AHM AHM AHM AHM AHM AHM TOP NEWS AHM AHM AHM9 2018 President Trump Signs Fiscal 2019 AHM AHM Defense Authorization act AHM From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs AHMALL HANDS MAGAZINEAHM AHMPDF OF THE U.S. NAVYAHM President Donald J. Trump is set at 335,400, the Marine Corps’ to counter Islamic State of Iraq and SECRETARY OF THE NAVY signed the $717 billion Fiscal 2019 at 186,100 and the Air Force’s at Syria terrorists. The Honorable Richard V.AHM Spencer National Defense Authorization Act 329,100. The budget accelerates research on AHM at a ceremony at Fort Drum, New On the acquisition side, the act hyperspace technology and defense CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS York, Aug. 13. funds 77 F-35 joint strike fighters against hyperspace missiles. It also Adm. John M.AHM Richardson The act – named for Arizona Sen. at $7.6 billion. It also funds F-35 funds development of artificial NAVY CHIEF OF INFORMATION, ACTING John S. McCain – authorizes a 2.6 spares, modifications and depot intelligence capabilities. Capt. Gregory L. Hicks percent military pay raise and repair capability. The budget also “In order to maintain America’s increases the active duty forces by fully funds development of the military supremacy, we must 15,600 service members. B-21 bomber. always be on the cutting edge,” the president said. “That is why SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR we are also proudly reasserting Gray Team-Navy Media America’s legacy of leadership in MCCS (SW/AW/SG) Josh Thompson space. Our foreign competitors and adversaries have already begun LEADING CHIEF PETTY OFFICER weaponizing space.” MCC (SW/AW) Ryan Tabios The president said adversaries EDITOR seek to negate America’s advantage MC2 Taylor Stinson in space, and they have made progress. “We’ll be catching them DESIGN very shortly,” he added. “They MC3 Timothy Hale want to jam transmissions, which All Hands Number 9, 2018 is published by threaten our battlefield operations the Defense Media Activity, Navy Production and so many other things. We will be Department, 6700 Taylor Avenue, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 20755. U.S. Army photo by Michael Strasser so far ahead of them in a very short period of time, your head will spin.” ON FRONT COVER: Photo illustration of a 1973 chief He said the Chinese military has petty officer cap device in recognition of chief season. “With this new authorization, we The act authorizes $24.1 billion launched a new military division to (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication will increase the size and strength of for shipbuilding to fully fund oversee its warfighting programs in Specialist 2nd Class Taylor Stinson/Released) our military by adding thousands of 13 new battle force ships and space. “Just like the air, the land, the new recruits to active duty, Reserve accelerate funding for several sea, space has become a warfighting ON BACK COVER: Photo illustration of Senator John S. McCain III featuring a quote from the office of the and National Guard units, including future ships. This includes three domain,” Trump said. “It is not Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy stating, "Rest 4,000 new active duty Soldiers,” Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and enough to merely have an American your oars, shipmate. We have the watch." (U.S. Navy Trump told members of the Army’s two Virginia-class submarines. presence in space; we must have photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 10th Mountain Division and their There is also $1.6 billion for three American dominance in space, 2nd Class Taylor Stinson/Released) families. “And we will replace littoral combat ships. and that is why just a few days aging tanks, aging planes and ships In addition, the act authorizes ago, the vice president outlined with the most advanced and lethal 24 F/A-18 Super Hornets, 10 P-8A my administration’s plan to create technology ever developed. And Poseidons, two KC-130J Hercules, a sixth branch of the United States hopefully, we’ll be so strong, we’ll 25 AH-1Z Cobras, seven MV-22/ military called the United States OUR MISSION IS SHARING THE NAVY STORY never have to use it, but if we ever CMV-22B Ospreys and three MQ-4 Space Force.” did, nobody has a chance.” Tritons. The 2019 Authorization Act does not fund the military. Rather, it Services’ End Strength Set Afghanistan, Iraq authorizes the policies under The act sets active duty end There is $5.2 billion in the budget which funding will be set by the strength for the Army at 487,500 for the Afghanistan Security Forces appropriations committees and in fiscal 2019, which begins Oct. Fund, and another $850 million to then voted on by Congress. That bill 1, 2018. The Navy’s end strength train and equip Iraqi security forces is still under consideration.

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TOP NEWS Navy Announces Rating Modernization Progress Update AHM From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs AHM Navy released an update on the NEC construct to better represent AHM Sailor 2025 Rating Modernization’s Sailors’ qualifications, experience, and AHM four lines of effort (LOE): Career Fields, performance in the form of a resume. Marketplace Force Management, The “Sailor Resume” function will Advancement, and Credentialing in be available in the future under “My NAVADMIN 196/18, Aug. 13. Record” on MyNavy Portal (MNP). The updates listed below provide a Starting in Fiscal Year 2019, Sailors will summary on the current status and be able to view all advertised billets way ahead of the four LOEs, but all for which they are qualified and to personnel are strongly encouraged to then submit a resume that includes: read the NAVADMIN for greater detail ASVAB scores, security clearance on each topic. status, worldwide deployability, qualifications, evaluations, NECs Career Fields earned, education degrees and training U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Paul L. Archer The alignment of Navy ratings into 23 certifications. Ultimately, the resume career fields and 12 broad communities function will provide the ability to System (NSIPS), will be implemented Center (NMC) Credentialing” tab for has provided a foundation for future better match Sailors to billets. with the Active Duty and Reserve ratings with applicable USCG license development of more flexible and spring 2019 advancement cycles. alignment on the Navy COOL website. sustainable career paths for Sailors. Advancement Process The Senior Enlisted Advancement to Sailors will be able to convert In October 2017, and March and June Late in 2017, Navy senior enlisted Vacancy (A2V) pilot was announced their military training records, of this year, three groups of over 850 leaders completed the first phase of the in June and will fill senior chief billet assignment history and other Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) Advancement Exam Readiness Review petty officer and master chief petty credentialing data to a compatible codes were successfully converted to (AERR) testing bank improvement officer priority billets using a spot civilian resume by the end of fiscal year a new construct. More information plan by drafting advancement exam advancement incentive, and will lead 2019. Using those standardized data, about the revised NEC construct and questions that match current and enlisted advancement modernization Sailors can easily research information communities and career fields can relevant rating-specific technical for exceptional Sailors in all paygrades on civilian and federal occupations be found at http://www.public.navy. requirements with the hands-on, with critical NECs in the future. mapped to their ratings at https:// mil/bupers-npc/reference/nec/Pages/ real-world knowledge and experience www.cool.navy.mil/usn or via the Navy default.aspx. needed in the Fleet. Credentialing COOL app available on the Google Play The establishment of the Professional Navy Credentialing Opportunities On- store or iTunes. Marketplace Force Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam Line (COOL) currently funds over 2,700 The goals for Rating Modernization Management (PMK-EE) focuses the Navy Wide certificates/licenses with opportunities are to provide greater choice and Driven by the urgent requirement Advancement Exam (NWAE) on for Sailors in every rating. Navy COOL flexibility for our Sailors with respect to update and modernize personnel occupational knowledge and will recently reduced the minimum service to detailing and training, to provide systems, the Navy began to expand serve as an eligibility requirement remaining on a Sailor’s enlistment greater flexibility for the Navy in career fields, in order to transform for advancement to paygrades contract to earn credentials from 12 to assigning highly trained personnel, enlisted force community and career E4/5/6/7. PMK-EE will be delivered six months, and expanded opportunity and to increase professional alignment management in the future. electronically, and will be available for Sailors to earn credentials mapped with civilian employers. A new “Navy Detailing Marketplace” via the MyNavyPortal (MNP) website to an academic degree or technical Rating Modernization supports is currently under development, beginning in October 2018. education certificate. Additionally, Sailor 2025 initiatives through the through which the foundational The online Enlisted Advancement there are more opportunities for goals of redefining career fields, elements of an automated personnel Worksheet (EAW), will automate Sailors to maximize their Navy training improving talent management management system will tie Sailor the manual advancement processes and qualifications toward attainment and the detailing process, offering enlistment directly to negotiations for and enable Sailors to review their of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) licenses, more career choices, and expanding a billet, which will then allow Sailors worksheets before the exam and take to include funding the Transportation professional development to reenlist or extend for that billet charge of their advancement records. Worker Identification Card. These opportunities. These initiatives are assignment. The marketplace will An EAW pilot, available through the opportunities are highlighted in a intended to increase Fleet readiness, be a single system that uses the new Navy Standard Integrated Personnel dedicated “USCG National Maritime sustainability, and fit.

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TOP NEWS Forged by the Creed By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Hale

Being selected as a chief chiefs out in the fleet, men and accept that ‘I’m here, I do my job years: In the face of unrelenting change, represents the most significant women who were provided with great and you work for me because you sound and solid leadership skills, change in an enlisted Sailor’s leadership as they came up through don’t have no choice.’ A leader traditions and values remain the same. career. Less than 10 percent of all the ranks and are paying it forward to recognizes that it is the people who That’s in large part thanks to chiefs. who enter the enlisted ranks will be the next generations that will follow. make the difference. They develop Drawing on their past, they serve as selected. The level of responsibility “The difference between E7 that personal relationship; they technical experts and act as liaisons to they assume is a reflection of their and a ‘chief’ is a person that is understand that individuals have commissioned officers. They possess leadership potential as well as in charge and a person who is a put themselves to be subordinate to the ability to establish and maintain technical prowess. Chiefs are not leader,” said Senior Chief Mass them. A leader works for his people, the conditions that provide Sailors only considered the subject area Communication Specialist Ja’lon and their success is the people’s with opportunities for success. experts in their rates, but also Rhinehart, senior enlisted leader at success and their failure is a 100 The ability to bridge that gap and assume many collateral duties, the Defense Information School’s percent the leaders.” provide solutions to both officers such as training junior Sailors and Navy Detachment. “A person A chief is a chief no matter what and enlisted personnel ensures the even junior officers. who is in charge has simply been uniform he or she wears and that old mantra, “ask the chief,” shall Simply stated, there are many good appointed to a position and they will never change. The Navy has remain a vital part of the Navy well chiefs, senior chiefs and master rest upon those laurels. They experienced one constant through the into its future. Six things you need to know about u.s. 2nd Fleet From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

On Aug. 24, Chief of Naval 1. Why: The dynamic nature of of combat-ready naval forces for here in Norfolk. C2F also includes: Operations Adm. John Richardson the security environment demands maritime employment and operations • Sailors up and down the East Coast, presided over the Commander, a dynamic response. The Navy is around the globe. C2F will fall under readying and our nation’s ships, U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) establishment doing this in two ways. The first is by operational and administrative aircraft, and submarines for high-end ceremony aboard USS George H. W. dynamically employing our forces – control of U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) warfare training and operations. Bush (CVN 77) in Norfolk, Virginia. like USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group Command. The C2F commander will • Our Marine Corps brothers and Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis – where we are flexing our ability to act as the operational and training sisters. C2F will work closely with was confirmed by the Senate on June be operationally unpredictable. The fleet commander, which standardizes II MEF in training and will operate 28 to serve as the first commander of second is the way the Navy is organized operational readiness of deployable forward with a full Navy and Marine the newly established C2F, which will to command that employment; this is forces to a single fleet standard. Corps team. be headquartered in Norfolk. why we are standing up C2F. 4. Where: Initially, C2F assets • ships When 2nd Fleet was disestablished 2. What: C2F has two missions: to will operate in the same operating with civilian Merchant Mariners who nearly a decade ago, its focus was on train our forces for fleet operations area where USFF currently operates – on a daily basis providing critical training and certifying forces with a and to execute fleet operations. but through war gaming and concept on-time logistics, strategic sealift relatively benign security environment Standing up C2F will increase our development, the Navy and the joint and specialized mission support in the Atlantic and Europe. However, the Navy’s competitive mindset and our force will define how 2nd, 4th and throughout the Second Fleet area of security environment has grown more warfighting lethality. The command 6th Fleets coordinate in both peace operation 365 days a year. challenging and complex, particularly in will focus on joint, integrated training and wartimes. • C2F will regularly work hand in the North Atlantic. We have established and operations at the high-end of 5. Who: Our initial staff will form hand with our allies and partners a new command in Norfolk that will naval warfare. the basis of our future lethality… to ensure freedom endures in the operate differently from the 2nd Fleet 3. How: C2F will exercise these individuals have proven their Atlantic. We are stronger together. that existed in 2011. The new C2F will operational and administrative competency and have been chosen 6. When: Now. The staff has begun honor our legacy, but the establishment authorities over assigned ships, aircraft because of their warfighting ethos. We to report to C2F, and is responsible for signifies our dedication and renewed and landing forces on the East Coast will grow as we reach full operational establishing the command structure focus on naval operations on the East and the North Atlantic. Additionally, it capacity. We will be lean, expeditionary and associated missions, functions and Coast and North Atlantic. will plan and conduct maritime, joint and focused on fleet operations. C2F is tasks. Currently, the staff is planning Below are six things that you should and combined operations, and will made up of more than just the men and for joint high-end operational training know about C2F: train and recommend certification women who have orders to the staff in early 2019.

5 MONTHLY OBSERVANCE Navy legend — David Glasgow Farragut By Lt. j.g. Chloe Morgan, Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach

help with family matters. Confederate Navy in New Orleans on Cemetery in the Bronx was honored as Since he felt unable to care April 28, 1862, the a National Historic Landmark. A tall for a young child, George honored him by creating the rank of marble pillar marks the gravesite with Farragut asked then Capt. rear . It was on June 16, 1862, symbols of his naval service. Porter if he could take his that became Rear Adm. In the years following his leadership, son and raise him as his Farragut, becoming the first U.S. Navy five U.S. Navy ships have been named own. His friend agreed, and Sailor to reach the rank of admiral. He in honor of Adm. Farragut. in 1809, James Farragut went on to support the Union campaign • The first was Farragut (Torpedo Boat joined his new family. at Vicksburg and was instrumental in No. 11), launched July 16, 1898 Immediately, Porter the success of securing the Mississippi • The second was Farragut (Destroyer introduced the eight-year- River fort, Port Hudson, from the No. 300), launched November 21, 1918 old Farragut to the Navy Confederates. • The third Farragut (DD 348), and he began spending In 1864, Adm. Farragut displayed launched March 15, 1934 time at sea with his newly his tenacity and toughness in battle • The fourth Farragut (DLG 6), adopted father. Receiving by confronting the last Confederate launched July 18, 1958 a naval appointment to stronghold of the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile • The fifth Farragut (DDG 99) launched midshipman one year Bay. As his armada arrived in the bay, July 9, 2005, and commissioned on June late, at the very young age they were met with mines anchored to 10, 2006, and still serves her country of nine, Farragut grew up the sea bottom (during that era, mines with the motto, “Prepared for Battle.” quickly and rose up to the were referred to as torpedoes, which, Before his death, in January 1865, Adm. David Glasgow Farragut was responsibility. At this time, Farragut given present-day language, has been the “United States Magazine” said a Hispanic Sailor who devoted a changed his name from James to known to cause some confusion). One of Farragut: remarkable 59 years of his life to naval David in order to show admiration and of his ships, the Tecumseh, struck a “…the public, who now see only service, ultimately becoming the U.S. gratitude for his new family. mine and sunk immediately. The entire high courage and indomitable Navy’s first admiral. Farragut experienced life at sea armada came to a harrowing halt. vigor rewarded by great and off the coast of the United States Although some dispute his actual brilliant victories, will recognize The Early Years: A Tale of aboard man-of-war ship Essex in words, one thing is for sure, Farragut the completeness and harmony Two Fathers 1811. During the War of 1812, Essex understood the importance of of a character that has so far Born at Campbell’s Station, near captured so many whaling vessels that momentum in battle, and it’s been appeared to them only in profile. The Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 5, Farragut was made the prize master said it was during this battle that he stainless honor, the straightforward 1801, his birth name was James of the Alexander Barclay. Farragut, at cried out the famous phrase “damn frankness, the vivacity of manner Glasgow Farragut. the incredibly young age of twelve, the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” and conversation, the gentleness, Black and white painting depicting captained her safely to Valparaíso, Impassioned by his boldness, the the flow of good humor, the cheerful, a young Farragut at age nine as a foreshadowing his future naval legacy. armada continued through the mines ever-buoyant spirit of the true midshipman. and won a decisive victory. For his man – these will be added to the Farragut’s father, Jordi Farragut Taking Command efforts, the Navy yet again created complete education, the thorough Mesquida, was from Minorca, Spain, Farragut’s first command was the a new rank, vice admiral, to which seamanship, the devotion to duty, and was the captain of a Spanish schooner Ferret in 1823 at the age of he was appointed. His promotions and lastly, the restless energy, the merchant ship. His ship was operating 22. However, it wasn’t until the Civil were not finished, however, because disdain of obstacles, the impatience around the Caribbean and Gulf of War where he really began to show shortly after the war, President Lincoln of delay or hesitation, the disregard Mexico when the United States declared his legendary leadership. promoted Farragut to the newly created of danger, that stand forth in such its independence from Britain in 1776. At the outbreak of the Civil War, rank of full admiral. prominence in the portrait, deeply After Spain announced its support of Farragut was called upon to serve, but engraven on the loyal American the United States, he changed his name had to choose between his native state, A Lasting Legacy heart, of the great Admiral.” to George and joined the South Carolina Tennessee, and the federal government. Adm. David Farragut died in 1870 and Farragut’s “ever–buoyant spirit” Navy as a lieutenant, serving the young In January 1862, after declaring his received a hero’s farewell. President continues to live on in history books nation proudly. loyalty to the Union, was given command Ulysses S. Grant led 10,000 soldiers and in the Navy. His bold leadership After losing his wife to yellow fever in of the Western Blockading Squadron. and Sailors through the streets of New style and infamous line, regardless of 1808, George called on his friend and After Commodore Farragut’s York during his funeral procession. In its factual accuracy, remains a battle fellow naval officer, David Porter, to astonishing victory over the 2013, Farragut’s gravesite at Woodlawn cry for Sailors 152 years later.

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Farewell to a Legend John S. McCain III Passes Away

By Elizabeth M. Collins, Defense Media Activity

enator and retired Capt. memoir, “Faith of my Fathers.” McCain’s twenty-third mission and “It went into an inverted, almost John S. McCain III, former But when war came, he was ready. his first attack on Hanoi,” according to straight-down spin.” Sprisoner of war, passed away McCain deployed to Vietnam in 1967 NHHC. McCain bailed out upside down at a Aug. 25 at the age of 81. McCain had as an A–4 Skyhawk pilot with VA-46. McCain and his fellow pilots took high speed. The force of the ejection been battling an aggressive type of There, in addition to his bombing off on Oct. 26, 1967, and were picked broke his right leg, both arms, tore brain tumor known as a glioblastoma runs, McCain was witness to one of up by North Vietnamese radar almost his helmet off and knocked him since at least the summer of 2017. the Navy’s most devastating fires, immediately. McCain soon had an unconscious. He landed in a lake. “Today, the Navy and Marine Corps which occurred aboard USS Forrestal SA­–2 Guideline missile “the size of a “I hit the water and sank to the team lost a friend and one of our own (CVA 59), July 29, 1967, when a rocket telephone pole” on his tail. bottom,” McCain wrote in his U.S. when Senator John McCain passed,” misfired, then hit a fuel tank. This set As he released his own bomb, the News account. “I did not feel any said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. off a chain of explosions that eventually missile “blew the right wing off pain at the time, and was able to rise Spencer. resulted in the loss of 134 lives. my Skyhawk dive bomber,” he told to the surface. I took a breath of air "I thought it was the most glamorous and U.S. News & World Report in 1973. and started sinking again. Of course, exciting life anyone could choose." Born in the Panama Canal Zone, Aug. Then–Lt. Cmdr. McCain’s plane was 29, 1936, the son and grandson of men next to the initial explosion: “In a who would become four star admirals, very short period of time, there was a McCain’s future seemed preordained. huge conflagration. … I shut down the He resisted it, “from time to time,” he engine on my airplane, felt the shock, said in an oral history for the Veterans saw the fire, jumped out by going History Project, “but I was pretty sure down the refueling probe ... and rolled that’s what was going to happen.” through the fire and went across He graduated from the Naval the other side of the flight deck,” he Academy in 1958 — fifth from the recalled. “I saw the pilot in the plane bottom of his class — and headed next to mine jump out of his airplane, for flight school, according to a Naval only he didn’t jump as far and when History and Heritage Command he rolled out, he was on fire. I started (NHHC) biography. toward him and just as I did, the first “I thought it was the most glamorous bomb blew off and knocked me back.” and exciting life anyone could choose,” Reluctant to cut his tour short, he said of his decision to become a McCain volunteered to transfer to USS pilot. “And my grandfather had been a Oriskany (CV 34), which he said had Navy aviator.” the highest losses of any air wing in As a new pilot, McCain was guilty of Vietnam. That October, he “pleaded self-confessed “daredevil clowning.” with the squadron operations officer to He had several misses and near put him on the roster for a large Alpha misses, and once knocked out power strike scheduled the next day. Four lines in Spain. A “small international Navy squadrons participated in the U.S. Navy photo incident” resulted, according to his raid [on a thermal power plant]. It was

9 I was wearing 50 pounds, at least, of filthy and prone to flooding, and "I had learned what we all learned over equipment and gear. I went down and McCain received only the most managed to kick up to the surface rudimentary of care. Doctors spent there: Every man has his breaking point. I once more. I couldn’t understand hours attempting to set his bones why I couldn’t use my right leg or without giving him painkillers, for had reached mine." my arm. I was in a dazed condition. example. He eventually underwent a have more of a philosophical bent. I Sherwood, Ph.D. I went up to the top again and sank botched operation on his leg as well. had read a lot of history. I spent days His refusal infuriated his jailor, who back down. This time I couldn’t get For the next five and a half years, on end going back over those history said, “Now, McCain, it will be very bad back to the surface. I was wearing an McCain, who frequently suffered books in my mind. … I thought a lot for you.” inflatable life-preserver-type thing. from dysentery, would be starved, about the meaning of life. It was easy Finally, brutalized by four days … I reached down with my mouth … beaten, tortured and put in solitary to lapse into fantasies. I used to write of near constant torture, McCain and inflated the preserver and finally confinement where he spent two of books and plays in my mind,” he reached the end of his rope. He signed floated to the top.” his five and a half years in captivity. continued, later adding that humor a confession “about black crimes and A mob of angry civilians attacked “As far as this business of solitary was essential to survival as well. other generalities. … I felt just terrible McCain, stripping and beating him. confinement goes,” he recalled, “the His captors, hoping to capitalize on about it. … I had learned what we all He was quickly transported to Hoa most important thing for survival is the propaganda value of releasing learned over there: Every man has his the son of Admiral McCain, offered breaking point. I had reached mine.” him the chance to go home early. His Horrified by what he had done, senior ranking officer recommended McCain was able to find new inner that he accept the offer because his strength and continue resisting. injuries qualified McCain for early “When the pressure was on, you release. seemed to go one way or the other. “McCain refused because he worried Either it was easier for them to break about the propaganda value that you the next time, or it was harder. In North Vietnam might derive from the other words, if you are going to make release,” said NHHC historian John it, you get tougher as time goes by.

U.S. Navy photo

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. James L. Baker

Lò Prison, better known as the Hanoi communication with someone, even if Hilton. His captors refused to take it’s only a wave or a wink, a tap on the him to a hospital unless he divulged wall, or to have a guy put his thumb military secrets. McCain declined, so up. It makes all the difference. his injuries went untreated for days. “It’s vital to keep your mind occupied, It wasn’t until the North Vietnamese and we all worked on that. Some guys realized his father was Admiral John were interested in mathematics, so S. McCain Jr., soon to be commander they worked out complex formulas in of U.S. Forces in the Pacific, that they their heads. … Others would build a U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. James L. Baker relented. The hospital was primitive, whole house, from basement on up. I

10 … You get to hate them so bad that it country … which truly brought him to gives you strength.” understand the United States, and to That strength sustained him, and love it with a ferocity that I have never conditions gradually improved as the experienced elsewhere.” war dragged on. He was finally released McCain spent almost five months in 1973 after the U.S. and North receiving medical treatment. He Vietnam signed peace agreements. then attended the , “To him, it’s as if that time is a commanded VA–174 and served in the chapter of a book that has already Navy’s Office of Legislative Liaison in been read, the pages turned, and now the Senate. "No one is born great. Instead, it is the

assimilation of all of our experiences, U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erin A. Kirk

and what we choose to do with those gold stars, the with a McCain, who once described himself “V” and gold star, the Purple Heart with as “very fortunate” and the “luckiest experiences that has the capacity to make star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, the person,” is survived by his second us great." Prisoner of War Medal and a Navy and wife, Cindy, and 7 children, including Marine Corps Commendation Medal two naval officers and a Marine. it is just another lesson imparted by According to NHHC, he knew with a “V” and a star. “Since my father’s diagnosis of life,” McCain’s son, Lt. John “Jack” his injuries meant his chances of McCain was first elected to the House glioblastoma, there has been a McCain IV wrote in “The Sextant,” promotion to admiral were slim. He of Representatives for the state of reflex to speak in terms of legacies,” NHHC’s blog, in 2017. “He does not decided he could better serve his Arizona in 1982, and to the Senate in Jack McCain, wrote. “Legacies are talk about it unless asked — not out country in politics, and retired from 1986. He won the Republican Party’s important, remembering is important, of unwillingness, but rather a lack of the Navy as a captain in 1981, with nomination for president in 2008, but but it is not forgetting the human that fixation. He holds no malice about numerous awards and decorations. lost the election to Barack Obama. He matters most. No one is born great. his captivity or even his torture. They included the , the remained in the Senate and eventually Instead, it is the assimilation of all of … It was the separation from his Bronze Star with “V” device and two became the chairman of the Senate our experiences, and what we choose Armed Services Committee, a position to do with those experiences that has he held until his death. the capacity to make us great.”

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher A. Green

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Amy DelaTorres DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Payne, U.S. Air Force

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