May 27, 2011 vol. 1 i. 8

Our New

and his prioritiesSKIPPER

Hatakaze VisitsBlue Ridge

GOING IA?

ERB:Who itAffects

Some info you might want to know...

Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ussblueridgeView this issue online: www.issuu.com/ussblueridge

Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.

Commanding Officer: Capt. Daniel GriecoExecutive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin RalstonCommand Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David UnnonePublic Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton BeairdEditor: MC1(SW) Todd MacdonaldNewsletter Staff:MC2(SW) Brian DietrickMC2(AW) Steven KhorMC3 Fidel HartMC3(SW) Alexandra ArroyoMC3 Mel OrrMCSN James Norman

Community Service Project: OsakaHoly Family HomePhotos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd Macdonald

On the cover: Capt. Daniel Grieco stands on the quarterdeck after a change of command ceremony held May 11. Photo by MC2(AW) Steven Khor

May 27, 2011

vol. 1 i. 8

Our New

and his priorities

SKIPPER

Hatakaze VisitsBlue Ridge

GOING IA?

ERB:Who itAffects

Some info you might want to know...

*** Make arrangements with your departmental fitness leader if you are going to miss the PRT on the selected dates. If you miss the PRT and you are not on leave, TAD, etc... it will be counted as an unauthorized absence. If you have any questions, please direct them to your departmental fitness leader ***

WEIGH-INS (BCA) FOR RUNNERS & SWIMMERS

ADMIN / SUPPLY

ENG / DECK / MED

ISD / OPS

31 MAY

01 JUN

02 JUN

0800 - 1000

0800 - 1100

0800 - 1000

DEPARTMENT DATE TIME LOCATION

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

RUN / SWIM PRT EVENTS

ADMIN / SUPPLY

ENGINEERING

DECK / MEDICAL

ISD / OPS

ALL SWIMMERS

01 JUN

02 JUN

03 JUN

03 JUN

03 JUN

1300 - 1500

1300 - 1500

0600 - 0800

1300 - 1500

0900 - 1100

BERKLEY FIELD

BERKLEY FIELD

BERKLEY FIELD

BERKLEY FIELD

PURDY GYM

DEPARTMENT DATE TIME LOCATION

CARDIO MACHINES & RUN STRAGGLERS PRT EVENTS

CARDIO MACHINE

CARDIO MACHINE

RUN STRAGGLERS

RUN STRAGGLERS

14 JUN

16 JUN

16 JUN

17 JUN

0800 - 1000

0800 - 1000

0600 - 0730

0600 - 0730

FLEET REC: 4th & 5th DECK

FLEET REC: 4th & 5th DECK

BERKLEY FIELD

BERKLEY FIELD

EVENT DATE TIME LOCATION

WEIGH-INS (BCA) FOR CARDIO MACHINES & RUN STRAGGLERS

13 JUN

15 JUN

0800 - 0900

0800 - 0900

DATE TIME LOCATION

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

Spring 2011 PRT Schedule

Shipmates,

I am proud to serve as the 24th Commanding Officer of the finest command ship in the fleet. As I settle in as CO, it is obvious to me that you are a fantastic team of professionals who know how to get the job done. I would like to take this opportunity to provide to you my top priorities for our ship as we move forward. I would further encourage you to review the Blue Ridge Intranet homepage and our Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles located there. You will see it is slightly adjusted to fall in line with my priorities. I believe our continued success depends on each of us understanding and focusing on the following five priorities:

1. Combat and Mission Readiness2. Safety3. Maintaining the Highest Standards4. Sailor Mentorship, Training and Development5. Cleanliness and Material Condition

Words from our CO, Capt. Daniel Grieco If you understand these, you will see that everything I do will revolve around these priorities. We will maintain our combat readiness and mission accomplishment through trust-fostering leadership, maximizing our training opportunities with innovative and practical solutions, and proper use of established maintenance processes to ensure shipboard systems operate as designed. Regardless of your rank or position, I want you to look out for one another in the job and on liberty. I expect you to step in and correct the situation if a shipmate needs help or is in danger of violating security, safety or standards of conduct. If you are doing the right thing, you will always have my support. Your proactive involvement, personal and professional development as well as consistent practice of the highest standards of professionalism and personal conduct are essential to keeping this ship combat ready and the pride of the fleet. Your teamwork, respect for one another, and hard work have earned a reputation for excellence however we can’t stand on our past

accomplishments. We must always strive to do our best, our mission demands it, our country expects it. I ask you to work each day towards embodying the highest standards of Honor, Courage and Commitment to our ship and our shipmates. Identify and correct material dificiencies, and proudly serve our nation’s Navy combat team! I look forward to serving with you.

Time of Year

AGAINIt’s That

Respectfully, CO

The radio and combat information center crew from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Hatakaze (DD 171) visited 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to tour operations department spaces during a subject matter expert exchange May 17. Along with JS Hatakaze Commanding Officer Cmdr. Hideki Sekigawa, the group also included operations and radio officers and their command master chief. “Despite the language barrier, our two navies work better

together than any other two navies in the world.” said Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Grieco. The tour started on the main deck where JS Hatakaze crew members were briefed on the ship’s defensive weapon capabilities. They then visited the flight deck where the primary and secondary missions of the ship’s two SH-60F helicopters were discussed. “It was a unique experience to hear how they [JMSDF] train and operate and how it may differ, if any, from us,” said Ensign Chelsea Hassett. “It was nice to see how excited they were to see our ship and how it operates.” The tour proceeded to the pilot house where Grieco discussed the capabilities of the ship’s radar and navigational equipment. After the tour, the group headed to the Wardroom to discuss past, present and future operations. “During Operation Tomodachi, our navies activated very quickly and were able to work side by side to do the job.” said Grieco. After Sekigawa thanked the Blue Ridge and her crew for their efforts during Operation Tomodachi, the two commanding officers exchanged mementos and expressed that they look forward to working with each other in the future.

Blue Ridge Hosts JS Hatakaze Operations CrewStory and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Dietrick

It’s a main space fire drill. The Engineering Training Team (ETT) observes main space watch standers don flash gear and boots in the engineering main spaces. Busy loud speakers boom over hot steaming boilers as engineers rush through with self contained breathing apparatuses and fire fighting equipment. Their challenge: to pass the Unit Level Training Assessment (ULTRA-E). Through a series of drills, the bi-annual assessment gives the ETT time to step back and correct critical discrepancies that effect ship wide safety. According to Chief Machinist’s Mate Christopher Atwater, Machinist Mate of the Watch team leader, in order to

keep the boilers running during a casualty, watch standers have to be prepared. Otherwise, in the event of an actual casualty, it would be difficult to deal with the problem properly. “We do these drills to get proficient at handling these casualties,” he said. “It’s always important to keep up the proficiency of the watch stander or the watch team.” Atwater explained that during the assessment, the watch team must successfully follow every step in a timely manner without the interference from the ETT. There are several different evolutions throughout the day to ensure that attention to detail doesn’t take the backseat.

“There are two types of checks, cold checks on equipment when it’s not running and hot checks on equipment that is running,” said Atwater. “There are evolutions that involve taking oil samples and shifting air ejectors. Then there are casualty control drills that represent real life casualties happening throughout the space.”

Atwater said the Engineering Operation Sequencing System (EOSS) contains instructions on how to start and stop every piece of equipment in the main space. “What were being graded on right now is how well watch standers can know, understand and follow the EOSS,” said Atwater.

ETT Performs for ATG During ULTRA-EStory by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandria ArroyoPhoto by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel Hart

Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Andrew Reyes monitors the controls inside the oil room aboard 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during an engineering training team drill.

Butter BarsSay Farewell to Those

From left to right, top to bottom: Lt. j.g. Chelsea Hassett, Lt. j.g. Lindsay Bochner, Lt. j.g. Matthew Harmon, Lt. j.g. Jaime Howe, Lt. j.g. Charles Lehman, and Lt. j.g. Natalie Ferbezar

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the heritage of more than 13 million Asian-Pacific Americans in the United States and the contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans throughout our nation’s history. The month originated in June 1977 when President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating the first 10 days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week, before becoming a full-month dedication in 1992. According to Navy Chief of Information, Rear Adm. Dennis Moynihan, the Navy reflects the nation at all levels as an effective fighting force, relevant to the nation’s population and credible to the people it serves. He said

The Navy CelebratesAsian-Pacific American Heritage MonthStory by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr

the Navy accomplishes this by employing top-performing Sailors and civilians whose diverse backgrounds, experiences and skills are necessary to meet today’s challenges. There are more than 35,000 uniformed Asian-Pacific American personnel in active and reserve components who serve in the Navy, including nine admirals and 187 master chief petty officers, said Moynihan. More than 340,000 Asian-Pacific American veterans comprise approximately 1.5 percent of the 23 million American veterans, he said. One notable Asian-Pacific American in the Navy is Cmdr. Michael V. Misiewicz, commanding officer of USS Mustin (DDG 89), who traveled to

Sihanoukville, Cambodia in December 2010 for training with the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces, which was his first visit to his native country since he immigrated to the United States in 1973. Another notable Asian-Pacific American is Rear Adm. Eleanor Valentin, the first female director of the Navy Medical Service Corps. “I grew up in an environment where it didn’t matter what your ethnic group was, what your gender was, what your socioeconomic background was, or what country you or your parents were from,” said Valentin. “I am an example of a world that will allow you to work without obstruction to achieve your personal and professional goals.”

LeadershipDiversityUnity

The Navy has created a tool that helps achieve stability and strength in overmanned and undermanned ratings. That tool is called an enlisted retention board (ERB). The ERB helps eliminate overmanning in 31 ratings and benefits high-performing and motivated Sailors by improving advancement opportunites. The Navy has witnessed improved retention over the past decade which may be attributed to improved recruiting and the nation’s slow economic recovery. According to Chief Navy Counselor Charles Tibbetts, the enlisted retention board is designed to reduce the number of Sailors in the Navy. “15,000 Sailors in paygrades of E-4 through E-8 with seven to 15 years of naval service from 31 overmanned rates will be observed by two different boards.” he said. “3,000 Sailors will be separated as a result of the boards.”

According to NAVADMIN 129/11, the ERB reviews Sailors in overmanned ratings and looks at performance to fill a specific number of retention quotas within competitive groups broken down by rating, pay grade and years of naval service. Sailors with proven performance in challenging billets are more competitive while Sailors with declining performance or non-judicial punishments are less competitive. “ERB is necessary to alleviate the strain that the Perform to Serve (PTS) program has faced with Sailors in their window,” said Tibbetts. “PTS has not had enough quotas available to retain our performing Sailors. On that note, PTS is not going away. ERB is a one time measure to adjust Navy manpower.” Although the number of Sailors affected by the ERB is small, the impacts are being felt across the fleets.

Keeping Motivated Sailors in the NavyStory by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Dietrick

Congratulations to our new Petty Officers!

HM3 AmoresIT3 BridgewaterEN3 CaldwellBM3 ConstableQM3 Francisco

FIRST CLASSDC1 Julian MM1 Taylor

SECOND CLASSMM2 AlleyneBM2 ArceoOS2 BanegasCTM2 BaasHT2 BertonGM2 BushHT2 Duperron

ET2 EsparzaHT2 FrenchMM2 Garcia, JonasMM2 Garcia, JoseMC2 HartBM2 HebertET2 Hughes

OS2 JonesIT2 MarandolaMM2 MartinezGM2 MurdockBM2 NovittCS2 PeterLS2 Renner

CS2 ReversonCS2 ReyesIT2 RobertsonYN2 SarLS2 SingletonLS2 StephensCS2 Tan

THIRD CLASS

HT3 IrizarrynazarioMM3 KaiserEM3 LiLS3 NunezDC3 O’Leary

BM3 PridmoreIT3 QuinnMM3 RamseyMM3 RochesterBM3 Sheridan

CS3 SibalCS3 SimmonsMM3 StrikerIT3 SwiderskiBM3 Vergo

CS3 Woodfeldt

According to chief of naval personnel, Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, not only will the ERB create stability in advancement opportunites in the 31 overmanned ratings, ratings that are currently undermanned will benefit from expanded conversion opportunities. He stated factors that are normally required for rating conversion, including maximum years of service and maximum pay grade, are being waived. This will allow a great opportunity for Sailors who would otherwise be ERB-eligible to ensure their continued naval service, while increasing mannings in ratings that have been a challenge for the Navy to fill, Ferguson said. For more information on the ERB, as well as overmanned and undermanned ratings, read NAVADMIN 129/11.

IT2 TheriotLS2 Zhao

Volunteering as an Individual Augmentee (IA) could have you swapping your polished black boots and blue Navy uniforms with brown suede boots and brown desert uniforms. For Sailors looking to help boost their career, IA offers some incentives that may be worth checking out. Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Jacques Jose Nicdao, USS Blue Ridge command IA coordinator, recommends that young Sailors volunteer for an IA billet so they can experience hands-on realistic military scenarios which they wouldn’t be able to do on a ship. “Going IA will help you appreciate how good we have it on the ship when you see how our fellow airmen or soldiers have it in the desert,” he said. Interested Sailors must make the choice between both types of IA assignments, Individual Augmentation Manpower Management assignments (IAMM)

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James NormanIA: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

or Global War on Terrorism Support assignments (GSA). Both IA billets offer the same types of benefits but differ slightly. IAMM assignments require Sailors to volunteer from their parent command as a TAD. GSA assignments are chosen while negotiating for orders where Sailors

will then report to after PCS-ing from a previous command. “Most people try to avoid it [IA], but I recommend at least trying it once in your career,” said Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Probst, tech control manager. “The time I spent working

with various cultures and people from all over the world made the whole experience worthwhile.” According to Navy Reserve chief Vice Adm. John Cotton, there are 12,000 Navy and Air Force reserve and active duty service members serving around the world in IA duties.

It’s important to note that a vast majority of Navy personnel assigned to IA billets are provided with jobs that are for combat support or combat service support. After a Sailor has made the decision to go IA, the volunteer will then sit down with their command IA coordinator and get pinpointed on their professional knowledge and skill sets to help find a job that suits the IA volunteer’s expertise. If there

is not a billet open for their current job set, you will be trained in another skill that helps support the mission. Volunteering to be an Individual Augmentee may not be for everyone, but the opportunity is available, and for Sailors planning to make the Navy a career, the benefits could be worth it.

IAMM Assignment – You volunteered or were selected to fill a billet that came to your command. After processing, equipping, and training, you’re sent TAD to a new duty assignment where you will then serve out your assignment until completion. After completion of your IA assignment you will then proceed back to your parent command to finish your original orders out.

GSA Assignment – Active component members who are in a regular sea/shore rotation can negotiate with their detailer for a GSA assignment when you’re in your normal detailing window. This means instead of going TAD to be IA, you will instead detach and PCS from your current command and be assigned administratively to the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center. After initial processing and training, you will then be stationed at your IA mission location as if serving at a normal command.

The incentives for going IA are many, varied, and spelled out in NAVADMINS. A few of these incentives are as follows: - Various hazardous and separation pays - IA tours over 270 days (9 months) get priority choice for follow on orders (136/07 & 273/06) - Receive 2 advancement points for over 90 days spent in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Horn of Africa (136/07) - Varied timing options when taking the advancement exam (336/07) - Overseas contingency operations NEC or additional qualification designations (331/06 & 300/06) - Individual personnel TEMPO tracking to include all training and transit time (300/06) - Family relocation if over 365 days (273/06) - PRD extensions if coming from shore duty (273/06) - Selection board guidance to recognize IA (273/06)

If you need more information on IA, check these links out...One stop shop: www.ia.navy.milFleet Training, Management & Planning System: https://ntmpsweb.ntmps.navy.mil/fltmps/default.aspxSocial Media: www.facebook.com/navyIA

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FLEET

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM) pilots and aircrew played a vital role in a search and rescue mission to locate 4 missing kayakers May 23. The kayakers, Master Sgt. Gerald White and his wife, Yvonne White, Senior Airman Kinga Nowicka and Tech Sgt. James Cummings, were spotted by U.S. and Japanese aircraft

that began searching for them that morning. Flying the NAFM C-12 Huron aircraft, the pilots spotted the kayakers, and were able to radio their position to a Japanese helicopter and vessel that performed the rescue. Lt. Cmdr. Frank Lee, NAFM Operations Department officer, said it’s a great feeling to be able to assist in the rescue.

NAF Misawa Pilots Locate Missing Kayakers

“Its great to know that we were able to spot them and see that they were brought to safety,” said Lee. “We were flying lower than we typically fly in the C-12 to give ourselves a better chance of spotting them.” The four were located approximately 10 miles off the coast, and had been missing since around 5:30 p.m. the previous day.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley

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PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE FLEET

NONG PRUE, Thailand (May 19, 2011) – Seaman Daniel Williams and members of the Royal Thai navy counterpart participated in a tug-o-war contest during sports day for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez Jr.)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 20, 2011) - Damage Controlman 2nd Class Stephen Turnbull, left, and Damage Controlman Fireman Andrew Conant, right, both assigned to Engineering Departmentís Damage Control Division, inspect aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) injection station No. 4 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher K. Hwang)

LAE, Papua New Guinea (May 23, 2011) - Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Joe Jenkins checks for corrosion on the tail rotor of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell)

SATTAHIP, Thailand (May 18, 2011) - Commander, Royal Thai Navy Frigate Squadron 2 , Rear Adm. Chaiyot Sundaranaga (second right) explains how the Thai military utilizes a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS) to rapidly assess and stabilize patients in the field to Commander, Task Group 73.1, Capt. David Welch (right). (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Lily Daniels)

HONG KONG (May 22, 2011) - Color guard members Airman Kimberly Simmonds, left, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Jorge Santana, center, and Fire Controlman 2nd Class Andrew Rowe, right, prepare to shift colors as Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) anchors in Hong Kong. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 17, 2011) - Search and rescue swimmer Seaman Matthew Honan is raised out of the water with Oscar, a man overboard rescue mannequin during a man overboard drill during a day embark with local city and government officials and Japanese media aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos)