Around the Region

Warriors Return, Reflect with Family at Returning Warrior Workshop Story and Photos By

MC2 Maddelin Angebrand

NAVYHEADLINES

NOSC Charlotte color guard present the colors during the Returning Warrior Workshop at the City Center Hilton in Char-lotte, N.C.

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - More than 150 Active and Reserve Component Sailors and their families attended the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Reserve Component Command (NRMA RCC) “Returning Warrior” Workshop (RWW) at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel in Charlotte N.C, Jan. 28-30. RWW is part of the Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and is designed to honor Individual Augmentee (IA) Sailors who have recently returned from overseas and those who have had particularly hard deployments. The RWW addresses the stress that comes from these hardships.

Patricia Driscoll, Chief Executive Officer of the Armed Forces Foundation and Co-Author of the book Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts, was the featured speaker during the Warrior Reflection and Transition session of the event; during which she shared her personal experiences with the Sailors and their families. “I wanted to tell you a little bit about my story. I have a six-year old boy and I’ve been deployed myself many times to Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Bosnia, and I continue to go out today,” said Driscoll. “I’ve been that wife who waits for her warrior at home, and he’s been the guy at home waiting for his wife to come home. I’ve

missed a lot of milestones with my son. It was really tough.” After hearing Driscoll’s inspiring story, the Sailors were able to sit and talk with counselors and their families to discuss what they had been through on their deployments. This is a major part of the workshop, because it allows spouses and family members to learn more about what their loved one’s are going through while deployed in a time of war. Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Laurie Arden, a Reservist who recently returned from an IA de-ployment to Kuwait with Naval Expeditionary Combat Command Training Group, attended RWW with his wife Jody Arden.

More Hornets and Ships in 2012The Navy has pro-

posed buying 28 Super Hornets and building 10 ships as part of its budget proposal for

fiscal 2012.

Fleet’s Best ChowCaptain Edward F.

Ney Memorial Food Service Awards were announced; winners

include USS Blue Ridge, USS Nimitz and USS

Doyle.

Gov. Gives $200K to Help Vets

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is donating $200,000 raised during his in-auguration events to

the Wounded Warriors Project.

Sailors Help Remodel Home

10 Sailors out of Joint Expeditionary Base

Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. helped construct the

new home for Beverly Hill and Fred Burdette, foster parents chosen for the TV show “Ex-

treme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Continued on pg. 3

February 2011 “Honoring our Sailors’ Service & Sacrifice” Volume I Issue 2

Around the Region Page 2

AROUND THE REGION

STAFF CAPT Br ian T Smith RCC C ommanding Of f icer

CDR Matthew Jackson RCC Chief Staf f Of f icer

LT Steve Frankl in RCC Publ ic Af fairs Of f icer

C h i ef E d itor s / D e si g n & L ayout MC2 Katr ina Parker & MC2 (SW/AW) Maddel in Angebrand

CONTRIBUTING PERSONNEL NCC Steven Sawyer RCC Career C ounselor

PS1 Amber O’Daniels NOSC Buf fa lo

YN1 Teresa Bagor io NOSC S chenectady

Region FTS/SELRES SOY’s AnnouncedStory and Photos By MC2 Maddelin Angebrand

NORFOLK, Va. - Congratula-tions to the newest Region Mid-Atlantic SELRES and FTS Sailors of the Year, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Lynn M. Homerston (SELRES) from NOSC New Lon-don and Yeoman 1st Class Rachel M. Whitcomb (FTS) from NOSC Bangor. Homerston talked about how she got to be where she is in her Navy career. “It’s overwhelming, and a lot of hard work,” said Homerston. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for my Chief. He’s been the one to push me, and when I called him he was estatic.” Whitcomb, who also spoke of

Walk-the-Dog Around the WorldA couple in Florida

spent more than a year building a 12-foot, 7,000

pound wooden yo-yo.

McDonalds serves up McWeddings

Hong Kong couples can now grab love on the run at the city’s McDonalds

outlets, which now holds formal wedding events.

Man ties machine on “Jeopardy!” show-

downA man vs. machine

showdown on “Jeop-ardy!” ended in a tie

when an IBM computer showed off its knowledge.

STRANGE TIMES

Region Mid-Atlantic SOY selectees (left) Hospital Copsman 1st Class Lynn M. Homerston (SELRES) and (right) Yeoman 1st Class Rachel M. Whitcomb (FTS) pictured with CAPT Brian T. Smith.

WIFI Assists SELRES at NOSC BuffaloBy PS1 Amber O’Daniels

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Each drill weekend a list of taskers and general military trainings (GMT) are put out to our drilling Reservists. Often time they run around and work in shifts to get on the five available working computers here at NOSC Buffalo. The complaints seemed to be endless with one major focus: computer availability. Last year, many Sailors became locked out of their NSIPS accounts, because they tried to help each other by logging into each other’s accounts without removing their CAC cards. Frustration ran high and the names on the dink list continued to grow. That is until WIFI came to NOSC Buffalo.

NOSC Buffalo Commanding Officer Cmdr. Anthony Deaville started the chain of events that eventually offered WIFI to NOSC Buffalo. Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) John Montgomery became the person in charge of making sure that every person could obtain access to the WIFI and that it was set up correctly. Naval Mobile Construction Battaltion 21 put together the new desks allowing for private WIFI use and NOSC Buffalo was ready for the roll out. “I was excited when they put the desks in for personal laptops,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Cerabone. “I think that this will make an

important impact on getting more work done. A lot of time and resources were being wasted as people waited to get on the five computers, which never seemed to be enough computers for everyone. As for the financial end of it, I hope the money will serve as a wise investment as Sailors become better informed. It will be great to have the ability to print from your personal laptop as well.” Feeback was positive and Reservists were finally able to access necessary web sites without having to wait for a computer to free up. Many Reservists here believe that the availability of WIFI is invaluable.

Chief leadership as an important part of her career, shared some encouragment for junior Sailors hoping to follow in her footsteps. “Know your stuff and know why your here. It’s for a reason,” said Whitcomb. “Be trained and know your job as well as what’s going on in the world.” All Selectees included: Enginman 1st Class Eric Opokuaddo from NOSC New York City, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Alan Robles from NOSC Eleanor, Information Technol-ogy Specialist 1st Class Michael Papa (SELRES) from NOSC Long Island, Master -at-Arms 1st Class Paul Ewin (SELRES) from

NOSC Pittsburgh and Personnel Specialist 1st Kevin Boston from NOSC Long Island. All the selectees met with Capt. Brian T. Smith, NRMA RCC’s commanding officer, and he thanked them for their sacrifices to the Navy Reserve. “If it wasn’t for you [SELRES] and you [FTS] this wouldn’t be possible,” said Smith “Thanks to you and your families for the sacrifices you make at home and in your everyday work. Congratu-lations to all of you and good luck in your careers.” Homerston and Whitcomb will now move on to compete at the Reserve Forces level.

Around the Region Page 3

‘Workshop’ Continued from pg. 1 This Month In

NAVAL HISTORY

February 4, 1779John Paul Jones takes

command of Bonhomme Richard

February 7, 1800USS Essex becomes first U.S. Navy vessel to cross

the Equator

February 15, 1898U.S. battleship Maine blows up in Havana

Harbor

February 26, 1811Congress authorizes first

Naval hospital

February 28, 1959USS Strong rescues 13 Arab fishermen from Bahrain when their

fishing boats floundered in a storm

PMK Question of the Month

Check out AROUND THE REGION next month for answers!

Last month’s answers:Battle Organization &

Administrative Organiza-tion

“I think it’s a valuable tool for me to see and learn about what my husband went through by sitting down with other couples who are going through the same thing,” said Jody. “I would recommend this es-pecially to young spouses, so they can learn about the reintegration process, and be able to have the time away from other people in or-der to connect with each other.” RWW is made up of group presentations and smaller group “break out” sessions, which include topics such as family issues, debt management, wanting to re-deploy, along with a couples reconnecting workshop. Hull Technician 2nd Class Ralph Chambers, who is on active duty and returned from IA deployment in September 2010, attended RWW with his wife Elise. They spoke

about the importance of the cou-ples reconnecting workshop. “It’s an excellent get-away week-end, and it will really help spouses who are not military to understand what’s really going on,” said Elise. “I’ve been getting a lot of infor-mation here. There’s a lot of sup-port that we can get from Fleet and Family and all these organizations. This will help us [spouses] from breaking down while they’re gone.”Rear Adm. Moira Flanders, Direc-tor of Inter-American Defense Col-lege spoke at the Banquet of Honor and thanked the Sailors and their families for serving in a time of war. “You are the heroes; you all took the oath and that takes a hero. All of you deployed, some I heard had cell phones or even air condi-tioning, but some only had tents and even built the very bases they

stayed on,” said Flanders. “Thank you, all of you for doing your jobs in incredibly arduous environ-ments. Thank you to the families, this is about you.” During the banquet, Sailors and their family members were pre-sented with certificates of appre-ciation for their dedication to the Navy. They also witnessed one Sail-or’s rededication to the Navy. Se-nior Chief Quarter Master Patrice Frede, a Reservist and RWW par-ticipant attached to Military Sealift Command Port Unit 107 who re-turned from an IA to Afghanistan in September of 2010, was reenlist-ed by Capt. Brian L. Quisenberry, a Reservist attached to Operational Support Unit, Norfolk Va. “RWW is about reconnecting and renewing relationships. For me, being able to reenlist at RWW was significant, because it allowed me to renew my commitment to my family, my life that I returned to and ‘my Navy’ all at the same time,” said Frede. “The fact that Capt. Quisenberry drove from Virginia to reenlist me, was a reminder of how much it means to support and be there for one another.” NRMA RCC’s RWW is held four times a year in various loca-tions within the Mid-Atlantic re-gion with a participation goal of 150 Sailors and family members. The next RWW is being held in Boston, Mass. April 8-11. For more information regarding these work-shops contact your local Navy Op-erational Support Center.

RCC Command Master Chief Jody Yatzor makes a toast during RWW. The Code of Conduct was established under this president

CAREER COUNSELOR’S CORNER

One of the easiest ways to en-hance your evaluation or resume’ is by achieving your Journeyman Certificate through the U.S. De-partment of Labor. This is accom-plished by enrolling in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program or USMAP. By completing an appren-ticeship program and earning a journeyman certificate, it shows the Navy and future employers that the Department of Labor has recognized the work experi-ence you’ve received in the Navy

and consider you an expert in that field. Enrolling in USMAP is easy and free. The only requirements are:

1)Complete your required “A” school for the apprenticeship. (Undesignated personnel may en-roll, but must complete “A” school prior to receiving their certificate.)

2)Submit hourly work experience logs semiannually

Signing up and getting started

only takes a few minutes online.1) Log onto https://usmap.cnet.navy.mil

2) Click on “Enroll” and follow the enrollment instructions, which are easily explained throughout the enrollment process. If you have any questions, contact your CCC.

Again… the only effort required is logging your daily hours worked!Certification doesn’t get any easier than that. Start today!

United Service Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) Free and Easy Steps to Earn Your Journeyman License

Around the Region Page 4

NOSC Raleigh Hosts MSRON Twelve Homecoming

Sea Cadets Welcomed as Newest Members of NOSC Schenectady By YN1 Teresa Bagorio

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Lt. Cmdr. Mark Junco and NOSC Schenectady hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome thirty Sea Cadets as the newest members of NOSC Schenectady on Feb. 5. Those in attendance included servicemen and women from the U. S. Navy, Charles Steiner from the Schenectady County Chamber, Glenville Town Supervisor Christopher Koetzle, Glenville Town Councilwoman Gina Wierzbowski and Representative Michael Mansion from Senator Hugh Farley’s office. Since 1958 the Naval Sea Cadet Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and alcohol free environment to foster their

leadership abilities, broaden their horizons through hands-on training and guide them to becoming mature young adults.Sea Cadet organizations exist in most of the maritime nations of the world. Recognizing the value of these organizations in education youth in maritime matters, the Department of the Navy requested the Navy League of the United States establish a similar program for American youth. The Navy League agreed to do so and formally established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) in 1958. Recognizing the importance and benefits of the NSCC, on September 10, 1962, Congress federally incorporated the Naval

Sea Cadet Corps under Public Law 87-655 (36 USC 1541). Today, the NSCC has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Foundation for Teaching Economics and the Flying Midshipman Association to offer cadets broader opportunities in areas of

leadership and aviation. The NSCC also took an active part in the creation of the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA). The ISCA is an association of Sea Cadet Corps’ from around the world, whose main objective is to facilitate exchanges of cadets between member countries.

By MC2 Katrina Parker

continued on pg. 4

RALEIGH, N.C. -Navy Opera-tional Support Center (NOSC) Raleigh hosted a homecoming cel-ebration for Sailors of the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 12, Detachment Delta, Feb. 12. The 45-member Reserve unit, based in Raleigh, N.C., was mo-bilized January 2010 and joined about 400 other Reserve and Active component Sailors supporting the missions of MSRON 6 and Com-bined Task Group 56 in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. The unit was deployed to the Ports of Jebel Ali and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, providing landside security protection to U.S. Navy assets, including aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). The mobilization of this security Delta Detachment marks the first time an entire unit from NOSC Raleigh has been mo-bilized. “Their performance was exempla-ry,” said NOSC Raleigh Command-ing Officer Cmdr. Kent Oglesby. “The Reserve Force provides nearly

one third of all Sailors deployed to the Middle East, and many other Sailors at NOSC Raleigh were also individually mobilized to support our nation’s mission in 2010.” MSRON 12 Deputy Commander Capt. Jake Spivey attended the cer-emony and spoke to the Sailors and their families. “You are being congratulated and commended for your service to this great country,” Spivey said. “You have done what was expected and more. Well done.” Spivey also read a speech on

behalf of MSRON 12 Command-ing Officer Capt. David Hunter, who was not able to attend the event. The speech expressed his gratitude to the Sailors for leaving their friends, families and civilian employers to unselfishly put their lives on hold and defend the na-tional interests of the nation. He also commended their families on the sacrifices they have made over the past year. “We all owe them a debt of grati-tude, which today’s ceremony is but a small payment,” Hunter stated.

“You can all be proud of your ser-vice. You poured your heart and soul into becoming the best at your mission and performed superbly. On behalf of the Navy and this great nation, please accept my sin-cere and utmost gratitude for your everlasting support.” Rear Adm. Garland Wright, Deputy Director of Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and NOSC Ra-leigh Flag Sponsor, was also pres-ent at the ceremony to personally thank the Sailors and their families. He noted that the family members

NOSC Raleigh hosts a homecoming ceremony for Sailors of MSRON 12. Photo by MC2 Maddelin Angebrand

NOSC Schenectady staff and Sea Cadets together. Photo courtesy NOSC Sche-nectady.

Around the Region Page 5

Va. Gov. Shows Support for ESGR

RICHMOND, Va. - Governor of Virginia, His Excellency, Robert F. McDonnell signed a Statement of Support for Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in Richmond, Va, Jan. 18. Statement’s of Support promote an understanding of Guard and Reserve service, enlist support of employers to encourage employee participation in Guard and Reserve

programs and sustain willingness of employers to support their em-ployees called to military service for the Global War on Terrorism over potentially longer periods of time and greater frequency. This statement also seeks to inform and educate employers about their rights and responsibilities toward their employees who serve in these capacities, and to also acknowl-

edge those employers who go “over and above” the requirements of the law. By signing the Virginia ESGR Statement of Support, Mc-Donnell showed an unswerving commitment to military members in Virginia. In attendance of this ceremony was Deputy Chief of Navy Re-serve Rear Adm. Bryan P. Cutchen, Navy Operational Support Center

(NOSC) Norfolk Commanding Of-ficer Capt. Robert O’Neil, NOSC Norfolk Command Master Chief (SW) Darrin Lowe, NOSC Rich-mond Commanding Officer Cmdr. Michael Mullen and several other distinguished visitors, including Hanoi Hilton survivor Mr. Paul Galanti. The ceremony was a re-flection of the Governor’s desire to lead the Commonwealth’s rec-ognition and appreciation of all state employees also serving in the National Guard and Military Reserve Components. “Governor McDonnell made it clear that he wants the state of Virginia to be the most Veteran-friendly state in the United States,” Mullen said. “By signing this statement, he is saying ‘when you serve, you are twice a citizen; you are a Reservist and a civilian, and we understand the sacrifice you are making.’” Mullen said he appreciated the Governor’s dedication to service members by signing the statement and also spending time to gracious-ly thank them for their service. “By the Governor actually com-ing out and signing that statement, he showed that this is a cause he truly believes in,” Mullen said.

By MC2 Katrina Parker

‘MSRON 12’ continued from pg. 4

who stayed at home made incred-ible sacrifices to support their ser-vice member serving overseas. “All of us should realize that be-hind every service member on the front lines, there stood an anxious and sacrificing family member at home,” Wright said. “The service member and family members are equally deserving of recognition.” Lt. Cmdr. John Heuisler, MS-RON 12 Delta Detachment Officer-in-Charge, said the ceremony was a great way to recognize all the sac-rifices the Sailors have made. It al-lowed the community to recognize them and show their appreciation for all the hard work put forth. “It is a really nice way to bring them home and have them see that they are appreciated,” Heuisler said. “It is a way to celebrate what they did, which was give up a year of their life to go support our coun-try’s freedoms.”

Heuisler noted that families at home had to go on without their father, husband, wife or mother for long periods of time during this past deployment. He said it was im-portant for them to come out and be celebrated for the great work that they have also done. Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Jason Christopher, tactical supervisor and leading petty officer for the detachment’s day team, said that events like this are a great way for families to know how much they are esteemed. “Everywhere you go when you are in uniform somebody thanks you, but I think it’s more important for your spouse and children to see how much we appreciate them and what they do at home,” Christopher said. “When you are in the military, you feel like you are part of a fam-ily; I think it’s more important for our families to feel that.”

Christopher said he appreciated the speeches written by Rear Adm. Wright and Capt. Hunter and also valued the continuing support pro-vided by NOSC Raleigh before, during, and after deployment. “It is great comradery for us to come together like this,” Christo-pher said. “We live in freedom, I’m

proud of all that I have done and I’m honored to wear this uniform every day.” The event included the Fleet Forces Command Navy Band and catering services. Following the formal ceremony, Sailors and their families mingled with one another and enjoyed a barbeque style meal.

Va. Gov. Robert McDonnell signs a Statement of support for ESGR. Photo coutesty Governor’s office.

Chief Master-at-Arms Levi White reads a welcome home card during the hom-comeing ceremony. The cards were made by Saint Mary Magdalene Elementary School in Apex, N.C. Photo by MC2 Maddelin Angebrand

Around the Region Page 6

FEEDBACKThis newsletter is for YOU

Help us make Around the Region better for you! We need your input on what you’d like to

see in future issues, so send us your

ideas, photos and stories to highlight the great things you and your shipmates are doing! Email or

call:

MC2 Parkerkatrina.parker@navy.mil757-444-7295 ext. 2016

We look forward to hearinig from you!

ACROSS 1. The art by which a leader influences people to work toward a specific goal 3. During WWII, loss of island(s) heraled end of war in Pacific 4. Type of ship privateers usually sailed 5. “Old Ironsides” 8. 1854, trade opened up10. Provisions for divine services afloat (1775)

11. “Aquisition of knowledge”13. First-class battleship14. U.S. Navy first flagship16. Capacity women first served as in the Navy17. First Chaplain to serve in the Continental Navy18. First warfare submarine19. President when U.S. Navy de- partment was established

DOWN 2. An authorization by an act of Congress to incur obligations for a specific time and purpose to make payment out of the U.S. Treasury6. Type of correspondence usually prepared for CO’s signature7. Country to first recognize “Stars and Stripes”12. Navy’s first aviator15. First aircraft carrier designed from the keel up

C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

NA

VY

PM

KMON T H LY P OL L

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Starting March 26 Sailors will be able to walk, talk and text while wearing their uniform. Do you feel this change repre-sents professionalism while in

uniform?

YESNODON’T KNOW

Email your answer to katrina.parker@navy.mil

Around the Region Page 7

Around the Region Photos of the Month

Members from NOSC Erie visted Veterans at the Erie Veter-

ans Hospital. Photo courtesy NOSC Erie.

Rear Adm. Crean visits NOSC Harrisburg. Photo courtesy NOSC

Harrisburg.

Regional Selectees for Sailor of the Year. Photo by MC2 Maddelin Angebrand.

A Sailor and his son attend MSRON Twelve Homecoming.

Photo by MC2 Maddelin Angebrand.

NRMA RCC CO CAPT. Smith awards to officers and chiefs with Com-mendation Medals following a successful Command Assessment. Photo by MC2 Katrina Parker.