February 6, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO.5• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
USNH Pharmacist Donates Catapult to High School
U.S. Naval Hospital Pharmacist, LT Samuel Mendoza, MSC, USN, with a little time on his hands in Guantanamo Bay
after normal working hours, and an interest in engineering, decided to build a catapult at the base MWR Woodshop. Once built, it was donated to the Robotic Engineering class at W.T. Sampson High School to use in testing various mathematical calculations.
“Having a woodshop available on base, my interest in siege weapons of the middle ages, and just being a big kid at heart, I thought it a great opportunity to put concepts to practice and build a trebuchet,” said Mendoza. “I received assistance from MWR Woodshop personnel in the initial use and familiarization of woodshop equipment such as the table saw and planers.”
A trebuchet is a counter-weight based catapult, used between the 12th and 15th century as a siege engine or a device that an army could use to take over a fortified city or castle. It was built and initially tested entirely at the MWR Woodshop using available wood sold at the shop and borrowing the tools available at the shop. It took nine days to construct over three weekends and four weekdays when the woodshop was open.
Mendoza said that due to the size of the catapult or trebuchet, and lack of personal space or storage space at the woodshop, he was unable to gather data on the physics involved in measuring
the performance of the trebuchet. So he donated it to Mr. Shawn Johnson, the W.T. Sampson High School Computer Science teacher who also teaches the Robotic Engineering class.
“Mr. Johnson at the high school was kind enough to adopt the trebuchet for his science class,” said Mendoza. “It makes me happy to see the high school students carry on the work of studying the performance of the trebuchet and have fun while doing it. Science is everywhere and it can be fun!”
LT Samuel Mendoza presents a catapult to W.T. Sampson teacher, Mr. Shawn Johnson and his class, Jan. 29. Mendoza donated it to the Robotic Engineering class so they could use it for testing various mathematical calculations.
Stacey ByingtonUSNH Public Affairs Officer
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
VOL. 72 • NO.5
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessar-ily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 670.
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
CAPT. SCOTT GRAYCMDR. AL ROSS
CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR
KELLY WIRFELMCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA
Guantanamo Bay GazetteNAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
■Job/Department: Security■Age: 20■Hometown: Pineville, LA■Goal: Level 2 Coxswain ■Favorite Musician: The Prodegy ■Heroes: My Dad■Favorite Movie: Shawn of The Dead ■Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots ■Favorite Hobbies: Paintball, Wakeboarding ■Favorite Accomplishment:Joining the Navy and becoming a Master-at-Arms■Sailor of the Week Because: MASN Obrien was selected SOW for going above and beyond his pay grade attaining the Patrol Supervisor qualification, usually held by a Second Class Petty Office. On duty he is a prime example for the junior enlisted, always on top of qualifications and displaying high values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. His devotion to duty and personal integrity is vital to mission readiness.
MASN CHRISTOPHER OBRIEN
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Gray congratulates MASN Obrien on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
February 6, 2015• PAGE 3
The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) talked with Sailors around the world during an all-hands call broadcast live from Defense Media Activity at Fort Meade, Md., Feb. 3.
Vice Adm. Bill Moran and Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, the Fleet Master Chief of Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E), took the time to address Sailors from across the fleet and around the world through a myriad of channels, such as in-studio questions, satellite feeds, and social media.
“We know that there are ships out there in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility that are dialed in. We know there are folks from fleet concentration areas on both coasts dialed in, so let’s get to the questions,” said Moran.
Some of the topics Moran and Beldo touched on are subjects of great importance to Sailors: pay, manning, advancement, tuition assistance, and physical readiness.
Here are a few of the questions and answers from the all-hands call:
Q: Over the last few years there have been several force shaping tools rolled out (i.e. ERB and C-Way). Are there any plans for future force shaping tools?
A: “Are there going to be any more changes or initiatives for force-shaping? Absolutely not,” said Beldo. “C-Way came online and it provided the opportunity to pay attention to the health of all of our ratings. So with regards to all of our ratings? Absolutely not. CNO is committed to that, he said no more ERB, and so you don’t have to worry about that shipmate.”
Q: Is there any plan on us receiving imminent danger pay?
A:” The imminent danger pay areas are defined by the combatant commanders. Right now there is no plan to reinstitute imminent danger pay in 5th Fleet,” said Moran. “We’re not doing anything with combat tax exclusion zones, and we’re continuing to look at ways to make sure we incentivize you out there at sea. That’s why we saw a pretty significant bump in sea pay this year, and also long deployment allowance that were instituted with Bush and Bataan. So hang in there - there is not going to be any change to imminent danger pay in the near future.”
Q: What are your views on transgenders in the Navy? Where do you see the Navy on the subject in the next few years?
A: “We are starting to talk to Office of the Secretary of Defense and folks in policy that review all of the policies related to don’t ask don’t tell, which we went through for several years and finally got to a place where all of us were comfortable,” said Moran. “Transgender is another issue we’ll take a look at as men and women who join the service, or who are in the service, that they want their personal interest addressed. We are looking at that today, but most of us feel that what it is all about for us is the dignity and respect we have for each other no matter what our backgrounds are.”
Q: Do you foresee any changes to the physical readiness test in regards to how it’s conducted?
A: “As we have traveled throughout the area we get that same question. We are looking at the way we perform
our PFT, but most importantly we’re concerned about the health of our Sailors,” said Beldo. “We’ve asked for feedback from the fleet, and if you have something that you feel that would better our culture of health, please do not hesitate to send me an email - you can find my address on Facebook - so just shoot us a message and tell us what you feel would help add to our culture of fitness.”
Q: Do you think it hinders or hurts Sailors when they come from A-school or C-school to shore duty first instead an operational environment?
A: “I don’t believe that there’s any Sailor that graduates from their “A” or “C” school that does not want to go to sea duty first,” said Beldo. “However, as you know we have shore duty billets and we have sea duty billets and we have to man both. So as far as hindering, I don’t think it does, because I hope that my leadership makes sure those Sailors get what they need while they’re on shore duty and you’re also preparing them for their next duty station when they get to sea. “ Moran added, “In a perfect world everyone that graduated from “A” and “C” shools would go right to the waterfront or to an operational unit at sea, but we have several ratings that are sea-centric and sea-intensive - they go to sea. Then we have ratings that are not sea-centric, but they’re shore-centric because of the nature of their work, so they naturally will go to shore duty billets. But there just isn’t enough room to put Sailors in every rate, right to sea, so we have to distribute them evenly, and it’s up to leadership to make sure they’re ready when they do go to sea.”
Q: Women have made a lot of strides in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), but they still fill a significantly smaller number of jobs than their male counterparts. What are we doing to recruit and retain women in these critical fields?
A: “I’ve had the wonderful opportunity over the last year or so to work with the enlisted women in submarine task force, so as you know, in January a NAVADMIN was released calling for applications for enlisted women in submarines,” said Beldo. “I believe as an organization we are looking at opening up every rating and really giving every Sailor the opportunity to participate in any job they want to and that they qualify to participate in and I believe in our future we will continue down that road.”
Moran added, “This is a real important topic for us and it’s a great question you asked about the numbers of women in our Navy today. The total number when you put all of our officers and enlisted together is that about 17.8% of our force is female. Not enough in my view, and we’re trying to bring in more. We actually bring in between 23-25% women in the enlisted and officer communities today, and that’s a far better place than we were 10 years ago, but we’re still trying to attract the highest quality young women that are coming out of high school and college. To be frank with you, on the officer side, more than 50% of college grads are STEM majors, and that’s a fairly significant change over the past 10 years. We have to go after young women in both our officer and enlisted communities if we’re going to round out the Navy we want to have.”
CNP Hosts Live All Hands CallDefense Media Activity
Girls from W.T. Sampson Elementary and High School took part in a girls pursuing STEAM event
Feb. 5. STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Guest speaker Capt. Dana Ugwu explained how programs like this helped her further her career when she was growing up.
“I hope that something you do or see here tonight has a lasting impact on you and helps to give you the inspiration to consider a career in one of the STEAM fields,” said Ugwu. “When I was in the fifth grade I participated in the math challenge program for gifted students, if was different for me because a few years before I was in special classes because I needed help in math. What once was a weakness became a strength because to the help of great teachers and teachers assistants.”
The night included several events such as building hoop gliders, spoon catapult, robotics, and a coding class ran by an adult mentor and a teacher and other volunteers.
“It was during a science event that I built a Walkman
W.T. Sampson Holds STEAM EventMCC Keith Bryska
radio from the ground up, even though you young girls probably don’t remember what a Walkman is. Even to this day I have a mini lie detector that I built and bring it out for fun every once in a while,” said Ugwu. “Program like this help us learn the importance of science and engineering so we can build proper houses, roads, bridges and even the science that goes in to our food production.”
According to W.T. Sampson Assistant Principal Shelman Burton the night’s event was very successful and he give the credit to the teachers and volunteers that came out to support the event.
“It was a great night and the excitement from the girls showed that it was successful. These girls are our future teachers, scientist and doctors and we think this will help ignite their passion for STEAM,” said Burton. “Our next STEAM event will be March 23-27 that will be open to all students at W.T. Sampson elementary and high school.”
To find out more about the STEAM program please visit http://www.aauw.org/research/why-so-few/
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
The first Friday of February each year is designated by the American Heart Association
as ‘National Wear Red Day’ to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women.
Each year one in three women die of heart disease or stroke, a staggering fact considering 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.
Heart disease most typically is caused by coronary artery disease. This is due to a build-up of plaque in the arteries leading to a narrowing of the vessels that supply the heart. This, in turn, decreases the blood supply and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. When this occurs, a patient experiences pain (angina) or if the muscle is damaged, a heart attack.
The risk factors for heart disease are varied but include age 55 or older, family history of heart disease or heart attack, elevated cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, tobacco use, obesity, diabetes, and lack of regular exercise.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women can be different than those in men. Most men get crushing pain in the chest. Women may have this or
may have nausea as their first symptom. Any of the following symptoms that persist for more than five minutes should be evaluated at a hospital:
- Sudden intense pain/pressure in the chest - Shortness of breath - Chest pain spreading to neck, shoulder, or arms - Feelings of nausea, lightheadedness, fainting or
sweatingPeople can decrease their risk of having heart
disease by being proactive in their health. Stay physically active with a goal of doing some sort
of activity at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days of the week. Stop using tobacco products. Maintain a healthy weight by engaging in an appropriate diet and exercise plan. Finally decrease cholesterol levels by reducing saturated fats and increasing fiber. U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay has a variety of ways to assist with these efforts.
Today is Feb. 6. Wear red to show support for the fight against women’s heart disease and engage in healthy habits throughout the year. For more information please contact USNH Primary Care Clinic at 72944.
Wear Red for WomenLCDR Kristi M Wood, MC, USNUSNH Guantanamo Bay
Chaplain’sCorner
Marriage Through a Glass DarklyLT Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
In the Bible, the Apostle Paul describes our limited ability to see God’s plan as if “looking
through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12). I know trying to understand life’s challenges can seem cloudy at times, as if you too were “looking through a glass darkly.” I also know this can be especially true for married couples who feel ‘stuck’ relationally for whatever reason. I would like to share with you a fresh perspective, particularly for those married folks out there.
Author and speaker Gary Thomas asks, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” Notice, he says “more than” not “instead of ”. This concept of holiness more than happiness is challenging for anyone, especially for those who don’t identify as Christians. However, the virtue of living beyond your own ‘self ’ is timeless and is a high-calling for anyone, regardless of faith
practice.If we put our marital emphasis on ‘happiness’ then
our focus is temporary. Happiness is a state that is too subjective to endure “till death do us part” and is totally self-gratifying. Rather than pursue happiness in marriage, pursue ‘holiness;’ a life that pleases God rather than oneself. When we live for an ideal that is ‘others’ focused, our own personal happiness is an inevitable outcome, not and entitlement. The Apostle Paul goes on to say that what we know in part, in time we will know fully.
As much as you long for happiness in marriage, try taking your eyes off yourself for a moment and consider the original intent for marriage. Could it be that God did intend marriage to be a means of discovering His master plan for our lives, a plan filled, as the Apostle Paul says, with “faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
February 6, 2015• PAGE 7
SHOPPERSHOPPERGTMO E - m a i l c l a s s i f i e d a d s u b m i s s i o n s t o P A O - C L A S S I F I E D A D S @U S N B G T M O . N A V Y . M I L If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be pub-lished. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final edito-rial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns.Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
Motorcycle for Sale, buy it now for $4,300 (OBO) $500 off for military members. 2008 YA-MANHA FZ6 (600cc) W/ 8000 MILES, Sport/Tour (Upright Seat Position), Dk. Blue w/minor scratches (1 dent), New Michelin Pilot 4 Rear/Front Tires Saddle Bags and Trunk Bag Included, Complete Tune Up completed in States. Added options are avail-able. Call x79456 and leave a message.
VEHICLES
Scoop The
GAS STATIONA friendly reminder that the base gas station will be closed on Feb. 7-9 for repairs to the pumps. This is only the public gas station located across from the library. The gas station for government vehicles will not be affected. Please plan accordingly and buy your gas ahead of time.
DIVINGAll dive instructors are re-quired to provide the names of their students when filing a dive plan. This is a required action IAW the NAVSTAGT-MOINST 1711.1. The dive instructors can e-mail their class rosters into Port Control distribution list 24-48 hours in advance. This will allow the instructors to call in Port Control and verify the list and dive plan rather than call in each name and dive plan.
IBCBeginning February 16 IBC will commence two flights a week off the island. The flights will be every Monday and Thursday. The Monday flight will be a prop plane and the Thursday flight will be a jet aircraft. Both flights will be to Fort Lauderdale, FL.
COLA SURVEYThe base is currently con-ducting a Living Pattern Survey that factors into the COLA equation. The survey will run for the next four weeks so please take the time and participate and have your voice heard. Only active duty service can par-ticipate in the survey. This survey plays a big part in determining whether we get COLA here in Guantana-mo Bay. We have also post the link on our command Facebook page. Please spread the word so we get max participation.
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/lps-cuba.cfm
BASE VISITORSDid you know that there is no prohibition against FN family members coming to visit? You do need to allow at least 45 days to process through foreign databases. Below are the following steps you need to conduct.#1: Sponsor on island needs to have their guest complete SECNAV 5512/1 form, initial & sign as ap-propriate (page 2), scan and email back to the spon-sor.#2: Sponsor will print the form and take to either NGIS or Navy Lodge to stamp for reservation con-firmation#3: Sponsor delivers the printed and stamped copy to Bldg 865. Sponsor will be asked for dates of visit at this time. #4: Access Control staff conducts foreign national background check (esti-mated time to completion is 45 days)#5: If cleared, Access Con-trol will sign and contact sponsor of approval. If de-rogatory information is dis-covered that would prevent clearance, sponsor will be notified in writing of the de-termination.
SEABEE BALLThe 2015 Seabee Ball Committee will be holding a live auction on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 1830 at the Bay-view. Items up for auction
DOWNTOWN LYCEUMMOVIES FRIDAY Feb. 6 7 p.m.:
9 p.m.:
SATURDAY Feb. 77 p.m.:
9 p.m.:
SUNDAY Feb. 86:30 p.m.:
8:45p.m.:
MONDAY Feb. 97 p.m.:
TUESDAY Feb. 107 p.m.:
WEDNESDAY Feb.117 p.m.:
THURSDAY Feb. 127 p.m.: Full Metal Jacket
R
The GamblerR
The Woman in Black 2PG13
American SniperR
The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies PG13
BlackhatR
Wild R
The SpongeBob MoviePG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Strange MagicPG
Exodus: Gods and KingsPG13
ELECTRONICS4FT DIRECTV Dish that re-ceives 3 DIRECTV HD signals of 99/101/103. Only 3 DIRECTV HD dishes are located on the island. Asking for $400, Please call Tony at 8235 from 0800 to 1430 and at 77106 after 1530; or email me at [email protected] for any questions.
HP Mini Notebook PC, Intel® Atom N270 Processor (1.60GHz), Genuine Windows 7® Starter (32-Bit) 160GB Hard Drive, 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM, 10.1 Diagonal WSVGA Anti-Glare widescreen Display, Intel Graphic Media Ac-celerator 950 with shard graphic memory, 802.11b/g WLAN, Web-cam, 5-in-1 Digital media read-er, Rarely used, No scratches, Looks like new, Asking $250, Call 78471 after 3:00PM or leave mes-sage.
OUTDOOR REC.CMC Powerlift Transom Jack for Outboard Motor w/install in-structions ($75), MARES minimi-ni sten - Pneumatic Spear Gun w/ holster ($50), Please contract Steven @ 55352
GREAT DIVE/SNORKEL/FAMILY BOAT, +30 feet barrel boat with recently refurbished 90HP John-son Ocean Pro and new barrels; inclined ladder for getting on the boat with dive equipment, plen-ty of deck space and storage, hold 10+ people comfortably, recently painted, nice speakers, head facility, COME FOR A TEST RIDE! $5000 OBO, Contact Ste-ven 55352 or Otis 84988
HOUSEHOLD GOODSAvailable Feb 12, 2015 3 month old Full size mattress for $125 available on Feb 12, 2015,Feb, 10 2015 4 Burner gas grill with two gas tanks for $125 available on.Feb, 12 2015 Bilkin N600 wireless router $20 Available on.Ninja blinder for $25available Feb 12, 2015 keurig single cup brewer with a lot of K-cups in-cluded $30 Shark Iron $20Mini food processor $10Weber Small charcoal grill $15HP All in one printer with new car-tridges $25 Small computer disk $15Please call Tony at 8235 from 0800 to 1430 and at 77106 after 1530; or email me at [email protected] for any questions.
MISCLooking for a fluent or near flu-ent French speaking adult who would be willing to tutor students. Please call 77199 and leave mes-sage.
include; flags, coins, ceram-ics, hand crafted items, Val-entine’s Day items and much more! For more information contact LTJG Roley at 5647.
BHOThe Black Heritage Organiza-tion is currently selling tickets to their annual banquet. Tick-ets are $40.00. The banquet is scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Windjammer Ballroom and the dress is formal and semi-formal attire. For more infor-mation call 79449
USNHAn Early Developmental Inter-vention Screening specialist visits Guantanamo Bay semi-annually. If anyone has con-cerns regarding their child’s developmental progress such as speech and/or gross or fine motor skills, please make an appointment to be seen by the pediatrician for a referral by Feb. 27. Call 72994 with any questions or to make an appointment.
So you’re separating or retiring from the Navy; leaving behind an occupation and an identity and
preparing to embark on a new adventure. The Navy, Department of Defense, Department of
Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs and a host of lawmakers joined forces to set Sailors up for success. Don’t just tap out, plan your transition.
Transition Assistance Program Components“We have all heard about the TAP (Transition Assistance
Program) class that was offered to Sailors on their way out of the Navy. Now, an improved version of the program includes the Transition Goals, Plan and Success (TGPS) core curriculum,” said Lynette Teall, Fort Meade Fleet and Family Support Center’s transition program assistant.
TAP components now consist of pre-separation counseling, TGPS seminar, TGPS career tracks, and Capstone. Capstone is a transition program culminating activity that verifies the Service member meets the common readiness standards (CRS) and the Service member has a viable plan for transition. Capstone also connects service members with external agencies that can offer additional assistance to ensure a successful transition to civilian life.
Fleet and Family Support Centers, career counselors and business agencies are committed to working together to make separation a smooth and complete process and not a startling bump in the road.
“Sailors can opt to take TGPS at any point in their career,” said Teall. “However, when you are nearing the end of your career, it is mandatory.”
Another TAP component is the track program. Three separate tracks which focus on providing Service members with a targeted set of value-added, individually-tailored training programs and services in order to equip them with the skills they need to successfully pursue their post military service goals are also available to eligible service members based on their CRS. A Service member may attend additional tracks if desired and supported by unit operational requirements.
Track one: Entrepreneurial Track The Small Business Association hosts ‘Operation
Boots to Business’ for Sailors who wish to go from service to start up business. During Boots to Business, an SBA representative will give an overview of business fundamentals and discuss classifications of businesses and how to write a business plan. Sailors then have the opportunity to attend an additional instructor-led, 8-week online course offered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. The 2-day intensive workshop combined with the additional 8-week course will offer participants the blueprints for a successful company from established experts in their field. For a brief overview of “Operation Boots to Business” and a list of other SBA workshops offered for veterans, like Operation Endure and Grow or V-WISE visit www.boots2business.org.
Track two: Higher EducationThe Higher Education Track lists and compares
TGPS Leads to a Better Future. Don’t just TAP out!!!Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jymyaka BradenDefense Media Activity
academic institutions for undergraduate or graduate degree studies that best fit your personal requirements and professional criteria.
Maybe you’re considering a new career in a field unrelated to your military service? From firefighting to teaching, hull tech to home designs or boatswain to ballerina? The Higher Education Track may be right for you.
This track offers a Career Interest Assessment tool (O*NET Interest Profiler or Kuder Journey), one-on-one counseling with a higher education institution advisor or counselor and a comparison of academic institutions to help you pick the best path to personal success.
The Higher Education Track also highlights many scholarships offered for military personnel such as the Ralph W. Shrader Diversity Scholarship, Armed Forces Communication and Electronic Association and the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.
At the end of this two-day track, participants will have prepared and submitted an Education Application, which will include an application to an institution or an acceptance letter if you’re already enrolled.
Track Three: Technical TrackIn some fields, certification is more valuable than a
degree. For Sailors in hands-on industries the Technical Track may be ideal. This track helps develop personal technical career goals, identify required credentials, sift through technical training opportunities, and understand market demands and salary expectations. This track will identify some technical training schools and certification programs such as Navy COOL and USMAP that will offer options transferring Navy skills already earned.
Spouses may be able to attendAnother change to the program is spouses of eligible
separating service members are eligible, at the discretion of the member and the spouse, for certain counseling including job placement, counseling, and information on survivor benefits. Spouses of eligible separating Service members are encouraged to attend the TGPS seminar. This is on a space available basis.
February 6, 2015• PAGE 7