NSSC Sailor Selected to Visit Nation's Capital

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A Naval Submarine Support Center Sailor has been selected to participate in the Ashford University D.C. Hill Day event in Washington April 16-17.

Yeoman 2nd Class (SS) Sebastian L. Moore, who attends Ashford University's online bachelor program, was one of eight students selected to participate in the two-day "D.C. Hill" event.

"I'm very excited to be selected to participate, for me, this will be the first opportunity to meet elected officials," said Moore, who is studying Business Administration through the Iowa-based university's online program.

During their two-day visit to the nation's capital, the Ashford University students and staff will tour the Capitol Building; and meet with elected officials and staff.

Moore is on track to complete his Bachelor's degree in just over a year, and was selected to participate in the two-day event based on his high GPA of 3.6.

"This is the first time I've had the opportunity to obtain my secondary education while on active duty," said Moore, who prior to joining the military, attended a post secondary school.

Lt. Vern Cook, NSSC's executive officer praised Moore for his accomplishments both on duty and off.

"Petty Officer Moore is a consummate Sailor, he gives 100 percent both professionally and personally, which is why he is NSSC's Junior Sailor of the year and one of Ashford University's selections to attend this trip," said Cook.

Navy Installations Prepare for Hurricane Season

From U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) are conducting a hurricane preparedness exercise, HURREX/Citadel Gale 12, April 16 through 27.

The purpose of this annual exercise is to prepare the Navy to respond to weather threats to U.S. coastal regions, and to maintain its ability to deploy naval forces even under the most adverse weather conditions.

HURREX/Citadel Gale 12 will involve two simulated storm systems developing and intensifying to hurricane strength, threatening the Caribbean Islands, East Coast and Gulf Coast regions.

All Navy commands with personnel in these regions will participate, to include reviewing and exercising heavy weather instructions and procedures and accounting for Sailors and Navy families in the affected regions through the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS).

There is no U.S. Navy ship movement associated with HURREX/Citadel Gale 12.

Wisconsin National Guard observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Denim, hands and blogs are some of the tactics the Wisconsin National Guard will use to help raise awareness of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"We are looking to educate people on the importance of this serious issue during the month of April," said Capt. Kristin Boustany, the Wisconsin National Guard's sexual assault prevention and response coordinator. "We will be partnering with the community to present sexual violence as not just a major public health issue, but a human rights and social justice issue as well."

Boustany said her office will take part in two "Take Back the Night" events - April 19 at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and April 27 at UW-Milwaukee - by providing an information table about military resources for service members who are sexually assaulted. They will provide the same information at a "Wrap Around the Capitol" event April 23, where participants will link hands around the state capitol building in Madison. Inside the capitol, a "traveling Pants" exhibit will feature a collection of blue jeans decorated by sexual assault survivors, with messages about healing and the right to be safe.

The "Hurts One, Affects All" message will continue this year, Boustany said, emphasizing the importance of intervention as well as the impact sexual assault has on mission readiness.

"The saying, 'One Fight, One Team' is especially true when it comes to sexual assault," she said. "Whether the assault occurred on duty or off duty, or whether the perpetrator was a service member or a non-service member, sexual assault results in casualties that impact a unit's strength and readiness. Preventing sexual assault is everyone's duty."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call Capt. Kristin Boustany at 1-608-469-2627 or the Department of Defense Safe Helpline at 1-877-995-5247.

MCPON Attends Bangor Submarine Ball

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

SEATTLE (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) spoke to area Sailors and their guests at the Seattle Submarine Ball April 14.

MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West spoke to a crowd of roughly 1,300 during the ball celebrating the 112th anniversary of the submarine force.

"This is where I began my Navy career in 1981," said West. "If you would have told me then that I'd be back here only a few short years later, or around 28, to speak to you as your MCPON, I would have probably believed you 100 percent. I may have been a little too cocky back in those days."

MCPON spoke to the attendees about Navy, family, camaraderie, and the inherent danger of being a member of the submarine force.

"You [submariners] don't see light of day for months at a time," said West. "Yet you keep your enthusiasm infectious and you go to sea anyway, cruising below the ocean's cloak."

MCPON roamed the floor of the ball engaging Sailors, friends, and family along the way. Photo opportunities abound as MCPON spent more than two hours taking photos with those who asked for his time.

Bangor is the world's largest submarine homeport in the world; submarine history here is of upmost importance.

"All of you here today come from a line of brave men," said West. "Sailors who go to sea on ships that sink by design over the vast expanse of hydro-space, submariners who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to save their shipmates from ultimate disaster, sailors who have paved the way for you. Shipmates, it's your turn, earn this."

Rating Change May Strengthen Career

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrea Perez, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Rating conversion allows career-minded Sailors in overmanned ratings to stay Navy and helps shape the force to meet future manning requirements, officials said, April 16.

"If a Sailor is in a rating where promotion is stifled at the present time, converting to a different rating can open up significant advancement opportunities," said Master Chief Navy Counselor David Duncan, enlisted community manager, Bureau of Naval Personnel and rating conversion veteran. Duncan first enlisted as a Radioman before converting to his current rate.

Today, Sailors can apply for rating conversion during their Perform to Serve (PTS) negotiation window. When Sailors with less than 14 years of service are within 12 months of their end of active obligated service (as extended) date, they must compete for a PTS quota to continue their career.

The Fleet Rating Identification Engine-PTS (FR-PTS) provides Sailors with billet availability information in their current rating and other ratings one might qualify for, based on their year group (YG) and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery score.

According to Duncan, when an individual enters the Navy, they may not be assigned the rating they initially wanted and conversion gives them an opportunity to try something different. It also gives Sailors the chance to discover new skill sets and talents.

One Sailor shared his rating conversion experience.

"I put in a package to convert to Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), Cryptologic Technician Collection and Cryptologic Technician Networks, and I was accepted for CTT," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) 1st Class Odel Schroeder. "I think converting is going to benefit me because in the CT (Cryptologic Technician) rating I have a better chance of getting promoted and after the Navy I can get a higher paying job than if I get out as an AS."

To date, thousands of Sailors have converted to different ratings, allowing the Navy to keep Sailors who are committed to a career in the Navy.

"For the past few months, I've felt like I needed to do something different and I'm looking forward to learning my new rate," said Schroeder. "I don't know anything about it, so I'm trying to go TAD (temporary assigned duty), that way I'll have an idea of what to expect before I actually go to school."

Sailors considering conversion can ask their career counselor to review the YG manning for the rating which they would like to convert to.

"They have to do their homework. Understanding what your year group manning is in your current rating and knowing what the year group manning is for the rating that you're looking to convert into is a good start," said Duncan. "You really have to look and if there's something that leaves you scratching your head, talk with your career counselor."

Per MILPERSMAN 1440-010, requests for conversion to ratings that are properly manned, will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and requests for conversion to overmanned ratings will not be considered.

On PTS applications where "willing to convert" is selected, a member will be considered for in-rate reenlistment prior to being reviewed for conversion. On applications where "conversion only" is selected, the member will be reviewed only for conversion.

A Sailor's command career counselor can assist them in understanding the benefits of reviewing their YG information and provide Sailors with guidance throughout the FR-PTS process.

"Many years back, we didn't always see a conversion as a positive thing," said Duncan. "Now days we have got to look at conversion and know that it's the way things have to be for us to stay up to speed and keep the same good people in uniform."