site near Center Drive, between Nimitz and Makalapa Gates to JBPHH and the new facility began to take shape.

"This project brought Navy and contractor personnel into a very close working relationship that enabled us to not only build one of the largest Child Development Centers in the nation, but also include a multitude of sustainability innovations, potentially achieving the first Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Platinum facility on a military base in Hawaii," said Lt.j.g. Christopher Hoggan, project manager NAVFAC Hawaii.

LEED is an internationally-recognized "green" building certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It has a point-based rating system which offers four certification levels for new construction, certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each level corresponds to the number of credits accrued in five "green" design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

"Initially, our goal for this facility was LEED Silver," said Lt.j.g. Hoggan. "With additional sustainability and energy efficient design elements, material reuse, and other innovations identified after award, the project began moving towards LEED Gold."

Then during the early construction phase of the contract, NAVFAC Hawaii presented the contractor with an opportunity to add "energy enhancements" to include advanced metering, conversion to gas appliances, and more rooftop integrated thin film photovoltaic panels to be placed on new carport structures which would balance the facility's energy use and help it function as a "net zero" building when opened.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus laid out five aggressive energy goals in October 2009 to improve energy security and efficiency afloat and ashore, increase our energy independence, and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy.

The Pearl Harbor CDC is constructed of reinforced concrete masonry walls, interior medal studs, and steel roof framing. It has 24 classrooms for infants, pre-toddlers, toddlers, and preschoolers which enclose a large grass courtyard area with multiple age-appropriate play areas. In addition, the facility includes a full kitchen, laundry room, toilet facilities, storage and administrative spaces plus all supporting items such as exterior playground equipment, tension fabric structures, storage, fencing, gates, controlled parking, controlled access, and a covered drop off/pick up area.

"Construction of this large CDC progressed well from start to finish and was ahead of schedule during much of the project," said Lt.j.g. Hoggan. "NAVFAC Hawaii and contractor personnel set up a great working relationship that resulted in a wonderful addition to Navy and Air Force child care facilities in Hawaii."

According to JBPHH's MWR director, the facility is expected to be open for business in late March.

"Currently there are seven CDCs and 37 Child Development Homes that accommodate 586 children, said Frank Faria, MWR director, JBPHH. "With the opening of the new one on Center Drive in March 2012, Wahiawa in March 2012, and Ford Island in May 2012, an additional 680 quality child care spaces will become available for Navy and Air Force families."

CMS/ID CAC Login Makes Life Easier for Sailors

From Navy Personnel Command/Sea Warrior Program Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- An upgrade to Career Management System/Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID), the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to negotiate permanent change of station orders (PCS) has improved new Sailor access by simplifying log-in procedures, officials said Jan. 18.

"Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest impacts," said Donald Pellinen, CMS/ID project director. "That's what happened when the CMS/ID technical team enabled users to access the CMS/ID application using their command access card (CAC)."

Before this seemingly simple enhancement, Sailors, detailers, and other new users of CMS/ID had to login to the system using a password and their social security number. CMS/ID was yet another system that required Sailors to create and save login credentials, like a user name and password, which they had to remember for the rest of their naval career; an unrealistic expectation given the system is used on an "as needed" basis, which sometimes could be only during the orders negotiation process every three to four years.

"Sailors usually call the CMS/ID help desk an average of 500 calls per month with 50 percent of the calls for password reset," said Pellinen. "Leadership asked us to see if there was anything we could do to reduce the help desk calls related to password resets."

Improving and streamlining information technology to generate business efficiency is a critical goal. Opportunities to maximize technology in order to make business tasks faster and easier frees up Sailors' time to focus on their mission at hand, according to Pellinen.

"One month after implementing the CAC login we received only 17 help desk calls requiring assistance in accessing CMS/ID," said Pellinen.

CMS/ID has evolved over the years from a basic job advertising website to a core career management tool. Sailors can view aspects of their personnel information, search for job opportunities, update duty assignment desires and submit applications for their next duty assignment.

"Much of the functionality found in CMS/ID is a direct result of input and request from Sailors and career counselors," said Pellinen.

Sailors can learn more about using CMS/ID and access the web site by clicking the "Career Management System" link on the Navy Personnel Command web site at www.npc.navy.mil.>

Admiral Details Challenges, Opportunities of Pacific Fleet

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – As America’s focus shifts to the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Pacific Fleet is well-placed to protect national interests and connect with regional nations, Pacific Fleet’s commander, Adm. Patrick Walsh, said.

Adm. Cecil Haney will replace Walsh as the commander of the world’s largest fleet tomorrow during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor.

President Barack Obama’s military strategy announced earlier this month says that America’s focus will shift more toward the Asia-Pacific region in keeping with the U.S. position as a leading Pacific nation.

The Navy’s Pacific Fleet is a guarantor of peace and stability in the region, and it is well-positioned to take on the added focus, Walsh said during a recent interview with American Forces Press Service.

The fleet will continue to build military-to-military relations with Pacific nations, the admiral said. It will seek to strengthen ties with rising powers such as China and India while maintaining long-established relations with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia. It will continue to work bilaterally, trilaterally or multinationally with all in the region, he said.

The region is huge and diverse, but one thing that the nations agree on is the role America plays in security and stability there. Few national leaders anywhere in the region want America to become isolationist, Walsh said.

“In terms of our role as a Pacific power, often I hear about the Chinese coastline being 9,000 miles long; ours is 45,000,” he added.

China is the dragon in the room. The nation now has the second-largest economy in the world – growing at about 8 percent annually – and is investing in its military force.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet is engaging with Chinese counterparts in many areas. “We work with many countries in the region to take an inclusive approach to identify key exercises that would contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at sea,” Walsh said. The idea is to find common ground, and then build on them.

U.S. Pacific Fleet leaders have met with Chinese counterparts in many regional forums from Singapore to Japan to Hawaii. Walsh has met with his Chinese counterpart and said he believes there is a momentum to closing the gaps that separate the U.S. and Chinese militaries.

The South China Sea and the Spratly Islands are a potential flashpoint with China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan all claiming sovereignty.

“It’s very important for us to understand how the Chinese characterize the South China Sea,” Walsh said. “We have very different interpretations of what we think they want. That leads to confusion and friction. That’s something I’ve addressed with my counterpart and something we must work toward resolving.”

The nations must talk or else local events at sea will play out in the international arena and spark tensions between countries. “Having China participate in the norms and behaviors and activities that all the other nations are participating in, I think is really important,” the admiral said.

The Chinese need to remain involved in talks “because the danger is that they could retreat into a very narrow interpretation of what is acceptable and what is not in international waters and the high seas,” Walsh said.

“There are established norms and behaviors at sea that have brought us the security, the stability, the prosperity in the Asia Pacific since the World War II era,” he added. “We can’t set that aside for an interpretation that the South China Sea falls under the category of internal Chinese law. That just won’t work.”

The United States recognizes the historical disputes in the area and believes “the most constructive role that we can play is to facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes,” he said.

Competition for resources, including possible oil and gas deposit on the Spratly Islands, will increase tensions in the region, Walsh said.

“Moving forward, the question is how do we resolve the tension that exists now with the demand for greater resources?” he said. “Having a credible force that is sustainable forward is critically important to working with partners in the region to resolve disputes and to resolve conflict.”

India is another rising international economic power and the Pacific Fleet has a robust military-to-military relationship with the second-most populous nation in the world.

India and other Asian nations have recognized that the U.S. model for security and stability operations at sea has contributed, enhanced and underwritten prosperity in the region, Walsh said.

The Pacific Fleet works with nations to develop the ability to patrol and develop their maritime capabilities. “Our interests are inherited from our geography,” he said. “The idea that we have a Navy that looks after our interests and the interests of our friends and partners in the region is consistent and logical.”

There are countries in the region that see positive aspects to American influence and seek partnerships. “It’s an open and more inclusive approach that continues to generate interest on the part of other countries,” he said.

Walsh was commissioned out of the Naval Academy in 1977. An aviator, he served on the Blue Angels. The Navy today is far different than the one he entered as an ensign.

“We’ve come a long way, and we’ve got a lot to be proud of,” he said. “It’s best represented in the amount of interest in joining the service and staying in. The quality of personnel we have has continued to improve over time. It’s a model we need to take full stock of.”

America’s role in the Pacific is unique even according to statesmen in the region. Walsh told about a recent conversation he had with Singapore’s senior minister, Lee Kwan Yew. They were talking about translators and the senior minister asked Walsh if he brought his own interpreters when he visited Southeast Asia or if he hired them in country.

“I told him we have our own,” the admiral said. “The sons and daughters of those who immigrated to the United States are not only translators, but they are coming back now in command.”

Lee Kwan Yew’s observation about that fact was penetrating, Walsh said. “He said that America has done something that no other country in the region can do: we’ve learned how to recognize and embrace diversity,” the admiral said.

“What that means now is we have commanders who fled Vietnam in 1975 who are now back in command of Arleigh Burke destroyers going back to Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea or India, the commander said.

Lee “said you couldn’t do that in Asia. You could not expect to immigrate to China, for example, and then expect to land on your feet, attend a military academy and then get command of a Chinese naval vessel,” he continued. “It’s only in the United States that you’ve learned to unlock the potential of all that diversity and all it means.”

Navy Surgeon General Observes Field Training for Team Deploying to World's Busiest Trauma Hospital

From Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's highest-ranking medical officer visited students at the Kandahar Role 3 Hospital course at Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute (NEMTI) Jan. 19 at Camp Pendleton.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, U.S. Navy surgeon general and several senior Navy Medicine flag officers met the nearly 200 Sailors and officers undergoing the first pre-deployment training session for the entire staff of a forward-deployed medical facility, and discussed the important role the service members would play by staffing the world's busiest military trauma hospital in Afghanistan.

They visited the Navy's expeditionary medicine training facility and observed the NEMTI Role 3 Kandahar course's final exercise. During the exercise, students implemented the clinical skills they honed during the two-week course. Kandahar Role 3 students participated in a scenario-driven series of exercises, including staffing a fully equipped hospital receiving patients with traumatic injuries, implementing triage procedures, a simulated air strike, simulated improvised explosive device scenarios, MOPP level-4 drills, and a mass casualty drill, all designed to foster the teamwork the next staff at the Kandahar Role 3 hospital will employ.

The NEMTI-sponsored Kandahar Role 3 course - the first U.S. Navy-led effort to integrate NEMTI in the pre-deployment training pipeline for medical personnel - is designed to allow members of the next rotation of service members deploying to the world's busiest trauma hospital the opportunity to train together, something Nathan said is imperative.

"Care for the warfighter is why we exist," he said. "This is our top priority. Our combat casualty care capability represents a continuum of training from battlefield to bedside to rehabilitative care and support."

Kandahar Role 3 Hospital course students were exposed to numerous classes during the nearly three-week course. Day-long clinical skill station practical scenarios encompassing the variety of injuries deploying personnel could see, classroom lectures on ethics, and other medical-related hands-on and classroom material were taught by NEMTI staff.

Rear Adm. Eleanor Valentin, commander, Navy Medicine Support Command, who has oversight of Navy Medicine education and training including NEMTI, said efforts such as the Kandahar Role 3 Hospital course continue to prove integral to the overall success of supporting ongoing contingency operations around the world.

"This training was designed, foremost, to save lives," she said. "Lifesaving training has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of Navy Medicine Support Command's education and training mission. You can see the results of these efforts on the battlefield. U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan are experiencing the lowest battle mortality rates in history, due in large part to exceptional military medical personnel and their training. Our training is also realistic. Naval Expeditionary Medical Training Institute provides an environment and realistic training programs that help medical personnel prepare to deploy to save lives."

Service members completing the Kandahar Role 3 Hospital course, which began Jan. 7 and is scheduled to conclude Jan. 21, will next complete military requirements at training sites such as Fort Dix, N.J., or Fort Jackson, S.C.

Also observing this unique training program were Rear Adm. C. Forrest Faison, III, commander, Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego; Rear Adm. Colin G. Chinn, MC, director, TRICARE Regional Office - West; Rear Adm. Michael H. Anderson, MC, the medical officer to the Marine Corps; and Rear Adm. Charles Harr, deputy to the medical officer of the Marine Corps/deputy director, Medical Corps, Reserve Component.

NEMTI, the premier U.S. Navy training facility for expeditionary medicine, reports to the Navy Medicine Operational Training Center (NMOTC) in Pensacola, Fla., and NMSC, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.

NEMTI, NMOTC and NMSC are part of the Navy Medicine team, a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high-quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

1 Guard dad + 4 Guard sons = 5 Citizen-Soldiers

By Jennifer Archdekin
Missouri National Guard

ALBANY, Mo. (1/19/12) - With the most recent enlistment of their youngest son, one northwest Missouri Family serving in the National Guard could all but make up their own squad of artilleryman. One dad and four sons now serve with the 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion, making for some interesting war stories.

 Army Sgt. 1st Class Charley (Gene) Ramsey and his wife, Pam, have four of their five children currently wearing the uniform just like their dad.

 "I'm awful proud of every one of them," said Charley. "They didn't have to come in, but they did."

 "It's awful neat," said Pam. "They're a special group of boys."

 The entire family of Soldiers all serve within the same battalion, though they are split between two batteries in Maryville and Albany.

Charley joined the Nebraska National Guard in 1988 and later served in the active-duty Army. He transferred to the Missouri National Guard in 2001 and continues to serve as the readiness noncommissioned officer for Headquarters Battery in Maryville.

In 2005, Army Staff Sgt. Lance Ramsey was the first of Charley's sons to enlist, and serves alongside him in Maryville. His brother, Army Spc. Matthew Sipes, joined in 2006 and is with the Albany unit. Army Spc. Taylor Ramsey signed up in 2009 and serves in Maryville, while Army Pvt. Mark Ramsey, who just enlisted this past fall, will eventually serve with the Albany unit.

 The Ramseys know firsthand how children plot their own course in life,

 sometimes taking them far from home. However, with the help of the Guard they know at least one weekend a month their brood will be under one roof. Pam said she is thankful for drill weekends because it brings her family back together.

 "It's nice because they all come home the same weekend," said Pam. "One

 weekend a month we have a family reunion. The benefit is I get them all at home."

 Lance holds the distinction as the first son to choose to wear the uniform like his father.

 "It did kind of feel like I was carrying the torch," said Lance.

These Soldiers don't consider it to be a negative to have eight other eyes watching over them.

 "I feel I have more support than the average Soldier because they have my back," said Lance. "When we do have drill everybody gathers at the house and I think that does a lot for everybody. We always come together to talk at the end of the day."

 One potential downfall of having five Citizen-Soldiers serving from the same family is the possibility that all five could be deployed at the same time, whether it be a stateside mission or overseas.

 "It's kind of scary," said Pam. "You always worry when people are gone. I

 hope that never happens, though it could."

 "I sure don't want to go anywhere with them all," joked Charley.

 Being responsible for a few hundred Soldiers overseas is one thing, but

 looking after four sons is another story. As a father it is understandable how there would be extra weight on Charley's shoulders to keep his boys safe.

 "Pam's proud of them all for coming in, but not super excited about everybody going anywhere," said Charley. "She's probably the one that makes the biggest sacrifice to be honest."

 Having her husband and children away from home for long periods of time is a sacrifice Pam knows all too well.

Charley deployed to Germany in 2004 for 18 months and Pam was left at home with five kids. Pam said it was tough not having her husband home, as well as the kids' father, but pointed out that Charley was also alone without his family support system.

In 2008 Charley was called up again to serve, this time for a year in Kosovo. However he did have Lance and Matthew by his side.

 "I was glad he was there with the boys," said Pam. "They had a good sounding board and it made me feel safer to know he was there and could take care of them."

 Pam said the guys bonded while they were deployed and again it brought them closer together.

"They would have a date night in Kosovo," said Pam. "He would take them to the movies and spend time together. They all bonded."

"It was really nice when we were deployed having a brother and step-dad over there," said Matthew. "You always had a little bit of home."

 Having been a Citizen-Soldier for the past 24 years, Charley has chosen to make a career out of the military, but from the beginning he has impressed on his sons that he will not pressure them to do the same.

 "I've told every one of them, it's your decision," said Charley. "If you do your six years and get out, nobody can fault you for that."

 Though it was hard for Charley to keep the National Guard a secret in his own home, he was intentional not to persuade them to join. Nevertheless each son's reason for enlisting share commonalities.

 Lance said he never felt coerced by his father to join, but the benefits the National Guard afforded him for his education were clearly spelled out by Charley. Lance knew this was the only way he was going to be able to afford college.

Initially Matthew refused to join the Guard and completed two years of college before enlisting.

 "I then realized the benefits I could be getting, and I figured I'd always have these guys in my unit, so I signed up," said Matthew.

 Pam recalled Matthew showing up at home one day wanting to talk to Charley.

"I thought something bad happened and he wrecked his car or something," said Pam. "He said he was there to sign up and it just blew me away."

 Education was a key factor for Taylor choosing the National Guard, as well.

 "Part of it was to pay for college, and the other part was I wanted to serve our country," said Taylor.

 Mark also had no intention of following in his dad's footsteps, but the

 sticker shock of a college degree prompted him to consider what options he would have as a Citizen-Soldier.

 "Everyone always asked me if I would join, and I said 'no'," said Mark. "I was absolutely against it, then senior year came up, and I saw how much college cost, and I said, 'Yep, let's go join the Guard'."

 With the day-to-day duties his sons face as Soldiers, Charley says it can be conflicting at times to balance his position as a Soldier and his role as a father.

 "It's tough the first time you make them go be in charge of a range or make them go do this or that," said Charley. "I want them to succeed, but I don't want to spoon feed them. I don't want them to feel like the only reason they succeeded is because I did it for them. I want them to do it on their own."

 "The National Guard has been good for my sons," said Pam. "It has taught them discipline and responsibility. I think it's a great opportunity for them."

 After graduating from Albany High School, Mark will leave in June for his basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. He will then get his advanced training at Fort Gordon in Georgia to be completed in November.

 "I feel more prepared because of my family," said Mark. "I know what to expect."

 Mark plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University beginning January 2013.

Navy Misawa Honors NMCRS Volunteers

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Darrius Wharton, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs

MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) honored Navy Misawa volunteers during an awards luncheon at the Naval Air Facility, Misawa Jan. 18.

Each NMCRS awardee served as a case worker and volunteered more than 50 hours of their time last year to help Sailors and Marines.

"The volunteers run the program," said William Costello, NMCRS Yokosuka assistant director. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to properly assist the service members because they are involved as soon as the need arises."

Case workers assist in assessing service members needs, usually in a crisis situation. They identify the immediate requirements of the client, and determine the appropriate resources necessary to help meet the need.

NMCRS only has a few full-time employees within its organization; therefore the need for volunteers is imperative. Most of the volunteers on board Misawa Air Base are service members, with a few civilians as well.

"We are fortunate to have such caring and qualified volunteers here in Misawa," said Capt. Chris Rodeman, commanding officer of Naval Air Facility Misawa. "The program is not effective without people who truly care about helping others."

One of those volunteers is Damage Controlman 1st Class Joseph Dubois from NAF Misawa's Emergency Management Department.

"Back when I was a young Sailor, I got plenty of help from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society," said Dubois. "I just wanted to do something to give right back to them so that's why I volunteer.

"It feels great to be recognized. However, we don't do it for the reward; we do it just to help."

According to the official NMCRS website, the society was founded in 1904, and is a private, non-profit charitable organization. It is sponsored by the Department of the Navy and operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world.

Its mission is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the naval services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs.

Pacific Fleet Commander Reflects on Operation Tomodachi

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – As he prepares to turn over the reins of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh looks back with pride in his command’s adaptability in responding to last year’s earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, former deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, will take over as leader of the world’s largest fleet tomorrow.

Walsh spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing America in the region during an interview earlier this week. Speaking from his headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the admiral talked about the U.S. military assistance effort, dubbed Operation Tomodachi, in response to the March disaster.

More than 15,400 people died in the tragedy. Coastal villages, towns and cities were almost obliterated by the earthquake and tsunami. American aid to the Japanese ultimately included 20 ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, almost 20,000 personnel, and huge amounts of supplies and heavy equipment.

Walsh was in Hawaii when the earthquake struck. He soon realized it was a catastrophic event for the Japanese, he said, and damage to the nuclear power plant at Fukushima made providing assistance that much tougher.

The U.S. military worked in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The experience, skills, education and training that military people possess was quite adaptable to the situation, he said.

“It was important that we had a force that was forward, that was ready, that was credible, and that has relationships that extend well beyond simple military-to-military ties,” Walsh said.

American service members had a long history of working with Japanese counterparts and understood the culture and sensitivities, the admiral noted. The “can-do” attitude of American commanders in the region helped tremendously, he added.

“You have the forward-deployed naval officers who aren’t waiting for orders to move ships, but are reacting and responding quickly,” the admiral said.

Walsh stressed the importance of building relationships with regional partners, and the longstanding relationship with the Japanese was crucial to this effort. “It’s important to say this was not a cold start for us,” he said. “We had personal contacts with our counterparts in the region long before the earthquake and tsunami.”

American officials knew who to call and what to say to their Japanese counterparts as soon as the extent of the disaster became known, Walsh said, and Pacific Fleet has the experience and contacts to do this in other parts of the region.

“The flexible and adaptive capabilities of the force and the experience base of the force would work in other situations,” Walsh said. “We would, of course, have to tailor our approach to the needs of other countries.”

Norfolk Submariners Give Back to Local Community

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Kim Williams, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) volunteered with the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity in Virginia Beach, Va., Jan. 18.

The crew of volunteers helped put the finishing touches on four newly constructed three bedroom, two bathroom homes, which Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers will present to families Jan. 21.

"For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you'll make in your life," said Chief Fire Control Technician Angel Rivera, West Virginia's fire control and torpedo division leading chief petty officer. "Imagine receiving a gift like this from a group of people. It is a great way to give back."

The submariners, along with several other volunteers from the Hampton Roads community, have volunteered at two sites in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Va. since their arrival in 2011.

"I love helping the families," said Missile Technician 3rd Class Robert Gloden from Yale, Mich., and West Virginia's volunteer coordinator. "I have met most of the families that we are building these homes for and they are great people. With the economy being the way it is now, these projects help people who may be struggling, working multiple jobs to make ends meet, get an interest-free mortgage," said Gloden. "It's helpful for the command to be supportive like this in the community and also lets them know that we are here to support Virginia residents and help out the best we can."

The team touched up paint, sanded walls, covered linoleum floors and performed small landscaping jobs at the Virginia Beach site, but has assisted with building homes from the bottom-up.

"We can do anything that they need us to do as long as there is a supervisor or someone there to guide us," said Rivera. There's no shortage of Habitat sites in Hampton Roads and helping the community is our number one priority. Since our ship is in dry dock for at least the next year, we have plenty of opportunity to volunteer."

In addition to all of their own efforts on the Habitat projects, the West Virginia Sailors have plenty of help from their veteran counterparts in the local community as well.

"It's great, rewarding work volunteering with Habitat for Humanity," said retired Rear Adm. Stanley Bryant. "It makes the community feel good to see the Sailors out here and it makes the Sailors feel good because they get to do some work in the community that they can recognize. They are nice young people and it's good to see them out here."

Bryant is the chairman of a newly established Habitat for Humanity program called "Habitat for Humanity For Heroes." The program will offer home ownership opportunities to active duty, retired, honorably discharged veterans and surviving families similar to the traditional Habitat for Humanity Program.

While the project Bryant and the West Virginia team are currently working on is not for a veteran's family, their efforts are still the same.

"These young folks are working hard no matter what it is they are asked to do," said Bryant. "We really appreciate getting up close and personal with the military volunteers because they always energize everybody," said Bryant. "You can't ask for a better qualified more fun group of volunteers."

West Virginia, commanded by Cmdr. Adam Palmer, is assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 10 and permanently home ported in King's Bay, Ga., but is currently undergoing an Engineered Refueling Overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

The sole mission of ballistic-missile submarines like West Virginia has been strategic deterrence since their inception in 1960. The SSBN provides the nation's most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability, always ready and vigilant in a secure and survivable posture to rapidly respond to national tasking.

Columbia College alumnus Col. Charles McGee consults on George Lucas movie “Red Tails”

COLUMBIA, Mo., Jan. 19, 2012 — Col. Charles McGee, a 1978 Columbia College graduate and Tuskegee Airman, served as a technical consultant for the World War II movie “Red Tails,” opening nationwide Jan. 20. “Red Tails," a George Lucas film starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr., focuses on the exploits of the Airmen, the first African American fighter pilots in U.S. history, charged with escorting American bombers across the hostile skies of German-occupied Europe.

 “It’s really quite an interesting movie, the way he [Lucas] put it together,” said McGee. “He got the facts right. To try to put such a long story in a short film is rather difficult, so while maybe it is not 100 percent accurate, the combat scenes are tremendous and the message is tremendous: that color is not a measure of talent. It’s a good message from the past and a good one for young folks today, too.”

McGee is a frequent visitor to the Columbia College main campus in Columbia, Mo., for such events as the college’s annual Military Recognition Day held in May. He also endowed the Col. Charles E. McGee Scholarship, an annual $1,000 award to an undergraduate or graduate Columbia College student classified as a veteran or dependent of a veteran.

 “It’s all about education,” McGee said. “To prepare yourself so when opportunities come your way, you take advantage of them.  The movie rings to that, too.”

McGee served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. He held the Air Force fighter combat record of 409 missions and 1151 combat hours. In 2007, President George Bush awarded him and the surviving Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation's highest civilian award.

Columbia College has educated military service members since 1973 and up to a quarter of total students are military or military dependents. With its Online Campus, service members can study from anywhere, even a combat zone. Columbia College also has 18 campuses located on military installations.

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Mo., Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 160 years. As a private, nonprofit, liberal arts and sciences institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With more than 30 campuses across the country, students may enroll in day, evening or online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Columbia College educates more than 30,000 students each year and has more than 70,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit CCIS.edu.

DCoE January Webinar Addresses Alcohol Misuse Among Service Members

By DCoE Strategic Communications

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) will host its next webinar, “Addressing Alcohol Misuse Among Service Members: The SBIRT Model,” Jan. 26 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (EST).

Did You Know?

Risky, hazardous and heavy drinking is steadily rising among service members and veterans. A 2008 study showed that rates of heavy alcohol use among service members increased from 15 percent in 1998 to 20 percent in 2008. Although the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide alcohol treatment services, many service members and veterans are reluctant to seek care because of possible career consequences and stigma. Secondary prevention methods such as screening and brief interventions in non-specialty settings, may engage service members at an early stage of risky or hazardous drinking who otherwise would remain undetected and untreated.

Are You Aware of SBIRT?

The screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment model (also referred to as SBIRT) is a system-level approach to identify and treat persons with drinking problems. Research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has demonstrated that this treatment model is effective in identifying service members at risk of developing serious alcohol problems, reducing the frequency or severity of alcohol use and increasing the percentage of patients who enter specialized alcohol treatment. The treatment model is consistent with the VA/Defense Department Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Substance Use Disorders and will aid health care providers in integrating a step-by-step process for clinical decision-making.

Featured speakers are:

 ■Stephen O’Neill, MA, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and SAMHSA State Grantee, Georgia BASICS, project director

■Dr. Katharine Bradley, MPH, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, affiliate associate professor

All professionals who care for service members are encouraged to attend, including service members and their families. To register or for more information, please email: DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.

Continuing Education Units and Continuing Medical Education credits are now available. Click here for details.

Follow us on Twitter@DCoEPage during the webinar for live Tweeting and use #DCoEWebinar to join the conversation.

For previous DCoE monthly webinar topics, presentations, audio recordings and resources, visit the webinar section of the DCoE website.

Enterprise's 'Eyes and Ears' Prepare for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gregory White, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) participated in a variety of training exercises as part of the carrier's composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean Jan. 16.

The CDC is responsible for tracking and identifying all surface, air and sub-surface contacts and communicating the acquired information throughout the ship and the strike group.

Computer systems and radars fill the spaces of CDC, and Sailors from many rates work together to gather, process, display and disseminate information.

"From intelligence to navigation, everything runs through CDC," said Chief Operations Specialist James Allen Cowling, the leading chief petty officer of the Operations Intelligence division. "We have things in there that we have to send all the way up to the Pentagon so they can make strategic, big-picture decisions, not only for our forces, but for all forces, based on the information received."

One of the many systems CDC utilizes is the Tactical Data Link system. The "Link" allows all information gathered across the strike group to be shared and updated.

Another important and advanced system that CDC uses is the Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M), simply referred to as "geeks."

"GCCS-M is a system that can see the location of ships all over the world and gather input and intelligence," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Alcides J. Fuentes, a GCCS-M operator in CDC.

"Our 'geeks' personnel can see input from other ships around the world, so that helps us track contacts and put our game plan together," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Reginald L. Washington, the leading petty officer of the Operations Intelligence Division.

CDC is important to operations and the work center trains constantly. The training consists of performing numerous surface and air contact drills.

"To train for surface contacts, we often run drills that involve numerous ships coming into the vital area of our strike group," said Washington "We track them with our weapons ready as a precaution, and we have to identify them. If a contact becomes hostile, we take further measures."

"We take control of our vital area," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Danielle L. Robinson, a "geeks" system operator in CDC. "We can't let unknown contacts sit there. We use surface trackers and automatic identifying systems to identify and label contacts in a timely fashion."

Washington said when training for air contacts, CDC sometimes holds a "detect to engage" exercise, which simulates an actual engagement where an aircraft or missile breaches the ship's security range. CDC then tracks the contact, readies weapons and prepares to launch aircraft or its own defensive weapons.

"When this happens we need to know if it (the aircraft) is a hostile, a neutral, or a friendly before a decision is made to intercept and escort it out of our area," said Washington. "If it has already launched a weapon at us we have countermeasures to take care of that weapon, and we have countermeasures to defeat the aircraft itself."

The tactical action officer stands watch in the CDC and is the only person aboard, except for the commanding officer, with weapons release authority.

"He has defensive weapons release authority," said Washington. "He can make the decision to defend the ship by any means if we are fired upon, so if he needs to fire a weapon to defend the ship we will do that."

CDC has thus far completed all of their training exercises successfully and will continue training throughout COMPTUEX.