Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 1Page

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has resumed serving food aboard in the ship’s galleys, which has a major effect on Sailors. As of Nov. 1, meal deductions for those attached to Nimitz will resume, effectively reducing Sailors income by up to $300 a month. “One of the first misunderstandings is that

BAS (Basic Allowance for Sustenance) never stops,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Dan Martinez, Personnel Divisions customer service supervisor. “BAS is always going to be in your Leave and Earnings Statement from the day you join the Navy until the day you getout. It’s going to be there on

your entitlements side.” The current rate for daily meal deduction aboard Nimitz is $9.25 a day, which amounts to $1.95 for breakfast, $3.65 for lunch, and $3.65 for dinner for community rations.

“The deduction didn’t start until Nov. 1, so you won’t see that change until Nov. 15th,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Pedro Gutierrez, Nimitz’ Personnel division leading petty officer. “It’s going to be about $140 a paycheck.”

The meal deduction is unavoidable and not optional, said Martinez.

“Unless you are an individual augmentee or are temporarily assigned duty off the ship, you are getting a meal deduction. There is no choice,” said Martinez.

Before, Sailors couldn’t eat if they didn’t have the money to pay for a meal. Sailors are now guaranteed three meals a day, explained Gutierrez.

What happens if Nov. 15, arrives and a Sailor finds they are still not being deducted for their meals?

Sailors are required to go down to personnel and report the error. Otherwise, it’s an overpayment, which will be deducted from the Sailor’s account anyway and could prove to be inconvenient, said Martinez. “Sailors should plan accordingly,” said Gutierrez.

November 03, 2011 Vol. 36, No. 43

Nimitz FRG will be holding a meeting tomorrow night at the Jackson Park Community Center at 6:15 p.m.

A presentation aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on Oct. 27, offers Sailors leaving the military a chance at a rewarding profession: teaching.

Troops to Teachers is a program that helps servicemembers from all branches of the military make the transition from military life to civilian if the servicemembers goal is to become a teacher.

Every state has a Troops to Teachers representative. Each is in charge of helping servicemembers sure that they have the proper prerequisites to teach in a given state.

“The program focuses on making sure that servicemembers meet the requirements for being a teacher in a given state,” said Army Capt. (Ret.) Tim Bombke, a participant of the program and now a state representative. “Every state has different requirements for their teachers.”

Another of the representative’s jobs is to help market the servicemembers to schools and doing their best to help them find a position with

Separating?Options existStory and photo by MCSA Derek Volland

Story and photo by MC3 (SW) Nichelle Whitfield

Sailors' paychecks affected due to meal deduction

Culinary Specialists attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) serve food to crewmembers during lunch.

See "TEACH" on Page 12

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News2Page

Public Affairs Officer LTJG Jason ScarboroughMedia LCPOMCCM Jon McMillanMedia Production ChiefMCC Mike JonesEditorMC3 Matthew PattonLead DesignerMCSN Jacob Milner

Media DeptMC2 James MitchellMC2 Vladimir PotapenkoMC2 Amara TimberlakeMC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 Ashley Berumen MC3 Ian CotterMC3 Shayne JohnsonMC3 Mark SashegyiMC3 Glenn SlaughterMC3 Thomas SiniffMC3 Nichelle WhitfieldMC3 Devin WrayMCSN Andrew JandikMCSN Jacob MilnerMCSN Alexander Ventura IIMCSN Renee CandelarioMCSA Jess LewisMCSA Derek Volland

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. Submissions are subject to review and screening.

“Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

Commanding OfficerCAPT Paul MongerExecutive OfficerCAPT Buzz DonnellyCommand Master ChiefCMDCM William Lloyd-Owen

Airman Jake Newlin and Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Apprentice Audrie Dunn from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participate in a base-wide clean up at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton October 28.

Nimitz Sailors assist in base-wide cleanupPhoto by MCSA Jess Lewis

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is currently conducting phase two of Crew Certification (Crew Cert) with phase three scheduled to begin December 5. All Sailors are required to take a Level of Knowledge exam consisting of a basic first-aid and damage control exam, as well as a rate specific exam.

Sailors have until the end of November to complete these exams with a score of at least 70 percent.

“Exams have been open for about a month now,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Webster, training officer. “However, we have been pushing Sailors to take these exams for the past week.”

Lt. Cmdr. James Morris, ship’s nurse, says that Crew Cert ensures the entire crew on Nimitz is able to perform their duties competently and effectively while underway.

“Approximately 990 Sailors have completed the first aid portion of the test, and 880 have completed the damage control portion of the test,” said Webster. So far, Sailors have attained a score of about 88

percent for the first aid exam, and roughly 82 percent for the damage control exam, said Morris.

“After Crew Cert II is completed, Crew Cert III begins,” said Morris. “During Crew Cert III, Afloat Training Group (ATG) supervised by Strike Group evaluates Sailors during drills such as sea and anchor detail, man overboard drills, low visibility detail, collision drills, fire and smoke clearing drills, and flooding drills,” said Morris.

ATG goes through an underway check-off list to ensure the ship is operable, watchstanders are competent and our crew is able to effectively execute our mission, said Morris.

“Crew Cert II is one of the things required to move on to Crew Cert III,” said Webster. “It is crucial we prove ourselves in Crew Cert II and are ready for Crew Cert III and are able and ready to go underway.”

The Level of Knowledge exams as well as study material and practice exams are located on the ship’s intranet.

Story by MC3 Shayne Johnson

Sailors aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) busy with crew certifications for ship readiness

Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 3Page

NIMITZ

2011

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Combat Systems department is currently undergoing a two-week readiness inspection under Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s code 290 shop.

The review, titled Combat systems, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Readiness Assessment, or C5RA for short, is an in-depth look at any equipment that combat systems owns that wasn’t installed or inspected during Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

“There are 45 civilian and military systems experts onboard working with Combat Systems to assess readiness,” said Lt. Marc Schuh, Nimitz’ Combat Systems Maintenance Officer. “This is an extremely thorough review. They look at each piece of equipment down to the washer for any discrepancies.”

Ninety-six systems, comprised of over 3,000 pieces of equipment, will be reviewed during C5RA.

“After 10 months in the yards, lots of modernization occurs,” said Brian O’Kelly, assessment director. “Everything else has just been sitting around the whole time. That’s what was our concern.”

In preparation for the readiness assessment, Combat Systems department prepared for the past three weeks.

“Words cannot express how well they prepared for this review,” said O’Kelly. “We’re bringing experts from all over the world for this review and the prep work they’ve done allowed us to begin without delay. They’ve set a new baseline for West Coast carriers.”

The review entails turning on each piece of equipment and establishing if it’s mission capable. If it’s not the assessment team has a budget of $500,000 to get the parts they need to fix it and return the equipment to its proper state.

“Experts involved with the equipment are there with us so we can test each system and establish what works and what doesn’t,” said Schuh. “This allows for invaluable one-on-one time between our maintenance personnel and the people who know the machines best.”

Interior Communications Electrician 3rd class Kurt Magnusson says he appreciates the C5RA.

“Today, as part of the inspection, they had us perform an open inspection on the TV DTS antenna,” he said. “This shed light on potential corrosion and they’re providing the backing and expertise to get it fixed correctly and quickly.”

The readiness assessment is part of Nimitz’ ongoing major upgrades to its combat, self-defense, navigation, potable water systems and other components.

Story by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

Combat Systems begins C5RA, first major inspection

For more information contact your department CFC represenative or visit www.opm.gov/cfc

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News4Page

Support our Nimitz T.N.T. team as they host

T h e h a r l e m ambassadorsT h e h a r l e m ambaSSadorS

Tonight, 7:00 pm in the PSNS Old Gymnasium

Capt. Paul Monger, commanding officer of USS Nimitz(CVN 68), John Wilder Nimitz Association secretary treasurer, Rear Admiral Gaskill, Rear Admiral Compton, Rear Admiral Batzler pose for a picture at a Nimitz Association Banquet .

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Association meets for banquet

Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 5Page

The A-Gang aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has been working diligently to keep the ship habitable for Sailors who are coming back on board. Sailors from the steam and heat work center, air conditioning and refrigeration, as well as assistance from electrician’s mates are making sure there is hot water and warm air for crewmembers.

Since Oct. 13, they have been aligning service steam to coils in water heaters and ventilation systems in order to have warm air and water for berthings, heads, washers, dryers, dishwashers and several other utilities.

“Currently, we have successfully aligned 28 of 35 water heaters on board the ship,” said Chief Warrant Officer Alfonso Bituin, auxiliary technical assistant.

This process is a twenty-four hour a day job, said Bituin. There are only few people on A-Gang, so working around different schedules such as watches, makes this evolution difficult.

“It’s not just aligning the steam into the water heaters,” said Bituin. “If steam leaks or water leaks, A-Gang fixes it. A lot of safety goes into aligning steam to these vital systems. Steam can kill.” Water is put into the water heaters, and air into the ventilation

systems. Coils inside each system are heated by steam to a specific temperature, making warm water or heated air.

“The A-Gang makes sure the right temperature steam makes the correct temperature of water,” said Bituin. “We don’t want it too cold or scolding hot, so it has to be precise.”

If nothing is wrong with the system, it takes about an hour to align the steam, said Bituin.

“Every space where steam goes is checked by our A-Gang,” said Bituin. “We keep a water heater log. If there is anything wrong with the space, it is checked and fixed.”

Along with making the ship livable for crewmembers onboard, A-Gang also works on aircraft elevators, catapults, refrigerators for storing food, air-conditioning and the steering of the ship itself, said Bituin.

“We completely shut everything down for the duration of the availability,” said Bituin. “A lot of work and time has to go into making sure there are no leaks in our systems and the ship is habitable and comfortable for the crew.”

The next goal for the A-Gang is aligning the service steam to washers and dryers so Sailors on board will be able to do laundry, one of many comforts made possible by the A-Gang.

Story by MC3 Shayne Johnson

A-Gang providing Sailors more than just steam

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) enjoy the first meal served out of the newly reopened mess decks. The mess decks have undergone extensive renovations as part of Nimitz’ Docking Planned Incremental Availability.

Mess decks reopen aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)Photo by MCSA Derek Volland

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News6Page

I was wrong. Walking into the Seattle Asian Art museum with a bias

against the institutional rejection of photography as exhibition worthy, I was expecting to only be half impressed with what I found.

Though filled with impressive works, the beauty of the museum begins before you even walk through the front door. Despite its rather imposing and impressive size, the rustic concrete and aged glass gives the SAAM a more comfortable feel than other art museums I have visited.

Once inside, the appeal of the museum exploded while exhibiting the contemporary style of classical Asian pieces.

I’ve never seen more variety. They had sculptures, clothes, decorative bowls, furniture, wood-press art and paintings on scrolls all ranging from 18th century stylings to modern artists. My favorite was a 1929 painting of polychrome on woodblock print by Yoshida Hiroshi entitled Hirakawa Bridge. The sculptures in the Richard E. Fuller main gallery should not go without mention. The depth and detail that they have is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Also included in the museum was a children’s room called “Family Education Gallery” which

WestFinding

EastLooking

Story and photo by MC3 (SW) Robert Winn

The Seattle Asian Art Museum located in the center of Seattle’s Volunteer park.

Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 7Page

included youth oriented information about Asian culture and an area to practice making origami.

There’s more to the museum experience than the art inside. The museum is nestled in the expansive Volunteer Park which includes grounds, a conservatory and the museum. The park would make for a great place to sit and relax in a quiet setting or maybe even enjoy a picnic with scenic surroundings. The grounds between the parking area and the museum features a plethora of tree species; among them I saw a scene of a man playing catch with his son and their dog that looked as if it came straight out of a tacky yogurt commercial. I continued on and

the trees opened up to reveal a large reservoir with a scenic look-out over downtown Seattle including the most compelling view of the space needle I’ve seen yet, with the museum overlooking both.

The SAAM has left a huge impact on my preconceived notions about museums. With its free parking, $5 admission (with military ID), and a short drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown life, I would recommend the Seattle Asian Art Museum to anyone looking to spend a few hours on the far side of the sound.

The SAAM occasionally displays art reflecting reality.

The 1929 painting of polychrome on woodblock print by Yoshida Hiroshi entitled Hirakawa Bridge is on display.

A dragon sculpture sits on display in the west end of the gallery.

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News8Page

Close GameStory and photos by MC3 Ian Cotter

Nimitz’ basketball team T.N.T. gets pumped before playing the Port Orchard City Basketball League championship game.

Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 9Page

The team has a strong future. We're well known in Kitsap County.

--Chief Culinary Specialist Sherwin Penaranda" "

The harsh fluorescent light drowned the basketball gym at Olympic Fitness in Port Orchard in tints of red and orange as fans of USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) team T.N.T. took their seats on the sidelines.Soon, the Nimitz players as well as players from the opposing Port Orchard-based civilian team made their way to the court and began to warm up. It was the league championship game, and T.N.T’s fuse was already lit.

Benched members of T.N.T. look on as the game progresses in the first quarter.

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News10Page“It felt good knowing we were either going to be

first or second in the league,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Sherwin Penaranda, T.N.T’s coach. “The team played pretty good this season, and only four out of eight teams made it to the playoffs.”

The drone of the buzzer before the jump ball started the game. Nimitz quickly gained control of the ball and maintained an offensive upper hand throughout the first half. The opposing team didn’t let Nimitz get too far in the lead. With a strong defense, they held Nimitz within two to four points of them. Each time Nimitz scored the opponent answered. With each pass the game became more intense.

“I was really confident in them because they still had their youth,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Johnny Lee Spencer, a loyal T.N.T. fan. He was one of the many cheering fans on the sidelines motivating the Nimitz team to push harder and yelling out against calls they thought were unfair. “I had a lot of fun,” he said. “I know every player on the team on a personal level and I never know what to expect when they play.”

By halftime, Nimitz led by a score of 16-14. During the halftime break, Penaranda pulled the team in close and re-evaluated how they were going to play the second half. “The break before the second half gave us time to regroup and see what needed to be fixed and improved,” he said. “We needed to play smarter and harder.”

The second half of the game took off much like the first. Nimitz maintained a steady lead over the opposition and methodically made their way up the point scale. Gameplay was much like a copy of the first half, but slowly the other team crawled their way closer and closer to overtaking Nimitz.

Two minutes remained and the score was tied at 33. The tension in the air felt electrically charged, like the buzz in the air before a thunderstorm.

“It was crunch time,” said Spencer. “It was either us or them, and the last few minutes of the game were going to determine who was going to be the bigger team and come out as the league champions.”

Nimitz pushed hard, but the opposition finally took a firm grasp on the court and pulled ahead by two points. T.N.T. wouldn’t stand for that and their offense rushed past the opposing defense

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Wiky Damont prepares to make a penalty shot.

Nov. 3, 2011 Nimitz News 11Page

and scored another two points. With only 20 seconds left, the game was tied once again.

In a last-ditch effort, the opposing team made a rush for a shot and scored. They were up by two points and within seconds they scored again. T.N.T. wasn’t able to keep up and lost 35-39.

“We lost the championship by a very small margin,” said Penaranda. “The team learned some lessons in teamwork and the value of taking your time. When you rush, you can’t plan your next play, so you make a lot of errors. When we get past these kinks, we’ll dominate the next league.”

Today, Nimitz’ T.N.T. will host the Harlem Ambassadors at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Gym, and on Monday, T.N.T. enters the Bremerton Parks and Recreation League facing off against the Wildcats, a mix of students from Olympic and Bremerton community colleges.

The opposing team member tries to block T.N.T. from making a comeback in the last two minutes of the game.

T.N.T’s defense prevents the opposition from scoring on a jump shot.

Nov. 3, 2011Nimitz News12Page

Sailors attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) trek down the pier with seabags and make their way back to the ship as part of the rehabitability phase of Nimitz’ Docking and Planned Intermediate Availability. Nimitz is currently in the final stages of DPIA operations and is making preparations to reach full operational standards.

Sailors move back aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)Photo by MC3 (SW) Nichelle Whitfield

subjects that are most needed. Those subjects include science, math, and special education.

“Aside from the fact that the military gives you a good experience base for handling a class room, students respond better to former military in my experience,” said Bombke. “They see us as actually having been there and done that, rather than this is kind of what the world’s like. They see us as the ones who really know what we’re talking about.”

For the purpose of the presentation, Washington State’s rules, the most stringent in the nation, regarding teachers where used to give the servicemembers an example of what is required to be a teacher.

Every state requires a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited university. Regional school districts don’t recognize degrees from nationally accredited schools.

“If you already have a bachelors degree you can go and take an internship program that assigns you to a teacher and you shadow that teacher in the classroom.” said Bombke.

“This program is exactly what I was looking for,” said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician William Maynard. “This program is supposed to help smooth the way from one job to the next and I like what I’m hearing.”

For more information on the Troops to Teachers Program please contact the Navy Collage at (360)-476-1861

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors attend a special class geared toward the interest in former military members moving past their service years into a teaching field.

Teach: Troops to teachers offers options for Nimitz Sailors looking to seperateContinued from Page 1