0826DOL

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Serving the Military Community in Southeastern Connecticut since 1918Vol. 49, No. 11 Thursday, August 26, 2010

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Workshop educates Sailors

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MWR hosts Slice of Summer event

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FFSC, Operation Homefront give out backpacks

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DMS being phased out

From Navy Cyber Forces

Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Navy announced in ALCOM 121/10 that it will be phasing out the use of the Defense Message System (DMS) for a majority of command administrative com-munications, known as official information exchange (OIX), and adopting new methods of delivery by fiscal year 2011.

The project is being led by Navy Cyber Forces (CYBERFOR), with a goal of increasing efficiency and saving costs by using widely-used communication tools, such as unclassified e-mail and other Web-based applications.

The naval messaging format that has been in use for many years has become expensive and time consuming, said James McCarty, CYBERFOR’s naval message assis-tant program manager.

“The transition to sending mes-sages over e-mail and Web-based communications has already begun, and will simplify com-municating routine, non-’com-mand and control’ messages, such as permanent change of station orders,” said McCarty. “We’re using existing architecture – the hardware and software associated with Navy’s computer networks and eliminating redundant archi-tecture associated with specialized messaging programs.”

The process of eliminating DMS for organizational messaging is being implemented in a phased approach to ensure critical mis-sion requirements are maintained, and a smooth transition on all the Navy’s networks, including Navy/Marine Corps Intranet, One-Net (overseas), IT-21 (shipboard) and the legacy networks. Classified and command and control mes-sages will continue to be sent through DMS.

While acknowledging there are a few issues the program staff is working to solve, Nancy Rantanen, CYBERFOR’s naval messaging pro-gram manager, said the transition should be seamless to most users.

“Everyone uses e-mail, so we’ll just be using it for an addi-tional function,” said Rantanen. “Challenges we’re addressing include the bandwidth issue asso-ciated with shipboard e-mail use, but we’re looking at ways to miti-gate those and provide all users with the ability to access their mes-sages in a timely manner.”

Rantanen emphasized the importance of senior leader engagement to ensure commands initiate registration.

“Many commanding officers are already on board and have led the way for their commands to operate in the new system,” said Rantanen. “Once commands complete the set up requirements, many of them can start sending messages via e-mail right away.”

In August 2010, the largest user of unclassified messaging – the Navy Personnel Command – began migrating from DMS to a new sys-tem called Government Official Information Exchange System (GOES), which is Web-based.

“We’re one of the biggest gen-erators of messages in the Navy,” said Capt. Brian Wenger, Navy Personnel Command assistant commander for business opera-tions and comptroller. “Since the (DMS) program was going away, we had to develop a solution that would have the least impact on the business rules for both those generating messages and the com-mands receiving them.”

GOES also supports Sailors sta-tioned in non-Navy billets, such as those in individual augmentee assignments, and will continue to deliver information to BUPERS On-Line.

“The Navy message has been a staple for many a Sailor for quite some time,” said McCarty. “This will definitely feel like a culture shift to some, but the reality is that this is a very minute proce-dural change that will benefit all hands.”

Rock and Roll legend gives to Grossman’s

Photo by SN Michael Henderson

GROTON, Conn. – Ted Knapp, logistics person of Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV), holds a guitar as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason signs it, outside Grossman’s Seafood, Aug. 19. During the event, Grossman’s Seafood presented a $10,000 check to WVFV. The check follows Grossman’s military appre-ciation dinner “Operation Lobster”, held July 7. Dave Mason, who works closely with WVFV presented the guitar to Shawn Coleman, Grossman’s Seafood General Manager. “Any time a hall of famer is willing to sign something for you, you make time for him,” said Coleman.

Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair

GROTON, Conn. - Alfred Ramage, Virginia Ann Ramage-Ross, Dr. Joan Ramage-Mitchell, and James L. Ramage stand with SUBASE Commanding Officer Capt. Marc Denno and SUBASE Command Master Chief Ray Powell as they unveil the Ramage Hall sign in front of the building. Vice Adm. Ramage served on USS Grenadier (SS 210), USS Trout (SS 202), and USS Parche (SS 384) during WWII.

SUBASE dedicates headquarters in honor of Medal of Honor recipient

By MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair

GROTON, Conn. – The recent ly t ransformed Headquarters Building at Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) finally has a name, as Navy and family members dedicated Building 86, here, in honor of the late Vice Admiral Lawson P. “Red” Ramage, August 20.

Ramage was one of only seven Submariners to be awarded the nation’s highest military tribute, the Medal of Honor, during World War II. He received the award for his bold and courageous, pre-dawn attack on a Japanese convoy, July 31, 1944, while he was in command of USS

Parche (SS 384).“It truly is a great Navy

day when we can honor our legacy as well as highlight the impact we’ve been mak-ing for our fleet, fighters, and families,” said SUBASE Commanding Officer, Captain Marc W. Denno.

Previously unnamed because of its early service as an infir-mary and hospital, SUBASE’s Building 86, built in 1939, was transformed after 2001.

That transformation marked the beginning of dynam-ic undertakings to improve SUBASE infrastructure and support – the Groton Chapter of the Navy’s Shore Vision 2035 Plan. The plan reduc-es unneeded and transforms underutilized infrastructure;

decreases financial drains; and ultimately, allows the Navy to recapitalize key requirements.

The 21,460 square-ft. Ramage Hall, as a repurposed former hospital, has received new life as a contemporary, state-of -the-art headquarters and cutting edge Consolidated Telecommunications Center and Emergency Operations Center.

“Today, we celebrate Building 86 as it continues adapting to its new mission as headquarters of our nation’s first Submarine Base,” said Denno during the ceremony. “But most of all, we celebrate Admiral Lawson P. “Red” Ramage. I can think of no finer Sailor and submariner to honor through the dedication

of Naval Submarine Base New London’s Headquarters.”

Serving at SUBASE a num-ber of times throughout his career, Ramage had last been stationed in Groton as Deputy Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet, when he was a Rear Admiral.

The Vice Admiral’s son, James Lawson Ramage, remarked on the special mean-ing the SUBASE and the build-ing already has to the Ramage family, as he spoke on behalf of his brother Alfred Ramage, and his sisters, Joan Ramage Mitchell and Virginia Ann Ramage Ross.

“New London has special significance to the Ramage family,” James Ramage, a for-

See Dedication on Page 6

2 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, August 26, 2010

This newspaper is an authorized publication for personnel of the Department of Defense and their families. Contents of The Dolphin are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy.

Commanding Officer Naval Submarine Base New LondonCapt. Marc W. Denno

Executive Officer Naval Submarine Base New LondonCmdr. Daniel M. Rossler

Command Master Chief Naval Submarine Base New LondonCMDCM(SS) Ray Powell

Public Affairs Officer - Christopher ZendanEditor - Sheryl Walsh

Editorial Assistant - Christina LoughPublic Affairs Staff - MCC(SW/AW)Evelyn Haywood,

MCC(SW) James O’Donnell, MC1(AW) Peter Blair, MM3 Sean Phillips, SN Joshua Hirschfeld

and SN Michael Henderson

• NEWS - The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the Naval Submarine Base New London. News items and photos must be received by 4 p.m. the Friday before publication. News ideas and questions can be directed to Christopher Zendan at 694-5980. Readers can e-mail us at [email protected]. Log onto the Web site at www.dolphin-news.com.

• ADDRESS - The Dolphin staff can be reached at 694-3514 or write to: The Dolphin, Naval Submarine Base New London PAO, Box 44, Groton, CT 06349-5044. All news releases should be sent to this address.

• ADVERTISING - Advertisements are solicited by Shore Line Newspapers and not the editorial staff or Public Affairs Office. Inquiries regarding advertisements should be directed to the Display Advertising or Classified Advertising departments.

Display Advertising, Laura Carpenter at (203) 752-2704, Betsy Lemkin at (203) 752-2706 and Mercy Mosher at (203) 752-2702

Classified Advertising (in Conn.) (800) 922-7066Classified Advertising (outside Conn.) (203) 789-5200

The Dolphin is published every Thursday by Shoreline Newspapers, 40 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT 06511. Telephone (203) 752-2701. Minimum weekly circulation 10,000.

John Slater, General ManagerShore Line Newspapers

The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs Office.

The Dolphin is published by Shoreline Newspapers, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy under exclu-sive written contract with the Naval Submarine Base New London.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Shoreline Newspapers of the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for pur-chase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

This newspaper is printed on recycled newsprint. Please help conserve our resources and recycle this paper when you are finished with it.

News in your communitySchool physical day at NBHC Groton

Naval Branch Health Clinic Groton will be performing school physicals, Aug. 28 by appointment only. Call (860) 694-1471 or (860) 694-7519 to make your appointment today!

Tobacco Cessation classes offered

There will be two sessions of Tobacco Cessation classes in September. Group one will meet on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Group two will meet on Thursdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call (860) 694-4446 or (860) 694-3104 for more information.

Thrift Store to resume normal hours

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s (NMCRS) Thrift Store, in Building 108, will resume normal hours in September; Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you’d like to volunteer to help operate the NMCRS Thrift Store, contact them at (860) 694-4774.

Volunteers needed at veterans home

The annual Stand Down for homeless and needy veterans will take place Sept. 10 at the Veterans Home campus in Rocky Hill. Volunteers are needed for several parts of the preparation and take down. Fifteen to twen-ty volunteers will be needed at any of the times listed below:

* Sept. 2 or 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to prepare the grounds - raking, leveling of rough areas, etc.

* Sept. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to erect two medical tents and set up 600 chairs and 80 tables

* Sept. 10 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. - Day of Stand Down - to disas-semble two medical tents, fold

chairs and tables following the Stand Down event

To volunteer and for more information, contact Lena Blanch at (860) 694-4779.

Looking for former crewmen of Trepang

Crew members of USS Trepang (SSN 674) are being sought after. Contact Gary Theriault at [email protected] or Ed Rabbitt at [email protected] with your e-mail and postal mail address.

Small business workshops offered

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offer-ing a free three-part series of workshops this fall at the Groton Public Library. The first session will take place Sept. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and will feature a representative from SCORE on the topic of starting a business.

The workshops will address ways the SBA can assist small business owners. Topics will include: start ups in these eco-nomic times, credit issues and the America Recovery Program (ARC). Future sessions are planned for Oct. 13 and Nov. 10, and will include information on financing a business and work-ing with the government.

For more information, con-tact the Groton Public Library at (860) 441-6750.

Book sale at Groton Public Library

Groton Public Library will hold its semi-annual book sale through Sept. 1 during the library’s regular hours. Buy gently used books and media at great prices and support your local library!

They will offer books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, and more. There will be great deals on multiple purchases!

Call the library at (860) 441-6750 for more information.

By Heidi Bohi and Rick Jeffcoat

GROTON, Conn. – “Must be able to set goals and objec-tives, contribute vision and ideas, demonstrate leadership and decision-making skills, have exceptional communica-tion abilities, and be proven in networking and team building. Budgeting skills mandatory, as well as being able to cultivate a positive culture that fosters well being, balance, and productiv-ity.”

At first glance, this reads like a job description for the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. In fact, this is the same listing a human resources manager would post if hiring a mother and homemaker. It’s no sur-prise that franchise industry leaders agree that women are rapidly becoming successful in the world of franchising, with business indicators pointing to signs of this trend continuing to spiral up.

Women owned an estimat-ed 25 percent of U.S. fran-chises in 2005 (the last year for which complete data are available), an increase from only 8.5 percent 10 years ear-lier, the International Franchise Association® says. The number of women-owned firms jumped by 20 percent between 1997 and 2002. Although the industries with the highest percentage of female franchise ownership are travel and children’s products and services, even this stereo-type is starting to dissipate as

more and more women prove that with self-motivation and hard work – attributes already possessed – they can success-fully run an automotive fran-chise as easily as they could a toy company.

After leaving the U.S. Marine Corps to focus more on her fam-ily, Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of the plumbing fran-chise group Mr. Rooter®, became a franchise owner of Cookies by Design®. She found that the tra-ditional business world didn’t offer the camaraderie and team approach that she had thrived on while working her way to becoming a captain during her military career.

Although she is quick to point out that she considers everyone she hires with neutrality, as a woman herself she cannot help but recognize the count-less skills that women tend to come by more naturally that are transferable to the business world. “Women tend to wear a lot of hats in their life,” she says, “making them excellent at multi-tasking, while also being compassionate, natural net-workers, and actively involved in their communities.”

“Part of leadership is caring about your people and knowing the fine line between nurtur-ing and coaching, so women’s natural leadership abilities are a good match for running a fran-chise,” Thompson says. “What every woman should know is that a lot of the things they are required to do when running a household are the same as

running a franchise,” such as managing household finances, schedules, and finding the bal-ance between parents, teachers, kids, and friends.

Another characteristic that makes women naturally suit-ed to franchising is that they are risk-takers – 66 percent of women business owners say they are prepared to take sub-stantial risks when investing in their business, the Center for Women’s Business Research says.

The interpersonal manage-ment style of women means they are more willing to consult with experts, employees, and entrepreneurs, as well as put more emphasis on building and maintaining positive workplace relationships. This is ultimately a benefit to the bottom line notes Mario Altiery, president and founder of Upside Group franchise consulting and a for-mer franchise owner.

“Historically, female fran-chise owners have been more willing to work within a struc-ture and are less adversarial

than their male counterparts,” Altiery says, adding that this increases success. “Franchisees need to have a calmness of character and underlying drive. Female franchisees who create a positive, warm, engaging work environment have had success recruiting similar employees and in turn, that tone is felt by their clients.”

At the same time, he says, their ability to balance profes-sional drive and determination is another reason most women are naturally positioned to ben-efit from the franchising indus-try.

“Franchise businesses require patience and diligence – you have to set your path and fol-low through on core competen-cies while taking inventory of small successes,” Altiery says. “The duality of setting goals and remaining calm during growth, combined with relent-less drive, are inherent, gen-der-based personality traits that make women successful busi-ness managers.”

Operation Franchise for the military memberWomen make good franchisees

SUBASE workshop educates Sailors in prevention of sexual assault

By MCC(SW/AW) Evelyn Haywood

GROTON, Conn. - Command leadership and first respond-ers were trained on prevention, victim intervention services, comprehensive victim advocate and command point of con-tact responsibilities, by United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF), during a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Workshop, hosted by Naval Submarine Base New London Aug. 17.

“The larger effects of sexu-al assault are broad and deep. [They] create lasting physical and emotional trauma to the survivors, and those persist long after the attack. It’s corrosive to morale and to our opera-tional and combat readiness,” said Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus in an Aug. 18 Rhumblines release to the Navy.

The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault. Through the SAPR program, the intention is reduction in sexual assaults through education while also providing victim assistance throughout the fleet. Sexual assault affects mission readiness, unit cohesion and undermines morale. “Hurts One, Affects All”, the slogan used by the program sums it up.

A pilot program recently launched after the first Sexual

Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) summit held in March, focuses on bystander interven-tion. Educating our Sailors in rec-ognizing behaviors that may lead to problems and how to intervene before it becomes a sexual assault is the primary focus of the new initiative.

The Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment

are imbedded in the goal of ship-mates helping shipmates. First responders are trained so they can provide services to victims; the new directives are geared towards getting everyone involved.

Beginning January 2011 the Navy-wide advancement exams will include SAPR definitions and reporting requirements as a part of general military training.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, the idea of the new program is geared towards pre-vention and getting all involved. If you would like to become a SAPR Victim Advocate or for more information on the program, contact the SUBASE SARC, Deb Drucker at (860) 694-2791 or go to http://www.sapr.mil/.

SUBSCOL blood drive benefits American Red Cross

Photo by William Kenny

GROTON, Conn. - Electrician’s Mate 1st Class (SS) Arthur Robinson is not-quite-alone with his thoughts as Eve T., a Blood Services Nursing Technician for the Connecticut Red Cross Blood Services, verifies his personal information prior to drawing his blood. The five hour, 20-bed collection drive collected 125 units of blood from 187 donors. Forty-two hospitals are supported by the Connecticut Red Cross Blood Services program. The hospitals require more than 600 pints of blood daily. Blood reserves are always lowest during the summer months. Naval Submarine School is the largest one-day collection for the Red Cross and the drive has been a mainstay of the school’s community outreach for nearly two decades.

Photo by MCC(SW/AW) Evelyn Haywood

GROTON, Conn. - Marie Parker, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Officer, United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF), explains fleet guidance and objectives of the Department of Defense SAPR Program to first responders at a workshop hosted by Naval Submarine Base New London, Aug. 17.

MilitarySEEDS®, in collaboration with the Fleet and Family Support Center, will hold an informational event Sept. 23 at the Radisson - New London, from 4 to 7 p.m, introduc-ing transitioning service members and their spouses to the rewarding world of business ownership. For more information, visit www.militaryseeds.org, www.SBA.gov and www.SCORE.org.

By William Kenny

GROTON, Conn. – Nineteen members of Class 10030 gradu-ated from the Submarine Officer Advanced Course, Aug. 20.

Graduates were addressed by Captain Mark VanYe, USN, Commodore, Regional Support Group Groton.

The L. Y. Spear Award was presented by retired Rear Admiral John Padgett to the Class Honor Graduate, Lieutenant Shawn

Kenady, USS Hampton (USS 767). Lt. Carlos Otero, USS North

Carolina (SSN 777), received the David Lloyd Award for Excellence.

Lt. James Tuthill, USS Virginia (SSN 774) was recipient of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Award.

Both Kenady and Tuthill were named Graduates with Distinction.

Lt. Zachary Merritt received the SOAC Outstanding Instructor Award.

SOAC students graduate

Thursday, August 26, 2010 • THE DOLPHIN • 3

MSRA team awarded for saving Navy money


GROTON, Conn. – Team members of Naval Submarine Base New London’s (SUBASE) Module Screening and Repair Activity (MSRA) stand for a photo after receiving awards, presented by Naval Submarine Support Facility’s (NSSF) Commanding Officer, Commander Dale Green, Aug. 18. Flag Letters of Commendation, signed by Rear Admiral Michael McLaughlin, Submarine Group 2 Commanding Officer, were given to Sailors while civilians received Letters of Appreciation. The awards were given due to the team’s efforts in saving over $5 million during fiscal year of ’09, repairing circuit card assemblies and electronic modules. Rodger Diebel, United Research Service (URS) Lead and MSRA team member since 1989, mentioned that the team’s efforts have already saved $7.8 million during the current fiscal year. Shown left to right: Terry Davidson, URS engineer, John DeRose, micro/miniature repair (2M) technician, Electronics Technician 1st class Richie Payne, Electronics Technician 1st class Joshua Whitmore, Commander Green, Diebel, Chief Electronics Technician Luis Scarabosio, MSRA Leading Chief Petty Officer, Robert Green, URS engineer. Not shown, Chief Electronics Technician Ron Robeson, module testing repair technician, an activated Navy reservist who is currently deployed overseas also received an award.

Navy adds new guidelines to drug policy, emphasizes zero tolerance policy

By MC3 Kari R. RodriguezNavy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO - Due to increased use in designer drugs, the Navy has added new guidelines to its exist-ing drug policy that empha-sizes zero tolerance of drug use by its Sailors.

NAVADMIN 108/10 states that Navy personnel deter-mined to be unlawfully using, possessing, promot-ing, manufacturing, or dis-tributing drugs and/or drug abuse paraphernalia shall be disciplined, as appropriate, and processed for adminis-trative separation.

“We have the drug policy there to ensure the safety of Sailors and to make sure we can get our mission com-pleted,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Jason Simmons, Navy Region Southwest regional drug and alcohol program advisor. “A person who is using drugs won’t be able to perform a job 100 percent, and people can get hurt that way. That is kind of scary to think about when you’re out at sea.”

Designer drugs were cre-ated to get around existing drug laws and often can be deadlier. The new guide-lines in the policy, which were released in March, now include products that con-tain cannabinoid synthetic compounds, such as spice, blaze and spark.

“We have had issues with designer drugs and what

people don’t understand is that they don’t know what is being put into these drugs and the effects can be differ-ent on each person. Because of the different side effects the results can sometimes turn deadly,” Simmons said.

According to NAVADMIN 108/10, more than 1,300 Sailors were separated from the Navy during Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, and 303 more were separated during the first quarter of FY 2010.

“The number of people being separated due to drug use has gone down over the last five years due to the increased number of random drug tests,” Simmons said. “We have also implemented lots of programs to help Sailors make the right choices.”

Simmons added that Sailors tend to make bad decisions due to not being able to handle their person-nel issues.

“A lot of these Sailors who choose to use drugs are very young, and it’s the first time away from their fami-lies. They’re not quite sure how to handle the stress of their jobs,” Simmons said. “I believe that commands should get involved with their Sailors so they know they have someone to talk to and they know where to turn for help.”

For more information, visit www.npc.navy.mil to view the NAVADMIN.

For more news from Navy Region Southwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrsw/.

“I believe that commands should get in-volved with their Sailors so they know they have someone to talk to and they know where to turn for help.”

Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Jason Simmons

By MC1(AW) LaTunya HowardNavy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - The Navy announced the fiscal year 2011 (FY-11) performance-based board for continuation, which will convene Sept. 20 to review senior enlisted (Active/Reserve) personnel with more than 19 years of service.

The focus is performance within the last five years or since advancement to cur-rent grade (E-7 through E-9), whichever is later. According to NAVADMIN 276/10, an ampli-fied update to NAVADMIN 180/10, documented miscon-duct, sub-standard or margin-al performance will be the primary reason board-eligible

Sailors will not be continued in the Navy past the 20-year mark. Among the specific per-formance indicators the board will consider are:

* Documented misconduct involving either Uniform Code of Military Justice (non-judi-cial punishment) or civilian offenses.

* Moral or professional der-eliction such as relief for cause or detachment for cause.

* Continuity gaps in evalu-ation/fitness report of greater than 90 days.

* The Sailor’s evaluation/fitness report during the peri-od reviewed includes marks showing sub-standard or mar-ginal performance of duty.

The board will consider these factors and others with-

in the entire record and use its judgment to select Sailors for continuation whose ser-vice is in the best interest of the Navy. NAVADMIN 276/10 contains the complete list of board consideration factors.

“This is a performance-based board, and I have extreme confidence that the senior enlisted leadership who sit the board are focused on fairness and proper adherence to standards,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West. “This is a move in the right direction, so we are retaining the best people pos-sible for our Navy.”

Commands may re-verify their FY-11 enlisted continu-ation board eligibility listings

weekly until Sept. 1. For Sailors being reviewed,

the board correspondence submission deadline has been extended to Sept. 1. Board-eli-gible Sailors must submit any correspondence to the board with a postmark by this date.

West said this is the second year of the Senior Enlisted Continuation Board, but the first year Reserve chiefs will be looked at.

“The continuation board has expanded from last year,” West said. “More people are being looked at across the Navy’s Total Force including reserves and some communities that were exempt last year.”

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

Continuation board keeps best Sailors in the fleet


Menu Review Board

Photo by MM3 Sean Phillips

GROTON, Conn. - Naval Submarine Base New London menu review board representatives discuss galley changes at the quarterly menu review board, held Aug. 19. Representative suggestions included more vegetarian options and placing sauces accompany-ing meals as a side. Other items discussed included the barbeque pit closing Sept. 3 and that the grab-and-go breakfast option that began Aug. 23 for Naval Submarine School students. For Cross Hall Galley operation hours and up-to-date menu information, call (860) 694-2917.

By Lisa Daniel American Forces Press Service

ABOARD USS RHODE ISLAND - Ask the offi-cers of this Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which of this year’s policy changes will be the harder to implement – the one that will assign women to subs or the one that bans smoking – and they answer without hesitation.

“No smoking!” Master Chief Petty Officer Robert McCombs, head of the sub’s engineering department, said during an Aug. 16 media visit to the submarine, while his accompanying crew nodded in agreement.

Earlier this summer, the Navy chose 21 women, mostly from this year’s Naval Academy gradu-ates, to be the first women to serve on subma-rines. They began the 15-month training process in July, and will be posted on the Tridents in the fall of 2011, Navy officials said. The ban was overturned, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has said,

because the service was missing out on too many talented potential recruits.

Officers on board USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) were quick to say that the addition of three women officers to the crew next fall will be an asset.

“Women will bring a lot to submarines,” McCombs said. “Most of us have worked with women before, so I think the only real issue will be logistics and berthing.”

Navy officials have said the Ohio-class subma-rines will need minimal to no modifications to accommodate the first group of women. Rhode Island has two state rooms with doors that lock, and two bathrooms with two showers each. One bathroom with showers was designated “female-only” for certain times during the media visit, and a separate bathroom without showers was for women only during the 24-hour visit.

That’s not to say the permanent addition of women will be easy.

Master Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Bottoms,

chief of the boat for Rhode Island, said the cul-tural change “will take some getting used to,” but “if they can do the job, we’ll take them.”

The Navy’s strict policies against fraternization and sexual harassment have been in place since the ban on women serving on surface ships was lifted in the mid-1990s, Bottoms noted. “I think after this happens we will say, ‘Why didn’t we put women on board years ago?’” he said.

Meanwhile, the smoking ban, which was enacted after studies showed second-hand smoke is a problem, will go into effect on submarines in January. The ban will hit hard on subs where smoking is common. On Rhode Island, half of the crew smokes, McCombs said.

Preparing the crew for the smoking ban has included smoking cessation programs and efforts to make smoking inconvenient, such as limiting smoking time and the number of Sailors who smoke in the boat’s smoking area at any given time, McCombs said.

“This is a very high-stress job,” he said. “We

push our crew very hard every day, 12 to 18 hours a day, and smoking is how they relax. Some people are saying they don’t want to stay on subs because they can’t smoke.

“Cessation programs should start in boot camp,” he added.

Lieutenant Eugene Mendez, Rhode Island’s assistant weapons officer, wore a smoking cessa-tion patch on his arm to prepare for the January deadline to stop smoking. As for the addition of women, he said, the submarine culture has changed since he joined it 20 years ago to more readily accept women on board.

“We’ve always worked hard, but we used to play really hard, too,” Mendez said. “We had fewer married [crew members] back then, so this was your family.”

While the submariners’ bond still is tight, Mendez said, those changes affected camarade-rie, and adding women will, too.

“It definitely will affect the submarine force,” he said.

Submariners prepare for culture changes

Sailors paint the rails


GROTON, Conn. – Machinist’s Mate 3rd class Craig Willford and Electrician’s Mate 3rd class Nicholas Pinto, from 1st Lieutenant Division; paint the staircase rails next to the Morton Hall Gymnasium on Naval Submarine Base New London, Aug. 19. First LT personnel perform the day-to-day upkeep of the base, from painting and trash pick up, to re-lining the parking lots across the base.

MWR program kicks off Fantasy Football contest

From Commander Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON - The Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program has teamed up with the Marine Corps, Coast Guard and several sponsors to offer eligible patrons the opportu-nity to participate in a free, online 2010 MWR Fantasy Football League, which is open until 8 a.m. Sept. 12. All active-duty mili-tary personnel, their family members, military retirees, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and DoD and U.S. Coast Guard civilians are eligible to participate in the contest. The participant with the top score at the end of the season will win a trip to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Texas. In addition, all participants will have a chance to win the national contest, with a grand prize of $100,000.

Contest participants can enroll in MWR’s free “RapidDraft” Fantasy Football League at www.mwrfantasysports.com, hosted by World Fantasy Games, an online fantasy sports company. Each player will draft their team and play against 11 simulated pros from the fantasy football industry (including Hall of Fame quar-terback Joe Namath), and compete directly with them throughout the season. An overall military winner will be named, which will be determined by the total accumulation of points gained during each week’s games. The best player from the armed services will win a trip to Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.

All eligible patrons are allowed to draft as many teams as permit-ted by World Fantasy Games. Once participants are registered for their free team, they can draft their team anytime they desire before the draft deadline of 8 a.m. Sept. 12. Custom leader boards will be created for each service, and an overall military leader board will be available for ease in comparing your team to those across the entire nation. A custom championship ring will be presented to the top finisher from each service and weekly prizes will also be awarded.

“Navy MWR would like to thank World Fantasy Games, Coors Light and First Esprit de Corps for their support in bringing this exciting MWR Fantasy Football League contest to our military personnel and their families, which was made possible through the Commercial Sponsorship Program,” said Gordon Digby, program manager, Navy MWR Golf/Auto Skills/Fantasy Sports, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC).

Commercial sponsorship is an authorized way for Navy MWR activities to offset the cost of programs and services. Sponsorship is received in the form of in-kind services and financial support in exchange for public recognition, advertising consideration and/or product promotion at MWR events.

The Department of Defense, U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Homeland Security do not officially endorse or recommend any sponsor’s products or services related to this promotion.

For more information about the 2010 MWR Fantasy Football League, and to register for a free team, visit www.mwrfantasys-ports.com.


Now showing at Dealey Center Theater

Aug. 27 6:00 p.m. CyrusAug. 28 3:00 p.m. Ramona and Beezus

5:00 p.m. Salt 7:00 p.m. CyrusAug. 29 3:00 p.m. Ramona and Beezus

5:00 p.m. Salt 7:00 p.m. CyrusAug. 30 6:00 p.m. SaltAug. 31 6:00 p.m. CyrusSept. 1 6:00 p.m. SaltSept. 2 6:00 p.m. Ramona and Beezus

Cyrus Cast: John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Rated: R, Story Type: Comedy, Drama and Kids/Family, Runtime: 92 min.

Ramona and Beezus Cast: Joey King, Selena Gomez, Rated: G, Story Type: Comedy, Kids/Family and Adaptation, Runtime: 104 min.

Salt Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Rated: PG 13, Story Type: Action/Adventure, Drama and Thriller, rtuntime: 100 min.

Next Week: Dinner for Schmucks and

Cats and Dogs

Thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut, all residents of New London County receive free admission to the Florence Griswold from Sept. 14 through 19. Visitors must show proof of residen-cy. “This generous grant from The Community Foundation gives residents of New London County the opportunity to ‘try out’ the resources of the Museum for free,” states David D.J. Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. “We know that visitors will find so much to do here, they will come back again and again!”

The Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, and is open year-round Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 students, and free to children 12 and under. For more information, visit the Museum’s Web site www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org or call (860) 434-5542, Ext. 111.

Free admission to Museum


Ramage Hall Dedication


GROTON, Conn. - James L. Ramage, former submarine officer and son of Vice Admiral Lawson P. Ramage, thanks SUBASE for naming Building 86 in his father’s name, during the dedication ceremony Aug. 20.


GROTON, Conn. - Above, members of the Silver Dolphins, The Naval Submarine School color guard, “ready the colors” for the playing of the national anthem during the Ramage Hall dedication ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Aug. 20.


GROTON, Conn. - (From left to right) Virginia Anne Ramage-Ross, Alfred Ramage, Dr. Joan Ramage-Mitchell, Jim Ramage, and Captain Marc Denno, Naval Submarine Base New London’s Commanding Officer, cut the cake at the Ramage Hall dedication cer-emony reception held at the Dive, SUBASE’s Officer’s Club, in O’Kane Hall, Aug. 20.

MCC(SW) James O’Donnell

GROTON, Conn. - Before proceeding on the tour of Ramage Hall Virginia Ann Ramage Ross stops to view her father’s portrait and biography in the main stairwell, Aug 20. The biography features Vice Admiral Ramage’s Midshipmen Portrait, photo of USS Parche (SS 384), and a photo of the Vice Admiral wearing his Medal of Honor.


GROTON, Conn. - World War II submarine veterans Bob Hall, Carl Kimmons, Deen Brown, and Ron Williams pose for pictures next to the Ramage Hall sign after the official dedi-cation, Aug. 20. The vet-erans were honored not once, but twice during the ceremony.

mer Submariner himself, noted. “Three of Red’s grandchildren were born in this building.”

James Ramage also called attention to the Submarine Force veterans attending the building dedication who had served with Vice Admiral Ramage aboard USS Trout (SS 202) and USS Parche (SS 384): Bob Hall, Carl Kimmons, Ron Williams, and Deen Brown.

The Sailors and crews of those submarines had helped the Vice Admiral pioneer such aggressive and inventive tactics as adapting the Wolf Pack operations of the German U-boats in the Atlantic to the U.S. Submarines in Pacific; and, the innovative and revolutionary mastery of combat re-loading torpedoes.

Vice Admiral Ramage would call combat re-load-ing the “basis of our success;” and, it was that and more, during Parche’s infamous pre-dawn attack on a Japanese convoy in July 1944.

Following a ferocious but brief surface engage-ment of less than an hour, Vice Admiral Ramage and Parche emerged unscathed after delivering crippling blows to several ships from both bow and stern torpedo tubes; conducting numerous combat re-loads; and avoiding terrific enemy return fire and a ramming attempt.

Vice Admiral Ramage would receive the Medal of Honor from President Franklin Roosevelt six months later.

“All I can say is having the presence of his ship-mates here is such an honor. Dad would have been so proud to be remembered here today, in this way,” James Ramage concluded.

After the dedication ceremony, Ramage fam-ily and friends toured the new Ramage Hall and the Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine, USS Providence (SSN 719).

Continued from page 1

Dedication ...


SLI E f

By MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair

GROTON, Conn. – The weather coop-erated beautifully as Naval Submarine Base New London’s (SUBASE) Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) host-ed a “Slice of Summer” picnic event at North Lake, Aug. 14. More than 400 people celebrated summer with friends and family. The day’s events featured relay races, necklace assem-bly, colored sand globe construction, snow cones, ice cream, and of course swimming at the lake.

Lunch was sponsored by a local Italian themed restaurant as guests to the event enjoyed spaghetti, salad,

and French bread as the main dish for the event. Patrons also enjoyed chips and pretzels as MWR gave the base one last big summer event.

“This is awesome,” said Melissa Weatherspoon. “It’s definitely a great way to end the summer. I think it’s wonderful that events like this still take place.”

Children and adults participated in the multiple MWR events, while oth-ers enjoyed the company of friends and family at the North Lake picnic grounds. Personnel participating in the games experienced a multitude of chal-lenges from carrying oil covered water-melons, to pie eating contests, and

even relays where participants carried water from the lake to the beach.

“The watermelon run was pretty hard,” said Boatswain Mate Seaman Amanda Visinho, from SUBASE’s Port Operations Department. “The oil made them very slippery, and having to run them through the water just made it harder.”

The slice of summer was made memorable to many patrons by the special food items that were featured at the event.

“We want to thank Ben & Jerry’s, Olive Garden, and the USO for coming out and celebrating the near end of sum-mer with us,” said Commander Daniel

Rossler, SUBASE Executive Officer. “It’s great to have one last big get together before the kids go back to school.”

“MWR is proud to put on another great family friendly event, with great food and family fun,” said Melissa Forrester, the MWR special events coordinator. “Be sure to mark the date on your calendar for next year as MWR will look to top itself.”

With a “Slice of Summer”, SUBASE MWR continues to show case its tal-ents for presenting special events at the base, like SUBFEST, and the Kids Karnival. The next big event spon-sored by MWR will be the “Battle of the Commands,” Sept. 8.

GROTON, Conn. - Children eat apple, blueberry, and cherry pies during the “Slice of Summer” pie-eating contest. The kids had to eat two pies, adults’ three pies and the winner received a gift certificate.

SU

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SUBASE shares a slice of summer

GROTON, Conn.- Right, Boatswain Mate Seaman Kai Wong carries his oily watermelon up the beach at Naval Submarine Base New London’s North Lake during the MWR sponsored “Slice Of Summer” picnic, Aug 14. Contestants had to carry an oil-covered watermelon from the beach into the lake, around a lifeguard pontun and back.

GROTON, Conn. - Sailors and family members from the SUBASE community enjoy Italian food during the MWR “Slice of Summer” picnic. Besides the main dish, patrons to the events enjoyed ice cream, chips, snow cones, pies, and popcorn.

GROTON, Conn. - Electronics Technician 1st Class Steven Carlson, Boatswain Mate Seaman Amanda Visinho and Boatswain Mate Seaman Apprentice Pamela Giesen transfer water from bucket-to-bucket during the water relay at Naval Submarine Base New London’s “Slice of Summer” event. The summer picnic featured a variety of games for young and old alike.

GROTON, Conn. - Above, Kevin Boedigheimer, Naval Submarine Base New London’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Athletic Director drives a tractor for the hay ride around North Lake at the “Slice of Summer” picnic. The 25-minute ride took patrons around the North Lake and Goose Run Golf course areas.

GROTON, Conn. - Below, participants in the “Slice of Summer” fear factor challenge use their mouths to search a bowl filled with pudding, vegetables, pie filling, and other not-so-tasty ingredients to find a specific string in the bowl. The participants who found the string won a gift certificate.

Photos by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair



Operation Homefront helps SUBASE kids prepare for school By MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair

GROTON, Conn. – As par-ents and children prepare for the beginning of the school year, some families find out they can use a helping hand to ensure their children have the school supplies they need. One regional organization recently decided to help out Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) families by lending a helping hand, or in this instance a helping bag, about 50 of them.

A local chapter of Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization who pro-vides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service mem-bers and wounded warriors, distributed the donated sup-plies to Groton families in its “Back to School Brigade” event August 20 at the Fleet and Family Services Center (FFSC) here.

“I’m really glad Operation Homefront has this program,” said Amanda Ekwall, mother of three girls, Makenzie, 10, Hannah, 7, and Kaydence, 4. “With all the stuff that hap-pens like deployments and missing parents, this is a great benefit to our military kids. It makes them happy.”

“I get great satisfaction from

these events,” said Bill Moore, a disabled Air Force veteran and chairman of Operation Homefront New England (OHNE) which coordinated last Friday’s event. Operation Homefront partnered with a national business during the year to collect donations for their back-to-school drive.

“It’s great that the pub-lic, through their donations at Dollar Tree, gets involved in supporting our New England military families. They really stepped up to the plate here,” said Moore.

Besides the backpacks filled with supplies, OHNE also had five boxes of school materi-als that would not fit into the backpacks. These materials were distributed to the fami-lies during the event as well.

OHNE supports all military branches in the New England area, they recently held a National Guard event August 19, and are hosting a similar event in Newport, R.I., next week.

For more information about Operation Homefront visit their Web site at www.operationhomefront.net.You can also visit the SUBASE FFSC located in Building 83 in Dealey Center for more infor-mation on the “Back-to-School Brigade” and other family-ori-entated concerns.

Photo By MC1(SW/AW) Steven Myers

GROTON, Conn. - Beth Darius of the Naval Submarine Base New London Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC), helps seven-year-old Hannah Ekwall, reach a back-pack during the Operation Homefront New England Backpack Brigade pickup, Aug. 20. Operation Homefront New England and Dollar Tree, in coordination with the Groton/New London Ombudsman Assembly and FFSC, provided more than 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to local military families.

Sailors, NPC’s new link is all about youBy MC1(AW) LaTunya Howard

Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Navy Personnel Command (NPC) has an all new “My Personnel Information” link on the NPC homepage, directing Sailors to a single grouping of web links for personnel information and career management.

“This is all about the individual Sailor,” said Captain Hank Vitali, director of the Personnel Services Delivery Transformation Office at the Bureau of Naval Personnel.

“The ‘My Personnel Information’ page (the first list-ing under quick links) is a first step in response to requests from the fleet for a single self-service-online site for personnel service

delivery capabilities,” Vitali said. “We’ve heard the fleet loud and clear and are working to develop an enhanced ‘portal’ that provides Sailors direct access to the most commonly used applications and sources of career information.”

The “My Personnel Information” page has four main functions; personnel records, self-support, training and education, and Customer Service Center support. Sailors can access their official mili-tary personnel file, their physi-cal readiness information, sub-mit an electronic-leave request, enter the Defense Travel System or request a Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript.

“There are 20 links to person-nel records information, self ser-

vice and support sites, training and education, customer service - even post-incident personnel accountability via the Navy Family and Accountability System,” said Vitali. “We’ll leverage the feed-back and lessons learned from the ‘My Personnel Information’ page into the requirements for the future Navy Human Resources Portal under development for our active and Reserve Sailors.”

For more information or to provide direct feedback on “My Personnel Information” visit http://www.npc.navy.mil (quick links to the left), or contact NPC Customer Service Center at [email protected] or 1-866-U-ASK-NPC.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

Sunflower MazeThe Lyman Orchards

Sunflower Maze will be open through Sept. 6. Get lost for fun, and to sup-port a great cause! The 4th Annual Sunflower Maze features winding pathways etched into three beautiful acres of multi-colored sun-flowers. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the maze from a viewing platform and from the peaks of the surround-ing orchard hills. One dol-lar of each admission ticket is donated to the pediatric cancer unit at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. Group visits

are welcome. Ages 13 and up admitted for $9; ages 4 to 12 for $5; free for ages 3 and under. For hours, dis-count coupons or addition-al information, call Lyman Orchards at (860) 349-1793, or visit the Web site at www.lymanorchards.com.

Corn Maze The 11th Annual Corn

Maze at Lyman Orchards will open Sept. 4, and remain open through Halloween, Oct. 31, with over two miles of trails and about 100 decision points through four acres of towering corn stalks.

Visitors can walk through the maze on their own just for fun, use a map to plan their route or answer trivia questions along the way to point them in the right direction. One dol-lar of each ticket sold is donated to the American Cancer Society. Groups are welcome. Ages 13 and up admitted for $9; ages 4 to 12 for $5; free for ages 3 and under. For hours, discount coupons or additional information, call Lyman Orchards at (860) 349-1793 or visit the Web site at www.lymanor-chards.com.

Lyman Orchards’ mazes are open for fun!


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