Navy.TogetherWeServed Newsletter - November, 2009
In This Issue
GROWING STRONG FIRST CALL: Notes & Ramblings From The Pilothouse Featured Updates President orders review of Fort Hood prelude In Memoriam... Did You Know? Petraeus spends Thanksgiving aboard Nimitz Contract values announced for Littoral Combat Ships 3 & 4 OIF & OEF Maps IT Diversity, Part 2 Got discounts for Sailors? Feds pledge support for hiring veterans NTWS Member adopts fallen Sailor, begins knowledge quest Happy Birthday US MARINE CORPS! HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! VET TOPICS TWS Coins, Coffee & More - the TWS Cafe! The staff of TWS salute the Marine Corps as it celebrated its 234th birthday AMERICANS AT WAR this month. OFF DUTY Originally founded on Nov. 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was composed mainly THE HOIST - NTWS Newsletter of infantrymen serving aboard Navy ships.
They were responsible primarily for the security of the ship and “This nation will never forget the provided offensive and defensive service of those we lost at Fort Hood, boarding parties; and helped just as we will always honor the protect the ship's officers from service of all who wear the uniform of mutiny. In 1921, Marine Gen. the United States of America. Their John A. Lejeune issued Marine legacy will be an America that is safer Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921, and stronger -- an America that reflects that directed the history, the extraordinary character of the men traditions and mission of the Marine Corps to be read to all Marines on Nov. 10 to honor the service's and women who serve it.” creation. And in 1925, the first formal Marine Corps Birthday Ball was held in - President Barak Obama Philadelphia. in remarks at Fort Hood, TX Nov. 2009 Today, the Corps is an amphibious expeditionary force that also supports missions from the White House and the State Department.
The men and women who proudly claim the title "United States Marine" embody a tradition of honor and selfless service dating back to the ADVERTISEMENT establishment of the Continental Marines in 1775. Today, they and the thousands before who earned the right to be called "Marine" continue to uphold these most hallowed traditions by serving proudly around the globe.
To all current active duty and Reserve warriors, along with those who have formerly worn the Marine Corps uniform with pride, have all truly lived up to the Corps' sacred motto: 'Semper Fidelis.'
All of us at TWS salute and celebrate the culture that all Leathernecks embody -- honor, courage and commitment. Happy Birthday and Semper Fi!
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We've gone MOBILE!
Now you can now easily read and answer new Messages, view the Profiles of old Friends, post or read latest SitReps and Forum Posts, purchase something from the TWS Store and much, much more in an easy to navigate ADVERTISEMENT version of your favorite Army networking website!
To enable the wider TWS screen to fit on the vertical screen of iPhones and similar mobile devices, our programmers placed the right hand page underneath the left hand page and reconfigured the tabs. TWS Mobile works very well -- especially if your mobile phone screen will display in "landscape" (sideways) mode. For a quick preview of the layout, click on the "Mobile Layout" at the bottom right of the binder.
TWS Mobile is a free application for all TWS Members and we would love to hear how you like this new feature.
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November thoughts...
Two holidays always occur during November every year - Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. In the UK and other Commonwealth nations, Veterans Day, HELMAND HALT - HM3 Eric Nobriga halts during a foot also called Remembrance Day, reflects the same sentiment. Whether you patrol in the Nawa district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. refer to it as Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day, it's a time to think about Nobriga, a hospital corpsman assigned to the 1st Battalion, veterans who have served and those who sadly -- but heroically -- made the 5th Marine Regiment, is deployed with Regimental Combat ultimate sacrifice in past and present wars. Team 7 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan national security forces in southern Afghanistan. Thanksgiving is the one day each year we Americans watch football, and - USMC photo by LCpl. James Purschwitz gorge ourselves on loads of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. More importantly, it should be a day for us to consider those - Navy Working Uniform roll-out accelerated things we are truly most thankful for -- our families, friends, freedom and - Navy Public Health Center website offers flu-related hopefully, the servicemembers who protect our freedom. info - Some 20th-Century Navy records, cruise books to be published online While I've lived for some 50 years with Veterans Day and Thanksgiving only - NAVSO hosts 1st senior enlisted leaders maritime weeks apart from one another, it wasn't until recently that I truly realized conference how intertwined those two holidays are. - USS Constitution designated 'America's Ship of State' - USS Lassen visits Vietnam in storybook return of its For more than 230 years, our nation has celebrated Thanksgiving as a time to commander recognize the many priceless gifts we enjoy as Americans. It's a time to appreciate and celebrate our families and our friends; a time to reflect on how privileged we are to live in such a great land of opportunity.
On the other hand, President Lincoln recognized the men that died on the field at Gettysburg and challenged Americans to not forget what they did there. He also challenged all Americans to remember them for their sacrifice.
I will give thanks on Thanksgiving Day for the hundreds of civilians who listened to that speech in Pennsylvania many years ago, who demonstrated their appreciation for those who answered our nation's call to military service.
COLORS ON OKINAWA - Sailors unfurl and hoist aloft the And for the next 50 plus years of my life, I'll have a new appreciation for why Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day are so close to one another on the COLORS ON OKINAWA - Sailors unfurl and hoist aloft the Holiday Ensign during morning colors on Veterans Day Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day are so close to one another on the aboard USS Harpers Ferry while moored at Naval Facility calendar. White Beach, Okinawa. ------US Navy photo by PO2 Joshua J. Wahl Taps...
It's been one rough month for Guardians, Marines, Soldiers and civilians -- and now we've lost a member of the TWS family.
The original Chief Administrator for NTWS, Chief Mess Management Specialist Art Gazelle, USN (ret.), passed-away on December 1 in Tampa, FL due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Words escape me at the moment -- and coming VIETNAM VETS - A group of veterans at the Vietnam from a retired Journalist, that's very unusual... Veteran’s Memorial Wall surround a plaque commemorating POWs and MIAs on Veterans Day. In the background are My friend and shipmate Art was the one who the names of some of the more than 58,000 fallen troops guided me when I first joined this outfit a few etched into the granite partitions of the monument in years ago. I appreciated his candor, his wisdom and his sense of humor. Washington DC. - DoD photo by John Kruzel Hawaii -- Honolulu in-particular -- was Art's spiritual home. He used to tell me how he missed it. Being a Hawaii native, we'd occasionally break-away and speak Hawaiian pidgin like two "local-kine bruddaz" back on the block in the islands when he'd phone me. TWS on the Radio
VFW's National Defense Radio Not too many people can do that...especially one haole who can talk like one Interview with Major Wes Prater kanaka...
TWS is proud to announce the introduction of the new TWS Following services in Florida, Art will be cremated and his ashes taken back to Associations Support Program. This is Honolulu, where a military internment ceremony will be conducted at the a unique feature that provides specially family's plot in a memorial park. constructed Association Profile pages that present a unique set of tools To Art's ohana (family): "Aloha na hale 'oukou i makamaka 'ole" (Love to available for free to any Military your home which has lost a member)... Association to use for member/roster management, outreach to the TWS Community, and to publish news and ------information about the Association. We want to hear from you!!
This is YOUR newsletter, folks... Of particular note, TWS is extremely proud of a growing partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW Got an interesting story to share? Had a brush with a historic figure in Navy hosts The National Defense radio program and was kind history? Want to tell us about an assignment that beat all others? Do you enough to interview Maj. Wes Prater, TWS co- have photos of what life was like when you served in Navy Blue? founder/administrator recently about the growth of TWS and Why not share it with your buddies through The HOIST? the unique services provided. Click here to listen to the interview. Drop us an email any time to [email protected]. We'll be glad to hear from you!
Until next time...
Jon Yim
Editor Featured Updates
Cross Site Shipmates One of our most requested enhancements is finally live - you can add members from other service to your Shipmates list! This is how you do it:
1) Go to Home Tab Navy.Togetherweserved is your website - please help 2) Scroll down to the section "Guest Access" and click the icon of the site Navy.Togetherweserved is your website - please help 2) Scroll down to the section "Guest Access" and click the icon of the site secure its future by upgrading to Full Membership. related to your Shipmates:
There is no charge to join NTWS and remain a Free Member, however there are considerable benefits to becoming a Full Member. By upgrading to Full Membership, which is modestly priced and very simple to do, you not only have access to premium areas of the website but, in so doing, you also help support the ongoing development, maintenance and promotion of Navy.TogetherWeServed.com and keep it advertisement free.
Please invite a Shipmate and help more NTWS Members reconnect!
If every NTWS Member invites one or more active, reserve or retired Shipmate to join NTWS, this dramatically increases the chances of Members being able to locate other Shipmates they served with.
As a way of saying thank you, for every 5 (five) new Members who join from your personal invitations, we will extend your Full Membership by 6 months. Click here to invite an Shipmate.
3) Click the button to visit the sister site as a Guest member. 4) On the Sister Site, use normal search tools to locate your Shipmates. 5) On their profile page (or directly from the search results) click "Add to MEMBER COMMENTS Brothers" (or might be Add to Wingmen) depending on the service branch). This is just a sample of some of the comments we 6) When you return to your primary website you will find they have been regularly receive at TWS on how we help reconnect added to your Shipmates list, just like your Navy Shipmates. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians. 7) Cross site shipmates are identified with a small service icon in place of the thermometer like this: I am glad to have found this tool. I just started an hour ago and have already found 15 Marines that I had lost touch with. - Sgt. Jon Simmons, USMC
It is taking some time to enter both my information and that of my father, but I hope to complete our profiles soon. And I appreciate your efforts (as well as the efforts of the other[s] involved) in creating and managing this website. I had only been signed up for one day before I received and email from someone I served with 27 years ago. Thank you. - LtCol. Timothy Hardy, USAF (ret.)
HEY, really great layout...very eye-appealing...and I do know what I'm yakkin' on there 'cause in a 30-some-odd- years career as civilian and military "journalist" was frequently doing the "makeup" for civilian and military newspapers and a lot of balance and eye appeal involved. Appreciate more than I can say the "adventures" and acquaintances that glow among your "pages". TNX with great respect for the professionalism you folks manifest. - MSgt. Howard A. Ellis, USAF (ret.) What's New Tab The Home tab was getting overloaded with all our new features and content Just want to inform you guys I am currently deployed to Al so we have split it into two areas - the original Home tab with all the primary Asad, Iraq on an IA (individual augmentee) billet where I site links, forum updates ect, and all the new and updated content under a have been since April 11 of this year. Please keep up the second tab "What's New". good work you guys have been doing for the past year and I do look forward to this site to keep in contact with past and do look forward to this site to keep in contact with past and present friends I have made in service to this great country. Thank you so very much. - CPO(AW/SW) Steve Hodge, USN
I want to personally thank you for this site and anyone else that assisted you in setting this up. The layout is awesome and the parameters with the drop down menus which include every unit, mission, location and time that has possibly existed throughout the Marine Corps, is remarkable. I have tried to locate past brothers and sisters over the past 20 years, with no avail. However, with this site it has been great in finding them. Thank you again for all the hard work. - Cpl. Valerie D. Cubel, USMC
This site is jam packed! I see this will be a great place to work with to fill and share memories. I shall indeed work on this, make some time for this,very soon! THANK YOU, for your time and brains to set this up. I am sure the servicemen who are and will be using this will be grateful the rest of their lives. I appreciate you, and your staff (?), very much. May you, too, have blue skies and safe flying. - LtCol. Joe Brezovic, USAF (ret.)
Mike Fishbaugh has helped me, and received some information on my dad! Yeah! I am going to update his profile with what I have, but will share a bit with you here. He was with the 7th Engineer Battalion, Company D. He was in Da Nang (on) December 12, 1968. And he received a Navy Achievment Medal with valor. And to think he never shared any of this...hmmm... You all are the best, and I am so glad to be a member here. Here you can find: - Jacqueline Gilbert, Marine Family
1) Sitreps So what's missing here? YOUR experiences in 2) Blogs reconnecting with fellow Shipmates! We need to hear 3) Groups Forums more of YOUR TWS reconnect success stories. Post 4) Latest Jobs yours in the "Shipmates Found Success Stories" header 5) Association and Unit Sitreps. in the MESS DECKS forum or drop a line to [email protected]! This has also given us increased room to feature some great content - check out the new "Units" right page section (scroll down to Marine Corps Units - View Unit Pages and Members and click the link). You will find a whole page dedicated to Unit profiles and data including:
1) Unit of the Day 2) Unit Sitreps If you forgot your User ID and Password, click on the 3) Unit News and Information "Reminder" link found on the Login page, or follow this Link. 4) This Day in Unit History 5) Unit Forum Threads Your User ID and Password will be sent to you immediately 6) Top 20 Units by Member Count. by e-mail. LCC begins fleet-wide roll-out this month
Center for Personal & Professional Development Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is rolling out Modules 1 and 2 of the Leadership Core Continuum (LCC) this month.
LCC training is designed to meet the continuing process of training and developing enlisted leaders in pay grades E4 through E6.
"CPPD is working diligently on the next stage in enlisted leader development for the Fleet," said LCC Project Manager Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Blackwell.
"In 2006," Blackwell said, "CPPD released the replaced Petty Officer Indoctrination with Petty Officer Selectee Leadership Course (POSLC), for newly selected E-4s. And in September 2008, Petty Officer First Class Selectee Leadership Course (PO1SLC) was launched to provide "just-in-time" leadership training for the Navy's newest first Plain Text or HTML Emails class petty officers. CPPD also rolled out the Petty Officer If you check your account preferences there is a new option where you can Second Class Leadership Course (PO2SLC) curriculum in select whether you prefer your emails in plain text or HTML format. Now that March 2009 for newly selected second class petty officers." HTML is becoming the standard in most areas we will be sending in HTML unless you specify otherwise. All three of these courses were implemented as command-delivered leadership training for leaders in pay Blog Replies grades E-4 through E-6, and are designed for delivery upon Like SitReps, members can now post replies to your blog entries. Blogs and selection to respective pay grades. the attached replies are also summarized on the What's New tab for greater prominence. "LCC is the foundational link in the Navy's enlisted leadership continuum and is designed to enhance the leadership training our junior enlisted Sailors receive between promotion cycles," said CPPD's Director of Training Cmdr. George Michaels. "LCC is a fleet-relevant, Sailor- centered set of development tools to assist in understanding leadership topics established in Navy Leadership Competency Model, and provides a path for enlisted Sailors to receive continuous leadership training and development."
"The core competencies of LCC include accomplishing missions, leading change, working with people and resource stewardship; all of which are essential in the process of President orders review of Fort Hood prelude engaging our Sailors and capitalizing on previous lessons American Forces Press Service learned through command-delivered courses," said Michaels. "Furthermore, LCC content is reality based, taught in an operational environment, and appropriate to its target WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama used his weekly address to call audiences." for a careful and complete review of what happened before the Nov. 5 tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas. In July 2009, CPPD hosted a subject matter expert working group with representatives from across the Hampton Roads Here is the text of the president’s address: area. Eight Sailors in pay grades E-6 and E-7 from the Hampton Roads naval community participated in subject This was a week for honoring the extraordinary service and profound sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. matter expert working groups for LCC development. of our men and women in uniform. Every fall, we set aside a special day to pay tribute to our veterans. But this During the working group, members developed real-life year, Veterans Day took on even greater poignancy and meaning because of scenarios, which are fundamental components of LCC. The the tragic events at Fort Hood. working group members also assisted with prioritizing competencies and other items needed to construct On Tuesday, I traveled there to join with the Fort Hood community, the appropriate training for leaders in pay grades E4 through E6. Army, and the friends and families of the victims to honor thirteen of our fellow Americans who died – and the dozens more who were wounded – not In November 2009, the LCC pilot was conducted at NAS on some distant shore, but on a military base at home. Oceana. Sailors from various commands onboard the base Every man and woman who signs up for military service does so with full attended the 1-day event to review and provide critical knowledge of the dangers that could come – that is part of what makes the feedback for CPPD. The pilot participants provided valuable service of our troops and veterans so extraordinary. But it’s unthinkable that information and served as the final evaluators prior to the so many would die in a hail of gunfire on a US Army base in the heart of releasing this material to the Fleet. Texas, and that a fellow service-member could have pulled trigger.
There is an ongoing investigation into this terrible tragedy. That investigation In its final delivery, LCC will consist of six modules with a will look at the motives of the alleged gunman, including his views and phased roll-out plan. Sailors should expect availability of contacts. As I said in Fort Hood, I am confident that justice will be done, and modules one and two this December. Modules three and I will insist that the full story be told. That is paramount, and I won’t four will roll out in early spring 2010, and the final two compromise that investigation today by discussing the details of this case. modules (five and six) are scheduled for release in the But given the potential warning signs that may have been known prior these summer of 2010. The combination of these six modules, and shootings, we must uncover what steps – if any – could have been taken to the various petty officer selectee command-delivered training avert this tragedy. courses, will provide all E4 through E6 Sailors with knowledge and tools needed to sustain and continually On the Thursday evening that this tragedy took place, I met in the Oval improve upon their leadership skills. Office with Secretary of Defense Gates, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Admiral Mullen, and FBI Director Mueller to review the immediate For more information about LCC, visit www.nko.navy.mil steps that were necessary to support the families and secure Fort Hood. The next morning, I met with the leadership of our military and the intelligence community, and ordered them to undertake a full review of the sequence of events that led up to the shootings.
The purpose of this review is clear: We must compile every piece of information that was known about the gunman, and we must learn what was done with that information. Once we have those facts, we must act upon them. If there was a failure to take appropriate action before the shootings, Help there must be accountability. Beyond that – and most importantly – we must more quickly and thoroughly evaluate and address any flaws in the system, so that we can prevent a similar breach from happening again. Our government must be able to act swiftly and surely when it has threatening information. And our troops must have the security that they deserve.
I know there will also be inquiries by Congress, and there should. But all of us should resist the temptation to turn this tragic event into the political Shipmates reconnect! Hand out our Invitation Cards to theater that sometimes dominates the discussion here in Washington. The other Sailors you know and earn Full Membership Credits -- stakes are far too high. 6 months of Full Membership for every 5 Sailors who join Of all the responsibilities of the presidency, the one that I weigh most heavily from your invites and complete their Profile (be sure to enter is my duty as Commander-in-Chief to our splendid service-men and women. your member number on each card). Their character and bravery were on full display in that processing center at Click here to order. To print out your own invite cards, click Fort Hood, when so many scrambled under fire to help their wounded here. comrades. And their great dignity and decency has been on display in the days since, as the Fort Hood community has rallied together.
We owe our troops prayerful, considered decisions about when and where we commit them to battle to protect our security and freedom, and we must fully support them when they are deployed. We also owe them the absolute assurance that they’ll be safe here at home as they prepare for whatever mission may come. As commander in chief, I won’t settle for anything less.
This nation will never forget the service of those we lost at Fort Hood, just as we will always honor the service of all who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Their legacy will be an America that is safer and stronger – an America that reflects the extraordinary character of the men and women who serve it.
TWS supports the mission of the Real Warriors Campaign initiative Thank you.
and the National Suicide Prevention Helpline - DoD photo by Cherie Cullen BECAUSE ONE SUICIDE IS ONE TOO MANY... In Memoriam...
LTC Juanita L. Warman, 55 SPC Frederick Greene, 29 Havre De Grace, MD Mountain City, TN 1908th Medical Company, 16th Signal Company, Independence, MO Fort Hood, TX
MAJ Libardo Caraveo, 52, PFC Aaron Nemelka, 19 Woodbridge, VA West Jordan, UT 467th Medical Detachment, 510th Engineer Company, Madison, WI 20th Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood, TX CPT John P. Gaffney, 54 San Diego, CA PFC Michael Pearson, 22 1908th Medical Company, Bolinbrook, IL Independence, MO 510th Engineer Company, Suicide Prevention Website 20th Engineer Battalion, National Suicide Prevention CPT Russell Seager, 41 Fort Hood, TX Lifeline Racine, WI 467th Medical Company, SPC Kham Xiong, 23 For Crisis Intervention Madison, WI St. Paul, MN 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 510th Engineer Company, Press "1" SSG Justin Decrow, 32 20th Engineer Battalion, Plymouth, IN Fort Hood, TX 16th Signal Company, Fort Hood, TX PVT Francheska Velez, 21 NOTE: Decrow was a member Chicago, IL of Army TWS 15th Combat Support Battalion, SGT Amy Krueger, 29 Fort Hood, TX Kiel, WI 467th Medical Company, Michael Cahill Madison, WI Cameron, TX Fort Hood civilian employee NAVY - NAVPERS 15665I SPC Jason Hunt, 22 MARINE CORPS - MCO P1020.34G Tillman, OK. ARMY - AR 670-1 1st Brigade, Fort Hood, TX AIR FORCE - AFI 36-2903 COAST GUARD - COMDTINST M1020.6E
Defenselink -- The OFFICIAL source of news and information from the Department of Defense, related agencies and all military branches. Multi-National Force - Iraq -- Official website of MNF-I Multi-National Corps - Iraq -- Official website of MNC-I International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) -- Official website for coalition forces in Afghanistan The Pentagon Channel -- 24-hour broadcasts of official military news and information for members of the US Armed Forces through select stateside cable systems, and overseas via American Forces Network (AFN). My AFN.mil -- American Forces Network (AFN) provides multi-channel, broadcast-quality radio and television services and expanded internal information products to all DoD members and their families stationed overseas, on "...an enjoyable and memorable experience" contingency operations, and onboard Navy ships around the world. Petraeus spends Thanksgiving aboard world. Petraeus spends Thanksgiving aboard Military Homefront -- A DoD Web portal for reliable Quality Nimitz of Life information designed to help troops and their families, Story by MC3 J.D. Levite leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military USS Nimitz Public Affairs lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! myPay -- myPay allows you to manage your pay USS NIMITZ, Gulf of Oman -- The commander of the US Central information, leave and earning statements (LES), W-2s and Command, Army GEN David H. Petraeus, celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday more...putting more information and services at your at-sea on Nov. 26 with the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). fingertips. Brought to you by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Petraeus, the four-star general responsible for US operations in 20 countries TRICARE Portal -- Information you need about your from Egypt, to Central Asia and the entire Middle East, joined the crew at the TRICARE health benefits. Includes details on eligibility, mid-point of her 8-month Western Pacific deployment operating in direct plans, medical, dental and vision coverage. Also details on support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. TRICARE operations, guidance, manuals and policy. Stars & Stripes -- The DoD-authorized UNOFFICIAL daily "It's a unique American holiday," Petraeus said. "And to spend it on a unique newspaper for US Forces overseas, printed in European, piece of American turf - a ship that no other country can match - really Pacific and Mideast editions. makes it an enjoyable and memorable experience." Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) -- Minutes after arrival, Petraeus DoDEA operates more than 218 public schools for grades K- worked his way down ladder 12 in 14 districts located in seven U.S. states, Puerto Rico, wells and through Guam and 12 foreign countries to serve the children of passageways to conduct re- military service members and Department of Defense civilian enlistments and present employees. awards to Nimitz Sailors in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) -- The ship's forecastle. military's largest retailer. A mission-essential, and the premier quality of life provider for all DoD military members, Petraeus also had the civilians, contractors and their families worldwide. opportunity to see flight Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) -- Delivering the operations from the aviators' premier quality-of-life benefit to military members worldwide. perspective when he stepped United Service Organizations (USO) -- The USO supports Army GEN David H. Petraeus, commander US into an F/A-18F Super Hornet U.S. troops and their families wherever they serve. Across Central Command, carves a turkey before from the "Black Aces" of Strike the United States and around the world, the American serving Thanksgiving dinner to Sailors Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 military knows that the USO is there for them. Until Every aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. with CAPT Scott Conn, deputy One Comes Home. - Photo by MC2 Joseph Moon commander of Carrier Air Space Avaliable Travel fact sheet -- Answers to the most Wing (CVW) 11. common Space A travel questions, courtesy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, CA. "It really was awesome to experience a bit of that today to have that Top Gun moment," said Petraeus. "To being shot off the deck and make a pretty quick landing and see again the extraordinary work that you do."
Petraeus took a helo over to visit Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class NAVY - All Hands destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102). Returning to the carrier, Petraeus carved MARINE CORPS - Marines a turkey for Nimitz crew members for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner. ARMY - Soldiers AIR FORCE - Airman In addition to 1,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving turkeys, Nimitz' food COAST GUARD - Coast Guard service team served up 600 pounds of ham, 15 roasted pigs, roast-steamship rounds of beef, broiled lobster, and 150 one gallon cans of cranberry sauce.
"We brought the turkeys on board prior to leaving San Diego," said CS1(SW/AW) Kristopher Freyberg. "We wanted to make sure that was the What... was your best duty station or first thing we had since we knew we would be planning for the holidays. We shipboard assignment and why? What is the loaded the entire pig on outside of Hawaii, and aside from that, we've been recipe for that wonderful dish you make for a taking it on during replenishment-at-sea little by little." holiday or other occasions? Do you have any tips about keeping The day ended with an all hand's call, where Petraeus addressed the entire crew wanting the Sailors deployed out here to know just how valuable they are.
"Each and every person that wears our country's uniform is indeed, in a healthy, or things to watch out for if you have a sense, 'An Army of One,' or a Sailor of one," said Petraeus. "Each of us has disease? These are but a few of the topics that enormous intrinsic worth and can be the most important person in the life of are covered by the many Forums on NTWS. These a fellow Sailor or others with whom we work." forums provide you, the members, a variety of forums provide you, the members, a variety of places to discuss with other members the many Petraeus expressed thanks and gratitude for the job Nimitz Sailors are doing topics we have in common. in support of US and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Those members still on active duty would "I'm so thankful to be out probably like to know about good assignments here with over 4,000 great when they make out their "dream sheets" or talk Americans who are engaged in to their detailers at BUPERS. Those who have important missions and worked as detailers might want to provide a few working together to tips for members in preparing to talk about their accomplish them," said next assignment. Petraeus. "There's no greater If you have a disease like diabetes, what tips can source of energy than the you give others about the disease and things to 4,000 plus members of the watch out for with diabetes? Encourage a crew and air wing that are on shipmate on NTWS to keep on top of a health one of these great ships." GEN Petraeus pins warfare specialty devices problem so he stays with us for a long time. on the uniforms of Sailors during a ceremony These are but a couple of topics that are available CVW-11 provides 30 percent in the forecastle aboard USS Nimitz. for you to offer advice, warn others about, discuss of the close air support to - Photo by MC3 Eduardo Zaragoza with other NTWS members, or just vent your coalition forces on the ground frustrations about. So check out the many Forums in Afghanistan. Since Nimitz arrived in 5th Fleet area of operations in and start a lively discussion about a topic that September, more than 1,450 sorties have been flown in support of OEF. interests you! Nimitz CSG, commanded by RADM John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65). Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46).
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Recently left the Navy? Looking for a Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics new post-military career, or planning on Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command going "in a different direction" from your and Control Squadron 117. present civilian job? Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Welcome to the NTWS Job Board Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the which is on the left hand Home Page "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat just as you log into NTWS and contains Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance hundreds of job positions! Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).
All positions, described in detail, are posted by fellow NTWS New construction Members who are familiar with the credentials and Contract values announced for Littoral experience offered by former Shipmates. Combat Ships 3 & 4
Here is just a small sample of the many new jobs recently Naval Sea Systems Command posted: Office of Corporate Communications
Position Offered: Production Technician WASHINGTON -- As a result of the Navy's change in acquisition strategy for Location: MO, TN, IN the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, the Navy can Salary Range: TBD now release the pricing for LCS 3 and LCS 4 awarded contracts.
Position Offered: Government Consultant (Acquisitions) The total value of the LCS 3 contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Location: Iraq, Afghanistan Corporation on March 23, was $470,854,144 which includes ship construction, Salary Range: TBD non-recurring construction and additional engineering effort, configuration management services, additional crew and shore support, special studies and Position Offered: Office Manager post delivery support. Location: Washington DC Salary Range: $30K-$40K The total value of the LCS 4 contract, awarded to General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works on May 1, was $433,686,769 which includes ship construction, Position Offered: Intel Analyst non-recurring construction and additional engineering effort, configuration Location: IN management services, additional crew and shore support, special studies and Salary Range: TBD post delivery support. Salary Range: TBD post delivery support.
Position Offered: Medical Subject Matter Expert The contract values do not Location: Washington DC include government costs which Salary Range: TBD include government furnished equipment, change orders, and Position Offered: Logistics Specialist program management support Location: Gulfport, MS costs. The contract values do Salary Range: TBD not include the cost of continuation work and material Position Offered: Head Cook/Kitchen Manager used from the terminated Location: Goose Creek, SC original contract options for LCS Salary Range: TBD 3 and 4. The value of the continuation work and material from the terminated LCS 3 was $78 million for Position Offered: Field Service Engineer/Technician Lockheed Martin Corporation and $114 million from the terminated LCS 4 for Location: Delran, NJ General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works. Salary Range: $38K-$45K The dollar value of the fixed-price-type contracts awarded to each LCS prime To view additional job postings, please check our new Job contractor to procure two LCS seaframes in FY 2009 was previously Board in the LEFT-HAND column of the NTWS Home considered source-selection sensitive information because the price of the FY Page. 2009 ships was to be linked to the competitive solicitation for the FY 2010 ships. That solicitation was cancelled and a new acquisition strategy does not Post a Job on TWS! link the FY 2009 prices with the FYs 2010-2014 source selection, thereby If you've had success with finding employees, or locating allowing normal release of this contract data. employment on the TWS Jobs Board, please let us know! This is a valuable FREE service to all TWS Members and The Navy remains committed to the LCS program and the requirement for 55 employers and we're always interested in hearing your of these ships to provide combatant commanders with the capability to defeat success stories. Please email TWS Admin with the details: anti-access threats in the littorals, including fast surface craft, quiet [email protected] submarines and various types of mines. The Navy's acquisition strategy will be guided by cost and performance of the respective designs as well as options for sustaining competition throughout the life of the program.
-Photo by MC2 Nathan Laird
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Careers in Information Technology IT Diversity, Part 2 Story by LtCol. Paul Capicik, USAF (Ret.) American Sentinel University Special to TWS Newsletters
BIRMINGHAM, AL -- With the wide array of possible career paths within the field of Information Technology, it can often be difficult to determine the correct one for you, given your unique interests and career goals. In my last article, part one of this two-part series, I covered the Systems category of Information Technology including who would be best fit to pursue a career in that field and what type of education would best prepare that individual for a successful career. In part two of the series, I will cover the Application Development category of IT.
Application Development Category People often assume that individuals working in Application Development People often assume that individuals working in Application Development Information Technology careers are simply programmers or coders, but there is far more to the field than that. IT offers companies the opportunity to NTWS is a place for all Sailors, living and deceased. You increase efficiency across the board, saving time, manpower and money, can post and maintain Remembrance Profiles for your while increasing customer satisfaction rates at the same time. Typically, Shipmates by clicking on Remember a Shipmate on the automating business and mission processes is the best way to accomplish left-hand side of the Home Page. This allows you to these types of effectiveness and efficiency improvements, with some remember a Fallen, Deceased, MIA/POW, Unlocated examples of specializations in this area including: Sailor/Aviator or to create an Assisted Profile for a living Sailor/Aviator who is unable to post their own profile. • Determining which business processes can be improved with automation • Conducting process reengineering to gain maximum benefits from IT capabilities • Application and database development (programming/coding) • Testing applications and training end users • Maintaining and upgrading applications
While some application development is done by military members, much of this is outsourced to civilian contractors. But again, as with the Systems career path of Information Technology, depending on the size and needs of the organization you work for, you could find yourself working on all of these tasks at the same time.
College courses and degree programs provide the “foundation” necessary for developing the abilities needed to pursue (and succeed!) in a specialized Information Technology career. Certifications are also an option as a sort of “quick fix,” normally used to quickly get you up-to-speed in a particular specialization.
This article just skims the surface of all the exciting opportunities available to SURVIVOR'S SMILE - SECDEF Robert M. Gates visits with those interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology. But it should DoD Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley, as she recovers in a be a useful place to start for those of you looking for information regarding hospital on Fort Hood, TX. Munley fired shots at the alleged how to choose a degree program. And remember, if you’re on active duty in shooter and was wounded when she acted as a first the military, you know you’re going to need a degree for promotion at some responder to the Nov. 5 shooting attack on the sprawling point- so you might as well start right away! And even if you do intend on Texas post that left 13 dead and 38 wounded. leaving the service, your future employers are going to evaluate your - DoD photo by Cherie Cullen capabilities based on your education level by examining both your degree(s) and your certifications. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Keep in mind - other individuals competing for the same IT positions as - FEMA seeks community, stakeholder input for flood yourself are aware of this necessity, so you should do everything you can to insurance program set yourself apart from “just another Information Technology technician” by - Blog @ Homeland Security: "Secure Communities" getting that degree or an additional certification. It can’t hurt! - CBP K-9s steal the show at AKC 'Meet The Breeds' event Talk to an education counselor about the opportunity of enrolling in an online - ICE: Murder suspect handed over to Mexican programs, giving you the flexibility, and the expertise, that you need to authorities succeed in your IT career. And ask us about your TA, Montgomery GI Bill - ICE returns 16th Century Hebrew Bible looted by Nazis (Chap 30), and even the new Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chap 33) benefits- while in 1936 they’re still available. Reduced military tuition rates and military scholarships - SECDHS' prepared remarks on immigration reform help extend those benefits even further, minimizing your out-of-pocket - TSA's security role during Orlando shootings expenses, so why wait?
Be sure to help out fellow service members by inviting them to participate in our forum (http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/) either as a contributor, or another interested reader, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience. We'd love to hear from you! CHAIRMAN & 1ST RESPONDERS - Navy ADM Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with The list of Free and Discounted Service providers on TWS continues police and firemen who were first responders in the to grow! shootings on Fort Hood, TX. Mullen traveled to the Army post to attend a ceremony honoring the victims of a Nov. 5 These are Free listings and discounts coordinated for the benefit of TWS shooting rampage that left 13 dead and 38 wounded. Members, not paid advertisements. - DoD photo by PO1 Chad J. McNeeley
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - SECDEF gives pep talk to Oshkosh M-ATV plant employees - Task force to focus on Afghan roadside bomb threat - Gates lashes out at news leakers TWS is proud to announce the addition of AFLAC benefit eligibility for TWS - Army: Possible increase in suicides for October Members at a discounted rate not available to the general public. This is the - Joint Typhoon Warning Center marks 50 years of same coverage available from employers nationwide, offered to you by virtue service of your TWS Membership! - Trial decision brings Guantanamo detainee facility Do you have a Plan B? No one likes to think about getting seriously ill or closer to closing injured. That’s why it’s so crucial to have a Plan B. Your Plan B has a name: AFLAC.
Click the banner above to find out how AFLAC can protect you and your family.
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS - President Barack Obama gives a speech to a crowd of Soldiers, Airmen and civilians on Elmendorf AFB, AK. The president also thanked and praised the spouses of active duty service members during Among others... his speech. - USAF photo by SrA.Tinese Treadwell If you or someone you know provide a product or service that you are willing to offer for Free or at a deep discount to the Sailors of TWS please let me AIR FORCE know so that I can add you link on the TWS Home page and possibly feature - Year of the AF Family T-shirt design competition it in a future Newsletter. Please email the link to me at underway [email protected] - Airmen fly C-5M into US record books - Ring returned to Vietnam POW 44 years after ENCOURAGING MORE VETS IN THE WORKFORCE imprisonment Feds pledge support for hiring veterans - Services Agency launches MyAirForceLife.com - Experts answer H1N1 questions online Story by Gerry J. Gilmore - Rise of the cyber wingman American Forces Press Service - COMMENTARY: Don't stall on the "all" WASHINGTON -- Senior federal officials pledged their support of President Barack Obama’s directive to increase the hiring of military veterans.
Obama signed the executive order Nov. 9 that calls on each federal agency to establish a veterans’ employment program office designed to help former servicemembers get through the maze of paperwork as they apply for federal positions. It also mandates that agencies train mandates that agencies train personnel specialists on veteran TIGHTROPE WALK - A Royal Air Force Airman (left), and employment policies. USAF 1Lt. Xavior Hill traverse a rope bridge as part of the Ultimate Challenge 2 activity of Leadership, Ethos and Air The order also directs federal agencies to work with the departments of Power Day at RAF Marham, UK. Some 40 US Airmen Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop and apply technologies designed to participated in the leadership building opportunities with their help disabled veterans. British counterparts. Hill is assigned to the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron. Earlier today, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis appeared at a US Chamber of - USAF photo by SrA. Thomas Trower Commerce event where she told civilian employers they should consider military veterans as employees of choice.
Solis said establishing a veterans’ program office within most federal agencies is part of a program designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans.
Later, several senior government officials met with reporters during a press conference held at the Labor Department.
America owes a great debt to its military veterans, Veterans Affairs Deputy Sec. W. Scott Gould said at the press conference. MEMORIAL TAPS - A Marine bugler sounds Taps during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marine Corps Memorial on “We can reach out to them with something as simple, as pragmatic, as Arlington National Cemetary to honor the 234th anniversary practical as a job; a good job in government,” Gould said. of the US Marine Corps. - US Navy photo by PO2 Kevin S. O'Brien And, veterans’ hard-won experience, he said, constitutes “an asset we can now bring into government.” ARMY - CSA unveils Medal of Honor plaque at Harvard It is imperative, Gould said, that government agencies assist veterans to - Army testing XM-25 'smart' high-explosive weapon for become aware of government jobs, help veterans translate their military skills Soldiers into civilian parlance, and to help them adjust to their new civilian - CSA Casey pledges progress on mental health environment. resources - Spotlight on American Indians in the US Army Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry told reporters that the - Soldiers earn $6K for spotless barracks president directed him “to do right by our veterans.” - Corps of Engineers offers valuable experience to new Afghan officers America’s veterans “are valued, they are experienced, and they are trained,” - Aviators have unique way of saying 'thanks' Berry said. Consequently, he said, it would be foolish not to provide veterans with more opportunities to continue to serve in the federal workforce after military service.
“And so, we want to make sure that they know they are welcome and we will have a job for them,” Berry said. “We will find one that matches their skills, their passions and their interests and their abilities.”
After finding the right job, he said, each veteran will be mentored to help them adapt and transition into the civilian work culture so that they can succeed.
UNDER COVER - Pfc. Travis English practices observation The government-wide Council on Veterans’ Employment, chaired by Solis and skills using cover and concealment techniques in a Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, will play a key role in the veterans homemade ghillie suit at the Combined Arms Training hiring program, Berry said. Center, Camp Fuji, Japan. English is a scout observer assigned to Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Solis’ and Shinseki’s influence, vision and leadership will make the program a Regiment. success, Berry said. This week, he said, OPM will release a list of the - Photo by SSgt. Marc Ayalin numbers of veterans working at federal agencies.
MARINE CORPS “And our goal is to have every one of those numbers increase, so that those - Marines inhabit former Taliban fortress percentages go up,” Berry said. - 1/5 Marines provide clean water to Afghans, keep area safe The United States “arguably has the best-trained, best-equipped and best-led - Marines celebrate 234th Corps birthday in austere military force the world has ever seen,” said Gail McGinn, acting conditions undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. conditions undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. - SPMAGTF-26 bids fond farewell to The Big Apple - USS Essex rejoins PHIBRON 11, 31st MEU during The president’s veterans employment initiative “will showcase the leadership JMSDF-led exercise and technical skills our military members have to offer,” McGinn said, and - Palm Springs remembers vets with the MCAGCC's help “will bring back that wonderful talent into our civilian workforce.” - Army reservists train like Marines The Defense Department already is the largest federal employer of military veterans, McGinn noted. Today, about 342,000 defense civilians are veterans, she said, making up about 45 percent of the department’s civilian workforce.
“I work side by side with veterans every day,” McGinn said. The skills veterans learned in the service, she said, “serve them very, very well working within the Department of Defense.”
The department has two Web sites that provide employment information for veterans, as well as a toll-free phone number where they can talk to career advisors, she said. SHEER DETERMINATION - Army PFC Franklin Sullivan low crawls inches below barbed wire at the Sand Hill confidence The department, McGinn said, also provides transition programs for course on the fifth day of one station unit training on Fort separating military members that feature resume writing, skills assessments, Benning, GA. Sullivan, an infantry recruit assigned to interview-process training, and jobs-search techniques. Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, was among nearly 200 new recruits to go “We also provide special help to our wounded, ill and injured servicemembers through the course, which included 25 obstacles. whose careers have been cut short due to the injuries received in Iraq or - US Army photo by Kristin Molinaro Afghanistan,” she said, through the “Hiring Heroes” career fairs. Thirty one of these career fairs, she said, have been run across the United States since COAST GUARD 2005. - Second National Security Cutter, Waesche, delivered to Coast Guard The largest of the fairs, conducted in June at Walter Reed Army Medical - USCG's role in cybersecurity Center here, attracted more than 570 job seekers, McGinn said. - Jacksonville native accepts CG Commendation Medal for father's heroism The career fairs, she said, - Commandant awards CG crew for Acadia rescue provide servicemembers, many - Commandant Allen, Secretary Napolitano honor Coast of whom still are recovering Guard veterans from wounds, the opportunity - Guardian becomes American citizen aboard Intrepid to visit with potential Museum employers, get on-the-spot interviews, and often, job offers.
“At DoD, we are extremely proud of our servicemembers and fully aware of the value that they bring to the federal government,” McGinn said.
The interagency process launched by Obama’s executive order “will clear a pathway for more federal jobs for our servicemembers,” McGinn said, and “will allow them to look throughout the federal government to find the right MAKING SAILING SAFER - PO2 Mark Lauters, a fit and the best federal job for them.” Boatswain's Mate and Buoy Deck Supervisor aboard USCGC Bristol Bay, looks on as Seamen Corey Engel (left), The Department of Homeland Security’s mission of securing the homeland and Ryan Pros prepare to haul-in chain from an aid to requires dedicated people “willing to do whatever it really takes to get the job navigation. Bristol Bay is underway as part of Operation Fall done,” said Jeff Neal, DHS’s chief human capital officer. Retrieve, the largest domestic navigational buoy maintenance operation. Military veterans, Neal said, have “all the types of qualifications that we are - USCG photo by PO3 George Degener looking for in DHS, and they have proven time and time again, when their country has called on them, they are ready to respond.”
Neal said his agency plans to employ 50,000 military veterans by 2012.
“We want to show the veterans of America that DHS is one of the places where you are welcome, where you are valued, where you can build a second career and continue your service to America,” he said. career and continue your service to America,” he said.
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN SHIPMATES NTWS Member adopts fallen Sailor, begins knowledge quest
EDITOR'S NOTE: Our TWS Admin staff recently received an email from a member who adopted the profile of fallen Sailor, Hospitalman Thomas Welker. His quest for background information on the fallen Shipmate is inspiring and we are proud to present this to our readers.
Gentlemen,
Thanks so much for posting the fallen sailors to adopt. I think it’s the least we can do to honor their memory. I am sending this email along to give you a little insight into my little journey that has allowed me to know HN Thomas E Welker.
The following letter was sent to the Genesee County Historians office in New York, and is a small example of how easy it can be and a very small investment of time to ensure someone remembers. I would also like to let A huge success! you know that if you are sincere in your efforts and pay it forward, so to New TWS Persons Locator speak; the effort gets paid in-return. The individuals I have communicated Service with normally charge up to $10.00 per hour to provide the information I obtained with only a small request and I was not charged a cent. We recently announced the new TWS Persons Locator Service and we're happy to report that it's been a Patriotism is still out there and HN Welker was from a small town that still resounding success in a very short time! appears to honor their fallen service men and women.
There have already been Content of (my) original email: dozens of "buddy finds" over the last few weeks, Ms. Conklin, from all services, so we thought it useful to repeat I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you today by sheer the announcement this coincidence, actually. I belong to a Navy website called Together We month to ensure maximum Served. If you are not familiar with it, it is a website for all services exposure. to join and reconnect with former service members. It’s free to join and I have managed to hook up with hundreds of former shipmates. This service is free for all That is partially why I am communicating with you. Full TWS Members. Regardless if the person The reason for my communication today is that on this website there you're looking for is is a section that allows individuals to adopt fallen Sailor profiles registered on TWS or not, odds are we can help you find during the Viet Nam War. This section of the website is for people them! Our TWS PLS Team is headed by our staff veterans, who want to adopt, research, and maintain a remembrance page on Air Force SMSgt. Jim Franklin and Marine Cpl. George the website for those who are fallen. I began looking through the Reilly. hundreds of names listed and happened upon one by chance. The thing that stood out in my mind at fist was the fact that the province TWS' PLS uses only publicly-available information sources Quang Nam kept coming up over and over. So at random, I clicked on to conduct searches. a name.
A special PLS form will be installed on the left-hand side of As I read the limited information there it stated that this Sailor fell at the Home Page shortly, but you can submit your request Quang Nam on September 11th, 1968 and this piqued my interest to [email protected] - please limit your even more by sharing a date with the more recent events of the 9/11 request to only one submission at a time. attacks in NYC. As I dug a little deeper I found that this occurred during the same timeframe as Operation Houston which coincidently We ask that you supply the following information on the came to a close on September 12th, 1968. Tragically, it appears that person you are seeking as accurately as you can. Your he was killed one day short of the end of the operation and may have submission will be acknowledged, along with an been able to come home under different circumstances. approximate turnround time for our response. Your search will be conducted as thoroughly as possible, and chances of The reason I am writing specifically to you today is that this a successful find depends on accuracy of information particular sailor was from Genesee County, more specifically Darien supplied. Center. This was not a typical Sailor by any means -- mostly when supplied. Center. This was not a typical Sailor by any means -- mostly when you think about a Sailor you think ships and the high seas. This PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DETAILS TO START particular Sailor was a Navy Hospital Corpsman attached to a US YOUR SEARCH: Marine combat unit. They are a special breed because they are not 1. First name required to serve with Marine Corps units, they volunteer to go into 2. Middle name (if known) harm's way to provide combat medical attention to Marines in the 3. Last name field. 4. Date of birth (if known) 5. City/state the person was born/raised in I did manage to locate the after action report for Operation Houston 6. Single or married in the National Archives (and Records Administration) and should be 7. Name of spouse (if known) receiving a copy in a few weeks. I also managed to get the name and 8. Year of last contact a few details of the situation through the NARA archives as well, but 9. Last known mailing address have come to a dead end, as it were. 10. Service branch 11. Last known rank/paygrade I did manage to locate a few Marine Corps websites and have sent off 12. MOS/AFSC/NEC/NOC a few emails in the off chance that one of the Corpsman listed may 13. Home of record (If known) have known him. I now consider this endeavor to be a mission and so I can do his remembrance page justice I am looking for any Please let us know how you like this service! strings or information I can get to fill the voids. I was hopeful that eventually I might even be able to contact some surviving family members and maybe provide them some answers, if desired; since the military is usually pretty quiet about these things and tend to leave out details that occurred behind some line or at some parallel, etc.
From what I can tell from the sketchy details is that he was with either the 5th or 26th Marines, he was also in the Quang Nam or There are two ways in which an old friends and Shipmates Thua Thien province during the time of Operation Houston. His name can contact you via the NTWS website: the first is via your was Hospital Corpsman WELKER, Thomas Edward, of Darien, NY; "public" e-mail address displayed in your Personal Details killed during hostile action from small arms fire in Quang Nam. on your Profile Page; and the other is by leaving a message in your Message Center Inbox. The latter triggers an His remains were recovered but had no record of where the interment advisory e-mail, sent to your "private" e-mail address to took place. I was going to write to Arlington to see if the interment inform you that you have received a message and who it's took place there, and have been able to search a few cemeteries in from. the area there and have come up with the surname Welker but nothing else. Your "private" e-mail address, which is the one that TWS uses, is contained in your Account Details at the top of your I am not a relative or seeking any attention etc. I just think it is the Profile Page which you can modify at any time. NTWS right thing to do and a small token of appreciation to put this Members' "private" and "public" e-mail addresses are usually remembrance page together. If you have any information or the same. So, please regularly log-in and update any resources that you know of where I might be able to locate some changes to your e-mail addresses both in the Account Detail information I would certainly appreciate it. and Personal Detail sections of your Profile. Thanks so much,
Respectfully, Jerome “Jerry” Sipes, CTR1, USN, ret.
I am proud to announce that the Genesee County Historians came through for me a big way and all they asked is “Where do you want the information mailed?” I received 10 pages of information relating to HN Welker and will be posting the information and photo soon. I have been able to identify high school, training schools, and boot camp information among other things such as his assignment to the 5th Marines. If you operate a Navy-oriented website and interested in trading links with NTWS, please contact our Links Manager Although there is usually a charge, I was not charged for this information in at [email protected]. Include your URL, this particular case. I now know where this Sailor in buried and will travel to up to 100 words describing your website, and a 468x60 New York to visit him there the next time I am back home in Pennsylvania; I website banner in JPEG format, if available. will also be visiting the Historian's office as well to pass-on my thanks to them in person. For information on posting an NTWS banner on your site, please click here. This has been a great experience and plan to follow through and contact the High School he attended to see if they have any other photo’s and I am still High School he attended to see if they have any other photo’s and I am still waiting on the after-action report from the National Archives (again, no charge). I highly recommend to other members to do so, even if it’s not your rate, adopt a profile and do some research and let's get all of our Navy brothers and sisters remembered. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Email your announcement as early as possible to: [email protected] or [email protected].
"RADIO FIRST TERMER" radio show in Saigon, Vietnam 1971. If you were involved with the program, contact Dave Rabbit: [email protected] 2010 GATHERINGS: USS GREENLET (ASR-10), Mar. 20-21, 2010; site TBA. Contact: AJ Phillips, (479) 967-9394, or FIRST KISS -- Petty Officer 1st Class William H. Kern receives the traditional first welcome- [email protected] home kiss from his wife Nov. 25, after returning to Naval Station Norfolk, VA, following a six- month deployment aboard the attack submarine USS Montpelier. NSGA PHILIPPINES, Mar. 26-28, 2010; Herndon, VA. Also - Photo by MC3 Danna M. Morris those detached to Clark AB, NSGD Subic & NAVCOMMSTA San Miguel. Contact: Mike & Sheri Walsh, [email protected]; or (207) 610-3327
USS MEDREGAL (SS 480), Apr. 17-20, 2010; Portland, OR. Contact: Ron Bell, (360) 254-4564, or [email protected]
PATROL SQUADRON 90 (VP-90), Apr. 23-25, 2010; NAS/JRB Fort Worth, TX. Details @ www.vp-90.com
USS PONCHATOULA (AO-148/TAO-148/AOG-38), May 2- 7, 2010; Ponchatoula, LA. Contact: Rodger Smith, (301) 530-1915, or [email protected] A SEVEN-YEAR DELAY -- PO3 Leon Bodden hugs his mother, Janet Flowers, upon seeing NAVY POSTAL CLERKS, May 3-6, 2010; Las Vegas, NV. her for the first time in seven years after arriving in Belize City, Belize, Nov. 24. Bodden is a All PCs past & present invited. Contact: Mike Bertalan, (216) culinary specialist assigned to the assault ship USS Wasp, which is in port as part of the 299-6732; email: [email protected]; web: Navy's "Project Handclasp" humanitarian mission. - Photo by MC2 Christopher Koons npcreunion.dreamhost.com
USS POWER (DD-839), 1945-1977 crews, May 15-19, 2010; Chattanooga, TN. Contact: John Pinto, (352) 527- 2352, [email protected]
US NAVAL CRYPTOLOGIC VETERANS Assn. (NCVA), May 19-22, 2010; Valley Forge, PA. Web: usncva.org Five-year plan unveiled at homeless summit SECVA Shinseki details plan to end homelessness USS WHITE PLAINS (AFS-4), May 27-June 1, 2010; for veterans Washington DC. Contact: (801) 985-3665, or AFS- [email protected] Department of Veterans Affairs
USS VREELAND (FF 1068), June 10-13, 2010; New Orleans, LA. Contact: Mark Smith, [email protected], WASHINGTON -- At the “VA National Summit Ending Homelessness Among or (817) 454-5051 Veterans,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled the department’s comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans by PATROL SQUADRON 47 (VP-47) 62nd Anniversary marshalling the resources of government, business and the private sector. Reunion, June 16-20, 2010; Oak Harbor (Whidbey Is.), WA. Contact: James "Soupy" Campbell, “President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness [email protected], (360) 679-3697, or web: www.vp- among Veterans within the next five years,” said Shinseki. “Those who have 47reunions.com served this nation as Veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope.” WAVES NATIONAL, National Convention, Aug. 23-29, Shinseki’s comprehensive plan to end homelessness includes preventive WAVES NATIONAL, National Convention, Aug. 23-29, 2010; Norfolk, VA. WAVES National is a non-profit, Shinseki’s comprehensive plan to end homelessness includes preventive volunteer organization of sea service women -- Navy, Coast measures like discharge planning for incarcerated Veterans re-entering Guard, Marines & Maritime Services -- active and reserve. society, supportive services for low-income Veterans and their families and a Visit womenofthewaves.com national referral center to link Veterans to local service providers. Additionally, the plan calls for expanded efforts for education, jobs, health USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73), Aug. 24-28, 2010; care and housing. Providence,RI. Contact: Gale Lee, [email protected] or “Our plan enlarges the scope of (928) 565-7171; web: www.uss-saint-paul-ca73.com VA’s efforts to combat homelessness,” said Shinseki. “In USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), Sept. 13–18, 2010; the past, VA focused largely on Oklahoma City, OK; Contact: Don Shade, [email protected] getting homeless Veterans off the streets. Our five-year plan aims US ARMED FORCES NUCLEAR ENERGY Assn. also at preventing them from ever (USAFNEA), Sept. 22-26, 2010; St. Louis, MO. For Soldier, ending up homeless.” Sailor & Airman graduates of the Army Nuclear Power Plant Operator Course at Ft. Belvoir, VA. Contact: Tom Steinhart, Other features of the plan outlined [email protected] or (217) 877-1360 by Shinseki include: - The new Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a powerful option for qualified Veterans NTC BAINBRIDGE Assn., Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2010; to pursue a fully funded degree program at a state college or university. It is Aberdeen, MD. Contact: [email protected], web: a major component of the fight against Veteran homelessness. www.usntcb.org - VA is collaborating with the Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration to certify Veteran-owned small businesses and USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37), Oct. 1-3, 2010; Reno, service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses for listing on the Federal NV. Contact: Mary Snider, Supply Register, which enhances their visibility and competitiveness – [email protected], or (510) 520-3047 creating jobs for Veterans.
USS ENDICOTT (DD 495/DMS 35), Oct. 13-17, 2010; - VA will spend $3.2 billion next year to prevent and reduce homelessness Jacksonville, FL. Contact: Ted Wieber, (636)579-1357 or among Veterans. That includes $2.7 billion on medical services and more [email protected] than $500 million on specific homeless programs.
- VA aggressively diagnoses and treats the unseen wounds of war that often DESTROYER LEADER Assn. (DL-1, DL-2/DDG-35, DL- lead to homelessness – severe isolation, dysfunctional behaviors, depression 3/DDG-36, DL-4, & DL-5), Oct. 14-17, 2010; Chantilly, VA. and substance abuse. Last week, VA and the Defense Department Contact: Curtis Hanson, [email protected], (503) cosponsored a national summit on mental health that will help both agencies 698-6558, or [email protected], web: better coordinate mental health efforts. www.DestroyerLeaderAssociation.org - VA partners with more than 600 community organizations to provide 2011 GATHERINGS: transitional housing to 20,000 Veterans. It also works with 240 public USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), Sept 12–17, 2011; housing authorities to provide permanent housing to homeless Veterans and Gaithersburg, MD; Contact: Don Shade, [email protected] their families under a partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The VA/HUD partnership will provide permanent housing to more than 20,000 Veterans and their families.
Over the duration of the conference it is expected that over 1,200 homeless service providers from federal and state agencies, the business community, and faith-based and community providers will attend and participate in the summit.
“This is not a summit on homelessness among Veterans,” added Shinseki “It’s The NTWS profile pages are very detailed, so we've created a summit on ending homelessness among Veterans.” a list of tips and pointers to help you navigate and use the features of the site more easily.
You may visit the "Member Assistance" section at the bottom left of the Home Page under the "Home" tab or e- mail [email protected] for assistance.
Canadian Navy (CN) - www.navy.forces.gc.ca/ Royal Australian Navy (RAN) - www.navy.gov.au/ Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) - www.navy.mil.nz/ Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) - www.mindef.gov.sg/ Philippine Navy (PN) - www.navy.mil.ph/ Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) - www.mod.go.jp Royal Thai Navy (RTN) - www.navy.mi.th/ Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) - www.navy.mil.kr UK Royal Navy (RN) - www.royal-navy.mod.uk/ Israel Navy (IN) - www1.idf.il/ Federal German Navy (Bundesmarine) - www.marine.de/ (German only) Irish Naval Service (Seirbhís Chabhlaigh na hÉireann) - www.military.ie From the archives of the US Naval Institute ADM James Holloway, USN (ret.) French Navy (Marine Nationale) - www.defense.gouv.fr Italian Navy (Marina Militare) - www.marina.difesa.it/ (Italian only) Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola) - www.armada.mde.es/ Swedish Armed Forces/Navy (Marinen) - www.mil.se/ Indian Navy (Bharatiya Nau Sena) - indiannavy.nic.in/
Admiral Holloway masterfully tells his story as a young gunnery officer on board the USS Bennion in the Battle of Surigao Strait. He recalls a very brief but significant slice of his illustrious military career when he personally launched five torpedoes at the powerful Japanese battleship Yamashiro.
Holloway's dignified narrative concludes by stating that this historic WWII naval confrontation was "the battle that broke the back of the Japanese Navy."
A benefit for active duty, reserves & retirees Flexible in your leave travel? Try Space-A! HIV/AIDS vaccine has promising results USAF Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
Story by MC1 Molly A. Burgess SCOTT AFB, IL -- Have you ever dreamed of climbing the steps of an Special to TWS Newsletters Egyptian pyramid or schussing down a black diamond ski slope in Bavaria? Or perhaps digging your toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach is more your speed. WASHINGTON -- Through combined military WASHINGTON -- Through combined military research programs and medical cooperation, the Well, there is a perfect way to make Defense Department has been able to accomplish these dreams become a reality: Space- incredible promise in a future vaccine Available (Space-A) travel! development for HIV and AIDS, a senior official in that effort said today. Typically, these dreams require more money than most people have readily “The US Army has sponsored a vaccine program available. However, with Space-A, which has now, for the first time ever, shown money is not an issue. Space-A travel is efficacy in being able to protect individuals from free with the exception of customs fees infection with HIV,” Dr. Rick Shaffer, director of on some Patriot Express missions. All you need are your bags, a Department the Defense Department’s HIV and AIDS of Defense-issued ID card (for ages 10 and up), current leave paperwork (for Prevention Program, said during a Military Health active-duty personnel) and flexibility. More than 130,000 Space-A travelers System “Dot Mil Docs” podcast interview. take advantage of this military benefit.
The prevention program was established in an By being flexible, you -- and your family (with proper military ID and effort to minimize and prevent the spread of HIV documentation) -- can have a great travel experience. Air Mobility Command and AIDS through the uniformed services, and to aircraft fly all over the globe and often have open passenger seats available provide support to various countries in the fight that can fly you across the country or better yet, halfway around the world. for prevention, Shaffer said. An AMC aircraft takes off for somewhere in the world every 90 seconds. The only cost is some planning effort and time and if you can afford flexible Comprehensive prevention programs that include traveling dates. policies and priorities from the highest leadership levels on down work better than individual Since missions can be rerouted, delayed or canceled for a variety of reasons - activities and efforts, Shaffer noted, citing an - weather, maintenance issues or higher priority missions -- plan-in extra time interagency program called the President’s for any potential delay. Save those credit card airline miles for the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, a Thanksgiving trip to grandma's. program launched to help combat global HIV and AIDS. Traditionally, dependents had to travel with their sponsor. As of 2007, that policy was modified to allow dependents of deployed military members to use “We were able expand the opportunities for the Space-A program. The caveat is the sponsor must be deployed for at security cooperation through PEPFAR,” Shaffer least a 120 day or longer deployment. said, adding that PEPFAR enabled department officials to broaden support to additional countries Signing up for Space-A is easy with four different methods. Your choices are and within the countries they’re already helping. signing up in person at the passenger terminal or by telephone, fax or e-mail. You must provide your name (sponsor and all traveling dependents), rank Although the program has made amazing (active-duty members only), and destination(s) desired. Active-duty members successes thus far, Shaffer said, it still has must be on leave to sign up and must also present their leave orders as obstacles to overcome when it comes to proof at the terminal. prevention and treatment.
You can also use civilian-crewed DOD-chartered airlift missions for Space-A “There’s still a long way to go to make sure the travel, if seats are available. You will not be able to visit your grandson in treatment is accessible and comprehensive for Iraq, but you can travel to Germany or Italy if the aircraft transitions there. individuals,” he said. “We have a lot to learn about how to enable individuals to get the skill to If you're traveling overseas, change their behavior.” ensure you know the restrictions of the host country you're heading for. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) restrictions, US State Department Travel Advisory guidelines, the Foreign Clearance Guide, passport and visa requirements are all Please forward this link to other Sailors you know, and your necessary items you need to research before you go. friends and family! For example, if you are a military retiree traveling to Germany, SOFA http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/ restrictions will not authorize you to purchase items in the PX/BX, but you newsletter2/39/newsletter.html can shop off base in the local community. You can get this information by calling the local passenger terminal at that location. Arm yourself with the As NTWS continues to grow, so does its potential to find old right knowledge and you'll save yourself some frustration. Shipmates and new friends; as well as creating a vibrant and enjoyable Naval Community representing all eras, from For more information, visit the AMC travel Web site at and enjoyable Naval Community representing all eras, from For more information, visit the AMC travel Web site at WWII to present-day. www.amc.af.mil/amctravel.
- Photos courtesy Air Mobility Command
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