Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, has been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. 

Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. John E. Hogan, of West Plains, Mo., will be buried Aug. 24, in Arlington National Cemetery.  On Sept. 13, 1944, Hogan and eight other crew members were on a B-17G Flying Fortress that crashed near Neustädt-on-Werra, Germany.  Only one of the crewmen is known to have successfully parachuted out of the aircraft before in crashed.  The remaining eight crewmen were buried by German forces in a cemetery in Neustädt. 

Following the war, U.S. Army Graves Registration personnel attempted to recover the remains of the eight men, but were only able to move the remains of one man to a U.S. military cemetery in Holland.  In 1953, with access to eastern Germany restricted by the Soviet Union, the remains of the seven unaccounted for crewmen were declared non-recoverable.  

In 1991, a German national who was digging a grave in the cemetery in Neustädt, discovered a metal U.S. military identification tag and notified officials.  Due to German burial law, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) wasn’t granted access to the site until 2007 and excavated the location in 2008.  The team recovered human remains and additional metal identification tags from three of the crewmembers.

Scientists from JPAC used forensic identification tools, circumstantial evidence and mitochondrial DNA – which matched that of Hogan’s cousin – in the identification of his remains.  

At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 73,000 are unaccounted for from the conflict.

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

Reserve Master-at-Arms Provide Security, Public Outreach in Chicago

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Katherine Brooks Hofman, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command Public Affairs

CHICAGO (NNS) -- A team of 56 Reserve Sailors from Commemoration of the War of 1812 Navy Security Forces (COMWAR 1812 NR NSF) provided security for U.S. Navy ships during Chicago's Air and Water Show and the city's commemoration of the War of 1812, Aug. 15-19.

After a three-week break from other War of 1812 events the COMWAR 1812 NR NSF team regrouped to support the second phase of the Commemoration of the War of 1812 throughout the Great Lakes region.

A core group of 22 members provide continuity to COMWAR 1812 NR NSF, protecting ships and visitors during the historic weeklong commemoration events.

The events in the Great Lakes region act to showcase the Navy and its forces to the local community.

Although the COMWAR 1812 NR NSF mission is to protect the fleet, several of the members are seasoned civilian law enforcement officers who understand the benefit of working with the public to provide information as well as providing force protection.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Robert Evans recognized the value of public relations as a part of the security forces mission.

"People are sometimes intimidated by us. We are looked at as big guys with guns," said Evans. "Once you begin talking to them and they realize you are a regular guy it opens up the lines of communication. They are here to see the ships and they have questions. We are here to engage with them."

Evans said he takes pride in being both a Navy and civilian police officer, and he enjoys acting as a positive role model to children through public interaction.

"I tell them to be good, eat their vegetables and stay in school, then they can grow up and do what I do," he said.

Sometimes the experiences the Sailors have with the public have an unexpected and profound impact. Master-at-Arms 1st Class David Utz was touched by his experiences in Chicago during public tours.

"People ask about why we are here and where we are from. Overall the reception is positive. I can't tell how many thank you's I have gotten for my service," said Utz. "It is definitely motivating and makes me feel good to be a part of the Commemoration of the War of 1812."

Utz, the father of a six-year-old son, fondly recalled interacting with a child and his parent at the event. "The little boy had a piece of paper in his hand. He had drawn a picture with a blue crayon of a fighter jet. He held it up to me and said, 'I made this for you,'" said Utz.

Military and Civilian Partnerships Lead the Way with Trauma Care

By Jeffrey Soares, USAMRMC Public Affairs

At the 2012 Military Health System Research Symposium, an overriding philosophy is that strong partnerships lead to successful research.  No one knows this better than Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician-in-chief of the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Md., whose group has teamed with the U.S. military to advance the study and treatment of severe injuries in both the military and civilian sectors.

Scalea said that the military-civilian partnership over the years has yielded a tremendous amount of “cross pollination” of clinical care, in mostly trauma and critical care scenarios.  What was born out of necessity on the battlefield has grown into a vital operation in saving lives daily, from bustling city streets to quiet neighborhoods, to ensure that severely wounded patients are treated as quickly as possible.

“Evacuation of casualties -- helicopter transport -- that was born in Korea and Vietnam has really morphed into the civilian sector in a big way,” Scalea said, “and we are now involved in a very large discussion on who ought to be transported by ground and who should get flown -- but all of that really started in the military.”

Today, Scalea’s shock trauma team uses medical concepts that originated in combat casualty care, and his tour of U.S. military operations overseas in Afghanistan has helped to shape his vision.

“The whole concept of damage control resuscitation was started on the battlefield,” Scalea said, “and all of that [research] has gone from the battlefield into civilian practice.”

The military’s system of critical care air transport, which rapidly transports battlefield victims to military hospitals, has helped to define the current practice of life-flighting civilian patients with serious wounds to hospitals via helicopter directly from accident scenes.

Of this method Scalea said, “I really got the idea for this when I was in Afghanistan.  I said, ‘We can do this, but we just need to use it in a different way.’”

Tourniquets, shunts, local haemostatic dressings, and various other medical items are also going from the battlefield, sometimes directly, into civilian practice.  Military doctors with their invaluable experience are coming out of the services and applying their knowledge in civilian sectors.

Scalea said the partnership between military and civilian medical practitioners was championed decades ago by R. Adams Cowley, founder of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center.

 “It was R.A. Cowley who came back from [the war in] Korea with the concept that injury was a ‘time-sensitive’ disease, and he then coined the term ‘The Golden Hour.’ Crowley believed that there is a ‘golden hour’ between life and death, and if you’re critically injured, you have less than 60 minutes to live.  In his mind, he already had the concept of irreversible shock,” Scalea said.

He added that two strong examples of current innovative military-civilian medical research endeavors are comprehensive facial transplantation and reviewing genetic profiles to drive care and treatment.  Both of these avenues have seen great successes recently, and he remains confident that more successes will come from this unique collaboration.

SAPR Leadership Training Sessions Continue through August

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- A Master Mobile Training Team (MMTT) from the Navy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Task Force is continuing to offer SAPR-Leadership (SAPR-L) training via Defense Connect Online (DCO) through the end of August.

The DCO training is an option for commands that were unable to attend face-to-face SAPR-L MMTT training sessions.

Part of the Navy's aggressive efforts to prevent sexual assaults and promote essential culture changes within the force, SAPR-L preparation training is mandatory for command leadership triads (commanding officer/officer in charge, executive officer/assistant officer in charge, and command master chief/chief of the boat/senior enlisted advisor). The command leadership triads are then responsible for delivering SAPR-L training to their command leadership, E-7 and above.

"We've made significant progress training command leadership triads and encourage commands unable to attend the training to sign up via the SAPR website," said Capt. Scott Seeberger, SAPR Task Force chief of staff. "DCO training sessions are being conducted Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT through Aug. 31."

Over 730 SAPR-L training sessions have been conducted in Navy concentration areas all over the world. All E-7 and above must complete SAPR-L training by Sept. 30 and document completion in the Fleet Training Management Planning System (FLTMPS).

 Sexual assault prevention 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 Department of the Navy.

Ham to Seek More National Guard Partnerships in Africa

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Botswana – As the North Carolina National Guard builds on successes of the Southern Accord 12 exercise that wrapped up here last week with Botswana, the commander of U.S. Africa Command said he’ll press to expand the State Partnership Program on the continent.

Amy Gen. Carter F. Ham, who calls himself “a big fan” of the National Guard program, said he hopes to increase the number of partnerships in Africa to as many as a dozen within the next two years.

“The State Partnership Program is one of the most important tools that we have in our collective kit bag,” Ham said during an interview here with Soldiers Radio and Television Service correspondent Gail McCabe. “And we see that certainly here between North Carolina and Botswana, where it is hugely powerful.”

Ham said he has asked the National Guard Bureau chief, Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, to consider additional partnerships. “I would like to get two more this year, and maybe two more next year, and then see how that might unfold,” he said.  Ham told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year Libya could be a good candidate for the program.

The State Partnership Program has grown dramatically since it was formed 20 years ago to support former Soviet bloc countries after the Soviet Union collapsed. Today, the program includes partnerships with 63 countries around the world.

Africom currently has eight state partnerships. The California National Guard is partnered with Nigeria, the New York Guard with South Africa, the North Dakota National Guard with Ghana, the Michigan National Guard with Liberia, the Vermont National Guard with Senegal, the Utah National Guard with Morocco, and the Wyoming National Guard with Tunisia.

The North Carolina Guard has partnered with Botswana since 2008.

Based on its partnership with Moldova since 1995, the North Carolina Guard applied lessons learned to quickly build a productive relationship with Botswana, Army Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Lusk, North Carolina’s adjutant general, told American Forces Press Service.

“We had the benefit of a partnership with Moldova that was a very mature relationship,” he said. “So based on that experience, we knew where we could go in fostering a partnership with Botswana, and we were able to do it more efficiency and much quicker.”

Lusk, on his third trip to Botswana over the past year, said relationships forged with the Botswana Defense Force went a long way toward increasing the effectiveness of Southern Accord 12, U.S. Army Africa’s largest-ever exercise on the continent.

The exercise, which ran Aug. 1 to 17, brought together almost 700 U.S. soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors and an equal number of their Botswana Defense Force counterparts for classroom and field exercises as well as humanitarian outreach projects.

In addition, the Air Force integrated its annual Medlite exercise into Southern Accord for the first time this year, with members of the North Carolina Air National Guard teaching aeromedical evacuation techniques to Botswana Defense Force medical personnel.

Army Col. Randy Powell, commander of the North Carolina Guard’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, credited the State Partnership Program with ensuring that when he arrived here to serve as the joint task force commander for the exercise, he didn’t have to start at square one to get the lay of the land.

“This is my forth visit to Botswana, and each one builds on the next, creating better understanding and closer collaboration,” Powell said. “That foundation has been vital to getting this exercise under way smoothly and making it such a big success.”

Regular engagement between the North Carolina Guard and the Botswana Defense Force, with members of both militaries traveling between the two countries for training, has created a model of cooperation and synchronization, he said. Botswana has “such a professional military that you feel like you are working with someone in your own military,” Powell said. “We have a lot in common in terms of interoperability, and we continue to build on that.”

“It’s all about continuity and enduring relationships,” said Army Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Kadavy, deputy director of the Army National Guard, as he watched U.S. and Botswanan forces conduct the final field training exercise during Southern Accord. “You don’t get those relationships unless you come back again and again and again. That is important in understanding and building trust.”

As the State Partnership Program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Kadavy said he’s enthusiastic about plans to expand in Africa.

“The Guard wants to support Africom to the best of our ability,” he said, recognizing that Africom and U.S. embassy teams are in the best position to judge which countries want to form partnerships and are prepared to do so.

With Southern Accord now concluded, Lusk said he looks forward to seeing the North Carolina National Guard take progress made during the exercise to the next level.

“To be able to do an exercise of this magnitude now shows, very visibly, that we have turned the corner in terms of where this partnership has gone,” he said. “It allows us to jumpstart our efforts and accelerate where we are bound.”

“The sky is really the limit of what you can do with the engagements, and tying them together with what the Army service components and the geographical combatant commanders are doing,” agreed Kadavy.

“It is just a matter of coordination, and thinking through and seeing how we can synchronize and gain the synergy of what they want to do and what we can provide through State Partnership Programs to assist and empower those types of engagements and exercises,” he said.

USS Winston S. Churchill Aids M/V Belde

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) rendered medical assistance to Panamanian-flagged, bulk carrier M/V Belde, Aug. 20, approximately 110 miles north of Socotra Island, Oman.

At approximately 1:10 p.m. local time, Winston S. Churchill responded to a distress call following a cargo-handling accident aboard Belde.

After arriving on scene, Winston S. Churchill dispatched two rigid-hull inflatable boats, transporting the ship's hospital corpsman, and the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team to assess the injured personnel.

One Belde crew member was killed in the accident and another required advanced medical care for injuries sustained.

Winston S. Churchill conducted a medical evacuation, transporting the injured crew member by an SH-60B helicopter attached to Helicopter Squadron Light 42, Detachment 8, to an Oman medical facility for treatment.

No further assistance was required.

"There are a multitude of hazards in the maritime domain. As such, we are always ready to assist," said Cmdr. Christopher D. Stone, Churchill commanding officer. "Our sympathies go out to those affected by this tragic incident. We, as partners in the maritime commons, are always ready and willing to help and are glad that we were in the right place at the right time to lend a hand."

Stone added that he was proud of his crew for successfully completing a rescue mission in "incredibly complex" conditions.

"The personal and professional satisfaction of knowing that the outstanding efforts of this ship and this crew saved another mariner's life is second to none. It is days like today that makes me proud to be a member of the United States Navy and this coalition. I am incredibly proud to be the Commanding Officer of Winston S. Churchill," said Stone.

Winston S. Churchill is assigned to Commander, Task Force 150, as part of Combined Maritime Forces, conducting counter-terrorism and maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Navy Commemorates Women's Equality Day

By Ensign Amber Lynn Daniel, Diversity and Inclusion Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commands are encouraged to celebrate Women's Equality Day Aug. 26, as announced by NAVADMIN 251/12.

Established by Congress in 1971, Women's Equality Day was designed to commemorate the long struggle of generations of women to gain the right to vote.

The observance also calls attention to women's continuing efforts today towards full equality.

The women's suffrage movement began in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Convened by suffragist leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the committee published a "Declaration of Sentiments." The declaration outlined key social, civil and political demands for women, helping the cause of women's suffrage gain national prominence. Nearly 72 years later, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed Aug. 26, 1920, granting women throughout the United States the right to vote.

In 1971, to honor and commemorate the passing of the 19th Amendment, U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug introduced a resolution to designate Aug. 26 as the annual Women's Equality Day. Today, the observance recognizes the anniversary of women's suffrage and of the continued efforts toward equal rights in the United States.

All Navy commands are encouraged to reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the armed services during this observance.

Women first entered Naval service in 1908 with the establishment of the Navy Nurse Corps, 12 years before women were granted the right to vote. Women continued to serve in the Navy in varying capacities throughout World War I and World War II, but it was not until June 12, 1948, with the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act that women gained permanent status in the U.S. armed services. The first six enlisted women were sworn into regular U.S. Navy service July 7, 1948. Four months later the first eight female Naval officers were commissioned Oct. 15, 1948.

Women were first assigned to selected non-combatant ships in 1978, and opportunities were later broadened to include service on warships in 1994 following the repeal of the combat exclusion law. In April 2010, the Navy announced a policy change allowing female officers to serve on submarines. Today, 95 percent of Navy billets are open to the assignment of women.

This year has been a landmark year for women in the Navy. The year kicked off with five women making naval history as the first all-female E-2C Hawkeye crew to fly a combat mission. Plane Commander Lt. Cmdr. Tara Refo, Mission Commander Lt. Cmdr. Brandy Jackson, Second Pilot Lt. Ashley Ruic, Air Control Officer Lt. Nydia Driver, and Radar Operator Lt. j.g. Ashley Ellison were assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 when they made their historic flight Jan. 25.

Two days later, the Navy honored the passing of the fleet's first female aircraft handling officer, Lt. Cmdr. Regina Mills, during a ceremony Jan. 27 in Bremerton, Wash. More than 2,000 family members, friends, and shipmates assembled aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to pay respect to Mills, who was struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others involved in a traffic collision in Gig Harbor, Wash., Jan. 23.

In April, the Navy bid fair winds and following seas to one of the original female surface warfare trailblazers, Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau. Rondeau holds the distinction of serving as the first warfare qualified female admiral and, prior to her retirement, was the highest ranking female flag officer in the Navy. She retired after 38 years of dedicated naval service.

 Later that month, Rear Adm. Michelle Howard was nominated for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral April 16. If confirmed, Howard would become the first female African American three star admiral. In July, Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi was assigned as Judge Advocate General of the Navy. De Renzi is the highest ranking female in the Judge Advocate General Corps, and is the first woman to hold the Judge Advocate General Corps' most senior position. Vice Adm. Robin Braun, the highest ranking female aviator in the Navy, became chief of the Navy Reserve Aug. 13, and is the first woman to hold the post.

There are currently 35 female flag officers in the Navy; 21 represent the active duty component, and 14 represent the Reserve component.

Enlisted women also made notable accomplishments during 2012. In May, Command Master Chief (AW/SW) JoAnn M. Ortloff became Fleet Master Chief for Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Upon her selection, Ortloff became the highest ranking enlisted woman in the Navy, and only the second woman to reach the position of fleet master chief.

Command Master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo continued her tradition of breaking barriers for women when she assumed her new position as force master chief of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the first African American woman to do so. Beldo arrived at NETC in April after serving aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), where she held the title of the first female African American command master chief of a nuclear aircraft carrier. She is currently the only woman serving as a force master chief in the Navy.

Policy changes affecting women serving in the Navy also took shape in 2012. The Department of Defense announced changes to the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule Feb. 9. The changes were implemented in May, opening an additional 14,325 positions throughout the Department of Defense previously closed to women.

Today, 54,537 women serve in the Navy on active duty or in the Reserve, comprising 17 percent of the force. Additionally, nearly 50,000 women serve across the Navy in a wide range of specialties as civilian employees.

U.S. Naval War College Welcomes New Resident Class

By James E. Brooks, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) paid tribute to its newest class of approximately 585 resident students from the armed forces and civilian federal agencies in a convocation ceremony in Spruance Hall Auditorium, Aug. 20.

The convocation formally assembled the college community to start the academic year and included a faculty procession in academic regalia as well as a historical overview of the college's contributions by an actor portraying Naval War College founder, Commodore Stephen B. Luce.

NWC President Rear Adm. John N. Christenson emphasized two things students will be able to take advantage of during their academic pursuits.

"You will be given two great gifts while you're here," said Christenson. "Those are a library of great books and the time to read them. You will also be provided with learning-partners to share your intellectual journey. Some are professional educators from our dedicated faculty, while others will come from the student body in the form of seminar mates and fellow students."

The arrival of NWC's newest students marks a nearly 128-year tradition of educating military and government officials in Newport, R.I. The college's academic mission is to educate and develop leaders and also to strengthen global maritime partnerships.

In fact, only about half of NWC's newest students are naval officers. The other half of the student body comes from the Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Army, in addition to 86 students from 59 international navies and representatives from an alphabet soup of government agencies, including the CIA, FBI, NCIS, Office of Naval Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, among many others. The newest country represented in the college's international programs is Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

During the ceremony, the 2012 Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award was presented to Navy Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"It is truly humbling to join such a distinguished group of previous recipients," said Winnefeld. "The impressive list of these leaders is a testament to the talented faculty who always has given so much to those who attend this course."

Previous recipients of the award include Army Gen. Raymond Odierno; Coast Guard Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr.; Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright; Adm. James G. Stavridis; and Ambassador Christopher Hill.

Winnenfeld encouraged students to challenge their intellectual assumptions and not be intimidated by current conventional thought. He backed up his charge with a promise to read the 10 best written research papers judged by the faculty. The authors of the two best would be invited to lunch as guests of the vice chairman, in his Pentagon office.

The U.S. Naval War College started more than 125 years ago as a small institution with mostly summer courses. It has evolved into a one-year resident program that graduates about 600 students a year, and a robust distance program that graduates about 1,000 students a year. The college also has a robust international engagement mission with approximately 100 international officers graduating yearly.

In addition to the College's education mission, it is heavily involved in war gaming and research in an effort to aid the Chief of Naval Operations in defining the path of the future Navy. More recently, the college has developed operational level courses to satisfy fleet requirements, preparing leaders for the challenges of operational and/or strategic level leadership over the remainder of their careers as decision makers and problem solvers.

NWC is accredited by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Joint Professional Military Education Phases I and II and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges to award a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies.

USS Fort McHenry Departs Constanta, Romania

By Ensign Laura Price, USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs

CONSTANTA, Romania (NNS) -- Dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) departed Constanta, Romania following the completion of Exercise Summer Storm 2012, Aug. 19.

Summer Storm is a combined amphibious assault exercise by U.S. Marines from the Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012 and Romanian sailors from the 307th Naval Infantry.

The exercise is part of the U.S. Navy's wider goal of continued Black Sea security and cooperation in the region.

"The exercise was an outstanding training opportunity for both the Romanian and American forces," said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Matt Tharp. "It offered an opportunity to conduct a combined arms amphibious assault on a large scale, and offered both services the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities."

During the exercise, U.S. and Romanian Marines and Sailors conducted explosive ordnance disposal and amphibious beach-landing training.

After the events, the Sailors and Marines enjoyed a chance to visit Constanta.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of the Romanian people," said Cmdr. Eric Kellum, Fort McHenry's executive officer. "They have a rich and diverse culture."

This is the second time Summer Storm has taken place in Romania. The first exercise was in 2011.

Fort McHenry is currently deployed to 6th Fleet conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Are You Almost Depressed?

By Corina Notyce, DCoE Strategic Communications

This blog post was written by Dr. Shelley Carson, a psychologist with the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury center. For more blog posts written by subject matter experts at T2, visit the ‘blog section’ of afterdeployment.org.

Most everyone has experienced the blues: a few days now and then when you feel mopey, sad, a little off your game, or just tired of it all. This is part of the normal ebb and flow of emotions. Life has its ups and downs. However, when these “off” periods begin to string together for a month or longer, you may have more than just the blues: you may be almost depressed. This is not a “clinical” level of depression, but it’s more than a period of the blues that you can’t just snap out of.

Why is it important to make the distinction between the blues and low-level “almost” depression? There are two reasons: first, research shows that about 75 percent of people who have subclinical periods of depression eventually have a major depressive episode or clinical depression. You want to avoid this downward spiral if possible because clinical depression can lead to serious problems, including a four-times-greater-than-average risk for heart attack, an increased risk for suicide, as well as feelings of hopelessness and distress. Second, subclinical depression causes distress in its own right. My colleagues and I recently completed a study where we found that people who are almost depressed (who have a couple of the signs of depression but not at the clinical level) report lower life satisfaction, more symptoms of anxiety and more problems in their relationships and marriages than people who have no signs of depression.

For these reasons, you may want to check yourself or a loved one and see if you notice any of the following changes from normal behavior lasting a month or longer:

■Getting easily irritated over little things

■Making excuses not to go out with friends and preferring to be alone

■Trouble sleeping

■Thinking food doesn’t taste very good

■Having trouble getting up for activities that you used to look forward to

■Losing your sense of humor

■Losing interest in sex

■Trouble concentrating, even on a favorite TV show or book

■Feeling tired, even after you’ve slept a normal amount of time

If you notice these changes, don’t let yourself linger in the almost depressed state. Take some action. Here are a few suggestions:

 ■Exercise: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week has been shown to lift negative mood.

■Spend more time doing activities that you enjoy: Even if you’re not enjoying these activities as much as you used to, pleasurable activities activate parts of the brain that become deactivated during clinical depression.

■Socialize with friends: Even if you don’t really feel like it, being with others who care about you is important in maintaining or regaining a positive mood.

■Think positively: If you catch yourself thinking negatively, consider how you could look at yourself, your circumstances, or others from a different perspective that’s more optimistic and realistic. This has been shown to decrease depressive feelings.

■Express your negative mood creatively: Write about it, paint it or put it to music. Read the blog post “Use Creativity to Combat Negative Emotions” for more ideas.

You can find out more about depression, its signs and what to do about it in the newly updated depression assessment on afterdeployment.org. By recognizing and acting to defuse early signs of depression, you can avoid more serious mood problems and get back on top of your game.

NORAD Exercise Planned for the National Capital Region

The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), will conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 12-11 between 11:30 p.m. (EDT) tonight and 5:30 a.m. (EDT) tomorrow, in the National Capital Region (NCR), Washington, D.C.

The exercise is comprised of a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the NCR Coordination Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center (JADOC), Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR’s Eastern Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD’s intercept and identification operations as well as operationally test the NCR Visual Warning System and certify newly assigned command and control personnel at JADOC.  Civil Air Patrol aircraft and a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the exercise.

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure CONR’s rapid response capability.  NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the United States and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command’s response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

For more information on Falcon Virgo exercises, please contact CONR Public Affairs at 850-283-8080, or the NORAD Public Affairs Office at 719-554-6889.

USS Constitution Sails for First Time since 1997

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- USS Constitution departed her berth from Charlestown, Mass. Aug. 19, to set sail for the first time since 1997, during an underway demonstration commemorating Guerriere Day.

The underway honored the 200th anniversary of Constitution's decisive victory over the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, marking the first time a United States frigate defeated a Royal Navy frigate at or nearly equal size. It's also the battle in which Constitution earned her famous nickname "Old Ironsides."

"I cannot think of a better way to honor those who fought in the war as well as celebrate Constitution's successes during the War of 1812 than for the ship to be under sail," said Cmdr. Matt Bonner, Constitution's 72nd commanding officer. "The event also ties our past and present by having the ship not only crewed by the outstanding young men and women who make up her crew, but also the 150 chief petty officer [CPO] selectees who join us for their Heritage Week."

More than 150 CPO selectees and CPO mentor chiefs assisted Constitution's crew in setting sails. CPO selectees participated in Constitution's annual CPO Heritage Weeks, a weeklong training cycle divided by two weeks that teaches selectees time-honored maritime evolutions, such as gun drills, line handling and setting sails. The training is also designed to instill pride in naval heritage in the Navy's senior enlisted leadership.

"I'm a boatswain's mate," said Chief (Select) Boatswain's Mate (SW) Michael Zgoda, assigned to USS Ingraham (FFG 61). "This is the foundation of my rate. Being able to learn from a variety of genuine chiefs and their different perspectives on leadership is overwhelming and important to the chief petty officer transition. I'm extremely honored to be a part of the group that can say they sailed the USS Constitution."

The ship got underway at 9:57 a.m. with tugs attached to her sides and 285 people on board, including special guests, such as the 58th, 59th, 62nd and 65th former commanding officers of Constitution; Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, Commander, Submarine Group Two; Rear Adm. Ted Branch, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic; Vice Adm. William French, Commander, Navy Installations Command; retired Navy Capt. Thomas Hudner Jr., Medal of Honor recipient; and Dr. Phil Budden, Britain's Consul General to New England.

At 10:27 a.m., Budden and Bonner tossed a wreath into the ocean to honor and remember Constitution's battle with the HMS Guerriere.

When the ship arrived at President Roads, a body of water of Boston Harbor, the crew then set three sails from Constitution's main, mizzen and fore masts, and at 12:25 p.m., she detached from her tugs and sailed west under her own power for 17 minutes. She sailed at a maximum speed of 3.1 knots, at an average of two knots, and at a distance of 1,100 yards.

"As the ship's sail master, I felt a combination of pride and relief that the hundreds of man hours of training and planning over the past year all came together, and we were able to accomplish this goal," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Conrad Hunt. "I'm really proud that I can say I was a part of this historic occasion."

After tugs reattached to Constitution's sides, the ship headed to Fort Independence on Castle Island, where thousands of spectators waited to watch Constitution fire a 21-gun salute toward the fort at 1:14 p.m. Fort Independence is a state park that served as a defense post for Boston Harbor at one time.

Finally, the ship returned to her pier at 2:05 p.m. and everyone departed once the brow was safely set and the ship was clean. Constitution re-opened to the public for tours of the ship's history at 4 p.m.

"For me, this underway is representative of an incredible amount of work and dedication by not only the crew, but Maintenance and Repair Facility, Naval History and Heritage Command, and all of the partners coming together to make this happen," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/SW) Jason Keith, who is the longest serving crew member currently assigned to Constitution. Keith reported to the ship April 13, 2009 and will depart Aug. 31. "I've given tours to thousands of people, shined brass for hundreds of hours, and I've climbed the rigging to set and furl these sails over and over again. But sailing USS Constitution on Aug. 19, 2012 is one of the greatest honors I've had in my naval career, and I'm truly proud to be a part of this history."

The last time Constitution sailed under her own power was July 21, 1997 to honor the ship's 200th birthday. It was the first time the ship sailed in 116 years.

"When we sailed the ship, it became clear it was a different experience you can't have in port," said Lance Beebe, a crew member aboard Constitution's 1997 sail. "The ship comes alive, and you truly understand what she is all about. This new crew [2012 Sailors] just joined a group of crew members [1997 Sailors] that also got to experience Constitution under sail, and they became a significant part of her history as a result."

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history.

Navy Personnel Command Leaders to Meet with Pensacola-based Sailors

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Representatives from Navy Personnel Command's fleet engagement team will be in Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 28-30 to meet with Sailors and discuss the latest personnel policies and initiatives impacting the fleet.

The team will discuss recently announced initiatives like Limited Directed Detailing, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Early Return to Sea, as well as Voluntary Sea Duty Program, all designed to ensure high-priority billets at sea are manned.

"The visit is intended to ensure command leadership teams understand current manpower programs as well as promote the professional and personal development of our Sailors," said Capt. Steve Holmes, Bureau of Naval Personnel, director, community management branch. "These visits are also an excellent opportunity to get feedback directly from the fleet."

Additional briefs will focus on Navy force management initiatives including Fleet Ride Perform-to-Serve (FR-PTS), enlisted and officer community health and recent changes to Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to review and apply for permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

The changes to CMS/ID are part of the Navy's coordinated effort to aggressively address gaps at sea and place Sailors with the right experience levels and skill sets into high-priority Fleet billets. Detailers will fill all advertised billets each cycle so it is important that Sailors understand how this may impact them.

The team will conduct briefs at Corry Station, Aug. 28; Naval Air Station Pensacola (NAS), Aug. 29 and 30. Sailors should contact their command career counselor for times and locations. Spouses are also encouraged to attend. The team will present a Command Ombudsman/Spouse Career Information brief Aug. 29 on board NAS.

"The briefs are designed to provide information needed to make informed career decision. They target leadership, Sailors and spouses to give each the information needed in the current operating environment," said Holmes.

For more information, contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) or via e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.

Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions Great Lakes Helps Prevent Suicides

By Sue Krawczyk, Training Support Center Great Lakes Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), Great Lakes Chapter at Training Support Center (TSC), released a suicide prevention video on Facebook, Aug. 17, to help communicate a vital message in the Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcement Video Contest.

The goal of the contest is to promote awareness of suicide warning signs and bystander intervention from a Sailor's point of view.

The submissions must convey at least one of the two 2012 core suicide prevention program messages: "It's Okay to Speak Up When You're Down" and/or "Life is Worth Living."

The winning entry will be announced Sept. 28, to coincide with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The winning submission will be broadcast on Direct-to-Sailor Television and provided to the American Forces Network and Pentagon Channel.

"The message we're trying to get out with this video is to see a reaction to what certain people have," said Fire Control Technician Seaman Angus Heiman, president of CSADD, Great Lakes Chapter. "We want people to see the video and hopefully come out and talk about if they do have problems and, if their problems are hidden, this is finally going to be something that will show them, 'Hey, I have help available. I can go to people. I can talk to someone and they can help me get through my issues and problems.' We don't want people to keep hiding any more, this is what causes the trouble."

About 15 to 20 students spent about two weeks to create the 3-minute video. Helping with a large portion of its creation was Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Timothy C. Bradow, with the majority of the editing completed by Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Justin M. Jasinski. Assisting with the editing were Fire Control Technician Seaman Apprentice Jesse Shelton and Fire Control Technician Seaman Apprentice Joshua Angulo.

Chief Religious Program Specialist (SW/AW/FMF) Lawrence Pieper, suicide prevention coordinator for TSC and learning sites for the past three years, said there has not been a suicide at TSC in two years because of how proactive everyone is with one another.

"The reason why we haven't had one is because of Sailors looking after Sailors - peer-to-peer intervention," said Pieper. "That's what CSADD is about. It is truly about Sailors taking care of Sailors and making good corrective and right decisions."

Pieper hopes the video will remind all of this who come through the quarterdeck of the Navy, and hopefully the rest of the Navy.

"Suicide related behavior is a regular training topic for Sailors. Us old chiefs and officers that have been around for a while do not know a lot of the terminology or a lot of the words or triggers for today's Sailors. Some of the things that are normal indicators that we have been trained on are not normal indicators to these Sailors," said Pieper.

"The biggest thing is the emotion that it draws. That's what we're looking for out of this video," said Heiman. "Even with the first video we had there was emotion involved, then we went back and added more. It's about as top-notch perfect as we can get and everyone so far has said it's awesome."

Pieper believes the students are on point with their video because of their youthful motivation.

"It's fresh eyes - it's young men and women that's making this. They're not relying on someone who is 20 or 30 years into the military. I think the thing about CSADD that makes them so great is that they think so far outside the box. They're not put into the normal naval structure," said Pieper.

He hopes the command will be able to incorporate the video internally into their suicide program for the 14,000 students that come through annually and the 1,000+ staff members employed here.

"Suicide prevention is a hard topic to deal with, but if you reinforce the personal values of that individual to themselves that they are valuable to society, to their parents, to the organization, you will continually remind them of that," said Pieper. "One of the easiest things in the world to do is to say good morning because you never know - that may have been the best thing that happened to that person that day is that good morning."