THE ASHINGTON URVEYOR W S Vol. 21, Issue: 4 Feb. 22, 2021 CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
6 THE CHIEFS BEHIND THE PINNING The journey of becoming a chief
8 GET CUPPED A new therapy now available onboard GW
12 GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY Our first president and our namesake turns 286
16 RELIVING AND CREATING HISTORY GW celebrates Black History Month
HM2 Andre Richards performs myofascial decompression therapy on a patient. (Photo by MCSN Bonnie Lindsay)
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION USS Russell (DDG 59) conducts Freedom of Navigation in South China Sea
ON THE COVER: Carmine Bosco, salutes while being rung aboard as 18 a chief petty officer during the chief petty officer pinning ceremony. (Photo by MC2 Trey Hutcheson) 2 • The Washington Surveyor THE ASHINGTON URVEYOR W S Vol. 21, Issue: 4 Feb. 22, 2021
USS George Washington (CVN 73) Surveyor Magazine
Commanding Officer Executive Officer Command Master Chief Editor-in-Chief Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake
Copy Editors Lt. Chelsea Cannaday MCC Christina Shaw Capt. Kenneth Strong Capt. Michael Nordeen CMDCM Christopher Zeigler MC1 Patrick Grieco MC2 Elizabeth Cohen Media Department Media Team Public Affairs Officer Deputy Public Affairs Officer MC2 Trey Hutcheson Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake Lt. Chelsea Cannaday MC2 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Zachary Thomas Departmental LCPO Departmental LPO MC3 Tatyana Freeman MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Patrick Grieco MC3 Cory Daut MC3 Robert Stamer MC3 Aislynn Heywood Media Department Requests MC3 Michael Hazlett PRINT REQUESTS PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS MCSN Bonnie Lindsay E-MAIL CVN 73 Media (757) 534-0613 MCSN Jacob Vanamburg MCSN Dakota Nack [email protected] MCSN Jack Lepien MCSN Justin Lawson MCSN Dyxan Williams PHOTO STUDIO HOURS MCSN Joshua Cabal 0900-1200 MCSA Joseph Negusse 1900-2100 MCSA Franklin Carpenter MONDAY - THURSDAY, located in 01-165-3-Q MCSA Grant Gorzocoski
A special thank you to all those who let us tell your stories to the crew and to the fleet.
The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos, or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. The Washington Surveyor • 3 SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
MMN3 Sean Graham HOMETOWN: Hopkinton, MA WHERE HE WORKS: Reactor Department
HOBBIES: Working out, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family as much as possible while adhering to COVID policies.
WHAT HE ENJOYS ABOUT THE NAVY: “I enjoy the people that I work with. You’re never going to find more hard-working, tough people than in Reactor Department. We all band together and do whatever we can to get a really tough job done.” WHAT ‘SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT’ MEANT TO HIM: “Being named ‘Sailor in the Spotlight’ is kind of vindicating. The nuclear program pipeline is a two year program and I struggled a lot academically. It showed me that all the extra hours that I had to put in were for a reason.”
WHY HE WAS NOMINATED: Graham recently alerted other watchstanders of a class-charlie fire aboard USS George Washington, and responded quickly himself to stop the fire from spreading throughout the ship.
4 • The Washington Surveyor GW’S NEWEST WARRIORS
MESSENGER OF THE WATCH ESWS AE3 Connor Smith MMN3 Sean Reilly MCSN Dakota Nack LS2 Angelique Garcia RP2 Tnyka Thomas PETTY OFFICER OF THE WATCH EMN2 Chiara Russman FC2 Kevin Ross MMN2 Benjamin Neace RSSN Zandaria Miller JUNIOR OFFICER OF THE DECK OS2 Ethan Warren AT1 David Link LS3 Mia Nicolet HN Carina Lira OFFICER OF THE DECK ENS Brandon Greene AO2 Louis Farmer EMN3 Caulen Sopko
ESWS EAWS EIWS Deck Watch Coordinators Coordinators Coordinators Coordinators OSC Zachary Machnics ACCS Matthew Cuppernoll CTMC Kathleen Chandler CDR. Steve Yargosz MAC Thomas Bohannon AOC James Cooksey IT1 Thaddeus Wiedemeier LT. John Coughlin THE CHIEFS BEHIND THE
PINNINGSTORY BY MCSN JACOB VANAMBURG, PHOTOS BY MC2 TREY HUTCHESON
Chief petty officer covers rest on a table during the USS George Washington (CVN 73) chief pinning ceremony.
6 • The Washington Surveyor On Feb. 5, 18 selected first class petty to become a chief, and how I have to earn become a chief means wearing more than officers on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that title every day,” said Senior Chief Petty just a set of anchors on the uniform. USS George Washington (CVN 73) attended Officer Cryptologic Technician (Technical) “Being a chief means becoming the a ceremony in their honor, and assumed the Keith Haran, assigned to the intelligence embodiment of enlisted leadership, and those rank of chief petty officer (CPO). department aboard George Washington. endeavoring to do so need to understand During the three months prior to their “A Sailor doesn’t just wake up one day and that it is not just a job, it is a way of life that pinning, they learned there’s more to the become a chief petty officer on their own. It requires a full embrace,” said Haran. anchor and the ceremony than their rank happens through hard work, determination, With only about 30,000 Sailors wearing and accomplishment as individuals. humility, teamwork and grit. All of those anchors, the rank of chief petty officer is “The feeling of putting on the anchors points are deeply instilled in chief selectees not large. This demonstrates that it takes was a very proud feeling,” said Chief Culinary through the process of chief’s initiation, and strength and dedication to make it. Specialist Louis Fierro, assigned to the supply their purpose has been honed by 128 years “Don’t quit,” said Fierro. “Just keep department aboard George Washington. of experience, tradition and adaptation.” pushing. Your time will come. Don’t be “Not only for myself, but it’s a proud Becoming a chief petty officer wasn’t discouraged by not making it your first, moment for my mentors, my children, my something Fierro could do alone. George second or third time. Your time will family and anybody I worked with. It’s owed Washington’s other CPOs and prospective absolutely come.” to them. So, when I put on the anchors, I felt CPOs were right there beside him. Achieving chief petty officer is a big like I was doing right by all of them. It wasn’t “We quickly became one unit, so to milestone in a Navy career and is not a just a ‘me’ thing, it was a group effort.” speak, going through the season and then simple feat. It takes years to reach, and The chief petty officer selectees had getting pinned together. You’re never going to requires the best out of every first class to hold and excel at the rank of E-6, then forget those people, even if you didn’t know petty officer selected. prove they were ready to take on the them before.” said Fierro. “Those are people “My advice to first class [petty officers] responsibilities of becoming a chief petty that I will remember for the rest of my life, is pretty simple: know your job, do your job, officer. because they made it with me.” and teach your Sailors how to do their job; “To me, the CPO pinning, and entire Rank is not the only title that comes the rest will take care of itself,” said Haran. CPO season is a reminder of what it took with becoming a chief petty officer. To
Master-at-Arms Chief Susan Olander gets pinned during the chief pinning ceremony Feb. 5.
The Washington Surveyor • 7 Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andre Richards, assigned to the Medical department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), performs myofascial decompression therapy on a patient. GET CUPPED CUPPING THERAPY, AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN BONNIE LINDSAY Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andre Richards, assigned to the Medical department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), performs myofascial decompression therapy on a patient. In the Navy, each Sailor has a physical techniques can deliver the same benefits. at their peak,” said Richards. “Cupping also fitness standard to maintain. Usually, Navy “Scraping is the process in which the benefits those who work in an occupational physical readiness is evaluated twice a year, pressure is slightly released from the cup, setting. For instance, the administrative which can often lead to Sailors looking allowing the user to glide the cup over the worker, who sits for hours at a time slumped for ways to ease the pressure they put on skin,” said Richards. “Essentially, acting as over a keyboard, which could likely cause their muscles while training for the physical a massaging tool, much like a Graston or tightness in the upper back and shoulders.” readiness test (PRT), or while generally SASTM session which uses hand tools to glide If a Sailor is feeling in need of this type of maintaining their health and fitness. over the skin.” muscular rehabilitation, Richards said the first Many Sailors may not be aware of the The common process behind each form step is to visit the appropriate medical facility. options available to them for healthy physical of cupping therapy is guiding the flow of “Sailors aboard George Washington can recovery. Cupping therapy is one of the beneficial fluidsinto the muscle and harmful find this service here at their ship’s Medical available methods to heal muscle aches and department in physical therapy,” said Richards. pains. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS “This particular treatment is at the physical George Washington (CVN 73) is one location “Therapy is not a one session, therapist’s discretion, depending on her offering this unique healing process to Sailors. findings during her evaluation. Sailors can “Myofascial decompression [known as end-all, be-all, thing. Healing speak with a provider in main medical to be cupping or cupping therapy] is a soft tissue referred to physical therapy for an evaluation mobilization technique mainly performed in a takes time and self-discipline. with FIXO [the ship’s physical therapist], or musculoskeletal setting by physical therapists, they can visit the physical therapist during physical therapist’s assistants, athletic trainers, Healing also is not linear, musculoskeletal sick call to ask if they would et cetera,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class meaning, there will be days meet the criteria.” Andre Richards, a physical therapist’s assistant As with other medical treatments, aboard George Washington. “It’s related to when you feel at the top your cupping therapy requires dedication. other soft tissue mobility techniques such Treatment, when referred, is not a single-visit as deep tissue massaging, MFR [Myofascial game. Conversely, there will cure. Releasing], Graston or SASTM [Sound “Although myofascial decompression Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization], foam rolling, also be days when you feel is a proven and effective technique in and dry needling.” below your typical standard.” helping to resolve soft tissue mobility, it’s an Not only is cupping therapy valued by adjunct,” said Richards. “Meaning, it’s most those who provide it, but many patients favor effective when combined with other forms of it, too. fluids, such as lactic acid, out. Reevey said the treatment.” “I would absolutely recommend this to process produces a familiar feeling on the Not only should cupping therapy be taken others as a means of therapeutic pain relief,” patient’s skin. seriously and combined with other physical said Lt. j.g. Richard Reevey, the radiation health “Cupping [therapy] just feels like pressure treatments, but a Sailor should maintain a officer aboard George Washington. on the skin,” said Reevey. “It is a tightening healthy lifestyle to ensure maximum benefits. George Washington offers many types feeling.” “Therapy is not a one session, end-all, of medical treatments to ensure that Sailors Subsequently, Sailors who take part in be-all, thing,” said Richards. “Healing takes are able to get the treatment they need this form of treatment can rest well, knowing time and self-discipline. Healing also is not and prefer. Cupping therapy is one of these that the pressure they feel is just touching the linear, meaning, there will be days when you options, and the treatment can be customized surface of what cupping therapy has to offer. feel at the top your game. Conversely, there for each Sailor’s experience, depending on “Myofascial decompression is important will also be days when you feel below your their needs. due to its efficacy in resolving issues related typical standard. However, with consistency, “I utilize several techniques during my to soft tissue mobility and its ability to reduce the likelihood of an efficient and a functional cupping sessions to include general pressure adhesions or restrictions within the fascia, the recovery is high. So, stick with it.” application, an active release technique, and fibrous tissue throughout the body, between The next time a Sailor has any sort scraping,” said Richards. “The general pressure the skin and muscle layers, as well as the of muscle aches or pains, Richards said he [application] is simply the application of the capability to induce healing by channeling the advises the Sailor to speak to their medical cup and controlling the amount of pressure flow of blood in, and fluids responsible for representatives. . Depending on their needs applied. The active release technique, or ART inflammation out, of the area of concern,” said and their pain, it is possible that cupping for short, is a technique that requires the Richards. therapy may be the treatment they require. patient to actively engage the muscle in which The benefit of this type of therapy is not the pressure is applied.” limited to one group of people and can be Some techniques provide positive offered to many Sailors with a broad range of pressure, while others utilize negative fitness needs. pressure through a vacuum-like seal that is “Myofascial decompression is most created. Both positive and negative pressure beneficial to athletes who want to perform
The Washington Surveyor • 11 CELEBRATING OUR NAMESAKE’S 286TH BIRTHDAY STORY BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK, PAINTING COURTESY OF MOUNT VERNON
February is the shortest month of played on the formation of America. respect, no matter what rank. His leadership the year, a month where many celebrate Elaborating on this legacy, Strong stated, exemplified the sheer selflessness, as he Valentine’s Day with their significant others “Certainly for his service as the General of placed his people’s welfare above his own. and look forward to the upcoming months of the Army, and then understanding his role His expectations from others and himself spring. Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class and how to work with the Continental were high, but the respect he showed to his aircraft carrier the USS George Washington Congress to keep the nation and the dream troops motivated them to give their all for (CVN 73), along with most Americans, also of the nation alive,” said Strong. “Then, his him. celebrate the birth of our namesake and role as President of the Constitutional This year, due to the COVID-19 America’s first president, George Washington. Congress, and then as the president [of the pandemic, Sailors aboard George Washington Washington was a pivotal figure in United States] and being the first to go into will not be able to enjoy the traditional American history. His impact and legacy uncharted territories as a leader.” celebration of years past for Washington’s on this country are reasons his birthday is George Washington is regarded by many birthday. However, once the pandemic has celebrated as a federal holiday on the third Americans as the “father of our country.” passed, Sailors on George Washington will Monday in February. The nation celebrates He not only was the first President of the have the opportunity to gather and celebrate the day as Presidents Day to honor more United States, but he also commanded the Washington’s Birthday once more. of our leaders, but certain states such Continental Army during the American “In February, we have a huge party… as Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, and New York Revolution (1775-1783) and presided and it is an all-hands party,” said Strong. “It specifically recognize the third Monday in over the convention that drafted the U.S. is a great time. We talk about General and February as “Washington’s Birthday” or Constitution. President Washington a lot, and because our “George Washington Day.” According to most military and ship is named after him, we honor him and According to George Washington’s American historians, Washington displayed his service and sacrifice, all our shipmates, Mount Vernon Society, Washington was born determination and resiliency as a military all different members of the USS George in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to leader and was respected for his integrity Washington, their service and sacrifice. So, the Julian calendar used at the time. In 1752, and exemplary character. Most historians there’s something cool for folks to look Britain and all of its colonies adopted the agree, his high moral character enabled forward to, as well.” Gregorian calendar, which ultimately moved him to lead his troops through difficult and Many Sailors may feel Washington George Washington’s birthday a year and 11 perilous times. epitomized honor, courage, and commitment. days to February 22, 1732. “I think he was thoughtful of his folks. Hopefully, Sailors assigned to George “I think he’d be the first to admit He did not want to waste and unnecessarily Washington today can take some time to that at the beginning, he was not a great endanger their lives in a battle that he recognize and appreciate his legacy and military mind. But he was a great enough did not need to fight,” said Strong. “He leadership. Much like Washington at Valley leader to understand his role was to keep helped them survive for the next day. Forge, Sailors aboard the George Washington a Revolutionary Army in the field and not Perseverance and understanding his role as a can endeavor to emulate his same lose any decisive battles,” said Capt. Kenneth leader, and as well, leading humbly.” perseverance and complete RCOH, returning Strong, the commanding officer of George According to most historians, the ship to sea to stand the watch again. Washington. Washington was a man who vehemently Strong recognizes Washington for the opposed tyranny and valued individual many facets of his legacy and the role his life freedom. He treated everyone with the same
12 • The Washington Surveyor STORY BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK, PAINTING COURTESY OF MOUNT VERNON THE NAVY’S NEWEST CHIEFS Chief-selects assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) officially get pinned to the rank of Chief Petty Officer by their friends and families during the Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony February 5, 2021. THE NAVY’S NEWEST CHIEFS Chief-selects assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) officially get pinned to the rank of Chief Petty Officer by their friends and families during the Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony February 5, 2021. THE NAVY RELIVING AND CREATING HISTORY TO THIS DAY STORY BY MC3 CORY J. DAUT, GRAPHIC BY MCSN JUSTIN LAWSON
“Take a stand for what’s right. Raise combat systems department aboard George such as Master Chief Diver Carl Brashear a ruckus and make a change. You may not Washington. “His story made me feel as he became the first black Navy diver, always be popular, but you’ll be part of like I can achieve anything and break any and how he has changed the way people something larger and bigger and greater boundary in my way.” look at African Americans in general. This than yourself,” said actor Samuel L. Jackson. isn’t where we should just stop and admire Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class history; we need to push further and make aircraft carrier USS George Washington more [history].” (CVN 73) celebrate both the events of “WE NEED In January, 2021, the Navy announced the past and the history being made today. that Cmdr. Kathryn Wijnaldum, Cmdr. To celebrate Black History Month during Kimberley Jones, and Cmdr. LaDonna February, the crew is honoring those who Simpson were to become the first three have made and who will make an impact by TO BREAK African American women to command sharing what it means to them. warships in the Navy. “With the Navy being a melting pot of “When I saw the news about the first different races, it makes me be proud to be DOWN three black female SWO(N) who [will take] an African American and makes me proud of command of warships, I thought, it was only my heritage,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate a matter of time,” said Blackwood. “When (Handling) 1st Class Reshawn Orr, assigned ALL THE you give someone an opportunity, they are to George Washington’s administrative going to take it. African Americans have department. proven themselves time and time again.” This month, the Navy acknowledges Wijnaldum is set to be the commanding African Americans who were first in their BARRIERS IN officer of the Harpers Ferry-class dock field, like the first black Sailor to be awarded landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). Jones the Navy Cross, become a Navy Diver, or is set to be the commanding officer of the command a Navy warship. THE NAVY.” Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS In 1941, Petty Officer 3rd Class Doris Tortuga (LSD 46). Simpson is set to be the Miller, a cook, became the first Black According to Naval Heritage and commanding officer of the Harpers Ferry- Sailor to be awarded the Navy Cross for History Command, Carl Brashear became class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall his actions during Pearl Harbor during the first black Navy Diver by attending (LSD 50). the Japanese attack. He was awarded and graduating Diving & Salvage School in “I am surprised that we haven’t had for carrying other Sailors to safety and Bayonne, New Jersey in 1945. In 1966, he a female African American being named defending his ship with a .50 caliber machine was badly injured during a mission in Spain captain of an aircraft carrier,” said Orr. gun with which he had no previous training, for the recovery of a nuclear weapon. His “This should have already happened, in my according to Naval Heritage and History left leg was subsequently amputated, but he opinion. We need to break down all the Command. refused to be labeled as unfit for diving. barriers in the Navy.” “Learning about what Dorris Miller “The Navy has overcome a lot of did for this country was truly eye opening struggles since I have been in,” said Orr. “I for me,” said Electronics Technician 3rd believe that throughout the course of the Class Kerris Blackwood, assigned to the Navy, you can see the accomplishments,
16 • The Washington Surveyor STORY BY MC3 CORY J. DAUT, GRAPHIC BY MCSN JUSTIN LAWSON
The Washington Surveyor • 17 USS RUSSELL (DDG 59) CONDUCTS FREEDOM NAVY OF NAVIGATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA NEWS From 7th Fleet Public Affairs
On Feb. 17 (local time) USS Russell navigation as a principle. As long as some of the claimants, the United States challenged (DDG 59) asserted navigational rights and countries continue to assert maritime claims these unlawful restrictions imposed by China, freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent that are inconsistent with international Taiwan, and Vietnam. The United States with international law. This freedom of law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the demonstrated that innocent passage may not navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the Sea Convention and that purport to be subject to such restrictions. rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea restrict unlawfully the rights and freedoms U.S. forces operate in the South China recognized in international law by challenging guaranteed to all States, the United States Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more unlawful restrictions on innocent passage will continue to defend those rights and than a century. They routinely operate in imposed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. freedoms. No member of the international close coordination with like-minded allies Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims community should be intimidated or coerced and partners who share our commitment in the South China Sea pose a serious threat into giving up their rights and freedoms. to uphold a free and open international to the freedom of the sea, including freedoms China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei order that promotes security and prosperity. of navigation and overflight, free trade and and the Philippines each claim sovereignty All of our operations are designed to be unimpeded commerce, and freedom of over some or all of the Spratly Islands. conducted professionally and in accordance economic opportunity for South China Sea China, Vietnam, and Taiwan require either with international law and demonstrate littoral nations. permission or advance notification before a that the United States will fly, sail, and The United States challenges excessive foreign military vessel engages in “innocent operate wherever international law allows maritime claims around the world passage” through the territorial sea. Under –regardless of the location of excessive regardless of the identity of the claimant. international law as reflected in the Law maritime claims and regardless of current The international law of the sea as reflected of the Sea Convention, the ships of all events. in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention States –including their warships –enjoy Summaries of U.S. freedom of navigation provides for certain rights and freedoms and the right of innocent passage through the assertions are released publicly in the annual other lawful uses of the sea to all nations. territorial sea. The unilateral imposition of “DoD Freedom of Navigation Report.” Past The international community has an enduring any authorization or advance-notification reports are available online at https://policy. role in preserving the freedom of the seas, requirement for innocent passage is not defense.gov/OUSDP-Offices/FON/ which is critical to global security, stability, permitted by international law. By engaging and prosperity. in innocent passage without giving prior The United States upholds freedom of notification to or asking permission from any
18 • The Washington Surveyor COVID-19 Vaccine Questions?
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