December 2009 NOVEMBER 2009 • ALL HANDS 1 Robert Bowker welds the initials of Susan Ford Bales into the keel of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during a keel laying and authentication ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va. Photo by MC2 Kevin S. O’Brien [On the Front Cover] MM3 Anthony Roman inspects a torpedo tube [Departments] aboard USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730). [Number 1113] Photo by MC2 Gretchen Albercht Around the Fleet — 6 [Next Month] This Just In — 32 Look for the 16th edition of the January Owners’ Something to Think About — 36 and Operators’ Manual. Focus on Service — 38 18 SSBN: 50 Years of History— 40 Strength Through Deterrence Fleet ballistic missile submarines have been patrolling December the world’s oceans for 50 years. Submarine size and capabilities may have changed through the years, but the Sailors who call a 560-foot submarine “home” have stayed as vigilant and ready as ever to 12 Around the Horn prevent war. Building Hope The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 have been involved in a vast number of humanitarian missions throughout Africa to help strengthen the bonds between the Joint Task Force currently serving in the Horn of Africa and the people located in and around their area of responsibility. Photo by MC2 Erick S. Holmes 26 A Career of Service: An Inside Look at the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus took the oath as the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, May 19, 2009. This is a presidential appointment he doesn’t take lightly, and a job that consists of so much more than just being in a Pentagon office. His No. 1 priority is people and making sure that the Navy has everything it needs to continue to be the best Navy and Marine Corps in the world. Photo by MC2 Kevin S. O’Brien 1 Speaking with Sailors Number 1113 • December 2009 www.navy.mil Fleet Master Chief, Navy Total Force/MPT&E FLTCM(SW/AW/SCW) Scott A. Benning Secretary of the Navy The Honorable Ray Mabus Chief of Naval Operations Shipmates, Adm. Gary Roughead Chief of Information “Family First” is a term I use with our Sailors and have practiced throughout Rear Adm. Dennis Moynihan my naval career. For me, it’s not just my family’s love, but their support which Director Defense Media Activity-Anacostia allows me to serve, excel and has laid the foundation for all of our successes. Capt. David E. Werner Chief of Production Valuing our families can build relationships services that our great Navy offers in support Richard D. Welsh with spouses and children, enabling personal and of you and your family. Child care, youth Chief of Publishing professional development. To give you a glimpse development programs, medical and dental, sports Lt. Cmdr. Ligia I. Cohen into the positive impact the Navy has had on my and fitness, family counseling, family housing, Deputy Chief of Publishing family: my oldest son is now Fleet and Family Support Lt. j.g. Reagan Balsamo a FITBOSS, his crew’s fitness Centers, Navy Exchanges, consultant, and my youngest commissaries, legal son is a Navy ROTC student. assistance and web-based E di T O R ia L It isn’t the naval career so tools; all ensure our families Editor much as the drive, focus and stay informed, stay healthy Marie G. Johnston responsibility that comes and stay connected. Assistant Editor/LCPO with such a path that is most Our ombudsman MCCS(AW/SW) Ernest W. Frazier rewarding to my family. volunteers are the anchors Photo Editor I encourage each of you to to family readiness and our MC1(AW) R. Jason Brunson acknowledge and return the MC1 by Photo Navy Career Counselors Editorial Staff support your family gives you continue to support you MC2(SW) William Blake by becoming smart on Navy’s through career development MC2 Shannon Renfroe MC2(SW) Elizabeth Vlahos R family programs and support Brunson Jason . boards. They are part of MC2(AW) Jonathan W. Hutto Sr. services. But don’t stop there; our focus on ‘Brilliant on MC2(SW/AW) Jhi Scott go home and tell your wife, the Basics’ and ensure our MC2(SCW) Brian Coverley your husband and your families know how to access children about the programs the Navy’s robust benefits. and benefits they can take part Throughout my career, A RT D I R EC T IO N in. Connect them with the resources they need my family has considered these services while William T. Spencer to excel, whether you are stationed stateside or making career decisions. As you make your career overseas. decisions, consider your options and how they L AYOU T & D esi G N My family has tapped into several resources enable you and your family to succeed. William T. Spencer as we faced many deployments and challenging After 26 years of service, I can confidently MC1 (AW) R. Jason Brunson MC2 (SW/AW) Jhi L. Scott assignments together. The list of available options say, the Navy has retained more than just this continues to grow. New this year, the Post-9/11 Sailor; the Navy retained my family. In many G.I. Bill offers the transfer of education benefits cases, family is the constant throughout a naval All Hands (USPS 372-970; ISSN 0002-5577) Number to family members, as long as Sailors correctly career. From boot camp to master chief, my wife’s 1113 is published monthly by the Defense Media Activity – Anacostia, Production Department, 2713 document dependents and apply while on active support has been key to my success. Mitscher Rd. S.W., Anacostia Annex, D.C. 20373-5819. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at duty. I would like to thank all of our families for their additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: For sale by In addition, new DoD hiring practices allow sacrifice, love and support which ensures our Navy the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or call 202/512- our spouses faster access to federal employment continues to excel. People — you and your family 1800. Subscription prices $45 (domestic)/$54 (for- eign); $7.50 (single copy domestic)/$9 (single copy opportunities worldwide. — are the Navy’s most valuable resource and our foreign). Postmaster: Send address changes to All Hands, Defense Media Activity - Anacostia Production Lastly, Congress approved the Military Spouse leadership supports your growth and success. Department, 2713 Mitscher Rd., S.W., Anacostia Annex, D.C. 20373-5819 Editorial Offices: Send submissions and Residency Relief Act, allowing military spouses to correspondence to Defense Media Activity – Anacostia Production Department, ATTN: Editor, 2713 Mitscher claim the same state of residence as their spouse Rd., S.W., Anacostia Annex, D.C. 20373-5819 Tel: DSN 288-4171 or 202/433-4171 Fax: DSN 288-4747 or when they move under orders, providing possible 202/433-4747 E-Mail: [email protected] Message: NAVMEDIACEN WASHINGTON DC //32// Authorization: voting and state tax benefits. The Secretary of the Navy has determined this publication is necessary in the transaction of business Shipmates, don’t just take my word for it, step required by law of the Department of the Navy. Funds for printing this publication have been approved by the Navy back and take a look at the many benefits and Publications and Printing Committee. 4 ALL HANDS • www.navy.mil Around the Fleet Don't Miss Out on Navy Earns Diversity Award, CNP for approval. Sailors not 2008, with no buy-in costs. This of this relatively new education selected for continuation were Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit can now be transferred benefit option. This is below the Tops Leading Companies personally notified prior to Benefits to family members shown estimated 15,000 the Navy GI the results posting in BUPERS Transferability in the Defense Enrollment Bill office expected. avy Region Southwest was awarded the Online. Candidates can check Eligibility Reporting System. "I have a nineteen-year-old President's Award for Diversity in the large their status at https://www.bol. According to an online poll The first thing Sailors currently attending Mississippi navy.mil. conducted by Navy Personnel can do is read NAVADMIN State University," said Vicky business category from the Urban League "The purpose of this board Command, Sailors still don't 203/09, which provides the Gallagher, a Navy Reservist. N was to continue to improve quite understand how the requirements for transferring "It's an out-of-state college, of San Diego during a recent awards luncheon. iffini Vanderwyst iffini the effectiveness of the force Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. and it's expensive to pay that The award honored businesses for maximizing T by identifying and continuing option works. "Normally an enlisted bill as a single parent on one our most fully qualified Sixty-two percent of Sailors member needs to check with income. With tuition, books opportunities for minorities in San Diego County. enlisted leaders. I appreciate who responded thought they their career counselor because and housing, I'm saving nearly Photo by MC1 MC1 by Photo the leadership of the CPO could wait until after retirement there will be an obligation $12,000 annually. This money is Several large businesses were Navy Region Southwest, in Rear Adm. Patrick McGrath (center left), and Capt. Ken Barrett, Chief of mess in this process," Ferguson to transfer benefits to their required," said Wardlaw. going to help me quite a bit." also nominated for the award, a position he says gives him Naval Personnel Diversity Directorate, accept a President's Award for commented.