UNDERWAYR E A L . L I F E . S E A . S T O R I E S

wHAT’SIN YOURBOX?

MORETHAN A GAMENAVY BASEBALL TEAM PITCHER

RETURNS TO STENNIS

corpsman in a marine’s world

STOp GeTTING

HOT IN THe SHOp

ONE APP A SAILOR CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

5TRASH TOp

A liTTlE biT Of yOu iN

yOuR bluE

UNDERWAY is an authorized publication for the crew members of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of Stennis. Underway is edited, prepared and provided by the JCS media department. All news releases, photos or information for publication in the Underway must be submitted to the Public Affairs Office (3-180-0-Q). All submissions are edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity and conformance to style. The staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

USS John C. StennisCommanding Officer Capt. Ronald Reis Executive Officer Capt. Jeff GrafCommand Master ChiefCMDCM Stan Jewett

Media DepartmentPublic Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Zachary HarrellDeputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. j.g. Jesus UrangaMedia Dept. DLCPO MCCS Alan MonyelleMedia Dept. LCPO MCC Jesse SherwinMedia Dept. LPO MC2 Kathleen O’Keefe

UNDERWAY MagazineEditor-in-ChiefLt. Cmdr. Zachary HarrellEditorMC2 Kathleen O’KeefeCreative Director MCSN Justin LawrenceDirector of Photography MC3 Kenneth Abbate

ContributersMC2 Joshua KeimMC2 Charlotte OliverMC2 Lex WenbergMC3 Grant WamackMC3 Crishanda McallMC3 Chelsy AlaminaMC3 Destiny CheekMC3 Kenneth AbbateMCSN Erin Hamilton

UNDERWAY

A special thank you to all those who let us tell your stories to the crew and the fleet.

Dear Readers,

It’s been a banner year for uncertainty. Are we deploying early or not? Will we be spending month is U.S. 5th Fleet or just a few weeks? Will this deployment ever have an official end date?The uncertainty of our situation is undoubtedly a reflection of the uncertain state of the world right now. Our fates are so tied to the action or inaction of other nations that sometimes I feel like a puppet whose strings are being pulled in a million directions.

But there is a beauty to uncertainty that often gets lost in frustration. This issue we’re featuring ABHAN Christopher Nollinger, who got the awesome chance to play baseball for the Navy’s official team. He knew that he would someday be pulled from the game and back to the fleet, but he didn’t let the precarious nature of the experience keep him from making the most of it.

We also got a chance to sit down with HM1 Daniel Young, who worked with the Marines through long nights and fire fights while deployed in Iraq. He didn’t have much of a chance to worry about the future because he was just trying to save lives in the present.Life is full of uncertainties, but we trudge on despite them. I haven’t met a single Sailor who lets his doubts or fears about the next few months stop them from doing their job. When everything seems like it’s up in the air, it helps to remember that what goes up must come down and what goes out must come home. Someday. Maybe.

-Kathleen O’Keefe

Letter from the editor

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FEATUREssTAPLEs

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contents

Volume 01 Issue 0 4October 2012 Edit ion

11. More Than A GameThe battle isn’t always fought on a ship, sometimes it’s on field.

21. Keeping The Flight Deck Engine RunningThis month we feature V-4 repair and its necessity to Stennis’ daily operations.

31. Corpesmen in a Marine’s worldFrom the land to th sea. From Marines to Sailors, this Coreman is saving lives.

4. SeabagTake a look at some old Navy traditions, a Sailors deployment bucket list, knowledge from seasoned sailors and find out what you and Bill Cosby have in common.

9. Geared UpFor this issue we thought we’d change things up a bit, and examine the gear of a U.S. Navy pilot when they fly.

10. Fit For DutyYou’re missing an app and you’ll never guess which one.

27. Ask The LPOBM1 Armour from second division lends the Sailors of Stennis his knowledge.

28. In TouchThe care package of all care packages, we’ve thought of the stuff that didn’t even cross your mind.

29. OverseasThe best ways to beat the heat.2

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top

Trash does this for you.They work hard to keep the ship’s waste rooms running. Please help them in keeping Stennis clean and trash free.

Spit bottles MUST be washed out before being taken to the waste room. Not only is it wrong to leave a bottle or can full of your spit it’s also an unauthorized spitoon.

Styrofoam is NOT processable.If burned it is toxic and can damage the incinerator and if processed as plastic can releaese toxic fumes. It must be held on station until port.

Trash keeps plastic out of the ocean.As ambassadors we have a duty to keep a positive public image. How would you like it if another country came into your backyard and started dumping all his garbage there.

The reason that the trash has to be sorted is not to make your life harder. Trash works hard to maintain their equipment and sorting the trash is important to keeping everything that has been deemed harmful to the equipment or to personnel out of that particular peice of equipment

things TRASH wants you to know

seabag

When they aren’t just annoying, uniform policies in U.S. 7th and 5th Fleets almost seem nonsensical. I can wear open toed shoes here at this time, but not at this time and only with a certain type of pant during the third Sunday of every other month. What?Before complaining, remember that until the 1970s Sailors still had to wear their dress blue uniforms out on liberty. All individuality went out the window, though it sure made shore patrol’s job of spotting rowdy Sailors a whole lot easier.In defiance of the mandatory conformity, Sailors would have secret patches sewn into the inside cuffs of their dress blue jumper. These “liberty cuffs” would appear to be in regulation when properly buttoned, but once those sleeves came up a flash of a Chinese dragon or a friendly mermaid could be seen. These patches were strictly prohibited and to be caught with them could mean getting your liberty cancelled, but from the 1890s to the 1970s it was a popular practice.Even Hollywood took notice. In the movie The Sand Pebbles, Steve McQueen sits beside a river in his dress blue top and is wearing brightly threaded dragon liberty cuffs. You don’t get cooler than Steve McQueen, or so my Dad tells me.Though the practice virtually disappeared when civilian clothes became authorized on overseas liberty, this interesting and defiant mark harks to a golden age of the Navy where Sailors wore their Navy tradition on their sleeves (or their cuffs.)

Let me see your cuffs

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Salty KnowledgeWe all remember the first time we stepped aboard a ship, staggering our way up the brow under the weight of a seabag packed to capacity. Soon we asked ourselves, where do I put all my stuff and the souvenirs I’m going to buy? Fear not young Sailor! We got the skinny from some seasoned Sailors on not only how to make the most of the space in your rack, but how to make deployment go a little smoother. I’ll start things off: I don’t like to cram as much as possible into a seabag, and bath towels take up a lot of space and take forever to dry. My boatswain’s mate pal on my first ship introduced me to camping towels. They take up about 1/10 the amount of space and are just as big and they take only about an hour to dry.

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I have the mid watch and the overhead lights are off. How am I supposed to see where

my stuff is in my rack?

I love music, but I don’t want to miss those pesky IMC

announcements and ear buds get annoying after a while.

What’s the best way to listen to music?

I’m stressed out. How do I beat the stress of

deployment?

I don’t want my stuff falling out of my rack while I’m

sleeping. How do I prevent this?

Do I have to work out in Navy PT gear on the ship?

My rack is so uncomfortable! What can I do to rest better

at night?

They’ve shown the same movie on Site TV more than a dozen times! What else can I

do for entertainment?

My rack is boring and drab. What can I do?

AT2 Justin Hughes recommends pop lights. “The lights come with double stick

tape. So place one at each end of the inside of your rack so it

won’t hit the dividers when you close your rack. Now when you

open your rack, just give the light a push and you can see.”

HN Gregory Harlin tells us he likes jamming out to his tunes on his portable Bose stereo.

“It’s rechargeable and doesn’t require batteries. You just

charge it and go! It also makes MCH go by nicely when you

have music playing!”

ATCS Frank McClary recommends exercising. We all get stressed, whether it’s being

away from family or working long, grueling hours. “I make a calendar of when I’m going to

work out and what workout I’m going to do, like cardio one day

and lifting the next day.”

HN David Goemaere recommends rack curtains with pockets. “My grandma

found them online and bought them for me. I put my alarm

clock, iPod and a magazine in the pockets at night and then I don’t have to worry about my stuff falling out of my rack at

night.”

No shipmate, you don’t have to wear Navy PT gear when you

PT on your own. MASN Ryan Paasch recommends bringing your own PT gear. “I feel more

relaxed wearing my own PT gear, and when I’m working out I can get away from the

stresses of work, relax and feel like I’m home.”

ABEAN Brandon Briones recommends buying a memory foam mattress pad. “I went to a department store and found one. Ever since I put it on my

rack, I’ve slept like baby.”

OSSN Josh Forman tells us to bring a travel DVD player with lots of movies and TV shows!

“I have my DVD player and a ton of movies and shows.

When I’m off work I can relax.” Remember folks, you can rent

movies and TV shows from MWR!

ABH2 Corey VanTran recommends decorating

your rack. VanTran tells us to display our personality in it. “I have beads hanging up and a little battery operated flashing light, and I have a Green Bay Packer’s Pillow Pet. My rack

shows off my personality and I love the Packers.”

I miss my family! How can I ease the pain?

AM1 Brian Kirker recommends family-themed airplane pillows. “My wife put our son’s hands in fabric paint and pressed them onto the fabric. She

added a personal message on the pillow and I keep it on my

rack to remind myself of what’s most important.”

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seabag

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Veterans say the darndest thingsWilliam Henry “Bill” Cosby Jr. was born

in the projects of Philadelphia. Cosby used his high intellect to drift through his classes and eventually dropped out of high

school in the 10th grade. He worked a series of dead end jobs; fixing shoes and working on cars.

Bill Cosby could have spent the rest of his life drifting if he’d wanted to. Instead he made a decision to make more of himself in the only way he could think to.

Before he was a famous comedian, one of the highest paid television actors of the 1980s and a celebrated author, Bill Cosby enlisted in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 1956 to 1961.

“I don’t want to join the Army because I’ll die in a foxhole in dirt,” said Cosby when explaining why he chose the Navy. “I don’t want to be in the Marine Corp because you die before you get out of there. I want to be in the Navy, because no matter how you die, you’re in the middle of the ocean and it will wash out your underpants and that will make my mother very happy.”

Cosby spent his time in the Navy rehabilitating veterans of the Korean War, a job he immensely enjoyed. He also ran in the Navy’s track team as well as command football and basketball teams. His athletic ability and cool sense of humor made him many friends.

When Cosby saw his friends working hard to better themselves he felt a renewed dedication to his education. Skating by using minimal effort did not satisfy him and he resolved to put his intelligence to good use. He applied himself and achieved his high school diploma while still serving in the Navy.

Cosby decided to leave the Navy to attend Temple University on a track and field scholarship in 1961, majoring in physical education. To make extra money Cosby took a series of part of time jobs, one of which helped catapult him to national fame.

He worked in a coffee house, cleaning the floors and telling jokes on the side. His popularity gained

momentum and got him a gig in a Philadelphia night club and eventually to the Gaslight Café in New York City. There he met another comedian, Woody Allen, while telling jokes and making ends meet. People liked his comedic style, which could be stinging yet clean; even his social commentary was expertly delivered in an inoffensive way.

At the insistence of friend, family and fueled by the popularity of his act, Cosby auditioned for a TV show called I Spy. He got the part and the show was a huge success. This led him to work on The Bill Cosby Show, The New Bill Cosby Show and the Cosby Show. He has also appeared in a series of movies and popular programs like

Saturday Night Live and Kids Say the Darndest Things.

The Cosby Show was the most successful television show of the 1980s and made Bill Cosby an international icon. Using his fame for

good, Cosby is active in many charities and community outreach organizations. He even plays in a jazz band.

In 2011 Cosby was recognized by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West (ret.) and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus as an honorary chief petty officer.

Cosby graciously accepted the honor, telling the crowd that he was always grateful to the Navy for the opportunities it gave him. He even said graduating boot camp was one of the proudest moments of his life because his mother finally got to see him graduate from something.

Bill Cosby used his work ethic and personality to propel himself from a life in the projects to a life of fame and fortune. Through the Navy he achieved an education, both formal and informal, that benefited him throughout his entire life and the sort of discipline that every young man should emulate.

“Urinate in one urinal and continue to do so in that same one -- discipline,” said Cosby.

“I want to be in the Navy because no

matter how you die, you’re in the middle

of the ocean and it will wash out your

underpants and that will make my mother

very happy.”

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EXTREME THIRST RAPID HEARTBEAT LACK OF SWEAT SUNKEN EYES LOW BLOOD PRESSURE UNCONSCIOUSNESS RAPID BREATHING FEVER DELERIUM

The world’s most refreshing beverage.

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This month take a look at the gear that U.S. Navy pilots don for flight operations .

U.S. Navy Pilot

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

(F)

(G)

(B) With more gadgets than Batman’s utility belt, the Medical Response Team kit has every tool needed to save your life and the lives of others, including a pair of scissors that can cut your wedding ring in half! $475.95

(C) While you probably shouldn’t try to blow up your basketball with it, the Amby Bag is designed to provide direct oxygen and support your airway. $10.95

(D) In case you’ve decided to stop breathing, the Portable Oxygen Cylinder is there to make sure you get enough. $59.95

(E) An intravenous solution used to replenish blood loss or dehydration most commonly known as Sodium Chloride $2.80

(F) Need a pick me up in the morn-ing? Probably not the most orthodox way. Epinephrine is adrenaline administered into your thigh. $73.55

(G) 1..2..3..Clear! If your heart has decided to take a time out medical always carries a Defribrilator “2011“ to jump start your body. $189.95

geared up

(A) A sled? No this is not a piece of recreational winter sports equipment. The Reeves Stretcher is designed to hold injured victims still during transport. $495.00

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fit for duty

The Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFFS) program not only provides Sailors and Navy health and fitness professionals with guidance in physical fitness and nutrition, but it could prevent work injuries from occurring altogether.

The goals of the NOFFS is to decrease the incidence and severity of training-related injuries, improve operational performance, and provide Sailors with a foundation to make healthy nutritional decisions. Injuries are the leading health problems for military personnel, and range from hospitalization and outpatient treatment to disability or even death. According to the NOFFS Introduction booklet, by decreasing the number of Sailors prevented from performing their full duties due to injuries received in training or work, the Navy hopes to increase operational readiness.

The exercises used in the NOFFS are designed to prepare Sailors for the demands of their operational duties, which include lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying. Exercises used in the NOFFS take a proactive approach to injury prevention by focusing training in the following five areas in every workout: pillar preparation (building a strong torso, hips and shoulders), movement preparation, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and recovery.

The NOFFS exercises are designed to help Sailors focus on improving precision of movements. They focus on strength and stability throughout the body using full ranges of motion instead of emphasizing particular muscle groups during exercises. They improve agility, posture, stability, flexibility, balance, reactive ability, and coordination. They mimic movements similar to what Sailors experience in a work day and are intended to improve task performance.

“It’s a relatively new program but I’ve seen a lot of enthusiasm for some of the exercises,” said Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Jesse Clayton, the fitness leader for the engineering department aboard Stennis. “I recommend using the NOFFS

because you can use different levels for the exercises, ranging from beginning exercises to advanced circuit training.”The cardiovascular training provided within the NOFFS avoids slow, sustained running, which is shown to cause approximately 80% of injuries in lower extremities. Instead, it focuses on interval training, which is designed to help Sailors develop leg strength, speed, power, and

NOFFS: ThE APP A SAILOR CAN’T LIVE wIThOUT

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endurance.“Honest to God, the NOFFS is probably

one of the best programs I’ve ever seen,” said Joshua Burkhard, the former afloat fitness director (“Fit Boss”) aboard Stennis “It teaches you how to eat for life. Diet pills don’t work. They don’t teach you how to be healthy; they teach you how to be dependent on a pill to make everything better.”The NOFFS contains four specialized series tailored for use on submarines, surface ships, large decks, and for group physical training. They include images; exercise descriptions; and the sets, reps, and duration for each exercise. In addition to that, they offer various stages of progression for the exercises so that Sailors of all fitness levels can participate.

Each series also comes with workouts of different lengths (30 minutes, 45 minutes, and

60 minutes) so that Sailors can fit workouts into their schedules, and are designed to do with a limited amount of space.

“Try it out,” said Clayton. “There are numerous exercises and it’s a great starting point, especially if you have no particular exercise plan in mind.”

The NOFFS also provides Sailors with information to help make healthy decisions with their nutrition. Whether they are trying to lose weight or maintain their current weight, the NOFFS provides guidelines for them.

Using the NOFFS, Sailors can receive nutritional information based on their current weight. A chart is provided to tell them how many servings for each food category they should be eating for each meal or snack, and another chart to give them examples of what one portion of food looks like for each

I’d like to take a few moments to talk with you all about the importance of proper hydration, but first allow me to introduce myself. Andrew Schiemel, Commander, Physician, Taurus – your new Senior Medical Officer.

I checked onboard right before our port visit in Kota Kinabulu (yes, timing is everything in life), and after a few days of being referred to as “new SMO” I comfortably settled into my role as “SMO.” I figured people might want to know something about me (?), so in a sentence – I’m from Long Island (talk fast and use my hands), I’ve been in the Navy 16 years (sixteen years? What?), I have completed two medical residencies – Pediatrics (I have a sensitive side) and Aerospace Medicine (flight suit is cooler than a fuzzy bear on your stethoscope), I drive an Audi A7 (google it), and I have not succumbed to the double dragon (yes, it’s possible). It is absolutely wonderful to be here; and I consider it a privilege to serve as your senior medical officer.

OK. Let’s talk hydration. As the NOFFS article notes, healthy living involves more than simply watching what you eat; mindset, rest, exercise, and hydration are all of equal importance. One would think that staying hydrated aboard a ship would require little effort – but this is not the case. Despite the vast amount of water around us, the heat, exertion, and optempo of life at sea can often limit our ability to stay properly hydrated. Recent research by the US Army identified the following as barriers to proper hydration: Availability of water, palatability of water and lost solutes. I’ll speak briefly on each of these. Stay with me… I’ll try to keep it entertaining.

Availability of water. This one is a no-brainer, right? The JCS Engineering Department produces upwards of 50,000 gallons of potable (drinkable) water per day… and has the ability to produce 400,000 if needed. It’s clean, it’s free, and there are water fountains everywhere. So, why are people getting dehydrated? Well, it turns out that availability is not just about whether water is available. Huh?? It turns out that if the water isn’t literally “available” within arms reach at any given moment, people don’t drink as much. Here’s an interesting factoid – for all the “corpsman ups” that have been called away due to dehydration – dizziness, fainting, etc. – not one of these servicemembers was brought to our medical department wearing a Camelbak or carrying a bottle of water. This is not random. Keep water close at hand. If you don’t have a Camelbak, and you don’t want to have to clean a permanent plastic or metal water bottle, try buying a bottle of water at the ship’s store and then refill it from the fountains for 3-4 days. Then, throw it away and start again.

Palatability of water. Derived from the same word root as palate – the soft tissue that lines the roof of your mouth – this speaks to how acceptable the water is to the palate. That is, does the water taste good? If it doesn’t, people drink less. Another no-brainer, right? Our water here is pure, free from mineral and chemical contamination, and is essentially produced in the same way that Aquafina and other reverse-osmosis purified bottled water is made. If you feel like it just doesn’t taste the same as bottled water, try cooling it down with ice or keep a bottle or two in a fridge near your workspace. Turns out the temperature of water directly affects our perception of how “good” it tastes. Colder is better.

Lost solutes. Think “doctors like to use terms that confuse people… it makes us feel important.” No, no, no, think salt. Bottom line – if you consume a ton of water, but you eliminate all salt from your diet, you will feel like the poop on a doorknob in Thing’s world. Salt helps to keep the fluid we drink inside our circulatory system. You don’t want to use it excessively, but don’t try and avoid it altogether either (unless you have high blood pressure… then, maybe avoid it). Side note – why is salt bad for people with high blood pressure? More salt = hold onto more of the fluid you drink = more fluid in the blood stream = increased PRESSURE in the circulatory system! Medicine… it’s easier than you thought!

OK – so, let’s get out there and make our water AVAILABLE (keep it close), more PALATABLE (keep it cold), and SALTY (well, a little on our food... not necessarily IN our water).

Thank you for your time. And again, it is a pleasure to serve as your SMO.

My best,

category. “You only have to eat an extra 200-250

calories per day to gain a pound per week,” said Burkhard.

The NOFFS is designed to help Sailors learn how to fuel their bodies properly using the five focuses of nutrition: eat clean, eat often, hydrate, recover, and mindset.

Sailors are told is it best to eat clean, which means trying to choose the least processed types of food. They are also instructed to eat often so they can maintain a steady blood glucose level and keep their metabolism up throughout the day and to stay hydrated. In addition they are told what types of food are best help their bodies recover after a lot of activity and how important it is to have the right mindset when it comes to their nutrition.

Senior Medical Officer

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With fate on his side, one Sailor fights through challenges and perseveres to continue playing the game that he so dearly loves, baseball. During his journey he is surprised to learn that the Navy and baseball can captivate the hearts of countless people. The type of connections that won’t soon

be forgotten.

Photos by: MC3 Will TyndallStory by: MC3 Chase Corbin

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Sitting in the driver’s seat of a tractor in the hangar bay, with sweat beading down his forehead down to a whistle pressed tightly in his lips, sits an

airman with more on his mind than the aircraft sitting in front of him. With every pause in the action he reflects on a time that feels like yesterday. He can still smell the freshly cut grass and hear the loud cheers from the crowd. It’s a time that for most is long ago, but for him is not so distant.

Just a month ago, he was sitting in the dugouts of stadiums that most only dream of ever being inside. The sweat still beaded off his forehead, but it didn’t come from a cranial, it came from a camouflage cap with the initials U.S.A. embroidered on it. It’s a dream that came to fruition because of two things: his love for the game of baseball and the Navy.

Right before reporting to Class A School, initial training for Sailors to learn the basic skills and technical knowledge within their rating, in Pensacola, Fl., Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Christopher Nollinger suffered a knee injury that kept him from attending classes and instead forced him into rehabilitation therapy. “I was really down in the dumps when I got hurt,” said Nollinger. But it was an injury that may have made his dream become a reality.

During a break from school, the 29-year-old Nollinger, thinking that his baseball days were behind him, heard that his high school was hosting an alumni game. Nollinger decided he would take leave and attend the game. “I had always heard about the alumni game that they did but I had never been,” he said. While working on his swing in the batting cages at his high school, someone he went to school with spotted him and couldn’t help but notice his swing.

“I see you can still hit a little,” the man jokingly told Nollinger. As a former member of the U.S. Military All-Stars baseball team he was able to put Nollinger in contact with Karl Seiter, one of the teams coaches, who invited him to an upcoming tryout being held in Pensacola.

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” said Nollinger. “Call it fate.”

Most moments in life pass people by without much thought, but there are certain things that, as days go by, you can’t help but think about and long for those moments once more. For Nollinger, that longing has always been baseball.

“I don’t think I ended playing the way I really wanted to, and this was a way I could go out and finish the way I wanted it to end,” he said.

To accomplish that feat he would have to

make it through tryouts with a slight handicap; age. “I did some research on the previous roster and these were some big boys, a lot of them 19 and 20 years old,” said Nollinger. “I didn’t really think I would come in at 29 and even have a shot.” Nollinger spent the next few days proving that age is, in fact, just a number.

“When they told me I made the team…I couldn’t believe it,” Nollinger said. “Not that I thought I did bad, I just didn’t think I did that good.”

Unfortunately for Nollinger, his knee was still not 100% healthy and he was forced to decline the invitation to play on the team.

“I thought that was it, baseball was over for me,” said Nollinger, “I thought I was only going to be able to play softball from that point on.”

As the next year passed Nollinger’s knee got better as he began spending more time playing softball. He graduated A-school and received orders to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), an aircraft carrier homeported in Bremerton, Wa., that was finishing a planned incremental availability and preparing to deploy to the U.S. 5th Fleet.

It was a normal, very hot, busy day in the Arabian Gulf. The only thing out of the ordinary was that Nollinger had a short break allowing him to check his e-mail. It was then he noticed a message that informed him he had

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been selected to play on the team for a second time, without trying out.

“I got the initial e-mail and my jaw literally hit the desk,” said Nollinger. “I didn’t think there was any way that this e-mail was sent correctly to me.”

The e-mail explained everything that needed to be given to the command before the season began in early March. With the ship running at a very high operational tempo in the gulf, completing it all would prove to be much more difficult than he anticipated.

“I got the e-mail in early November and still wasn’t sure if I was going to play until early February,” Nollinger said. “They told me that because I was fully qualified (being an Aviation Boatswains’ Mate aboard an aircraft carrier requires qualifications to operate tractors that move aircraft, operate aircraft elevators and stand watches in conflagaration stations and primary flight control) that I might not be able to go. I thought, ‘I guess this is what I get for doing my job,’ but the whole chain-of-command was flexible. I can’t begin to thank them enough.”

With all the paperwork complete, Nollinger’s dream of playing baseball one last time was finally ready to begin.

“As soon as we pulled into San Diego at the end of deployment, that was it, I was gone,” said Nollinger. “It was baseball, baseball, baseball now. My daily life was completely different.”

The next six weeks would be spent getting a group of ball players to learn how to play together and prepare for a baseball season. Now at the age of 30 and having been away from the game for most of the last eight years, it is a task that sounds much easier than it would prove to be.

“There were moments where I felt old, but my teammates were there to say things would be alright and it would all work out,” he said. “I didn’t think we would win a game. Don’t get me wrong, we were all good ball players, but we had our work cut out for us.”

He kept telling us over and over,

‘the game hasn’t changed boys,

it’s still the same game.’ That just stuck with us.

“

”

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The days were long, filled with drill after drill, simulated game situations and 35-mile bike rides; each designed to build each player’s skill level and team unity. Former major league superstars were brought in to assist the coaches and players in becoming a team.

“We got hitting lessons from Tony Gwynn, one of the greatest hitters of all time,” Nollinger said. “Not many people get to say that. It wasn’t just Tony either, Jim Leyritz, Dave Stewart and Brett Boone, all these guys I watched growing up were out there working with us. You just can’t replace that.”

One saying stood out to Nollinger through it all. Something that would help the entire team focus and come together.

“Ed Herman who played catcher for the Chicago White Sox and who was an all-star for years said something I will never forget,” said

Nollinger. “He kept telling us over and over, ‘the game hasn’t changed boys, it’s still the same game.’ That just stuck with us.”

With spring training coming to an end, the team enjoyed their last day in Southern California, by playing in a celebrity/all-star softball game, with celebrities such as Tyler Hochin and Carly Craig as well as the U.S. All-Star softball team.

“The end of spring ball was a great time,” Nollinger said, “We got to just go out and have some fun, but at the same time get we got a good understanding of what we were really doing out there.”

The team came together one last time before heading out to start their season. They gathered to talk about expectations and set a team goal.

“We wanted to set a team goal of how we wanted to be portrayed,” said Nollinger. “I told them that I didn’t like to lose, in anything. Then I asked them if anyone had an issue with losing

and they all agreed they didn’t want to lose either. That was great to see us go from a team that didn’t think we would make it out of spring ball to a team that didn’t want to lose.” With a goal set, the U.S. Military All-Stars team traveled across the country playing in everything from big league stadiums to small ball parks against all different teams, always getting their opponents’ best effort.

“I’ll never forget the first game,” he said. “I stepped up into the box and this guy throws me a 94 mph fastball. All I could do was laugh because we didn’t see anything that fast in batting practice.”

Between games, Nollinger and the team spent their time on a bus, traveling, and doing community relations projects. Everything from hosting baseball clinics to visiting V.A. Hospitals.

“We would go to schools and read books to kids and it blows your mind how many 4th and 5th graders know what’s going on in the world,” Nollinger said. “What was funny was that it was always a guarantee that after we finished the book we would never get asked questions about baseball or the book we had just read. It was always about the military and what kind of guns we had.”

For most, just the ability to be a positive role model, enjoy the thrill of walking some of the same halls that baseball’s greatest players have walked and just playing baseball would be the experience of a lifetime, but for Nollinger it was just the beginning of the experience.

“The pre- and post-game ceremonies were the greatest experience for me,” said Nollinger. “Every game they would have a Wounded Warrior or the family members of a lost service member come out onto the field and throw out the first pitch and we would present them with a flag. At the end we would get the chance

to meet with them. It was just a great feeling knowing we made a difference.”

There is one night that Nollinger recalls vividly, an evening that would solidify why he loved the game and this opportunity so much.

“I remember in San Diego, talking to the parents of a son who was a standout college baseball player, and who loved baseball, and he had just been killed three months prior (during combat operations in Afghanistan),” Nollinger said. “It was myself and a friend of mine who was on the USS Kidd, and we were talking to them after the game and telling them where we had just came from, and they had seen us on the news from when we (Stennis and Kidd) captured the pirates on deployment. Their son would have been out here with us, and at that point I realized it was no longer just about getting off the ship and having fun. It was about

the connections we made with these people who we didn’t know from a stones’ throw. It was about being a part of something that was showing a positive light on the military, and that was huge for me.”

Just 20 games into the season, and after compiling an 18-2 record , Nollinger received a phone call from his chain-of-command saying he had to return to the ship.

“I knew it could happen,” he said, “I saw guys all the time get the call and the next day they were gone.”

It was over as quick as it began. Just three days after returning, the Stennis and her crew, including Nollinger, got underway four months early for another deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet. Now, a month after returning from his run with the U.S. Military All-Stars, he sits in the hangar bay with sweat running down his brow, and thinks about baseball and all the lives he touched.

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I

phIlSYPHILIS

No glove? No love.19

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is well-known as one of the most dangerous places on earth. Aircraft are inherently dangerous, but add in the fact that they must operate in a space much smaller than an airfield while dealing with the challenges that come with at-sea operations, and you have a very complicated and challenging situation.

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But while aircraft both taking off and landing make a lot of noise and catch everyone’s attention, there are many other aspects to flight operations that go relatively unnoticed.One important example is the fuel. Aircraft need fuel to fly, and often the fueling happens on the flight deck itself. But how the clean fuel gets to the flight deck or hangar bays for aircraft fueling is a complex process involving teams of Sailors who specialize in this fueling process called Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (Fuels). These ABFs of the V4 Division of the Air Department bring fuel onto the ship, ensure its purity and cleanliness and then get it up to the flight deck and hangar bays for fueling.This process, among others, takes a good deal of equipment which must be maintained, repaired and operated. One workcenter, the V4 Repair Shop, ensures that this equipment is in working order during the essential fueling process of flight deck operations. The Repair workcenter is a group of individuals with special skills. Each one has a dedicated area of responsibility, yet each one has to have overall knowledge of the systems involved.“We’re responsible for troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining the equipment for fueling,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Berry Sykes, V4 Repair offgoing leading petty officer (LPO).

“This is especially important during crucial evolutions. We all have to be at a certain level of knowledge because anything can happen during flight operations.” “Flight ops is an around-the-clock evolution,” said ABF2 Malcom Butler, V4 Repair’s oncoming LPO. “Calls could come in at any time, so we all have to be able to troubleshoot and fix problems in a matter of minutes”During flight operations, V4 Repair supports the mission by setting a rover to ensure the fueling stations are operable on the flight deck and in the hangar bays.“Our rovers check all equipment and respond to calls from Fuels Control,” said Sykes. “It’s a challenge because we have to troubleshoot anything and everything and sometimes you have to do it all by yourself.”Ensuring that the fueling stations are operable is just one part of the overall mission of V4 Repair. These Sailors also are in charge of fueling sponsons during underway fueling replenishments.“We are the eyes and ears for V4 belowdecks during these evolutions” said Sykes.If that wasn’t enough, V4 Repair is also responsible for defueling on the flight deck and in the hangar bays.“When the call comes in from Fuel Control and tells us the fuel in the bird is good to go, we have a certain amount of time to get our

gear set up and initiate transfer,” said Butler. “It can be stressful, but you just have to stay focused.”The defueling cart contains a spool of two different types of hose and a “Whizbang,” a pre-rated air-operated pump which pumps 100 gallons per minute.“We usually pull from 8,000lbs to 28,000 pounds of fuel during a defueling,” said Butler.The defueling cart and the stations on the flight deck and in the hangar bays which the defueling carts attach to are among the systems and equipment V4 Repair is responsible for, along with system-specific tools.“Fuel needs to be switched between birds, or pulled back into our system after a flight and during flight operations, that can mean a pretty hectic pace,” said Sykes. “But we have to rise to the challenge so that we can meet the mission requirements.”V4 Repair is one of those often overlooked shops aboard USS John C. Stennis that contributes an essential piece of the overall puzzle.“On the new Ford class carriers, they are planning on having the air wing fuel aircraft, and V4 Repair will continue to maintain all fueling equipment,” said Sykes. “This and other carrier V4 Repair shops hold a permanent and important place in the Fleet.”

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In Touch

ULTIMATE!CAREPACKAGE

THE

Up until the very moment family members ask, Sailors usually know exactly what items would need to come together to make the perfect care package. It’s about time someone did everyone a favor and made the list for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the normals items that make care packages , but we’ve also gone off the beaten path and come up with some items most wouldn’t have thought of.

Food: Sailors are always excited to get food. Some great items are mixed dried fruit, homemade cookies, beef jerkey, chips and salsa, ramen noodles, instant oatmeal, sunflower seeds, macaroni and cheese, and canned raviloi.

There’s nothing worse then having to get up in the middle of the night and trying to get your boots on or trying to get your showers in between the right toes. That’s where slippers come in handy. Make just you ask for a pair

with rubber soles and grip.

Sailors are always needing time to escape from reality and go back to

a simpler time. One way is with toys. These foam shooting guns come highly

recommended. Whether your in your shop or dodging in and out of racks

you’re sure to kill some time.

Most families will never know what it’s like to sleep inside a rack. However they can make a little bit easier for

us. Have your family send you a foam mattress topper to make your nights a

little more sound.

Toiletries: No one wants to be the smelly kid in class. Here are some items to help keep you smelling and looking clean, as well as healthy. Chapstick, hand sanitizer, razor heads/disposable razors, nail clippers, asprin, cough drops, face wash, foot/body powder (for the more sensitive areas. They even make types with a cooling effect), antacids, hair ties, cold medicine, hair spray, bobby pins, disposable spinning toothbrush, and shower loofahs (they make them for men too).

Make sure families know that when sending liquids are inside a resealable plastic bag, with a little bit of tape for good measure. Things in transit don’t always get “handled with care”

Let’s face it, all Sailors want care packages from their loved ones while deployed, but do you ever stop and think about what you could send home that would be meaningful to them? Although, on the ship we are limited to email and using the Sailor phones there are other resources you can use to do something special. Have you ever heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Something you could do is have one of your shipmates document your journey throughout the work day and send the photos home through email or print them out and ship the photos using the ship’s office. In this new technological era, mailing hand written letters is out of the norm. But taking the time to send hand written a letter could make your spouse’s day. Memorabilia from the ship’s store would make a great gift for your family and loved ones back home. The ship’s store sells everything from Stennis ball caps to command coins and t-shirts. While you’re out on liberty, pick up a few souvenirs that you think your children or siblings would enjoy. Something as effortless as writing a letter or purchasing a Stennis t-shirt might not mean a lot you, but it could mean the world to your family when the mail arrives and they receive the package or letter. Although we are the ones on deployment, take a minute and think about what you could do special for your family.

RETURN TO SENDER

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? ask the LPO

What can I tell my family and friends we’re doing out here? What can’t I tell them?

Any information the enemy receives to give them a tactical or strategic edge on the mission of our ship, is information that we should not pass through venues that we use contact our loved ones such as e-mail, regular mail, or Facebook. It’s unwise for operational security reasons. We can concentrate on what keeps us sane, information on good and bad days, about us and how we’re doing as an individual.

Why should a Sailor become ESWS qualified? The reason our Navy is so strong is due to diversity and differences between every-one. They need to understand we’re all here voluntarily for the common cause. We have different jobs, but with a common goal that stems from traditions, customs and courtesies we learn in boot camp that should not be forgotten.

What’s one difference between a small ship and a carrier?

On a small ship the crew gets more familiar with each other and become a family. You see everybody every day. During evolutions on smaller ships, everybody’s a part of it. It’s not just one localized department, it’s a ship-wide evolution. On a carrier, you do evolutions such as underway replenishment, or flight operations, that are department specific. To find discounted tickets and information on movie nights, local games, concerts, tours etc.

What is a mentor? Sometimes it’s somebody to listen to, give advice, or direct you down the path you need to go. Mentors tell you things that you need to hear, not always what you want to hear. Someone who is disciplined, calm, collective, in control and confident in what you’re doing as far as your job is needed. Someone who realizes though there is a seriousness about the military and is a good thing, but can take a toll on personnel.

How many deck divisions are there and what are their responsibilities? There are three. 1st division is responsible for forward of the ship, the focsle, anchoring, towing , the life rafts and maintenance. 2nd division is responsible for underway replenishment, all replenishment stations, the double pump receiving stations, ceremonial quarterdeck and most of the sponsons on the starboard side of the ship. 3rd division is responsible for the fantail, sterndock, and two RHIBs onboard.

All sailors have questions they need answered. From the brand new Sailor who just checked on board yesterday to the salty master chief whose got more sea stories then the sea itself. This month we went to BM1 Armour to get your questions answered.

What are other sailors referring too when they mention a swim call? Swim call is where we will stop the ship, deploy search and rescue swimmers, put out nets off the sponsons, lower aircraft elevator 4, and people jump off. We do highly encourage that if you can’t swim, this is not the time to learn. How many people can say they jumped off of an aircraft carrier in to the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea or Atlantic ocean? It’s a pretty unusual, unique and fantastic experience.

What is United Through Reading? Sailors are given the opportunity to sign up for a time and go into the Stennis room to record a video of themselves reading a book to their children or loved ones and they can just talk at the end. It’s a good opportunity to get out those emotions and feelings that you can’t really express through email. It’s really good for children because they go such a long time without seeing their parents. Kids are curious as to what their parents do and it’s a good way to reach out.

Can you name some ways to stay busy on deployment? Take up a hobby that you got away from for a little while in port and use extra time to focus on it. I see a lot of people in the hangar bay playing instruments, working on qualifications, or working out. You can also join the 1st Class Petty Officers Association, 2nd Class Petty Officers association, Junior Enlisted Association, CSADD, or sports clubs.

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Navy Special Operations was designed as a specialized, highly versatile, rapidly deployable force multiplier. As such, our assignment as part of the John C. Stennis team facilitates the possibility of employing EOD’s unique skill set in diverse area of responsibilities and provides the opportunity to execute invaluable sustainment training in a maritime environment.

“

“rating: EOD

- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician

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Heat stroke is life threatening. It causes the bodies temperature control system, which produces sweat to control the body, to stop working. The body temperature can get high enough to actually cause brain damage and death. The symptoms include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

Overseas

The temperature’s rising and staying cool is becoming more and more of a challenge. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your temperature down when the day starts heating up.

BEAT

the

hEAThEAT

While heat cramps aren’t as severe as heat exhaustion or heat cramps they are the bodies early warning system to let you know your body is having difficulties with controlling your body temperature. The symptoms are muscular pains and spasms.

Exercising heavily or working in a hot, humid place can cause heat exhaustion due to the loss of body fluids. Blood flow to skin increases, causing less blood to flow to your vital organs. The symptoms include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.

hEAT CRAMPS

hEAT EXhAUSTION

hEAT STROKE

When the days heat gets trapped inside your shop you should wait until the coolest part of the night/day to use a fan. The idea is to face the blades of the fan outside to bring in the cooler air as opposed to just blowing around hot air. “Kind of surprising,” says Bill Nye, the Science Guy, a scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor. “Having a fan blowing in is a good idea-but it’s not as effective as one that’s blowing out.”

Filling a cotton sock with rice then stick it in your freezer. Before you climb into bed slide it into between your sheets. Rice retains cold for a long period of time because it’s dense and starchy, says Jim Hill, Ph. D., an associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California at Davis.

You may not have noticed before but more poeple go for salads in the summer. They tend to be easier for people to digest then a slice of pizza which can leave you feeling weighed down and slow in higher temperatures. It’s a much better idea to go for fruits and vegetables which contain more water and will assist in keeping you hydrated and cooler, says Robert Kenefick, a physiologist at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, in Natick, Massachusetts, which studies the effects of extreme climates on soldiers’ bodies.

If you have mini-fridge in your shop try getting your hands on a spray bottle and storing it inside until it’s nice and cold. When the temperature starts to get uncomfortable spray yourself down. Elephants start with their ears but as humans it’s best to start with our wrists where the veins are closest to the surface. “It’s all about thermal regulation,” says John Lehnhardt, and elephant expert at Disneys Animal Kingdom , in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. “As the water evaporates , it cools you.”

A Quick Spray Down A “Cool” Meal

Strategic FanningCold Compress

89°The average temperature of the Persian Gulf in November.

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YoUnG“Doc”

Q & AInterview by MC3 Grant Wamack

Hm1

What is an Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsman?A FMF corpsman is first and foremost the primary emergency caregiver for the Marines. Whether that be in combat with the “grunts,” which would be the infantry guys or whether it be with tanks or artillery or the supply guys or even on the aviation side of the Marines. The corpsman is the number one echelon of care. For example, the medic in “Saving Private Ryan” was their first echelon of care.

How did you get picked to go as FMF?After I swore in at MEPS, I knew I wanted to be a corpsman. In the contract they talked about being a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman and it sounded really cool. From there I said “that’s what I want to do.” After A-school you get a dream sheet and I wrote down FMF. Now I’ve been in for 13 years and eight of those have been with the Marine Corps.

Can you explain the process behind becoming FMF?The Marine Corps doesn’t have their own branch of medical providers because they’re a part of the Navy.

How is the relationship between the corpsmen and the Marines?The ship isn’t going on deployment unless they have medical personnel. The Marines aren’t going anywhere unless they have corpsmen. They really can’t do anything without some sort of medical assistance. Once you get with a unit you’re given the option of wearing one of their uniforms. The greatest thing about being part of the Marines is the camaraderie. You’re “Doc” and you’ll always be referred to as “Doc.” You’ll get included as being part of the team. It’s hard to explain. There’s just nothing like it in the world.

How hard was it for you to earn the Marines’ trust?It wasn’t that hard for me because I wanted to go. I wanted to shoot and do everything a Marine does and also perform the medicine. Actually, I originally wanted to become a Marine, but when I told them I wanted to do medicine they said I should talk to the Navy recruiters about that. But I ended up going with the Marines anyway.

So the Navy provides the medical aspect to the Marines. I went to boot camp, A-school, and after that I went to FMSS, at the time called Field Medical Service School. For six weeks they teach you how to be a Marine. It’s a like a mini Marine Corps boot camp for corpsmen and the religious program specialists. From there, you usually get orders with a Marine unit. Nowadays, if you’re a male corpsman you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be serving with the Marines at some point. It’s very hard for us getting orders to a ship, but it’s easy for us going with some Marines.

How difficult is it being trained as a Marine?It’s not all that difficult. Once you get to FMSS, a lot of it is learning how treat combat trauma. When you’re with the Marines, it’s all trauma. You have sick call like we have on the ship. On top of that you’re doing everything the Marines are doing. If they go running, you’re going too. If they’re going on a 35-mile march, you’re going with them. You’re always out there trying to prove that you belong with the Marines.

Did you find your experience fulfilling?I think being with the Marines was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ll ever have. I was part of the initial invasion into Iraq. I was also a part of the battle at Fallujah as well. You build camaraderie and there’s nothing like it in the world; it’s great. I’ll always remember those experiences. Just being called Doc and being treated as a Marine and an equal; that just doesn’t come to everyone. You have to want to be like them and accept them while still doing your Doc thing. You have to show them you have a real honest commitment to that.

What was your most memorable experience?When we were part of the initial invasion into Iraq, we were stuck in a spot. We had pushed so far inland that supply had a hard time catching up to us. We had to stop everything we were doing and wait until they caught up to us. We had nothing to do. No book to read or anything. Because we were all suffering and without anything to do, we all came together, joking

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Daniel Young sits deep inside the annals of medical, getting accustomed to his first traditional Navy deployment. He moves about the ship, growing used to the pounding waves and long days of work. Despite this big change, Young can never forget his other deployments spent with Marines as a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsman. The hot, blazing sun, the screams, the adrenaline rushing through his veins, still remain clear as ever

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Q & Aaround, and trying to keep ourselves entertained. Another one was when we had to provide security for artillery. I had to go over there and see how one of the guys was doing. One of the guys asked if I wanted to pull the string. So what it is, on the artillery they have rope around the end of the gun. You tie it around your waist and do a full 180 degree turn. That’s what fires off the artillery. So I got to fire off this huge howitzer so it was awesome.

Was it difficult being on the ground as opposed to being on a ship?Deployments: it doesn’t matter if you’re on the ship or boots on the ground. It’s always difficult being away from family. You work a lot harder on the ship where as with the Marines you might be working hard when you’re in

combat or a fire fight.

The fire fight won’t last all day so you have a lot of downtime, a lot of time to sleep and rest depending on what you’re doing. Here on the ship I have a mattress where as you’re sleeping on a foam mat with the Marines outdoors. The food may not be five stars on the ship, but it’s better than a Meal-Ready-to-Eat (MRE). A hot meal is always nice. In Iraq I had to use baby wipes for a shower where here you have hot water. Appreciate what you have on the ship because the next guy may not have those things.

Where have you traveled to?My first duty station was in 29 Palms, Calif. I was stationed with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) 1st Marine Division. I went to Okinawa, Japan, then Egypt, then I deployed to Iraq. I was there from 2000-2003. After that I was with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG). That’s when I was a part of Fallujah and I was tasked with going with the combat engineers. After that deployment I went to the Marine Special Operations Command. I was with them for a year and spent nine months in the country of Columbia. That was an awesome, truly rewarding experience. I was the lone medical provider for them. Actually, that was my last

Marine experience.

Did you save any lives? When I was in Fallujah we saw a lot of trauma. Our motto was keep them alive until you get them to that next line of care. I’ve never had anyone in my care die. One of the biggest things that stands out in my mind till this day, happened in the middle of one night when I was in Iraq for the first time. I was trying to sleep and there was this family in their car. They knew there was a medical person pretty close to where they lived so they brought me a baby no more than 12 months old. The mom was boiling water and she hit the pan. It had burned the baby from the waist down. I had to

help save that little baby’s life. All I remember was wrapping it up in a blanket, hearing the screams and trying to get it to a hospital. The baby survived. Out of everything I’ve done, saving that baby’s life that was the most rewarding.

How hectic does it get out there?It’s kind of crazy. You go through a whirlwind of emotions. You have to be very strong to control your emotions. Sometimes you’re thinking about what you’re doing and a lot of times you’re not really thinking at all. You train so hard it becomes muscle memory. It’s pretty chaotic.

Everything’s so loud, people are

always screaming and running around. It’s kind of like what you see in the movies, but not 100%.

What exactly did you do over there?For instance, I was in a convoy a lot of the time; you’re just driving around. The corpsman is just sitting inside a humvee. You could be driving along and have no idea when it’s going to hit. At the flick of a switch, you have to be ready to engage or treat a Marine that’s hurt. You go through a little bit of panic wondering what you’re going to do. So you have to take a deep breath and, a lot of times, you wind up doing it without even thinking about it.

Do you ever plan on going back out with the Marines?

It’s different now. I’m 35 years old. If you’re a young buck, 20 or 21-years-old, go do it. There are a lot of Marine Corps games they play that you get tired of dealing with as you get older. I’d definitely recommend it for the young guys. There’s a lot of opportunities and experiences there. I think it’s important for corpsmen to go there because that’s the makeup of who we are. The majority of our history is with the Marine Corps. It’s our tradition and it’s very important that corpsmen embrace that. It’s important to

embrace the blue side of the Navy

too.

What motivated you to keep going?I just loved it. I liked the fact that I could carry a rifle. I was seen as a Marine and that was important to me. That I was able to do the things the Marines do. To be considered one of them was a gratifying, rewarding moment.

Is there anything else you would like to add?At the end of the day, I’m happy and proud to be aboard the USS John C. Stennis. This is my first ship and it’s obviously a new experience for me. Even when I was with the Marines I was never able to be part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Now they travel around on ships. If I go back, that’s the one thing I want to do. That would be the defining moment for me.

I had to h

elp save t

hat lIttle

baby’s

lIfe. all

I remember

was wrapp

Ing It

up In a bl

anket, hea

rIng the s

creams

and tryIng

to get It

to a hosp

Ital.

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View from a muslim village on the water near “James Bond Island.”Photo by MC3 Will Tyndall

parting shot

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