dec. 20, 2018 edition uss arizona artifact arrives in...

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Dec. 20, 2018 Edition

Inside This Issue

Around the Station 2-8

BZ Shipmates 9

Meat and Potatoes 10

Fleet & Family 11

At the Galley 12

MWR 13

Holiday Events 14

Now Hear This 15-17

Traffic Updates 18

Around the Fleet 19-20

Veterans News 21-22

HIGHLIGHTS

USS Arizona comes to RI

—

Wreaths Across America Continues

—

BZs for Chapel, Public Works

—

Changes of command for

NOAA, NUWC —

Holiday Concert brings unity

USS Arizona artifact arrives in Rhode Island

Yeoman 3rd Class Stephanie Cortez, Naval Station Newport; Capt. Nick Rapley,

Commanding Officer of the Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS); Lt. Stephen Astafan

and Chief Petty Officer Andrew Johnson, both also assigned to NSCS, transfer a 220-

lb. piece of metal from the USS Arizona off of a FedEx delivery truck and into its new

home. It arrived Monday morning directly from Hawaii and was transferred with R.I.

State Police escort to the museum in Wakefield, R.I. The historic artifact will remain

the centerpiece of a display in the museum dedicated to education, preservation,

honoring and inspiring others to never forget the sacrifices made by millions during

WWII.

By NS Newport Public Affairs

Naval Station Newport personnel had

the honor of joining leadership from the

World War II (WWII) Foundation,

WWII veterans, veteran service

organizations and U.S. Senator Jack

Reed on Monday morning to accept and

transfer a piece of Naval History – a 220-

lb. metal piece of the USS Arizona –

from Warwick to Wakefield, R.I.

The Navy has had a presence in

Narragansett Bay dating back to the

revolution but was at the height of its

activity following the events that sank

the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941.

The threat of a major war against the

Third Reich had perked up naval activity

beginning in 1940. Thousands of recruits

were going through training in Newport,

additional property was acquired as a

Continued on page 2

This is the last issue of the Navalog for 2018. The next issue comes out

Jan. 11, 2019. Please send content to [email protected].

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AROUND THE STATION ...

NAVSTA Newport Public Affairs Office PAO Office Line: (401) 841-3538 Base Condition Line: (401) 841-2211 E-Mail: [email protected] Command and Staff Capt. Ian L. Johnson, Commanding Officer Lisa Rama, Public Affairs Officer Cmdr. Corey Barker, Public Affairs Officer Kalen Arreola, Public Affairs Specialist

Operational and Exercise Impacts are often communicated to the public first using the installation social outlets:

FB: Facebook.com/NAVSTANewport

Twitter: @NAVSTANEWPORTRI

Instagram: @navstanewportri

LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/navstanewport

Supply Station, new fuel facilities

were built at Melville, along with a

PT Boat Training Center, where John

F. Kennedy received his training, and

a Net Depot.

The Navy Torpedo station, which

was established in 1869 on Goat

Island in Newport, worked around the

clock employing 13,000 people and

manufacturing 80 percent of the

torpedoes that were used by the

United States in WWII.

“It is fitting to have a piece of this

ship, a memorial to the 1,177 Sailors

and Marines killed aboard her that

day, here in the Ocean State,” said

Capt. Nick Rapley, during his brief

remarks following the arrival of the

artifact in Warwick.

The Navy in the Ocean State

responded to support the efforts

needed to respond to the attack that

sunk the Arizona.

“Here in Rhode Island, we fueled

and repaired ships needed to protect

convoys transporting troops,

equipment and supplies to the war in

Europe. We trained, and continue to

train, the men and women manning

the ships and leading our fleets,”

Rapley said.

“This relic will remind us of the

courage and sacrifice of those Sailors

and Marines who raced to their battle

stations and opened fire on enemy

planes, even as their ships were

ablaze and sinking; of men who were

willing to plunge into murky water to

pull shipmates to safety; of rescuers

who dared to race their boats into the

patches of burning oil to snatch a

Sailor or Marine from a watery grave.

“We cherish our heritage. As the

commanding officer of the Navy

Supply Corps School, I assure you

that we teach our young leaders to

always honor those who came before

us. The lessons learned by those who

served make us a stronger

organization.

“This is not just a piece of metal

from a sunken ship. It symbolizes

sacrifice, bravery, hope and the

power of a nation united to a cause

greater than any individuals. Thank

you for bringing this here to Rhode

Island.”

The new museum has not yet

opened to the public but is the result

of a quest of Tim Gray, Chairman of

the WWII Foundation, and a

Wakefield resident.

Tim Gray is an award winning

documentary film maker. His

foundation has filmed 21 productions

to date that air on the majority of PBS

stations around the United States and

the world.

Tim Gray Media and the World

War II Foundation has been

recognized by American Public

Television with its National

Programming Excellence Award.

USS Arizona: continued from page 1

The U.S. Naval War College color guard presents the colors at a ceremony held Monday commemorating the arrival of an artifact from the USS Arizona. The artifact was flown in from Hawaii, and transferred to its new home inside the World War II Foundation Museum in Wakefield, Dec. 17. Capt. Nick Rapley, Commanding Officer of the Navy Supply Corps School gave brief remarks at the event.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/navstanewport

twitter.com/navstanewportri

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Pappano assumes command of Naval Undersea Warfare Center

By David Sanders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rear Adm.

Scott W. Pappano assumed command

of the Naval Undersea Warfare

Center (NUWC) on Friday, Dec. 14,

in a ceremony at the Washington

Navy Yard. Pappano relieved Rear

Adm. Moises Del Toro III, who

retired after serving as the

Commander of NUWC since July

2015.

Pappano, a native of Bethlehem,

Penn., most recently served as

Director, Comprehensive Test

Facility at the Naval Surface Warfare

Center Philadelphia Division. A

1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval

Academy, Pappano also holds a

Master of Science degree in Nuclear

Engineering from the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology.

At sea, Pappano served on USS

City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705),

USS Albuquerque

(SSN 706), USS

Michigan (SSBN

727 Gold), and USS Ohio (SSGN

726). He commanded USS Buffalo

(SSN 715) while forward-deployed

in Guam.

Assignments ashore include duty

in the Commander, Submarine

Development Squadron 12 Tactical

Action Group; onboard x-Daniel

Webster (MTS 626) at Naval Nuclear

Power Training Unit Charleston,

S.C.; Military Assistant to the

Assistant Secretary of Defense for

International Security Policy; and

Executive Assistant to the Director,

Programming Division (N80) on the

Navy Staff.

After selection as an Acquisition

Professional, Pappano served in the

Special Operations Forces

Mobility Program Office

(PMS 399); as Executive

Assistant to the Commander,

Naval Sea Systems

Command; and as Major Program

Manager for the Strategic and Attack

Submarine Program Office (PMS

392) where he was responsible for in

-service submarine maintenance,

modernization and inactivation.

Arriving Commanding Officer Capt. William P. Mowitt makes remarks during the change of command ceremony

for the Henry B. Bigelow. Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Colegrove, NOAA executive officer, Henry B. Bigelow (seated from

left); Capt. David Zezula, NOAA; and Departing Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey C. Taylor, NOAA seated

during the ceremony held Dec. 14 at the Officers’ Club. The Ney Hall Galley staff provided the change of

command cake (top right). Its primary objective is the study and monitoring of northeast and mid-Atlantic

marine fisheries and marine mammals, ranging from Maine to North Carolina. (U.S. Navy Photos by Ensign

Emma Ethier)

Mowitt assumes command of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

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Wreaths Across America visits Goff Middle School

(Photos by Kalen Arreola, Naval Station Newport Public Affairs)

Aviation Boatswain Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Victor Salinas, assigned to Naval Station

Newport, renders a hand salute after placing the ceremonial wreath on the U.S. Navy stand at

the Goff Middle School 2nd Annual Wreaths Across America ceremony held Friday, Dec. 14, in

Pawtucket. The ceremony included presentations by the students, performances by the Goff

Middle School Chorus and Band, tributes to Gold Star and Blue Star families, a special

recognition of a WWII. Veteran and honors to the fallen R.I. soldiers from the War on Terror.

The event is organized by Mauria Serio, a teacher at the school and sister-in-law of Lance Cpl.

Matthew Serio, a R.I. native killed in action in Iraq on Apr. 5, 2004.

If you or anyone on your staff (military or civilian) are in need

of official command photos for command boards, military

promotions, Sailor of the Year/Quarter, please come to the

NAVSTA PAO office on Fridays between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If

you want to ensure we can support, send your request to

[email protected] or 401-841-6203.

*If you need a branch specific flag behind your photo please

advise a week in advance.

COMMAND PHOTOS

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Wreaths Across America ceremony at R.I. Veterans Cemetery

(Photos

Hundreds turned out to attend the ceremony and lay wreaths at the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony held at noon on Saturday at the R.I. Veterans Cemetery in Exeter. The Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder, Veterans organizations, Sea Cadets, Marine Corps Cadets, scouts, families of the fallen, friends and members of the general public were all on hand to honor those who have gone on to their final resting place. The wreaths honoring the various branches of the Armed Forces were all presented by current students and staff at the Naval War College. Presenting the Wreath for the U.S. Army was Lt. Col. Joel Grant (bottom left); for the U.S. Marine Corps was Lt. Col. Rich Martin (left); for the U.S. Navy was Operations Specialist 2nd Class Austin Bentlage (top left); for the U.S. Air Force was Col. Adrian Schuettke (bottom right); and for the U.S. Coast Guard was Lt. Cmdr. Eric Pare (top right).

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Navy Band Northeast Holiday Concert inspires unity at NS Newport

Navy Band Northeast (NBNE) treated area community members to a holiday concert held in U.S.

Naval War College’s Spruance Auditorium last Sunday. The NBNE Pops Ensemble performed

along with the Newport Navy Choristers to a packed house. (U.S. Navy photos by Jaima Fogg)

By MU3 April Griffin

On Dec. 16, the Naval War College opened its doors to more than 750 staff, students, faculty, and members of the general public for Navy Band Northeast’s annual holiday concert. This year’s concert was a collaborative event featuring the Newport Navy Choristers, led by Ms. Lori McDowell.

In an unprecedented response from the community, concert reservations for the event were filled well in advance, and attendance increased by more than 50 percent.

Many new challenges arose ahead of the projected turnout; ensuring additional seating in Spruance Auditorium, adjusting base security posture, and

enhancing the vetting process for non-affiliated guests.

To make the event a success, departments from across Naval Station Newport pitched in to help with every aspect. A special thanks to the Naval War College Protocol Office, Offices of Special Events and Facilities, and Security Departments. NS Newport supported the concert with public affairs and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation office.

Further embracing the unifying spirit of the concert, this year’s audience was welcomed by warm cocoa and cookies, courtesy of MWR Director, Mr. Dean Weidman.

The strong, positive response from the community

Continued on page 7

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surrounding Naval Station Newport conveyed an inspiring message of appreciation for the men and women serving in uniform through their thunderous applause and standing ovations.

Time and again, Navy music facilitates a meaningful connection between an all-volunteer force and the general public. During the first half of the twentieth century, as global conflicts between rising powers competed for influence, our armed forces were primarily shaped by the draft. This force shaping tool equitably touched the lives of almost every American family as fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers were called to serve.

Today’s Navy has never been more professional, more educated, more experienced, more trained, and more lethal, however; where these neighborhood and family bonds once united communities as they sent their loved ones off to war, Americans now often feel detached from those in uniform.

Navy music is a powerful agent capable of deepening those connections once again, as evidenced by Sunday’s event.

In the neighborhoods supporting installations such as NAVSTA NWPT, where military families frequently attend local schools, churches, synagogues, and patronize small businesses for short tours of duty, communities often weary of the all too frequent goodbyes the nature of military service requires.

Newport continues to express a desire for connection to those working inside the gates of Naval Station Newport, as was evidenced in the days preceding the concert, as well as during the actual perfor-mance. This powerful, unifying connection is often repeated in the words of sincere appreciation that Navy musicians have become accustomed to hearing everywhere they go, “Thank you for your service!”

AROUND THE STATION ... Holiday Concert: continued from page 6

Navy Band Northeast (NBNE) treated area community members

to a holiday concert held in U.S. Naval War College’s Spruance

Auditorium Dec. 16. The NBNE Pops Ensemble performed along

with the Newport Navy Choristers to more than 750 attendees,

an audience that is unprecedented for this performance.

(U.S. Navy photos by Jaima Fogg)

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Yeoman 2nd Class Stephanie Cortez, Naval Station Newport, renders a hand salute after placing a holiday wreath over the memorial plaque honoring Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner, IV on the Toner Bridge connecting Coasters Harbor Island to Coddington Point. The wreath was presented to the Toner family at the R.I. State Wreaths Across America ceremony held at the Veteran’s cemetery in Exeter on Saturday. Toner, a R.I. resident, was a proud Navy Seabee who was killed in action Mar. 27, 2009 in Afghanistan and posthumously awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry.

Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner, IV honored with WAA wreath


DCOIC participants share spirit of service with Providence Community

Early in their training, the 44 Naval Officers of Delta Company 19020 chose to forgo a formal graduation reception

and instead pool resources to contribute to a service project. The DCO students learned of an urgent need for

backpacks at a school in Providence, R.I., from their Class Instructors, Lieutenant. Megan Caltagirone and Chief

Petty Officer Olga Maddalena.

Story and photos by

Cmdr. Clemia Anderson III,

Officer Training Command Newport

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Newly-

commissioned Navy Reserve

Officers attending the Direct

Commission Officer (DCO)

Indoctrination Course at Officer

Training Command, Newport, R.I.,

celebrated the culmination of their

training on Thursday by giving back

to the neighboring community.

Early in their training, the 44

Naval Officers of Delta Company

19020 chose to forgo a formal

graduation reception and instead pool

resources to contribute to a service

project. The DCO students learned of

an urgent need for backpacks at a

school in Providence, R.I., from their

Class Instructors, Lt. Megan

Caltagirone and Chief Petty Officer

Olga Maddalena. The backpacks

were used by students who needed to

take supplemental food supplies

home, but most of the backpacks had

gone missing.

During breaks in training, the

officers of Delta Company purchased

enough backpacks to resupply the

school and packed them with food.

At the end of their training, Delta

Company presented the backpacks to

Mount Pleasant High School

Principal Christopher Coleman and

participated in an assembly with

members of the high school’s band

and National Honor Society.

In keeping with the spirit of the

holiday season, Delta Company was

also joined onstage by a member of

the school’s faculty dressed as an elf.

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BZ SHIPMATES ... Jim Sprague celebrates 31 years of service, retirement

Bravo Zulu to RPC Robart for reenlisting for another four years! While serving at Naval Station

Newport, he led chapel operations and training and supported 66 religious services, seven

weddings, 96 bible studies, and five baptisms. His wife, Yoko Robart, was recognized for her

continued service as a military spouse. Her support has helped immeasurably to make

possible his decision to extend his military career.

Religious Programs Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Robart reenlists

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC) recognized Jim Sprague, Naval

Station Newport Public Works, on 31 years of meritorious service Tuesday at a retirement

ceremony attended by more than 30 staff members from across the installation. During his time

here, he supported 50 tenant commands, 17,000 students, and more than 8,000 personnel wearing

multiple supervisory hats. He will be greatly missed, as he prepares for his retirement in Florida.

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“You didn’t buy

another ceramic

Christmas tree, did

you?” my husband,

Francis, asked,

holding the box the

mailman had left on

our porch.

“Never you

mind!” I said,

grabbing the package with excitement.

“How many do you have now …

fifteen? Twenty?” he accused, while I

sliced through the packaging tape with

scissors, energized by the prospect of the

box’s contents.

“I got this one cheap on eBay, just

wait ’til you see it. It’s adorable!

Besides, they’re really valuable now,” I

said, citing a recent Today.com story

about vintage ceramic Christmas trees

being valued between $80 and $650

each.

“Oh, so I guess we don’t need a

retirement plan now that we have these

trees all over our house,” Francis said,

with a sarcastic grin. It was true — I had

one in each bedroom, one in the upstairs

hall, one in each bathroom, two in the

foyer, three in the family room, five in

the dining room, and two in the kitchen.

And that didn’t include the one I took

over to my son’s apartment, and the four

stored down in the basement until I find

spots for them.

That’s 24. “Yikes, maybe I do have a

problem,” I thought.

It all started in my childhood. So, of

course, I blame my mother.

I remember snowy Pennsylvania

Christmases in the 1970s, when my

family would visit their best friends, the

Crusans, who lived outside of our small

town. The Crusan’s house was cozy, like

something out of a Christmas carol, over

the river and through the woods.

As my father drove down the

Crusan’s long driveway, I could see it in

the front window — a big ceramic

Christmas tree that Mrs. Crusan had

made herself, radiating with brightly

colored lights. To me, it was

magnificent, and I couldn’t wait to see it

up close.

Much to my dismay, my

family never had a ceramic

Christmas tree. My mother was

a purist when it came to the

arts. Although she was a

talented classical pianist, studio

artist, and had hand-spun a few

tasteful pieces of pottery

herself, she had no interest in

crafty ceramics that involved

garish glazes and plastic pegs.

“They’re tacky,” my mom

once said, so I never told her

that I thought they were

beautiful.

At the Crusan’s, we piled

out of the car carrying presents

and food to share, and tromped

through the snow to the back

kitchen door. Inside, we

stomped our boots, taking in

scents of garlic, nutmeg and a

crackling fire. Beyond the

kitchen was the living room,

where the ceramic Christmas

tree glowed in the front

window.

I was a chubby kid, so

you’d think my first stop would

have been the cookie platter. But so

captivated was I by the glow of Mrs.

Crusan’s ceramic tree, I passed by the

spritzes, thumbprints, pizzelles and

gingersnaps without so much as a whiff.

With my face inches from the

bewitching tree, I took in all its splendor.

The glossy glaze reflected pure, saturated

cobalt blue, emerald green, golden

yellow, ruby red and hot magenta. It was

an irresistible feast for my ceramic-tree-

deprived eyes, and represented all that

was wonderful about Christmas.

Twenty years later, while stationed

in Virginia, my mother came to visit us

for the holidays, bringing a huge box

which she insisted I open early. I peeled

away layers of newspaper to reveal a

beautiful vintage ceramic Christmas tree.

“You always loved them, and now,

you’ll have one of your own,” she said

with a smile. Finally, I could go public.

Soon, one tree became two, but the

second one got smashed during our move

to Germany, so I bought three more on

eBay to replace it. As the years went by,

I trolled garage sales and vintage shops

and found more, paying between $4.99

and $39.99.

Although friends and family have

poked fun at my fetish, children visiting

our house during the holidays have been

captivated just like I was at Mrs.

Crusan’s house in my youth.

“I’m sorry for buying so many,” I

said to Francis, “but I just love them.”

“It’s okay, Hon,” Francis whispered,

“I actually love them too.”

THE MEAT & POTATOES OF LIFE ...

Lisa Molinari

Lisa’s syndicated column appears in military and civilian newspapers

including Stars and Stripes, and on her blog at

themeatandpotatoesoflife.com and can be contacted at

[email protected].

My strange holiday addiction

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FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT ...

Ombudsman serving up unique holiday recipes

By Anne Champney Fleet & Family Support Program

Sometimes we get so busy and

revved up during the holidays, that we just need to take a break and slow down. A lot of times this is when we turn to comfort food, which like anything, in moderation it’s good!

Maybe it’s warm chicken noodle soup like mom used to make, maybe its hot chocolate and cookies… whatever your go to feel better dish is, incorporate it into your Holidays.

Share it with family and friends and tell them why it is important to you. today I wanted to share one from our Fleet and Family Receptionist, Amanda Nott.

What could be better than homemade mac and cheese in yummy bite-sized form?!

I hope you enjoy!

Mini Mac and Cheese Bites Servings: 48 mini muffins

Ingredients: 12 oz. elbow macaroni 5oz of garlic and herb cheese

(boursin works great) 2 ½ cups of shredded sharp

cheddar cheese 2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter 2 large eggs ¾ cups milk ¼ cup sour cream Salt and pepper to taste

For the crust: 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers 6 tbsp. butter, melted ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar

cheese

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and

spray 2 mini muffin tins with cooking spray

2. Begin by melting the 6 tbsp. of butter and then mixing in the crushed Ritz and the ½ cup of cheddar.

3. Press about 1tsp. of crumb mixture into the bottom of the mini muffin tin. Press down until firmly packed. Crust should come up a little on the sides.

4. Prepare macaroni noodles. Cook in boiling water until a few minutes shy of “al dente.”

When done, strain and then put into a large bowl.

5. Add the herbed cheese, cheddar, sour cream, milk, eggs, cold butter, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until cheese is starting to melt and no large clumps remain.

6. Spoon about 1-2 tsp. of mixture into each mini muffin tin over the prepared crust. Bake for about 12-14 minutes.

7. Remove from oven and let sit at least 10 minutes. If you try to remove them before that, they will crumble as you take them out.

8. After 10 minutes, run a knife around the edges and then gently remove each one. Serve Warm.

Have a favorite recipe to share? Email to [email protected].

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AT THE GALLEY ...

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MORALE, WELFARE & RECREATION ...

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SPECIAL HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ... FRIDAY, DEC. 21

*Newport Historical Society

Rogues and Scoundrels Walking

Tour, 10:30 a.m. Departing from

the Museum at Brick Market, 127

Thames Street Find out why this

colony was known as “Rogues

Island”.

Winter Solstice Stories and

Crafts at the Newport Public

Library, 10:30 a.m. 300 Spring

Street For Children 2-6 years old and

a caregiver are welcome to celebrate

with stories, treats and a craft. No

registration is required. For more

information call (401) 847-8720 x204.

*Holiday Lantern Walking

Tours, 4 p.m. Departing from the

Museum at Brick Market, 127

Thames Street Hear the history of

early American holiday traditions on

an evening walking tour. Learn how

Colonial Newporters recognized (or

didn’t) the holidays.

SATURDAY, DEC. 22


Discover Colonial Newport

Walking Tour, 10:30 a.m.

Departing from the Museum at Brick

Market, 127 Thames Street.






an evening walking tour.

SUNDAY, DEC. 23


Golden to Gilded Walking Tour,

10:30 a.m. Departing from the


Thames Street From Newport’s

Colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age

summer colony, discover the

transformation of the city and its

people.

MONDAY, DEC. 24


Road to Independence Walking



Thames Street Learn about

Newport’s role in the American

Revolution.

FRIDAY, DEC. 28


Rogues and Scoundrels Walking



Thames Street Find out why this

colony was known as “Rogues

Island”.


Discover Colonial Newport

Walking Tour, 10:30 a.m.

Departing from the Museum at Brick

Market, 127 Thames Street.






an evening walking tour. Learn how

Colonial Newporters recognized (or

didn’t) the holidays..

SATURDAY, DEC. 29






an evening walking tour.

SUNDAY, DEC. 30


Golden to Gilded Walking Tour,

10:30 a.m. Departing from the


Thames Street. From Newport’s

Colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age

summer colony, discover the

transformation of the city and its

people.

NEWPORT NAVY CHORISTERS

SEEKING NEW SINGERS

The Newport Navy Choristers

are currently seeking new singers

for their 2019 Musical Season. The

Navy Choristers are open to Active

Continued on page 16

* For all Newport Historical Society events: $15 adults, $10 for NHS members and active duty military

with ID, $5 children ages 5-12. Reservations required. Weather permitting. Purchase tickets at departure point

or online at newporthistorytours.org.

15

NOW HEAR THIS ...

Duty, Reserve and Retirees of all

military services, as well as

Civilian employees and

dependents ages 16 years or

older.

No experience is necessary to

sing with the Choristers and there

are no auditions. Rehearsals start

on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019 at 7 p.m.)

and lasting until 9:30 p.m. at Perry

Hall, Room 100, NAVSTA Newport.

For more information contact: Pat

McGue, Chairman, at 401-849-1135

or Lori McDowell, Director, at 401-

862-3334. You can also visit the

Newport Navy Choristers’ website

www.newportnavychoristers.org.

DO NOT PLUG USB DEVICES INTO COMPUTERS

Plugging in personal phones or chargers in government computers will cause your account to be locked. The IT Department has verified that some e-mail accounts were locked because of the above action. As a result, any person with a locked account has to retake IA Training and SAARN has to be redone.

MISUSE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS is one of the 13 ADJUDICATIVE GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY TO PERFORM SENSTIVE DUTIES.

"INTRODUCTION, removal, or duplication of hardware, firmware, software, or media to or from any information technology system WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, when prohibited by rules, procedures, guidelines or regulations."

Please inform your employees that repeat negligence of such action is REPORTABLE to DODCAF especially for those personnel who have a security clearance and those who were granted INTERIM ACCESS.

CHRISTMAS FIRE SAFETY TIP

After Christmas, get rid of the tree when it becomes dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or

placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) ENROLLMENT PERIOD ENDS DEC. 31

NAVADMIN 280/18 reminds eligible Sailors there are only a few weeks left until the blended retirement system (BRS) enrollment period comes to a close.

As previously announced, the BRS enrollment period will remain open until Dec. 31, 2018.

During this period, opt-in eligible Service members may enroll in the BRS via the "myPay" website. Opt-in eligible Service members who do not choose to enroll in BRS will remain in the current "legacy" retirement system.

If a Service Member elects to enroll in BRS, that election is irrevocable. Only those Sailors that have been granted an extension in line with Article 1810-080 of NAVPERS 15560D, NAVAL MILITARY PERSONNEL MANUAL are allowed to opt-in after the deadline.

Command leaders are responsible for ensuring that opt-in eligible Service members are prepared to make an informed financial decision prior to the closure of the opt-in window.

Ensuring Sailors have the education and training tools needed to make the right decision for their situation is the job of command mentors, one of the six elements of being "Brilliant on the Basics" for retention, and is covered in NAVADMINs 095/18, 100/18 and

043/08. This responsibility to educate and

train Service Members continues even after they have made the decision to opt-in. Current reports show that there are some Service members who have opted in to BRS but are not making contributions to their thrift savings plan (TSP) account and are therefore not receiving government matching for their TSP.

Leaders should encourage members in this situation to work with their command financial specialist or a financial counselor to review their personal budget options to maximize their TSP contributions.

Commands should notify all opt-in eligible Service members within their command that there are only a few weeks left in the BRS enrollment period.

To enable this notification, the career information management system (CIMS) command career counselor (CCC) or command pay and personnel administrator (CPPA) can certify the list of all opt-in eligible Service members within their command by running a command BRS eligibility report in Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS).

BRS information can be found on the Navy BRS page at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/readiness/Pages/Personal-Financial-Management.aspx.

The opt-in decision may be the most important financial decision a member makes in their Navy career. A concerted effort by the Navy Total Force must be made to ensure that opt-in eligible Service members understand the opt-in decision and are equipped to make this decision.

Continued from page 15

16

NOW HEAR THIS ...

Blended Retirement option will end Dec. 31

17

NOW HEAR THIS ...

Woodworker

Naval Sea Systems Command

Naval Base Newport

Starting at $20.41 (WG 8)

NGIS Laundry Worker

Commander, Navy Installations

Newport, Rhode Island

Starting at $11.81 (NA 2)

MWR Waiter



IT Specialist

Department of the Navy

Multiple Locations

Starting at $33,394 (GS 5-15)

Psychologist


Multiple Locations


MWR Cook




MWR Rec. Assistant Lifeguard


Starting at $12.13 (NF 2)

Interdisciplinary (Engineer)

U.S. Navy - Agency Wide

Multiple Locations


Contract Specialist




Supervisory Contract Specialist

Naval Facilities Engineering

Command


Starting at $89,370 (GS 14)

1 YEAR • Full-Time

Engineering Technician


Command

Multiple Locations


Production Controller


Command

Multiple Locations


Interdisciplinary Engineer /

Architect


Command


Multiple Locations

Psychologist


Multiple Locations


Logistics Management Specialist


Multiple Locations


165 HOT JOBS found on usajobs.gov in R.I. this week

Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 - Closed

Monday, Dec. 24 2018 - Closed

Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018 - Closed

Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 - Closed

Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, Shortened hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.—unless it is deemed a federal holiday)

Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019 - Closed

NHCNE HOLIDAY HOURS

18

TRAFFIC & COMMUTING ...

Bridge Lane Closures Claiborne Pell Bridge Westbound Alternating Lane Closures Dec. 17 - Dec. 21 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mount Hope Bridge Alternating Northbound and Southbound Lane Closures Dec. 17 - Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All closure information is subject to change.

NAVSTA Gate 1 24/7 Normal Operations; No

secondary lanes. NAVSTA Gate 2 Closes at 8:30 a.m.

tomorrow (Dec. 21); re-opens Wed. morning Dec. 26, 2018

Open for normal operations on Dec. 26, 27 and 28

Closes at 8:30 a.m. next Fri. (Dec. 28), morning; re-opens Wed. morning Jan. 12, 2019

NAVSTA Gate 17 Closes at 6 p.m. tomorrow

night; re-opens Wed. morning Dec. 26, 2018

CVIS closes at 3 p.m. tomorrow night; re-opens

Wed. morning Dec. 26, 2018

Closes at 6 p.m. next Fri. night; re-opens Wed. morning Jan. 2, 2019;

CVIS Closes at 3 p.m. next Fri., night; re-opens Wed., morning 02 JAN 2019

NHCNE Gate 7 Saturday Dec. 22, 2018,

Closed Mon, Dec. 24, 2018, Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018,

Closed Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018,

Closed Monday, Dec. 31, 2018,

Shortened hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, Closed

NUWC Gate 23 24/7 Normal Ops; No

secondary lanes. NUWC Gate 32 Closes at 5:30 p.m.

tomorrow night (Dec. 21, 2018); re-opens Wed. morning, Jan. 2, 2019

NAVAL STATION NEWPORT HOLIDAY GATE UPDATES

This is our last Navalog until Jan. 11, 2019.

Any content submissions for the new year,

send to [email protected].

19

AROUND THE FLEET ...

By David Vergun Department of Defense Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy and Marine Corps have some readiness challenges, but both services are taking steps to address them, Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer and a senior Government Accountability Office (GAO) official told Senators Dec. 12.

Spencer and John H. Pendleton, GAO’s director of defense capabilities and management, testified at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s sea power and readiness and management support subcommittees.

In sum, Pendleton said, the readiness issues were mostly related to a high operations tempo, budgetary shortfalls in previous years and an aging and shrinking fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft. His assessment, he told the senators, is based on numerous visits his team made to naval installations and to the fleet at sea.

Spencer detailed several corrective actions, including:

— Using commercial best practices to increase efficiency and flow in maintenance facilities to return ships, subs and planes back to the fleet as quickly as possible.

— Replacing aging systems by accelerated acquisitions for several key items, including the next-generation frigate, the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling system, Surface Navy Laser Weapons Systems and Standard Missile 6, Block 1B, while investing further in advanced tactical munitions including tactical Tomahawk missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, rolling airframe missiles and heavyweight torpedoes.

— Significantly accelerating ship acquisition, procuring 22 battle force ships over fiscal years 2017 and 2018, while decommissioning nine ships.

— Increasing fleet readiness with

$1.1 billion in additional funding executed for ship maintenance; an increase from $8.7 billion in fiscal 2017 to $9.8 billion in fiscal 2019, enabling ships to begin deployment training on time with improved materiel condition and modernized combat, communications and engineering systems.

— Partnering shipyards with the private sector to improve efficiency and reduce the maintenance backlog and increasing productivity. For example, he said, the Navy has put multiple subs in private shipyards to alleviate the capacity problems in the Navy’s own shipyards. In the past three years, he added, the Navy has reduced lost days to maintenance in its own shipyards by 11 percent.

— Accelerating efforts to hire and train new public shipyard workers, bringing the total workforce at its shipyards from 34,918 in fiscal 2017 to 36,696 in fiscal 2018,

meeting the fiscal 2020 goal of 36,100 full-time-equivalent workers one year earlier than originally planned.

Improving Marine Corps Readiness

— Making significant improvements and investments in Marine Corps aviation readiness. On average, Marine squadrons last year achieved readiness rates above service combat readiness standards for the first time in several years. Average flight hours per aircrew increased from 13.5 per month in fiscal 2016 to 17.9 in fiscal 2018, an increase of 32.6 percent.

— Increasing Marine Corps modernization investments over the last three fiscal years, including 82 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets and 16 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, as well as making significant investments in the protected mobility

Officials Detail Steps to Improve Navy, Marine Corps Readiness

The future littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrives at its new

homeport at Naval Base San Diego after completing its maiden voyage from

the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Tulsa is the eighth ship in the littoral

combat ship Independence-variant class and is scheduled for commissioning

Feb. 16, 2019 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy file photo by MC3 Jason Isaacs)

Continued on page 16

20

AROUND THE FLEET ...

Navy, Marines enhancement: continued from page 15

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy

updated the Selective Reenlistment

Bonus (SRB) award plan for Active

Component and Full Time Support

Sailors and announced a pay for

performance pilot program in

NAVADMIN 302/18, released Dec.

13.

Updates include adding award

levels for 19 skills in 10 ratings,

increasing award levels for 35 skills

in 12 ratings, decreasing award

levels for 59 skills in 27 ratings and

removing award levels for 11 skills

in 7 ratings from the SRB program

released May 2018, in NAVADMIN

119/18.

Increased award levels are

effective immediately and decreased

levels, including deletions, are

effective 30 days after the release of

NAVADMIN 302/18.

The NAVADMIN also

announced a pilot program for

Sailors in seven ratings who will

receive an additional 0.5 multiple or

“kicker” to their reenlistment bonus,

based on demonstrated superior

performance. The pilot is a Sailor

2025 initiative and is part of Navy’s

effort to incentivize and promote

superior performance through its

bonus programs.

To be eligible for the

performance kicker, Sailors must:

- Be in one of the following

ratings: Electrician’s Mate (EM),

Engineman (EN), Gas Turbine

Systems Technician (GSM),

Machinist’s Mate (Surface) (MM

(SW)), Damage Controlman (DC),

Hull Maintenance Technician (HT)

or Machinery Repairman (MR);

- Have received two early

promotes (EP) on their three most

recent regular periodic evaluations –

transfer, concurrent or special

evaluations will not qualify;

- Have not received a non-judicial

punishment within the last three

years;

- Have not failed any part of the

physical fitness assessment in the last

three years;

The reenlistment window has

realigned to 180 days of a Sailor’s

end of active obligated service

(EAOS) vice one year, for those who

are eligible for combat zone tax

exclusion and Sailors with an early

promote on their most recent regular

periodic evaluation.

Eligible Sailors looking to

reenlist under SRB are encouraged to

work with their command career

counselor, command master chief

and chain of command to discuss

timing and procedures for their

reenlistment well before their

EAOS. Requests are required to be

submitted a minimum of 35 days

prior to the requested reenlistment

date.

SRB update released with ‘Pay for Performance’ pilot

of Marines at sea and ashore through acquisition of 56 new amphibious combat vehicles.

— Enhancing investments such as close combat lethality equipment for Marine infantry; High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems; advanced air defense systems; initial investments in a long-range, ground-based anti-ship missile system; and improved command and control systems aboard amphibious warships.

— Continuing to work aggressively to ensure the highest possible Marine Corps ground equipment readiness. Over the last three years, average readiness for mission-essential ground equipment has increased to 92 percent in the

active component operating forces and 95 percent in the Maritime Prepositioned Force.

Strengthening Alliances and Partnerships

In addition to all of these steps to improve readiness and modernization, Spencer said, the Navy and Marine Corps are strengthening alliances and attracting new partners through combined and joint exercises, such as Rim of the Pacific, Trident Juncture, Malabar and Bold Alligator, and increasing opportunities for personnel and their allied counterparts to study together, serve together and operate as a single unit.

The other area the Navy and Marine Corps are striving to improve, Spencer told the panel, is business reform.

He called it a top priority that needs to “rapidly achieve effect-iveness and efficiency at the speed of relevance.”

For example, he said, the Navy has embraced lessons from commercial airline heavy-maintenance practices and their data-driven approach to improve naval aviation’s maintenance processes.

The goal is achieving an 80 percent mission-capable rate in all fleet strike fighter squadrons by the end of this fiscal year.

(U.S. Navy file photo by MC2 Nolan

O. Kahn )

21

VETERANS NEWS ...

A FREE, ACCREDITED COLLEGE COURSE IN THE HUMANITIES FOR VETERANS

hosted by Trinity Rep

books and tuition at no cost | college credit available | child care and transportation assistance available | open to all veterans, regardless of discharge status

Mondays and Thursdays, 6-8pm

January through May 2019 at Trinity Rep 45 Aborn Street

For more information or to apply: https://clementecourse.org/about-us/veterans/providence-clemente

email: Dr. Mark Santow, Academic Director, at [email protected]

phone: 401-480-6664

“The secret magic in this program is that there is soul. We get in touch with ourselves on a deeper personal level and although some of us may feel like fragments or pieces, we use language to once again find or embrace our identities, who we

are.” ~Clemente Veterans’ Initiative Graduate

22

VETERANS NEWS ...

dec. 20, 2018 edition uss arizona artifact arrives in...

Documents