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THE

DAILY DIGEST

June 6, 2013 Vol. 2 Issue 36

On June 4, 1942 at 7 o’clock in the morning the 30 pilots of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) were preparing their Douglas TBD Devastators to

take off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8). Upon lifting off from the wooden deck of the now renowned carrier, they would engage in one of the most decisive battles of the Pacific Campaign spear-headed by the newly designated Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz.Among many men who became heroes that day,

one in particular would become the lone survivor of VT-8. Ensign George Gay, a recently commissioned aviation cadet of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, would gain practical experience of taking off and landing on a carrier for his first time during this battle. Gay’s plane was shot down during the battle and

after nearly 30 hours of treading water while hiding

STORY

BY

MC2 (SW) RYAN MAYES

Continued on page 4

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class (AM3) John R. Eaton, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., now a plane captain in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 5.“I never expected to get sailor of the day,” said

Eaton. “It feels good.” According to Eaton, he joined the Navy in

February 2009 because his wife had a baby on the way, and he had to find a way to support his family. When in Nimitz’ homeport of Everett, Wash.,

Eaton enjoys carpentry and riding his motorcycle. Eaton’s hobbies while underway include watching

movies and studying. Petty Officer Eaton performed his duties as an

aviation structural mechanic in Nimitz’ VFA-147 Strike Group in an exemplary and highly professional manner. As day check supervisor Eaton led eight plane

captains and four plane captain trainees. His

effective planning and supervision were critical in the completion of 62 daily/turnaround inspections, 32 special inspections and the launch/recovery of more than 20 sorties directly enabling VFA-147 to maintain an unprecedented sortie completion rate of 96.4 percent during the first trimester of the 2013 deployment.He facilitated the qualification of four new plane

captains, eight break riders, six duct drivers and four hydraulic contamination qualified technicians. When asked if he had any advice for others who

would like to seek similar recognition Eaton said, “Do what you’re told even if you don’t like it.” Petty Officer Eaton’s dedication, loyalty and total

devotion to duty led to his selection as Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day.

SAILOR DAYOFTHE

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

Story and Photos by MCSA Kelly Agee

from the Japanese ships beneath his flotation device, he was finally rescued. It was then that he learned that he was the sole survivor of his squadron.Upon surviving one of the most intense battles

of the Pacific, Ensign Gay would come to know Nimitz personally, and develop a friendship that would not be easily forgotten.More than 70 years later, the aircraft carrier USS

Nimitz (CVN 68) is honoring its namesake, Adm. Chester Nimitz, and the monumental summer battle of 1942 in a unique way.Capt. Jeff S. Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer

(CO), along with Nimitz’ Supply Department, Wood Shop and Media Department, are attempting to preserve the memory of the battle and Adm. Nimitz in the CO’s inport cabin, the primary location for receiving guests and distinguished visitors.Celebrating the heroes of this historic battle is

familiar to the crew of Nimitz. At a reception held

in June 2012, the guest of honor was retired Cmdr. Harry Ferrier. During the battle, the then-17-year-old Ferrier was a gunner in a TBF-1 “Avenger” who became another miraculous survivor of the battle. He and fellow crew members were the only ones of the VT-8 detachment located on Midway to return from the mission. “This started when we celebrated the anniversary

of the Battle of Midway last June with Harry Ferrier,” said Ruth. “I saw a lot of the photos that we had printed for the event and I really liked that idea.”When Nimitz entered dry dock at the end of its

2009-2010 deployment, many of the ship’s spaces were renovated, leaving the inport cabin as a blank slate for Ruth to decorate upon taking command of the ship in March 2011. “Coming out of the shipyard, we didn’t have

anything historic here,” he said. “If you go to the other carriers you will see something based on their namesake. I wanted to do something with Nimitz memorabilia.”The Nimitz Foundation of Fredericksburg, Texas,

Nimitz’ hometown, had previously loaned the ship multiple artifacts and personal belongings of Nimitz, among the items was his personal desk. “We had Nimitz’ desk and I wanted to do

something with that,” said Ruth. “I wanted to place the battle plan [of Midway] along with some photos on a dark background and cover it with glass. From there I used the Battle of Midway as the theme since that was the first real successful battle for Nimitz.”Although the décor began with a simple wooden

desk, the inport cabin has transformed into a veritable museum, complete with engraved descriptions below the artwork and the custom made shadow boxes for the memorabilia. “I began to go online to find art to go over the

desk,” said Ruth. “I found three that I liked. My personal favorite is called ‘Requiem for Torpedo Eight” which shows the TBDs preparing to take off from the Hornet. We also have one signed by Ensign Gay.” The picture titled “Go In and Get a Hit” illustrates

Continued from page 1

It was an amazing time. It really defined who we are as a Navy, especially naval aviation.”“

- Ruth

a Devastator releasing its torpedo amidst a barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Below the picture is a quote from Lt. Cmdr. John C. Waldron, the commanding officer of VT-8. The quote is taken from his brief to the squadron prior to the battle where he makes it clear that even if there is only one pilot left, he wanted that pilot to “go in and get a hit.” The hunt for Midway-related artwork led to a

surprising friendship that began through a simple online search.“I found ‘torpedoeight.com’ and they had a photo

of Ensign Gay with Nimitz in the hospital after the battle,” said Ruth. “I contacted them to let them know we were doing a Midway-themed display and wanted to get a copy of that picture. The guy who runs the website turned out to be George Gay’s grandson. So he talked to his mom who talked to her mom, George Gay’s wife, and they actually gave us the original picture signed by Adm. Nimitz as well as Henry Fonda and Kevin Dobson who recreated them in the Battle of Midway movie.”Along with the photo, the family also sent a copy

of the Aug. 31, 1942 Life Magazine featuring Gay as well as his scrapbook complete with correspondence between Nimitz and himself. The magazine mirrors a copy of Life Magazine from July 10, 1944 highlighting the life and career of Nimitz displayed on the opposite side of the room. “I read tons of WWII books when I was a kid,”

said Ruth. “That’s all I wanted to do was fly. I

think if you ask most aviators, ‘Do you know who George Gay ‘The Lone Survivor’ is?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ I wish I could have met him. I have become very good friends with his daughter and grandson through the process.”The cabin not only highlights the Battle of

Midway but also serves as a tribute to all of the American forces who paid a sacrifice to achieve victory. “Everything in here tells a story,” said Ruth. “I

can bring people here and talk for 45 minutes on just Midway and how it ties our ship to the battle. We also have a picture of Nimitz signing the Surrender Document and we found a copy of the actual document to place next to it. I think it’s pretty cool to see the document and to actually see him signing it.”“It was an amazing time. It really defined who we

are as a Navy, especially naval aviation,” said Ruth. “I think we are honoring our past and remembering a legend. George Gay and the guys at Midway and all the battles in the Pacific really defined who we are. It’s great that we can honor that. This truly is a legacy that we are proud of.”Ruth added that the inport cabin and its décor

is something that will be passed from CO to CO and will hopefully inspire the ship and the next generation of leaders to remember the history of our Navy.Although the theme of Nimitz’ inport cabin is

just one piece of naval heritage, reflecting on the significance of battles fought and remembering the men and women who led the charge is something all Sailors can draw from; they too may one day be required to lead in the face of adversity.

Two hundred eighty Sailors advanced to the next rank during a frocking ceremony in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), June 5.Capt. Jeff Ruth, the commanding officer of

Nimitz, presented certificates to each of the newly advanced Sailors.“This is a great way to demonstrate the hard

work that our Sailors do on a daily basis,” said Ruth.Ruth congratulated each of the 27 new petty

officer first classes, 96 new petty officer second classes and 157 new petty officer third classes.“I’m so happy that I made it and for my shipmates

who made it,” said Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Brett Mayberry, a new petty officer third class. “I hope to inspire the Sailors working below me to work to the best of their ability so that they will become petty officers someday too.”All hands aboard Nimitz were invited to observe

the event and congratulate the newly advanced petty officers. “I hope the Sailors who made it to the next pay

grade enjoy their success,” said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Mathew Steiner, an attendee of the ceremony. “They should keep up what they did to make it to this point so they keep moving forward.”The attendees applauded all of the frocked

Sailors following the presentation of certificates.

FROCKING THE FUTURE“It’s inspiring that [the junior Sailors are] taking

the advice and training we’re giving them to move forward and better themselves,” said Chief Religious Programs Specialist James Gibson, who saw two Sailors under his command advance during the ceremony.According to Personnel Specialist 1st Class

Raymond McKnight, who was frocked as a petty officer first class during the ceremony, it is important for newly advanced Sailors to live up to the standard set by the petty officers and chief petty officers who helped them to achieve their new rank.“I am ready to surpass what people expect out of

a [petty officer] first class,” said McKnight.Story and Photos by MCSN Derek Harkins

FROCKING: The ListAD1 JAMES BOHNETAO1 BAZAL BOWENCS1 PREM CHHAYETN1 OMAR CORONADOPR1 MATTHEW CRACRAFTEMN1 KEITH DARLINOS1 TRAVIS DOBBINSFC1 WILLIAM ELMOREMMN1 RAFAEL GOROSPEABE1 KEVIN HEATONATI1 WILLIAM HOWARDCTR1 ADAM LEACHAC1 TIMOTHY MARTINPS1 RAYMOND MCKNIGHT

MMN1 KELVIN MERCEDESAO1 RAMON NIEVESET1 MARKJEFFERLEE OCAMPOAO1 BRANDON OCONNORAM1 JONATHAN ORCINOLS1 RYAN PUBLICOABE1 BRIAN ROBINSONABH1 STANLEY SANCHEZRP1 JOSHUA SMITHEMN1 MEGAN SPITTLERMMN1 JOSHUA WENGERIT1 BENJAMIN WOODARDAS1 MARK ZABALA

ABF2 CARLOS ALMANZAFC2 ARIEL ATCHLEYMMN2 SHAWN BARKFELTIS2 TRENT BARKUSAS2 MIGUEL BARRERAYN2 DONESHI BEALAO2 JACOB BEEMERHT2 DEREK BIRKENHEUERMR2 KIRSTEN BISHOPAZ2 THOMAS BRYSMM2 BENJAMIN BUENINGATI2 ADAM BUTLERLS2 GARY CAMPBELLFC2 JOHN CARBONEABE2 JORGE CARDENASMARTINEZIC2 JENNIFER CAVAZOSQM2 GREGORY CELIAABH2 JUSTIN CHAVEZAO2 BRIAN CUNNINGHAMETN2 MARK DEDESET2 SEAN DUFFEM2 KATHERINE EARLSSH2 BRETT EDINGTONET2 NICHOLAS EGGLESTONIT2 CHRISTOPHER ELSENFC2 SAMUEL ESPARZAAT2 BRANDON FAIXPS2 LUCAS FERGUSONIT2 MARKUS GALLOWAYIC2 MELISSA GARCIAAO2 DEVON GIBBSIT2 JOHN GILLESPIEAZ2 DYLAN GOLDSTONYN2 CORWINNE GONZALESAO2 MICHAEL GOODMANGM2 BRITTANY GRACECS2 KARLTON GREGSONAC2 TYLER GUIZARHT2 MITCHELL GUNDERSONLS2 JOSHUA HEBERTLS2 JOSEPH HIBBARDFC2 KAI HICKSIC2 BRETT HOLTAZ2 TIFFANY HOUSEOS2 KASSANDRA HURLEYIT2 JOSE IBARRAAC2 ANDREW JACKSONOS2 TIPHANIA JOHNSON

PS2 BRADY JONESAO2 DAVID JORDANAO2 DANIEL JUBECKATI2 ZACHARY KORDENBROCKETN2 ALAN KURAMOTOAC2 CAITLIN LEMMONSABF2 JESSICA LISTORTLS2 BRITTANY MARSHMC2 RYAN MAYESETN2 KYLE MCCRORYCTR2 MICHAEL MCGRATHAE2 CHARLES MCINTOSHEMN2 DAVID MCKEEAD2 CHANDRA MEARSABE2 JUSTIN MENDIOLAAT2 ELENA MILLERAT2 ZACHARY MINSTERLS2 JASON NERINGMM2 KRISTINE NICOLASABH2 BRYAN NUTTERABE2 KIMBERLY ODONNELLMM2 ISSAC ORTIZET2 ALAN OWENSABF2 JOSHUA PALOMARESABH2 KIERRA PERKINSFC2 ANDREW PLANEDC2 TIMOTHY RAKOS2 DARRYL RICHARDSONAS2 JOHN RINGERBM2 BRANDON ROZIERMMN2 MATTHEW RUTHERFORDFC2 TREVOR SCHMIDTAS2 TYLER SMITHAM2 TOSHIA SOAPESABH2 MARK SOIKAOS2 JAMES SPOONIT2 MEGAN STOUTAD2 DINO TOBIACS2 KALIA VANGMC2 ALEXANDER VENTURAMM2 FRANK WALKERMM2 HEATHER WARRENMM2 TRAVIS WILKERSONABF2 KATHRYNE WILLIAMSONATI2 BARRY WITZELMC2 DEVIN WRAYFC2 BRADLEY WYMANET2 ERIN MULHOLLAND

E6

E5

HT3 ADRIANA AGUILARHT3 JESSICA AGUILARABH3 JERRICA ALEXANDERABF3 VANESSA ALILINMM3 NICHOLAS ANDERSONABH3 ZACHARY AUERMM3 ANGELA AVILALS3 TANNER BABCOCKMM3 JANELLE BAINOS3 DESERIE BANUELOSAM3 JONATHAN BARNESPS3 JULIA BARRIOSEM3 STEVEN BECKERATI3 JOSHUA BELKEAO3 SAMUEL BEZDICHEKAS3 YANIQUE BIEKCTT3 JAMES BLUEAO3 JUSTIN BONEAO3 COLLIN BOSLEYABE3 JOE BOYDMM3 NICHOLAS BURNSMM3 DEVON BUTLERAZ3 MARQUES BUTLERAE3 ANTHONY CAMPEAUAO3 RUBEN CANTUMM3 MARIO CASILLASAO3 RYAN CHADWICKEM3 SUZAN CHISHOLMAM3 BRENDON CLARKOS3 JENNIFER CLOUDABE3 AMANDA COAKMM3 KURTIS COMMETAS3 RICHARD CRAPELLAHM3 SAM CROWELLAO3 ROBYN CWIKLIKEM3 ROOKE DARELS3 PARAMITA DASAO3 KYLENE DAVISEM3 PHILIP DAWKINSMM3 HALEY DEATLEYOS3 NIPUN DHANRAJMM3 CHARLES DRIVERATI3 COTY EMERSONABE3 TREA FONTENOTYN3 EBONY FULCHERAO3 ANTHONY GAMBINIAO3 JOSHUA GANNDC3 KIMBERLY GILLESPIEATI3 ALEX GOBLEOS3 MARCUS GREENABH3 JORGE GUIMARAESMC3 JOSHUA HAIAR

AE3 RACHEAL HARTRANFTMM3 ADRIAN HODGESEM3 JOSHUA HOODHT3 BRAYTON HOUGLANDCTM3 ROBERT HOWARDEM3 TERENCE HOWARDDC3 BRENT HUFFAKERATI3 THOMAS HUGHESOS3 CELENA HUMMELPS3 ROBERT HUTHARTABH3 KATHERINE IRISHMM3 MICHELLE JASINSKILS3 LUKE JOHNSONAD3 LUCAS JUELKEABH3 ALICIA KINGAM3 BRANDON KITCHENSABE3 DESMOND LAMPTEYAZ3 JORDAN LARSONOS3 DANNY LEATHERMANAO3 CHASE LILLYMM3 CASSANDRA LOVELESSAT3 LORRAINE MACKINMM3 TIFFANY MALDONADOABH3 ISRAEL MARMOLEJOABE3 MATTHEW MARTINABE3 RICHELLE MAYMM3 BRETT MAYBERRYIT3 NATASHA MCALPINERP3 BETHANY MCCLUREMC3 NATHAN MCDONALDLS3 WILLIAM MCGRATHHT3 LASHOD MCINTOSHOS3 JOSHUA MCNEILLMM3 QUENTIN MOOREAO3 STEPHANIE MULLINSAO3 DESTINY NACESTANLEYABH3 AN NGUYENHT3 CHASE OLSONAO3 ALEX OSBORNEHT3 KENDRA OWENSAZ3 DANDREA PARKERBM3 GREGORY PARLEEHT3 SHEKA PARSONABH3 AXEL PENADC3 COY PERKINSYN3 JAMIE PETERSENATO3 MICHAEL POKRINCHAKIT3 MICHAEL PREVOABE3 ROBERT RAHNMM3 ERICA RAMIREZAZ3 AIDEE RAMOSABH3 PATRICIO RAMOS

MM3 DAVID REYESABE3 EDUARDO RIOSMM3 LEEDARIUS ROBERTSONOS3 ERIC ROBINSONQM3 TAYLOR ROBINSONOS3 YAVON ROBINSONATI3 CARLOS RODRIGUEZGM3 KYLE ROESTAO3 BRYTON ROLISONABH3 NATALIE ROSSABE3 MEAGAN ROWLANDABH3 BLAKE ROWLEYABH3 MARKSONNY RUBIOAT3 RAUL RUIZATI3 CHADD RUSSELLABH3 MAXWELL RUSTANMM3 GINA SAECHAOAD3 BRIAN SANABRIAMM3 JASMINE SAUNDERSAD3 ANDREW SCHULTZYN3 TIFFANY SCOTTYN3 MARK SHELHAMERABE3 MICHAEL SLOGINSKIMM3 JAMESHA SMITHMM3 SCOTT SMITHMC3 SAMUEL SOUVANNASONDC3 MATTHEW SPINELLAEN3 ZACHARIAH STUHMERDC3 NATALIE TALIAFERROEM3 CHRISTOPHER TARTAGLIAHT3 JUSTIN TAYLORABH3 KEVIN THOMASOS3 SACKIEMA THOMASQM3 MAYGAN TRACYDC3 DENNIS ULMERAO3 LEANNA VASQUEZAZ3 KATHERINE VAZQUEZHT3 TRAVIS WALDECKEROS3 KILAHI WALKERAD3 MICHAEL WALSHATI3 ANDREW WALTHALLHT3 COURTNEY WANAMAKERMM3 WARDALE WHATLEYCS3 ANGELIQUE WILLIAMSAE3 JAMARQUES WILLIAMSATI3 JAMES WILLIAMSIC3 KAITLIN WILLIAMSAM3 ROBERT WILLIAMSAT3 HARRISON WILSONAM3 HANNAH WOODSMM3 LEANNA YELLOWHORSEEM3 MATTHEW ZEMBOL

FROCKING: The List

E4

CareerNavigator

Story by Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

The Navy is bringing together all enlisted career management policies, processes and multiple information technology systems

under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions as announced in NAVADMINs 149/13 and 150/13 released May 30.“Our goal is to provide Sailors with career

opportunities across the continuum of Active and Reserve service,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director of military personnel plans and policy. “We have dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process that is more advantageous for Sailors. We’re simplifying the process and providing information sooner, giving our Sailors interactive capability that will enable more transparency and feedback capability and ultimately allow Sailors to be more actively involved in managing their careers.”Career Navigator will use Career Waypoints

(formerly Fleet RIDE) as the IT system that supports key Sailor decisions about which way to go next in their career. Career Waypoints will include the enlisted career management processes that allow Sailors to give their intentions to reenlist, reclassify, designate into a rate, convert or transition between the Active Component and Reserve Component. Accordingly these processes will be called: Reenlistment (formerly Perform To Serve (PTS)), Reclassification (formerly production management office (PMO)), PACT designation (formerly rating entry for general apprentice (REGA)), Conversion and Transition. Changes to the system, policy and process names

will occur in the next few months.Beginning June 3, Sailors will receive results of

reenlistment applications earlier and the process will align with orders negotiation. Sailors will find out if they’ve been approved sooner, and have more time to apply for orders through the Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID), in the Reenlistment Career Waypoint for active duty. All Sailors will continue to indicate their intentions to reenlist or separate with their career counselor. They will submit their intentions through their career counselor 13 months before their active obligated service, as extended (SEAOS), one month earlier than before. Sailors can still change their minds after this initial submission, and are encouraged to let their career counselors know if they’ve made a change as soon as possible. “Knowing Sailors’ intentions is critical to

accurately predict how many Sailors we will have in each skillset, rate and paygrade going forward” said Kurta. “This ensures the maximum opportunity to reenlist in rate for those Sailors who desire to stay, offers opportunities for Sailors to convert to a new rate or transition between components, and improves advancement opportunity.” All eligible and command-approved E-6 Sailors

will be approved for reenlistment on their first application, according to officials. While there is still a need for Sailors to tell their career counselor their intentions, if they want to reenlist and have command approval to do so, they will be given reenlistment approval on their first application. Soon, as the IT system is updated, Sailors and their commands will receive confirmation immediately upon submittal. Navy officials say 100 percent of eligible,

command approved Sailors in skillsets that are open (undermanned) or balanced will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application, and within 30 days. This will also become immediate with planned IT updates.The changes will give eligible and command-

approved E-5 and below Sailors answers about reenlistment requests earlier. This process has also

been aligned with orders negotiation so Sailors will have more time to negotiate for the orders they want.Sailors in skillsets that are competitive or

overmanned, or that have special requirements such as the nuclear community, will receive information sooner about their ability to reenlist in rate, or opportunity to convert to a different rate or transition to the Reserves. Many of these Sailors will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application depending on the manning in their year group.According to Kurta, with this new design,

approximately 75% of Sailors who want to reenlist will be approved on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate. “Each month, we have been processing

approximately 12,000 reenlistment applications,” Kurta said. “This number is expected to decrease significantly since the majority of Sailors will not have to apply for multiple months before receiving a decision. Sailors not approved to reenlist in rate will have additional time to apply to convert into another rating where opportunity exists. “For Sailors who are in overmanned or competitive

skillsets will have up to 11 monthly reviews grouped into three phases beginning 13 months from their expiration of SEAOS. Each phase will present the career options available to a Sailor. The first phase provides Sailors with four reviews

starting 13 months from SEAOS with three options of in-rate reenlistment, conversion to another rating or transition into selected Reserves (SELRES ). In the second phase, Sailors who have not been

given the go ahead for reenlistment in-rate will be given four more reviews with the options of conversion to a new rate or transition into SELRES. In the third and final phase, Sailors will receive up

to three reviews to transition into SELRES.Other changes to improve Sailors’ career

management include updates to rating designation for Professional Career Track (PACT) Sailors, rating conversions for Reserve Sailors, and Reserve

component to active component augmentation. These updates will be supported by several information technology enhancements to Career Waypoints and are also effective, June 3. The second change automatically generates partial

applications for PACT Sailors who meet minimum qualification requirements. The NAVADMIN also modifies policy to allow time in rate (TIR) Sailors to apply for a rating entry designation (RED) quotas.The final process changes impact Sailors in the

Reserve Component, as part of continuum of service initiatives announced in NAVADMIN 114/10. Starting June 3, SELRES and voluntary training unit (VTU) Sailors will be able to request active duty augmentation through the transition module within Career Waypoints, provided they meet specific program requirements. The program is being expanded to include FTS opportunities and to allow conversions into ratings with available quotas provided Sailors meet program requirements. Additionally, SELRES Sailors will be able to

request conversion to an undermanned SELRES rating through Career Waypoints, instead of routing paper packages to PERS-8 for approval. Previous Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)

restrictions are now lifted for augmented members. Reserve Component Sailors who augment onto active duty may be eligible to receive SRB based on current active duty SRB authorizations and their amount of continuous active duty service. To be eligible for SRB, Reserve Sailors must have

completed at least 17 continuous months of active Naval service (other than active duty for training), but not more than 20 years of active military service at some time in their career. To ensure all requirements are met, visit the SRB page of the NPC Website.To learn more about the Career Navigator program,

Sailors may speak with their chain of command, career counselor, read the NAVADMIN, or call NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1-866-827-5672) or e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.

n the hangar bay on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) there is a small space that Sailors walk by daily but might

not notice. If you blink while walking by you may miss it. Next to the area in hangar bay three where trash is sorted is a door that leads into a world not known by many. This is where the Seat Shop lies.The Sailors who work in the Seat Shop are

aviation structural mechanics (equipment) (AME) and their primary job is maintaining egress and environmental control systems on the aircraft on board. “We work primarily in the hangar bay,” said

Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Todd M. Schweitzer, of Carson City, Nev., a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)

Itoip l

p o ce t i ntr oStory and Photo by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

147. “Most of the corrosion work, painting, prevention work, arming and de-arming of the seats is done primarily in the Seat Shop.”The AMEs in the Seat Shop maintain anti-g

suits worn by pilots while they are flying aircraft. The anti-g suits inflate when an aircraft experiences positive g-forces. This is so the pilot’s blood doesn’t rush to their feet and they don’t pass out when engaged in positive g-forces.In addition to the anti-g suits, the AMEs in the

Seat Shop also maintain the fire extinguishing system, radar liquid cooling system, the canopy and ejection seat systems on the aircraft.“There are also multiple sub-systems in the

environmental control systems which includes avionic cooling that we maintain,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Robert H. Sorge, of Houston, Texas, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154. “Avionic cooling consists of all the electronics on the aircraft that keep it from overheating, cabin cooling and heating for aircrew comfort, cabin pressurization systems and On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) which is the oxygen the aircrew breathes.”For Schweitzer the best part of his rate is the

flexible work schedules they have which are due to the various hours flight operations are conducted on board.“When we work long work days we can work

up to 16 hours a day,” said Schweitzer. “We work harder on no-fly days because most of the aircraft is available for maintenance.” According to Sorge, there is no other job

he’d rather be doing in the Navy than being an AME.

“I’ve been an AME for 19 years in both the Marine Corps and in the Navy,” said Sorge. “I enjoy being an AME and I enjoy the people I work with.”One of the most challenging parts of

being an AME, according to Schweitzer, is troubleshooting issues with the equipment they work on.“Sometimes I don’t know everything about

the issue with the equipment and we have to do schematics to figure out what the issue is,” said Schweitzer. “It’s fun at the same time though because it keeps the job fresh.”Being an AME requires a lot of teamwork and

it can prove to be critical to work effectively as a team in the Seat Shop when performing maintenance on certain kinds of equipment.“It takes three people to do an ordnance

evolution,” said Schweitzer. “It has to be a smooth transition because of the potential dangers involved in handling ordnance. There is no odd man out. Everyone is always working whether it’s an airman or a first class.”There are times when being an AME is a

very rewarding rate to be in, according to Schweitzer. “The coolest thing about being an AME is

when a pilot comes back to tell me the story of how the ejection seat worked and they were able to eject in time from their aircraft,” said Schweitzer.The Sailors who work in the Seat Shop in

the hangar bay don’t just perform routine maintenance, they save lives by keeping their equipment in working condition. It is a critical job that involves a lot of hard work, but those who work in the Seat Shop are up to the task.

There is no odd man out. Everyone is always working whether it’s an airman or a first class.”

“

A WORD FROM MEDICAL

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis will usually fade away on its own after a few days – although they may be miserable days! Most people can treat themselves by continuously drinking small sips of water; Soda, Monster, or coffee doesn’t count. You can eat small amounts of bland food as well. Don’t eat or drink so much that your stomach feels full. A nauseated and full stomach is a sure recipe for vomiting. Take Pepto Bismol to help settle your stomach and Tylenol for body aches if you have them. When you start to feel better you can increase what you eat and drink, but still limit what you have to small quantities for the first couple of days after you feel better.

So, when should you come to medical? When you are at risk for dehydration or when you may have a bacterial infection causing the vomiting and diarrhea. You are at risk for dehydration if you are not able to take in enough fluids to make up for the fluids you are losing from vomiting and diarrhea. Generally if you are having watery diarrhea 5 or more times a day and you are vomiting, you are at risk. Come see us. If you have diarrhea and a fever or chills, you may have a bacterial infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Come see us.

Whether you need to come to medical or not, you can easily spread your infection to others. If you are a leader on the ship and any of your Sailors or Marines are having persistent vomiting or diarrhea – even if they don’t need to go to medical – send them to their rack. You don’t want them in your work center spreading their disease to everyone else. Right now, the vomiting and diarrhea we are seeing aboard Nimitz is the result of eating or drinking infected food or liquids in Thailand. If we don’t work to control the spread of the “stomach bugs” we picked up, they will begin to spread on board, making even more people ill. The best way to prevent the spread of the germs that are causing our current problems is for everyone to WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! Wash them before you eat, after you eat, after you use the head, after you go up a ladder, down a ladder, through a hatch…in other words…all the time! If you are sick, stay out of your work center.

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