he seas heave and swell, a harsh wind blows across gray skies and rain races out of the clouds in torrents. While these conditions

could spell disaster for flight operations or a replenishment at sea (RAS), neither are a concern thanks to the efforts of the meteorology and oceanography center (METOC). “I definitely take a good deal of pride in my

work,” said Aerographer’s Mate (AG) 3rd Class Kyle Simpkins. “Everything we do is for safety. If we weren’t around there would be a good chance we’d have a great deal more mishaps.” After graduating college with a degree in English,

Simpkins joined the Navy in 2010 in the midst of the recession. Before enlisting, he was unfamiliar with what being an aerographer’s mate entailed.

“In 2010, the economy downshifted,” he said. “My father was in the military and said most of his opportunities came from his time in. I didn’t know a thing about being an AG going into it.” Simpkins found he wasn’t the only one unfamiliar

with his rate. “At the recruiters’ they just tell you that you’re

doing the weather,” he said. “In fact, even in boot camp I had RDCs [Recruit Division Commanders] who didn’t know what an AG is. I was the only AG in my entire boot camp division.” While AGs do work with weather, there is quite a

bit more that goes with the job. “We take weather observations every half hour

during flight operations,” said Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jared Dayoub. “We also work on

Story and Photos by MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

THIGH PRESSUREA MISSION

AG3 Kyle Simpkins holds an anenometer, used to measure wind speed.

DAILY DIGEST

June 8, 2013 Vol. 2 Issue 38

Continued on page 3

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the launch of The Safe HelpRoom created in response to Safe Helpline users who identified a need for peer support services. The new service allows victims of sexual assault to participate in group chat sessions to connect with and support one another in a moderated secure online environment at SafeHelpline.org. The moderator is also available to provide referrals as necessary and ensure all ground rules are adhered to prior to chat postings. “Survivors of sexual assault have told us that being able to discuss their concerns with peers can provide a level of support not available through other means, “said Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica L. Wright. “ The Safe HelpRoom is a groundbreaking development in the department’s commitment to support military victims of sexual assault.” Safe HelpRoom sessions will begin immediately and are available twice weekly in two-hour sessions. The session schedule can be found at SafeHelpline.org, along with polls to determine session topics to address specific concerns. The Safe HelpRoom and Safe Helpline are administered by DoD and operated by the non-profit Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, through a contractual agreement with DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO).

“Safe HelpRoom was designed with unique safeguards to ensure a safe and welcoming place for survivors to connect,” said Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, director, DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. “Safe HelpRoom is the first of its kind to require participants to commit to a series of ‘ground rules’ of acceptable behavior before entering a session. Additionally, each participant comment is reviewed to ensure it complies with the ground rules prior to posting for the group to see. The Safe HelpRoom provides a secure and private environment for positive and supportive discussions.” When users visit Safe Helpline, the staff provides one-on-one tailored assistance and offers a variety of up-to-date service referrals for resources on and off military bases and installations. Service referrals include information for sexual assault response coordinators, along with legal, medical, mental health, and spiritual military resources. The referral database also houses information for local civilian and the Department of Veterans Affairs resources for helpline users seeking information and crisis support away from the military response system. Additional information regarding DoD SAPRO and DoD Safe Helpline/Safe HelpRoom can be found at http://www.sapr.mil/.<BR< a>> Additional Navy resources are available at www.sapr.navy.mil.

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 from Department of Defense Public Affairs[ ]SAFE HELP

information like how far away pilots will be able to see their targets based on atmospheric conditions, weather and visibility and how far away enemy radars will be able to detect our pilots.” There are a number of different fields within

the rate, as well. “There are a variety of jobs in our rate. It’s

not just the weather,” said Dayoub. “There’s an anti-submarine component. There’s an anti-mine component. You can work in the Pentagon or you can work with the Fleet Survey Team studying the bottom of the ocean. We’re kind of a small rate. There are a lot of extra jobs that go with it.” Simpkins has found a lot to like about his

rate. “I like the fact that you have a lot of

interactions with computers, and I like how it’s one of the only rates based on hard science, too,” Simpkins said. “While I would have liked to do something more with my degree, I’m glad I went with this.” The job is certainly not without its challenges,

however, based on the nature of their work. “The weather is constantly changing,” said

Simpkins. “You can have what you think are

the perfect elements for a certain weather condition, then something small could change the whole thing all of a sudden. It’s a constantly changing atmosphere and that can be difficult to stay on top of sometimes.” Despite this, doing a job that has such far-

reaching implications is gratifying.“Weather is a consideration for pretty much

every operation on the ship,” said Simpkins. “There’s satisfaction knowing you have to put your two cents in and that can mean the difference between being able to do flight operations or when we do a RAS.”

AG3 Kyle Simpkins and AG3 Jared Dayoub

Continued from page 1

Story by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

WARFAREQUALIFIED

According to NAVADMIN 268/10, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) and Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualifications became mandatory for all naval personnel as of August 2010 in order for them to have a basic understanding and operating knowledge of the platform or command to which they are assigned. “The warfare program is essential in ensuring

our Sailors understand their working environment and are able to safely and effectively operate their equipment,” said Senior Chief Yeoman David M. Garcia, of Phoenix, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) command ESWS coordinator.According to Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s

Mate (Fuel) Edward Sandi, of San Jose, Calif., Nimitz’ command EAWS coordinator, aviation source rate Sailors and aviation source rated personnel assigned TAD to the Nimitz for no less than 180 days are eligible to get their EAWS pin.“It is not only for the Air Department,” said

Sandi. “Surface source rate Sailors can also get their pin, however they have to complete their primary pin first.”Obtaining an ESWS or EAWS pin can take

time and it is recommended that Sailors work on obtaining their pins while out to sea.“Underway it is easy to make the time to attend

the training [for ESWS],” said Garcia. “There are the same amount of classes in port offered, but Sailors are more focused on getting their pins while out to sea.”According to Garcia, it takes an average of 18

months for a Sailor to obtain their ESWS pin,

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

Name three components located in the MMR.

Main Engines, Reduction Gears, Distilling Units, Ship Service Turbine Generators, High Pressure Air Compressors, Ship Service Air Compressors, Control Air Compressors, Turbine Driven Fire Pumps and etc.

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

What is ANGELS?

Altitude of aircraft in thousands of feet, used in pilot/controller communications (ANGELS 1 is 1,000 ft, ANGELS 4 is 4,000 ft, etc)

but there are Sailors on board Nimitz who have obtained their ESWS pin within eight months.“It is dependent upon the individual, their

motivation, workload and the other qualifications they need to obtain as prerequisites for getting their ESWS pin,” said Garcia.After Sailors receive their personal qualification

standards (PQS) books from their command they have set time frames to obtain their pins.Sailors E-4 and below whose primary pin is

ESWS have 30 months to get their pin upon receipt of their PQS books. E-5 and above Sailors have 18 months upon receipt of their PQS books. Sailors who are requalifying on ESWS pins obtained from other commands have 12 months from the receipt of their PQS books.Sailors who work in aviation rates have 36

months from when they step on board Nimitz to obtain their EAWS pin.According to the newly released Nimitz

instruction NIMITZINST 1414.2E, the minimum amount of time it takes a Sailor on board Nimitz to obtain their initial EAWS qualification is around 180 days, and for surface source rate Sailors, it is 90 days if they have their ESWS pin, said Sandi.The following prerequisites have to be

completed by Sailors who are aviation rated in order to start working on their EAWS pin: 3M-301 (maintenance man) for all Sailors on board, E-5 and above need to complete 3M-303 (work center supervisor), Basic DC and in rate basic qualifications.The steps necessary to start working on

obtaining an EAWS pin are to enroll in the EAWS program, complete your basic qualifications, complete your signature line items in your PQS book, do a walk through, take the test, then the oral board if the Sailor passes the written exam, said Sandi. After Sailors get their prerequisites for their

ESWS pins and have been given their PQS books to collect signatures, they will need to start attending classes which are held twice a

week on Mondays and Wednesdays in the indoc classroom on board.“I encourage Sailors to not only go to the

classes, but to go to the different departments on board to walk through in that department so they can get a visual reference for the materials they need to study,” said Garcia. “The aircraft are only on board while out to sea, so it’s important to take advantage of things that are available only while out to sea.”There are advantages to working on obtaining

your warfare pins while underway, according to Sandi.“There is more time and all subject matter

experts are underway with us. However, it takes determination to go out and learn while out to sea,” said Sandi. Sailors who exceed the goal dates for

obtaining either their ESWS or EAWS will receive an adverse evaluation and promotion recommendation will be removed.“My goal is to get everyone who is a surface

rate on board qualified with their ESWS pin so the command can receive the ESWS pennant that we can fly on the ship,” said Garcia. “It lets everyone know that our ship is 100 percent ESWS qualified.”For Sandi, the importance for Sailors to get

either their EAWS or ESWS pin is simple.“It shows that the command is well equipped

and ready for any mission, because Sailors who get qualified have the basic knowledge of different aviation rates on board,” said Sandi.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and it looks like work.”“

- Thomas Edison

THROUGHTHELENS

SN Matthew Malm stands watch on the fantail.- photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

A Sailor steadies a gun before it was lifted into an F/A 18F Super Hornet.- photo by MCSA Victoria Ochoa

Gunnery Sgt. Enel Labornand enjoys a break in flight operations. - photo by MC2 (SW) Devin Wray

AD1 Edwin Villanueva inspects an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter. - photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee

CSSA Christa Fretwell cuts lettuce.- photo by MCSA Aiyana Paschal

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