Essential Comms: Overseas School Meal Price Increase

Region Spotlight: Injured Rota Sailor Not Slowing Down

Around the Region: Pearl Harbor Remembrance in Naples

Big Navy News: Navy Vessel Rescues Iranian Ship from Pirates

2011 in Review

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E s s e n t i a l C o m m s

As of Jan. 1, 2012, the NATO forces tax-free gas coupons can only be re-deemed at AGIP (ENI) gas stations. NATO Forces gas coupons can no longer be legally accepted at ESSO stations, or any other non-AGIP (ENI) stations regardless of proximity to NAS Sigonella (NAS I or NAS II) or NSA Naples Support Site. All personnel, including military, civil-ian, and dependents, are required to abide by the rules regarding proper use of the NATO Forces gas coupons. Mis-use of these coupons may result in loss of privileges regarding future purchase of the coupons, as well as possible discipli-nary action. Compliance with these rules is critical to keeping this important benefit available for all our eligible personnel.

NATO Gas Coupons No Longer Accepted at ESSO

Stations

New Italian Law for Transactions Over

1,000 Euros

Recently enacted Italian legislation requires transactions over 1,000 Euros to be paid via electronic transfer or bank/postal check, not cash. Previous legisla-tion provided for a higher threshold of Euro 2,500, which is already enforceable. Enforcement of the new 1,000 Euro threshold will take effect 1 February 2012. Please take the time now make other arrangements for large sum trans-actions. It is important to know there are sev-eral options available for Navy members to utilize with respect to this change in Italian law. At NSA Naples and NAS Sigo-nella, bank checks can be procured at Community Bank and any Italian bank or post office. Electronic Fund Transfers can be processed at any bank. The NEX is working to establish a collection process as well. Housing, Legal, and the NEX are reviewing the change in the law for any additional potential impacton the Navy community in Italy. Further information will be forthcoming when available.

WASHINGTON -- Beginning Jan. 3, stu-dents headed back to school at Depart-ment of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) after the holidays faced an increase in student meal prices mandat-ed by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (Public Law 111-296). Students participating in the DoD Student Meal Program that pay full price for their lunches began paying 35 cents more per meal. The new prices are $2.40 for elementary students and $2.55 for secondary students. The January 2012 school meal cost increase marks the first time in more than seven years that prices have risen. The last price increase was ten cents per meal in 2004. Households qualifying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program were not im-pacted by the meal cost increases. The cost of a reduced-price meal remained unchanged at 40 cents per meal through school year 2013-2014. The DoD Student Meal Program is an overseas school program authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act. It will remain a subsidized, U.S. De-partment of Agriculture (USDA)-approved and nutritious option for Navy families with school-age children. “The Public Law requires a review and adjustment to student meal prices. This law, plus the fact that meal prices have not kept pace with the increased costs to provide meals during the past seven

years, have led to an increase in prices,” said Charles S. Clymer Jr., program manager for Child and Youth Programs for Commander, Navy Installations Com-mand Headquarters’ Fleet and Family Readiness. “Just like everything else, the cost of quality food, labor and equipment in-crease each year, and this increase will help ensure school food authorities have funding available to support serving nutri-tious meals to all students,” said Clymer. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed into law by President Barack Obama Dec. 13, 2010, mandates changes to school lunch and breakfast programs nationwide with a focus of improving child nutrition. The legislation authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA’s core child nutri-tion programs: the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Pro-gram for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Summer Food Service Pro-gram, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. For more information on DoD meal programs, families are encouraged to contact their local school’s Navy Liaison School Officer.

Overseas Navy Families See School Meal Price Increase In January

WINTER SAFETY TIPSSAFE

Speed, Alcohol, Fatigue and Ejection (seatbelts). These four factors cause

the vast majority of traffic fatalities, and they are all within your control! Pre-

vent distraction—focus on the road!

TRiPSTravel Risk Planning System (TRiPS) helps drivers recog-

nize their own risky behaviors and attitudes and offers ways

to reduce risk. It also gets first-line supervisors involved

by counseling before the Sailor begins a trip. TRiPS is located on Navy Knowledge Online at www.nko.navy.mil

CliCk Here for more news about

DoD sCHools

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Injured Rota Sailor Not Slowing Down; Longs to Return to Combat

Story by MC2 Travis Alston, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION ROTA, SPAIN -- Most would assume that a wounded service member would steer away from the idea of returning to combat, especially when the Sailor is still recovering from severe injures, including the partial lossof one leg. But, that rationale doesn’t apply to Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1stClass Joseph Miller, assigned to Explo-sive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8at Naval Station Rota, Spain. He is do-ing whatever it takes to speed up hisrecovery so he can lead another team into combat. Miller admired the fact that no two days were the same for Sailors assigned to an EOD mobile unit, but didn’t think Sept. 6 would be so drastically different. That morning Miller woke up and faced a relatively routine day for an EOD tech-nician deployed to Afghanistan. He and his team, including EODC Bert Marley, were called out to an area suspected of being laden with land mines. Their primary mission was to clear the area so ground forces could maneuver freely. Security personnel provided additional support and escorted the team on their

mission. Early on in the operation a member of the security team stepped on a land mine that didn’t go off. Security person-nel were immediately backed out of the area. Moments later there was a loud explosion. A sheep had stepped on a nearby land mine causing it to detonate. The team continued to search the sur-rounding area and did not find any more land mines. Within moments, they would realize they missed at least one. “I wasn’t unconscious, but I don’t remember much,” said Miller. “I immedi-ately grabbed a tourniquet out of my kit, and placed it above my knee.”

Miller had stepped on a land mine. He said he knew something had went wrong because of the pool of blood forming around his leg. His training took over as he gave himself first aid. It wasn’t until he laid down and put his leg in the air that he realized his foot was completely gone. “Pink mist. When an explosion oblit-erates a part of the body into just tiny particles and makes, literally, pink mist. Blood was spurting out. My first thought was that I would have to save myself, because I didn’t want anyone coming in the area and getting hit.” Miller’s team had already begun clear-ing a path to him and clearing andlanding zone for the incoming medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopter. The MEDEVAC took Miller to Forward Operating Base Lagman for initialtreatment. Then he received follow-on care at Kandahar Airfield. He wasultimately sent to Bethesda Naval Hospi-tal for further care and treatment.He remains there today working through

EOD1 Joeseph Miller takes his picture looking out to the horizon during a routine mission in Afghanistan.

rehabilitation. “He’s doing very well, given the pain is sometimes bad and keeps him up at night,” said Miller’s fiance Lia Bell. “He is mentally doing very well and is be-ing very sweet. He’s very grateful that

“I am... hopefully taking another team in combat”

he’s alive. Honestly, it has brought out a much more appreciative side of him. I’ve never felt more loved. Even though he’s been in a lot of physical pain, he still goes to his therapy daily to help speed up the recovery process and get back on the field.” Though missing a foot, Miller is not going to let this experience detour his career as an EOD tech. “This barely slowed me down,” said Miller. “Through intense muscle therapy and rehab, I was able to walk on my leg again 41 days after being blown up. My plans remain the same. I am submitting my [Seaman to Admiral] package this year, attending school and hopefully tak-ing another team in combat.” Miller was awarded the Purple Heart by Deputy Director for ExpeditionaryWarfare Division (N85B) Rear Adm. Frank Morneau. He is scheduled to return to NAVSTA Rota in a few weeks to receive the Bronze Star. “Truly, I wanted to become an EOD tech because it’s a brotherhood thatis tightly knit,” said Miller. “It’s a big boys club full of adrenaline and always on the go doing something new. The people you work with are some of the highest caliber people in the world. It really is my dream job.”

“My first thought was that I would have to save myself, because I didn’t want anyone coming in

the area and getting hit.”

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Y e a r i n R e v i e wJanuary

MarchApril

May

June

July August

SeptemberOctober

November

February

EODMU 11 memorial run in Camp Lemonnier.

- NAS Sigonella hosts Unified Protector.

- U.S. announces Ballistic Missile defense site in Roma-nia.

-NMCB 74 conducts live fire training in Spain.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Nettuno, Italy.

- Personnel participate in memorial ceremonies in Italy and France. - Souda Bay participates in the multi-national exercise, Phoenix Express.

December

Danish jet on NSA Sigonella.

- Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

- New Chief Petty Officers are pinned throughout region.

- Souda Bay earns SECNAV energy conservation award.

- Camp Lemonnier certifies first Information Dominanc Warfare Specialists.

- Capt. Walsh assumes duties of commanding officer for NSA Bahrain.

- Region conducts exercise Neptune Response.

Vice President Joe Biden visits Naples.

- NAS Sigonella builds tent city for Unified Protector.

- Capt Gray assumes duties of commanding officer for NSA Naples.

- NMCB 74 teams with Boy Scouts for pinewood derby in Rota.

- CNO, MCPON visit Bahrain.

- Naples students send school supplies to Afghanistan students.

- Operation Unified Protector concludes.

- Sigonella participates in walk against breast cancer.

- U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Leon Panetta, visits Naples.

- Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm Pandolfe, visits Rota.

- U.S. and allied forces partici-pate in Lisa Azul in Spain.

- The 2nd NATO Signal Battal-ion, Charlie Company returns to Naples after six month deployment to Afghanistan.

- Region installations participate in exercise Citadel Shield 2011.

- Region Installations play key roles in Operation Odyssey Dawn.

- Operation Unified Protector begins.

- Rota Fire & Emergency Ser-vices receives accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation.

USS Florida (SSGN 728) in Souda Bay.

- Unified Protector continues with over 6,000 strike sorties and 687 humanitarian assis-tance movements completed.

- Navy and coalition partners honor WWII vets in Sicily.

- Capt. Cariello assumed the duties as Commanding Of-ficer, NAVFAC EURAFSWA.

- Sigonella National Night Out heightens community awareness about crime pre-vention.

- Surgeons from Camp Lem-onnier assist local surgeons in removing a large cyst from a local infant.

- Operation Unified Pro-tector continues with over 7,000 sortie strikes and 870 humanitarian assistance movements completed.

- Carolers around the region bring holiday joy.

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A r o u n d T h e R e g i o nCarolers Bring

Holiday JoyFrom Naval Support Activity Bahrain Public Affairs

BAHRAIN - Children from Bahrain School sing Christmas carols to U.S. service members and civilian employees, Dec 13. Photo by MC1 Cynthia Z. De Leon.

Naples Toys for Tots 2011 (VIDEO)

MCPON Visits Camp Lemonnier (VIDEO)

Sailors Participate in Exercises in Djibouti (VIDEO)

BAHRAIN -- Children from the Bahrain School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, visited Naval Support Activity, Bahrain and sang Christmas carols around the base, Dec. 13. Wearing handmade rein-deer antlers or Santa Claus hats, the first- and second-graders, were led by sec-ond grade teacher, Melissa Boice. They sang carols such

as “Jingle Bells” and “Feliz Navidad” to military and family members at various areas around base. “Their faces would just light up when they finished a song and had everyone clapping for them,” said U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Force Command Master Chief Charles Clarke. “It really put me in the Christ-mas sprit.” This is the first time chil-dren from the Bahrain School have performed such an event on the base, said first grade teacher, Julie Shusko.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance

Ceremony at NSA Naples

From Navy Public Affairs Support Element - East Detachment Europe

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Secretary of Defense the Honorable Leon Panetta addresses service members at Camp Lemonnier, Dec 13. Photo by SSgt Marc Lane.

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NAPLES, Italy -- Sailors stationed at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples gath-ered Wednesday morning to take part in a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony here, Dec. 7. The remembrance cer-emony was a means to honor the Sailors who were present at the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. “We hold these ceremo-nies because our sense of heritage and knowledge of our naval history is what drives us,” said NSA Naples Command Master Chief (SW) Charles Collins. “When we lose the history and the heritage component it doesn’t

allow us to be as effective as we could be.” The ceremony takes place every year at various naval commands around the world. “Ceremonies like this help us to never forget either the terrible events of a given day, perpetrated by those who seek America’s demise,” said Cmdr. Philip Pelikan, the NSA Naples chaplain. “Or the extraordinary heroism that such events often give rise to from among the ranks of our military comrades.” The ceremony was attend-ed by NSA Naples Sailors and included ceremonial guards-man raising the American and Italian national flags for morning colors while standing guard over a wreath meant to honor the Sailors at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Naval Forces Eu-rope Band was also in attend-ance, playing the Navy Hymn after NSA Naples Command-ing Officer Capt. Scott Grey’s opening speech.

“The folks that fought in World War II were called the ‘Greatest Generation’,” said Collins. “There is not a single person serving in our armed forces today that has not either enlisted or re-enlisted while our country has been at war. I look at the Sailors today and I truly feel like those individuals are the foundations for the next ‘Greatest Genera-tion’.”

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B i g N a v y N e w s

Sailors Will See Improved Opportunities As Force

Balance Improves

WASHINGTON - Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team asses the wind conditions prior to their pre-game jump into FedEx field for the Army vs. Navy college football game, Dec 10. Photo MC2 Clifford L. H. Davis.

Navy COOL Offers Opportunities for Sailors

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Naval adminis-tration message (NAVADMIN) 396/11 released Dec. 22 provides information on credentialing opportunities available through Navy Credentialing Opportuni-ties Online (COOL) for those selected for separation under FY-12 quota-based Enlisted Retention Board (ERB). Navy COOL consolidates information on certifications, licenses and appren-ticeships for each Navy rating, job and occupation and provides funding for Navy enlisted personnel to obtain these civilian licenses and certifications. Sailors identified for separation may apply for a waiver from the Navy COOL requirement to have a minimum one year remaining on their enlistment to apply for funding. “Though it isn’t the purpose of the Navy’s credentialing program to be used solely as a component of transi-tion, earning an industry-recognized certification or license may provide a key factor toward a successful transition from Sailor to civilian employee,” said Keith Boring, program manager, U.S. Navy Credentials Program Office.

WASHINGTON -- Top-performing Sailors will see more opportunities to convert, reenlist, and advance as a result of the Navy’s use of force management tools such as the Enlisted Retention Board and Perform-to-Serve, Navy leaders said Jan. 3. “Because of the strides made by PTS and ERB in balancing the force, barring significant changes to our force struc-ture, the Navy will not need to conduct an ERB in 2013 or 2014,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk.

Plan Your Family’s CareFrom Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

Pearl Harbor Survivor Recalls Attack (VIDEO)

ARABIAN SEA - A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd’s (DDG 100) visit, board, search and seizure team greets a crew member of the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai.

U.S. Navy Rescues Iranian Fishing Vessel from Pirates in Arabian Sea

ARABIAN SEA -- Forces as-signed to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, rescued an Iranian fishing vessel from pirates in the northern Arabian Sea, Jan. 5. At approximately 12:30 p.m local time, an SH-60S Sea-hawk from guided-missile de-stroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) detected a suspected pirate skiff alongside the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai. Simultaneously, a distress call was received from the master of the Al Molai claiming he was being held captive by pirates. A visit, board, search and seizure team from Kidd board-

ed the Al Molai and detained 15 suspected pirates who had been holding a 13-member Iranian crew hostage for sev-eral weeks. The Al Molai had been pirated and used as a “mother ship” for pirate opera-tions throughout the Persian Gulf, according to members of the Iranian vessel’s crew. The pirates did not resist the boarding and surrendered quickly. “They were held hostage, with limited rations, and we believe were forced against their will to assist the pirates with other piracy operations,” said Josh Schminky, a Navy Criminal Investigative Service agent aboard the Kidd.

From Commander, Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- In support of mis-sion readiness and worldwide deployabil-ity in the new year, Navy officials remind Sailors of the importance of maintaining a current Family Care Plan. A Family Care Plan is a group of documents, including a Family Care Cer-tificate (NAVPERS 1740/6), Family Care Plan Arrangements (NAVPERS 1740/7), and legal documents such as custody or separation agreements, custody and sup-port orders, divorce decrees or related written agreements. “Sailors must submit a new or up-dated Family Care Plan upon reporting to a new duty station, change in caregiver circumstances, or change in personal or family circumstances, such as birth or adoption of a child, or assumption of sole care for an elderly or incapacitated family member,” said Bill Harris, Family Care Plan program manager. “Failure to maintain an adequate Family Care Plan may result in administrative separation from the Naval service.”