Chief Petty Officers Celebrate 121 Years of LeadershipBy MC3 Chase Hawley

April 11, 2014Volume: 2 Issue: 7

Look Inside! Sisters Serving on the Bataan, Page 2 | Warfare Training Schedule, Pages 3 | Bataan SAPR, Page 8

Chief Petty Officers aboard USS Bataan gathered on the ship’s mess decks April 1 to celebrate the 121 years since the inception of their rank in the Navy.

Congress established the rank of Chief Petty Officer on April 1, 1893. Since that time, Navy Chiefs have become known as the deckplate leaders and mentors for enlisted Sailors and junior officers alike.

“As Chiefs, we’re at that stage in our career where we still understand turning wrenches; we still understand swabbing decks,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Anastasia Johnson, from Enterprise, Ala. “We’ve been there and done that, just like the junior Sailors, but at the same time we understand the policies and reasons behind the big Navy. We’re able to translate that knowledge to the junior

Sailors as well as the junior officers.”Often the term deckplate leadership

is heard when talking about Chiefs. This stems from the concept that a Chief is an engaged and visible supervisor who knows how to help the command complete its mission as successfully and efficiently as possible.

Johnson points out, there’s a great amount of pride being a Chief, but along with that naturally comes responsibility and difficulties.

“Everything that makes you proud to be a Chief is the most difficult. Everyone wants you to have the answers. The

CPO cont. page 3

Death March cont. page 2

Sailors, Marines Run in Death March RemembranceBy MC3 Mark Hays

Sailors and Marines participated in a 63 lap hangar-to-flight deck run and a moment-of-silence April 9, 2014, commemorating the 72-year anniversary of those lost, and those who survived the Bataan Death March.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) is one of two U.S. naval vessels to have borne the name “Bataan” which memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the dawning days of World War II and the rigorous Bataan Death March that followed in April 1942.

“It’s important to remember the bravery and sacrifices of the service members who came before us,” said Capt. George

J. Vassilakis, commanding officer aboard Bataan. “What an honor to remember the ship’s namesake while we’re deployed serving our nation.”

U.S. Sailors, Marines and Soldiers fought alongside Philippine forces in defense of the Bataan peninsula before surrendering to the Japanese military in April 1942.

Over 7,000 of the 72,000 prisoners of war died from exhaustion, disease and malnourishment during the 63-mile forced march from Mariveles to San Fernando, which occurred during the hottest month of the year. Also, during the march if the prisoners could not keep up due to injuries, they were shot or bayoneted. The Bataan Death March was later known as one of

Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley

Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley

2

The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by Bataan’s Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services at sea. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof.

Commanding OfficerCaptain George J. Vassilakis

Executive OfficerCaptain John “J.C.” Carter

Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SW/AW) Kevin M. Goodrich

Public Affairs Officer MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis Herring

News Team 5MC1(SW/AW) John BelangerMC1(AW/SW) RJ StratchkoMC3 Erik Foster MC3 Mark Hays

MC3 Chase HawleyMCSN Nicholas Frank CottoneMCSA Michael J. LieberknechtMCSA Aaron Kiser

Layout and Design MC3 Chase Hawley

Editor MC1(AW/SW) RJ Stratchko

Owensville, Mo. Sisters Deploy Aboard USS BataanBy MC3 Erik Foster

Having the comforts of family on board a Navy ship throughout a deployment isn’t something you can buy. However, with a little luck, two sisters from Missouri are serving aboard the same ship while serving in the U.S. Navy.

Senior Chief Fire Controlman Heather Barrows and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Beatty, are both assigned to USS Bataan (LHD 5) for the ship’s 2014 deployment.

“I joined from Owensville, Mo. and she joined from Virginia Beach, Va.,” said Barrows a member of C51 Department, working as the Combat Systems Maintenance Manager. “I was born in Michigan; she was born in Montana and we moved around a lot as we were growing up.”

After the sisters graduated high school, there was something inside of them wanting to do something different and exciting.

“When I graduated high school, I really didn’t feel like going to college at the time,” said Barrows. “I wanted to get out and see the world. I know that sounds cliché, but that’s why I joined the Navy. I wanted to travel and do something for my country.”

“I wanted to join the Coast Guard after high school,” said Beatty, a

member of the ship’s supply department, working in stock control as the Functional Area Supervisor. “My mom talked me into joining the Navy because my sister

the most brutal war crimes of World War II.

Bataan Sailors and Marines paid their respects by volunteering to run/walk relay style to equal 63 trips up the flight deck ramp. The crew split into teams of three and each member ran the ramp 21 times. Each team completed a lap for every mile of the death march. Afterward, Sailors and Marines gathered on the ship’s flight deck for a ceremony and moment-of-silence paying tribute for the sacrifice the Americans and Filipinos made those brutal days in April.

“This is an important piece of Bataan’s history, said Interior Communications 2nd Class Matthew Pawlus, of Pueblo, Colo. “Sometimes you have to take a time out and remember the sacrifices that were

made to have the country we have today.” Each year Bataan Sailors and Marines

remember her namesake by participating in various events to pay tribute not only to the ones lost but the ones still living today. With Bataan deployed, it was no different as Sailors and Marines gathered as one unit supporting the same cause while they perform their missions each day.

“It’s an honor to participate in this commemoration of the Death March,” Pawlus said. “I participated last year and plan on continuing to participate each year.”

Bataan is the flagship for

the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by MC3 Erik Foster

Sisters cont. page 7

Death March from Front Page

Photo by MC3 Mark Hays

30 31 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

APRILSAAM KICK-OFF

JUMP ROPECOMPETITION

SCAVENGER HUNT

SIT UP COMPETITION

FREE PLAY BASKETBALL-TBD

SAAM WEIGHT-LIFTING CONTEST

BINGO

SAAM TALENT CONTEST

CORN HOLE

MOVIE NIGHT-TBD

POKER

DOMINOS TOURNAMENT

SPADES / ZUMBA

POKER

SCAVENGER HUNT

SAAM 5K RUN/WALK

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

SPADES / ZUMBA ARTS AND CRAFTS NIGHT

DUATHLON

SPADES / ZUMBA POKER / ZUMBA

SPADES / ZUMBA POKERTABLE TOP GAME NIGHTZUMBA

SPADES / ZUMBA

3

motivation has to always be there, not so much for yourself or your family, but for the junior Sailors as well as the officers and others,” said Johnson. “They look to you for that guidance so you always have to be that ultimate pillar of strength.”

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens shares the same conviction in an article recently released.

“No one can be under any illusions of what being a Chief Petty Officer means,” said Stevens. “You must be ‘All In, All The Time’. We must live honest and humble

lives because our Sailors can see between the lines. They can see through the Chief who tells his or her Sailors one thing, but does the opposite on the weekends. You must live and lead consistently.”

Chiefs say they rely on each other to be there for support. They explain the Chiefs’ Mess is a very close group of peers that will always be there to help each other. As current junior Sailors rise through the ranks and eventually promote and put on their own anchors, it is important to uphold the Chiefs’ legacy.

“We have our fellow Chiefs to help us out and that’s the foundation of the Mess,” said Chief Aerographer’s Mate Sherita Jones, from New Orleans, La. “We’re like a family. My fellow Chiefs are like my big brothers and sisters and I know I couldn’t complete my job without them.”

“We make sure we keep passing that baton on so the future Chiefs know our job is not something that we take lightly,” she explained. “We carry our anchors and we wear them with pride.”

We’ve reached 25,000 likes! Have your friends and families liked us on Facebook?

CPO from Front page

ESWS TRAININGEAWS TRAINING EIDWS TRAININGMON, WED, FRI1900, ABUCAY CAFE

TUES, THURS, SAT1900, ABUCAY CAFE

TUES, THURS1900, OPS OFFICE

4/11 - ELECTRICAL4/14 - COMMUNICATIONS4/16 - CORE 101-1034/18 - DECK/NAV 1054/21 - COMMUNICATIONS4/23 - DECK 1014/25 - CORE 101-1034/28 - DECK/NAV 1054/30 - COMMUNICATIONS5/2 - OPERATIONS

SHIP SPECIFIC 217,BATAAN 303SHIP SPECIFIC 218,BATAAN 304BATAAN 305BATAAN 306, 307BATAAN 308BATAAN 309

4/15 -

4/17 -

4/22 -4/24 -4/29 -5/1 -

CMD SORM/ORG, CMD HISTORY & HERITAGEOCCUPATIONAL & PERSONAL SAFETY,HAZMAT/HAZWASTE, BLOCK IV SUPPLYBLOCK II OPERATIONS,BLOCK VII MISSION INTEGRATIONNAMP, NATOPS, BLOCK III AIMD,ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCEBLOCK IV COMBAT SYSTEMS,USS BATAAN HISTORYNAVAL AVIATION HERITAGE, FUNDEMENTALS OF FLIGHT,NAVAL AVIATION PLATFORMS AND MISSIONS,HANGAR FAMILIARIZATIONSECURITY AND FORCE PROTECTION,BLOCK V WEAPONS

4/12 -4/15 -

4/17 -

4/19 -

4/22 -

4/24 -

4/26 -

WARFARE TRAINING SCHEDULES

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO THE PROGRAMS TAB ON BATAAN’S INTRANET HOME PAGE

6

Sailor Dreams Big, Goes Far Aboard the BataanBy MCSA Aaron T. Kiser

Many people dream of one day being their own boss, following their dream and doing something new in the process. Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Mark Rutledge from East Orange, N.J., has found a way to do all of this aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5).

Rutledge joined the Navy two years ago after talking to some friends that had already joined. They said the Navy would be a more professional and fast paced job that he could do and create a different life for himself. After taking some time to consider the option, he decided the Navy was exactly what he needed in his life.

Rutledge works in the barbershop aboard the Bataan using skills he learned through the Navy to hone a craft that he enjoys. He didn’t originally have intentions of becoming a Ship’s Serviceman, but when they told him he could cut hair and serve his country he didn’t think twice about picking the job.

“Working on your skills, your craft, and getting better is great,” said Rutledge. “You’re going to mess some people’s hair up at first, but that’s why this is great. I get to benefit from any mistakes. As you do it

every day, as you see yourself get better every day, you just want to do it more and more.”

Being a Sailor, he says he enjoys the ship life and barbershop e n v i r o n m e n t he works in. Not only does he get to create something of his own with each person that comes in, but also learn business in the process.

“I’m learning all the different types of fades and styles across all different types of ethnicities hair. I help open and close the shop, clean it and use customer service skills every day,” said Rutledge. “I’d like to one day have a shop that doesn’t cater to one genre of people, I want to be able to have everyone come in and feel at home like here on the ship.

Rutledge said that one day he would like to be able to open up a barbershop of his own in a large city close to his family. Using the knowledge and determination earned in the Navy, Rutledge said he feels confident to move forward into a successful career if he stays in the Navy or gets out. Either way, for him it’s a matter of using his time to further goals in all aspects of his life.

Photo by MCSA Aaron T. Kiser

Photo by MCSA Aaron T. Kiser A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) prepares to land in the well deck aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) to unload various Marine vehicles. Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the

embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Repair Lockers1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

2F6/7F6/7A2M2ARepair 45M5ARepair 3

1H

GymOfficers CountryC5I OfficePost OfficeMA ShackI-64 P-wayI-95 P-wayCO’s P-wayAft Starboard Hangar BayMid Port Hangar Bay

Damage Control is everyone’s

responsibility

Damage Control Corner

7

Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley Photo by MC3 Mark Hays

Sisters from Page 2was in it.”

Although they are both in the Navy, there is still a lot of diversity between their occupations.

“My original contract was for Aviation Electrician’s Mate,” said Barrows. “I also tested for the Nuclear field. The Navy saw I had potential so they offered me jobs in the Advanced Electronics and Computers field. The job choice was between Electronics Technician (ET) and Fire Controlman (FC), so I went through Basic Tech Corps for six months and based on where I placed in the class I had a choice between ET and FC. At the time the FC rate appealed to me more because I get to shoot things and blow things up.”

“I was at the Military Entrance Processing Station and I joined as a Store Keeper (SK)”, said Beatty. “There was also Operations Specialist, Machinist Mate, and some Seabee ratings available.

I called my sister and she told me being an SK was what I should choose, because it is administrative work and I am a people person. The SK rating has been renamed to Logistics Specialist. Plus there are all the perks of being in supply department and you don’t stand watch underway.”

“It’s awesome having your sister aboard the same ship,” said Beatty. “We are very busy out here, it’s high-paced, and the operational tempo is nonstop. So to be able to have your sister come to your office and sit down and have a cup of coffee and just talk about stuff at home and how our kids are doing. It’s a nice break to have at the end of the day and to talk to someone who knew you before the Navy. If you are having issues, you can talk to them on a personal level.”

Though both sisters enjoy each other’s company, they are looking forward to their future goals on the Bataan and after they transfer.

“My future goals in the military is to make rank,” said Beatty. “I have almost seven years in right now and I plan to put on first class in the next year and keep working on my qualifications.”

“This June I’ll have 17 years in, so I still have quite a bit of time before I can retire,” said Barrows. “I would like to make Master Chief before I retire then I can raise my two girls at home.”

“I really like the people because there are so many different kinds of people on board,” said Barrows. “I’ve noticed on deployment there hasn’t been poor morale, everyone is still upbeat and helpful, and it makes it easier being out here being away from family, home, and our children. Every time I transfer from a command, it’s the people that you miss, not so much the job or the day-to-day routine. The people that you get close to, that you mentor and lead, that’s what you miss.”

Sailors don Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology and MCU2/P gas masks during a General Quarters chemical attack drill.

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Justin Collins from Atlanta directs an M1-A1 main battle tank in the well deck aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).