JUNE 1, 2012 • VOL. 69 • NO. 20 • NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090 Memorial Day Remembrance Service Held At GTMO NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Commanding Officer Capt. Kirk Hibbert and Executive Officer Cdr. William Rabchenia salute the National Ensign during the Memorial Day rememberance service May 28. Held at Cuzco Wells cemetery, the service honored American service members and their sacrifices while serving their country. - U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Marvin Thompson MC2(SW/AW) Justin Ailes NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba commanding Cuzco Wells Cemetery is located on Gazette Editor officer, and a three-gun volley salute from the site of the Battle of Cuzco Wells where esidents at Naval Station (NS) Marine Corps Security Force Company the Spanish Army was driven from what is RGuantanamo Bay, Cuba attended (MCSFCO) Marines. now the naval station during the Spanish- a Memorial Day remembrance service at “Memorial Day is a day of recognition American War of 1898. This event marked Cuzco Wells Cemetery, May 28. where we honor the sacrifice of all those the one time out of the year where the The service was held to honor American who died in service to our nation and cemetery is open to the general public. service members and their sacrifices while whom we continue to remember in our “We often hear that freedom has a price serving their country. hearts,” said Capt. Hibbert. “We also pray and that each generation pays its dues,” GTMO’s Memorial Day service began for their families, friends and fellow service said Hibbert. “Today we acknowledge a with the observance of morning colors men and women, and we mark this day bill paid and say thank you to those who and the placing of a wreath at the base with a solemn note as we grieve the loss of for generations, have in the words of one of the national ensign. The service also our beloved comrades in arms, while also Soldier poet wrote…‘taste death in youth, included remarks from Capt. Kirk Hibbert, celebrating their legacy.” that liberty might grow old.’” PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE Congratulations GTMO Petty Officer Selectees MC2 Oliver Cole MA3 Johnny Hoyos MA1 Francis Carmon HM1 Orlando Atencia LS3 Louis Delk MA3 Franko Hunter MA3 Ike Lee Benette Go HM3 Milton Curry LS3 Dominique Williams MA3 Smantha Jackson MA2 Jordan Jenkins HM2 Renita Flakes LN1 Miranda Fuller MA2 Benjamin Jaster MA3 Thomas Justice HM3 Grayson Johnson HM3 Antonio Blackmon MA3 Christopher Marlink MA3 Matthew Lambert HM3 Shevonne Marcelle PS3 Keyerro Parnell MA3 Molly Meehan MA3 Kayla Makousky HM2 Miguel Mejiacontreras MA2 George Aguirre YN3 Austin Millard MA3 Chad Perez HM3 Innocent Ntamag MA2 Peter Biloschaetzke MA3 Justin Pickens MA2 Jacob Widener HM3 Chase Permenter MA3 Andrew Black MA3 Blake Pinto YN3 Ian Browder HM3 Gregory Sanders MA3 Sean Blacklidge MA3 Matthew Prim MA3 Benjamin Hoffman HM3 Timothy Sena MA2 Aaron Cooper MA3 William Sickler RP1 Sandra Hosier HM3 Chase Sims MA2 Thomas Croad MA3 Charles Sion YN2 Ricardo Ledesma CS1 Jonathan Trotman MA3 Colby Davis MA2 Aaron Stehle QM2 John Null HM2 Louvel Velicaria MA3 Chad Deem MA2 Erica Williams CS2 Anicesha Rogers HM2 Melody Warren MA2 Jessica Freeman MA2 Michael Zilavetz GM1 Homer Small HM3 Fengyuan Yu MA2 Louis Gonzalez MA2 Jesse Beltran YN3 Matthew Winney HM3 Jasheem Mcrae MA1 Stanislaw Gromadzki MA2 Zackary Bull MA3 Stepahnie Broussard MA3 Matthew Angelow required to fill those vacancies. opportunity and only one rating (at Petty Officers “As part of the 21st Century only the E6 level) saw zero opportunity Sailor and Marine initiative focus on this cycle. However, officials point out, readiness, our goal is to provide the future advancement opportunity may See Advancement Fleet with the right Sailor with the not be as high as this cycle; but will right skills and the right experience move closer to historic advancement Improvement level to maximize Navy’s readiness,” levels. Chief of Naval Personnel said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director Navy’s continued efforts to provide Public Affairs of Military Personnel Plans and Policy. a balanced force are proving successful, Sailors taking the E4 test saw their officials said. As the force becomes ore than 29,000 Sailors are advancement opportunity increase more balanced, future advancement M on their way to advancement from 30.97 percent to 45.83 percent opportunity will become more stable to E4, E5 and E6 with the release of while E5 advancement opportunity offering more consistent promotion the Petty Officer list May 25. increased from 20.68 percent to 30.94 opportunity to Sailors over the long Navy leaders opened advancement percent. Those taking the E6 test term. opportunity to higher levels this cycle saw opportunity increase from 10.75 Advancement results are posted on the to fill Fleet vacancies with Sailors percent to 16.18 percent. Navy Personnel Command’s Bupers On- possessing the skills and experience No ratings had zero back to back Line Web page at www.npc.navy.mil. Base residents compete in MWR’s Memorial Day 10k run at NS Guantanamo Bay’s “Christmas Tree Hill,” May 26. The event was held to offer the community an opportunity to honor service members while participating in a fitness challenge. Prizes were awarded to the first and second place finishers in each age category. VOL. 69 • NO. 20 NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT. KIRK HIBBERT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER TERENCE R. PECK EXECUTIVE OFFICER CMDR. WILLIAM RABCHENIA GAZETTE EDITOR MC2(SW/AW) JUSTIN AILES COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (SW/AW/EXW) J.D. MCKINNEY, III PHOTOJOURNALIST MC2(SW/AW) JUSTIN AILES The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 1,000. JUNE 1, 2012• PAGE 3 Disabled Veterans Dive Guantanamo Bay’s Waters MC2(SW/AW) Justin Ailes wounded warriors in obtaining their dive qualifications. Gazette Editor “This is the eighth trip SUDS have made to Guantanamo eef Raiders Dive Club at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay,” said Eric Reese, Reef Raiders Dive Club President. “There RBay, Cuba hosted seven Soldiers Undertaking Disabled is a large diving community on base that is willing to assist with Scuba (SUDS) veterans, May 24-28. this rewarding program. If you talk to SUDS veterans who have Located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center been here before, they’ll agree GTMO is really the crown jewel (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD, the SUDS program is designed of the SUDS diving experience. From the time these warriors to help improve the lives of injured service members by training show up to the time they leave, they are completely taken care them in a challenging activity while facilitating the rehabilitation of.” process and promoting mobility. The SUDS members attended two days of open water training “The SUDS program is the best program I’ve been involved to receive dive certifications, before participating in un-assisted in during my time at Walter Reed,” said disabled veteran Army dives in Guantanamo Bay’s numerous “dive spot” locations. Sgt. Preston Kaplan. “Everyone in the community has been “After being here, SUDS veterans get a sense and understanding overwhelmingly supportive, and being in Guantanamo Bay that they don’t have to drastically change their lives because of has provided a very welcoming feeling and a sense of pride and their injuries,” said Reese. “It’s great for them to get out and be accomplishment.” a part of communities like ours that are so strong and interested Numerous sponsors and volunteers including NS in helping other military members. Qualifying these guys as Guantanamo Bay’s Joint Task Force (JTF), Port Operations divers and being a part of this rewarding experience is worth department, Dive Locker, and American Red Cross assisted the every bit of our time and efforts.” Volunteers assist a disabled veteran during an open water dive at NS Guantanamo Bay’s Cable beach, May 28. In coordination with Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo Bay, the installation’s Reef Raiders Dive Club hosted seven Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS) veterans to train and achieve diving certifications. This visit marked the eighth time SUDS has toured Guantanamo Bay. Chaplain’s Corner stay busy and to prepare always for the future. The ant is continually Consider the Ant busy gathering and storing up food. The ant doesn’t wait for the Chaplain Larry Jones order to work, but takes the initiative in case there is unforeseeable Guantanamo Bay Deputy Chaplain circumstances preventing the work from being done. f we took a survey to see how many We all have novel ideas and plans for our lives. Maybe we are Ipeople have had encounters with ants, waiting for someone to tell us to begin the process. Let us consider the I’m sure the numbers would be high. Growing up in South Georgia, to ways of the ant; however, and become wise by taking the initiative to see ants or to be bitten by an ant is very common. On a nice summer plan and implement our futures. For some that could possibly mean day, they can surely be a nuisance to a wonderfully planned picnic.