Navy News Service 69/94 - 30 Nov 94

[Navy News Service]

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NAVY NEWS SERVICE - 30 Nov 94 - NAVNEWS 069/94
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 069/94
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS000. U.S. Navy Enroute to Burning Cruise Ship
NNS000. Officer Selective Early Retirement Boards Convene
Personnel Notes
NNS000. USMC Combat Aircrew Insignia Authorized for Navy Uniforms
NNS000. Detailers Head to Guantanamo Bay to Negotiate Orders
NNS000. DOD Offers Mail Order Pharmacy
NNS000. Officer Augmentation Rates Rise
NNS000. BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
Salute to Excellence:
NNS00. Yorktown Sailors Assist Bosnian Refugees
Around the Fleet
NNS000. Notable Quotable: Secretary of Defense William Perry
NNS000. Fleet Commander Checks Out St. Thomas Port Visit Safety
NNS000. Top Environmental Contributors Honored
NNS000. NEXCARD Offers Discount to New Applicants
NNS000. Toll-free Phone Number Provides DoD Surplus Sales Info
NNS000. This Week in the Navy: Dec. 3, 1775
Short Splices
NNS000. Maintenance Award Nominations Wanted
NNS000. DefenseLINK Now on Line
NNS000. Navy-Marine Corps News
-USN-
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS000. U.S. Navy Enroute to Burning Cruise Ship
INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) -- Two Navy ships were speeding toward a rescue
mission Wednesday (Nov. 30), after being called upon to provide
assistance to the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro which was on
fire about 130 miles east off Somalia in the Indian Ocean.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command VADM John Scott
Redd dispatched a P-3 surveillance aircraft from Patrol Squadron 47
to the Achille Lauro, where the aircrew reported hundreds of
passengers and crew were either in life boats, or being picked up
by three merchant ships already on the scene. During a live report
to CNN from above the burning ship, the P-3's Tactical Coordinator,
LT Paul Frost, reported "the aft half of the ship is engulfed in
flames," and that the ship was listing badly.
COMUSNAVCENT diverted the Mayport-based USS Gettysburg (CG 64)
and Charleston-based USS Halyburton (FFG 40) to the site after
receiving word of the fire from the search and rescue center in
Norway. The Navy ships were operating about 350 miles north of the
Achille Lauro's position.
As the Navy ships approached the scene, a helicopter operating
from the deck of Gettysburg overflew the merchants, then returned
to Gettysburg to retrieve medical supplies and food to support the
evacuated passengers. Gettysburg's Commanding Officer, CAPT P.R.
Smith, has been designated the Navy's on-scene commander, and will
assess further rescue operations upon his ship's arrival.
-USN-
NNS000. Officer Selective Early Retirement Boards Convene
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Fiscal Year 1995 Selective Early Retirement
(SER) boards began meeting Nov. 28 and will continue through Dec. 8
to consider officers eligible for early retirement. The total
number of officer SERs has been reduced to 443 from the 528
originally forecast.
"Without question, the convening of SER boards is one of the
most heart-wrenching decisions we make each year," said VADM Skip
Bowman, Chief of Naval Personnel. "However, as difficult as this
program is, it is an essential element of our effort to draw down
and shape the force."
Officers selected for early retirement will be notified in
early January. Captains selected will be notified by the first
Flag officer in their chain of command. Commanders, Lieutenant
Commanders and Chief Warrant Officers will be notified by their
commanding officer.
All officers, selectee and non-selectee, will be notified by
letter from VADM Bowman. Non-selectees will receive a letter after
the list is approved by Secretary of the Navy John Dalton.
Selectees will receive a letter after personal notification is
complete. A NAVADMIN will confirm the completion of SER
notification.
By law, officers selected for early retirement must retire
not later than seven months after the list is approved. This
timing permits SECNAV approval of the list in January and delays
the mandatory retirement date for selected officers to Aug. 1,
minimizing the impact to families. More information is available
in NAVADMIN 221/94.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
Personnel Notes
NNS000. USMC Combat Aircrew Insignia Authorized on Navy Uniforms
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Operations has approved the
wearing of the Marine Corps Combat Aircrew Insignia on Navy
uniforms.
The insignia may be worn in the same manner as other breast
insignia, similar to the Navy's Aircrewman Insignia. The Combat
Aircrew Insignia is awarded to those Navy personnel assigned to
Marine Corps units as crewmembers and who have flown in combat.
This revision will be included in the next update to Navy
Uniform Regulations.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS000. Detailers Head to Guantanamo Bay to Negotiate Orders
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- With the adjustment of tour lengths for Navy
members assigned to Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Bureau of
Naval Personnel (BUPERS) is sending a team of detailers to Cuba in
early December to negotiate new duty stations.
The team will include officer, enlisted and Enlisted Personnel
Management Center (EPMAC) detailers who will be prepared to
individually assess the situation of each Sailor remaining at
Guantanamo. BUPERS has recomputed the projected rotation dates
(PRDs) of personnel assigned to the base to meet the following
guidelines:
- No member will remain unaccompanied in Guantanamo for more
than 12 months from the September 1994 departure of family members.
- Sailors with PRDs prior to September 1995 will transfer as
scheduled.
- Personnel in excess and those released by their command will
depart as soon as possible.
Implementation of the adjusted PRDs results in a large group
of personnel rotating in August 1995. To decrease this large
rotation group, the following incentives are being offered to
personnel:
- Members who extend six months beyond their new PRD will be
eligible for "coast of choice" for next assignment and double sea
duty credit for the period of extension.
- Members who extend nine months beyond their new PRD will be
eligible for their choice from the top 25 percent of all
requisitions for their new assignment and double sea duty credit
for the period of extension.
- Members who extend twelve months beyond their new PRD will
be eligible for double sea duty credit for the period of extension,
choice from the top 25 percent of all requisitions for their new
assignment and the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program
(OTEIP). This program offers members three options: $80 per month
for the period of extension, 30 days leave or one round trip to
CONUS port of entry plus 15 days leave.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS000. DoD Offers Mail Order Pharmacy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Champus-eligible beneficiaries in six states
can now order up to a 60-day supply of maintenance medications and
five refills through a new mail order pharmacy program.
Congress directed the Department of Defense to test the
program for a two-year period. DOD selected the states of New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida. The new program is designed to make obtaining
prescribed medications more convenient, according to CDR Charles
Hostettler, Department Head of Naval Hospital Jacksonville's
Pharmacy.
"Many of our beneficiaries take maintenance medications to
help them control conditions such as high blood pressure,
diabetes or asthma," said Hostettler. "Mail order pharmacy
provides the Champus eligible patient a convenient choice to obtain
their prescription benefits."
Champus beneficiaries must be registered under DEERS in one of
the six test states to be eligible for the program. Beneficiaries
in these states will be mailed information about this program in
early December. To register for the program, call 1-800-633-2426
between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, or
between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and holidays.
-USN-
NNS000. Officer Augmentation Rates Rise
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Reserve officers' opportunity for augmentation
to the regular Navy improved during the October Augmentation and
Redesignation Board and is expected to remain high for the April
1995 board.
The October Augmentation board had an opportunity of 62
percent, almost doubling the rate from the April board when the
opportunity was 38 percent. The 62 percent overall augmentation
percentage is the highest since 1978.
The board considered 1,447 officers and selected 901 for
augmentation. Officers in the unrestricted line had a 62.4 percent
opportunity to augment, while staff officers had a 63.9 percent
opportunity. All of the unrestricted line communities augmented at
or above 50 percent. Restricted line officers had a 49 percent
augmentation opportunity overall.
Based on projections for the April 1995 board, the
augmentation rate is expected to remain about the same.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS000. BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) is
reminding Navy people of upcoming selection boards, application
deadlines and other dates that are important for Navy men and
women.
Dec. 1 Nurse Corps O-6 SER board convenes
Supply Corps O-5/O-6 SER board convenes
Dec. 5 Seaman-to-Admiral board convenes
Reserve O-8 Dental Corps, Supply Corps
and Civil Engineer Corps board convenes
Line O-6 SER board convenes
CWO4/CWO3 SER board convenes
Dec. 6 Night Detailing until 2200 (Washington, D.C. time)
Chaplain Corps O-5 SER board convenes
Dec. 12 Surface Commander Command board convenes
Dec. 20 Night Detailing until 2200 (Washington, D.C. time)
-USN-
Salute to Excellence
NNS00. Yorktown Sailors Assist Bosnian Refugees
ABOARD USS YORKTOWN (NNS) -- Crewmembers of USS Yorktown (CG 48)
recently offered a helping hand to Bosnian refugees at the Kosina
refugee camp in the Republic of Slovenia.
The Kosina refugee camp, a former Yugoslavian Army Base, now
houses over 150 refugees from the war-torn city of Sarejevo. Most
are women and children forced from their homes two years ago when
their husbands and fathers went off to fight in the war. Living in
small rooms with up to 10 people, their lives are bleak with little
hope for a brighter future.
A group of 36 officers and Sailors from Yorktown, travelled to
Slovenia during a port visit to Trieste, Italy, to offer their help
and bring a little bit of hope to the refugees. Some fanned out
over the camp clearing debris and fire hazards while others painted
barracks and made repairs to damaged plumbing. Before leaving, the
Yorktown Sailors added to a rope playground built by a Canadian
ship that had visited the camp previously.
Shortly after the crew began their work, the children of the
camp joined in. Although most of the children spoke no English,
communication was not a problem. Fun and play are universal
concepts that the children and Sailors both had in common. The
warmth, compassion, and affection shared were the highlight of the
day for both the children and the Sailors of USS Yorktown. As the
Sailors departed, they left with memories of bright, smiling faces.
- USN -
Around the Fleet
NNS000. Notable Quotable: "We should not shrink from the use of
force when it is appropriate. On the other hand, we should not
rattle our saber in response to every difficult security situation
facing us.
"The British novelist Graham Greene wrote to the effect that
there is always a moment when the door opens and lets the future
in. The end of the Cold War has opened such a door. The future is
out there, waiting to come in. By our actions we can shape that
future for the benefit of our children and grandchildren." --
Secretary of Defense William Perry speaking to the Fortune 500
Forum, in Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1994.
-USN-
NNS000. Fleet Commander Checks Out St. Thomas Port Visit Safety
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, ADM
William Flanagan personally assessed security for Sailors from USS
Gallery (FFG 26), during the ship's Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 port
visit to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. USS Gallery is the first
U.S. Navy ship to visit St. Thomas since the Navy suspended port
calls there in Oct. 1993, due to violent crimes committed against
Sailors.
Island officials responded to the Navy's requirements by
improving lighting in areas including fleet landings, telephone
calling areas, and Front Street. More reliable day and evening
ground transportation now will be available and the number of
public phones located near fleet landings has been increased.
Other factors in the decision to resume port visits to St.
Thomas include more accurate assessments of the potential for
violence against Sailors, identification of areas to be placed off
limits, closer coordination between local police and Navy shore
patrol, and more vigorous pursuit of criminals by local law
enforcement.
The Virgin Islands Police Department has been reorganized over
the past year, and is led by a new police chief who has worked
closely with Navy officials to develop the new security plan.
Business and community leaders have implemented neighborhood watch
programs, established an adopt-a-Sailor program and provided
improved recreational opportunities for Sailors on liberty.
-USN-
NNS000. Top Environmental Contributors Honored
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The 1994 Secretary of the Navy Resource,
Recovery and Recycling Awards were presented Nov. 29, to recognize
environmental improvements made by Navy and Marine Corps commands.
Winners were:
Large installation category:
1. Naval Base, Norfolk, Va.
2. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejuene, N.C.
3. Naval Station, San Diego, Calif.
Medium installation category:
1. Naval Station, Long Beach, Calif.
2. NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
3. Marine Corps Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms,
Calif.
Small installation category:
1. Naval Security Group Activity, Chesapeake, Va.
2. Marine Corps Logistics Base, Blount Island Command,
Jacksonville, Fla.
-USN-
NNS000. NEXCARD Offers Discount to New Applicants
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Customers who sign up for a NEXCARD
will receive a bonus starting Dec. 5. New applicants in the
continental United States (CONUS) will receive a $20-off coupon for
their first NEXCARD purchase of $225 or more. Overseas customers
who sign up for a new card will receive a coupon for 10 percent-off
their first NEXCARD purchase of $55 or more.
Authorized purchases include almost anything in stock with the
exception of alcohol and tobacco products. A minimum purchase of
$200 is required to use the NEXCARD in CONUS, with a $50 minimum
required overseas. To qualify for a NEXCARD, applicants must be
authorized patrons who are not on the bad check list and who have
no deliquent home layaways. Eligible customer categories include
all authorized customers (sponsored), active duty personnel,
National Guard, military retirees and reservists.
-USN-
NNS000. Toll-free Phone Number Provides DoD Surplus Sales Info
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense has set up a toll-
free telephone number to help people interested in buying surplus
DoD property. The new number is 1-800-GOVTBUY (1-800-468-8289).
When property is received at the Defense Reutilization and
Marketing Office (DRMO), it is first looked at for reuse within DoD
or the federal government. If the property cannot be reused, it
becomes surplus to the needs of the government and may be donated
to state and local agencies before sale to the public.
As a result of the drawdown, DRMOs are receiving more property
than ever before. Some of it has never been used, and a lot of
that property is being offered for sale as surplus.
The surplus property is sold locally and nationally. If you
are interested in national sales, call 1-800-222-3767 to get a copy
of the "How to Buy" pamphlet and be placed on the bidders list. If
you are interested in local sales but need more information about
your local DRMO, call the new number 1-800-GOVTBUY.
-USN-
NNS000. This Week in the Navy: Dec. 3, 1775 -- LT John Paul Jones
hoisted an official American flag on a ship (the Alfred) for the
first time.
-USN-
Short Splices
NNS000. Maintenance Award Nominations Wanted
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense is looking for a few
good maintenance activities. Annually, by fiscal year, the
Secretary of Defense presents six service-wide maintenance awards
to the most outstanding maintenance organizations. Competitive
categories for afloat and ashore are divided into large (over 1,000
authorized personnel), medium (301-1,000) and small commands (25-
300).
All commands, units, and reserve components that are
responsible for organizational or intermediate level maintenance on
facilities and/or equipment belonging to their own, or to other
units, are eligible to compete. Submissions must be forwarded to
the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N43) no later than
Jan. 31. Detailed information is available in NAVADMIN 216/94.
-USN-
NNS000. DefenseLINK Now on Line
WASHINGTON(NNS) -- DefenseLINK, the Department of Defense's public
affairs on-line service, began service Nov. 10. The 24-hour, 7-day
a week service is accessible via web browsers and the home page is
accessed at URL http://www.dtic.dla.mil/defenselink.
DefenseLINK currently carries DoD news releases, DoD contract
award announcements (for awards of $5 million or more), memoranda
for correspondents, press advisories, the daily public schedules
for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, and transcripts
of DoD news and background briefings. In the future, DefenseLINK
will add fact sheets, DoD biographies, and Secretary of Defense
speeches.
- USN -
NNS000. Navy-Marine Corps News
The Dec. 2 edition of Navy-Marine Corps News -- a videotaped
newscast generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and
shore units -- includes the following stories:
-- September advancement results take another upward swing
-- Marine Corps strives to improve quality of life programs
-- Camp Lejeune Marines keep their battle skills up to date
-- Navy minimizes separations for Guantanamo Bay families
-- CNO makes Thanksgiving holiday stop in Bahrain
-- Thinking about holiday travel? For the safest trip, plan early
-- Learn the hard facts about HIV and AIDS before it's too late
-- Chicago Museum brings the fleet to the community
-- Telemedicine brings advanced medical care to the fleet
-- WWII veterans return to Leyte Gulf for 50th anniversary
We need your input on the show, so call our HOTLINE
at (202) 433-6108 or DSN 288-6108 and leave a message or send us an
E-Mail at: nm...@smtp.mediacen.navy.mil
If you have distribution questions contact Mr. John Morrissey
at (202) 433-5844 or DSN 288-5844, or write him at the address
mentioned below. Navy/Marine Corps News tapes must be returned each
week. Please use the enclosed return label.
Input from Fleet units ensures our most complete coverage of
global events affecting the Navy and Marine Corps. If you have
items that would be of interest to the Navy or Marine Corps
worldwide, please submit your original video contributions on
Betacam, Hi-8, Super VHS, or 3/4 inch videotape to the nearest
Navy Broadcasting Fleet Support Detachment or send by fastest means
possible to our Field Producer at:
Navy/Marine Corps News
Naval Media Center, Bldg. 168
2701 South Capitol St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20374-5081
(202) 433-6275, DSN 288-6275
E-Mail: nm...@smtp.mediacen.navy.mil
-USN-
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-USN-
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-USN-