#SAAM: Pearl Harbor Volunteers 'Bag' Sexual Assault at Commissary

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

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Hawaii-based DoD service members and civilians volunteered to bag groceries at the Pearl Harbor Commissary while handing out information on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SARP) policies and programs, April 7.

The "Bag" Sexual Assault event was led by Air Force spouse Shari Freeman, one of two sexual assault response coordinators in Hawaii.

Commander Navy Region Hawaii and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) are coordinating local events for April's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The theme is "Hurts one. Affects all. Preventing sexual assault is everyone's duty."

"Yes, we do see a lot of sexual assault cases," said Freeman. "We are taking it in stride because we know we are doing the best for the victim. We want to make sure that they are taken care of from every angle. We have to take it one step at the time, making sure that they get counseling, medical care, all the things that they need."

Restricted reporting are for victims of sexual assault who wish to confidentially disclose the crime to specifically identified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling without triggering the official investigative process. Unrestricted reports, however, are for victims of sexual assault who desire medical treatment, counseling and an official investigation of the crime.

"Unfortunately, that's just the amount of cases that are reported," Freeman said. "We know that sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes that there is. We will never get an accurate figure of how many cases are happening.

"Sexual assault prevention is one of my passions only because it has touched my life. I'm a survivor, and it helps me to be able to help other people. I really enjoy my job here. I've been here almost two years. I've come across a lot of good people and helped a lot of good people along the way. It's very rewarding."

Freeman said that her experience empowered her to help other people.

"I was 17 years old then, but I am happy now because I was able to reach out and use the resources available to me much like what I'm trying to provide for other survivors here in this area," said Freeman. "I think that makes a big difference, using the resources available."

Chief Machinist Mate (SW/AW) Maya Ault, a SAPR point of contact and victim advocate for the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, also volunteered to help out at the event.

"I really believe in our cause, and we really want to get the awareness out there so people will know that we are here to prevent sexual assault and be there for the victim," said Ault. "When I was younger, a junior Sailor, something like this happened to my friend. We didn't know what to do. We didn't know much about the program. Now that I look back ten years ago, I realized that there were so many things we could have done to help her."

At the event, Ault and other volunteers promoted "Denim Day" April 25, where various commands will wear jeans as a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

Freeman, Ault and other volunteers talked to commissary shoppers about the history of Denim Day. In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court decided to overturn a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. The court argued that the victim must have helped her attacker remove her jeans, thus making the act consensual. The ruling sparked widespread protest and the wearing of jeans became an international symbol of protest against destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Department of the Navy is working to aggressively to prevent sexual assaults, to support sexual assault victims, and to hold offenders accountable.

Help raise awareness by joining the conversation on social media using #SAAM.

Sailor Found Dead at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

From Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three (NMCB 3) was found dead as the result of a non-combat related incident at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 7.

The incident is under investigation. The Sailor's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

"The Camp is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our shipmates," said Capt. Scott Hurst, commanding officer of Camp Lemonnier. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sailor's family during this difficult time."

NMCB 3 is deployed to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, which conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict and protect U.S. and coalition interests.

Soldier Missing in Action from Korean War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Cpl. Patrick R. Glennon of Rochester, N.Y., will be buried April 11, at Arlington National Cemetery.  On Nov. 1, 1950, Glennon, and the G Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, were holding a defensive position along the Nammyon River near Unsan, North Korea, when they were attacked by Chinese forces.  Glennon was listed as missing in action following the heavy fighting.

In April 2007, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) handed over six boxes of remains of American service members to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, who were visiting North Korea.  The remains had been recovered from areas near Unsan, where Glennon had been lost.

Metal identification tags bearing Glennon’s name, and other material evidence were included with the remains.  To identify the remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools such as dental records and mitochondrial DNA -- which matched Glennon’s cousins.

Today, more than 7,900 Americans remain unaccounted-for from the Korean War.  Identifications continue to be made from the remains that were returned to the United States, using forensic and DNA technology.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.

Makin Island Sailors, Marines Mark First Half of Deployment with Half-Marathon

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kory D. Alsberry, USS Makin Island Public Affairs

USS MAKIN ISLAND, At sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) marked the halfway point of the current deployment by participating in a half-marathon on the ship's flight deck, April 7.

A total of 170 Sailors and Marines participated in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) "Halfway Half-Marathon." The run was organized not only to celebrate the halfway point of deployment, but also to emphasize the importance of staying fit and having fun while deployed.

"Events like these are a great way to relieve stress and get ourselves mentally and physically fit," said Kristen Venoy, Makin Island's MWR Fun Boss, who organized the event. "It is three hours out of their day that they can pretend they are not on a warship in the middle of 5th Fleet. Today we celebrated and challenged our bodies against heat, humidity, and exhaustion and we conquered 13.1 miles."

Venoy said the half-marathon was also a way to help boost the crew's morale. Sailors and Marines who took part in the event agreed.

"We have a great MWR program on board and they come up with so many events to keep morale up," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Suxuan Le, who ran during in the event. "The half-marathon was just another example of their good works. I think that this event in particular was a good boost because the half-marathon marked our halfway point on this deployment."

After several months at sea, Le said finding different ways to break up the daily routine can help Sailors fight complacency and daily stress.

"Time seems to blur on deployments and every day becomes 'Groundhog Day' as we go through our daily routine," said Le. "The half-marathon marked time for everyone and simultaneously reminded us all to start our preparations for the journey home."

With Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announcing the "21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative" last month that includes a renewed focus on physical fitness, members of Makin Island's crew took notice.

"Physical fitness is part of the Navy culture, but also an important facet to anyone's life," said Le. "I think that a person that stays in shape has a healthier lifestyle, habits, and emotional and mental health.

Le said a lot of daily stressors can be alleviated simply by having healthy outlets like exercise.

"I think this was a great stress reliever and one of those events that people can look forward to," said Le. "I think after today, people will come away with a sense of accomplishment, motivation to stay fit, and excitement as we embark on the second leg of our journey."

Sporting and athletic events such as Makin Island's MWR half-marathon are expected to play a big role in promoting the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative.

The initiative emphasizes five key areas: readiness, safety, physical fitness, inclusion and continuum of service. Using events such as the marathon to promote a culture of fitness makes it not only fun, but all-inclusive as well. Sailors and Marines of all ranks and ages took part in the run.

"I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle every day," said Sgt. Miguel Bravo, who also ran during the half-marathon. "We can be called on in a moment's notice, so it's important to be physically ready at all times. It wasn't hard to participate in the half-marathon because my workouts prepare me for things like this."

Fitness is one of the key areas of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy using a hybrid-electric propulsion system. By using this unique propulsion system, the Navy expects over the course of the ship's lifecycle, to see fuel savings of more than $250 million, proving the Navy's commitment to energy awareness and conservation.

This initiative is one of many throughout the Navy and Marine Corps that will enable the Department of the Navy to achieve the secretary of the Navy's energy goals to improve our energy security and efficiency afloat and ashore, increase our energy independence and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy.

Makin Island is the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Seawolf Completes Sea Trials after Maintenance Period at PSNS

From Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 5 Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Kitsap April 3, after successful sea trials, capping a major maintenance period which lasted more than two years.

"Seawolf has worked hard to return to the fleet, and we are glad to be back at the tip of the spear," said Cmdr. Dan Packer, Seawolf's commanding officer.

For the past 31 months, Seawolf has been at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), where it underwent a $280 million maintenance package as part of a Depot Modernization Period.

PSNS & IMF has handled all intermediate and depot-level maintenance for Seawolf-class submarines since 2008.

"The Seawolf Depot Modernization Period was very challenging for the shipyard, as this was a first-time major availability for this unique submarine," said Greg Wolfe, Seawolf's project superintendent. "An incredibly talented shipyard management team and seamless teamwork with the ship guaranteed our success through the maintenance period."

While underway for sea trials, Seawolf was put through her paces, testing all systems and verifying that the boat had been restored to full combat capability.

"The talent and professionalism this crew demonstrated in getting our ship underway is a testament to the hard work, training, and dedication of all hands during our maintenance period," Packer said.

Seawolf's next challenge includes a series of training and certification periods for improving the crew's warfighting readiness.

"This crew is confident in their abilities and in the quality work Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Seawolf project management team accomplished over the last two years," Packer said. "We are ecstatic to be at sea again, and Seawolf is even more capable and effective than at any time in her 15 years of service."

Seawolf and the other two submarines in her class - USS Connecticut (SSN 22), also based in Bremerton, and USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor - are the fastest, quietest, deepest diving, and most heavily armed fast attack submarines in the fleet.