In this week's paper we will find out how Sigonella firefighters "play ball" with the best, we check out the kick-off of the NMCRS - Active Duty Fund Drive, and finally we will take a look at the "Paris of Romania" - Bucharest!
9
Leaving the Military?: NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - Every team has standout players. e Seattle Seahawks have Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman. e Golden State Warriors have “Splash Brothers” Stephen Curry and Klay ompson. Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella's fire department has its own pair of superstars. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bowling, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ali Razi were selected as the region's civilian fire officer of the year and military fire officer of the year, respectively, for 2014. ese awards recognize superior job performance by individuals and their outstanding contributions to the fire service based on a set of criteria that includes technical competence, initiative, and leadership ability. “Mike is super deserving of this award,” said John Smithgall, the fire department’s fire chief. “He's been the backbone here for five years. He's always the go-to person. Petty Officer Razi is the same way. He always pushes ahead. He's one of the exceptions.” “In the Navy, you know how it is,” Smithgall continued. “You come off the ship for your shore duty and you either get the T-line or, as the guys say, you get the punishment of being a fireman. Razi wanted to be a fireman.” “I like the job,” said Razi. “It's fun. Helping people is always a good thing to do and it's enjoyable. It's different every day.” Tom Brady was this year's Super Bowl MVP, but he didn’t win the game alone. He had Pete Carroll on his side (sorry, couldn’t resist). Likewise, Bowling and Razi could not have been selected without the help of each member on their team. “Although it's an individual award, you can't obtain this award by yourself,” said Bowling. “It's all how you lead. You get the guys to work with you. You accomplish things that the department needs. You stay focused on the mission, and support all the different elements. All of that's a group effort, it's not really one person.” e role that the rest of the department played in achieving these honors was no small one. eir hard work and dedication were vital to the success of Bowling and Razi, and it didn't go unnoticed. As a team, they were selected as the 2014 Regional Medium Fire Department of the Year, an award that recognizes fire departments with between four and eight fully staffed fire trucks, that have achieved the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire-protection management. “We work real hard,” said Razi. “ere are three different work forces here. We've got the civilians, we've got the military, and we've got the Italian nationals as well. To work in a team like that and win an award for it is awesome.” “e department is running top-notch,” said Bowling. “We've done a lot as a collective group and it's great to be acknowledged for it.” Bowling said the awards were especially nice because it was such a tough year for the department. “We were short staffed,” he said. “We had lost some guys due to PCSing back to the states and two of our employees had gotten promoted. It leſt us in a jam, so it was nice this last year to get this award.” As regional winners, Bowling, Razi, and the fire department have made it to the playoffs where they will now be judged by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) in Washington D.C., next to the best the Navy has in fire and emergency services. Should they be selected for the Navy-wide award, they will advance to the “world series” of fire protection and go head-to-head with the entire Department of Defense. So if you see one of our Region’s finest, which is really every member of our installation fire team, you can shake their hand, give them a high-five, congratulate them, but most importantly, thank them for a job well done. N A S SIG O N E L L A Sigonella firefighters 'play ball' with the best Should I stay, or should I go? PAGE 15 Vol. 32 No. 9 Bucharest: e Paris of Romania! PAGE 8 NMCRS ADFD: 2015 kick-off! PAGE 4 March 6, 2015 Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bowling and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ali Razi were selected as the region's civilian fire officer of the year and military fire officer of the year, respectively, for 2014. Bowling and Razi are now eligible for the Navy-wide awards in the same categories. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo/Released) BY MC2 DONAVAN PATUBO NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Staff
Transcript
Leaving the Military?:
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - Every team has standout players. The Seattle Seahawks have Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman. The Golden State Warriors have “Splash Brothers” Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella's fire department has its own pair of superstars.
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bowling, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ali Razi were selected as the region's civilian fire officer of the year and military fire officer of the year, respectively, for 2014. These awards recognize superior job performance by individuals and their outstanding contributions to the fire service based on a set of criteria that includes technical competence, initiative, and leadership ability.
“Mike is super deserving of this award,” said John Smithgall, the fire department’s fire chief. “He's been the backbone here for five years. He's always the go-to person. Petty Officer Razi is the same way. He always pushes ahead. He's one of the exceptions.”
“In the Navy, you know how it is,” Smithgall continued. “You come off the ship for your shore duty and you either get the T-line or, as the guys say, you get the punishment of being a fireman. Razi wanted to be a fireman.”
“I like the job,” said Razi. “It's fun. Helping people is always a good thing to do and it's enjoyable. It's different every day.”
Tom Brady was this year's Super Bowl MVP, but he didn’t win the game alone. He had Pete Carroll on his side (sorry, couldn’t resist). Likewise, Bowling and Razi could not have been selected without the help of each member on their team.
“Although it's an individual award, you can't obtain this award by yourself,” said Bowling. “It's all how you lead. You get the guys to work with you. You accomplish things that the department needs. You stay focused on the mission,
and support all the different elements. All of that's a group effort, it's not really one person.”
The role that the rest of the department played in achieving these honors was no small one. Their hard work and dedication were vital to the success of Bowling and Razi, and it didn't go unnoticed. As a team, they were selected as the 2014 Regional Medium Fire Department of the Year, an award that recognizes fire departments with between four and eight fully staffed fire trucks, that have achieved the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire-protection management.
“We work real hard,” said Razi. “There are three different work forces here. We've got the civilians, we've got the military, and we've got the Italian nationals as well. To work in a team like that and win an award for it is awesome.”
“The department is running top-notch,” said Bowling. “We've done a lot as a collective group and it's great to be acknowledged for it.”
Bowling said the awards were especially nice because it was such a tough year for the department.
“We were short staffed,” he said. “We had lost some guys due to PCSing back to the states and two of our employees had gotten promoted. It left us in a jam, so it was nice this last year to get this award.”
As regional winners, Bowling, Razi, and the fire department have made it to the playoffs where they will now be judged by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) in Washington D.C., next to the best the Navy has in fire and emergency services. Should they be selected for the Navy-wide award, they will advance to the “world series” of fire protection and go head-to-head with the entire Department of Defense.
So if you see one of our Region’s finest, which is really every member of our installation fire team, you can shake their hand, give them a high-five, congratulate them, but most importantly, thank them for a job well done.
NAS SIGONELLA
Sigonella firefighters 'play ball' with the best
Should I stay, orshould I go?
PAGE 15
Vol. 32 No. 9
Bucharest:
The Paris of Romania!
PAGE 8
NMCRS ADFD:2015 kick-off!
PAGE 4
March 6, 2015
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bowling and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ali Razi were selected as the region's civilian fire officer of the year and military fire officer of the year, respectively, for 2014. Bowling and Razi are now eligible for the Navy-wide awards in the same categories. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo/Released)
By mc2 donavan patuBoNAS Sigonella Public Affairs Staff
tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 2 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 3march 6, 2015
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - Looking back in the wake of our 43-40 win over Baumholder High School in the title game of this year’s DoDDS European Basketball Championship, it can be concluded that this year’s success was born out of disappointment. Returning mem-bers from last season’s team – a squad that finished a disappointing third overall during the 2013-’14 tournament after entering that season with higher expectations – committed themselves to play harder and focus more so they wouldn’t have to relive the displeasure of a similar finish.
Three returning players are especially noted for stepping up this year. These players put in countless hours in the gym during the summer and fall, and ended up carrying the team on their backs. They are Thomas Wray (senior), Jason Berlin (junior) and Tournament MVP Christian Moore (sophomore).
Sigonella High School sports teams participate in Division III – Europe’s smallest DoDDS division, which is comprised of teams with high school enrollments maxing out at roughly 120 total students from grades 9 through 12. One of the biggest challenges for Sigonella teams is during the regular seasons they’ll play teams from Divisions I and II, schools that have enrollments ranging from 120 all the way up to 1,000 students. All of Sig’s regular-season games (Naples, Vicenza, Aviano, American Overseas School of Rome, Marymount, Florence) were played against these larger schools. The team finished a very respectable 8-4, but the competition they faced is what set them up for success.
Because the regular season can be rough on our smaller squad, the true test of any Sigonella coach is keeping morale high as student-athletes know opposing teams are blessed with greater numbers to choose from, ultimately creating better opportunities for that school to win. However, this disadvantage eventually worked in Sigonella’s favor, pushing our basketball team to compete at a higher level. This not only noticeably improved their basketball abilities, it provided a measuring stick as they prepared to compete at championship tournaments. A proper analogy might be a baseball player warming up with a heavy
bat in the on-deck circle, and then swinging a lighter bat at the plate. This season’s boys basketball fared well against the larger schools,
beating Naples, Vicenza, and Aviano in multiple regular-season games. The boys were able to equal the playing field with these larger schools by thriving at several parts of their game – skills bigger schools aren’t used to seeing from DIII competition. Our Jaguars played tremendous pressure defense, ably ran transition-basketball, and smartly employed offensive “dribble-drives” to the hoop while skillfully protecting the rim with a myriad of defensive shot-blockers. Achieving success against the larger schools gave confidence to the coaches and their squad that the boys were properly tested and ready for the championship matches.
At the European championship tournament in Wiesbaden, Germany, Sigonella achieved early success, breezing through “pool play” with a perfect 3-0 record. However, coming through the semi-finals and the final game was a much different story. The final two teams Sig would face, Brussels and Baumholder, used a wide variety of zone defenses to slow down the game, fearing they could not keep up with the Jaguars’ speed and transition game. This worked well for Sigonella’s opponents as the Jags were forced to exercise ball patience, and wait for the right opportunity to score every time down the court. Patience and perseverance sometimes are not teenage boys’ strong suits, and this strategy worked well as Sigonella pined to run and gun when the opportunities weren’t available, in turn causing the final two games to be filled with low-percentage shot attempts, and low-scoring games.
Down six points with three minutes to go in the final, it was the team’s veteran leadership of Wray, Berlin, and Moore, still stung by memory of falling short in last season’s tournament, that helped rally the troops and will the team to a championship. Wray began the comeback with a key three pointer, Berlin stayed steady and smart with his point guard duties, and Moore completed the comeback, and ultimately the win, by scoring five timely-if-not-incredible points in a span of eight seconds.
In the end, a miracle season inspired by last season’s bitterness, and a group of never-say-quit student-athletes, helped push the team to the championships. We are proud to represent this wonderful community, and I am honored to have served as their coach.
Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney IIDirect Line
There are two ways to submit feed back to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis:
Visit The Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu. Also, visit NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on " CO Suggestion Box".
The Signature will anonymously publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. If you are submitting a "BZ", we ask that you provide your name in order for us to properly recognize employee. Please make sure your comments and suggestions are constructive. In other words, "BE NICE ON ICE."
Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box
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Suggestion EvaluationCustomerInteractive
Comment regarding ITAF Gate Usage:Are US Forces allowed enter/leave the ITAF gate near NAVCOMTELSTA? If so, what are the hours of operation?
Response: Thank you for your ICE comment. U.S., NATO, and DoD cardholders are not authorized to use the ITAF entry control point (ECP) due to our mandated administrative inspections, which are conducted at the Main ECP on NAS 2. Only ITAF personnel are to use the ITAF ECP. NASSIG Security has added additional personnel during our high-traffic times to reduce waits and also to expedite entry onto the installation. Accordingly, I thank you for your support and understanding.
Coach McKown: 'Miracle' season product of 'never-say-die attitude'
Sigonella High School senior Thomas Wray, takes a shot in the closing minutes of the Jaguars 43 - 40 victory over Baumholder High School in the title game of this year’s DoDDS European Basketball Championship. (Photo by Kim Mason)
By matt mcKown Sigonella High School
Buongiorno Sigonella,
As we begin to settle into the month of March, many of us are starting to feel encouraged by even the smallest changes in the outdoor climate. A waxing spring and waning winter gives you that feeling of being almost out of those long dark tunnels on the autostrada. Like most of you, I hope for a speedy transition from the recent cold, damp, and (for some Sig’ Citizens) snowy conditions, to more pleasant weather. Please don’t take my ‘talking about the weather’ as insincere. I’m really hoping to be able to take on my first Base-2-Base “Running of the Leprechauns” without rain. Most of us are familiar with the somewhat turbulent nature associated with moving from one season to the next. Maintaining awareness that this is an unpredictable time of year, where weather patterns that can change by the hour, will aide your preparedness for impromptu changes.
There is a popular Sicilian proverb that goes, “Marzo pazzerello, guarda il sole e prendi l’ombrello!” Loosely translated as “March is crazy, see the sun and take the umbrella”, it refers to this period of the year when weather can be dark and damp one minute, sunny and clear the next. A similar saying in Italian, “Marzo cambia sette cappelli al giorno” translates to “March changes seven hats a day.” You get the picture. It is normal to experience this while living in a Mediterranean climate during spring. This is especially true here at the “Hub of the Med”, with our central location and variety of topographical features. Keeping that umbrella or raincoat handy may help preserve the joy of the moment, as you venture around the island. Along with that, going from dry to wet quickly can induce dangerous flash flooding. High accumulation of water on the roadways is something we have been living with for weeks. When it’s unanticipated, we may be mentally unprepared, leaving open the possibility for our vehicles to hydroplane – the reason for three of the nine accidents from last week (see statistics on page 10), and an untold other amount of ‘close calls’ in our community.
I knew he was going to write about driving safety again – he just can’t leave it alone! As always, maintaining a safe travel speed for the road conditions and paying attention to changes will set everyone up for success.
Speaking of safe driving, I commend everyone that has taken on the personal responsibility to ensure that they, their shipmates, and families are making smart decisions when it comes to
operating a potentially lethal machine in an unfamiliar and sometimes challenging environment. More of this behavior will yield positive and long-lasting benefits for all of us. Okay, moving on…
Aside from the crazy weather here, the month of March is home to International Women’s Day, celebrated on the 8th day of March every year to recognize, respect, appreciate and show affection for women and all of their contributions and pursuits. This year’s official United Nations Theme is “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” One easy way to join the celebration this Sunday is to give the ladies in your lives flowers – sure, daughters too. Daffodils and Tulips are popular, and in season. However, the vibrant yellow Mimosa is by large the most popular and traditional here in Italy. Usually sold in small bunches, they can be found virtually everywhere this Sunday, from florist shops to street-side vendors. Some of you may even have one of the lovely trees or shrubs growing wild near your home. Carpe diem.
Designed around this glorious day is Women’s History Month. Our community has no shortage of people making important contributions on a daily basis. Great examples this week are the NASSIG Firefighters and the Jaguar Basketball team, both featured in this issue. Since many women at NAS Sigonella also fall into this category, it is only fitting that we pay homage to them as well, especially now. Some of these women will be honored Sunday the 8th at two separate ceremonies, one in Motta Sant’ Anastasia and another in Leonforte. What an honor it will be for them to receive this international recognition from neighboring cities. Nearly a dozen ladies from the Sigonella community will be celebrated for their achievements at the base and within the local community. While almost all of these women work directly on base, often recognized or at least thanked casually for their important efforts, NAS Sigonella does not employ one of these women. She is a dependent mother of three, representative of many spouses who are here to support their working spouse and/or families during their stay in Sicily.
Because they often do not receive the credit they deserve, I think it especially appropriate to mention Megan Cieloha, who will be honored
in Leonforte this Sunday. Megan is married to US Air Force officer and Global Hawk pilot, Maj. Brandon Cieloha. As the mother to three boys, all under seven years of age, she (like many spouses here) perseveres through the challenges of being a full-time mother and stay-at-home spouse overseas. It’s a job that can be grueling, at times isolating, and always requires the type of selflessness that is truly admirable. Not to mention, the sacrifices that accompanying spouses make by just simply being here.
If that weren’t enough, Megan is also an ac-complished photographer who has had her work and articles published in Click, a photography magazine that primarily targets both amateur and professional female photographers. Her work has reached a global audience, including several photos that have been used in photog-raphy instruction books. Remarkably, she finds time to teach online photo classes to students around the globe.
In closing, I tip my hat to Megan, and all spouses commanding the home front, who have likely set aside their own careers and other ambitions to grow a family and support their service member or civilian employee who is in turn supporting our mission. Though my intent is not to use this column for personal means, I will indeed take the occasion to thank my wife, Daniela, for being such an amazing foundation of support and mother. Like many more of our ladies here, she embodies the best of our Sigonella citizenry.
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tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 4 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 5march 6, 2015
NMCRS ADFD 2015: What goes around, comes aroundBy MC3 RaMon GoNAS Sigonella Public Affairs Staff
"ADFD" continued from Page 4
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella's Admin Officer, Lt. Samuel Jackson, “pies” Navy Counselor 1st Class Gary Coumbe during last year's "Pie in the Face Day," a fund raising event, which will again be part of this year's Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Active Duty Fund Drive. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron Bramham/Released)
Marines and their families. This aid comes in the form of basic living expenses, car expenses, travel for family emergencies or other financial hardships. Bottom line: NMCRS is there to help.
“This last year, the majority of the loans went to single E-5s and above to help offset expenses of living on the economy. The loan covers the initial first month’s rent, basic necessities, and transportation,” said Davis. “It takes a few weeks before the service member receives back pay from the military.”
Fund raising events for NMCRS ADFD will be held almost daily by NAS Sigonella and tenant command service members. Money will be raised through raffle tickets sales, bagging groceries, washing cars, and mowing lawns. For our hungry community members there will be burger barbeques, bake sales, breakfast burritos, and more. Plans are in the works for a trivia night, golf tournament, garage sale, adult egg hunt and Springfest. Soon 2015 ADFD hooded sweatshirts and tees with a rendering of Mt. Etna will be made available for sale.
March 13 is what Davis calls “the most-anticipated event of the fund drive” – the “pie-in-the-face” and dunk tank events. The pie-in-the-face will be an opportunity to shove a messy, yet delicious, treat in the face of friends, leadership, or even your own face. The same day is AFN’s annual Radiothon – a fund-raising effort where DJs play a song over and over again until someone donates money to replace the current song. Last year’s hits included songs by Queen, Miley Cyrus, and Navy-themed rapper Dog Zebra.
While these fundraisers will be fun and delicious, at the end of the day “a majority of the funds come from the service members themselves,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Ybarra, NAS Sigonella’s co-chairman for this year’s NMCRS fund drive. “We raise funds through making meaningful contact and having everyone involved from all of tenant commands, chief ’s mess, first-class petty officer association, second-class petty officer association, junior enlisted association, and donate their earnings to the active duty fund drive for the month of March.”
Davis understands that raising enough funds doesn’t happen overnight, so he spent many hours researching, planning, implementing and evaluating lessons learned from last year. As the chairman for this year’s fund drive, he started the planning process in November.
“NMCRS is a great organization,” said NAS Sigonella’s Command Master Chief Mike Kaszubowski. “[Last year], NAS Sigonella was ranked Navy-wide as the number two for raising the most funds, which in turn went back to Sailors and Marines. We raised $110,000 and our local NMCRS gave out more than we contributed. It shows that the community uses the services NMCRS provide, and also how important it is for us to donate.”
For more information, contact NMCRS ADFD Chairman Lt. Davis at DSN 624-6754 or visit: http://nmcrsfunddrive.org/sigonella.
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - In 2014, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) lent $150,000 interest-free dollars to help Sailors, Marines, and their families at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. In order to help our shipmates and their families, NAS Sigonella and other Navy commands will dedicate March to raise funds for NMCRS through the Active Duty Fund Drive (ADFD) 2015.
“This year’s goal is to raise $150,000,” said Lt. Jacob Davis, NAS Sigonella’s this year’s NMCRS ADFD chairman. “NMCRS uses the money to fund training, provide interest-free loans, personal money management counseling and budget classes, send nurses to visit newly-born babies, send representatives to families visit of wounded service members to teach them how to care for them.”
Davis and his wife, Shevaun, recently used NMCRSs home nurse service after the birth of their newest child. The nurse went to their home to provide the baby’s one-week check-up. Davis and his wife were grateful for the help as visiting the hospital for a newborn’s check-ups can be a stressful time, especially if it’s too hot, cold, or rainy. Base public affairs officer, Lt. Paul Newell, recalls similar assistance as a junior enlisted Sailor during his tour in Japan. Nurses funded by NMCRS made several two-hour roundtrip journeys from
Yokosuka to his Tokyo residence in the midst of the city’s sweltering heat. The nurse provided the Newell family a check-up for their newborn while lending comfort, guidance, and a helping hand to mom.
In addition to traveling nurses, NMCRS provides other avenues to help Sailors and Marines going through different types of adversity, supporting their mental well-being while helping the service member
focus on the mission at hand.Each year, NMCRS provides
more than $46 million in financial assistance to over 60,000 Sailors,
Need an appointment at the hospital? Call DSN
624-CARE (2273) or commercial 095-56-2273,
M-F: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For non-emergent medical questions that arise over the weekend, holidays, or after office
hours, please call 335-578-8077 if you are normally seen
at the hospital or 335-578-8150
if you are normally seen at the Flight Line Clinic.
"ADFD" continued on Page 5
Leadership for NAS Sigonella's Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society's Active Duty Fund Drive 2015 kicks off this year's Active Duty Fund Drive with a cake-cutting ceremony at Ristorante Bella Etna, Feb. 26. This year's base goal is to raise $150,000. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ramon Go/Released)
tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 6 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 7march 6, 2015
Italians celebrate Women's Day on March 8
The International Women’s Day is a holiday recalling both the social political and economical achievements of women and the discriminations and violence that they are still subject to in many parts of the world. The date of celebration was established by ‘UDI, Union of Italian Women, founded in Rome in 1944, which in 1945 decided to celebrate on March 8, the first Women’s day in the free areas of Italy. March 8, 1946 was celebrated throughout Italy and finally saw the first appearance of its symbol, the mimosa, which flourishes in those days. (Vinaio.com, Photo by http://www.thestar.com/)
Democracy is a year-round business... VOTE!
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- With the 2014 mid-term election in their wake, Sailors might be tempted to forget about absentee voting and politics in general until 2016.
"Not so fast," said Lt. Whit Abraham, the Navy Voting Action Officer.Odd-numbered years are historically considered "off-years" for voting, and
draw fewer voters to the polls. So why should Sailors think about voting now?Although they often take a back seat to national races, local elections are
just as important. Sailors stationed far from home have family members in their hometowns, and may even intend to reside there permanently at some point. Odd-year elections drive important community issues - issues with direct consequences for voters.
"2015 marks many statewide races, mayoral and town elections, and even some special elections for Congress," said Abraham, who manages the Navy's Voting Assistance Program from Washington, D.C.. "The local officials up for election in 2015 are the ones who set property tax rates for municipalities and school districts, they're the folks who administer police departments and maintain millions of miles of local roads and bridges, and in many states the judges -- from state Supreme Courts down to local district judges -- are on the ballot this year as well. So you can argue that many of these local officeholders have more to do with the daily lives of American citizens day in and day out than any other elected officials."
As defenders of the right to vote, Sailors are encouraged to participate. "Absentee voting is easy, but the key is giving the process time," said Abraham.
A major first step in the process is visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website at http//www.fvap.gov. Here, Sailors can click on their state or territory to get detailed information about registration guidelines and local elections.
Sailors wishing to vote absentee should complete an electronic Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) early in 2015. The FPCA is a registration form, a request for a ballot, and the preferred way to update your address. Filling out and returning the FPCA updates local election officials on a member's absentee status, and it is especially important if Sailors and spouses have changed duty stations. "An updated FPCA puts you on the radar screen," said Abraham. "When the time comes to mail ballots later this year, election officials will know how to reach you."
"Democracy is a year-round business, and so is the Navy Voting Assistance Program. Elections are always happening, and we encourage people to ask questions and take a proactive stance" said Abraham. "We're here to ensure your voice is heard - not just in Washington, but in your local community as well. That's what this year is all about."
From Navy Installations Command Public Affairs
CATANIA, Sicily - As it happens every year on March 8, Italy will join the rest of the world in celebrating the "Festa della donna" (Women's Day), a day which is commemorated in Italy and all over the world to promote equal rights for women and celebrate their achievements in the field of art and science.
In Italy, it is a popular custom to bring mimosa flowers to wives and girlfriends. Vendors sell those perfumed yellow flowers at every street corner.
As reported by ANSA, the origin of the custom is lost in time. However some say it started in Rome after World War II when men began giving mimosa to their partners, friends, co-workers and family.
According to mmdtkw.org, in Ancient Roman times, the year ended with February, and, in fact the Latin name of that month, "Ferbruarius Mensis," meant something like "month of cleansing or finishing up" in preparation for the New Year. February was followed by several intercalary days to get the calendar back on track, and then the New Year began on March 1, which was also the first day of spring (primo vere). March 8 was one of the first of the springtime festae, a day sacred to Ariadne, whom Thesius had abandoned on the Island of Naxos after promising to marry her if she helped him slay her father's pet Minotaur. Seduced and abandoned, she was a prototype for ancient Mediterranean womanhood. She later married Bacchus, but that was a whole new adventure.
According to a tradition, the origin of Women's Day dates back to the tragic events which occurred in 1911 in New York, when 145 immigrant female workers, who worked there under terrible conditions, died during a fire in the sweatshop, where they were kept locked. This tragedy sparked strong public outcry and, therefore, strikes were held to protest against inhumane working conditions and low wages. A few years later, during the Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist leader, suggested that an International Day should be held each year to commemorate that ill-fated strike and assist in achieving universal suffrage for women. Representatives from 17 countries supported the proposal. Today, Women's Day is commemorated all over the world to draw attention to gender issues.
Mimosa flower replaced red carnations as a symbol of feminist groups in the post WWII era. It was officially presented in 1946 during the first Women's Day in Rome, that was organized by a group of members from Italian Women's Trade Union League organized the first Women's Day in Rome. As reported by itcilo.org, on March 8, 1946 Italy was just out of war, the foreign occupation was over, but the country was still not a republic. Women
had obtained the right to vote but had not yet had an opportunity to exercise it (they will need to wait until June 6, 1946 on the occasion of the referendum for Italian citizens to choose between the kingdom and a new republic). Many women, however, had been very important actors in the resistance movement during the war, fighting against fascism and the foreign occupation.
Three ex-combatants, two of them from Torino, Teresa Noce and Rita Montagnana together with Teresa Mattei, choose mimosa flowers as a symbol for the "Women's International Day of Fight and Celebration" "Giornata internazionale di lotta e di festa della donna" (this was the original definition).
Mimosa flowers were not chosen because of any specific symbolic meaning, but because they are a flower which blossoms early, at the end of winter, i.e. at this very moment of the year. "We, young women, had a recollection of these trees, all covered with yellow velvet flowers. We thought that mimosas were abundant and available at almost no cost," said a witness to the discussion on the organization of the first March 8 celebration in Italy.
Traditionally, several exhibitions, installations, award cere-monies, readings, panel discussions and concerts are scheduled across Italy around International Women's Day on 8 March.
This year, yo celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the second edition of the Voices of Faith storytelling event will once again be held in the Vatican, bringing together talented Catholic women of faith from around the globe to share their inspiring experiences in reaching out to the world’s poor and marginalized. This extraordinary event will take place at the heart of the Vatican in the 16th century Casina Pio IV, home to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Voices of Faith’s first edition on March 8, 2014 was held in the Vatican’s Cinema-Film Library. As part of the event, the € 20,000 “Women Sowers of Development” prize will be awarded by Caritas Internationalis and Voices of Faith.
In a statement, organizers say “The event will highlight the contribution of women to the work of the Catholic Church in accompanying the poor, upholding human dignity and promoting equality.” The speakers will include human rights advocates, policy makers, academics and visionaries - many of whom have faced adversity and seemingly insurmountable challenges in carrying out their work. The event will be live streamed on the web: www.voicesoffaith.org starting at 3 p.m. Central European Time (1400 UTC) on Sunday March 8.
Women's Day is also a big commercial event just like Valentine's Day. Florists annually make big profits from selling mimosa bunches. Restaurants are all booked by crowds of women who go out to girls-only dinners.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Michael Stevens testified before Congress Feb. 25.
Stevens appeared before the House and Armed Services Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.
Stevens, along with the senior enlisted leaders from the Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force, discussed the current status of their respective military branches, focusing specifically on quality-of-life programs and issues that are cause of concern for today's service members.
Stevens discussed the Navy's current operational tempo and told the subcommittee there are currently nearly 100 Navy ships underway with thousands of Sailors standing the watch. He went on to talk about quality of life for Sailors, and the uncertainty that sequestration has created.
"My regular interface with our Sailors and their families over the past year has shown an overall satisfactory quality of life; however, the ongoing discussion regarding possible changes to future pay and compensation has created an air of uncertainty," said Stevens.
He explained that Sailors are concerned there will be reductions in medical benefits, pay and compensation, and family programs. While they understand there will always be some degree of uncertainty in the geopolitical and operational world, ambiguity relating to military benefits is not as easily understood. Stevens zeroed in on a specific area of compensation during his testimony.
"If you were to ask me today to pick one [concern] with regard to pay and compensation, my greatest and immediate concern for our people is the future of health care," said Stevens. Health care is a quality of life issue that constantly resurfaces during my fleet interactions. It is extremely important to our Sailors and their families, and is very influential in recruiting and retention decisions."
Beyond military pay and compensation, MCPON expressed concerned about the deteriorating condition of single Sailor barracks - a deterioration that has been amplified by sequestration cuts. Ultimately, the Navy has had to prioritize warfighting requirements at the expense of investing in the maintenance of barracks infrastructure.
"This risk has resulted in the overall condition of our barracks falling to approximately 50% adequacy," said Stevens. Should sequestration resurface, I am concerned the condition of our barracks will decline further. This standard of living directly impacts our Sailors' quality of life."
Stevens also spoke about the importance of Family Support Programs such as: Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers; Navy Child and Youth Programs; Navy Ombudsman Programs; and Family Readiness Groups. He emphasized the positive impact of these programs and thanked the subcommittee for their continued support before delivering his final remarks on quality of life.
"As I have stated in prior testimonies, one of the most important and effective weapon systems we can provide our nation and Navy is a combination of individual and unit
morale," said Stevens. And it is my firm belief that the support this subcommittee provides to the Navy greatly impacts our ability to sustain this weapon system."
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy regularly testifies before Congress along with the senior enlisted leaders of the other services. This was his third appearance before this congressional subcommittee.
MCPON Stevens delivers Congressional testimony By mc1 StuaRt B. pHIllIpSOffice of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
u.S. navy HEadlInES
tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 8 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 9march 6, 2015
By cdR Sally ButlER
Looking for something a little different this weekend? How about a trip to Eastern Europe?
Truth be known, my husband and I were introduced to Romania while playing blackjack on a recent Mediterranean cruise. Bucharest, its capital, (known as “Little Paris” in the 19th century) is close to the Danube River and about 100 miles from the Black Sea Coast. Since the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the country is filled with all the optimism that a new democracy brings.
Take a "free tour” in Bucharest and explore vintage communism contrasted with Parisian beauty. Around the city you will see “555,” a tribute to its birthday and rich history. As you walk through Old Town, you will be struck by the stories of the legendary “Vlad the Impaler”, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Visit Parliament, the second largest building in the world (Pentagon is the first) and learn about the austere times after World War II, the Soviet occupation, and when Communist Dictator Nicolae Ceausecu ruled Romania with an iron fist. After Ceausecu's “inspirational visit” to North Korea and the devasting earthquake of 1977, much of the city was rebuilt using a very “practical” architecture.
A short drive from Bucharest are incredible medieval towns admidst beautiful mountains. One and two-day tours are available to visit the “must sees” and multiple UNESCO sites. Sinaia Monastery is an Orthodox church with striking icons painted in rich color that share the story of Christianity to those who could not read. Nearby is the breathtaking 19th century Peles Castle, the most impressive castle I have seen. And then, there is Transylvania, a region with strong German and Hungarian heritage and the notable Bran Castle. Built in the mid-1300s, it is simple and elegant—not exactly what you might be expecting, but you can say you’ve been to “Dracula’s Castle!"
How’s the food? Fantastic! Eat at Caru’ Cu Bere, an iconic restaurant with local cuisine. If you like pork and polenta, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to try Papanasi, a classic Romanian desert – simply to die for.
For unique history, beauty, and affordability -- explore Romania!
Bucharest - the "little Paris" of RomaniaBucharest - the "little Paris" of Romania
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Breakfast: $3.45 Lunch: $5.55 Dinner: $4.85As a reminder to everyone:
Reminder - there are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.
Friday, March 6Breakfast: Eggs to Order, Oven Fried Bacon, Chicken Tocino on Garlic Fried RiceLunch: Turkey A la King, Baked FishSpeed Line: Chef Gigi’s Freshly Made PizzaDinner: Salisbury Steak, Chef Melo’s Grilled Chicken Breast
Saturday, March 7Breakfast: Eggs to Order, Oven Fried Bacon, Corned Beef HashBrunch: Eggs to Order, Oven fried Bacon, Corned Beef Hash, Roast BeefDinner: Veal Steaks, Spinach Lasagna
Sunday, March 8Breakfast: Eggs to Order, Grilled Turkey Sausage Links, Oven Fried BaconBrunch: Eggs to Order, Turkey Sausage Links, Oven Fried Bacon, Grilled Ham & Cheese SandwichDinner: Spaghetti with Meatballs, Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets
Tuesday, March 10Breakfast: Eggs to Order, Sausage gravy with Biscuits, Oven Fried BaconLunch: Roast Turkey, Honey Glazed HamSpeed Line: Pasta BarDinner: Pot Roast, Chicken Florence
Wednesday, March 11Breakfast: Eggs to Order, Creamed Ground Beef on Toast, Oven Fried BaconLunch: Spinach Lasagna, Lemon Baked FishSpeed Line: Burgers and Chicken PattiesDinner: Spaghetti with Meat sauce, Honey Ginger Chicken
Security Department reminder: It is MANDATORY that all vehicle accidents are reported immediately per NASSIGINST 5114.1G. Security has seen an increase in accidents that are reported hours or even days after they have occurred. Please help us help you by reporting accidents as soon as they happen. To report an accident please call dispatch at: 624-5225, off-base: 095-86-5225.
MWR - Become an American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard through one of the seven-day certification classes in March.The two sessions will start on March 9 and 23. See below for the class schedules.CLASS 1: - March 9 - 13, 3:15 - 5:45 p.m. - March 15, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - March 16, 3:15 - 5:45 p.m. CLASS 2: - March 23 - 27, 3:15 - 5:45 p.m - March 28 - 29, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Participants will learn basic lifeguarding skills needed for in-water and dry land rescue, CPR, First Aid, and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Register at the NAS 1 or NAS 2 fitness centers/ pools or call 624-4932 for more information.
Complete your OHA and MIHA Survey for Italy! The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Utility/ Recurring Maintenance and Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) Survey will be conducted through the month of March for Italy. The MIHA survey is conducted once every three years as part of this combined survey. The data gathered by service members residing in private housing will help ensure proper allowances are being paid for those serving in Italy. If you’ve been stationed in Italy for three months, reside in private housing and receive OHA, then please visit www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/oha-utilmiha-mar.cfm during the month of March and contribute to the survey. For the utilities portion, you will be asked to report the average monthly cost of each of your utilities and the average monthly cost of any routine maintenance expenses incurred over the last 12 months. For the MIHA portion of the survey, you will be asked to report actual expenses incurred when moving into your private residence. The electronic survey takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and should be filled out by you or your spouse, whoever has knowledge of utility/recurring maintenance and MIHA expenses. If you are able to access the survey from home, it is recommended that you take the survey together.
All Hands News BulletinTo request publication of your message, please send it to [email protected]
NASSIG Worship Services
Chapel Offices: NAS 1 095-56-3975, NAS2I 095-86-9049, DSN: 624-3975, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493 RP Duty: 335-786-1950 NAS Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel
ROMAN CATHOLIC• Sunday - 9 a.m. Catholic Mass at NAS 1 Chapel• TuESday, WEdnESday & FRIday 11:30 a.m. - Catholic Mass at NAS 2 ChapelSacraments of Reconciliation / Penance precedeeach Mass• FRIday - 11:30 a.m. Catholic Mass at NAS 1 Chapel
LATTER-DAY SAINTS • Sunday - 1:30 p.m. at NAS 1 ChapelContact: [email protected] or 624-9049
JEWISH SHABBAT LAY SERVICE• FRIday - 5:30 p.m. at NAS 1 Chapel
NIGHT STUDY• MOnday - AA Meetings - 5:30 p.m., seconddeck at NAS 1 Chapel; ThuRSday - 7 p.m. at NAS 2 Chapel• TuESday - Italian Class - 7 p.m. at Classroom at NAS 1 Chapel • TuESday - Glee Club - 12 p.m. at NAS 1 Chapel • TuESday - Awana Club - 4:45 p.m at NAS 1 Chapel
Ristorante Bel la EtnaRistorante Bel la EtnaRistorante Bel la Etna
tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 12 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 13march 6, 2015
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - Those of us in the healthcare business understand the need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of our patients. Financial fitness is part and parcel of mission readiness. Along with being stationed overseas comes the allure of travel, diversified shopping options, and the specialized marketing schemes that seek to separate you from your money. While financial responsibility is a personal business, this is not something service members have to go through alone –help is available and there is plenty of it. This was the overarching message during the launch of Military Saves Week in U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella last Feb. 20.
America Saves, a nonprofit organization, partnered up with the Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign to encourage military personnel to save money, reduce debt ,and build wealth. In Sigonella, the Fleet and Family Support Center trains and consistently supports Command Financial Specialists (CFS) that reach out and provide resources to service members in their respective commands. “We always talk about having a plan in any endeavor
we pursue. Your finances are no exception," stresses U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. William Davidson. Hospital staff members E-3 to O-6 attended the event. U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella’s Command Financial Specialists were in attendance as well as Mr. Michael Matheny, Personal Financial Management Instructor from the Fleet and Family Support Center.
Education becomes particularly important when cognizant of the fact that several of the hospital’s junior enlisted personnel are serving their first tour in Sigonella. Hospitalman Payden Nolen, a laboratory technician, enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school and U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella is his first duty station. “There definitely is a lot to learn,” he says. “It is great to know this information early in my career so I can fully utilize the value of my money in the long run.”
The resources available to military personnel are plenty and span across a wide range of topics from debt management to purchasing vehicles. If you are a service member who wishes to learn more about improving your financial fitness, contact your Command Financial Specialist or the Fleet and Family Support Center at 624-4651.
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Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid.The remaining letters spell a special occasion for families.
Hm2 JoSEpH caStRoU.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella Public Affairs
U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella Executive Officer, Capt. John Lamberton and Command Master Chief Jill Eastin, took the Military Saves pledge and proudly show what they are saving for. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joseph Castro)
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) practiced the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) with the People's Liberation Army-Navy [PLA(N)] Jiangkai II frigate Hengshui (FFG 572) Feb. 23 enhancing the professional maritime relationship between U.S. 7th Fleet and the PLA(N).
Fort Worth and Hengshui were conducting routine training and operations in international waters of the South China Sea when the ships realized a training opportunity was present.
CUES, a set of procedures endorsed by naval leaders at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in April 2014, is a guideline for unplanned maritime encounters while at sea, providing standards for communication, safety procedures and maneuvering instructions for naval ships and aircraft.
"The interaction with the Hengshui was safe and routine, and the professionalism that was on display by both ships is commendable," said Cmdr. Matt Kawas, Fort Worth Crew 103 commanding officer. "As the first underway for Crew 103 aboard Fort Worth in U.S. 7th Fleet, this was a real-time situation where we relied upon our months of training in San Diego to execute."
Fort Worth and Hengshui rendezvoused and used CUES as a signaling protocol to indicate ship maneuvering.
"Having a standardized protocol of safety procedures, basic communications and basic maneuvering instructions is critical as we work together to prevent mishaps and miscommunications at sea," said Capt. Fred Kacher, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "This will likely not be the last time Fort Worth conducts CUES as she continues to operate extensively throughout Southeast Asia and expand her operational footprint to Northeast Asia during the remaining 12 months of her deployment to the Asia-Pacific."
Fort Worth departed Singapore Feb. 19 following the first of three crew swaps as part of the ship's maiden 16-month deployment to the Asia-Pacific. Fort Worth is the first LCS to deploy under the "3-2-1" manning concept, which allows LCS to sustain a 16-month forward presence without fatiguing the crew during the extended deployment. It is named "3-2-1" because three rotational crews will support two LCS ships and maintain one deployed ship. Two additional crew swaps will occur during the remainder of Fort Worth's deployment, roughly every four months.
During the first five days of the current underway period, the crew conducted at-sea workups to maintain the proficiency achieved as part of their deployment certification in San Diego. Fort Worth is now headed north for Foal Eagle in March. Held annually with the Republic of Korea navy, Foal Eagle is also the first exercise in Northeast Asia that incorporates LCS participation.
Fort Worth is the second LCS to deploy as part of an initiative for up to four rotational deployments of these ships simultaneously to U.S. 7th Fleet in the coming years. Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare.
Fort Worth will employ the surface warfare mission package for her entire deployment, augmenting her 57mm gun and rolling airframe missile launcher with two 30mm guns, two 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats, two six-member maritime security boarding teams, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and a MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system.
The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.
USS Fort Worth conducts CUES with Chinese NavyBy lt lauRyn dEmpSEyDestroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 Public Affairs
tHE SIGnatuREpaGE 14 march 6, 2015 tHE SIGnatuRE paGE 15march 6, 2015
leave, it's important to assess your skills and learn about the job market in your chosen career field. Visit your installation's Transition Assistance Program office for help developing your transition plan including defining your career goals and researching employment opportunities.
Your decision strategyTaking plenty of time to gather information, carefully considering your options and weighing
your own and your family's wants and needs will help ensure that you make the right decision. Review all the options - Write down all the options available to you. There are probably more
than just two. Each option has both pros and cons and no answer is perfect. But it will help you focus on the process if you have a list in front of you.
Consider joining the National Guard or Reserve - Although many service members are obligated to the National Guard or Reserve for a few years after they leave the military, many others voluntarily join. The National Guard and Reserve offer the security of a retirement income and health insurance, which may be important to you as you head into the civilian world.
Don't make a rash decision - If you're thinking about leaving the military because you have orders to somewhere you don't want to go or if you're thinking about staying in because you're afraid of finding a new job, take the time to step back and evaluate your decision rationally.
Weigh the emotional effects - The emotions of staying in or leaving the military services can be difficult to assess. While your deployments may have been stressful, don't underestimate the sense of loss you may feel leaving the military way of life behind.
Evaluate your finances - Can you afford the costs associated with leaving the military, such as living expenses while you look for a new job, moving expenses and health insurance premiums? Be sure to consider whether you and your family can manage the financial burden.
Have a back up plan - Consider worst-case scenarios. What happens if you lose your new job after just a few months? If you've prepared for the worst, you'll be more comfortable with your decision.
Stand by your decision - Once you've done your research and considered all your options, be confident about what you decide to do. Whether you choose to stay or leave, you've taken the steps necessary to make the best possible decision for you and your family.
It’s never too early to think about your transition out of the military. Whether you’re retiring with 20+ years of service or separating after your requirement, the military has in place benchmarks of requirements to make the transition a positive experience. The key to success is to PLAN EARLY. The following is a checklist of the requirements for Transition 411:
- Complete Pre-Separation Counseling with CCC: DD2648- Attend TGPS class- Complete all assignments from TGPS class- Register for CAPSTONE event 90 days PRIOR for separation- Complete 12 month budget- Complete resume- Complete required ITP’sNEED HELP? Contact Fleet & Family Support Center at: DSN 624-4291; or commercial
095-56-4291.
Whether you're just ending your first tour of duty or facing retirement, making the decision to leave or not leave the military can be difficult. There are obvious benefits and downsides both to staying and separating, and the right decision for someone else may not be the right one for you. No one can make the decision for you but you can follow these guidelines to help you determine whether to stay with the military services or return to civilian life.
Consider your military benefitsTo make a sound decision, you have to fully assess the benefits you'll be losing
and compare them to what might be available to you in the civilian world. If you're retiring, many of these benefits will still be accessible, but possibly at a higher cost or in a different form.
Medical and dental insurance - Many nonmilitary employers will require you to make a contribution to your medical premium and co-payments or deductibles could further increase your medical expenses. If you'll be starting your own business or there'll be a gap between when you leave the military and when your new insurance begins, you'll need to buy a more expensive individual policy. If you continue in the National Guard or Reserve, you may be eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select, a premium-based health insurance program. Retirees have continuing access to TRICARE but will have to choose from several different plans. For more information on TRICARE benefits, visit the TRICARE website.
Life insurance - Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance will continue for 120 days after you leave the military. You do have an opportunity to convert your existing SGLI to Veterans Group Life Insurance. You can find out more about VGLI at the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Retirement - Although you may be many years away from retirement, you'll want to compare the military's retirement plan with retirement plans of potential civilian employers. For more information on your military retirement benefits, visit the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Military Compensation website.
Commissary and exchange privileges - Although retirees, National Guardsmen and Reservists can still take advantage of the cost savings offered by commissaries and exchanges, other former service members cannot. You'll need to consider the loss of these benefits in your budget planning.
Education benefits - When you leave the military, you may be eligible to continue your education using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or the Montgomery GI Bill®. You'll want to visit the Department of Veterans Affairs' GI Bill® website to learn about eligibility requirements and how long you have to use your benefits.
Changes you can expect as a civilianTrading in your military uniform for civilian attire may not be the only change
you'll face when you leave the military. You'll also be getting used to changes in the workplace, new friends and the sudden ability to move anywhere you choose. Consider these possibilities:
Job stability - In the military, your paycheck is generally guaranteed until your end of active service. Even if your job is subject to a reduction in force, you'll be moved to a new job or a new duty station. In a civilian job, you may not be so fortunate.
Predictable income expectations - In the military, you don't have to negotiate your salary with each job change. You can also expect to be compensated for living in areas with a high cost of living. As a civilian, your future income may not be as easy to predict and you'll need to develop salary-negotiating skills.
Camaraderie in the workplace - When leaving military service, many service members miss the friendships they had with their fellow service members. And working with civilians may be a challenge after the military. The work environment in civilian companies can be much different from the military work environment.
Social network - Your military friends are likely to have served as your extended family, babysitting your children or taking vacations with you. You may have to work to develop a social network and find close friendships in a nonmilitary environment.
On the other hand, making your own decisions about where to live and where to work can be very appealing. You may choose to move close to home where you can renew relationships with your extended family. Or you may choose to start your own business. The ability to make these choices is often a critical factor in the decision to leave the military.
Talk with your familyBecause your plans will have a significant effect on your family members, it's
important to include them early on as you explore and weigh your options.Include your family in the decision-making process - Your family has a
lot at stake in your decision and more than likely, they've made sacrifices for your military career. Frequent deployments and relocations may have taken an emotional toll on them. But you might be surprised by what your family has to say. While your spouse may have complained about the constant moving, they may really enjoy the changes and would be disappointed if you left the military. Or your spouse may have put their own career on hold for the military and will be happy now at the idea of pursuing that career. Either way, your family's feelings should be part of your decision.
Discuss how your lives will be different - Will your spouse need to find a new job or will your children have to change schools? Their lives will certainly change and you'll need to take the time to discuss those changes realistically with them.
Ask your spouse to attend pre-separation counseling with you - Pre-separation counseling is available on most installations and you may attend the class even if you're not sure about leaving the military. The class will answer many of the questions you may have about medical insurance, relocation assistance, travel allowances, education benefits, separation pay and unemployment insurance. Pre-separation counseling is available through your installation's Transition Assistance Program office, Army Career and Alumni Program office or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Transitioning to a career outside the militaryOne of the main concerns for service members considering leaving the military
is the prospect of finding a rewarding career. Before you make the decision to
Making the decision to leave the military "TRANSITION" continued From Page 14
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