Vol. 2 Issue 43June 14, 2013

“More money, more problems” is a well-known cultural reference and one that many Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) would happily deal with. As Nimitz enters the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), expect to see an increase in pay, along with new program offerings to help manage it responsibly. The personnel specialists aboard stand ready to answer your questions.

“A lot of people are confused,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Raymond

SHOW ME THE MONEYStory and Photos by

MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

Continued on page 3

McKnight. “They want to know what they’re getting, when they are eligible and how it works.”

While Nimitz operates in the 5th Fleet AOR, Sailors and Marines will qualify for the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion.

“That means that your federal taxes won’t be withheld, with the exception of Medicare and Social Security,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Johnson. “If you pay state taxes, those won’t be withheld from you either.”

Sailors and Marines will also receive Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), which is payable for any day duty is performed in an area subject to threat of physical harm due to

Editor

MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Lead Designer

MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All 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.

Public Affairs Officer

LCDR Karin Burzynski

Commanding Officer

CAPT Jeff Ruth

Executive Officer

CDR John Cummings

Command Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

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SAILOR OFTHE DAY

Story and Photos by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

Boatswain’s Mate (BM) 3rd Class Trenesha M. Clark, a native of St. Louis, Mo., was named Sailor of the Day, June 13 on board

the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).“I was shocked to be named Sailor of the

Day,” said Clark. “It feels good to get noticed and to know that I stand out among my peers.”

Clark is one of the primary Rig Captains for the replenishment at sea team and she was personally responsible for the maintenance on two double-probe receiving stations and three sliding padeye cargo stations which were utilized in the safe and expeditious transfer of more than 4.4 million gallons of JP5 and more than 2,900 pallets of ammunitions and supplies during Nimitz’ Western Pacific 2013 deployment.

She attributes her being named Sailor of the Day to her hard work as her department’s repair parts petty officer (RPPO) and ensuring that all the

proper repairables and consumables are available. Her pride and attention to detail and

quality of work are hallmarks to the pride and professionalism of her department and is key to the operational service life of the ship.

According to Clark, when out to sea she enjoys working out and studying when she’s not standing watch.

“In our homeport I like to play basketball on Nimitz’ basketball team which is called Ballers,” said Clark. “I also enjoy going to see horror movies and keeping up with my favorite basketball

team the Miami Heat.”Clark’s advice for those who are looking to be

named Sailor of the Day in the future is for Sailors to make it their goal to go above and beyond.

“Don’t do it just for your chain of command, do it for yourself,” said Clark.

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Continued from page 1Continued from page 1civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, etc. The entitlement is paid at a rate of $7.50 per day for a maximum of $225 per month.

“IDP is a flat rate paid to all hands,” said McKnight. “Pretty much everyone sees the same benefits.”

Eligibility began June 9, the day Nimitz entered the 5th Fleet AOR. However, it takes time to be reflected in a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).

“We won’t see the money until July 1,” said Johnson. “The pay will be prorated from June 9, though.”

Along with the tax benefits and entitlements, the Navy also offers Sailors a program for responsibly managing finances.

Those onboard Nimitz will be eligible to participate in the Savings Deposit Program (SDP), which allows members to deposit up to $10,000 into an account earning 10 percent annually.

“Spending money isn’t the only thing you can do with these programs,” said McKnight. “You’ll always gain money from SDP. There are no negative repercussions from participating in it – you’ll make money on it no matter what.”

After departing the 5th Fleet AOR, members will no longer be allowed to make deposits, although the account will continue to accrue interest for 90 days after.

To set up an SDP account, bring military ID and bank account information to the Personnel or Disbursing office to set up an allotment.

While personnel specialists are available to answer any questions, it is up to each individual to manage their pay.

“Make sure you’re monitoring your LES,” said Johnson. “If you don’t think you’re getting paid enough or being paid too much, it’s better to let us know early. Print out your LES from this period and save them for when you do your taxes next year, as well.”

For more information, visit the Personnel office located at 3-113-01-Q.

PS2 Deborah Sangregory speaks with a customer.

Biloxi Blues

CSSN Carlos Smith mixes vegetables before chow.

“A lot of the males in my family were not good role models, and they were getting into trouble with the law a lot.” - Smith

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SOME SAILORS joined the Navy to take advantage of the education opportunities it provides. Others, like Culinary Specialist (CS) Seaman Carlos R. Smith, of Biloxi, Miss., who is currently

stationed on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), joined for the opportunity to better himself and to escape falling into a rut.

“I joined the Navy in February 2012 so I could help take care of my family and to get away from the rough neighborhood I grew up in,” said Smith. “A lot of the males in my family were not good role models, and they were getting into trouble with the law a lot.”

According to Smith, he grew up in a rough neighborhood in Biloxi and he didn’t want to fall into the same unsavory lifestyle as his peers.

“I was hanging around the wrong kind of people back home,” said Smith. “One time I went to a party with my cousin and there were some people from another city who showed up and caused a bit of controversy at the party, and there were gun shots. My friends and I barely ended up escaping.”

Smith said that the aforementioned incident was the deciding factor for him to join the Navy and to gain more maturity after he graduated high school.

“I’m the first male in my family to finish high school, and I’m the first male in my family to join the military,” said Smith. “I attribute everything I’ve done so far to my mom and her

pushing me. She’s my mini manager.”Growing up just outside of Kessler Air

Force Base provided Smith an insight into the military and the opportunities it provided. Smith said that he originally wanted to join the Marines, but when he saw how intense the Marine training was he decided to join the Navy instead.

“I chose the CS rate so I could learn how to cook, so that when I get out of the Navy I can open up my own restaurant,” said Smith. “My goal is to open my own restaurant back home in Mississippi and eventually build a franchise.”

Smith said he’s been cooking since he was seven. When he cooks, his goal is for the people who are eating the food he made to love it.

“When I see that people are happy with the food I make I want to cook more,” said Smith.

When he was 16 years old, Smith said his mom gave him free reign of the kitchen, and he ended up cooking for everyone in the house.

“My mom taught me how to cook because she was a single mother, and my brother, sister and I got home from school before my mom did, so I could make sure they were fed,” said Smith.

Breakfast is Smith’s favorite meal to make because, according to him, it is the most important meal of the day and it can start the day off perfect.

Smith plans to stay on a positive path by going to college when he gets out of the Navy to obtain a culinary degree and a business management degree to help him with starting his restaurant.

“The Navy has helped me build a path to set me up for success,” said Smith.

Biloxi BluesStory and photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

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COMBAT OPS

An EA-6B Prowler prepares to launch from the flight deck.- Photo by MC3 Raul Morneo Jr.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares to takeoff.- Photo by MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

Lt. Brandon Jenkins inspects catapult number one prior to flight operations.- Photo by MC1 (AW/SW) Michael D. Cole

ABHAN Chad Core and ABH1 Stanley Sanchez observe flight operations on the flight deck.- Photo by MC2 (SW) Devin Wray

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