Vol. 1 Issue 75Nov. 2, 2012

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2012 NIMITZ

$100,000!This year’s goal...

Story By MC2 Vladimir Potapenko

see LaDR pg. 6 see TAO pg. 7

Designed to provide continuity and direction to Sailors as they navigate the often choppy waters of their naval careers, the Learning and Devlopment Roadmap, or LaDR, is an often overlooked tool that can bridge the seemingly massive gap between Seaman and Master Chief.

“A [LaDR] outlines training and education at each pay grade and provides guidance toward advanced educational opportunities, as well as professional certification,” said

“This is the TAO…” Sailors hear this all the time and

what follows usually isn’t good news. Sometimes they are talking about setting EMCON, or full bore and other times they are calling out the infamous river city conditions, shutting down email and internet capabilities. They might be the bearers of bad news, but their job is much bigger than that.

In a few words, Tactical Action Officers (TAO) are responsible for self-defense of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and her crew. There are currently three qualified TAOs on board.

“As TAO aboard Nimitz, we are responsible for controlling the ship’s weapons, sensors, and propulsion in self-defense or attack against enemy forces,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clayton White, one of Nimitz’ TAOs.

The TAO works in the Combat Direction Center (CDC) under the CDC Officer.

“I’m basically the defensive coach,” said Cmdr. Keith Patton, Nimitz’ CDC Officer. “I ensure they have the training and support they need to do their jobs.”

The TAO doesn’t work alone; he

Tools For Your Navy Career Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Andre Taylor directs a fixed-winged

aircraft on the flight deck. (Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes)

Story by MC3 Carla Ocampo

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clayton White, one of Nimitz’ Tactical Action Officers in his workspace, the Combat Direction Center. (Photo by MC3 Ryan Mayes)

This is the TAO

Commanding OfficerCAPT Jeff S. RuthExecutive OfficerCAPT Buzz Donnelly

Command Master ChiefCMDCM Teri McIntyre

Public Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin Burzynski

EditorMC2 Benjamin Crossley

Lead DesignerMC3 Renee L. Candelario

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.

In Battle in Empress Augusta Bay, U.S. cruisers and destroyers turn back Japanese forces trying to attack transports off Bougainville, Solomons. Operation Search Turn begain in Mekong, Delta.

1943

1968

Airman Celitha Edwards waits to chock and chain a fixed-winged aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC2 Benjamin Crossley)

Page 2

A Prescott Valley, Ariz., native, now a Sailor on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), was nominated as the Sailor of the Day Nov. 1.

As Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) Mount 21 Captain, Fire Controlman 3rd Class Andrew M. Plane expertly searched and tracked numerous high-speed, hostile surface vessels during both of Nimitz’ simulated strait transits. His skill with camera system operation and his clear, timely reporting gave Carrier Strike Group 11 and Nimitz the situational awareness necessary to successfully defend against all hostile surface vessels in supports of Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX).

“I’m honored,” said Plane. “I didn’t expect this at all, and I feel the rest of the guys in my division deserve to be up here just as much as I do. I’m not big on being in the spotlight, but it feels nice and a bit embarrassing at the same time.”

Plane joined the Navy August 31, 2009.“I always wanted to be in the military, and have dreamed

of it since I was young,” said Plane. “I wanted to serve my country, and the fact that this will pay for my education and make my family proud is a big plus.”

During liberty, Plane enjoys outdoor activities such as rock climbing, and he also spends as much time with family as he can.

When he gets off work, he uses his free time to read for pleasure or study for combat watches and his Surface

Warfare qualification.Plane is considering a future in law enforcement.“I still have another three years in the Navy, so I have

plenty of time to decide whether I want to stay in or not,” he said. “I’ve thought about becoming a police officer, fire fighter, or just something exciting where I can make a difference.”

Plane is a firm believer in using teamwork to get the job done.

“Work hard and always support the people in your division,” Plane said. “Stay close and help each other out. I can’t really get anything done without the other guys I work with. It’s really important to try to make things work, even if you don’t necessarily like each other. Work hard and work together.”

Sailor of the Day:Teamwork Gets the Job DoneStory and photos by MCSN Vanessa David

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Andrew M. Plane enjoys a day at sea in CIWS Mount 21.

Capt. Jeff Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer, names Fire Controlman 3rd Class Andrew M. Plane Sailor of the Day in the Pilot House Nov. 1.

Page 3

HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZASailors dress up in their best

costumes tocelebrate Halloween while

underway for COMPTUEX.

HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZASailors dress up in their best

costumes tocelebrate Halloween while

underway for COMPTUEX.

Force master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo, Naval Education and Training Command Force Master Chief/ “[LaDRs] are what the name implies—a roadmap through the enlisted development continuum by which Sailors’ professional development is guided.”

Geared to fit the dynamics of each rate in the Navy, LaDRs are sequenced to meer the growing and changing roles Sailors embrace in their fields. They place a focus on technical and operational competence early in a career, and a more strategic and management minded perspective as the Sailor becomes more senior.

“Sailors are only shooting themselves in the foot by not using their LaDR,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Alberto PerezBadillo, a representative in USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) command career counselor’s office. “It’s something that any Sailor can use to see what they need to do to advance. NECs, NKOs, quals, educations, favorable billet assignment—it’s all right there for the Sailor.”

Still, PerezBadillo feels as if the program is underutilized on board Nimitz and throughout the

fleet. He feels that it should be a requirement for every incoming Sailor to be introduced to their LaDR during their reporting career development board (CDB).

“The CDB is the perfect opportunity for senior Sailors to sit down their troops and present them with all of their options,” said PerezBadillo. “All the information is right there and the new Sailor, who may or may not have any clue as to what it will take to succeed, can start on a very navigable path up the naval food chain.

There will be no confusion or need to depend on someone else’s experiences. It’s all black and white. Anyone can use it.”

Not only beneficial to junior troops, LaDRs are a powerful asset for a Navy mentor as they help guide the careers of those entrusted

to them. The Navy also benefits by grooming every Sailor into a competent and effective asset usable in the world’s current and future threat environment.

“[The LaDR] helps the Navy get the right Sailor, with the right training, in the right job, at the right time,” said Beldo.

For more information, please visit wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/careermanagement/eld/home, or speak with your departmental/divisional career counselor.

LaDR: Learn What It Will Take To Succeed continued from Pg. 1

Page 6

TAO: Making Critical Decisions to Defend the Shipcontinued from Pg. 1is supported by a team of operations specialists, fire controlmen, and cryptologic technicians who deliver critical data so that he can make decisions.

“TAOs employ tactics learned from intense on-the-job training coupled with various combat schools,” said White. “To successfully utilize every aspect of Nimitz’ fighting capabilities, requires the mastery of naval tactics.”

The Navy utilizes an Intelligent Combat Systems Tutoring (ICST) simulator to train TAOs for the position in the most effective way. According to White the ICST is basically a complex and realistic naval video game where instructors can create combat scenarios and control the geography, types of ships and aircraft present, as well as the battle plan of the simulated enemy forces.

“This tactical naval simulator allows TAOs to train intensively in preparation for the tactical position on board the ship,” said White.

The TAO also provides tactical situation updates and advice to the captain as potentially hostile ships, subs, and aircraft close on Nimitz’ position.

“The TAO interfaces with the admiral’s watch in TFCC [Tactical Flag Command Center], as well as DESRON 23 and our escort ships to ensure an optimal use of our defensive capabilities,” said Patton.

The TAO has a 007 “license to kill” explained Patton. Only the TAOs and the captain have “batteries release” authority to fire the ship’s missiles and Phalanx CIWS Gatling Guns. Normally the CO gives the order but in the case of a threat there might not be sufficient time to inform him and the TAO can act independently to protect the ship.

“The TAO represents the commanding officer’s voice in the combat direction center and on the 1MC to keep the crew informed,” said White.

Along with worrying about ship’s defense, TAOs are also the main interface for immediate information and tasking Nimitz receives from the composite sea warfare commander, air warfare commander, sea combat

commander, strike warfare commander, and information warfare commander.

“He has to keep abreast of all ships casualties and feed tactical implications to these critical commanders,” said Patton. “As a result, we frequently joke that TAO stands for ‘Telephone Answering Officer.’”

To be chosen for the TAO position means someone has mastered command of various systems within the ship and are now ready to combine their experience into one complex job, explained White.

“We take officers from diverse backgrounds and entrust them to make the critical decisions to defend the ship in combat,” said Patton. “Naval Warfare is a team sport, our airwing and surface ship escorts should keep our foes at bay, but the TAO is the goalie who ensures they never score a point on Nimitz.”

The TAO’s role is not to make Sailors’ lives more difficult, it’s to protect them from possible dangers and it’s an all-hands evolution to assist the TAO.

“When you hear the GQ [general quarters] gongs prompting Nimitz to GQ, get out of your racks and man your battle stations up and forward on the starboard side, down and aft on the port side; Nimitz needs your help,” said White. “A real-world event leading into GQ will most likely not be posted in the green sheet or plan of the day.”

So when Sailors hear “This is the TAO…” over the 1MC, it’s Nimitz responding to a potential threat.

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Sailors secure a fixed-winged aircraft to an aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). (Photo by MC2 Benjamin Crossley)