AHM AHM AHM g AHM AHM TOP NEWS AHM AHM Unmanned Capabilities Front and CenterAHM AHM5 2021 During Naval Exercise AHM AHM From Warren Duffie, Office of Naval Research AHM hief of Naval Research Rear UAS—all of which can be used and unmanned teaming efforts with AHM CAdm. Lorin Selby today declared for surveillance, anti-submarine so many different systems is in itself “the state of our Naval unmanned warfare and other missions. a daunting challenge. That job is being AHM capabilities is truly unmatched,” and Sea Hunter is already a proven led by Pacific Fleet crews aboard USS ALL HANDS MAGAZINE he vowed continued support for the player in the Navy’s unmanned Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), one of MAGAZINE OF THE U.S.AHM NAVY nation’s ongoing transition to a hybrid portfolio. In 2019, the vessel three Zumwalt-class guided missile ACTING SECRETARY AHMOF THE NAVY manned-unmanned force in the future. completed an autonomous trip with unique advanced The Honorable Thomas W. Harker Speaking during a visit to San Diego from San Diego to Pearl Harbor, capabilities for command and control. AHM for the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led Unmanned a distance of over 2,000 nautical Ultimately, experts say, autonomous CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS Integrated Battle Problem 21 (IBP21), miles, and returned, demonstrating systems are here to stay. ADM Mike Gilday Selby said that the exercise, which credible and relevant naval capability. Dr. Jason Stack, ONR’s technical puts into operation different unmanned Both MDUSVs can host multiple director and autonomy lead, is NAVY CHIEF OF INFORMATION vehicles “Above the sea, On the sea payloads and perform multiple encouraged by the forward thinking RADM Charles W. Brown and Below the sea,” demonstrates that missions to support Sailor and and real-world forward movement America’s growing focus on autonomous Marine objectives—and both represented by IBP21. Intelligent NAVY PRODUCTION capabilities is showing impressive results. are seen as game-changers. autonomous systems, he said, will “We are not yet where we want to be,” Indeed, the performance of many new be an essential part of the Navy SEA / SENIOR EDITOR MCCM David Crawford said Selby, “but we are getting closer. unmanned technologies are leading and Marine Corps in the near-term. As our potential adversaries go all-in the Navy and Marine Corps to rethink “When you read the Unmanned EDITOR-IN-CHIEF on unmanned platforms, we must and concepts of operations, as noted in Campaign Framework, the serious Andrew Carlson will maintain a dominant force that the widely publicized naval document challenge we face from well-funded, can meet and defeat any challenge.” “Unmanned Campaign Framework,” highly-motivated, competitive LCPO / MANAGING EDITOR During the exercise, a large number of which was recently released naval forces around the world— MCC Sandra Lenyard multi-domain unmanned platforms— by the Department of the Navy. all accelerating their autonomous including unmanned aerial, surface The Unmanned Campaign capabilities—is clear,” he said. CREATIVE DIRECTOR and underwater vehicles (UAVs, Framework notes autonomy will Stack noted that the U.S. and MC1 Jennifer Lebron USVs and UUVs, respectively)—are complement, not replace, manned allied partners have a more being put into real-world, “blue-water” assets, and will provide warfighters robust commitment to the ethical PHOTO EDITOR MC2 Levingston Lewis environments, working in sync with far more options in combat. use of unmanned systems manned platforms in actual combat Dr. Marcus Tepaske, who leads and artificial intelligence when DESIGNERS drills designed to support Pacific Fleet ONR Global’s Experimentation and compared to some other nations. MC1 Jennifer Lebron objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. Analysis program and is coordinating “Our goal is to operationally integrate MC2 Janine F. Jones Many of the platforms in IBP21 are many platforms in use during and continuously improve the types MC2 Angeles Miron supported by the Naval Research IBP21, confirmed naval unmanned of intelligent and autonomous Enterprise (NRE), which Selby capabilities are accelerating. He said technologies that Pacific Fleet is All Hands Number 5, 2021 is published by Navy commands. Comprising the Office these kinds of large-scale exercises testing right now,” he said. “We will Production Division, Defense Media Activity, 6700 Taylor Avenue, Fort George G. Meade, of Naval Research (ONR); the Naval are essential to ensure what works do this ethically and responsibly Maryland 20755. Research Laboratory; and the Office in theory will work in the fleet. by always ensuring our Sailors and of Naval Research Global (ONR “The best test you can put a Marines can exercise the appropriate FRONT COVER: Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Makayla Global), the NRE is tasked with technology through is one where levels of human judgment over Cabel, left, from Smithville, Mo., and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Timothy providing the capabilities and long- the warfighters get to work with our machines. This will be our Gleasom, from Lakehavusa, Ariz., shift colors on the flight deck of the term vision ensuring U.S. naval it,” Tepaske said. “Real-world enduring competitive advantage.” USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass dominance today and into the future. applications are messier, dirtier, The IBP21 exercise is the initial step in Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey F. Yale/Released) While many platforms in wetter and absolutely more beneficial the Navy’s commitment to operational IBP21 are classified, officials than anything we can test in a lab.” experimentation with autonomous are highlighting the Medium “Getting the warfighters’ systems in the fleet. Following its Displacement Unmanned Surface feedback on using these completion, the Navy and Marine Corps Vehicles (MDUSV) Sea Hunter and unmanned systems will be one real will assess what worked, what didn’t, its new sister craft, Sea Hawk, measure of success for IBP21.” and how to accelerate unmanned as well as a long-endurance Coordinating multi-domain manned capabilities for the fleet and force.

2 TOP NEWS Mercy conducts First Ever Flight Deck Landing of V-22 Osprey From Sarah Burford, Pacific

ilitary Sealift Command heat of larger aircraft, allowing the personnel from San Diego, Wasp- platforms such as the MV-22B, allows Mhospital ship USNS Mercy ship to receive patients and supplies class amphibious assault ship USS greater flexibility and enhances the (T-AH 19) is currently conducting through a variety of aviation platforms. Boxer (LHD 4), Arleigh Burke-class embarked Medical Treatment team's dynamic interface testing operations Over the course of several days, USS Stethem (DDG 63), ability to continue providing the off the coast of Southern California. the ship will exercise with the V-22, America-class amphibious assault outstanding care they are known for. The operations are tests for practicing take-offs and landings ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Helicopter This investment in new capability is compatibility usage of variants of the from Mercy's flight deck, followed Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 3 and a great example of MSC's continued V-22 Osprey and MH-60 Seahawk with by operations with the MH-60s. Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) support to the fleet and plays an the ship's new flight deck, and the first Increased flight operations will allow Squadron 49, are onboard to train and important role in keeping the U.S. time a V-22 has landed on an MSC critical patients a quicker route to assist the civil service mariner crew. Navy competitive well into the future." hospital ship. the ship for treatment, vice a slower "This is an historic event in the The dynamic interface operations The testing takes place following boat ride from one of the ships storied life of the USNS Mercy, and for are one of several training, testing a seven-month maintenance tender boats. MSC," said Capt. Kendall Bridgewater, and inspection periods the Mercy period where the ship's flight deck Because this testing is the first commander, Military Sealift Command will undergo in preparation for future was expanded and reinforced to time the V-22s have conducted flight Pacific. "Improving the capability of missions, including the Pacific accommodate the size, weight and operations onboard Mercy, Navy the ship to support newer aircraft Partnership humanitarian mission. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Train in Arctic Conditions During ICEX 2021 From Warren Duffie, Office of Naval Research

small detail of 11 from Engineering Aide 1st Class “It was an awesome opportunity Construction Team (UCT) 1, Naval ANaval Mobile Construction Brian Hemme worked alongside to establish great bonds between Facilities Engineering Systems Battalion (NMCB) 1 received first- members from UCT 1 to learn the everyone here, while experiencing Command Expeditionary Warfare hand construction experience requirements for setting up an the extreme cold weather,” said Center (NAVFAC EXWC), Naval operating in below-freezing conditions ice dive site. He then tested the Construction Electrician 3rd Class Experimental Dive Unit (NEDU), during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2021 engineering aide equipment while Wyatt Palmer. “It’s cool seeing how UCT Naval Sea Systems Command at Thule Air Base (AB), Greenland. plotting out the points of the camp. 1 operates in these conditions. Overall Office of the Director of Ocean This exercise evaluated how the “One of the most challenging parts I’m glad to be one of the few Seabees Engineering Supervisor of Salvage Naval Construction Force Table of of the exercise that we overcame was to experience these conditions.” and Diving (NAVSEA 00C), and Allowance (TOA) handles in extreme coordinating and learning the assets In preparation for the mission, these Naval Dive and Salvage Training cold-weather conditions while that the different commands used,” Seabees attended the Basic Cold Center (NDSTC) participated in an supporting Underwater Construction said Hemme. “Working extended Weather Leaders Course at Mountain NCG 2-lead Naval Construction Team (UCT) 1’s diver training periods of time in frigid temperatures Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Force (NCF) Arctic Training and exercise. Temperatures averaged -15 provided a constant challenge, California. One of the most unique Testing & Evaluation event at degrees Fahrenheit with an extreme however, we all had the perseverance evolutions was the hypothermia lab, Thule Air Base in Greenland. low of -55 degrees Fahrenheit. to achieve a common goal and it where the Seabees were submerged OUR MISSION IS SHARING THE NAVY STORY “The team of Seabees from NMCB 1 outweighed any adversities we had.” in a frozen pond for 10 minutes to did an outstanding job at ICEX,” said Lt. In the extreme cold weather, the crew experience the effects of hypothermia. j.g. Morgan Jung, the detail officer-in- practiced in-rate tasks by fabricating They also participated in a field charge. “They had a great opportunity a welding table, placing concrete portion consisting of rucking to to practice in-rate skills while testing blocks, performing civil engineering different tent sites in a simulated the limits of our equipment in the support equipment maintenance, tactical environment and learning extreme cold weather. I’m honored to and conducting camp maintenance. cold weather survival techniques. be a part of such a unique experience.” These Seabees contributed to the After successfully completing the Upon arrival to Thule AB, Seabees development of a more proficient training, they became certified from NMCB 1 began their mission Arctic naval force by deliberately cold weather subject matter by conducting engineering surveys documenting capabilities, limitations, experts for their command. for the divers’ ice camp and and lessons learned to better develop Members from Naval Construction completing the tent camp set-up. future Arctic capabilities. Group (NCG) 2, NMCB 1, Underwater

4 LIFE OF A DETAILER By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class George Bell Enlisted Detailers are responsible for distributing Sailors to commands in a fair and equitable manner based on billets authorized and the Navy Manning Plan (NMP) through MyNavy Assignment (MNA). Chief Mineman Devin Smith, an enlisted detailer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, deals with this task on a daily basis and it is not always the easiest job. “On a typical day, I’m on the phone, most of the day, with Sailors who have a problem with orders they have been issued or need an ORDMOD (order modification) because of life situations,” said Smith. PREPARING FOR THE PRT The following factors should be taken into account when choosing By Mass Communication Specialst 3rd Class orders: the Navy’s needs, the individual’s career needs, and the Almagissel Schuring individual’s wishes. Needs of the Navy are the most important elements in any Sailor’s assignment, and they take precedence over everything else. These The Navy has postponed the PFA multiple requirements are met by assigning the best Sailor available to a valid times due to COVID-19 to ensure the Sailor’s billet requirement. safety. In efforts to avoid flu season and allow “A lot goes into my decision to select a Sailor for a billet, but ultimately more Sailors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, what the Navy needs must come first,” said Smith. the Navy decided to push the PFA cycle to be conducted this Spring, from July 1 to Dec. 31. “Know that you are going where you Getting back into a fitness routine has been hard for many Sailors, especially with are desperately needed.” gyms being closed and social distancing orders being placed around the fleet. Starting INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN 1ST CLASS up can be very hard and intimidating, so here GORDON GROVE are some tips that can help you. RATING EVALUATOR Write out your Goals Anytime you start a new routine, it is important to write down your goals. Make The Manning Control Authority (MCA) fills the billets advertised them specific and simple. “Getting fit” isa on MNA based on the Navy’s requirements. MCA is split between two good goal but it’s vague. You want to be able factions. One is in charge of operational/deployable billets, while the to make goals that you can easily measure and other is in charge of shore/training billets. will become a motivation to keep going. Great “Detailers have some constraints. They don’t pick the billets that are examples include: “I want to lose 10 lbs by the advertised,” said rate evaluator Interior Communications Electrician 1st end of the month” or “I want to run a mile and a Class Gordon Grove . “[Billets] are really driven from the fleet back to us half in 10 minutes.” saying, ‘Hey we really need to fill these jobs.” Write a Fitness Plan Detailers are aware of MNA selections to ensure that each applicant’s Once you have your goals written down, work experience is taken into account. Re-using NECs, weighing various move on to writing out a fitness plan. Again, styles to duty stations, developing a broad-based Sailor, and selecting make them specific and measurable like, “Walk the right Sailor based on assessment recommendations are some of 10,000 steps everyday” or “run 30 minutes every the different decision points. Using this criteria to select Sailors aids morning.” Make sure your goals are achievable in the development of Sailors who are capable of operating in both and realistic. On your first weeks, start small operational and non-operational environments. and build yourself up. Don’t get overwhelmed While every detailer aims to pick Sailors for their top choices in MNA, because you can’t do 100 push-ups in one day, the Navy’s needs and the Sailor’s preferences do not always coincide. start with 10. “Know that you are going where you are desperately needed,” Grove said. Dedicate the Time Individual preferences, despite being ranked third, are extremely Not having time is a big excuse we all often significant. The morale of the Sailor and, in many cases, the family is use. It is important to find your own motivation affected in this environment. and use it to build a discipline that will help “As a detailer, my mission is to help Sailors succeed by setting them you achieve your goals. Go for a walk during up for success, assisting them in getting promoted and screened for the lunch, or stretch in the morning before you go next career milestone, and providing them with the career advice they to work, every little bit helps. Exercising can be need to advance,” said Smith. “While that doesn’t always end in the billet a tedious and it is not fun for everyone. Finding Sailor wants, we work with every Sailor to benefit them and the Navy.” something that you enjoy can make it so much easier to do and it doesn’t feel like a chore. As my family celebrates 41 years here in America, THE CHARACTER OF A MAN: I feel a renewed sense of honor to wear this uniform THE WOMAN WHO SHOWED ME LOVE FOR COUNTRY and a renewed sense of pride to be an American. CELEBRATING MY FAMILY’S HISTORY DURING ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jenn Lebron options: or the Philippines, but of capture overcame them as the I am proud to be a service member, not further than that, because the van Malaysian navy tug boat pulled them a wife, a mother, a daughter, a My grandmother was the well-loved mayor of Vung engine my uncle converted for the boat, away from shore. granddaughter, a niece, Vietnamese, Tau, a small beach town in southern Vietnam. What I know would not make it in the open ocean. My grandmother jumped off the and a first-generation American. All about her is summed up in two letters my uncle translated The escape, orchestrated by my boat and swam to the pier. She these titles were given to me by the for us when she died. grandfather, only accounted for 40 pleaded with the authorities and journey taken first by my grandmother The first letter was from her fifth grade teacher to her people. Seventy nine people showed stood her ground on the pier. all those years ago. parents. He laid out a case for why they needed to send her up. The boat was so full, one of my The governor of Sarawak, Malaysia By example, she taught us to be away to become more educated. He’d taught her everything uncles told us he sat on the bow of the happened to be driving by during the informed, to lead with compassion, he could, and she needed to keep going because she “had boat and his feet touched the water. incident and stopped his motorcade and to serve those around us. I am the character of a man,” and she would be the leader her They crashed on a beach at their to see what was happening. He grateful to do the same today. country needs one day. unknown destination after six days decided to let them stay -- they’d all The Department of Defense joins She continued her education on her own terms, hiring a with limited food and water. be transferred to the refugee camp in the nation in paying tribute to the Asian teacher to educate her through the ninth grade. She then It wasn’t until the authorities Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Americans, Pacific Islanders, and passed it on and taught her friends, eventually opening an showed up that they knew where they My family spent a year at Native Hawaiians who demonstrated elementary school in Vung Tau. were, Miri, Malaysia. The policemen the refugee camp waiting to be selfless service and sacrifice in the U.S. She met my grandfather in Saigon. They were both part took the 79 to the International Red accepted by any government. April Army, Army Air Forces, Marine Corps, of the resistance movement against the French occupation Cross and Red Crescent station 30, 1980, they came to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and National Guard of Vietnam. The second letter was one she wrote to her where they were taken care of for through San Francisco. since World War II. best friend about what she’d learned after fifty years of a week, while the Malaysian navy As my family celebrates 41 years The service of Asians, Pacific marriage. fixed the boat they came on and here in America, I feel a renewed Islanders and Native Hawaiians She wrote about the journey it took for her family sent them away. sense of honor to wear this uniform before and during World War to be where they are today. She said that the most No one wanted to leave. They and a renewed sense of pride to II, paved the way for future important thing to cherish your family and the history were being carried down the pier be an American. I feel a sisterhood generations of men and women to that built that family. and onto the boat. The fear of the with my grandmother that crosses join what would become in 1948, a My family’s history is intertwined with the idea of uncertainty of the sea and the fear generations, countries and causes. desegregated U.S. military. revolution, the fight for independence. When the French left, Americans came. And when the Americans left, my family, like many others chose to leave the country they loved, the country they fought for, and I lived in Rhode Island in the fifth grade, and as one headed into uncharted waters. of the 13 colonies, when we learned about the American Revolution, it gave me a sense of pride and a sense of He’d taught her everything belonging -- this is my country and it’s filled with patriots. One of those patriots, Samuel Adams, lies in an he could, and she needed to unassuming cemetery in Boston. Samuel’s entire life keep going because she “had is summed up in four roles: Signer of the Declaration of the character of a man,” and Independence, Governor of this Commonwealth, A leader of Men and an Ardent Patriot. she would be the leader her As a first-generation American, the words independence, country needs one day. leader, and patriot mean a lot to me. I’ve always felt these words were so special because my family escaped their country for this one. In the Spring of 1979, my family escaped from Vietnam When my grandparents died, I learned so much more in a small banana boat. Without the convenience of today’s about them and I understood more of where I came from. GPS systems, my uncle guessed at the direction they were I was born into a family of patriots, fearless leaders and headed, which wasn’t even anywhere specific -- they had two humble servants. This month, the Navy will place USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) in commission during a ceremony in San Diego, California. The ceremony has been observed by many navies around the world for more than three centuries and in our own fleet since 1775, when the first ship of the Continental Navy, the Alfred, was commissioned. Once commissioned, a ship becomes a Navy command and joins the other active ships in the fleet. The ship’s namesake is Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith. Born 2 June 1951, in San Antonio, Texas, Keith enlisted VIETNAM. Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith poses with his guitar. Photo courtesy of The Virtural Wall, Vietnam Veterans in the U.S. Marine Corps in January Memorial. of 1969 after graduating from North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, as he advanced on five approaching to the success of his platoon in the previous year. enemies, eliminating three and routing a numerically superior After completing training in driving off the other two. enemy force, and upheld the finest September of 1969, Keith was assigned Keith was further wounded when traditions of the Marine Corps and a rifleman with the 1st Combined a grenade exploded near his position, of the U.S. Naval Service. Action Group, III Marine Amphibious though he again concentrated his His medals and decorations Force, operating in the Republic of fire on an estimated 25 enemy include: the Medal of Honor, the Vietnam at the time. Keith was fatally soldiers preparing to attack, this Purple Heart, the Combat Action wounded in May of 1970 when his time eliminating four and again Ribbon, the National Defense Service platoon came under a heavy ground- causing the remainder to disperse. Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal attack by enemy forces in Quang Ngai It was during these efforts that with one bronze star, and the Republic Province, Vietnam. Keith was fatally wounded by an of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Despite being critically wounded enemy soldier. Miguel Keith is an Expeditionary Sea Keith made his way to vital defensive Keith’s actions in the face of Base (ESB). ESBs are flexible, modular positions and proceeded to open fire overwhelming odds greatly contributed platforms and can be used across a broad range of military operations supporting multiple operational phases, much like the Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) class. The ship’s capabilities include a four-spot flight deck, a hanger bay able to store and operate two MH- SEMPER FIDELIS: 53E Sea Dragon type helicopters, command and control assets, and equipment staging support, storage for mine sled and rigid hull inflatable boats, as well as accommodations MIGUEL KEITH and work spaces for the crew. After commissioning, Miguel Keith will mainly be deployed The story behind the namesake in support of aviation mine By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sonja Wickard countermeasures and special forces operations as well as humanitarian

Photo courtesy of The Virtural Wall, Vietnam Veterans Memorial. and traditional military missions. hair to serve By Mass Communication 3rd Class Asheka Lawrence-Reid

During the summer and fall of 2020, the Navy conducted a review of NAVPERS 15665I, U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations. A series of focus groups, working groups and interviews with Sailors were conducted to determine whether or not there was perceived or unperceived racism in the Navy’s grooming policies. Due to Sailor feedback and Before Perry had dreadlocks, she “I thought people saw good recommendations, the Navy updated said she wore her natural hair. “It was work,” Perry said. “I thought they the following terms, phrases and really hard to keep it in regulations saw thoroughness. I thought they definitions in Navy grooming and when I was in boot camp because it saw a young sailor who was about appearance policies got so puffy,” she says. her business. I never thought anyone The Navy deleted the terms: Perry says early in her career, was distracted by my hair. I thought faddish, good taste, eccentric/ she struggled with keeping her it should not matter.” eccentricities, complement the hair in regulations. To keep This was the first time she individual, complement the skin her hair more manageable, she considered how her appearance tone, smartness, conspicuous/ dreadlocked her hair. could affect the way she was inconspicuous, and outrageous. After having “illegal locks” for perceived in the work center. New and revised terms were also the first half of her career, Perry came “I want them to see a woman included in the regulations: professional to a turning point on her second day who is about her work,” Perry said. appearance, complementary appearance, at a new command. “I want them to see a person who is professional military appearance, and here to walk in God’s grace and do uniform distraction. “I never thought the best I can for th;l[ These changes follow the anyone was ese Sailors.” Navy’s efforts to update grooming Perry said she had to remind standards for the 21st century distracted by my herself that what she is trying to Sailor. Previous changes to hair. I thought it accomplish in the Navy is more NAVPERS 15665I allowed room for important than her hair and decided Sailors with varied hair textures to should not matter.” to cut it short before the new stay within regulations. regulations came out. For women, Sailors are now SENIOR CHIEF INFORMATION Sailors, Perry said, have begun authorized to wear rolls, locks, SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN to create their own interpretation and ponytail styles. This change is KADESHA PERRY of the hair regulations rather than particularly beneficial to the African following the guidelines they are American/Black community within given. “I believe you can wear your the Navy. Sailors are now allowed crown in glory in many different ways to wear styles that make their hair when you are off duty,” she says. more manageable while performing “I met this master chief, Logistics “I do think, though, that their duties. Specialist Master Chief Gina Scott, because you signed up to conform Senior Chief Information on the warship USS George W. Bush in a certain aspect and leave a Systems Technician Kadesha (CVN 77),” Perry said. “She called little bit of your individualism Perry, a Sailor aboard USS Dwight me to her office and she said to me, behind, I believe it is your duty to D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), recollects ‘What do you want people to see respect your crown and get it in how difficult it was to maintain the when they see you?’” regulation as it is written.” regulations in her earlier years in She had never considered that Ensign Kenya McCarty, a Sailor the military. question before. of the Fighting Swordsmen (VFA 32), compared the current regulations to when she joined the Navy in 2004. “When we entered into boot camp, they cut everyone’s hair. They gave you this lopsided bob and they also didn’t allow you to relax [straighten] it so it looked very rough and we just looked terrible for those couple of months until the end.” McCarty said that natural hairstyles often look faddish to some people because they are not used to seeing them. “We, as a Navy, have come a long way from the time you enter boot camp and they just cut your hair without asking, to allow braided hair, ponytails, natural hairstyles, and even dreadlocks,” McCarty said. “There are so many people who are happier because their particular style that they like to wear is more acceptable now. They don’t have to cover up who they are or how they feel, based on the way their hair is done.”

ENSIGN KENYA MCCARTY

“There are so many people who are happier because their particular style that they like to wear is more acceptable now. They don’t have to cover up who they are or how they feel, based on the way their hair is done.” Legalman 2nd Class Dionesha Simmons has maintained her natural hair in the Navy for eight years. “Being in the Navy as a naturalist is harder because there are certain styles that can only be worn in civilian status,” said Simmons However, Simmons said that the Navy is moving in the right direction with the regulation change. She said the old regulations, that once restricted female Sailors’ relationships with their hair, have changed to help many females embrace their natural hair. “It’s important, as a Black woman, to maintain my hair in regulations while being able to wear some of my natural hairstyles, because I still want to look professional and be taken seriously, regardless the status of my hair,” she says. Simmons asserts that she prides herself in being a professional and takes comfort in the fact that her natural hair can be accepted as professional in its natural state. “When I wear my hair in an afro that’s in regulations, you know I’m professional,” she said. “I just want all females, not just Black women, to embrace their hair. Still be professional, but take care of your crown.” For more information about updates to NAVPERS 15665I, go to MyNavyHR.com. You can also scan the QR code to check out the current Navy Uniform and Regulations, NAVPERS 15665I. . you are not

alotalk to yonur shipmatees.

you can never ask hey, how are you? too many times.

Mental Health Awareness Month