August 7, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 31• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520

United States Coast Guard Celebrates 225th Birthday

Members of the United States Coast Guard attached to Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay join in a cake cutting and special meal hosted at the Goldhill Galley on Aug. 4 to celebrate the U.S. Coast Guard’s 225th Birthday.

United States Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 308 along with the Aviation Support Detachment celebrated

the United States Coast Guard’s 225th Birthday at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, August 1-7.

Members assigned to both units participated in several events throughout the week to commemorate the birthday.

“We did a Coast Guard 5K run on Saturday that had 65 participants and a cake cutting at the Gold Hill Galley and one at the Seaside Galley to celebrate the Coast Guard’s birthday, said Lt. Garrett G. Hawk, Operations Officer, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Maritime Security Detachment, PSU 308. “We also had a unit get together at Cuzco Beach where all members of our unit were given the opportunity to dive or scuba at the exclusive beach.”

The Coast Guard’s official history began on 4 August 1790 when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act that authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the “revenue cutters,” the “system of cutters,” the Revenue Marine and finally the Revenue Cutter Service. The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress that merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U. S. Life-Saving Service.

As the Nation grew, so did the Coast Guard. Over the past 225 years, Coast Guard missions have grown from enforcing revenue laws to ensuring maritime safety, security and stewardship along our shores and across the globe.

“The Coast Guard is more relevant today than at any time in our 225-year history,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft. “Transnational criminal organizations use drug profits to destabilize governments in our hemisphere. Our nation’s resurgence in American energy production has increased the

flow of maritime commerce on our waterways. There is increased human activity in the Arctic and cyber threats endanger our digital systems. We are evolving to meet these challenges and invest in a 21st century Coast Guard that will continue our service to nation that is 225 years strong.”

Coast Guardsmen are stationed all around the globe and those stationed at Naval Station were happy to share their proud heritage with other branches of the service.

“I think it is important to celebrate and recognize the Coast Guard’s birthday here at NS Guantanamo Bay because we are operating in a unique joint environment with representation from all branches of service,” said Hawk. “This shows how proud we are as a service of our vast traditions and history. This day is not only a day that honors the Coasties that have stood the watch before us, but also the ones that continue to carry on the legacy.”

Kelly WirfelNS Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs Officer

PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE

VOL. 72 • NO. 31

The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessar-ily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 535.

COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF

CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPERCMDR. AL ROSS

CMDCM (SW/AW) RODD TOOKER

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST

KELLY WIRFELMCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA

MC2 KEGAN KAY

Guantanamo Bay GazetteNAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates CE2 Quentin Huntley on his selection as the Sailor of the Week.

CE2 QUENTIN HUNTLEY■Job/Department: BCO Install Technician/ BCO/NCTAMS LANT DET GTMO■Age: 35■Hometown: Toledo, OH■Goal: Complete College Degree■Hero: Father■TV Show: Barry Tales■Sports Team: SF 49ers■GTMO Restaurant: Jerk House■Musician: John Legend■Movie: Paid in Full■Book: Never Die Alone■Hobby: Sports■Favorite Quote: “Mistakes are proof that you’re trying”■Greatest Accomplishment: My kids■Greatest Passion: My kids■Sailor of the Week Because:CE2 Quentin Huntley played a key role in the installation of over 50 communications jacks and roughly 1000 feet of interior wiring for phones and computers to expedite the move of security personnel to the Seabee compound. Bravo Zulu on a job well done.

August 7, 2015• PAGE 3

To Reenlist or to Separate? That is the QuestionMC2 Kegan KayPhotojournalist

There comes a point during a service member’s career that they have to decide if they want to reenlist or separate. This choice is

sometimes easy to make and other times can be a long and laborious process of back and forth between the options and be deeply personal.

“I started my journey in the navy in 1981, and have had the opportunity to reenlist many times as well as leaving Active duty and joining the Reserves for 9 of the 12 years I was out,” recalls Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay Command Master Chief Rodd Tooker. “I can tell you each and every time came with a unique situation and factors that swayed my decision one way or the other.”

“The elements I had to consider were in fact, my family.” shared Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Thomas Laban. “My wife and I are going to start the adoption process once my tour here in Guantanamo Bay is done, and we feel being in the Navy provides us with the resources to be able to do this and make our dreams come true. “

The one person that is going to be there through either choice is the Navy Career Counselor and for NS Guantanamo Bay that is Navy Counselor 1st Class Sean McCormick.

The role of a career counselor is wide and varied but the most important thing is they are there to help provide Sailors with information and guide them in their career goals and choices to achieve success.

“I assist with education opportunities like college, credentialing and certifications though the Navy’s COOL program and United Services Military Apprenticeship Program,” add McCormick. “Along with helping them align their degree plans and identifying college courses that will be beneficial for them.”

McCormick also advises Sailors regarding programs such as the Post 9/11 and Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Transition Goals Plans Success (GPS) workshop.

When it comes time to make the decision of reenlisting or separating, McCormick says that timeliness and decisiveness are key elements to either choice.

“A lack of decisiveness on the Sailors part where they’re really not sure if they want to stay in or get out can be a stumbling block for some Sailors,” said McCormick. “If a member is vacillating and they can’t really make up their mind I encourage them to go to the Transition GPS workshop because it is an eye opening experience.”

“Back then they had programs to assist those that intended to separate but were not even close in what they offered our Sailors today, additionally there was no requirement if you choose not to attend a separation class,” said Tooker. “I can say I was woefully ill-prepared for [getting out] both psychologically and financially as my intent was to retire at 20 plus years of Active duty and figured I had all the time in the world to plan for the next step in my life It is so very important that every Sailor has a plan and then a plan ‘B.’ None of us know what tomorrow will hold for us. ”

The Transition GPS workshop is offered by Fleet and Family Support Center and Work and Family Life Specialist Emily Kolenda says that workshop is a way for service member to explore their future options and it promotes better decisions as they give the members information and strategies to allow for long-term success.

“As part of the in-seat Transition GPS workshop, Service members are provided Veteran Affairs benefits briefs, a three-day Department of Labor Employment workshop module, financial counseling, and resiliency training,” remarks Kolenda. “The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Transition GPS can also provide insight for service members to determine if a transition is not in their best interest at that time. Transition GPS is open to all branches of service and spouses are eligible to attend.”

Reenlisting and separating from military service involves a lot of steps and paperwork so going back to timeliness, it is important that Sailors know their time frame to have everything turned.

To reenlist, McCormick says a Sailor must first apply for a quota from the Career Waypoints system and once approved they’ll need to choose how many years they would like to reenlist for (between 2 to 6 years).

“Sailors have 13 months in which to use that quota in to reenlist,” imparts McCormick. “It needs to be done within one year of end of obligation service (EOS) date and preferably submit their request up their chain of command at least 30 days before their desired reenlistment date.”

Beyond the paper work, a Sailor must decide on where they want to do their reenlistment such as at the North East Gate (which must be requested at least 30 days prior) and who they want to conduct the ceremony. Keep in mind that a commissioned officer must witness it and sign the paperwork.

“My primary reason for staying Navy through the years is the benefits that are available to both me and my family such as steady pay check, medical, housing, and the promise of a retirement with 20 plus years of service,” accounted Tooker.

“My though process before I decided that I wanted to reenlist was; first and foremost, what is most important to my family’s well-being,” related Laban. “Then I took into account the fact I have served almost seven years now. The Navy is what enjoy doing and they are allowing me to continue on in my career, gain experience and go places a regular person might not be able to go. It was really a no brainer for me.”

For some Sailors though separation may be forced upon them due to higher tenure limitations, medical reason, family, etc...

“Life happens,” warned Tooker. “I went through a divorce about one year prior to being time to transfer back to Sea and received sole custody of three very small children. Knowing I would be underway on deployments and duty days etc. as a single father in the early 90’s, I made the decision that I needed to leave Active duty to take care of my family.”

The process for separation is not much different than reenlisting but does involve more of a mental and financial adjustment on the part of the Sailor.

“It is important for the Sailor to understand the process so that they know what to do to separate,” agrees McCormick. “First thing they need to do is sit down and attend a pre-separation counseling class which are facilitated by me.”

The class will provide Sailors with their pre-separation counseling checklist (DD Form 2648) and once complete McCormick will assist them in signing up for the Transition GPS class where members will complete their individual transition plan (DD Form 2958).

“This form demonstrates to the transition counselor that they have completed all their transition milestones,” explained McCormick. “They’ve done their resume writing workshop. They’ve got all the

Navy Counselor 1st Class Sean McCormick counsels new arrival, Yeoman 3rd Class Davion Ware, in the Command Career Counselor Office at Bulkeley Hall.

Continued on page 6

Residents of Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay may have noticed children, teens and adults

running around the installation this past week identified as part of a Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) group.

DEFY, developed by the Department of the Navy’s Drug Demand Reduction Task Force staff, is a comprehensive and multi-phased prevention program for kids ages 9 to 12.

According to the Department of Justice website, “DEFY deters at-risk behaviors by giving kids the tools they need to resist drugs, gang, and alcohol and includes skill-based activities that help youth positively shape their future. The leadership and life skills provided by DEFY include goal setting, team building, conflict resolution, and decision making.”

DEFY is a year-round program made up of four phases; Summer Training Camp, Mentoring, Parent and Guardian Engagement and Graduation.

“This year we did a residential, 5-day Summer Camp, which combines a drug-free education, physical activities, nutrition, and team building with over-night camp,” said Legalman 1st Class Ru Li, Local DEFY Program Coordinator.

Beyond their classroom trainings the children also received the opportunity to take various field trips to diverse locations on base and receive tours or demonstrators.

“There are too many favorite events,” remarked Li. “We’ve especially enjoyed the Military Working Dogs demonstration, Dive Locker demonstration, and tours of the hospital, North East Gate and the Guantanamo Bay Light House Museum. It was a great way for us to teach the youths about Guantanamo Bay history and future career options.”

DEFY also allows for teenagers to become junior mentors in the program and learn leadership skills.

“We hope to build strong connection between the youths, Junior Mentees and the volunteers, so that everyone is willing to return for Phase II,” added Li.

The main focus of DEFY is the youths participating and making sure they get the most out of their learning during the year.

“DEFY helps youths to stay focused on setting realistic goals and take solid steps to achieve those goals as well as encouraging them to exercise frequently and establish a drug-free life style,” concluded Li.

MC2 Kegan KayPhotojournalist

PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE

Much of your daily life is set around habits, structures, and patterns.

Think about it. Most of us wake up around the same time each day, eat a relatively similar breakfast, and our daily habits continue on from there.

Habits can be helpful or hurtful to what you would like to achieve in both the short and long term. You may have experienced it before. You set out to change your habits in the form of a New Year’s Resolution and try to start or increase some things, or limit or stop others. For example, you may try to start or increase a habit of eating better, exercising more, getting at least seven hours of sleep, or flossing daily. Or you may try to stop or limit your habits of smoking, eating junk foods, or alcohol use. But usually our resolutions are already broken just a few weeks or possibly months after we make them. Habits aren’t easy to change, unless you know some of the tricks of the trade. Here are some practical, real-life strategies to help you get started.

Tip 1: Be AwareTo make behaviors habitual, you need to repeat them or

practice them frequently. To start a new habit or end a bad habit, you need to be aware of why you’re doing it and what your thoughts are surrounding it. For example, if you don’t floss but

you want to change that habit, consider why you don’t floss. Do you not have time to floss? Are you too tired to floss before bed? Do you forget to floss? By understanding why you’re practicing a certain behavior, you can begin to make changes to alter it.

Tip 2: Start SmallRather than starting big, start small and be specific. When we

make a goal to “eat healthier,” it can be easy to push it off until tomorrow because it seems vague and perhaps a little daunting. Try to find a healthy activity that will make you say “I can do that,” and then try it out. Maybe for you that means flossing at least three times a week, or drinking water with one meal a day. Or maybe it means adding one serving of vegetables to your regular dinner, or holding plank during a commercial break. Starting with a small, measurable step can help you get started on your healthy habit and enable you to build off of the foundation that you’ve created with your first step.

Tip 3: Set Up RemindersStay on top of your new habits by setting up reminders, such as

written notes, a physical reminder (placing a piece of fruit in your lunch box, floss on your sink top, a water bottle on your desk), or a calendar reminder on your phone or e-mail. Practice your new habit every day.

Command FitnessCorner

Strategies for Shaping Healthy HabitsNDC Julius McManus

NS Guantanamo Bay Command Fitness Leader

internet documentation they’ll find useful in filling out resumes that they can translate what it is they do in the military into civilian verbiage, along with having a job interview rehearsal so that they are ready to assimilate back into the civilian world.”

Due to the current state of the job market, McCormick highly recommends that Sailors separating contact people in the area in which they plan to settle and ask about job availability in the area.

“Find out how things are going for their peers,” advises McCormick. “Are they able to find employment? What sort of education do they need to have in order to successfully transition? Find out how you stack against your competition in the workforce because lots of people are hungry for jobs.”

For service members still undecided about reenlisting or separating there is still plenty of resources available to help with choice.

“I think the best resource Sailors have when discussing these avenues is their immediate chain of command,” expressed McCormick. “For example the Career Development team that is comprised of the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Command Master Chief, myself, department leading chief petty officer, leading petty officer and career counselors, and mentors. You have centuries if not millenniums worth of experiences based off all the individuals who can coach you and advise you and make recommendations or suggestions based off what it is you would like to know.”

“Basically, from many of my Shipmates I’ve served with throughout my career, the ones who have been in for an extended amount of time, all have said ‘take advantage of what the navy has to offer’ meaning Housing, a paycheck, college, medical benefits, et cetera ,” added Laban. “My thinking on it is, that if the navy is going to let me stay in, why not?”

“The single most important advice that was passed to me by a Chief back then was, if you are leaving the service at least look into what

the reserves has to offer,” remarked Tooker. “I took this advice and it allowed me to keep my foot in the door, continues to develop as a leader and eventually allowed me the opportunity to return to Active duty down the road without losing any seniority.”

Whether taking advantage of the advice from the command career counselor, chain of command, mentors or fellow Sailors the choice ultimately comes down to the individual to take control of their career and decide which direction to take.

“The decision is yours and yours only to make based on each individuals circumstance, the Navy provides some outstanding classes to assist in making an informed decision,” added Tooker. “Whichever choice they make they will have to live with that the remainder of their lives.”

“My greatest tool is not anything I can find on the internet or in a book,” concluded McCormick. “My greatest tool is the web of contacts that I necessarily have to have a career counselor in order to get information for Sailors.

“I am still in and enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s live daily,” finished Tooker. “I cannot think of anything else I would rather being doing than taking care of Sailors. Every person’s career path and experiences will vary and I am very happy to have served our country and the U.S Navy and have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.”

The next Pre-Separation Class will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m., in classroom C at Bulkley hall.

Please contact NC1 Sean McCormick to sign up for the class or for more information regarding reenlisting, separating or other career needs at 4812.

The next Transition GPS Workshop will be held from Aug. 17-21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at FFSC. Please contact Emily Kolenda at 4079 or 4141 to attend the class or if unable to attend this session but would like to see about scheduling an individual session prior to Aug. 13.

Reenlistment continued from page 3

August 7, 2015• PAGE 9

DOWNTOWN LYCEUMMOVIES FRIDAY Aug 078 p.m.:

10 p.m.:

SATURDAY Aug 088 p.m.:

10:15 p.m.:

SUNDAY Aug 098 p.m.:

MONDAY Aug 108 p.m.:

TUESDAY Aug 118 p.m.:

WEDNESDAY Aug 128 p.m.:

THURSDAY Aug 138 p.m.: Dope

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CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880

SHOPPERSHOPPERGTMO E - m a i l c l a s s i f i e d a d s u b m i s s i o n s t o P A O - C L A S S I F I E D A D S @U S N B G T M O . N A V Y . M I L If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be pub-lished. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final edito-rial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns.Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.

Scoop The

HONDA/ACURAHonda is planning to visit Guantanamo Bay to complete ANY RECALL REPAIR to which your Honda or Acura vehicle may be subject. To check if your vehicle requires a repair, go to: recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com. If you vehicle does require repairs or you have questions

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please contact American Honda by e-mail at csc@ahm.honda.com or call 1-800-999-1009. They need to hear from you by Aug. 15 so that arrangements and repair appoints can be made.

SURVEYThe Naval Inspector General requests your asistance in comopleteing the following command inspection survey regarding job satisfaction, command climate, health and safety, and quality of life. Your responses are anonymous and kept strictly confidential. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and available online until Aug. 28. To take the survey please visit: http://www.secnavy.navy.mil/ig/Pages/gtmo-areavisit.aspx

NAVY BALL COMMITTEEThe Navy Ball Committee would like to invite everyone to take advantage of their “You Buy, We Fly” event on Fri., Aug. 7 before the 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. movie and before the 8 p.m. movie on Sat., Aug. 8 at the Downtown Lyceum You give the “waiters/waitresses” your money and food order and

Inside OutPG

they will stand in line and then bring your food and drinks to you. The Navy Ball Committee will also be bagging groceries and selling Fruit Smoothies at the NEX Atrium on Sat., Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you like to fish than please join the Navy Ball Committee in their Jack and Snapper Fishing Tournament to be held on Aug. 15. Cost is $20 for a single entry or $30 for both. The tournment starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 15 and ends at 6 a.m. on Aug. 16. Registration is going on now. to sign up please stop by the NEX Atrium on Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The MWR Marina will no accept registration fees and contestants are responsible for boat rental fees. For more information please contact HM1 Ali at 84347.

CPO SELECT CAR WASHThe Chief Selectess are hosting a car wash on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Downtown Lyceum. Your support and donations will be greatly appreciated.

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NAVSTA:Laura McManusombudsmangtmo@gmail.comCell: 84792 Home: 77182

Brittany Morrellnsgtmoombudsman@gmail.comCell: 55268 Home: 77129

NAVFAC:Brittany Roleygtmopwdombudsman@gmail.comHome: 78096

OMBUDSMAN CONTACT INFORMATION:

Naval Hospital:Lauren LaBoyUsnh.gtmo.ombudsman@gmail.comHome: 75877

GTMO’s Commanding Officer Addresses Health ConcernBUMED Public Affairs

Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. David

Culpepper, spoke today (Aug. 6) at a town hall as part of an ongoing effort to keep personnel informed of the current public health review taking place as a result of a concern that was brought to the leadership’s attention alleging that military and civilian personnel who worked at the Commissions area of Guantanamo Bay were likely exposed to carcinogens.

Culpepper reviewed the timeline of information with the approximate 56 attendees, and explained what is being done.

“On Tuesday a team of public health professional from the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center arrived here at the base,” said Culpepper. “They are supporting the review which includes an occupational and environmental health survey, a public health review, and a medial records check.

The team is already at work.”While a timeline for when results will be available

is not known, the public health team, lead by Dr. Paul Gillooly, from the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, emphasized the need to allow the process to take its course.

“A public health review involves a variety of efforts, so we don’t want to rush the process. We want to be deliberate with every step,” said Gillooly.

Culpepper emphasized during the town hall that the health and safety of personnel at the base is a priority and that regular updates would be provided through town halls, the command website and the weekly base newspaper, The Guantanamo Gazette.

“We are in front of this issue and will do our very best to keep everyone informed,” Culpepper said.

For more information, about the ongoing public health review, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/ns_guantanamo_bay.