Navy News Service 64/94 - 26 Oct 94
Navy News Service
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NAVY NEWS SERVICE - 26 Oct 94 - NAVNEWS 064/94
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 064/94
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS709. No Change to Annual Advancement Exams
NNS710. Anti-Selling Laws Eliminated for Military Retirees
NNS711. Florida Vehicle Impact Fee Declared Unconstitutional
Personnel Notes
NNS712. Weapons Technician Rating Disestablished
NNS713. Health Promotions Program Training Opportunity
NNS714. Airline Ticket Refunds Available for Deployed Troops
Around the Fleet
NNS715. Notable Quotable: John Dalton, Secretary of the Navy
NNS716. Salute to Excellence: Oakland Command is Top Employer
NNS717. USS Eisenhower Group Deploys with Latest Technology
NNS718. Maritime Partner '94 Exercise Underway
NNS719. Navy and Marine Corps Fatalities Reduced Last Year
NNS720. Community Service Volunteers Recognized
NNS721. Mids to Compete in International Nautical Competition
NNS722. This Week in the Navy: Oct. 27, 1864
Short Splices
NNS723. Naval Aviation Depot Jax Named Top Manufacturer
NNS724. BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
NNS725. Navy-Marine Corps News
-USN-
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS709. No Change to Annual Advancement Exams
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The number of annual advancement examinations
will remain at two per year.
The Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) and the
Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) are working on how to
compensate for reduced manpower at the test processing site;
nevertheless, two exams will continue to be administered each year.
Education and personnel officials are looking at ways to
better use new technology to update rate training manuals and
process correspondence courses. Some of the new technologies
include placing rate training manuals and advancement
bibliographies on CD-ROM, saving on revision and distribution
costs.
Other initiatives include establishing computer bulletin
boards to allow Sailors to download information which can save on
duplication costs and provide more timely updates.
These initiatives are under discussion, but no final
decision has been made. More details will be provided in future
messages and internal media.
By LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS710. Anti-Selling Laws Eliminated for Military Retirees
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- On Oct. 13, President Bill Clinton enacted a
statute that, among other things, terminates two federal statutes
that had prohibited retired regular military officers from selling
supplies or services to the uniformed services.
The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 repealed
Section 801 of Title 37 of the U.S. Code which had prohibited
retired regular officers from selling supplies to the uniformed
services for three years after retirement. Congress also
suspended, until Dec. 31, 1996, Section 281 of Title 18 of the
code. This law forbade retired regular officers from selling
anything, including services, to the military branch from which
they retired for a period of two years after retirement.
Although these prohibitions have been terminated, other
criminal and civil laws still restrict post-government service
employment. Service members about to retire should consult their
ethics counselors to ensure compliance with federal laws. Retirees
who have questions that their previous command cannot answer should
contact CDR Steve Epstein or LCDR Stephen Gallotta at the Navy
Judge Advocate General's office, (202) 544-4361.
-USN-
NNS711. Florida Vehicle Impact Fee Declared Unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Florida Supreme Court has declared that a
$295 impact fee that has been charged to persons relocating and
registering their vehicles in Florida is unconstitutional and has
ordered refunds. The fee began in 1990 when the Florida
legislature passed an act imposing a $295 impact fee on cars
purchased or titled in other states that are then registered in
Florida. The court held that the impact fee violates the Commerce
Clause of the U.S. Constitution and ordered "a full refund to all
who have paid this illegal tax."
Additional information will be provided after the application
procedure for a refund is determined.
-USN-
Personnel Notes
NNS712. Weapons Technician Rating Disestablished
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Secretary of the Navy has approved the
disestablishment of the Weapons Technician (WT) rating. This is
the first rating change proposed for FY95 and FY96 to be approved.
With the removal of all tactical nuclear weapons from Navy
commands, the need for a dedicated rating to handle such weapons
has diminished. Today there are approximately 230 WT's in the
Navy, down from about 1,000 in 1992. More than 300 have already
converted ratings. The others have retired or have voluntarily left
the Navy.
"Every remaining WT should know that there is a viable career
path for them in the Navy," said Commander Orin Reams, enlisted
community manager for surface combat systems ratings, at the Bureau
of Naval Personnel. "We'll work with each Sailor to help with
career planning."
Qualified WTs who request it will be converted automatically
to the AO and GM rating without mandatory A/C school attendance.
They also will receive priority in converting to any CREO 1 rating,
if qualified, and any CREO 2 rating on a case-by-case basis. WTs
are encouraged to talk with their career counselors and detailers
about career options. The WT disestablishment date is 1 October,
1995, with the transition starting immediately.
The disestablishment of the WT rating is the first of a number
of proposed rating changes that BUPERS is studying to be approved
this fiscal year. Detailed plans and time lines will be generated
for each change, and BUPERS will make sure every effort is taken to
ensure smooth sailing for affected Sailors.
An upcoming NAVADMIN will discuss details of the WT transition
plan. For more information, contact PERS221H (CDR Reams) at (comm)
(703) 614-6503 or (DSN) 224-6503.
By LT Dave Waterman, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS713. Health Promotions Program Training Opportunity
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- An one-hour session, called the Healthy
Lifestyles Forum, on the CNET Electronic Schoolhouse Network (CESN)
has been established as an interactive forum where topics of
various health promotion issues can be actively discussed. Command
Fitness Coordinators, Health Promotions Officers, MWR staff and
anyone else involved in fitness or healthy lifestyles programming
may participate in the sessions.
CESN is a electronic network established by the Chief of Naval
Education and Training (CNET) to host interactive sessions at sites
around the United States. The Healthy Lifestyles Forum can be seen
in Newport, Norfolk, Dam Neck, Charleston, Mayport, Ingelside,
Great Lakes, and San Diego.
The hour-long interactive sessions will cover various topics
for the first thirty minutes. The remaining thirty minutes will be
used for an open question and answer period, during which
participants can ask questions on any subject, just not those being
discussed during the first part of the session.
The first session is scheduled to be held on 10 November 1994
at 1130 Eastern Standard Time (EST) and is planned to cover the
Great American Smokeout, PRT safety reminders, and a review of
current PRT & height/weight/body fat policies and resources.
Future sessions are planned for the second Thursday of every
month at 1130 EST. For more information contact your local CESN
site, or call PERS 601 at (Comm) (703) 614- 5746/5747 or (DSN)
224-5746/5747.
By LT Dave Waterman, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS714. Airline Ticket Refunds Available for Deployed Troops
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (NNS) -- Most commercial airlines are allowing
refunds of tickets purchased by military personnel whose travel has
been cancelled as a result of recent deployments to Haiti and the
Persian Gulf region according to the Army's Military Transportation
Management Command. In a policy similar to that offered during
Operation Desert Storm, most airlines are waving change and refund
penalties so that members may reschedule their travel plans or
return unused tickets without paying a fee.
A recent inquiry of commercial airlines concerning this
practice revealed that nearly all are participating. Travellers
should contact their transportation office or commercial travel
office for more information on procedures and restrictions as
established by individual airlines.
-USN-
Around the Fleet
NNS715. Notable Quotable: "The Department of the Navy and all our
armed forces of today recognize the bravery and spirit of our World
War II veterans, and especially those who fought here, and those
who fell. I promise that today's Navy and Marine Corps stand ready
to carry out their task, to assume their watch, to take their
guardpost...on land and sea, under the sea, in the skies and to the
stars themselves...so that liberty shall not perish from the
earth." -- Secretary of the Navy, John Dalton on Oct. 19, at a
ceremony aboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
-USN-
NNS716. Salute to Excellence: Oakland Command is Top Employer
OAKLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Navy Public Works Center San Francisco Bay
(PWCSFB), based in Oakland, Calif., was recognized as Oakland's
"Outstanding Employer" for the second year in a row for the
Center's work with young people in the mayor's Summer Jobs Program.
The award recognized the PWCSFB for providing jobs and
opportunities for over 70 disadvantaged young people during the
past summer. The youth received job-related training, had access
to a Learning Center, and worked side-by-side with various trades
people, engineers and computer specialists. They also were given
hands-on experience in a number of professions and careers within
the government.
"This program is made up of disadvantaged young people, youth
from broken homes, and school dropouts," said CAPT Al Wynn, PWCSFB
commanding officer. "The PWCSFB participates in these types of
programs to make a difference in the direction of as many community
youth as possible."
-USN-
NNS717. USS Eisenhower Group Deploys with Latest Technology
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- When the USS Eisenhower battle group departed
Oct. 20 for its Mediterranean deployment, it took more than 12,000
Sailors and Marines. It also included the most advanced technology
available in the fleet today, including the new Cooperative
Engagement Capability (CEC) outfitted on USS Cape St. George (CG
71), USS Kidd (DDG 993), USS Anzio (CG 68), and USS Eisenhower (CVN
69).
CEC is a high-tech enhancement to a ship's radar system that
permits the ship to share engagement data with other ships and
aircraft within the battle group. Advanced, high-speed processors
link the separate pictures and maintain a composite air picture
covering the overall area for which any one unit has radar
information. All units in the CEC network then share this combined
air picture. CEC-equipped ships in the battle group can engage any
air target, including targets beyond the ship's own radar horizon.
This increase in battle space provides the battle group with
increased reaction times, longer intercept ranges and greater depth
of fire.
"As the first battle group to deploy with CEC, the Eisenhower
battle group brings a new generation of theater missile defense
systems into action," said LCDR Don Schmieley, USS Cape St. George
Combat Systems Officer. "By integrating the detection and tracking
capabilities of Aegis, new threat upgrade and Ike's combat system,
CEC becomes an unprecedented force multiplier, enhancing the entire
battle group's air defense capabilities."
-USN-
NNS718. Maritime Partner '94 Exercise Underway
IN THE BLACK SEA (NNS) -- During a break in the worst weather seen
in the Black Sea in over twenty years, Navy ships from Bulgaria,
Greece, Italy, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the U.S. left
the port city of Varna, Bulgaria, on Oct. 23 to participate in
Exercise Maritime Partner 94. This exercise marks the second time
that ships from the former Warsaw Pact joined NATO units in the
Black Sea in a peaceful exchange of naval professionalism. The
first exercise, Breeze 94, was held July 1994.
In raging sea and rain, NATO ships began the exercise by
demonstrating underway replenishment skills as four NATO frigates
refueled from oiler USS Platte (AO 186).
In an unprecedented exercise, the Russian frigate
Bezukoriznenny, Bulgarian gunboat Reshitelni, Bulgarian auxiliary
Dimitrov, Romanian frigate Marasesti, and Ukrainian command ship
Slavutich maneuvered into a close column formation and participated
with their maritime partners in a surface gunnery exercise, firing
for the first time in the Black Sea together at the same target.
"The cooperation, teamwork, and dialogue fostered by this
exercise has strengthened the ties between all our countries," said
CAPT W. Scott Slocum, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26. "Out here,
in the Black Sea, we have all really become maritime partners."
-USN-
NNS719. Navy and Marine Corps Fatalities Reduced Last Year
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy and Marine Corps just finished
their best year (FY 1994) in reducing the number of mishaps and
fatalities involving service members. Total Navy fatalities were
135, a 33 percent decline from 201 in FY 1993. Total Marine Corps
fatalities dropped to a record 68, down from 98 in FY 1993. These
decreasing trends remain dramatic even when accounting for
downsizing.
Mishaps decreased in almost every category, from aviation to
private motor-vehicle fatalities. These reductions could be a
result of Navy and Marine Corps education programs, which focus on
both on-duty and off-duty safety.
On-duty education stresses such dangers as poor crew
communication in aircraft, not performing aircraft maintenance with
proper tools, or operating improperly grounded electrical equipment
on ships. Navy and Marine Corps operational fatalities decreased
to 33, the lowest on record.
Off-duty programs continue to emphasize the need for safe and
sober driving, proper training before operating a motorcycle, and
preventing sports injuries. Private motor vehicle fatalities, the
largest killer of Sailors and Marines, declined to a record low of
125.
-USN-
NNS720. Community Service Volunteers Recognized
KEFLAVIK, Iceland (NNS) -- For the third year in a row, the Navy
winner of the United Service Organizations (USO)/General Dynamics
Community Service Award hails from Naval Air Station Keflavik,
Iceland.
"It has to say something for this community, and the way it
goes out of its way to do so much for its people," said the winner,
Chief Radioman Elizabeth L. McWilliams on the staff of Commander,
Fleet Air Keflavik.
The Marine Corps winner of the community service award also
comes from Keflavik. LCPL Anthony M. Shadwick, of Marine Corps
Security Force Keflavik, was cited for his contributions toward
improving quality of life.
The USO/General Dynamics Community Service Awards program was
established in 1990 to honor one service member from each of the
service branches for their outstanding community volunteer work.
Both McWilliams and Shadwick will be flown to Washington,
D.C., to receive their awards at the USO's annual Christmas
celebration on Dec. 1.
-USN-
NNS721. Mids to Compete in International Nautical Competition
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- Eight Naval Academy midshipmen have
traveled to Dartmouth, England, to compete for the first time in
the International Nautical Competition against nine other naval
academies from around the world. Held at the Britannia Royal Naval
College from Oct. 24 to 28, the third annual competition includes
teams from Greece, France, Spain, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany,
the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The competition consists of ten different events including a
navigation drill, a shooting contest with .22 caliber rifles,
damage control in simulators, swimming, two sailing competitions
(one in dinghies and one in 38-foot sloops), a rowing event called
"whaler pulling," a "leadership challenge" consisting of four-
person teams competing on a course using land navigation
orientation, and a series of physical skills tests performed in a
gymnasium. The winners of each event, as well as the academy with
the most victories, will be recognized during an awards ceremony.
Midshipmen First Class Spencer Abbot, Jason Brandt, Erik
Jilson, Sunil Ramchand, Kenneth Schneider, and Scott Shepard;
Midshipmen Second Class Robert Robinson and James Ford; along with
an alternate, Midshipman Third Class Christine Miller, were
selected for the team out of more than 70 who tried out.
-USN-
NNS722. This Week in the Navy: Oct. 27, 1864 -- A steam launch,
commanded by LT William B. Cushing, sank the large Confederate
iron-clad Albermarle with a spar torpedo. LT Cushing was
remembered by TB 1, and DDs 55, 376 and 797.
-USN-
Short Splices
NNS723. Naval Aviation Depot Jax Named Top Manufacturer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Aviation Depot Jacksonville
Commanding Officer, CAPT Alan Rossiter, recently was presented
Florida's 1994 Governor's Business Leadership Award from the
state's Governor Lawton Chiles. This year marked the first time a
government facility received the award.
Governor Chiles visited the facility for a tour and briefings
on how Naval Aviation Depot Jacksonville became Northeast Florida's
most efficient, environmentally safe and cost-effective
manufacturing business.
-USN-
NNS724. 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. They are:
Nov. 7 Career Recruiter Force Selection
NAVSEA Command Slate panel
NAVAIR/SPAWAR Command Slate panel
Nov. 8 Night Detailing until 2200 (Washington, D.C. time)
Nov. 14 Active O-7 Line
Reserve O-7 Line, MC, SC, CHC
Reserve O-7 Staff
Reserve O-7 Line
Navy/Marine Corps OLMSTEAD Scholarship
NJROTC Instructor Certification
Nov. 16 Federal Executive Fellowship/Pol-Mil Masters
Nov. 17 Great American Smokeout
Nov. 21 National Military Family Recognition Day
Nov. 22 Night Detailing until 2200 (Washington, D.C. time)
Active O-8 Medical Board
Nov. 28 Active O-5/6 Staff SER
Action O-5 URL SER
Nov. 30 Active O-4 LDO Line SER
Active O-4/5 LDO Staff SER
Senior Enlisted Academy
-USN-
NNS725. Navy-Marine Corps News
The Oct. 28 edition of Navy-Marine Corps News -- a videotaped
newscast generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and
shore units -- includes the following stories:
-- USS Reid enforces UN sanctions in Arabian Gulf
-- Commandant of the Marine Corps on Marines operating in Kuwait
-- Media becomes part of the modern day battlefield
-- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower women make first deployment
-- Women deployed aboard USS S.B. Roberts find life satisfying
-- GEN Carl Mundy Jr. visits Marines in San Diego
-- Navy ROTC program changes its recruiting requirements
-- ADM Mike Boorda visits with Hampton Roads Sailors
-- San Franciso throws "Fleet Week" celebration
-- Keep your wallet in check during holiday spending sprees
-- Sailors in Scotland wear a different kind of uniform
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-USN-
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-USN-
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JBLS
From jb...@aol.com (JBLS)
In article <CyCCF...@ranger.daytonoh.ncr.com>, "P.J. McKenna"
<pmck...@tcd.ie> writes:
>Is Nomex or Kevlar a good replacement for steel or aluminium on a light
vehicle?
Nomex is a fire resistant material and, to my knowledge, offers no
ballistic protection.
Kevlar is a good material for (human) body armor but it is, generally
speaking, not effective in stopping rifle rounds except at great distance.
I have an Aircrew Kevlar vest circa Vietnam that is about a half inch
thick with the layers of Kevlar bonded to one another. It looks like
fiberglass but is very dense AND heavy (about 40lbs). It will stop
7.62x39mm ball ammo at about 25 meters. This vest is not made to be worn
if you have any walking to do, it is strictly a "sit-down-on-your-ass"
proposition.
If you covered the passenger compartment of a Humvee with it, even given
the technological advances of Kevlar construction since Nam, it may not be
lighter than steel.
Well, that's my half-assed answer!
John