Road Runner Staff

Cmdr. Darryl ToppinCommanding Officer

Cmdr. Derek WessmanExecutive Officer

CMDCM(SS) Jerry PittmanCommand Master Chief

MC1(AW) Adrian MelendezPublic Affairs Officer

Editor/Layout and Design

NC1 Steven PowellAssistant Public Affairs Officer

John BeringAssiatant Editor

The Road Runner is a monthlynewslet-ter produced by the U.S. Navy Recruit-ing District Phoenix Public Affairs. It is intended primarily, but not exclusivly, for the use, information and entertain-ment of it’s active duty and reserve members, civilian employees and their families. Any views exspressed herin are not necessarily the official postions of the U.S. Navy. The Road Runner staff encourages feedbacl from it’s readers. Please submit all articles, suggestions, ideas, comments, photos, compliments or complaints to MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez at adrian.b. melendez@navy.mil, NC1 Steven Powell at steven.powell1@navy.mil, or John Bering at john.bering@navy.mil

Inside This Issue

Page 4 VolunteerPage 5-8 NRD All HandsPage 9 Zone 5 Pot LuckPage 10 Hike of the Month Page 10 Historic GlendalePage 11 Around the Fleet

COMMAND CORNER

2

STEM: Building a ‘FIT’ GenerationBy Cmdr. Derek WessmanNRD Phoenix Executive Officer

A few months back, I posed the question “What does the acronym STEM stand for and why is it important to Navy Recruiting?” Surprisingly, this POW question generated the most discussion to date. For those just joining the movement, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and here is a sampling of the dialogue:

NC1 May: With the challenges that we face today in recruiting, these are the classes that we need to be talking to in our schools. Good line scores in these areas will help us bring qualified Future Sailors into the world we love!

NC1 Caballero: STEM is the core of what our service does for America and other countries. As the Navy is a very technical force, the FIT recruiting environment depends on how strong our STEM is. It should be the basis of who we recruit. GM1 Dort provided a link

to a recent Congressional Research Service study (CRS STEM Report). Here’s one of the findings: “In a recent international assessment of 15-year-old students, the U.S. ranked 28th in math literacy and 24th in science. Moreover, the U.S. ranks 20th among all nations in the proportion of 24-year-olds who earn degrees in natural science or engineering.”

NRS Superstition: Our involvement in these classes may also help the educators that we work with in motivating students by showing them some of the applications of the things that they are learning in class.

MM1 Tanguay: It’s essential in recruiting for finding “FIT” as opposed to the “FILL.”

XO: FIT vs. FILL is not going away and it’s not just happening in Navy recruiting. It’s an “employer’s market” out there, meaning employers can be choosy. If they hire people with pre-existing skills or a strong STEM base knowledge, they spend less money on training. To quote Warren Adelman, CEO of Go Daddy, from a recent article in The Arizona Republic: “While there are a lot of people unemployed, they’re not necessarily the people that have the skill set that companies need.” In fact, there are currently an estimated two job openings for every unemployed person with a STEM degree. They, of course, won’t be unemployed for long! So let’s connect the dots…STEM Continued OnPage 3

• We’re falling behind as a nation because of our poor STEM education.

• Our teachers/COIs need real world examples to motivate their students.

• Our biggest recruiting challenge is finding quality applicants to “FIT” the open jobs.

• 2/3 of Navy rates require a strong STEM foundation and they are arguably the hardest jobs to FIT!

• Many of us have technical skills and STEM experience.

• We are constantly doing community outreach activities.

• STEM outreach opportunities span K-12 and beyond in many areas.

Is the picture starting to form? Let me put it this way – STEM outreach kills several birds with one stone: - Develops trust and working

relationships with schools, educators and other COIs

- Helps the national effort to improve education by providing mentorship and real world applications of classroom learned skills

- Strengthens the future of recruiting by building a qualified Navy influenced market…Planting Seeds!

- Qualifies as community service and is a great way to pass on your story and experience to a

generation thirsty for mentors and direction.

Now, I know you’re asking yourself …”Self - what can I do to help?” Well, you’re in luck! The Skipper just signed a new STEM Outreach Program instruction (NRDPHXINST 1130.8) with a few suggestions. He also designated ET1 Saenz and MC1 Melendez as Program coordinator and assistant, respectively. They will be reaching out to each of the Divisions and informing you of opportunities in your area. Before we jump in with both feet, however, we need to realize a few key points. 1. This is community service and

it should not take precedence over our primary mission.

2. There may be some events that double as a STEM & recruiting event, but the majority will simply be to build Navy awareness and lend a helping hand to an important national concern…not to generate immediate contracts.

3. You don’t have to have a technical background/rate to take part in STEM outreach. There are several competitions in which they simply need lots of hands to assist and you are encouraged to involve your Future Sailors where/when appropriate.

4. Finally… HAVE FUN - The next generation is counting on you to lead them to succeed!

Have a great month and continue to Recruit Like Champions!

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Rear Adm. Craig Faller, and Navy Recruiting District Phoenix, Cmdr. Darryl Toppin, view students at Willow Can-yon High School in Surprise, Ariz., as they work on a team project during their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Club meeting. Nov. 12, 2010. A recent Congressional Research Service study has shown in an international as-sessment that U.S. students 15-years-old ranked 28th in math literacy and 24th in science. U.S. Navy Photo by MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

3

STEM Continued FromPage 2

NRD Phoenix Ombudsman

(nrdphxombuds1@gmail.com)

Lety Spaulding (Phoenix)(602)432-6692

ladybug85021@yahoo.com

Sharla Boykin (Phoenix)(623)792-0770

Elizabeth Garciasalas (El Paso)(505)554-8685

ekg05@yahoo.com

Dial-a-ChaplinPhoenix Area

Chaplin Terry Pletkovich(480)586-8728

Chaplin Dean Johansen(602)828-7773

Davis-Monthan AFB(520)228-4511

Fort Bliss(915)568-8728

Kirtland AFB(505)846-5691

4

Hey Shipmates, Think back to the last time you volun-teered to help someone. Remem-ber that feeling you had inside when the people you helped thanked you? Whatever it is that makes us want to help others, the number of people who give their talents and time to better others

and their communities is astonish-ing. Last year, more than 63 million Americans served as volunteers according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That num-ber equates to 29 percent of all Americans. As high as that per-centage is, I have a feeling it’s even higher in the Navy. Almost 40 percent of those Americans who volunteered re-ported they did so because some-one asked them to volunteer. In the Navy, I believe almost all of us have been asked to volunteer, in one form or another. So what kind of things do Sailors volunteer for? The list is endless, but some of the most common things are Habitat for Humanity, coaching, refereeing, tutoring, teaching, ushering, pro-viding time to Boy Scouts, Girl

VOLUNTEERING: It Just Feels GoodBy CMDCM(SS) Jerry PittmanNRD PHOENIX Command Master Chief

Volunteer Continued OnPage 12

Navy Recruiting District Phoenix recruiters work along side their Future Sailors at a Phoenix food bank. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated that more than 63 million Americans served as volunteers last year. U.S. Navy photo by MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

8

Personnel from Navy Re-cruiting District (NRD) Phoenix all met up together at the Tropicana Express hotel in Laughlin, Nev., for their annual All Hands Training and Awards Banquet Jan. 10-13.Numerous topics were covered during the two day training includ-ing the importance of social media in recruiting, traffic safety, and the responsible use of alcohol. One of the stronger training topics was given by Father John Shetler from Holy Cross Catho-lic Church in Mesa, Ariz. Father Shetler talked to the group about the importance of suicide aware-ness and stressed that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. “This was the best presen-tation,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Christopher Vincent. “I really appreciated how he used examples of his own experiences with people having trouble in life to help push the point home that no matter what your going through in life there is always someone who can help.” During the evening the district was treated to a catered banquet for the annual awards cer-emony. Numerous prizes were given out by the command Morale, Welfare and Recreation volunteers as well as awards given out for Re-cruiter of the Year, Civilian of the Year, and Contractor of the Year to name a few. This year marked the first year that the Recruiter of the Year was broken up into two categories, Metro and Rural.

This years honors in the best recruiter category went to Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Dallas Rodriguez from Navy Re-cruiting Station (NRS) Las Cruces, N.M., for the Rural category and Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) Chris Schulze from NRS Arrowhead in Phoenix in the Met-ro category. Both Sailors also re-ceived a meritorious advancement to Petty Officer First Class for their efforts in recruiting as well as their performance as a Sailor. “Receiving these awards was one of the most amazing feelings that I have ever had,” said Schulze, who also received a Navy and Marine Core Com-mendation Medal, NRD Phoenix Diversity Recruiter of the year and Navy Special Operations/Navy

Special Warfare Recruiter of the year. “This is the one of the first commands that I have been to that actually recognizes their people for hard work.” Schulze attributed his suc-cess to everyone on the recruiting team, from the shipmates he works with at the Arrowhead station to the personnel at the Military En-trance Processing Station (MEPS) in Phoenix, who he said that with-out them all he would have had was a lot of applications filled out and no contracts to show for it. “The NRD is Like a well oiled machine,” said Schulze. “Without everyone working hard and doing their job none of us in the field, at headquarters, or at MEPS would be successful. I at-tribute my success to everyone.”

NRD Phoenix Comes Together During All Hands Training, Awards CeremonyMC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

Father John Shetler from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa, Ariz., speaks to Navy Recruiting District Phoenix personnel about suicide awareness and the importance of seeking help if you are having problems in life. Shelter was one of a handful of guest speakers invited out for the districts annual All Hands Training and Awards Banquet, Jan. 10-13, at the Tropicana Express hotel in Laughlin, Nev. U.S. Navy photo by MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

9

Zone 5 hosted their 3rd Annual Family Pot Luck, Dec. 11, 2010 at the Navy Reserve Center in Tucson, Ariz. The Zone started the pot luck by enthusiastically repeating the Sailors Creed. Arizona District 30 Senator, Frank Antenori, came out to address the Future Sailors. Antenori served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and had great insight to share with the crowd. Also Navy Recruiting District Phoenix Executive Officer, Cmdr. Derek Wessman, came down to join the zone for the special event and also addressed the group. Wessman also performed a special Oath of Enlistment for one of the Future Sailors. During the evening events Chief Navy Counselor(SW) Shane Stec, Zone 5 Supervisor, was presented the Admiral Accelerator’s Award from Wessman. In addition to the festivities Future Sailors from Navy Recruiting Station Sierra Vista did a presentation of the POW/MIA table. Describing what it represented and the meaning behind every item set on the table

for one, and also a flag folding presentation to describe the tradition and the meaning of each fold of the flag. Casey Hoyack, a Senior from Douglas High School, shared his Arizona Boy State award winning essay “What Patriotism Means to Me”. Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Paul Tanguay from NRS Sierra Vista read a Sailor’s heartwarming Christmas Poem, a fitting addition to the time of the year. “I think the Navy Pot Luck was a great look into the life of a Sailor in the (Delayed Entry Program) for our family and Friends,” said Future Sailor Sean Williams. “When the ‘Sailors Christmas Poem’ was read the atmosphere of the room changed and you could see everyone was very proud of their Sailors.” For one of the seasoned recruiters in Zone 5 the annual event was a little bitter sweet. Logistics Specialist(SW/AW) Camilla Hill will be transferring later this year

and said she will miss the yearly holiday get together with her future shipmates and their family. “This has become a great event for the Future Sailors and their families to feel welcomed to our Navy family and get a taste of our traditions,” Hill said. “I’m really going to miss it.”

Zone 5 Holds Third Annual Family Pot Luck NRS Tucson

Navy Recruiting District Phoenix Executive Officer, Cmdr. Derek Wessman, adresses the Future Sailors and their family members during Zone 5’s annual pot luck in Tucson, Ariz. Dec. 11. U.S. Navy Photo

NCC(SW) Shane Stec recieves the Admiral Accelerator’s Award from Cmdr. Derek Wessman at Zone 5’s annual pot luck in Tucson, Ariz. Dec. 11. U.S. Navy Photo

Future Sailors from Zone 5 demonstrate how to properly fold the American flag to fellow Future Sailors, their family members, and recruiters at Zone 5’s an-nual pot luck Dec. 11. U.S. Navy photo

10

Aptly located due north of downtown Phoenix, North Mountain and its superb collection of hiking trails beckons. Great for any level of hiker, Trail 44 (a.k.a National Trail) can be accessed from a few locations. The paved route winds up the mountain for a mile and a half and is the perfect path for a semi-leisurely hike or a killer training run on “hill day”. Many more trails wind throughout the park and range in length from 1/3 mile to over 10 miles. There are three access points located on 7th Street between Dunlap Avenue and Thunderbird Road. The first is a large parking

lot with access to several trails. The second is a small lot for a dozen or so vehicles but if you are fortunate enough to find a vacant parking spot there is direct access to the paved trail that winds up the mountain. Another half mile up 7th St, directly across the street from Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, is the North Mountain Visitor Center with information, displays and lectures along with access to trails. With great views of downtown Phoenix to the south and Piestawa Peak to the east North Mountain is a great place to jump start any weekend.

Hike of the Month: North MountainStory and photo by John Bering

Get Out and See Historic GlendaleStory and photo by John Bering

In the heart of the West Valley, not far from the Cardinals and Coyotes arenas, an epicurean melting pot thrives in Historic Downtown Glendale. Although locals may not be aware of the significance in the area just east of 59th Avenue and Glendale Rd the Food Network has showcased two thriving restaurants there that coexist less than a football field apart. Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) star Guy Fieri filmed episodes in Haus Murphy’s and La Piazza al Forno. They are not the only draw though; the

streets surrounding Murphy Park host numerous antique shops and several other eateries that include Vietnamese, Polish, Cajun and a host of other cuisines in addition to the German and Italian bistros featured on television. The park itself is often the draw to the area with events ranging from Glendale glitters in December to the Chocolate Affair (4-6 February) and the Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival (9-10 April). Sometimes long distant travel is not required to explore other cultures and when you really need that Napoli style pizza or are craving a hearty Bavarian meal accompanied by an ompah band and a hefeweizen head to Glendale.

11

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The secretary of the navy reached out to prominent industry leaders during a Washington, D.C., summit Jan. 25, in an effort to have them incorporate the use of alternative fuels in their push for a clean economy. During the Clean Energy Summit, Secretary Ray Mabus began his review of the effects converting the Department of the Navy (DoN) from fossil fuels to alternative fuels will have on the economy on a basic level.

“A clean energy economy supports American workers and creates new jobs,” said Mabus. Mabus continued by trying to increase understanding of the implications of fossil-fuel by discussing our country’s dependence on it. “History has taught us the competition for resources has been one of the fundamental causes of war for centuries,” said Mabus. Mabus said the dependence on fossil fuel continued to produce bad results during the time of war by endangering Sailors and Marines charged with guarding convoys bringing energy to bases and machinery. He urged that the solution to this reliance and resulting war and loss of lives is the utilization of alternative fuels. He relayed information about DoN flying an F/A-18 with a camelina-based biofuel and a MH-60 Seahawk helicopter on an algae-based biofuel. Mabus said substitutions such as this would

reduce the need for altercation caused by limited availability. “Neither feedstock impacts the food supply,” said Mabus. “Camelina can be planted in rotation, and algae – well, it’s grown in a pond.” Benefits of alternative fuel extend beyond the abundance of ingredients necessary for their creation. Mabus said that implementing alternative fuels will save the American people money. “I am very pleased that the cost of these fuels continues to decrease,” said Mabus. “As more is produced – and as our demand signal grows, I am confident that price will continue to fall.” Mabus provided a hybrid-electric ship, the USS Makin Island (LHD 8), as an example of alternative fuels resulting in continued savings. During the course of the ship’s life, Mabus said it will save up to $250 million at today’s fuel prices, and if fuel prices increase, the savings will become greater. The use of cotton-seed by Marines in Sangi, Afghanistan, was also presented by Mabus as an

Navy Secretary Pushes for Alternative Energy Use Chinara LucasSecretary of the Navy Public Affairs

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus delivers remarks as the guest speaker for the Climate and Energy Symposium at Johns Hopkins University. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Kevin S. O’Brien

Energy Continued OnPage 12

12

Scouts, Boy’s Club, etc. I don’t think it’s as important what we vol-unteer for as it is that we just give of our time. Each of us has unique talents and when we share them we make our neighborhoods and com-munities better. I’m sure you have heard leaders talk to you about giving something back to the communi-ties where we live. Most of us in the Navy are somewhat transient – as in we live in a city for a few years and then move on. While that is true, I honestly believe that we have an obligation to give some-thing back to the communities we live in. I’m a firm believer that in the Navy, we serve twice -- Once to our country and once to our com-munity. Considering how easy it is to contribute, there aren’t many excuses we can come up with to not do our part. For those of you who volunteer on a regular basis and provide consistent support to orga-

nizations and your communities, I’d like to tell you about the Navy’s formal recognition program for volunteers. Just over a decade ago the military introduced the Mili-tary Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM). The medal was designed to recognize those who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained direct and consequential nature. To qualify for the MOVSM, volunteer service must meet the following criteria:

-Service to the civilian community, to include military family commu-nity -Significant in nature and produce tangible results -Reflect favorably on the military service - Be of sustained and direct nature over the course of at least 3 yearsThe MOVSM is not intended to recognize a single act of achieve-ment. It takes sustained service to be eligible.

Volunteering is truly a wonderful thing. Whether you are a seaman or an admiral, there are ways for you to give your time and talent to help others. The Navy places a lot of importance in volunteering. It’s often considered in performance evaluations and even Sailor of the Quarter/Year programs. The only thing I ask is if you volunteer, you do so for the right reasons. Helping others is an honorable thing to do as long as your giving of your time to genu-inely help people – not just make yourself look good and advance. Shipmates, please consider how you might volunteer to help others. Remember you can do it as a fam-ily too and really builds a positive relationship within your life lines. The feeling you get when you do something nice for others is price-less and the more you do it, the better you feel. Thank you to every one of you who give so much to so many!

example of alternative energy at its best. Through this pilot program, Mabus said Marines have reduced the amount of fossil fuel they use by 20 percent. As a consequence, Marines utilize fuel convoys less.

“If this program can be expanded, it has the potential to achieve monetary savings,” said Mabus. Even more important than saving money, fuel economy “will improve both the security and combat capability,” said Mabus. He said that increasing the amount

of time between refueling ships and aircraft will respectively create more capable units and extend the range of strike missions. “It’s about ensuring the safety and the lives of our troops,” said Mabus.

Energy Continued FromPage 11

Volunteer Continued FromPage 4

STEM Volunteer EventsMATHCOUNTSSaturday Feb. 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Independence High SchoolGlendale, AZVolunteers needed to Set-up, Judge and proctor.

MATHCOUNTS (State Competition)Saturday Mar. 19, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Cienega High SchoolVail, AZ Volunteers needed to Set-up, Judge and proctor.

MATHCOUNTSSaturday Feb. 26, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Supai Middle SchoolScottsdale, AZVolunteers needed to Set-up, Judge and proctor.

MATHCOUNTSSaturday Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Empire High SchoolTucson, AZVolunteers needed to Set-up, Judge and proctor.

(If you know of any other STEM vol-unteer opertunities in your community please contact either ET1 Salvador Saenz at (602)256-6022 ext. 254, email: salva-dor.saenz@navy.mil, or MC1 Adrian Me-lendez at (602)256-6022 ext. 228, email: adrian.b.melendez@navy.mil)