June 9, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle Big E Advances 253 to Petty Officer 3rd ClassStory by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian G. Reynolds

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) advanced 253 Sailors to petty officer third class during a ceremony held in the ship’s hangar bay June 8. Sailors were individually recognized by Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr., the commanding officer (CO) of Enterprise, and CMDCM(AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff, the ship’s Command Master Chief (CMC). Each Sailor received a frocking letter from the CO and a third class petty officer coin from the CMC. As Enterprise continues its 22nd and final deployment, the newly-frocked Sailors will take on increased responsibility. “As new (petty officers), the next step is understanding that they have a bigger level of responsibility,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Linda H. Gilmore. “Some of the things that they can do to prepare for the next months include getting with leadership for help regarding expectations, working with mentors, and having goals.” Many newly-frocked Sailors see the advancement to 3rd class petty officer as a milestone in their naval careers. “This is a huge step for all of us,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Petty Officer 3rd Class Douglas Meyer. “With the higher rank comes more responsibility. It’s important that we remember that when we carry on our day-to-day jobs and

that we set a good example for junior Sailors.” Along with the increased responsibility, the new petty officers will be tasked with educating junior Sailors so they also advance in rank. Many of the Sailors who advanced spent long hours studying rate-specific material for the exam. However, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Edward Witherspoon attributes his promotion to having leadership that took the time to better him as a Sailor. “It feels amazing to accomplish this,” said Witherspoon. “I could not have done it without having strong leadership and an awesome mentor.” All of the Sailors who were frocked underwent a two-day Petty Officer Selectee Indoctrination Leadership Course during the past week where they learned what they can expect and what is expected of them now that they are petty officers. After today’s ceremony, the Sailors can officially wear the third class petty officer insignia on their uniforms. “It feels great being able to finally put on a crow,” said Meyer. “It shows me that hard work and dedication really do pay off.”

Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith

Saturday, June 9, 2012Page 2 The Shuttle

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 Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff

Big E Happenings

Did You Know?USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is the only aircraft carrier

with four rudders.

Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith

Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith

Photo by MC1(SW) Steve Smith

Saturday, June 9, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

In the News

By Kristina Wong and Eric Schmitt, WASHINGTON TIMES

KABUL, Afghanistan – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here Thursday to meet with NATO and Afghan leaders, visit with American troops, and assess the situation on the ground. This is Panetta’s fourth trip to Afghanistan as defense secretary. He will meet with International Security Assistance Force commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan C. Crocker and Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak. Panetta told reporters traveling with him that he will receive an update on the situation in Afghanistan and on the plans Allen has put in place for the final drawdown of surge forces. The roundtable was held in India Wednesday, but embargoed until the secretary arrived in here for his unannounced visit. The secretary will also receive briefings on the training, equipping and combat effectiveness of Afghan national security forces. The secretary wants to pay tribute to Crocker, who is leaving his post

Panetta Arrives in Afghanistan to Assess Situationshortly. “He’s been around a long time in some very tough positions,” Panetta said of the ambassador. “Working with General Allen, he was able to complete the work on the [memorandums of understanding] and Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Afghans.” The secretary said he wants to get a sense of what’s happening on the ground. The Taliban have launched some attacks lately that are more organized than in the past, Panetta said. While the levels of violence are down, it is a concern for him. “I think it’s important to make sure that we are aware of the kind of attacks they are going to engage in, particularly as we go through the rest of the summer,” he said. The secretary said the situation in Pakistan also concerns him, but he said the United States will keep working with Afghanistan’s neighbor to reopen the supply lines through Pakistan and to get Pakistani security forces to stop the cross-border attacks by the Taliban and other terror groups

Dempsey: No Permanent U.S. Presence In Asia-Pacific The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday that the United States does not intend to establish a permanent presence in the Asia-Pacific area even though the new U.S. military strategy focuses attention on the region. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, who recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia, said leaders he met there expressed concern about a permanent U.S. military presence in the region. “I don’t carry around a backpack with American flags and run around the world planting them,” Gen. Dempsey told reporters at the Pentagon. “We want to be out there partnered with nations and have a rotational presence that would allow us to build up common capabilities for common interests in the region, because we think that will be stabilizing.”

“Our intent is rotational. It’s exercise. It’s exchanges, and those are episodic and they’re temporal. They last for a period of time, and then they move on to another exercise,” he said. Gen. Dempsey also said that the new strategy is not aimed at containing China, which has been asserting its dominance in the area, and that the U.S. does not want to become involved in territorial disputes in the region.He added that the U.S. is encouraging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take a more active role in security matters. “We discussed the fact that it’s in our interest to ensure freedom of navigation, maritime security, that we do not become involved in territorial disputes, but that we certainly called on all claimants to resolve these issues through existing international fora and without coercion.”

By Jim Garamone, AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE like the Haqqani network. The United States and India must continue to work with Pakistan, Panetta said. “Having a stable Pakistan is extremely important,” he said. The safe havens in the federally administered tribal areas in Pakistan continue to be a concern, Panetta said. Terrorists can use this area to plan attacks and then cross the border into Afghanistan and launch them. It’s in Pakistan’s interest as well to take on these groups, the secretary said. Terrorists have killed thousands of Pakistanis and that country’s military has been able to combat the terror groups in the past. The Pakistani military went into Waziristan to fight extremists there, for example. “The bottom line with Pakistan: it is a complicated relationship, but it is a necessary relationship,” Panetta said. The United States must keeping working with Pakistan, Panetta said, in order “to get their cooperation in that effort” to combat Pakistan-based terrorists. Pakistan is important to the stability of the region, Panetta said.

Saturday, June 9, 2012The ShuttlePage 4

Big E Entertainment

AOAN Jennifer Watson, from Halifax, Pa., joined the Navy one year and five months ago to further her education, travel and experience new things. Watson enjoys working out, reading, horseback riding and hanging out with her friends. Her future goals include advancing and earning a medical or veterinary degree.

Aviation Ordnanceman AirmanJennifer L. Watson

ET2 Amy Doll, from Auburn, Ga., joined the Navy four years and four months ago to see the world. In her spare time, Doll enjoys going to the gym. She hopes to make first class and finish her degree in the future.

Electronics Technician 2nd ClassAmy M. Doll

Sailors of the Day