I T I: CMC T | CMC F | T W CMC | N CMC B
Vol 03 No 27 | March 6, 2012
Farewell, CMDCM Beldo. Welcome Aboard, CMDCM Pickering.
Photo by: MCC (AW) Monica Nelson | Carl Vinson Media Department ALCPO
CONTINUE ‘TURNOVER’ ON PAGE 2
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Carl Vinson Conducts CMC Turnover STORY BY
MC3 (SW) Luke B. Meineke | Carl Vinson Staff Writer
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FROM ‘TURNOVER’ ON PAGE 1
ommand Master Chief (CMDCM) (AW/SW) Jeffrey Pickering will relieve CMDCM (AW/ SW) April D. Beldo March 7 as Carl Vinson’s command master chief (CMC). The change comes as Vinson conducts maritime theater security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) during its second Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment in two years. Beldo’s assignment to Vinson began in July 2009 and included the ship’s transition from refueling complex overhaul (RCOH), humanitarian and disaster relief efforts during Operation Unified Response with Task Force-
Haiti, and two subsequent deployments to the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet AORs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. “I had never been a part of an RCOH tour, so I was not expecting the shipyard environment in Newport News,” Beldo said. “I couldn’t believe we would be able to go to sea in six weeks based on the condition of Carl Vinson in November 2009. The preparation for the WestPac deployment, Inspection and Survey (INSURV), and then preparing for Maintenance Material Management Inspection (3MI) – the crew continued to hit homeruns.” With the turnover to Pickering fast approaching, Beldo reflected on the Vinson Sailors, saying she was leaving Pickering with “the best of the best.” “When I sit and think about how far this carrier has come since I have been aboard, and getting the news of our being a Battle E winner a few weeks ago, I cannot help
but swell up with pride to know that I was a part of this outstanding crew,” Beldo said. Beldo is scheduled to report to Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), Pensacola, Fla. where she hopes to receive the same support given her while onboard Carl Vinson. CMDCM Pickering came to Vinson from his position as Commander, Navy Systems Supply Command Global Logistics Support’s CMC in San Diego. He expressed gratitude for the work Beldo had put forth over the past three years. “What CMC could ask for a better situation? I’m joining a crew that just earned the Battle E and I’m taking over for a CMC who has set these Sailors up perfectly for success. In the short period of time I’ve been aboard Vinson I’ve come to see why this ship has the reputation it does,” Pickering said. “Carl Vinson is known for getting assigned the hardest jobs and doing them very well. I’m looking forward to this job as much as anything I’ve ever done.”
Taken from the 24th edition Blue Jackets’ Manual
Command Master Chief
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y having direct communication with the commanding officer, command master chiefs (CMDCMs) serve as the commanding officer’s principal enlisted advisor, fostering sensitivity to the needs and viewpoints of enlisted men and women and their families. CMDCMs have the responsibility of keeping their commanding officers up to date on situations, procedures, and practices that affect the welfare, morale, and wellbeing of the enlisted crew. Navy commands with 250 or more personnel are eligible to have a CMDCM
billet. Personnel assigned to those billets actually change their rate to CMDCM. Commands that do not meet this criterion may designate a master chief petty officer from within the command to serve as a collateral-duty command master chief. In commands with no master chief petty officers assigned, a collateral-duty command senior chief may be designated from within the existing crew, and where there are no master chiefs or senior chiefs, a collateral duty command chief may be designated. Collateral duty command chiefs (no matter their rate) do not change their rating.
ESWS||EAWS CVIC - Carrier Intelligence Center
STAFF
Naval Miss ions and Heritage Naval Missions and Heritage STAFF
ALSS - Aviation Life Support System
|PUBLISHER|
CAPT. KENT D. WHALEN COMMANDING OFFICER
|EXECUTIVE EDITORS| LT. CMDR. ERIK REYNOLDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
LT. ERIK SCHNEIDER
ASSISTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
|EDITOR IN CHIEF|
MCC (AW) MONICA R. NELSON MEDIA ALCPO
|MANAGING EDITOR| MC2 (SW) BYRON C. LINDER
|PHOTO EDITOR|
MC2 (SW) JAMES R. EVANS
|GRAPHICS/LAYOUT| MC3 PHOENIX LEVIN
|STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS| MC3 (SW) LUKE B. MEINEKE ABH3 (AW) RYAN M. LITTLE
CORRECTION - In the 4 March edition of the Vinson Voice, AZAN Jenna Silva was mistakenly identified as a member of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 when she is actually assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25. We sincerely regret the error.
March 6, 2012
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FROM THE DECKPLATES:
TUESDAYS WITH THE CMC A NOTE FROM
CMDCM (AW/SW) April D. Beldo| Carl Vinson Command Master Chief
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t is time for me to bid farewell to an outstanding group of Sailors. March 7 marks the end of this very amazing and adventurous tour for me. When I took over as Command Master Chief 27 months ago, and walked through the industrial site of Newport News Naval Shipyard in Virginia, I thought to myself, “What in the world have I gotten myself into? And who was it that told me the Carl Vinson was being rebuilt?” I took that literally, and that is not what I saw as I stepped over pallets and hoses, and ducked under trunks. But in the six weeks it took us to get underway to Naval Station Norfolk’s Pier 13, right before my eyes I saw the transformation. Soon enough, Carl Vinson was ready to see her way to a new home in San Diego. Every step of this journey with the Mighty Gold Eagle Team has been one of my best experiences in the Navy. You rolled into a situation off Haiti, where you were called upon to think of those who had been devastated by a natural disaster. You stood the watch until our sister ships and services could relieve us. We moved on through Rio de Janeiro and Peru, partnering with communities that hadn’t seen a carrier in years. And finally we settled into our new home, San Diego. But you still had more to show through preparations
for an Inspection and Survey (INSURV), which, by the way, you knocked out of the Fleet. You started educating yourselves for the 3M Inspection while trying to get reacquainted with your families, just to leave them again for your WestPac ‘11 deployment. Not once did this great crew complain about the schedule ahead. And here it is, WestPac ‘12. I will not be making the entire voyage with you, but there is no doubt in my mind you will successfully complete this one like you did your last. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Command Master Chief. Not once have you let yourselves or this team down. I couldn’t be more proud to say I was a part of a team that can show the professionalism, motivation and dedication Carl Vinson Sailors show. CMDCM Pickering is getting the best carrier and Sailors in the fleet! I wish each and every one of you the best as you continue with your professional and personal endeavors. Be safe, stay proud, and Godspeed! Hooyah Carl Vinson!
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Photo Illustration by: ABH3 (AW) Ryan Little | Carl Vinson Staff Graphic Designer
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March 6, 2012
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Gold Eagle Quicksand Team Bids Farewell to CMC Beldo STORY BY
MC2 (SW) Byron C. Linder | Carl Vinson Staff Writer
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omorrow, an enlisted leadership era aboard Carl Vinson will come to a close as Command Master Chief (CMC) CMDCM (AW/SW) Jeffrey Pickering relieves CMDCM (AW/SW) April D. Beldo as Vinson’s CMC. The turnover also represents a full changing of the guard in the top three chain of command positions since Vinson returned from deployment to San Diego June 2010. Beldo, a Lancaster, Calif. native, began her career in 1983, less than a year after Carl Vinson was commissioned. “When I started college, I was finding it hard to keep my schedule with any discipline. So I thought I would join the military for four years and come out better prepared with some money saved,” Beldo explained. She came in as an undesignated airman and reported to her first duty station – the Composite Squadron (VC) 5 “Checkertails” at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Republic of Philippines. “There were a lot of Sailors there that started me on my journey,” Beldo said, who eventually chose to pursue the Aviation Maintenance Administrationman rating. She then served in a wide variety of squadrons and platforms before being selected for the CMC program in November 2002. “Not only did I never think about being
a CMC, I didn’t even see myself ever being a Master Chief,” Beldo said. “I just tried to be the best Sailor I could be today.” Her first CMC tour came in 2003 aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) in Norfolk, Va. She then served as the CMC for Recruit Training Command (RTC), followed by Naval Service Training Command, both in Great Lakes, Ill. In July 2009, she returned to Virginia to assume position as Carl Vinson’s CMC, earning a notation in Navy history as the first African-American female CMC of an aircraft carrier. “I quickly reminded myself there were Sailors looking up to me and my job was to be an example for them. It’s all about opportunity and what their choices are going to be when the doors open for them,” Beldo said. Vinson was wrapping up a refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in Newport News, Va. Despite being away from the literal deckplates for over three years, Beldo was a familiar face to some Vinson Sailors. “There were Sailors coming up to tell me I was their CMC at RTC, and some were already third-class petty officers with warfare pins. That was exciting for me,” Beldo said. Beldo noted a strong desire in the crew to go to sea after a four-year stint in the shipyards away from the fleet. “It’s safe to say about 60 percent of the crew had never gone to sea, done an underway replenishment, launched or
CMDCM (AW/SW) April Beldo and CMDCM (AW/SW) Jeffrey Pickering sing “Anchors Aweigh” with the Chiefs’ Mess during CMDCM Beldo’s farewell ceremony. Photo by MCC (AW) Monica Nelson
recovered aircraft, or cooked a meal three times a day for 3,000 Sailors,” she said. “When the ship got underway to Norfolk, you would have thought we just completed a world tour.” The distance from Newport News to Norfolk is only seven nautical miles according to World Port Source online. Instead of allowing the crew to stagnate during the ship’s downtime, Beldo set herself into action revamping, updating and rejuvenating an array of Sailor programs. “The ship had been out of the operational training mode for some time, and we needed to take back ownership with respect to military bearing, courtesies and pride in our ship,” she explained. “I was executing the guidance and policy daily and interacting with Sailors who would personally be direct reflections of leadership. I was communicating on a daily basis so they understood their role not only in the command but in the Navy.” In 2010, Vinson was scheduled to shift homeports from Norfolk to San Diego. But on that quick tour, disaster struck in Haiti and Vinson was called upon to provide humanitarian assistance. “No one appeared to be concerned about going off schedule. The atmosphere was, ‘Let’s do it!’,” Beldo recalled. “The Sailors were begging to go ashore once we got on station. During that time, they were standing by anxiously waiting for the next tasking – making water, filling water CONTINUE ‘FAREWELL’ ON PAGE 7
CMDCM (AW/SW) April Beldo speaks with OSC (SW/AW) Tijuana Schumpert during the farewell ceremony for CMDCM Beldo. Photo by MCC (AW) Monica Nelson
March 6, 2012
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CMDCM (AW/SW) JEFFREY PICKERING UNITED STATES NAVY
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aster Chief Petty Officer (AW/SW) Jeffrey Pickering grew up on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and graduated in June 1986 from Charlotte Amalie High School. He enlisted in the Navy in September of that year and headed to basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Upon completion of training, he attended Airman Apprentice Training, then transferred to his ultimate assignment Attack Squadron (VA) 86. VA-86 transitioned to F-18 Hornets and he became a plank owner of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86. His first shore assignment was at Fleet Replacement Squadron (VS) 27. While at VS-27, he enrolled in the Navy’s college program and later received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources and Management from Park University. In 1992, he reported to sea duty with Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 24. Pickering accepted orders in 1996 to a newly established command, AIMD Truax Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, to support H-53s assigned to HM-15. He was selected Sailor of the Year for his job accomplishments the following year. In 1998, Pickering was selected for Chief Petty Officer. Master Chief Pickering left AIMD and reported for duty onboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 1999. He was assigned to S-6 division in support of Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW 8). While on CVN 65, he earned his Officer of the Deck (inport) qualification and his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist designator. In 2002, he advanced to Senior Chief and reported to Naval Personnel Command as the Chief Storekeeper Detailer. During his last year at NPC, he was promoted to Master Chief Storekeeper and took orders onboard Pre-commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in 2006, where he served as Supply Department Leading Chief Petty Officer until his selection to the Command Master Chief program. CMDCM Pickering graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 125) Purple and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7onboard USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 2007. In August 2009, he assumed the duties as Command Master
Chief for Commander, NAVSUP Global Logistics Support in San Diego, Ca. CMDCM Pickering reported to Carl Vinson this month as the ship’s 13th Command Master Chief. His personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medals (4 Awards), Navy Achievement Medals (5 Awards), Good Conduct Medals (8 Awards), and various campaign and service medals.
FROM ‘FAREWELL’ ON PAGE 6
containers, working in medical or helping their Shipmates.” Following the homeport shift, Vinson conducted WestPac 2010-2011, the first full combat deployment since returning to the fleet. Upon return, Vinson was selected to host the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic NCAA basketball game before departing on a second WestPac November 2011. With Pickering’s arrival, Beldo revealed the process for change is primarily about bringing the new CMC up to speed. “The job continues throughout the process. It’s about meeting the departmental leading chief petty officers, finding out the future schedule and settling into the command without missing a beat,” she said. “What’s most important is the new CMC has time to sit with the commanding officer and executive officer and hear their expectations and concerns for
the crew up front. When the ‘old’ CMC walks across the brow, it’s game time and business as usual. The players might have changed, but the plays are still the same.” With this being her final WestPac deployment, Beldo reflected on how far the crew has come since she reported to the Newport News shipyards. “I am very, very proud of these Sailors and grateful I had an opportunity to serve them,” she said. “When we get distinguished visitors from across the fleet, they cannot stop talking about the friendliness, pride and willingness of Carl Vinson Sailors to make sure they feel welcomed. We are a proud crew.” Beldo will be reporting to Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) in Pensacola, Fla. to relieve FORCM (SS) John J. Snyder as NETC Force Master Chief. She is optimistic for the future. “I hope it will be as amazing as my tour here,” she said.
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DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E
| What will you remember the most about CMDCM Beldo? | “Whenever she walks into a space, she has a presence and authority. I remember when I was in boot camp I was terrified of her, but now I know she is just strict.” MM2 Antonio Chaidez Sandoval
“I remember seeing her on liberty and how she corrected a uniform discrepancy. When we went underway again, she came to my work center to remind me of uniform policies. It surprised me that she knew who I was and where I worked.” J a s o n
“She has made history. She is the first African-American female to be CMC of a carrier and has affected everyday lives, not just Navy careers.” SH1 (SW/AW) J a s o n P e t t y
AOAN H o u s t o n
“Her strive for perfection and professionalism. She is always sure Sailors are within regulations and encourages Sailors to succeed. For example, she is always encouraging Sailors to get their surface and air pins.” ACAN (AW/SW) J a z m i n e P r i n t e r s
“Her amazing voice. I heard her sing for the first time on ‘Vinson’s Got Talent.’”
“Plenty of things, her voice, her can-do attitude and her strive for perfection.”
IC3 (SW/AW) J a l i s h a C r o s b y
IT3 Clarence Thompkins
“She is always enthusiastic about her job and bringing the crew together. She is always showing motivation when doing her job.”
“Her bubbly personality. She walks into a room and while being enthusiastic she is still able to have authority and respect.”
MM2 M a t t h e w M a t c a l f
IT2 (SW/AW) M a r c D a r d e n
“She is a very strict CMC and I will always remember her correcting Sailors and making sure everything is in order.”
“I remember the first time I came onboard. She was correcting a group of Sailors on their haircuts. As a khaki, we always strive for excellence.”
N i n a
IT1 (SW/AW) B r e w i n g t o n
AOC (AW/SW) R y a n D u n c a n