Navy News Service 72/94 - 14 Dec 94

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NAVY NEWS SERVICE - 14 DEC 94 - NAVNEWS 072/94
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 072/94
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS830. San Diego Sexual Harassment Investigation Complete
NNS831. Modernization Reductions to FY96 Defense Budget Announced
NNS832. CONUS COLA to Become Available at Select Locations
Personnel Notes
NNS833. Sailors Subject to Involuntary Allotments for Debts
NNS834. Enlistment Bonus Offered for Difficult Skills
NNS835. Troops to Teachers Program Expands Eligibility
NNS836. Holiday Videoconferencing Available for Military
Salute to Excellence
NNS837. Navy to be Recognized for Support of Right Whales
Around the Fleet
NNS838. Notable Quotable: Francois Leotard
NNS839. New Nimitz-class Carrier to be Built
NNS840. Secretary of the Navy Announces Names of Five New Ships
NNS841. NASA Picks Seven Naval Officers as Astronaut Candidates
NNS842. USS Cimarron Incident Under Investigation
NNS843. This Week in the Navy: Dec. 16, 1907
Short Splices
NNS844. Ingleside Welcomes First Osprey-class Coastal Minehunter
NNS845. Navy-Marine Corps News
-USN-
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS830. San Diego Sexual Harassment Investigation Complete
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Commander, Naval Training Center (NTC)
San Diego, has announced the latest disciplinary proceedings
stemming from investigations of alleged incidents of sexual
harassment at Service School Command (SSC) in San Diego.
Based on the initial and follow-up investigations, it was
determined that six alleged suspects should be ordered back to NTC
from their present commands for disciplinary proceedings. This
brings the total number of alleged suspects who have been
disciplined to 11.
Determination of cases involving alleged misconduct by current
and former SSC members has been completed by CAPT John Ensch,
Commander NTC (COMNTC). In November, three service members were
disciplined by COMNTC:
-- Male E-6, found guilty of violation of Uniform Code of
Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 92, fraternization (three
specifications); violation of Article 134, adultery. Awarded
reduction in rate to E-5, restriction for 45 days, forfeiture of
one half month's pay for two months and oral reprimand.
-- Male E-6, formally counselled and issued an administrative
Page 13 warning for dereliction of duty for failure to adequately
follow up on reports of sexual harassment.
-- Male E-3 student, suspected of violation of UCMJ Article
128, assault consummated by battery (singeing a fellow female
student's hair with a lighter) -- resolved by departmental
counselling.
Disposition of cases since the last press release is as
follows:
-- Male E-5, formally counselled by COMNTC and issued an
administrative Page 13 warning for dereliction of duty for
failure to adequately follow up on reports of sexual harassment.
-- Male E-7, found guilty at Captain's Mast (non-judicial
proceedings) of violation of UCMJ Article 92, fraternization (one
specification) and sexual harassment (two specifications).
Awarded punitive letter of reprimand and forfeiture of one half
month's pay for two months.
-- Female E-7, found not guilty of violation of UCMJ Article
92 and Article 107 at Captain's Mast by COMNTC. Formally
counselled and issued an administrative Page 13 warning for
dereliction of duty for failure to adequately follow up on
reports of sexual harassment.
-- Male E-7, found guilty of violation of UCMJ Article 92,
fraternization (four specifications) and sexual harassment (one
specification). Awarded punitive letter of reprimand and
forfeiture one half month's pay for two months (one month
suspended for six months).
The above brings to completion those cases being handled
through non-judicial punishment (Captain's Mast). Currently, the
remaining four of the 11 alleged suspects have been referred to
individual Navy special courts-martial (SPCM). A SPCM is a
criminal trial where the accused have full rights to counsel. The
SPCM is presided over by a military judge; both sides have the
right to produce witnesses and evidence. The accused has the right
to a panel of members (minimum of three) or may request trial by a
military judge alone. Enlisted accused have the right to at least
one third enlisted members on the panel (jury).
The following cases have been referred to SPCM by COMNTC:

-- ICCS(SW) Mark D. Wiss, male staff member SSC, for violation
of UCMJ Article 92 - fraternization (one specification).
-- ICC(SW) Eduardo A. Moncada, male staff member, for
violations of UCMJ Article 92 - fraternization (three
specifications) and sexual harassment (three specifications); and
Article 134 - indecent assault (three specifications) and indecent
language (one specification).
-- IC1(SW) Joel A. Hernandez, male staff member, for
violations of UCMJ Article 92 - fraternization (one specification),
sexual harassment (two specifications), and dereliction of duty
(two specifications); Article 93 - maltreatment (three
specifications); and Article 134 - indecent language (two
specifications).
-- IC1(SW) Francisco Torres, male staff member, for violations
of UCMJ Article 92 - fraternization (one specification) and sexual
harassment (four specifications); and Article 134 - graft (two
specifications) and indecent language (two specifications).
"It is important to recognize that the Navy will not tolerate
the actions of those who choose to harass other individuals," said
Ensch. "Harassment of any form within the ranks of the Navy cannot
and will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance is the Navy's policy and
we will continue our efforts through education and disciplinary
actions to convey that policy. The cooperation and swift action of
those commands involved in the investigation clearly demonstrates
the support throughout the Navy for the policy of treating all
people with mutual respect and dignity. There is a system in place
to deal with violations of that policy and the system is working."
-USN-
NNS831. Modernization Reductions to 96 Defense Budget Announced
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense William Perry
announced several changes in Department of Defense modernization
programs Dec. 9, that will allow $8 billion to be shifted to higher
priority programs affecting military pay, readiness and quality of
life.
The Department of Defense looked carefully at nine
modernization programs as part of the budget and program review.
Two of those programs, The Army's Advanced Field Artillery System
(AFAS) and the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS), will
not be changed.
The Department will change seven modernization programs,
including these of special interest to the Navy and Marine Corps:
- Cancel the Tri-Service Stand-off Attack Missile (TSSAM).
(FY 1996 savings: $2.1 billion)
- Reduce procurement of DDG-51 Aegis destroyers from 18 to 16
in the FY 1996-2001 period. (FY 1996 savings: $1.5 billion)
- Schedule the New Attack Submarine to produce one submarine
in FY 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002. The submarine produced in FY96
will be a Seawolf, the New Attack Submarine will begin in 1998.
(FY 1996 savings: $1.5 billion)
- Commit to production of the V-22 Osprey to fill both the
Marine Corps and Special Operations Forces medium lift
requirements. (FY 1996 savings: $0.1 billion)
- Delay development of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
(AAAV) by two years. (FY 1996 savings: $0.2 billion)
These reductions were less than would have been required
before the President initiated the $25 billion increase in the
defense budget. This added funding allowed the department to meet
the President's directive to ensure that pay, readiness and quality
of life were fully funded without major modernization reductions.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA019)
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NNS832. CONUS COLA to Become Available at Select Locations
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A continental United States
cost-of-living allowance (CONUS COLA) has been approved for service
members in certain high cost geographic regions.
CONUS COLA is determined by multiplying spendable income,
which is the amount of money a member has available to purchase
goods and services (not including housing), by the appropriate COLA
index for a given area.
The COLA index is determined by a survey of 160 items in seven
categories at each location. Among the categories surveyed are
food, clothing, medical and personal care, and recreation costs.
Once the survey is completed, a qualifying threshold index will be
established and any location determined to be above the threshold
will enable members to receive the entitlement.
Initially only 14 sites have been tentatively identified as
above the COLA threshold. Among the sites that may be eligible are
New York City; Oakland, Calif.; San Francisco; Philadelphia; and
Everett, Wash. Final designation of CONUS COLA areas will not be
made until the completion of the survey. COLA amounts range from
$16 to $167, with the average being $40, depending on the location.
The payments could be implemented following the completion of a new
survey in the summer of 1995. Additional information will be
provided as available.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
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Personnel Notes
NNS833. Sailors Subject to Involuntary Allotments for Debts
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military service members on active duty
will be subject to involuntary allotments for indebtedness
effective Jan. 1.
The new policy allows creditors who have obtained a court-
ordered judgment to collect money to pay for outstanding debts owed
to them. Creditors must apply to Defense Finance and Accounting
Service (DFAS) Cleveland to start an involuntary allotment.
DFAS will notify the member both directly and via his or her
commanding officer. Service members will have 15 days to respond
and, when possible, will be given the opportunity to consult with a
legal assistance attorney. A Sailor can challenge an involuntary
allotment if the underlying judgment was entered without compliance
with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act or the demands of
military duty caused the absence of the member from appearing in
court.
The maximum amount that can be withheld from a Sailor's pay is
25 percent of taxable pay or the maximum amount permissible under
applicable state law, whichever is less. Judgments of indebtedness
are court rulings issued by state courts regarding the debt and the
amount of money in dispute.
More information is available through command or base legal
service offices.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
-USN-
NNS834. Enlistment Bonus Offered for Difficult Skills
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- To help attract personnel to demanding
assignments, the Navy is offering enlistment bonuses in select
ratings and skills.
Personnel in 11 skill areas are being offered bonuses from
$1,000 up to $6,000 to enlist in the Navy. The skills desired
include Helo Rescue Swimmer Aircrew, Fire Controlman, Cryptologic
Technician and Radioman. These new bonuses are being offered
starting Jan. 3.
To assist Navy recruiters during typically slower recruiting
months, 18 other skill areas are being offered $1,000 bonuses from
Feb. 1 through May 31, 1995. Some of those skill areas are Sonar
Technician (Submarine), Gunner's Mate, and Aviation Ordnanceman.
More information is available in BUPERSNOTE 1130, dated Nov. 23,
1994.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
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NNS835. Troops to Teachers Program Expands Eligibility
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Eligibility for service members wishing to
apply for the Troops to Teachers program has been expanded to
include veterans discharged since Oct. 1, 1990, according to
program officials.
The change opens up teaching opportunities for thousands of
service members caught up in the downsizing of America's armed
forces. Previously, the program was open only to those members
separated after Jan. 19, 1994.
Officially known as the Teacher and Teacher's Aide Placement
Assistance Program, its goal is to help finance teacher
certification training for separated service members, terminated
Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilians, and
certain displaced defense contractor employees. They, in turn,
receive assistance in gaining employment as teachers and teachers
aides in schools that serve children from low-income families and
are experiencing teacher shortages.
Interested individuals may apply at base education centers and
at offices handling transition assistance. For more information,
call 1-800-452-6616.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA031)
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NNS836. Holiday Videoconferencing Available for Military
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Management Recruiters International (MRI),
the nation's largest search and recruitment organization, is
opening its multi-million dollar video facilities to the public
between December 19-22 to bring distant family members together for
the holidays.
MRI allows participants to use interactive videoconferencing
and a digital telephone network to transmit video and audio images
of both parties simultaneously. Each participant must register for
a 15-minute slot on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations
must be made by Dec. 16.
MRI has 110 sites worldwide including San Francisco; San
Diego; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, and Seattle.
Internationally, sites available include London and Sydney. More
information and reservations are available from MRI at (800)
875-4000.
by LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA029)
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Salute to Excellence
NNS837. Navy to be Recognized for Support of Right Whales
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Navy did the right thing when
it helped endangered right whales, says Bill Brooks, a marine
biologist with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
On behalf of the Southeastern U.S. Implementation Team for the
Recovery of the Northern Right Whale, Brooks will recognize
Commander Naval Base Jacksonville (ComNavBase Jax) and Naval
Station Mayport officials Dec. 15.
According to Jerry Wallmeyer, environmental coordinator for
ComNavBase Jax, the Navy is being recognized for its financial and
operational support of aerial right whale sightings and use of
ships and other utility vessels to assess injured or sick whales.
Brooks said the mammals slow speed, surface habits and
proximity to major shipping lanes have made them extremely
vulnerable to man.
"That's why the Navy is so important," said Brooks. "Last
year, the Navy supplied a special sea tractor tugboat to help
assess an injured calf. Support like that warrants some
appreciation."
-USN-
Around the Fleet
NNS838. Notable Quotable: "I'd also like to express my
government's respect for the U.S. presence in the former
Yugoslavia. Many people often forget that the United States is
present in the area. They have troops in Zagreb (a Navy fleet
hospital). The Navy is present in the Adriatic. The Air Force is
present in Italy. There are AWACS planes and there are also
American troops present in Macedonia. This is very important." --
French Minister of State for Defense Francois Leotard speaking to
reporters at the Pentagon, Dec. 12.
-USN-
NNS839. New Nimitz-Class Carrier to be Built
WASHINGTON (NNS)-- Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
Company, Newport News, Va., was awarded a $2,517,320,000 contract
for construction of the ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier, CVN-76. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and
is expected to be completed by December 2002.
"This administration is committed to maintaining a ready Navy,
today and into the 21st century," said Secretary of the Navy John
Dalton. "CVN 76 is an essential element of our program to maintain
a modern Navy, second to none."
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA024)
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NNS840. Secretary of the Navy Announces Names of Five Ships
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy John Dalton
announced Dec. 6, the names of three new Arleigh Burke-class guided
missile destroyers, and two new oceanographic and surveying ships,
currently authorized for construction by Congress.
The ships named are:
-- O'Kane (DDG 77), in honor of Rear Admiral Richard H. O'Kane
(1911-1994), who was awarded a Medal of Honor for his daring
attacks on two Japanese convoys while in command of the submarine
Tang (SS 306) in 1944.
-- Porter (DDG 78), in honor of Commodore David Porter
(1780-1843) and his son, Vice Admiral David Dixon Porter
(1813-1891). Commodore Porter distinguished himself while in
command of the frigate Essex during the War of 1812. Vice Admiral
Porter rose from the rank of lieutenant to rear admiral in two
years during the Civil War.
-- Oscar Austin (DDG 79), in honor of Private First Class
Oscar P. Austin, USMC, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor for conspicuous gallantry in Vietnam on Feb. 23, 1969.
-- Henson (T-AGS 63), in honor of Matthew Henson (1866-1955),
an African-American explorer who was a key member of ADM Robert
Peary's 1909 expedition to the North Pole.
-- Atlantis (T-AGOR 25), in honor of the service of two
previous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution research vessels,
Atlantis I & II.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA015)
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NNS841. NASA Picks Seven Naval Officers as Astronaut Candidates
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Choosing from almost 3,000 applicants,
NASA has selected seven naval officers to be among its 19 new
astronaut candidates for the Space Shuttle program.
The new selectees include 10 pilots and nine mission
specialists. Six of the selectees are civilians while 13 are
military officers. The new Navy candidates, six active-duty
officers and one reserve officer, include five pilots and two
mission specialists.
The candidates will report to Johnson Space Center in March
1995 to begin training and evaluation, before being assigned to the
Astronaut Office. These new Navy selectees join 19 other Navy
officers currently in the astronaut program.
The new candidates are LCDR Scott Altman, from Lincoln, Ill.,
a pilot stationed at Fighter Squadron 31, Miramar, Calif.; CDR
Jeffery Ashby from Dallas, a pilot stationed at Strike Fighter
Squadron 94, Lemoore, Calif.; LCDR Robert Curbeam from Baltimore, a
mission specialist stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis,
Md.; LCDR Joe Edwards, Jr., from Richmond, Va., a pilot stationed
at the Joint Staff, Washington; CDR Dominic Gorie from Lake
Charles, La., a pilot stationed at Strike Fighter Squadron 106,
Cecil Field, Fla.; LT Susan Still from Augusta, Ga., a pilot
stationed at Fighter Squadron 101, Oceana, Va., and Navy Reservist
LCDR Kathryn Hire, from Mobile, Ala., a mission specialist, who
works for Lockheed Space Operations Company and drills at NAS
Jacksonville.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA034)
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NNS842. USS Cimarron Incident Under Investigation
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Five Pearl Harbor-based Sailors were
awarded non-judicial punishment (NJP) for various violations of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) based on an investigation
into alleged misconduct on board the Pearl Harbor-based USS
Cimarron (AO 177).
The proceedings were held by the Commander, Naval Surface
Group, Middle Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a result of an
investigation of rape initiated on Nov. 12, 1994, by the commanding
officer of Cimarron.
Five crew members were charged with various violations of the
UCMJ based on information from investigations into alleged
misconduct involving a number of the ship's crew members.
One of the crew members awarded punishment is the same woman
who allegedly was raped. The charges against her were completely
unrelated to her allegation of rape, and were based on evidence
gathered in the investigation. The command considered it
important to handle all NJP cases simultaneously.
The Navy is taking her allegation of rape very seriously, and
the investigation of the alleged rape is still continuing. The
punishment awarded her during the administrative proceedings in no
way diminishes the intensity of the Navy's investigation, or the
professional counseling assistance available to her as an alleged
victim.
Disposition of the cases was as follows:
-- A male E-9 was found to be in violation of UCMJ Article 92,
fraternization and dereliction of duty. He was awarded a punitive
letter of reprimand and forfeiture of $500 pay for two months.
-- A female E-7 was found to be in violation of Article 92,
fraternization. She was awarded a punitive letter of reprimand and
forfeiture of $500 pay for two months.
-- A male E-4 was found to be in violation of UCMJ Article 112
(a), wrongful use and possession of controlled substances and
violation of UCMJ Article 134, adultery. He was awarded reduction
in rate to E-3, 45 days restriction, 45 days extra duty and
forfeiture of $500 per month for two months.
-- A female E-1 was found to be in violation of UCMJ Article
92, fraternization, and violation of Article 134, adultery and was
awarded 45 days restriction, 45 days extra duty and forfeiture of
$400 per month for two months.
-- Another female E-1 was found to be in violation of UCMJ
Article 134, adultery, and engaging in sex aboard a ship; and
Article 92, fraternization and underage drinking. She was awarded
45 days restriction, 45 days extra duty and forfeiture of $400 per
month for two months.
Ten crew members involved in the ongoing investigations,
including the rape complainant, have been temporarily reassigned
from Cimarron, which departed Nov. 17 for a six-month scheduled
deployment, in support of the USS Constellation battle group.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA018)
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NNS843. This Week in the Navy: Dec. 16, 1907 -- The Great White
Fleet, the modern U.S. battle squadron, began its around-the-world
tour, which ended on Feb. 22, 1908.
-USN-
Short Splices
NNS844. Ingleside Welcomes First Osprey-class Coastal Minehunter
INGLESIDE, Texas (NNS) -- Naval Station Ingleside received its
first Osprey-class coastal minehunter, USS Heron (MHC 52), on
Dec. 12. The ship's arrival increased the number of ships
homeported at Ingleside to 15. USS Heron is the second ship in the
U.S. Navy's MHC 51 Coastal Minehunter Program and the third Navy
ship to bear that name.
MHC ships are the world's largest glass reinforced plastic
ships and the first U.S. Navy ships designed solely for
minehunting. The ship's mission is to use reconnaissance,
classification and neutralization tactics to clear harbor, coastal
and ocean waters of acoustic, magnetic, pressure and contact-type
mines.
(This story appeared on Navy Wire Service as NWSA016)
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NNS845. Navy-Marine Corps News
The Dec. 16 edition of Navy-Marine Corps News -- a videotaped
newscast generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and
shore units -- includes the following stories:
-- Sailors receive Navy/Marine Corps Medal for at sea rescue
-- Behind the scenes with Marine aviation ordnancemen in Italy
-- USS New Orleans crew members make film debut in "Apollo 13"
-- Secretary of the Navy looks back at '94 and ahead to '95
-- WABC-TV, New York looks at women aboard USS Eisenhower
-- Recruit Training Command Orlando graduates its last class
-- Helpful tips to prepare your car for old man winter
-- Navy aids local residents during Leyte Gulf 50th anniversary
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