April 18, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

USO Celebrity Tour Visits Big EStory by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Heath Zeigler

The Shuttle

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Sailors and Marines met with celebrities from a United Service Organization (USO) tour during a visit to aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while deployed in the Arabian Gulf April 17. The special visitors included Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson (Major League Baseball pitcher), Dennis Haysbert (actor), Anthony Anderson (actor, writer and comedian), Jason “Wee Man” Acuña (actor, TV host and professional skateboarder), Ace Young (singer and songwriter), Diana DeGarmo (singer, Broadway and television actress) and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The guests arrived aboard the ship via carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft and toured the flight deck before meeting and greeting the crew.

USO continued on page 3Photo by MCSN Randy J. Savarese

Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Visits Big EStory by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Jeffry A. WilladsenUSS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The 9th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while at sea in the Arabian Gulf as part of a USO tour April 17. Along with a group of celebrities, Adm. James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld thanked the Sailors and Marines aboard the ship for their service by bringing them a break from the rigors of carrier life. Prior to the USO show, which consisted of words from each celebrity and a brief performance, Winnefeld gave the Oath of Enlistment to seven re-enlisting Sailors. There is a special place in his heart for Enterprise, said Winnefeld, who served as the 17th commanding officer of Big E. “It’s really nice to be back to the

ship I love, the airplanes I love, and the crew,” said Winnefeld. ”What a thrill to be here.” Winnefeld, who served aboard Enterprise during the September 11th attacks and the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, expressed how he appreciated and admired the service of Enterprise Sailors and Marines, especially during Enterprise’s final combat deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Winnefeld also thanked the celebrities joining him for the USO tour. “The USO has a fantastic history, decades and decades, of coming out and entertaining our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen,” said Winnefeld. “I’m really proud to have these guys here with us.”

Joining the vice chairman on the tour are comedian/actor Anthony Anderson, former Major League Baseball pitcher Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson, performer Jason “Wee-Man” Acuna, TV and film actor Dennis Haysbert, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Allyson Traylor, Brittany Evans and Kelsi Reich and former “American Idol” contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young. The celebrities were given a tour of the ship and a chance to experience aircraft launching from Enterprise’s flight deck before their appearance. “They come out here because they love you, they want to see you, meet you and entertain you,” said Winnefeld during the presentation to the crew.

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The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover

MCSN Harry GordonMCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Big E HappeningsThe Shuttle

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

Rating Change May Strengthen CareerBy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrea Perez, NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRSMILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Rating conversion allows career-minded Sailors in overmanned ratings to stay Navy and helps shape the force to meet future manning requirements, officials said, April 16. “If a Sailor is in a rating where promotion is stifled at the present time, converting to a different rating can open up significant advancement opportunities,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor David Duncan, enlisted community manager, Bureau of Naval Personnel and rating conversion veteran. Duncan first enlisted as a Radioman before converting to his current rate. Today, Sailors can apply for rating conversion during their Perform to Serve (PTS) negotiation window. When Sailors with less than 14 years of service are within 12 months of their end of active obligated service (as extended) date, they must compete for a PTS quota to continue their career. The Fleet Rating Identification Engine-PTS (FR-PTS) provides Sailors with billet availability information in their current rating and other ratings one might qualify for, based on their year group (YG) and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery score. According to Duncan, when an individual enters the Navy, they may not be assigned the rating they initially wanted and conversion gives them an opportunity to try something different. It also gives Sailors the chance to discover new skill sets and talents. One Sailor shared his rating conversion experience. “I put in a package to convert to Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), Cryptologic Technician Collection and

Cryptologic Technician Networks, and I was accepted for CTT,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) 1st Class Odel Schroeder. “I think converting is going to benefit me because in the CT (Cryptologic Technician) rating I have a better chance of getting promoted and after the Navy I can get a higher paying job than if I get out as an AS.” To date, thousands of Sailors have converted to different ratings, allowing the Navy to keep Sailors who are committed to a career in the Navy. “For the past few months, I’ve felt like I needed to do something different and I’m looking forward to learning my new rate,” said Schroeder. “I don’t know anything about it, so I’m trying to go TAD (temporary assigned duty), that way I’ll have an idea of what to expect before I actually go to school.” Sailors considering conversion can ask their career counselor to review the YG manning for the rating which they would like to convert to. “They have to do their homework. Understanding what your year group manning is in your current rating and knowing what the year group manning is for the rating that you’re looking to convert into is a good start,” said Duncan. “You really have to look and if there’s something that leaves you scratching your head, talk with your career counselor.” Per MILPERSMAN 1440-010, requests for conversion to ratings that are properly manned, will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and requests for conversion to overmanned ratings will not be considered.

USO continued

Big E Happenings “It is fun being out here and seeing how you guys operate,” said Acuña. “The flight deck was amazing and I was just blown away at just how efficiently it runs.” The guests then spoke to a crowd of excited Sailors and Marines in the hangar bay. During their presentation, they expressed their appreciation for the dedication, sacrifices and hard work service members give for their country every day. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody here for the job that you do,” said Brittney Evans, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. “This is our 74th USO tour, my 6th, and I love coming out here and seeing those that fight for my right to be here for you all.”

In addition to addressing the crew, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young entertained the crew with a musical performance. “We have fun doing this,” said DeGarmo. “This is my second tour and I love coming out here to see what goes on and give back to all the men and women who fight for our country.” Enterprise crew members were given the opportunity to take pictures with, and receive signed autographs from, the celebrities. The USO tour will continue throughout the spring season in hopes of bringing positive morale and welfare to service members.

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Big E Entertainment

ACROSS1. Cavalry weapon6. WW1 plane10. Sexual assault14. Wash out with a solvent15. Puncture16. Laugh17. Anklebone18. At one time (archaic)

19. God of love20. A type of judge22. Anagram of “Note”23. Buffoon24. Sarcasm26. A “platoon” of Roman soldiers30. He plays a role32. Sheeplike

33. Impossible to hear37. Seats oneself38. Pass over39. Masterstroke40. Anode or cathode42. Analyze syntactically43. French for “Queen”44. Erase45. Cantillate47. Armed conflict48. Buddy49. Indifferent56. Young sheep57. Soft drink58. Dental filling59. By mouth60. Affirm61. British biscuit62. Unit of force63. Gentlewoman64. Bastes DOWN 1. Bristle2. Winglike3. Electric light4. Decorative case5. Repair6. Bundle7. Harbor8. As well9. Waste

10. Bombastic11. Moses’ brother12. Fake13. Leisure 21. Beam25. 16 1/2 feet26. An amount of medicine27. Wicked28. Give as an example29. Make intelligible30. Positive pole31. Carryall33. Weightlifters pump this34. Drill35. Craving36. Type of sword38. Vital 41. One more than nine42. Keep going44. One of the tribes of Israel45. Cautious46. What we are47. Tired48. Lummox50. Exploded star51. Sleigh52. Ancient Peruvian53. Coalition54. Lean55. Visual organs