® Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family Vol. 18, No. 24, Norfolk, VA FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM June 17, 2010 SECNAV discusses future of alternative energy BY MC1 DOUG KIMSEY es in supporting the nation’s key Naval War College Public Affairs objectives. The two-day forum is hosted annually by SECNAV. NEWPORT, R.I. — The sec- “It’s a matter of making sure retary of the Navy (SECNAV) that when we need those ships at ay Mabus shared his vision of a sea, when we need those aircraft greener Navy and Marine Corps in the air, when we need the Ma- team, one that is more energy in- rines on the ground, we have the dependent, but still remaining energy produced right here in the greatest maritime force in the the United States to do that,” said world, during a keynote address Mabus. at the Naval War College’s 61st Mabus, a former governor of Current Strategy Forum in New- Mississippi, U.S. Ambassador to port, R.I., June 9. Saudi Arabia and surface warfare “It’s a matter of energy inde- offi cer, gave examples of efforts pendence, it’s a matter of our to become less dependent on for- security,” said Mabus of the need eign fossil fuels. for the Navy and Marine Corps “In April, we fl ew the Green to reduce dependence on foreign Hornet, an F-18 Hornet. The fossil fuels. Green Hornet, a regular off-the- Attended by more than 1,200 shelf F-18, supersonic, fl ew on a participants, the 2010 confer- mixture of regular gasoline and ence explored the theme of “The biofuel, biofuel made from came- Global System in Transition” lina,” said Mabus. by examining U.S. foreign poli- Camelina is a small mustard cy in the emerging global order, seed that has the potential to be Photo by MC2 Kevin S. O’Brien the strategic leadership opportu- grown in rotation with wheat in Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus delivers the keynote address during the 2010 Current Strategy nities for the United States and Forum at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. the role of the maritime servic- See ENERGY, A9 Saving Louisiana’s wildlife Photo by MC1 Chad J. McNeeley Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses graduates at the 2010 Pardee RAND Graduate School commencement ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 12. Pardee Rand provides graduate programs in public policy created to train future leaders in the public and private sectors in policy analysis. Photo by Coast Guard Petty Offi cer Caleb Critchfi eld Jaden M. Kifer, a trained bird rescue worker (L) holds an oiled pelican while Ricardo A. Fernandez (R) “It’s time to act” measures the bird’s body temperature, alertness and level of oiling at the Oiled Wildlife Triage center in Grand Isle, La., June 12. Workers bring oiled wildlife to the triage center for assessment and brief cleaning before they transport them to Fort Jackson, Fla., for in-depth cleaning, rehabilitation and release. Adm. Mullen talks partnerships, giving with post-grad students Service bonds mother with daughter BY LISA DANIEL American Forces Press Service changes of the future,” said STORY AND PHOTO BY MC3 DESIREE GREEN Now, after several homecomings that Cundiff Mullen. “Bold leadership certain- Amphibious Squadron Eight (CPR-8) Public Affairs attended for her mother, she is experiencing her WASHINGTON — “It’s time ly is in order. We need leaders fi rst deployment aboard USS Nassau (LHA 4), cur- to act,” the chairman of the Joint with strength of character, broad USS NASSAU — Growing up as a military brat, rently operating in the 5th Fleet area of operation. Chiefs of Staff told 41 people re- perspective and sharp insight.” Marine Cpl. Amanda Cundiff of the 24th Marine Coincidentally, Drouse is also deployed to the area ceiving post-graduate degrees Since its start, RAND has Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) Combat Logistics aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). in public policy during his com- driven technology and military Battalion looked up to her mother, Logistics Spe- “It’s hard with us both being deployed at the same mencement address at Pardee advancements with its research cialist 1st Class Penny Drouse. time,” said Drouse. “You can still keep in touch via RAND Graduate School in Santa and analysis, said Mullen. Now “I was so proud,” said Cundiff, “I talked about her E-mail, but you can’t call and talk to each other like Monica, Calif., June 12. 60 years later, the world is a dif- all the time. My friends would ask; ‘Your mom’s Noting that “there can’t possi- ferent place, “fl atter, faster and coming home next month, right?’ They all knew.” See DEPLOYMENT, A9 bly be any more school” for most inextricably interconnected,” and of the graduates – 28 of whom ob- where change has become the tained doctoral degrees – Navy norm, the admiral said. Adm. Mike Mullen encour- “Whatever happens in the fu- aged them to build relationships ture, we’re simply going to have and partnerships to turn their to be able to adjust,” said Mullen. academic achievements into real- “That’s why our strategies and world successes. policies should constantly strug- “It’s time to act. Continue to gle with each other.” broaden your partnerships, let Analysis must be timely, non- your studies evolve with soci- partisan, adaptive and objective, ety’s needs and always live up to said Mullen. “In order for your the greatest ideals of your pro- analysis to shape the world we’re fession,” said Mullen. “Then, and living in, you must be the an- only then, will you be relevant swer,” he said. But, “being the and truly be the answer.” answer is more than just having The graduation comprised “a the right answer. The most rigor- gathering of trail blazers and in- ous, well-reasoned, quantitative novators,” said Mullen. And, analysis in world will fail and fall when he thinks about those who on deaf ears if the analyst ignores make a real-world impact, Mullen relationships.” said RAND Corp. comes to mind. Policy analysts need to un- RAND – which stands for Re- derstand the world from others’ search and Development – is a perspectives, the chairman said. Marine Cpl. Amanda Cundiff of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) Combat Logistics Battalion holds nonprofi t think-tank. “No E-mail, no phone call, no a picture of her mother, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Penny Drouse. Drouse is currently aboard USS Dwight “The education you earned D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), which is at sea in the same region as Nassau. here positioned you to lead the See CHALLENGES, A9 INSIDE: NATURE CONSERVATION A8 FRONT AND CENTER B1 OFF DUTY C1 Where eagles soar Naval Station Norfolk’s Hampton Roads Indian Head, Md. plays green roof project turns up the heat part in the salvation of one The Navy Legal Service build- Check out the major concert of America’s most precious ing is the first in this bio-friendly line-ups for the summer. resources, the Bald Eagle. project. Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is: Rear Adm. Mark S. Boensel The Flagship® is produced by Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic staff. The editorial content of this newspaper and any supplement is prepared, edited and provided by the public affairs offi ce of Commander Navy Region Mid- Atlantic. Regional program manager for Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is Public Affairs Director Beth Baker Well under way, Offi cial says Editorial Staff Managing Editor BY DONNA MILES their GS pay level. Micheal Mink American Forces Press Service The military services and De- Deputy Managing Editor fense Department components have MC1 (AW) Tim Comerford WASHINGTON — The transition launched information and education Editorial Assistant of Defense Department civilian em- campaigns to ensure their workers un- MC3 Samantha L. Rivero ployees from the National Security derstand how the NSPS transition will Graphic Designer Personnel System (NSPS) is proceed- affect them, James told the committee. David Todd ing, with 75 percent of the workforce In addition, the NSPS website is up- Off Duty Editor / Designer expected to be transferred into dated regularly to provide employees Tim Rafalski the General Schedule (GS) clas- the most up-to-date reference mate- The Flagship® is an authorized sification and pay system by late rials and training modules on the GS publication for members of the military September, the defense official over- system and performance management services and their families. Its contents do not necessarily refl ect the offi cial views of seeing the effort told Congress, June basics. the U.S. government, the Department of 9. James noted the challenges asso- Defense, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement More than 53,000 defense civilian ciated with transferring employees thereof. employees who had been enrolled between two fundamentally different The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts in the NSPS system have been shift- classification and pay systems. or supplements, does not constitute ed to the GS system, John H. James, NSPS is based on broad pay bands endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy or Marine Corps, Jr., Director of the Pentagon’s NSPS that encompass a broad range of du- Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Transition Office, told a subcommittee ties and responsibilities and allows Flagship, Inc. of the products and services advertised. of the Senate Homeland Security and employees to advance within a single Everything advertised in The Flagship® Governmental Affairs Committee. pay band based on performance. In shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, About 170,000 remaining NSPS em- contrast, the GS system tightly defines color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ployees will transition to the GS or duties and responsibilities in discrete marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation or any other nonmerit factor of the other pay and personnel systems by pay grades based on a position’s diffi- purchaser, user or patron.