JUNE 18, 2013 Vol. 2 Issue 45

One of the mandatory requirements for an aircraft carrier to get underway is that there must

be at least two search and rescue (SAR) swimmers on board.

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) currently has five SAR swimmers stationed on board.

“We are billeted for two rescue swimmers, but we’re about to rotate out a few people, so there are more of us on board than there normally are,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Isaac L. Atkins, of Bremerton, Wash., a SAR swimmer on board Nimitz since December 2010.

SAR swimmers are on standby Continued on page 3

Story and Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

TO SAVE A LIFE

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

2

Story and Photos by MC3 Linda S. SwearingenAviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Brian R.

Shuckerow, a native of Sacramento, Calif., assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, was named Sailor of the Day, June 17 on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

“It feels awesome to be named Sailor of the Day,” said Shuckerow.

As a final checker and troubleshooter, Shuckerow was responsible for the safe and expeditious launch and recovery of more than 72 sorties amassing 203 flight hours and a remarkable 100 percent mission completion rate during WESTPAC deployment 2013.

Shuckerow also volunteered 87 off-shirt hours training and mentoring junior Sailors resulting in the qualifications of six final checkers, five apprentices and seven oil servicing personnel which increased qualifications by 23 percent command-wide.

While out to sea, Shuckerow said he enjoys working out and catching up on sleep when he has

time. “In port I like to see new things and I like to spend

time with my wife and daughter,” said Shuckerow.Adding to his being named Sailor of the Day

was Shuckerow’s single-handed undertaking of constructing and designing a streamlined engine and prop toolbox which greatly reduced man hour expenditures by 13 percent in his work center during an unexpected engine change two days prior to Nimitz’ Thailand port visit.

“I built a toolbox and did all the paperwork to make it official, and it allowed us to get the maintenance done quicker,” said Shuckerow.

When asked what other Sailors can do to be nominated by their chain of command for Sailor of the Day, Shuckerow said the answer is simple.

“Work hard and try to do your best at everything,” said Shuckerow.

Sailor of the Day

3

24 hours a day, seven days a week when Nimitz is deployed. At a moments notice, they have to be ready to respond to a man overboard announcement over the 1MC in the event that a Sailor falls overboard.

In order to become a SAR swimmer Sailors must go through a lengthy process that includes being qualified as a proficient second-class swimmer.

To get qualified as a second-class swimmer, Sailors need to complete a swim test to assess their ability to swim 25 meters doing the breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke and free style. They also need to be able to float on their back for five minutes, do the dead man’s float for five minutes and jump off a platform.

As well as passing a thorough swim test, Sailors who wish to become SAR swimmers also have to pass a physical standard test (PST). The PST consists of a one and a half mile run that has to be completed in less than 12 minutes, a minimum of 42 pushups, a minimum of 50 sit-ups, a minimum of two pull-ups and a 500-yard free-style swim.

“After you pass that, you go to rescue swimmer school in San Diego or Mayport, Fla., for a month where you do daily swim training in a pool, and they teach you how to rescue people from the water,” said Atkins. “You have to be a strong swimmer to be a rescue swimmer. It’s not for the faint of heart.”

According to Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Trevor J. Barkley, of Diamond Bar, Calif., a SAR swimmer on board Nimitz, SAR swimmers are required to perform their regular job, in addition to being a rescue swimmer.

“It’s an NEC [Navy Enlisted Classification] and it is considered a collateral duty,” said Barkley.

Nimitz SAR swimmers go to training every Thursday at Whidbey Island while the ship is in home port to work on life saving skills and in-water protocols to ensure they are always mission ready.

“When a man overboard happens we have to be ready to grab our harnesses, wet suit, strobe light, dive knife, hook and floatation devices quickly and prepare to do search and rescue operations within minutes,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Greg M. Celia, of Charleston, S.C., a SAR swimmer since December 2010.

For Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Michael A.

Rosado, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., a SAR swimmer for two years on board Nimitz, becoming a SAR swimmer was important to him because he wanted to save lives.

“I was in Deck Department when I first came in as an undesignated deck seaman,” said Rosado. “One day we were asked if we were a proficient swimmer because the command was looking for search and rescue swimmers; so I volunteered. After that I went to a second class swim call, and I went to school for a month where we learned how to put people in stretchers, how to save pilots if their aircraft goes down and how to get them out of the water so you can treat basic wounds.”

Barkley said he became a SAR swimmer because he was motivated to progress his naval career in a positive way.

For Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Thomas J. Childress, of Fresno, Calif, a SAR swimmer for almost three years, being a SAR swimmer was something he found after dropping out of the SEAL program due to an injury.

“I became a rescue swimmer because I failed out of the BUDS [Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL] program and I was trying to go into special ops, but the only thing that was available at the time was undesignated seaman with a SAR NEC,” said Childress. “After I qualified as a search and rescue swimmer I came to the Nimitz.”

Being involved in rescue operations of Sailors who fall overboard is not the only opportunity SAR swimmers have to utilize their training.

At his last command, Childress had the opportunity to be involved in counter drug operations assisting the VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) operations as a SAR swimmer was required to be on every RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) that was sent out.

According to Rosado, the best thing about being a rescue swimmer is going through the rigorous training and knowing that he is able to help someone if the occasion ever arises.

Nimitz SAR swimmers train constantly to ensure that, if they are called upon, they will be able to quickly and efficiently respond to a man overboard and possibly save a shipmate’s life.

Continued from page 1

4

The NEWSDESK

Story by MCSA Victoria OchoaPhoto by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

TAKINGCOMMAND

“The best part about the Navy is the people you get to work with.”

- Grohe

Cmdr. Carlos Medina relieved Cmdr. Edwin Grohe as commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 during a change of command ceremony on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) June 14.

In recognition of his performance, Grohe was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal on behalf of Rear Adm. Michael S. White, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11.

Grohe, commanding officer since January 2011, overcame many of the challenges related to operating the oldest airframes in the fleet.

“It’s a bittersweet moment for me,” said Grohe. “I’ve had the greatest tour of my career. I know however, that time is up, and Cmdr. Medina will be taking charge.”

Speaking before various officers, chiefs and enlisted Sailors, Grohe recognized VAQ-142 on their commendable performance during his career.

Grohe also left them with an inspirational message.

“If I don’t see some of you CAGs as COs one day and some of you airmen as Chiefs someday, I will consider my time here to have been a failure; so don’t disappoint me.”

Before reading his final orders, Grohe surprised everyone in attendance by capping Yeoman 2nd Class Cora Thomas to the position of Yeoman 1st Class.

“The best part about the Navy is the people you get to work with, and I noticed that the Gray Wolves are the best squadron that I have ever been associated with,” said Grohe. “Keep up the great work Gray Wolves, I will miss you.”

Grohe will report to Student Fellowship Program in Baltimore after his departure.

After the official reading of orders, Medina told VAQ-142 that he was proud to be the new CO and he would strive to lead the squadron to success.

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FROM the TOP

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is not concerned about sexual assault in

the service. He’s angry.The Navy has been taking

steps for years to combat the scourge of sexual assault in the ranks, Mabus told the Defense Writers Group here this morning, and has two cultural barriers to break down.

The first culture that has to change is the “one that says this is OK, or that it is not really serious,” he said. “The other is the mindset of a victim who says, ‘I’m not going to report this, because nothing will happen. I won’t be taken seriously, it won’t be investigated, and it will hurt my career.’”

The Navy is aiming resources at where it has a problem, the secretary said. The Air Force has had a problem of sexual assault at basic training, he noted, and the Navy has had a problem at its follow-on schools.

“We’ve put a lot of attention at our ‘A’ schools,” he said.

As the service finds programs that work, Mabus said, officials export them to other commands. The “A”

DRAWINGTHE LINE

Story by Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

school initiatives started at Great Lakes, Ill., and have moved on to Navy schools in San Diego and Pensacola, Fla.

The Navy has been aggressive, the service’s top civilian official said. “We’re sending shore patrols out -- the first time in a long time we’ve done that,” he added. “We’re stressing bystander intervention.”

The service also is continuing efforts to cut alcohol abuse, because a large number of sexual assaults have had an alcohol component, the secretary said.

Another area of focus zeroes in on what happens if an incident happens. “Is it reported? How quickly and how well do we respond?” Mabus said. “Is the command climate right for people to report?”

Tied to this is victim assistance, he added. How local officials help the victims in these cases is important to him, Mabus

said.Finally, investigation and

prosecution is important to the Navy. Mabus has authorized more money to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for more investigators and more resources.

“It was taking up to 180 days to investigate an incident,” he said. “Initially, we think we can get this down to 80 days.”

The Navy also is spending more to train its lawyers in these cases, the secretary said.

Measuring what works and what doesn’t also is part of this effort, Mabus said. “Can we figure out what the best practices are?” he asked. “We’re beginning to make some headway there.”

Mabus said he thinks taking away a commander’s right to overturn a conviction is long overdue.

For more information about this story, visit Navy. mil.

SECNAV takes hard stand on sexual assault

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus - Photo by MC1 Arif Patani

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Sailors heave the line in the hangar bay during a replenishment at sea.- Photo by MCSA Kelly Agee

Sailors extend the tail of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter.- Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

ABH3 Dionisio S. Caguioa trains ABHAN Breanna Jordan on the proper way to chain down a jet.- Photo by MC3 Derek Volland

Sailors stand by in the hangar bay during a replenishment at sea (RAS).- Photo by MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

AD3 Lelyn R. Knowlden works on a jet engine in the jet shop.- Photo by MCSA Victoria Ochoa

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