Beach closure announced ... NASP officials have announced that Lake Frederic Beach is closed for all activities until further notice due to safety concerns. Severe beach and dune erosion, swift and unpredictable offshore currents, deep underwater drop-offs along the intracoastal waterway and the increased presence of commercial shipping traffic have resulted in dangerous conditions leading to the closure of the beach to recreational users. The base is working on a restoration plan that will reopen the beach for shoreline access and fishing from the shoreline, but water access will continue to be prohibited for wading, swimming, fishing or boating.
Vol. 81, No. 21
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
May 26, 2017
Several events on schedule for Memorial Day By Ens. Jacob Kotlarski NASP Public Affairs
Hurricane exercise ... QM1 Angel Herrera and AVCM John Shaw look at logistics plans for Naval Air Station Pensacola May 17 during a training session in the Emergency Operations Center at base headquarters, Bldg. 1500, for Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale. All Navy commands at Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Naval District Washington and Navy Region Southeast participated in the annual exercise May 8-19. The Atlantic Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. Photo by Ens. Jacob Kotlarski For more on hurricane season, see pages 4-5A
To many people Memorial Day is a day off from school or work, but the federal holiday represents so much more. Memorial Day honors Americans who have given their lives in service of their country and is observed annually as the last Monday of May (May 29, 2017). Memorial Day is a time of remembrance and the traditional way to celebrate this day is by visiting the graves of loved ones and taking a moment in the day to appreciate the sacrifices others have made. Every year at Barrancas National Cemetery, members of the
Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council and other youth organizations place miniature flags in front of grave markers for Memorial Day. This year, the grave-decorating project is scheduled for tomorrow, May 27, from 7 a.m. to noon. Another Memorial Day tradition involves displaying the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon and then raising it to full staff until sunset. Multiple events around Pensacola are scheduled to observe the holiday including: • The Naval Air Station Pensacola Memorial Day service is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 29 at See Memorial on page
College tuition assistance money available By Ed Barker NETPDC Public Affairs
For service members interested in pursuing or continuing their education while on active duty, Navy tuition assistance (TA) is designed to help. “Two of the questions we get asked most often are ‘How do I get started with my education?’ and
‘How do I pay for it?’,” said Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Voluntary Education (VolEd) Program Director Ernest D’Antonio. “The answers are easy. One, start with the Navy College Program (NCP) website or Virtual Education Center (VEC) and, two, talk with your Navy College Education Counselor to ensure TA eligibility and, three, apply.”
• TA can fund up to 16 semester hours, 24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours per fiscal year and pay up to $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour or $16.67 per clock hour. • TA can be used to pay for courses leading to a first certificate, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Command Climate survey time
HM2 Jesus Pacheco, right, and NMOTC budget operations officer Sandra Sirney look at a Holocaust Remembrance Week display at NMOTC April 26. Photo by MC2 Michael J. Lieberknecht
Holocaust display presented at NMOTC By HM2 Matthew Clutter NMOTC Public Affairs
Sailors from Navy Medicine Operational Training Center (NMOTC) were recently shown a tribute in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Week. The three-day display was used to educate today’s service members about the genocide that
took place from 1933 to 1945 and killed six million Jews throughout Europe. “This event was a unique way for staff to learn new things about the Holocaust in a more intimate manner vice a PowerPoint or even a guest speaker,” said HM1 Marcus Franklin, a travel
The 2017 Command Climate Survey (DEOCS) will be available through June 9. The survey is open to all military and civilian personnel (with the exception of contractors). Everyone will have the opportunity take the survey one of two ways. You can fill out a paper survey that Command Assessment team members will have available for you or, you can take the online survey. Everyone will receive an e-mail with the pass codes to access the online survey. No matter your rank, your opinions matter. Your chain of command is listening. The goal is to have everyone complete a survey. Here are points to remember: • The DEOCS is an anonymously-administered instrument that can be completed from any computer with Internet access. • You don’t need to use your Common Access Card (CAC). • You don’t need to use a government computer. • You can access the survey from your home computer. • You can access the survey from your smartphone. •You can go to the library or Internet café. – From Command Managed Equal Opportunity Manager
See Display on page 2
See Tuition on page 2
Programs celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Story, photo by MC2 Taylor L. Jackson CIWT Public Affairs
Two events were held recently to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Diversity Committee presented a program followed by a potluck lunch May 23 at the Lighthouse Point CPO Club. This year’s theme was “Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together.” Bento C. Bernal Jr. and Dr. Arlene Costello spoke following opening remarks by NASP Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin. Staff and students from the Center for Information Warfare Training and Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a ceremony at the NASP Corry Station chapel May 17. The Corry Station event, hosted by the IWTC Corry Station Multicultural Committee, provided an opportunity to honor the heritage and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout American history. “It was great to expose some of our
Members of the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola perform a traditional folk dance May 17 as part of an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance at the NASP Corry Station chapel.
students to Asian American and Pacific Islander culture,” said Cmdr. Christopher Eng, IWTC Corry Station’s commanding officer. “Cultural diversity helps makes us a stronger Navy, and as the strategic importance of the Pacific region grows, understanding the culture of the Pacific makes us a stronger military.” Members of the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola spoke about the history of the Philippines and See Programs on page 2
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.