Vol. 2 Issue 25May 16, 2013

Continued on page 4

GBACKIVINGStory and Photos by MSCA Victoria Ochoa

Forty U.S. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 and Republic of Korea Sailors participated in a community service project at the Hee-Rak

Won ‘Delight and Meriness Home’ Social Welfare Center for children May 12.

Sailors assisted with chores around the premises and had a chance to play with the children.

“It’s really cool to work together with them even if I don’t understand what they’re saying,” said Machinist’s Mate Seaman Briana L. Lema.

SN Mikayla Farley and Petty Officer Han Cha Lee from the Republic of Korea navy, search the ground for small objects.

SPONSOROFTHE MONTHSAILOR OF

THE DAY

IT2 Michael Cafeo

Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Michael Cafeo, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., was named May’s Sponsor of the Month

aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).“It’s nice being noticed,” said Cafeo. “I didn’t

have someone there for me when I arrived.”Cafeo supported two new Sailors who recently

came on board, ensuring their racks were ready. He provided information before their arrival and greeted them when they came on board.

“I didn’t want someone else to have the same experience,” said Cafeo. “I wanted them to have the tools they need to make it when they got here.”

Making sure his Sailors received appropriate contact information for all their questions about the ship and beach detachment, as well as giving them a tour lead to his selection as Sponsor of the Month.

Story and Photo by MC3 (SW) Devin Wray

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) (SW) 3rd Class Dain Thompson from San Diego, Calif., was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68)

Sailor of the Day May 15.“It’s nice, I like being recognized for doing hard

work,” said Thompson. I don’t feel I did anything more than anyone else in my division. They’re all awesome.”

As an electronic warfare operator in Operations Department, he identified, tracked, and correlated more than 50 signals of interest which provided tactical indications and warnings to the strike group during Nimitz’ sustainment exercise (SUSTEX).

He completed more than 39 man-hours of preventative maintenance on 146 pieces of equipment and earned a 100 percent score on a spot check with the executive officer.

“If you keep working hard, eventually someone will notice,” said Thompson.

Story and Photo by MC3 (SW) Devin Wray

CTT3 (SW) Dain Thompson

Commanding OfficerCAPT Jeff S. RuthExecutive Officer

CAPT Buzz DonnellyCommand Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyrePublic Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin Burzynski

EditorMC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Lead DesignerMC3 George J. Penney III

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

Page 2

last time before handing the children back to the nurses.

“Sometimes I wonder if these things are more for our benefit than theirs,” said Command Master Chief Franklin “Spike” Call from Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117.

CSG 11 is currently deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, and is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) along with embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS Chosin (CG 65).

Continued from page 1

Once the chores were complete, nurses escorted children out of their rooms and into the waiting arms of a multitude of Sailors.

“These children are disabled so they must be held tightly and with caution,” translated Petty Officer Cha Hwi Soo of the Republic of Korea navy.

Similar reactions resounded from every Sailor as they smiled and played with the children.

“I have a grandson who isn’t much bigger than this,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate Senior Chief Barry A. Hunt from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 as he picked up a little boy and hugged him. “This feels like I have him back in my arms.”

After every Sailor had a child in their arms, they were asked to accompany the sisters to take the children to the park to play.

Children’s laughter filled the park as Sailors and children played on seesaws, swings and slides. Even though many of the children have disabilities, it didn’t hinder them from enjoying their new playmates for the day.

After playtime was over the trek back to the orphanage meant the community service event was nearing its end. Sailors held their children one

Sometimes I wonder if these things are more for our benefit than theirs.”

“CMC Call

Lt. Cmdr. Cory N. Gassaway and MMSN Briana L. Lema work with Petty Officer Han Cha Lee from the Republic of Korea Navy to collect laundry.

YN3 Jesus A. Garcia says goodbye to a little girl at the Hee-Rak Won Social Welfare Center.

Page 3

In the office of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Edgar Rodriguez, the dental hygienist for the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), there is a

poster on the wall. This poster depicts dental health at four levels, deteriorating from left (healthy) to right (very unhealthy.)

Rodriguez can’t help noticing that during deployments, he sees a slightly higher number of cases leaning toward the right side of this poster.

“I see it all the time,” said Rodriguez, the

registered dental hygienist of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). “They say they’re too busy, that they don’t have enough time for it.”

This decline in dental maintenance can result in a number of medical conditions, including gingivitis. According to Rodriguez, one of the

major culprits of these ailments, ahead of even Sailors and Marines brushing their teeth less while underway, is a lack of flossing.

“Bacteria builds up on your teeth from not flossing,” said Rodriguez. “After a while, you end up getting tartar build up around your teeth. All that build-up starts irritating the tissue.”

Another culprit that Rodriguez notices is the increased consumption of sugary, caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks, sweetened coffee and soda. Many Sailors and Marines turn to these beverages for a quick caffeine or sugar rush to combat fatigue, but this comes at the expense of

Story and Photos by MCSN Derek Harkins

PEARLYTHE

KNIGHTS

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their teeth and gums.“Bacteria feeds on all that sugar,” said

Rodrigues. “That’s how it grows. After a while they release this acid on your tooth. That starts breaking down your tooth enamel, and you start getting cavities.”

According to Rodriguez, he finds time to frequently brush his teeth and floss throughout the day to keep these conditions from plaguing him. While he understands that Sailors and Marines may have less free time while underway, he believes that many of them could easily improve their dental condition if they really wanted to.

“I think that many people have the time to do it, but choose not to,” said Rodriguez. “It’s about initiative.”

HM2 Edgar Rodriguez, from Napa, Idaho, performs a dental procedure.

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Sailors who wish to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to eligible family members should act sooner rather than later

to avoid missing out, according to Navy officials. “The transferability option must be elected while the service member is serving in the armed forces,” said Paul Wilder, program manager, Post-9/11 GI Bill, Navy Personnel Command. “Active-duty members who separate, retire, transfer to the Fleet Reserve, or who were discharged prior to August 1, 2009 are not eligible to elect transferability.” Despite efforts to educate personnel, some Sailors mistakenly believe that they may elect transferability after they leave the Navy, according to Wilder. “Transferability under Post-9/11 GI Bill is a recruiting and retention incentive. While a service member may be eligible for education benefits provided by Post-9/11, generally the option to transfer a member’s unused benefits to a family member requires an additional service commitment

in the Armed Forces,” said Wilder. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides eligible Sailors up to 36 months of tuition and fees for college, and may also include funding for books and supplies and a monthly housing allowance that may be used to offset living expenses. It also includes a provision for Sailors who obligate additional service to transfer benefits to a spouse and/or children. Sailors must be in the Armed Forces on or after August 1, 2009 to be eligible for transferability. In order for Sailors to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits they must have at least six years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agree to serve four additional

years from the date of election. The obligated service must be reflected in the service member’s electronic service record (ESR). A spouse may use the benefit immediately upon transfer, while the service member is serving in the military or after separation. Spouses are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the member is serving on active duty, but they are eligible for the books and supplies stipend. Spouses have up to 15 years after the service member’s last separation from active duty to use the benefit. Children may start to use transferred education benefits after the service member has completed at least 10 years of service. They are entitled to the monthly housing allowance and books and supply stipend even though the service member is on active duty and are not subject to the 15 year delimiting date, but cannot use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age. For more information, visit Navy.mil

Beth Juachon, a Veterans Affairs military services coordinator, explains details of the Montgomery G.I. Bill for active-duty service members. - Photo by MCSN Megan N. Anuci

Story from Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

InvestmentFuture

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