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July, 2008
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Naval Base San Diego assists mariner in distress
by Walter T. Ham IV
Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) assisted a civilian mariner July 17 when his 30-foot cabin cruiser caught fire south of the Coronado Bridge in the San Diego Bay.
Working together with the San Diego Harbor Police who rescued the lone mariner but had difficulties containing the fire, the base allowed the engulfed vessel to be towed to Pier 2 and the Department of the Navy's firefighters helped extinguish the fire.
"It was a great team effort by everyone involved," said NBSD Command Duty Officer Senior Chief Engineman (SW) Thomas E. Shider, who first took the dispatch call.
After the fire was extinguished, the vessel was dewatered and inspected to ensure it was seaworthy before being towed away from the base. No fuel or hazardous material was discharged during dewatering, but an oil boom was placed around the vessel as a precaution.
"This is a great example of how we come together in San Diego to help each other," said NBSD Commanding Officer Rear Adm. (Sel.) Dixon Smith. "While our main mission is to support the fleet, the fighter and the family, we are always ready to assist a mariner in distress. Saving lives and property is part of our Navy ethos – at sea or ashore."
Supporting 53 ships, more than 120 tenant commands and more than 35,000 Sailors, Soldiers, Department of Defense civilian employees and contracts, NBSD is home to the majority of the Pacific Fleet's surface combatants, all of the Navy's west coast amphibious ships and a variety of Coast Guard and Military Sealift Command vessels.
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Headed to the Olympics in Beijing
SAN DIEGO (July 15, 2008) Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Casey Tibbs takes a break from his training routine while his coach, Darcy Ahner, discusses his performance preparing for his upcoming Paralympics events at the Beijing Olympics. Tibbs will represent the United States in several events including shotput, discus and long jump during the 2008 Olympic games in August. U.S. photo by MC3 David A. Brandenburg
Going green with wind turbines
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (July 8, 2008) The wind turbines on top of John Paul Jones Hill have been fully operational since July 2005 and will save Naval Station Guantanamo Bay more than $1 million by decreasing fuel usage by 250,000 gallons this year. They can generate up to 13% of the overall base power, supplying some of that power to Joint Task Force Guantanamo. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Megan Burnham
Navy seeking applicants for LDO/CWO programs
by MCC(SW) Maria Yager
The Navy seeks applications from highly qualified Sailors in pay grades E-6 through E-9 for the fiscal year 2010 Active Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) programs. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 1, 2008.
"Limited duty officers and chief warrant officers bring a variety of experience and perspective into the wardroom from their enlisted service," said Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. M.E. Ferguson.
The LDO community has 28 designators in the surface, submarine, aviation, general series and staff corps communities. The CWO community is also comprised of 28 designators in similar fields.
LDO and CWO career paths provide additional leadership opportunities for Sailors and enhances their ability to contribute to the Navy. LDOs and CWOs serve in a variety of leadership billets within their technical fields, ranging from division officer to commanding officer ashore.
Eligibility requirements for LDO include U.S. citizenship, serving in pay grade E-7 through E-9 or an E-6 who has passed the exam for E-7. Active-duty applicants for LDO must have at least eight, but not more than 16 years of active-duty service.
Eligibility requirements for CWO include U.S. citizenship, serving in pay grade E-7 through E-9. Active-duty applicants for CWO must have at least 12, but not more than 24 years of active-duty service.
These programs do not require applicants to have a college degree.
Complete application procedures, eligibility requirements and a listing available designators can be found in OPNAVINST 1420.1A.
Eligible Sailors should apply for the designator for which they are most qualified, regardless of their current rating. Upon commissioning, Sailors selected for LDO/CWO will attend the four-week Officer Development School in Newport, R.I.
For more information, active-duty applicants should read NAVADMIN 181/08.
Timeline for Iraq drawdown would be dangerous, Mullen says
by Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2008 – Setting a timeline for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq would be “dangerous,” and troop reductions there should continue to be made based on security conditions on the ground, the nation’s top military officer said today.
President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this week agreed to set a general “time horizon" for bringing more U.S. troops home from the war, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” but he added that to his knowledge, the agreement does not include specific dates. “I think the consequences could be very dangerous in that regard,” he said.
The admiral stressed his view that troop-strength decisions must be conditions-based, but said he wants to see more U.S. forces come home. “I think the strategic goals of having timed horizons are ones that we all seek,” he said, “because eventually we would like to see U.S. forces draw down and eventually all come home,” he said.
Though he said he worries that a “rapid” movement of U.S. forces out of Iraq could create instability, Mullen said he found during a trip there two weeks ago that security conditions were better than he expected they would be, and that could mean more troops can come home if the trend continues.
“If conditions continue to improve, I would look to be able to make recommendations to President Bush in the fall to continue those reductions,” Mullen said.
Pacific Fleet's blog keeps Sailors, families informed
by MCCS(SW/AW) Melissa F. Weatherspoon
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- U.S. Pacific Fleet officially launched a blog, June 9, providing a new method of communication for Sailors and families throughout the Pacific Fleet area of operations.
Pacific Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Tom Howard introduced the blog, "Mooring Lines," which offers another way for Sailors and families to discuss with the fleet's senior-enlisted leader issues affecting their daily lives.
With more than 100,000 Sailors and families serving in the Pacific Fleet, across 15 time zones, Howard saw the need to speak with Sailors in a way in which they are accustomed.
"I felt it was important to use all means available to connect to today's Sailor," Howard said. "Today's Sailors often don't remember a time when there was not Internet or electronic methods of communication.
"I want to speak with Sailors and hear from them in a way that's familiar and comfortable to them."
Howard hopes to include sponsorship program, advancement opportunities, mentorship, military customs and courtesies, professional development, leadership, uniforms and finances on Mooring Lines. "I am looking forward to discussing anything that is of interest to our Sailors and their families," he said.
In his first post, Howard stepped away from the traditional military biographical format as an introduction and opened up about his early years in the Navy to show Sailors he has been where they are and has experienced many of the situations facing them today.
"I'm a Sailor first who was a prior boatswain's mate and was almost an electronics technician (ET) before that but was kicked out of ET 'A' school for what they referred to at the time as a 'non-military' attitude.
"I've been in the Navy since February 1982 and, like many of you, had planned to get out at the end of each tour," reads Howard's blog post. "So what makes me think I can relate to young Sailors' today? I'm a common-sense person with a common-sense approach to the issues and challenges that face our Navy and Sailors today."
According to Howard, standing orders have been set on the blog to ensure only accurate information is posted. The standing orders are also in place to remind those commenting that some level of consent and review is in place.
To access the blog, visit mooringlines.blogspot.com.
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Program reaches out to educate veterans about suicide hotline
by Meghan Vittrup
American Forces Press Service
The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a pilot outreach program to encourage veterans to use the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 1-800-273-TALK (8255) -- if they need help.
The program is being launched July 21 “to see if it helps raise awareness for veterans,” said Lisette Mondello, Veterans Affairs assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs.
The program will take place over a three-month period and will first launch in the Washington, D.C., metro area, VA officials said. It will include paid advertising in Washington, D.C., metro stations, metro rail cars, and buses. Aside from signs and posters, the program also will include a public service announcement recorded by actor Gary Sinise.
Mondello said the department will be monitoring the number of calls being made to the VA’s suicide hotline. If the advertising program proves successful, the VA will consider extending it to other regions.
Washington D.C. was chosen as the program’s launch site for several reasons, Mondello said. The area has a large military and veteran population, while it is also a “tight” region that is easy to track. The region also is home to a public transportation system that allows advertising.
The VA also plans to increase personnel coordinating the program, answering calls, and tracking calls in the region. The suicide hotline pilot outreach program will continue through middle or late October.
The first advertisements will be going up July 21, while a second wave of advertising will go up sometime between August and September, Mondello said.
A rule change this month allows for the VA to use paid advertising to reach out to veterans and increase their awareness of programs and benefits. “On July 16, the secretary [of veterans affairs] lifted the prohibition on paid advertising,” Mondello said, and it is now another option for outreach.
Combat veterans are eligible to receive VA health care benefits as well as screening for post-traumatic stress disorder for up to five years after they discharge from the military, according to a press release from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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