[navy] Digest (02/02/2002 18:01) (#2002-5)
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(#2002-5) - Topics This Issue:
1) NavNews (Feb. 1, 2002)
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Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 11:22:07 -0800
Subject: NavNews (Feb. 1, 2002)
NAVAL MEDIA CENTER NavNews by e-mail: NavNews (NNS) is the official
newsletter of the U.S. Navy, and is a product of the Naval Media Center,
2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be
credited to NNS.
Submit news content to mailto:pu...@mediacen.navy.mil. Contact the NavNews
editor, Mr. Jerome Mapp, at mailto:ma...@mediacen.navy.mil or Lt. Brook
DeWalt at DSN 288-4380, (202) 433-4380 or mailto:dew...@mediacen.navy.mil
for further NavNews information. For all other Navy information-related
questions, call the Navy News Desk at (703) 692-6704/5/6/7.
For the latest in Navy News, visit the Navy NewsStand at
http://www.news.navy.mil.
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NNS020131-40. Flexibility, Adaptability at Heart of Military Transformation
NNS020131-39. Department of the Navy Recognizes CFC Contributors
NNS020131-37. African-American History Month Honors Diversity in the Navy
NNS020131-38. Troops to Teachers Program Offers Retiring, Separating Sailors a Second Career
NNS020131-36. Groundhog Job Shadow Day Opens Doors of Opportunities
NNS020131-35. National Naval Medical Center Hosts HAZMAT Training
NNS020131-34. This Week on Navy/Marine Corps News #2002-06
NNS020131-33. Daily News Update for Jan. 31, 2002
NNS011213-13. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 01 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
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NNS020131-40. Flexibility, Adaptability at Heart of Military
Transformation
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A culture of change, flexibility and
adaptability is more important to transforming the military than
simply having new hardware, Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld told students Jan. 31 at the National Defense University
at Fort Lesley J. McNair.
To illustrate his point, Rumsfeld told the students about the battle
for Mazar-e Sharif in November. He said U.S. Army and Air
Force special operations forces teamed with the Northern
Alliance.
The Americans rode into battle on horseback alongside their
Afghan allies. They found targets and radioed their positions to
waiting U.S. Navy and Air Force pilots who used precision-guided
munitions to bomb Taliban and al Qaeda positions.
"The explosions were deafening and the timing so precise that, as
the soldiers described it, hundreds of Afghan horsemen emerged,
literally, out of the smoke, riding down on the enemy through
clouds of dust and flying shrapnel," Rumsfeld said.
He said what won the battle for Mazar-e Sharif was a
combination "of the ingenuity of the U.S. Special Forces, the most
advanced, precision-guided munitions in the U.S. arsenal delivered
by U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps crews, and the
courage of valiant one-legged Afghan fighters on horseback."
He said the scene in Northern Afghanistan was where the 19th
century met the 21st century. The mixture of horse cavalry and
high-tech weaponry is precisely what the idea of transformation of
the military is all about, Rumsfeld said.
"It shows that a revolution in military affairs is about more than
building new high-tech weapons, though that is certainly a part of
it," he said. "It is also about new ways of thinking ... and new
ways of fighting."
He cited the German innovations that led to the Blitzkrieg as an
example of transformation. The German army that overwhelmed
France and drove Britain to the sea in 1940 took existing weapons
and used them in new and transformational ways. The same could
be said for the battle of Mazar-e Sharif.
"Coalition forces took existing military capabilities -- from the most
advanced (laser-guided weapons) to the antique (40-year-old
B-52s updated with modern electronics) to the most rudimentary
(an armed man on horseback) -- and used them together in
unprecedented ways, with devastating effect on enemy positions,
enemy morale and...the cause of evil in the world," he said.
Rumsfeld was quick to caution the audience of senior military
officers and senior government civilians not to lock themselves
into the battles in Afghanistan as a model.
The model is the thinking that went on in the country as U.S.
forces adapted quickly to new challenges and unexpected
circumstances.
Rumsfeld said the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 would more than
likely be the way that foes will challenge the United States in the
future. He said enemy nations cannot hope to compete with the
United States on a conventional basis. They will attack using
asymmetrical weapons and tactics.
He explained to the students why a new national defense strategy
and a new force-sizing construct are necessary. The 1990s
strategy based on fighting and winning two nearly simultaneous
major regional wars "served us well in the post-Cold War period,
but it threatened to leave us reasonably prepared for two specific
conflicts and under-prepared for unexpected contingencies and
21st century challenges," he said.
The new defense strategy is capabilities-based, not threat-based
as in the past. He said the new approach focuses less on who and
where the threats are and concentrates more on what the threats
might be -- and how to deter and defend against them.
Rumsfeld said an adversary, for instance, might target U.S.
information infrastructure and space assets and try to limit U.S.
use of foreign bases.
"They know that we have no defense against ballistic missile
attacks on our cities, our people, our forces or our friends," he
said. That vulnerability could tempt those who wish America ill to
develop such capabilities.
He listed six transformational goals of U.S. defense strategy:
- Protect the U.S. homeland and our bases overseas.
- Project and sustain U.S. military power.
- Deny enemies sanctuary.
- Protect information networks from attack.
- Use American information superiority to seamlessly weld the
U.S. armed forces together as a joint force.
- Maintain unhindered access to space and to protect U.S. space
assets.
"Our challenge in the 21st Century is to defend our cities and our
infrastructure from new forms of attack while projecting our
forces over long distances to fight new adversaries," he said.
The new thrust means a change in deterrence. Rumsfeld said the
U.S. nuclear arsenal did not deter the terrorists who attacked the
United States in September. President Bush has committed he
United States to cutting the number of nuclear warheads from
6,000 to between 1,700 and 2,200. The Russians have announced
a similar drop.
Deterrence now may mean other things. "Deployment of effective
missile defenses may dissuade others from spending to obtain
ballistic missiles," he said. Similar efforts to "harden" U.S. satellite
systems may dissuade countries from investing in "killer satellites."
Transformation also requires rebalancing U.S. forces. He said
DoD must look at "low density-high demand" capabilities. He said
this term is a Pentagon euphemism for "our priorities were wrong
and we didn't buy enough."
"The Department of Defense has known for some time that it
does not have enough manned reconnaissance and surveillance
aircraft, command-and-control aircraft, air defense capabilities,
chemical and biological defense units, as well as certain types of
special operations forces," Rumsfeld said. "In spite of the shortage
of these and other systems, the Defense Department postponed
the needed investments while continuing to fund what were, in
retrospect, less valuable programs. This must change."
The pressure on DoD is to handle near-term military threats and
push off transformation. "But Sept. 11 taught us that the future
holds many unknown dangers and that we fail to prepare for them
at our peril," he said. He said DoD cannot afford to move back
into the mindset of business as usual. "The war on terrorism is a
new war and 'cries out' for new thinking."
He said the men and women of DoD are up to the task. He said
DoD can fight the current war on terrorism and plan the military
of the future. "The impetus and urgency added by the events of
Sept. 11 powerfully make the case for action," he said.
For additional news on the war on terrorism, go to
http://www.defendamerica.com.
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NNS020131-39. Department of the Navy Recognizes CFC
Contributors
By the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Gordon
England, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Jones and
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William J. Fallon
participated in a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Awards
ceremony at the Pentagon Jan. 30. The ceremony recognized
Department of the Navy (DoN) Sailors, Marines and civilian
employees for their contributions to CFC.
"I just want to tell you of how proud I am of our Sailors, our
Marines and our civilians. They not only have led the way at sea
and in the skies over Afghanistan, but they've also led the way
here on the homefront in the hearts and homes of people who
really need this help," England said.
The Department of Defense raised more than $12.5 million in
2001 for CFC. Of those monies, DoN contributed $3.5 million.
Those contributions earned DoN the Pacesetter Award for
passing last year's contributions by 2.9 percent, and the Honor
Award for having a participation of at least 60 percent.
"This was a very difficult year. After 9-11, the program was
delayed and a lot of people contributed to a lot of other causes
directly associated with 9-11," England said. "Frankly, we had
some concern with how we were doing this campaign; but like all
other campaigns and efforts, it comes down to leadership."
For additional information on the Combined Federal Campaign, go
to http://www.opm.gov/cfc.
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NNS020131-37. African-American History Month Honors
Diversity in the Navy
Special message from the Chief of Naval Personnel
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following is a message to the fleet
from Vice Adm. Norb R. Ryan Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel, on
the observance of African-American History Month:
February 2002 Marks The 76th annual observance of
African-American History Month. Its purpose is to educate
Americans about African-American history and contributions
African-Americans have made to our nation.
This year's national theme, adopted by the Department Of
Defense, is "The African-American Legacy: Contributions and
Service in America's Defense." This theme reflects the past
struggles made by those men and women who risked, and often
gave, their lives in the cause of freedom. In addition, it reminds us
of the efforts and sacrifices made by the more than 70,000
African-American men and women who serve in the U.S. Navy
today.
Throughout our history, we have witnessed the rich heritage of
African-Americans in the Navy. Our heroes of the past include
Ensign Jesse Leroy Brown, the first African-American naval
aviator, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for his Korean War combat service; Chief Gunner's Mate
John Henry "Dick" Turpin, the first African-American chief petty
officer; Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills, the first
African-American female naval officers commissioned through
the "Waves" program and Mess Attendant 1st Class Leonard Roy
Harmon, posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism
during the naval battle of Guadacanal and the first
African-American to have a Navy ship named after him, USS
Harmon (DE 678). In June 2001, Rear Adm. David L. Brewer III
was the featured guest speaker in the christening of USS Mason
(DDG 87). Its namesake, USS Mason (DE 529), proudly served
during the racially turbulent World War II era. It was the first
crew to be composed mostly of African-American Sailors.
Like the heroes of our past, many African-American men and
women continue to be heroes today. Currently, Rear Adm.
Anthony L. Winns serves as commander, Patrol and
Reconnaissance Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, intricately involved in
Operation Enduring Freedom. Sailors such as Hull Maintenance
Technician 1st Class (SW) Michael Hayes and Hospital
Corpsman 3rd Class Tayinikia Campbell responded valiantly
during the terrorist attack on USS Cole (DDG 67). Storekeeper
2nd Class Sean Taitt was awarded the Purple Heart as he stood in
the line of fire in the Cole attack. Thousands of unnamed heroes
continue to serve proudly in our Navy, including many of you who
are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
All commands are encouraged to conduct programs, sponsor
exhibits, publish items of interest in command bulletins, and solicit
individual participation in appropriate observances of
African-American History Month. Participation in local
community programs by civilian and military personnel is also
highly encouraged. An informational kit on African-American
History Month can be obtained by contacting the Association for
the Study of African-American Life and History, 7961 Eastern
Ave, Suite 301, Silver Spring, Md., 20910, or by calling (301)
587-5900.
For questions or additional information, see the Minority Affairs
Web site at http://www.bupers.navy.mil/mentor. Commands are
encouraged to inform local points-of-contact of activities in your
area.
Vice Adm. Norb R. Ryan Jr.
Chief of Naval Personnel
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NNS020131-38. Troops to Teachers Program Offers Retiring,
Separating Sailors a Second Career
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Scott Sutherland, Naval Base San
Diego Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- What does the recent financial boost to
the Troops to Teachers program mean to Sailors here who are
planning to separate or retire? It could mean the difference
between being a teacher and not being a teacher.
Earlier this year, the Defense and Education departments
resurrected the Troops to Teachers program with an $18-million
infusion from the Fiscal 2002 federal budget. The new money will
give retiring or separating service members a chance to become
teachers.
"This gives departing military members a chance to continue their
lives of service," said John Molino, deputy assistant secretary of
defense for military community and family policy.
At the Navy College Office in San Diego, Sylvia Boaz was
recently named the local Troops to Teachers program coordinator.
Even though a few service members have asked about the
program in her office, she expects more visits once the word gets
out about the program's financial windfall.
"First Lady Laura Bush's visit to the Naval Station last year was a
great start to what was a dying program," Boaz said. "Then there
were the events of Sept. 11. We're hopeful more people will see
the new incentive as a good way to get through the red tape
required for teaching certification."
Those retiring from the military have always qualified for the
program. The FY 2002 Defense Authorization Act adds a new
eligible group -- service members who separate after six years or
more of service, who aren't eligible for retirement, and who agree
to serve three years in one of the Reserve components.
The program will pay service members up to a $5,000 stipend to
help cover costs of a teacher-certification program. Some
participants would also receive a $10,000 bonus in lieu of the
stipend if they accept a job in a "high-needs" school district. A
high-needs district is defined as one where 50 percent of its
students come from low-income families.
"Educators know the rewards of teaching," Boaz said. "The
military has given many service members the opportunity to start a
new life or career. Many joined the service when they were
young, and they may not have had a mentor or a teacher that
impacted their life.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to continue serving, and to impact
some kid's life. Many of the children in the school districts
associated with this program are in areas similar to the areas
many Sailors can relate to," Boaz continued. "The idea of helping
the needy will benefit the service member and the school district.
The easy transition and stipends are beneficial to the service
member while he or she is continuing to meet the teaching
certification."
The program is a particular favorite of the first lady. According to
published reports, Mrs. Bush sees Troops to Teachers as a
"win-win" situation -- service members get second careers, and
schools get highly qualified people with proven track records.
Those who enroll in the program must teach for at least three
years. According to Boaz, Navy College will promote the program
at transition assistance classes, which are mandatory when a
service member either retires or separates, "however, we would
prefer to plant the seed before those classes.
"When service members bring their completed degrees to us to be
certified, then Navy College can start planting the seed, giving
information to arouse their academic curiosity and possibly entice
them to look further into the Troops to Teachers Program," Boaz
said.
For more information on the Troops to Teachers program, visit
your installation education office or Navy College Office, or go to
http://voled.doded.mil/dantes/ttt.
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NNS020131-36. Groundhog Job Shadow Day Opens Doors of
Opportunities
By Journalist 1st Class Linda Pepka, Naval Air Station Keflavik
Public Affairs
KEFLAVIK, Iceland (NNS) -- Students often wonder what
career path to take once they graduate. With so many job
opportunities today, the choices sometimes become overwhelming.
However, when opportunity knocked, more than 130 A.T. Mahan
High School students and 25 Icelandic students opened doors to
various occupations. A.T. Mahan is the Department of Defense
School at Keflavik.
Students shadowed military and civilian personnel during Naval
Air Station (NAS) Keflavik's annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day
Jan. 30. Senior Chief Builder (SCW) Chuck Clegg, the event
coordinator, said that one objective was pairing American and
Icelandic students with mentors throughout the community, on and
off base.
"The goal was to expose students to various jobs by shadowing a
person in a career where there was an interest," said Clegg. "We
hope by learning about the jobs, students realize the importance of
staying in school. And at the end of the day, they should have a
better understanding of which path to pursue."
He added that 2002 marked the third year for the event, and each
year base participation increases. There were 56 students
participating in the Groundhog Job Shadow Day during its first
year and 120 students signed up last year.
NAS Keflavik public works department, including the construction
and engineering divisions, welcomed the young scholars. In
addition, other departments such as food services; administrative;
law enforcement; legal; supply and retail sales; computers;
medical and counseling services; media and public affairs; and
off-base opportunities at the embassy, art studios and a marine
biology plant greeted the eager students.
Iceland Defense Force (IDF) Job Shadow Day coordinator,
Legalman 1st Class Linda Jones, said the day of mentoring was
not intended to be a field trip. "While students shadow their mentor
through the day, and if a 'field day' occurs, then everyone should
participate," said Jones. "Hopefully, students will gain an insight
into a typical workday of a particular career field."
That's what happened for Molly Bailey and Andrew Roth, who
shadowed at the IDF public affairs office. During lunch, they
interviewed peers and learned about other jobs.
"I'm interested in business and shadowed Mr. Mohlman," said Jay
Love, 13. "I learned that it's hard work to run the NEX (Navy
Exchange), but that's the kind of job for me." Donald Mohlman is
regional manager of the NEX.
Erin Beaton, 14, shadowed Icelandic architect Ingolfur Eyfells,
and learned about computer art. "I chose that field because I like
math and art," said Eyfells, who added that the computer allows
unlimited artistic creativity. Eyfells said she was especially pleased
with the capabilities of computer art after seeing her house
recreated on screen.
Icelander Audur Solrun Olafsdottir, 16, shadowed at the air traffic
control division, and said it would be exciting to see how planes
are controlled. "It's definitely fun, but with a lot of responsibility."
Air operations radar branch chief, Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class
Damien Williams, was the mentor for Olafsdottir, and said
motivation, initiative and coordination are necessary traits for
people interested in becoming air traffic controllers. "The best
advice that I could give is stay in school and study English, reading
and composition," said Williams. "Strong communication skills are
important."
NAS Keflavik commanding officer, Capt. Dean Kiyohara, met
with Reykjanesbær Mayor Ellert Eiriksson at the conclusion of the
annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day.
"Today's activities certainly have strengthened ties between the
local community and the military, especially in the education field,"
said Kiyohara. "The exchange of Icelandic and American students
enforced an already strong relationship between the communities."
He added that Groundhog Job Shadow Day gives students
opportunities to experience different career fields that otherwise
would not have been considered for an occupation. "We hope to
continue this fine tradition and have even more people participate
next year," said Kiyohara.
A.T. Mahan High School Principal Debra Johnson said students
had great opportunities to learn more about occupations and the
people who do the jobs.
"Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. It was
another example of the community's support for the new DoDEA
(Department of Defense Education Activity) Community Strategic
Plan," said Johnson. "One goal is building a network of meaningful
partnerships to enhance student achievement."
For more information on NAS Keflavik, go to
http://www.naskef.navy.mil.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: "Job Shadowers" Molly Bailey and Andrew
Roth assisted with this article).
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NNS020131-35. National Naval Medical Center Hosts HAZMAT
Training
By Journalist 2nd Class Ellen Maurer, National Naval Medical
Center Public Affairs
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- National Naval Medical Center
(NNMC) in Bethesda, in conjunction with Maryland Fire and
Rescue Institute, recently hosted a two-week hazardous material
(HAZMAT) training course at the hospital compound. The course,
which is offered annually, ended with a final hands-on exercise
Jan. 26.
The course was designed to prime NNMC task force members,
along with firefighters from Walter Reed Army Medical Center
(WRAMC) in Washington, D.C., and Naval Surface Warfare
Center Indian Head, Md., for any possible HAZMAT situations
they might encounter over the coming new year.
"Although this type of training is required by OSHA (Occupational
Safety and Health Administration) to maintain our certifications as
first responders, it is also really important because it keeps us
ready to do our jobs," said NNMC Assistant Fire Chief Patrick
Fleming.
Members of NNMC's Biological and Radiological Warfare
Preparedness Task Force, headed by Capt. Jeff Georgia, Medical
Corps, which includes people from contingency and environmental
programs, worked together during the training operation, practicing
how to identify, contain and confine hazardous materials.
For many, the training was a refresher course; for others, it was
their first time learning about HAZMAT. Fleming said that despite
the varying levels of experience, the course offered new
information for everyone.
"A lot has changed since Sept. 11; so have some of the ways we,
as firefighters and emergency-response personnel, do business,"
said Fleming. "So, we're also training differently than we've ever
trained before."
According to Fleming, nationwide changes are being implemented
due to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, that affect the way
firefighters, police personnel and members of emergency medical
teams respond in a crisis.
No longer is it common practice for upper management or their
headquarters to be set up near the center of a disaster scene. The
reasoning is based mostly on the fact that doing so ended up
costing the city of New York many of their fire and police
department leadership when the World Trade Center towers
collapsed, killing most people in or near the structure.
All fire and police departments must now practice and prepare
handling emergency situations differently, with squad members at
the scene communicating by radio with their chiefs who are
located a safer distance away. For seasoned leaders, like NNMC
Fire Chief Thomas Windsor, standing back can be a difficult thing
to get used to when they are accustomed to being in the action.
"It can be hard to go from being the one with a hose in your hand
and a bottle on your back, to standing back and managing,"
admitted Windsor. "Bu you have to rely on your people and trust
their capabilities."
The final exercise proved a lesson in trust for one WRAMC
firefighter.
Jeremy Rebok, a WRAMC firefighter, was tasked with actually
suiting up in full HAZMAT gear and entering the scenario's
simulated "hot spot" with another firefighter he had never worked
with before. Having just met NSWC Indian Head firefighter Joe
Gronav, Rebok said he really had to trust his new partner's
decisions and quickly learn to read his signals, since it can be
difficult communicating easily while wearing the bulking
equipment.
"Things like that make this training even more effective, though,
because it makes it harder so it prepares you for other potential
problems," said Rebok.
The leading chief of contingency, Chief Hospital Corpsman Bill
Phillips, said the HAZMAT training was an overall success
because people now take disaster preparedness more seriously,
perhaps due to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Phillips
added that, hopefully, this training will keep local troops prepared
for whatever situations 2002 might bring.
For more information on NNMC Bethesda, go to
http://www.nnmc.med.navy.mil.
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NNS020131-34. This Week on Navy/Marine Corps News
#2002-06
By Naval Media Center staff
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Look for the following stories and
more on next week's Navy/Marine Corps News show:
- Task Force EXCEL brings advanced security training pierside to
improve force protection.
- USS Milius (DDG 69) tests optimal shipboard manning practices.
- Seabees work hard to improve the quality of life for children in
Fallon, Nevada.
- Security forces in Sigonella, Sicily, have new tools that will make
their job easier.
Compiled on tape #2002-06, the show is on its way to the fleet
now.
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NNS020131-33. Daily News Update for Jan. 31, 2002
By the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on
Direct-to-Sailor Television (DTS-TV), a satellite television service
available aboard 142 ships of the fleet:
Two-minute newscast-
- The Department of the Navy holds an awards ceremony for the
Combined Federal Campaign, hosted by Secretary of the Navy
Gordon England.
- Navy ships patrolling the Mediterranean, stop and search
suspicious Syrian merchant ships.
One-minute newscast-
- The historic submarine Nautilus (SSN 571) leaves the Submarine
Force Library and Museum for an overhaul.
Navy News Service Headlines-
- Defense Secretary Rumsfeld charts military transformation
during National Defense University speech.
- Navy Introduces Cisco Academy to Sailors.
Daily News Update features three newscasts each day -- one
two-minute cast, a one-minute cast and a one-minute Navy News
Service Headlines cast.
Daily News Update can be seen broadcast throughout the day and
evening on the Direct-to-Sailor satellite network. Check your local
DTS program schedule for airtime.
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NNS011213-13. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 01
By the Navy News Service
1941 - The United States Fleet is reorganized, reviving the Atlantic
and Pacific Fleets.
1942 - USS Enterprise (CV 6) and USS Yorktown (CV 5) make
the first World War II air strike on the Japanese, in the Marshall
Islands.
1955 - Operation Deep Freeze, a research task force, established
in Antarctica.
For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical
Center Web site at http://www.history.navy.mil.
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