Volume 9 | Issue 4 | May 2018
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center News
MARMC’s Key Role in Helping Ships Complete INSURV AUTISM AWARENESS WALK
featured stories
MARMC, Nitze Completes SRA The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) got underway from Naval Station Norfolk for sea trials April 6 26, marking the end of a seven-month Selective Restricted Availability (SRA). Quick Fix to Harpoon System: Normandy Deploys On-Time Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) SSD, Strike and Data Link Branch successfully repaired 9 damaged cabling to USS Normandy’s (CG 60) Harpoon Weapon System. MARMC’s Key Role in Helping Ships Complete INSURV The Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) successfully completed their first 10 INSURV.
Code 900 in Action Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s Outside Machine Shop, assisted by MARMC’s Engineering Department, 12 successfully swapped out the starboard boat davit on USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98),
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes the challenges faced by Asian Americans, Pacific 14 Islanders, and Native Hawaiians and their vital contributions to the American story.
The Maintainer is the official Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center publication. All comments of this publication donot necessarily reflect the official views of the Department of the Navy. This is a monthly newsletter and the deadline for submission of articles is the fifth of each month. Correspondence should be directed to Public Affairs, Code 1100P, Building LF-18 or email: [email protected].
2 straight talk with capt. lannamann
Greetings Team MARMC, repeat last year’s performance. Currently, we have 20 avails in execution with another coI want to start off by congratulating that is still waiting to be awarded. You have everyone at Mid-Atlantic Regional Main- heard both Mr. Bevington and myself talk tenance Center (MARMC) on earning the about this for the last few months. MARMC Regional Maintenance Center (RMC) Ex- is in the midst of the heaviest workload cellence Award for Fiscal Year 2017. This the command has ever seen. To add more truly is a team award, and everyone at the pressure, we are also still enduring grow- command had a hand in helping us not ing pains with the firm-fixed price con- only reach our goals, but to exceed ex- tracting strategy. As we work through our pectations within the fleet. We had many process, there are times when the plan pose numerous safety risks each day. It is challenges last year, chief among them doesn’t come together as we envisioned it, refreshing to know that you are heading was our support of both USS Wasp (LHD and we have to make on the fly decisions the culture of safety and making it a part 1) and USS Ramage (DDG 61). We not only that could potentially have huge impacts of your everyday work routine. Please con- delivered these ships back to the fleet in down the road. This means that we are tinue these efforts as it is a critical piece of a timely fashion – we did so with keeping working swiftly to come up with the right what we do that can easily be overlooked. I up with our previously scheduled main- solutions, while at the same time trying to want each and every MARMC employee to tenance availabilities. Whether you an- forecast the best we can to mitigate fu- return home at the end of their shift safely swered a trouble call, helped procure a ture issues. Taking on this task for one ship to their friends and families. contract, gave personnel support or phys- alone would be a challenge, but having 20 A few more congratulations are in ically turned a wrench – you all did your and soon to be 21 to manage at the same order for the command’s most recent Cap- jobs professionally and up held the stan- time can be daunting. Nevertheless, our tain Selects. Our Executive Officer Cmdr. dard of what an RMC should be. I couldn’t team has already shown that we have the Eric Williams and Production Officer Cmdr. be more proud and humbled by this te- knowledge to enact innovative solutions, Rey Tanap are among the new class of am’s talent and your ability to do the hard which will shape the way the Navy per- Navy captains. Both are very deserving work and meet the mission no matter the forms ship maintenance and moderniza- of the promotion. Machinist’s Mate Senior circumstances. Bravo Zulu (BZ) to all on a tion for the foreseeable future. In order for Chief Jason Myhre was also recently se- job well done! us to stay on top and deliver another peak lected for promotion to Master Chief Petty Now, in 2018, we have a new set of ob- performance this year, just like last year, it Officer. If you see any of these gentlemen, stacles laid in front of us on our quest to will take everyone at the command doing please join me in congratulating them on a their part. I have no doubt that we can and job well done! will answer the call of the fleet with all of As a reminder for MARMC Sailors, we your unwavering support. are quickly approaching the July 1, dead- With last year’s Comprehensive Re- line to transition to the Type III Navy Work- view, I asked the command to take a look ing Uniforms. There is still time to obtain inward at some of our practices and pro- your new uniform before the summer rush. cedures to ensure that we are being as I urge anyone who has not already made safe as possible in our work environments. the transition to do so sooner than later. As Whether it be wearing your Personal Pro- I opened my comments with, MARMC is tective Equipment or following the proper currently the standard for RMC excellence guidelines for the work you are conduct- and I want us to stay on top. We can only ing, Safety will continue to be of the up- do so by staying disciplined in all aspects most importance. This month, our Safety of our responsibilities. 101 As we approach the 101 days of sum- critical days Department Head Frank Walker was able to give a few BZs to maintenance teams mer, I ask you all to continue to be safe of summer working on USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Mesa both at work and in your home life. Enjoy Verde (LPD 19) and USS Stout (DDG 55) the weather as it warms up and be sure to for identifying safety hazards/violations allow for down time if you are ever feeling May 28–Sept 3 and bringing them to the appropriate folks too stressed. We work in a very demand- who could give the proper corrective ac- ing industry, and you all deserve time to tion. This demonstrates to me that you all recharge. I look forward to your successes are taking the safety piece of your job se- over the next month and appreciate all that riously. A large majority of our work takes you do in making our Navy mission ready place in industrial shipyard settings, which every day you come to work!
3 executive director’s Notes
One way I hope to accomplish this is I ask members of the command to not through the already established command use the pronouns, “I, me or my.” I want to EDbook club. I recently read a book titled promote a culture of togetherness here at Work, by Thich Nhat Hanh. The premise is MARMC, and instead of any one person how to find joy and meaning in each hour of having to feel the pressure and weight of the day, and it speaks to setting your inten- a particular tasking, they should feel free to tions at the onset of your day. It also looks share the responsibility and use teamwork at mindful breathing, deep listening, and to meet our goals. No one person is going meditation before meetings. As I was read- to be able to take on all that we have been ing this, it peaked my interest because we charged to do at this time. Whether we are Recently, Capt. Lannamann and I trav- currently have a lot going on workload wise asked to deliver a ship on time or to com- eled to Great Lakes, Illinois, for the Com- and I know that can bring an abundance of plete an upward obligation package, these manders Leadership Forum. While we stress to our workforce. Having our plates are team-centric tasks. It is going to take were there, Commander, Naval Service full has created tension between some of input from around the command in order Training Command Rear Adm. Michael D. our departments, which is to be expected for us to be successful. I think it would be Bernacchi spoke about the changes he when we have such a close working fam- really cool if by changing the way we speak made to the eight weeks of training that re- ily. But, I thought we could explore these about our responsibilities, we could impact cruits receive while in boot camp. He took ideas together as a group. This will include the culture and create an environment that a long look at the curriculum and was able a little bit of reading and study, then put- helps deescalate stress rather than add to to free up about two weeks that they were ting some of these ideas into practice. it. able to use a portion of to insert training on A majority of the time when we focus A good starting place is something I other relevant topics. One of these topics is on ourselves, we take care of our physical mentioned in the beginning of my com- mindfulness. Mindfulness explores a broad fitness, our education and advancement ments, and that is focusing on your breath- range of different ideas, including mindful opportunities, but we often overlook stress ing. When trying to de-stress, by simply fo- breathing, centering yourself, meditation handling techniques. I think being able to cusing on breathing-in and breathing-out, and just finding simple ways to relax and concentrate on our spiritual self and how can have a great calming effect. The com- de-stress. Taking control of your feelings we can grow mentally is extremely impor- mand also has standing desk units that I and being able to disengage and refocus tant and has the potential to be a lot of fun. find helpful in keeping me alert and some- is critical when you work in an environment There aren’t a lot of commands that take times just having that small change to how that can be as high pressure as it has been the time to focus on these aspects of our you approach work for the day can make recently here at Mid-Atlantic Regional work lives and I think it can really make a all the difference. We spend the majority of Maintenance Center (MARMC). big difference. our time in the work place and therefore These techniques have been used in I have also been mulling around the should do our best to make it a comfort- the special forces for a while now. There idea of trying to have a day or week that able atmosphere to be productive. You are are examples of platoons that have taken all doing an outstanding job so far this year major casualties, but are still able to func- with our overload of availabilities and up- tion as a unit and not break down. There is ward obligations. You are all important to also a Senior Executive Service member in the command’s mission and I thank you for Quantico who has oversight of a mindful- your continued perseverance! ness program for the Marine Corps. I want to take that idea and approach and work with MARMC’s Executive Coach Susan Weinstein from Insync to create mindful- ness training for the command.
4 command Master Chief update
Congratulations MARMC, as we have unteered because without you this would recently received several awards, the not have been possible. We walked for a MCgolden anchor and Command, Navy Re- great cause and it was nice to see so many gional Maintenance Center presented the people contribute their time. Thank you! Command with the RMC Excellence Award Morale Welfare and Recreation team 2017, this is because of all the hard ded- did a great job setting up the movie Aveng- icated work “you” are doing on the ship’s ers: Infinity War, a great time for everyone. and throughout the command. Continue to Congratulations to our most recent take pride in all that you do. Naval Afloat Maintenance Training Strat- May is here, it’s warmer and we get egy graduates. Director, U.S. Fleet Forces accuracy these differences can affect you an hour more daylight. Safety has put to- Command Rear Admiral Mark Whitney and when it comes to promotions. gether another installment of the ‘101 Days Norfolk Naval Shipyard Command Master of Summer’ training, which is set for May 21, Chief Michael Reese were on hand for the in Building U-40 from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. graduation ceremony. It’s nice to see not Final Word: We need to be aware of the potential haz- only the recognition, but the amount of With spring and summer comes warmer ards and risks that exist during the summer Sailors who are taking it upon themselves temperatures. Leadership would like ev- months. This training is mandatory for all to pick up an additional Navy Enlisted Clas- eryone to enjoy this beautiful weather and military personnel. sification. stay vigilant. Make sure you always stay Thank you to everyone for participating Are you verifying your service records? hydrated. Don’t overwork yourselves. We in our Autism walk Friday, April 20. Coalition Ensuring that there are no evaluation gaps want you to enjoy the time with your family of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions did or that your Physical Readiness Test re- and be safe. If you need me for anything, an outstanding job setting up this event. sults and awards are correct? Try to create come by my office located in CEP-200 or We appreciate all of the people who vol- a habit of always checking your records for call me at 400-2488.
MARMC Receives 2017 RMC Excellence Award By Stephanie Douglas, Command, Navy Regional Maintenance Center Executive Director
I am excited to announce that Mid-Atlantic Regional Mainte- P. Downey spoke to them about the important role they will play nance Center (MARMC) received the 2017 RMC Excellence Award once they return to the Fleet and teach Sailors how to properly for their outstanding performance in all facets of their operations. maintain and repair their shipboard systems. Their graduation (as Among their significant accomplishments in FY17, MARMC com- with all NAMTS graduations) brings our community closer to its pleted 22 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) avails, including over- goal of returning self-sufficient Sailors to the Fleet! sight of the Navy’s first out-of-homeport, coast-wide bid availabil- ity on USS RAMAGE (DDG 61), which met all of its key events and went to sea trials on time. MARMC also executed the USS WASP (LHD 1) availability, which was the CNO’s highest priority avail of 2017. The ship’s growth and new work totaled approximately $30 million, and required a six-week extension. Despite those con- straints, MARMC completed WASP’s avail faster than any other non-docking big deck availability in the Navy, enabling her to de- ploy to her new home port in Sasebo, Japan. MARMC also started 2018 on a high note when they gradu- ated the largest number of Sailors in the history of the NAMTS program, with 141 Sailors earning certificates in Shipfitting, Pipe- fitting, Valve Repair, Rigger/Weight Test, Welder/Brazer, Outside Electrical Repair Technician, Outside Machinist, Heat Exchanger, and Watertight Closure Maintenance. USFF’s Director of Fleet Maintenance, Rear Adm. Mark R. Whitney, presented the Sailors with their NAMTS graduation certificates, while Rear Adm. James
5 MARMC,MARMC,Nitze Completes sra By Hendrick Dickson, Public Affairs Specialist
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) got un- derway from Naval Station Norfolk for sea trials April 26, marking the end of a seven-month Selective Restricted Availability (SRA). Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) led the $13 million availability, which began in September 2017, at Ma- rine Hydraulics International (MHI). Major work included; tank re- pair and preservation, and louver preservation, intake and uptake preservation and non-skid install. The project team overcame several challenges to redeliver the ship to the fleet in a timely manner. Among them, a tropical storm condition that set production back by several weeks. “We were in Tropical Storm Condition IV early in the beginning of the avail,” said MARMC/Nitze Project Support Engineer Steve Bedell. “The contractor is obligated to be able to pull all services and to be able to get the ship hurricane ready within short no- tice. There was a 22-day period where they were not doing any real work due to hurricane conditions. So, we essentially lost three weeks – and getting started back up wasn’t just a button push.” The project team also had to adapt to working within the pa- rameters of a firm-fixed price contract, which puts more admin- While the entire process was time consuming, the team was able istrative responsibility on them and provides less flexibility when to adjust. dealing with changes to the work package. “In this environment, you’re accustomed to doing whatever you “This was one of the first firm-fixed priced availabilities we’ve have to do to adapt and change things on the fly whenever you done,” said MARMC/Nitze Project Manager Gil Powell. “When have to do business,” said Bedell. you’re in a firm-fixed price environment, the contractor cannot Despite the number of RCCs, the availability finished with only move on anything without it being on the contract. The contract six percent growth (rise in the value of the contract due to addi- has to be settled before the first wrench gets turned.” tional work) and returned Nitze to the fleet because of teamwork The team resolved 1,570 Conditions Found Reports (CFRs) and – communicating and depending on each other. 336 Requests for Contract Change (RCCs) during the SRA. “The key factor was communications,” said MARMC/Nitze Additionally, each change was negotiated to prevent price Lead Shipbuilding Specialist (SBS) Bob Halbert. “We kept it open overrun and routed through upward obligations which requires and honest all the time, and whenever we needed to, we helped review from the waterfront up to legal prior to being approved. each other. At the beginning it was a learning process for some of the newer SBSs, but you learn very quick how to lean on each other.” It wasn’t just the Nitze project team however. The team ex- tended throughout MARMC – particularly the USS Mason (DDG 87) project team. “Throughout the availability we communicated well with the Mason’s project team,” said Halbert. “We worked in the same building and some of the issues that occurred on them also oc- curred on us so we learned from them.” “Early in the availability Fred Basnight (Nitze project team) coor- dinated with his counterpart aboard Mason to inspect the intakes and uptakes while we were in the tropical storm condition,” added Bedell. “We knew what needed to be repaired, what we could put off and what needed to grow. By having that new discovery early there weren’t any issues. That was a huge lesson learned and cut time down.” No availability is exactly the same as the last one, and they never go 100 percent as planned. But regardless of how it is going, the key is to remain persistent. “We worked through all the obstacles as well as any team could,” said Powell. “I always say, there are no complaints about having problems because we are in the problem solving business.”
6 work improvement notes 01/30/2018 | Christopher Brown, Code 322B Waterfront Operations | Safety Harness Requirements
Brief Description of the Process/Problem: Currently, Mid-Atlantic Regional Mainte- nance Center issuance of safety harness policy is that Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Project Team Members at worksites have to go to building LF-18 and be issued a safety harness every 30 days and they have to return to LF-18 and have the harness inspected by a Safety Department representative. During availabilities it is hard for Shipbuilding Spe- cialists (SBS) to find time to return every 30 days amongst all the checkpoints and govern- ment oversite that is required.
Solution: Safety Department has safety representatives at every shipyard when ships are in an availability. They will be trained to conduct safety harness inspections on-site. They will record and send any information back to LF-18 requiring documentation. If the har- ness fails inspection, then the individual responsible for that harness will need to return it to LF-18 for reissue of a satisfactory harness.
Benefit:This would eliminate personnel having to return to LF-18 every 30 days for re-is- sue.
Result: If you are a project team member that utilizes a fall protection safety harness on a frequent basis at one of the local ship yards, YOU ARE IN LUCK! There is no need to return it for inspection every 30 days. Your assigned safety representative will conduct the inspection on a not to exceed 60-day periodicity.
“Team work is the goal and Code 106 welcomed the opportunity to support this WIN and the qualified fall protection employees.”, said Frank Walker, Environmental, Safety and Health Department Head.
The reason the 30-day inspection was implemented was because personnel checked out the harnesses and did not return them in a timely manner even though they were not being used on a frequent basis. Returning them in a timely manner is essential to maximizing the availability of the harnesses to those that need them.
Remember, you have a way of bringing these concerns up for review to determine if there is sufficient basis to eliminate or improve them. Please take the time to identify the issue, the basis for its ineffectiveness and the recommendation you have.WE ARE LISTENING!
If you have recommendations on any aspect of the Command’s operations, processes, spending, policies, practices, etc., please go on the MARMC intranet page and click on the WINs button and there you will find a link that will bring up the WINs form to document your recommendation. When you are done, please send it to [email protected]. It will be con- solidated and the process will be started. Your WINs are making a difference! KEEP THEM COMING! Asian Pacific American Heritage Month May 2018
7 Winning Hand in Safety program Sign up Today | Open to Military and Civilians | Earn up to Two Days Off
Go to MARMC Intranet and Click RU Safe Button to get Started Today
Use these convenient mobile apps to keep your skills sharp Requires QR Reader to Open on Mobile Device
Red Cross Ladder Safety Sound Levels
Heat Safety Data Sheets
8 Quick Fix to Harpoon System: Normandy Deploys On-Time By Douglas Denzine, Public Affairs Specialist
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) SSD, Strike and Data Link Branch successfully repaired damaged ca- bling to USS Normandy’s (CG 60) Harpoon Weapon System, April 10. The timely fix performed by MARMC engineers and techni- cians allowed Normandy to deploy on-time with the Harry S. Tru- man Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) the following day. “During a routine annual firing check on the Harpoon Weapon System, Ship’s Force (S/F) was not receiving power at the Har- poon launchers,” said MARMC Harpoon Technician Elizabeth Car- penter, who handled the on-site troubleshooting for Normandy. “Upon our initial investigation effort, we first noticed that the cables weren’t securely plugged in at all the terminals. The first thing we did was to remove the 3M weatherproofing from the ends of the cables and rescuer the relay assemblies.” Upon securing the cable connections, additional MARMC technicians discovered that two of the 90-degree adapters had been cracked, which in turn caused damage to the connection pins that transfer missile launch data. “That plug essentially carries all the weapons data and is most important to have operational within the Harpoon system,” said Carpenter. The A/U/RGM-84 Harpoon is defined as an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system that provides the Navy nicians, along with S/F assistance, were able to make the repairs with a common missile for air and ship launches. This is a critical on the spot. Typically, parts would need to be procured through an component of the warfighter and without it, the ship would be at a ordering process, which can take several days to several weeks to disadvantage if they were called upon to engage a threat. receive the components needed to complete a repair. “We work very closely with the fleet before ships are going “We had seen a similar instance of the 90-degree adap- to deploy,” said MARMC Harpoon Technician Scott Thomas. “We ter being broken on USS Lake Erie (CG 70) earlier this year, and do a lot of maintenance workups to avoid last minute issues like whenever a reoccurring issue arises we share them with the other this, but we can’t always anticipate what may go wrong or what ships on the waterfront that could encounter the same problem,” problems a ship may encounter as they bring all systems online said Carpenter. “Our goal is to not only fix ships, but to encourage and prepare for their deployment. In this case, the bad connection proper routine maintenance to ensure all systems are maintained brought down both of the ship’s missile launchers – it was our job at a high level.” to make them mission ready once again.” With Normandy less than a day from her deployment, two of Using replacement parts that MARMC had on-hand, the tech- MARMC’s tomahawk technicians stepped in to assist with recon- necting and grounding the 40 connection pins on two separate cables. “This was a very tedious job, it was so awesome that some of our team members came to our aid. When working on any of these weapons systems there are a lot of small pieces that you have to be diligent in checking all the way through each cable and connect. It takes time and without the help of Mark [London] and Frank [Gootz] I don’t know that we could have completed the work in just one evening,” said Carpenter. With MARMC’s recent realignment of their Strategic Business Plan with Naval Sea Systems Command’s, on-time delivery of ship’s has been a driving force behind MARMC’s mission of fixing ships. The culture of team work and doing what it takes to get the job done right the first time is starting to show within the fleet. Normandy’s deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe. Additionally, HSTCSG units will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theater security cooperation efforts, which help to further regional stability.
9 MARMC’s Key Role in Helping Ships Complete INSURV By Hendrick Dickson, Public Affairs Specialist
It is perhaps the most thorough inspec- anchor windlass and other preservation ship themselves. MARMC provides them tion a U.S. Navy ship and its crew would work throughout the ship. Before IN- with different resources such as technical go through. The Board of Inspection and SURV, MARMC took a look at all the work assistance and training through Code 200 Survey (INSURV) ensures ships are prop- done the past five years verifying integrity (Engineering) and Code 900 (Production) erly equipped for prompt, reliable and and ensuring every job is properly docu- our maintenance department is able to go sustained mission readiness at sea, and mented. over to do any jobs they need help with as although it is considered an “open-book “We checked our past availabilities well.” test,” with the standards available before- from 2013 to 2018 and what type of work Ultimately it’s about teamwork. MARMC hand, it has always been a special chal- had been completed within those 13 ar- seems to have established a strong bond lenge driven by a ship’s captain and his eas,” said Johnson. “We also reviewed all with the Bainbridge crew that has been crew’s desire for success. casualty reports (CASREPs) and depar- built on trust. The Arleigh-Burke-class guided mis- ture from specifications (DFS). I’m looking “MARMC’s project team has gone sile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) at these things in order to see what we above and beyond to help us through the successfully completed INSURV April 25. can complete during our future CMAVs or process,” said Bainbridge Commanding It was the ship’s first INSURV since 2013. other availabilities. That eliminated CAS- Officer Cmdr. Patrick R. Murphy. “This ship Months leading up to the big inspection, REPs and DFSs and ensured the ship is has never been in better shape. It’s reas- Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center more prepared for INSURV.” suring when you can get on the phone with (MARMC) was aboard to help ensure the MARMC’s role isn’t much different from a maintenance team who gets it right and ship was certified mission ready. its role during availabilities except there is will always get you the support you need. “We have to be aligned with the less outside contracting. Having just com- Johnson not only views INSURV as an command’s mission, ‘we fix ships,’” said pleted Chief of Naval (CNO) availability observation of ship readiness, but it’s a re- MARMC/Bainbridge Project Manager last year, Bainbridge now relies heavily on flection on MARMC and how effective the Laquince Johnson. “And we have to make Ship’s Force (S/F) to fix any problems and command is at accomplishing its mission sure these ships stay operationally ready. not outside facilities. The crew has com- and its impact to the fleet. INSURV is a part of that.” plete ownership of their ship, but MARMC “We want our ships to be successful,” INSURV is conducted by a board of na- continues to be a vital asset throughout said Johnson. “Because that is our goal – to val officers who conduct material inspec- their operational cycle. make sure they are mission capable. We tions of all naval ships at least once every “During availabilities we deal a lot with have 70 ships that have to get inspected three years if practical, for the purpose of contractors making sure the work is done here and if one of those ships is not avail- determining and reporting upon a ship’s to specifications,” said Soucy. “Preparing able it affects the entire fleet so we’re look- fitness for further service and material con- for INSURV we’re working more with the ing at it in an in depth way.” ditions, which limits its ability to carry out S/F to get them what they need to fix the assignment missions. “It’s a readiness assessment,” said Kurt Soucy, MARMC/Bainbridge Project Sup- port Engineer. “The most important thing is that if or when you find a problem, do we have a path to get it fixed and fixed- cor rectly. That is something the inspectors want to see. Can the crew sustain the ship’s operational readiness?” The board uses standards contained in General Specifications for Overhaul (GSO), electronic installation and maintenance books, technical manuals, Preventative Maintenance System requirements, Engi- neering Operational Sequencing System (EOSS) and other documents. The areas of focus include engineering, deck, supply, damage control and others covered by 13 appendices in the Board of Inspection and Survey Instruction 4720.1E. MARMC completed a three-week Con- tinuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV) aboard Bainbridge in March, conducting major repairs on the firemain systems,
10 Family Matters Information Submitted by Janette Robinson, Fleet Forces Command
Family comes first. The Department of the Navy Civilian specific needs. We can also help you find additional resources Employee Assistance Program (DONCEAP) can help support like classes, support groups, health and wellness services and all of your family’s needs. We can research prenatal resources, so much more. locate child and senior care options, provide referrals to pet care services, connect you to special needs support, help with 4. Enjoy Your Leisure Time senior safety concerns and much more. Plan and enjoy relaxing activities with your spouse and family, If you’re like most working parents, you juggle child care and try to save some time for yourself too. Establish a regular arrangements and concerns about your aging parents’ capa- exercise routine (at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three bilities with job worries and the evening’s dinner menu. Here times a week) and find other ways to enjoy personal time. are some ideas to keep in mind as you try to fit work and family responsibilities into a busy, but satisfying life: 5. Let Go of Perfection Whether you work or stay at home, realize that it’s impossible 1. Connect with Your Family to be a perfect parent. Your ability to provide love, constructive Make time for togetherness. Show your spouse and children discipline and guidance is the most important gift you can give that their needs are important despite your busy schedule. Take your children. Talk to your children about their day instead of time to enhance your parenting skills and learn how to commu- rushing to bake cookies for the class birthday party. Have easy nicate with your children. Be sure to also make private time with dinners throughout the week instead of stressing over time- your spouse a high priority as you plan your time. consuming gourmet meals. With good planning, organization and knowledge of how to balance work and family responsibil- 2. Organize and Prioritize Your Life ities, you can make it all work for you and your family. Learn and use long-range planning techniques at home and at work. Organize your household so it can function smoothly You wear many different hats each day and you need every without you. Use effective time management techniques at available resource to help you succeed. Call the DONCEAP to- work that streamline your job and reduce stress. day for expert guidance and tools that can help you and your family thrive. 3. Use Family Support Services The DONCEAP is a voluntary and confidential employee You can find out about child care and elder care services in your benefit from the Department of the Navy to federal employees community through the DONCEAP. We can research and find and their family members at no cost. Contact a work/life expert you services in your area that meet you and your loved ones’ today.
1-844-DONCEAP • (1-844-366-2327) • TTY: 1-888-262-7848 24 hours a day INTERNATIONAL: 001-866-829-0270 • DONCEAP.foh.psc.gov
11 code 900 inin ActionAction
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s Dive Locker replaced the five starboard shaft propeller blades on USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) the week of Apr. 9.
12 Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s Out- side Machine Shop, assisted by MARMC’s Engi- neering Department, successfully swapped out the starboard boat davit on USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), Apr. 8. The boat davit passed its weight test over the weekend by the weight handling shop. Outside Machine shop also completed the removal, repair and installation of the ship’s port sliding pad-eye safety rail.
13 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Submitted by Sara Van Gorder, Contract Specialist, Code 411
As many Americans can relate, we have little in common with the life-changing journey foreigners take from their home coun- try to our shores. Whether fleeing political, economic or religious turmoil, every day immigrants enter our country looking for a fresh start. To highlight their contributions to our society, our country takes pride in distinguishing these citizens. Each year during the month of May, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes the challenges faced by Asian Americans, Pacific Is- landers, and Native Hawaiians* and their vital contributions to the American story. When deciding how Mid-Atlantic Regional Main- tenance Center (MARMC) should recognize May’s heritage month, we thought it would be beneficial to share the stories of our fellow MARMC employees. Linh Finn is a Contract Specialist who works in Building LF-18. Her story begins even before she was born. Linh was born in Thai- land to parents of Cambodian and Vietnamese decent – refugees fleeing the Vietnam War. Her mother, pregnant with Linh, and her father, having just left the military fighting alongside Americans,
fled to Thailand’s jungles with their children in search of a better life. They had already lost two sons to malnutrition and disease and Linh’s father knew he had to save his family. At one point in the journey, Linh’s mother fell and thought she had lost her unborn child. Soon after, Linh was born during the excursion, surviving those first few months on the road with her brave and determined family. Her family landed in America with nothing except the clothes on their backs. They settled in Boston and began building their lives all over again. Linh has asked her parents if they would ever go back to Viet- nam, while there is no interest now, they do have a dream of go- ing back near the end of their lives. This is their home now. Linh’s father in particular says he respects the Americans who came and tried to save the country. That is why, he says, they came to the United States; to him, America meant freedom. Linh also considers America her home. She thinks her expe- riences remind her more often of all the freedoms we enjoy ev- ery day – how easy life is moment to moment here. When asked about how she stays connected to her culture, Linh spoke about how she speaks Vietnamese regularly, her older sister and mother also speak Khmer (the language of Cambodia), and the whole family gets together to celebrate the Vietnamese and Cambodian New Year. She explained how this involves things we’re all used to doing like big meals, giving thanks, playing games and visiting the temple to meditate. More recently, Linh shared that her oldest son is now getting interested in his heritage and Linh looks forward to taking him back to Vietnam after his high school graduation. Lt. Carolyn Mai told a similar story of struggle and eventual success. Lt. Mai is a MARMC Project Officer working out of Code 321 in Building CEP-200. She was born in southern China’s Guang
14 people have different opinions about public education, but to her sisters and her, it helped them get to where they are now. Her par- ents would not have been able to pay for their education and put a warm meal on the table. Lt. Mai and her family all went back to China to visit relatives more than a decade ago. It was a lot of fun, but difficult to leave them again. She mentioned she would like to visit again sometime in the future. She’s asked her parents whether they want to live in China again, but they said no. They like the weather here and have established a life in America. Same for Lt. Mai, this is where home is at. This month, take time to consider the experiences of your fellow Americans. Check out https://asianpacificheritage.gov/ for updates on events through organizations like the Library of Congress and the National Park Service. PBS is celebrating with #MyAPALife, showing 40 stories by, about and for this multicul- tural community. Locally, check out Asian Fest at the Waterside District May 26, featuring art, culture, entertainment and food – this event is free and great for families.
*Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month honors Ameri- cans with a proud heritage that encompasses all of the Asian con- tinent and the Pacific islands of Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island), Mela- nesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands) and Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Mar- shall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Microne- sia).
Zhou Province. Coming from a family of farmers in a small village in China, there were not a lot of job opportunities. Her parents and two sisters immigrated to the United States when she was seven. Lt. Mai’s maternal grandparents were living in America already, what she says is called the “Beautiful Country” in Chinese. She explained how her family came here for more opportunities and better quality of life. Coming here was a blessing for her family, but there were challenges in the beginning. She discussed how the language barrier and cultural differences were most difficult. Upon landing in New York, she says she remembers experiencing the winter cold and seeing snow for the first time. They did not know a single word in English and Lt. Mai is amazed at how they somehow navigated this new world. She shared how she learned her ABCs in a bilingual class in second grade and did not like hamburgers, cheese or milk when she was younger, which is what she was commonly given for lunch at her public school. Growing up in New York City, Lt. Mai enjoyed the huge Chi- nese community there. Her family still celebrates all the Chinese holidays, including the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Fes- tival. The Lunar New Year is her favorite because of the red en- velops she receives from her parents and relatives. Instead of gift exchanges, the elders traditionally give money to younger family members in small red envelopes as a way of wishing them luck and good fortune. She thinks of the Mid-Autumn Festival as similar to our Thanksgiving, where families get together to have a nice meal. Because of her military service, she moved away from New York and now finds it hard to celebrate the holidays like she used to. When asked about what she enjoys about living in America, she said the free education system comes to mind. Lt. Mai ex- plained, there is no free education in China. She knows many
15 civilians and sailors of the quarter
Please join Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) in congratulating the 2nd quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 awardees for Civilian and Sailor of the Quarter:
These individuals are recognized for outstanding performance in their assigned duties, positive attitude, leadership and customer service. Command leadership is very proud of every one at MARMC and it is a very special honor for these folks to be singled out from such a distinguished and highly capable team.
promotions Ryan Kiel, Contracting Officer Representative, Code 205A Tracey Dillard, Contracting Officer Representative, Code 205A Lance Butterfuss, Supervisor Electronics Technician, Code 272 Michael Breitkreutz, Production Controller (Ships), Code 313 Kurt Schmuhl, Production Controller, Code 360 Laura Jones, Production Controller (Ships), Code 312
Capt. (Sel) Eric Williams Capt. (Sel) Rey Tanap Machinist’s Mate Master Chief Jason Myhre
new hires James Porter Jr., Supervisor General Engineer, Code 280 Cecil Taylor Sr., Ship Building Specialist, Code 313 David Blue, Ship Building Specialist, Code 331D George Ferrer, Ship Building Specialist, Code 332B David Snodgrass, Business Operations Analyst, Code 472 Eleuterio Miguel, Engineering Technician, Code 953 Thomas Jackson III, Information Technology Specialist, Code 1170 Johnathan Marshall, Ship Building Specialist, Code 332A Jessica Dunlow, Engineering Technician (ITE), Code 224 Kristopher Smith, Electronics Technician, Code 281 Miles Simmons, Ship Building Specialist, Code 332A Chase Brasher, Contract Specialist, Code 472
16 Senior Civilian junior Civilian Steven Goad, Code 200 Mary Garr, Code 200
senior sailor NC1 Daniel Stuart, Code 100
junior sailor Blue Jacket MR2 Jordan Hogue, Code 1100 MMFN Ivette Luna, Code 946
17 Spotlight on ANDREA HOLM
This month, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance model to brief MARMC leaders on projects and ensuring Center (MARMC) spotlight shines on Andrea Holm, a man- they are properly manned to achieve the best results. agement analyst in MARMC’s Waterfront Operations. Holm “It’s more of a leadership awareness tool because it tells is responsible for a new manning model, which is giving us risk areas for projects,” she said. “It allows us to evaluate MARMC leaders an in depth look at their manning, work- what is needed to be successful.” load and future work projection. “This is a huge tool that is an asset to the entire com- Holm came to MARMC through military service, educa- mand,” added Auldridge. “We have been working on de- tion and quite frankly, chance. After serving eight years in veloping this for years and she is the person who got in the Navy, she began pursuing and obtaining her Master’s there, understood it and bought it to fruition.” in Business Management/Technology. It was during this The model is also about people and ensuring person- time she began what would be her first stint at MARMC as nel have the best opportunity to be successful and are not a contractor in logistics. being stretched beyond their limits. That’s important as “I worked in the warehouse procuring supplies while I MARMC is busier than it has ever been with roughly two was continuing my education,” she said. “I was here about dozen availabilities this year. a year before I had the opportunity to go work at Com- “We have to continue to balance our workforce,” said mander, Naval Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC). I Holm. “Our workload is at the highest we’ve ever seen. We worked at CNRMC for two years in finance/business op- don’t want to burnout talent. We want equal contributions erations, but later got the opportunity to come back to and this gives us the ability to look at personnel tenure and MARMC and work in Code 300.” do the right thing for them.” She has been back with MARMC for two years now providing services for reimbursable work for Code 300 and focusing on budgeting. “I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with,” said Angel Auldridge, Resources Division Manager, Waterfront Operations. “She is very good at prioritizing and ensuring you get a high quality product. She is very professional and you know the support is always going to be there.” But Holm’s biggest command impact since her return to MARMC is the manning model. The model is a snapshot of personnel who support Contract Management Over- sight (CMO) on the ships allowing leaders and managers to adequately place resources where the workload is. The model scales down the broad aspect of MARMC and its more than 3,000 personnel giving leaders a clearer view of projects. “At CNRMC, I was heavily involved in the budgetary side and I found it was very difficult to ascertain requirements when you don’t have a construct of who you need, when you need them and how many,” said Holm. “When I got here, there was already a spreadsheet, but it was enor- mous and really complicated. Don Hawker, a functional analyst in MARMC Code 1170 and I looked at a more user- friendly platform like access so managers could add their input. “We wanted a tool that people could use quickly – eas- ily and it also provides some graphics. It shows CNO avail- abilities that have gaps identified. If we don’t have a project manager for an avail it shows a graphical depiction of that. It gives them a snapshot of their workload as we see it and a projection of work.” With the manning model, Holm is able to analyze data from availabilities for the next five years. She uses the
18 Holocaust Remembrance Day
By GSE3 Brittany Bolen, Public Affairs Assistant and Douglas Denzine, Public Affairs Specialist
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Special Emphasis Sub-Commit- tee hosted a Holocaust Remembrance Day event in Building LF- 18’s Command Break Room, April 24. The event included a video highlighting the story of Mary Bar- raco, a Holocaust survivor, as well as a discussion panel consisting of members of the United Jewish Foundation of Tidewater. The holocaust commission presents the stories of our local survivors because we are losing more survivors of the holocaust,” said Lynn Woods, who was part of the discussion panel. “These stories are being told – because how is the younger generation going to know these stories if we don’t tell them. We try to pre- serve them and do this type of presentation to keep their stories and memories alive.” MARMC has a tradition of hosting a Holocaust Remembrance Day each April as part of their monthly EEO recognition series, which highlights the diverse culture within MARMC’s workforce. “The reason I chose the presentation on Mary Barraco is be- cause, she was an American that got involved in the Holocaust, Roslyn Barney from the United Jewish Foundation of Tidewater which is what a lot of us don’t relate to naturally.” said EEO Special had plenty of suggestions on how to get started. Emphasis Sub-Committee Chair Sara Van Gorder. “She did some- “Listening to a presentation and reading about the holocaust is thing about the situation and I think a lot of us can find inspiration a great way to start,” said Barney. “We have a website called Holo- from her. She was 17 when she joined the Belgium Resistance; she caust Commission.org. Our films are online so anyone can watch may not have made any big changes, but she did things to help those videos of Holocaust survivors and of course there’s always save people.” the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C.” For those interested in learning more about the Holocaust, cyber threats Information submitted by David Hardemon, Command Information Systems Security Manager, Code 1100C
Many employees in the U.S. have little concern tential scenarios such as a government collapse or about their personal cybersecurity responsibilities, food poisoning and ranking it just three percentage according to a recent survey: points higher than alien invasion.” • 13 % of government employees believe they Cyberattacks at both commercial and govern- have complete personal responsibility for the mental levels are more of a threat than they’ve ever security of their work devices or information, been before – in 2016, the U.S. government spent • 48% said they had no responsibility at all, be- $28 billion on cybersecurity and it’s expected to in- lieving the securing of data to be squarely crease in 2018. Cybercrime damage is expected to the remit of Information Technology/cyber hit $6 trillion annually by 2021, with cybersecurity professionals. Roughly half of respondents spending to hit $1 trillion over the next four years. believed that being hacked was inevitable no We’re all, as individuals, organizations and as matter what protective measures they took, a country, facing constant security attacks from while 43% simply didn’t believe they could be trusted insiders, malicious cyber criminals or na- hacked. tion-state actors. Cybersecurity experts have re- peatedly stressed the urgency of keeping data Few people surveyed seemed to take seriously safe and adopting a culture of cybersecurity liter- the likelihood and frequency of cyber threats – one acy in the private sector and in government. Being in three employees believed they were more likely aware of evolving attack techniques and threats to be struck by lightning than have their work data like phishing links, man-in-the-middle attacks, ran- compromised. When looking at what government somware and using a number of different pass- employees feared most, the survey said, “Only 14% words that are changed frequently, just to name a report being afraid of someone infiltrating their or- few, are important steps to suppress the threat. ganization and stealing files, trailing far behind po-
19 Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 2018