January 23, 2015 * VOL. 72 - NO. 3- NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO " FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY. CUBA - PSC 1005 BOX 25 " FPO, AE 09593 - 011-5399-4090 Assistant Secretary of the Navy Tours NS Guantanamo Bay |Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations,and Environment Dennis McGinn cuts the ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new photovoltaicarray (PV) behind the Navy Exchange, Jan. 16. By MCC Keith Bryska Gazette Editor you get your energy and here at NS Guantanamo of the Navy for Energy, AssistantInstallations Secretary and Environment the Honorable Bay it relies on diesel power," said McGinn. "The Dennis McGinn conducted a site visit to Naval other part of it is something that we can all be part of Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Jan. 15-16. the solution of and that is helping lower the energy During his visit McGinn toured the power plant, demand." water desalinization plant and several other facilities McGinn believes that we can reduce the amount of on base while also looking at ways to improve the energy required on base without effecting the quality utilities on the island. of life or mission effectiveness. "We have a group of contractors coming in next "The best example is turning off your lights or week to take a look at the whole infrastructure of this other energy sources when they are not in use," said base and see it we can't put together a holistic systems McGinn. "We all need to be aware that there is a cost engineering approach to get better prices and more to energy and the more effective we are at conserving important better quality use out of our facilities," said it the better it will be for better a mission readiness." McGinn. McGinn was also on hand to cut the ribbon at McGinn said he was going to find the most the new photovoltaic array (PV) behind the Navy efficient way to provide utilities to the people of NS Exchange. The PV Array will produce more than Guantanamo Bay. 1,015,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year saving "The energy question has two big parts, one is how the Naval Station $508,000 annually. *Job/Department: Security -Age: 27 MA2 NICHOLAS LUDWIG .Hometown: Okarche, Oklahoma .Goal: All Navy Softball Team *Favorite Musician: Too Short .Favorite Movie: The Natural *Favorite Sports Team: The A-Team *Favorite Hobbies: Softball *Favorite Accomplishment: Still working on it. *Sailor of the Week Because: MA2 was selected SOW for his outstanding effort while he coordinated, dispatched and accounted for more than 100 volunteers during search efforts, stressing the importance of safety while searching on rough terrain especially during low-light conditions. MA2 took it upon himself to stay after his watch was over to ensure the relieving watch commander had full control then he physically assisted with the search efforts. V OL. 72 - N0.3 NAVAL STATION GUAN INMI BAY, CUA (1ux ,.~,\7V COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT. SCOTT GRAY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER KELLY WIRFEL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CMDR. AL ROSS GAZETTE EDITOR MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL 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 necessar- ily 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 670. January 22, 2015 - PAGE 3 Submarine Force Will Begin Integration of Enlisted Women Kevin Copeland Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs onboard female officer-integrated SSBNs and SSGNs in the integration of female officers Followingonboard submarines,the successful the Submarine Force will be U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. In 2016 we will integrate the immediately opening service on submarines for enlisted first two crews, the Blue and Gold crews of the guided-missile female Sailors. The Chief of Naval Operations detailed the submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727), and continue with enlisted women integration plan in Naval Administrative 12 additional crews roughly over a five-year period through (NAVADMIN) message 19/15 entitled, "Opening Submarine 2021. Phase Two will consist of integrating the crews of Force Billets to Enlisted Women." The plan was formally new construction Virginia-class SSNs. The plan minimizes approved in December 2014 for federal funding by Congress. operational impacts, and provides optimal flexibility, equity, With Congressional approval, Vice Adm. Michael Connor, and timeliness at reasonable cost. commander, Submarine Forces, can begin implementing the "In addition to new accessions into the submarine plan which was first submitted and approved by CNO, June community, our plan presents an opportunity for female 30, 2014, and Secretary of the Navy, July 1, 2014. The plan Sailors in selected ratings and from pay grades E-1 (seaman includes opening all submarine ratings and Navy enlisted recruit) to E-8 (senior chief petty officer) to convert into classification codes to enlisted women in Fiscal Year 2015 submarine force ratings. All prospective female enlisted for a two-phase integration onboard the Ohio-class ballistic- Sailors will be provided the same opportunity to succeed in missile submarines (SSBN) and Ohio-class guided-missile the submarine force as their male counterparts. "Supporting submarines (SSGN), and the Virginia-class attack submarines the integration of submarine crews will require modifications (SSN). of the SSBNs, SSGNs, and new construction Virginia-class "We are the most capable submarine force in the world," SSNs. These modifications will ensure conditions meet Navy said Connor. "While we have superb technology, the ultimate guidelines for habitability and privacy while maintaining key to our success is our people. In order to continue to equity for male and female Sailors embarked on submarines." improve and adapt in a rapidly changing world, we need Women volunteering to serve in non-nuclear enlisted to ensure that we continue to recruit and retain the most ratings will join the submarine force through both conversions talented Sailors. Today, many of the people who have the and new accessions pipelines. For new accessions that will technical and leadership skills to succeed in the Submarine require completion of Navy Training Command (boot camp) Force are women. We will need them. Integrating female in Great Lakes, Ill.; Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) officers into the submarine force has increased our talent pool in Groton, Conn.; rating "A" school at various sites; and then and subsequently the force's overall readiness, ensuring that assignment to the fleet. The only exceptions will be those we will remain the world's most capable force for ensuing females who elect to become culinary specialists (CS), logistics decades. Following our successful and smooth integration of specialists (LS), and yeoman (YN). They will complete their women officers into the Submarine Force, the Navy's plan to rating "A" school in Meridian, Miss., before entering BESS in integrate female enlisted is a natural next step." Groton. On July 28, 1994, Congress was notified of policy changes Women currently serving in the fleet who wish to convert to expand the number of assignments available to women in to a submarine rating must complete the two-month BESS. the Navy. The change was not considered by the submarine The prospective enlisted women volunteering to serve in force until then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates formally nuclear enlisted ratings will join the submarine force through presented a letter to congressional leaders on Feb. 19, 2010 the new accessions pipeline. This will require completion of notifying them of the Department of Navy's desire to reverse Navy Training Command (boot camp); Nuclear Field "A" current policy of prohibiting submarine service to women. School and Nuclear Power School at Navy Nuclear Power In addition to NAVADMIN 19/15, the CNO has also Training Command in Charleston; prototype training at release two messages outlining conversions to submarine Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in either Charleston or rating specialties - NAVADMIN 20/15 announces the Ballston Spa; and then assignment to the fleet. "FY16 Enlisted Women in Submarines Chief Petty Officer SSGNs provide the Navy with an unprecedented Conversion," and NAVADMIN 21/15 announces the "FY16 combination of strike and special operation mission capability Enlisted Women in Submarines E-6 and Below Rating within a stealthy, clandestine platform, while SSBNs are Conversion Process." specifically designed for extended strategic deterrent patrols. Rear Adm. Charles A. "Chas" Richard, commander, There are currently 14 SSBNs and four SSGNs in the Navy's Submarine Group 10 and leader Women in Submarine Task inventory, each with two crews assigned. Force, said the two-phase integration will begin in Fiscal Year There are currently 11 Virginia-class attack submarines in 2016. commission (as Nov. 24, 2014). These submarines have multi- "The Submarine Force's integration of female officers on faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility our submarines has been very successful," said Richard. "We and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, will mirror that successful pattern during the integration of disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic enlisted females which will be done in two phases. During operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, the initial phase we will select and train Sailors for service and ensure undersea superiority. NS Guantanamo Bay Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Story by MCC Keith Bryska Bay were able to create change." (NS) Guantanamo N communityaval Station members participated in Guest speaker Cmdr.