Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
August 4, 2011
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Vol. 36, No. 30
Capt. Paul O. Monger draws a raffle ticket to announce the winner during Nimitz’ command picnic. Photo by MCSN Renee Candelario.
FORCM(AW/SW) Jim Delozier congratulates MMC (Sel.) Nathaniel Roesler on his advancement to chief petty officer. Photo by HMC Erick Mancia.
Sixteen Selected for Chief Aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Story by MCC(SW/AW) Mike Jones Sixteen Sailors reached a career milestone aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Aug. 1. Hull Technician 1st Class Matthew Donovan, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Joseph Dunk, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Frances Estrada, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Nathaniel Roesler, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Reneren Ronquillo, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Robert Simpson, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Bryant Udell, Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Binglambert Arciaga, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class George Barnes, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Jorge Cendejas, Information Systems Technician 1st Class
Sign Your Worksheets
If you are taking the advancement exam during the next cycle, make sure to sign your worksheets now so you can take the exam.
Jason Curran, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Robert Jimenez, Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Frank Kappler, Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Monica Kuhl, Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Luis Negronleon and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Edgar Nunezhernandez each learned they had been selected for Chief Petty Officer. “Enjoy your training between now and September 16. You have earned the right to get to this point,” explained Nimitz Commanding Officer Capt. Paul O. Monger as he announced the results over the ship’s 1MC. “I’m sure you’ll do well to uphold the standards of the Chief’s Mess.” SEE “CHIEFS” ON PAGE 9
MWR Sponsors Command Picnic Story by MCSA Renee Candelario
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Supply department and Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the Nimitz Summer Spectacular on the base parade field, July 29. Sailors and their families who attended the command function were given the chance to win prizes ranging from television sets, travel vouchers and tickets to the World Series. The sound of live music from The Popoffs, a local band, blasting from the speakers, filled the parade field as people mingled with their families and enjoyed some fun in the sun. Bounce houses, a dunk tank, delicious barbecue and a beer garden were present at the picnic. “The command picnic was awesome: free food, a day away from work and beautiful weather,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Garrett Davis, a Nimitz Sailor. “It was everything I could ask for.” SEE “MWR” ON PAGE 10
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Nimitz News
Aug 4, 2011
Who You Callin’ Small? Commentary by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield
Commanding Officer CAPT Paul Monger Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM William Lloyd-Owen Public Affairs Officer LTJG Jason Scarborough Media LCPO MCCM Jon McMillan Media Production Chief MCC Mike Jones Editor MC2 J.D. Levite Lead Designer MC3 Matthew Patton Media Dept MC2 C.J. Amdahl MC2 James Mitchell MC2 Amara Timberlake MC2 Adam Wolfe MC3 Ashley Berumen MC3 Ian Cotter MC3 Mark Sashegyi MC3 Glenn Slaughter MC3 Thomas Siniff MC3 Nichelle Whitfield MC3 Robert Winn MC3 Devin Wray MCSN Andrew Jandik MCSN Jacob Milner MCSA Alexander Ventura II MCSA Renee Candelario MCSA Jess Lewis MCSA Derek Volland Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. Submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
The military has taught me a few serious life lessons. I’ll only mention the one I’m not ashamed to share. I am a grain of sand in a universe that I can only pretend to comprehend. I hate to pull the “we are all sand in the universe” card, but it has become clear to me that it’s very true in the grand scheme of things, whatever that scheme may be. This truth came to me when I first arrived at Nimitz, 21 years of age and finally an independent “adult.” I was never one to think I knew everything, but I took some pride in the things I did know. I thought it was enough to help me move through the world. Then I met a Sailor who had been in the military longer than I have been alive. He with his high rank, gray hair and eyes that saw things I could only hope to see, or be fortunate enough not to witness shook my little world. His conversation with me left me feeling very small indeed (this having nothing to do with all of my glorious five feet and one inch in height). This man had left a mark in the world. He was significant because he was passing his legacy on to the forthcoming generations. He was helping to advance history. He had witnessed the military and the world change. His life would come to an end, but someone would remember the lessons he taught. The mark he left was important. What was my mark? I want to be important also. I thought long and hard. I walked around distracted trying to figure it out. How did I make myself important? I’m intelligent but my mind holds no capacity for being “genius.” How did I make myself matter? How would people remember me? When death came, he would come to me unbiased of rank, knowledge or stature and snuff me out of the world. How could I remain behind just a ‘little?’ Anna Nicole Smith is remembered and she literally did NOTHING significant for society. It bothered me. I continued on deployment, silently trying to figure out “my place in the world” with no avail. Then we returned home. Tiger Cruise was in full swing. My mentor asked me if I could capture of photo of him and his son while they manned the rails on his last cruise. His son had been waiting nearly all his life to come aboard and be a Sailor. I was impressed that this young boy who still lacked chest hair stood with more pride on our flight deck than many of the Sailors up there. I was impressed how still he stood at parade rest, taking his post very seriously as we sailed into San Diego. I captured the image. It was the first one I actually made while in the military that I thought about its life outside of my camera. This little boy would show his friends and family. Show them what he did. It was the first
image I prayed to get perfect. I didn’t want to ruin his once in a lifetime chance. His pride. The answer to the question that plagued me came after I witnessed the joy a simple image brought to his family. His mother cried with pride and happiness when she saw father and son in uniform on the flight deck. Their gratitude was fierce. My name passed their mouths when they told their friends and family who captured their moment in time. And then my answer became clear, not the one I expected, but the one that gave me relief. Photography. I cannot defuse a bomb. I cannot explain quantum physics, map out strategic plans of military action or even play an instrument to a sheet of music. I can, however, capture moments. Capture memories. Capture history. The entire deployment I was looking for the answer to a question. I captured history and moments the entire deployment and didn’t know it was my answer. It’s not a glorious get rich answer that will change history. But isn’t an answer that can be a part of history. I am a grain of sand in the universe, with the capability to document its moments, and remind it were it came from, what it once was. I photograph children, aircraft, admirals, bums, Sailors in foreign ports and portraits of crew members. The images I create are what I see at that moment in time, with my subject just as they are in that moment of their life. My images have the potential to be in history documentaries about our ship and its crew. Family members may find an old roster photo I shot of their great-great grandfather. People will see images of Nimitz in dry dock that I’ve taken. They say a photograph can capture your soul. But I think it’s the other way around, for me at least. I give out a piece of myself, my ‘legacy’ when I shoot. It goes with the image and the name. I, unashamed, photograph people. Unfortunately, rank does not bother my approach in this. Sometimes I want to capture someone because they are beautiful (man or woman) at the angle they stand at. Maybe they look elegant or masculine in their posture. I want to show them how I see them. Capture them in that moment in time, if they are busy or bored. But I’m completely off topic; it’s what photography does to me. The point is, as corny as it sounds, that I’ve found my place in the universe. This was shown to me through the military. I don’t know when the epiphany would have hit me if otherwise. I’m a grain of sand with the potential to be remembered. This may have zero significance to anyone save me but it is what the military has given me and I happily take it.
Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
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The tradition of engraving names on the Ship’s Bell is one of the oldest traditions on Navy ships throughout the fleet. Photo by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield.
Ship’s Bell tradition rings on new arrivals Story by MC3(SW) Nichelle Whitfield The Navy is all about tradition. Some traditions are a bit outdated, outlawed like “keel hauling,” or still in effect such as saluting. As time passes, the explanations or reasons why some of the traditions are still in practice become somewhat lost in translation. However, others maintain the original honors they once held, such as christening. Christening is defined as an inauguration, first use, launch, naming or baptism. The Navy traditionally christens ships on maiden voyages, but the Navy also performs baptisms to christen infants. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) also has a “Ship’s Bell,” or rather, three bells that share the represented title of one. The ‘working’ bell is located on the ceremonial quarter-deck and is primarily used for the ship’s 1MC. The pilot house bell is back-up to the ‘working’ bell, which is a smaller convenient version used while underway. And the bell used for christening is located in the chapel on the ship. “Every ship has a bell in commission,” said Cmdr. Brent Johnson, Nimitz’ chaplain. “There’s an old naval tradition. When people want to baptize their children on the ship, we take the ship’s bell, turn it over, fill it with water and that becomes the baptismal fountain.” Infant christening is still provided by the Navy and Nimitz, for those who desire it. “We’ve got one in the chapel full time. Ever since the ship’s been commissioned we’ve been baptizing infants in there. Then typically, in Navy tradition, we engrave that child’s name on the date they were baptized on the bell,” said Johnson. “Not every chaplain baptizes infants. I do. My church’s tradition allows the baptism of infants,” he said. To be baptized with the Nimitz bell, there needs to be a connection with the ship. Connections include being a previous Sailor, a retired veteran or a relative of a previous Nimitz service member. Even people who are in the Navy on another ship can get baptized on the Nimitz, although it would raise the question as to why they don’t want to be baptized on their own ship. “There’s a situation I’m working with now. There’s a man who is working in the shipyard who had his daughter baptized back in 1979 on the ship. Now she’s got a baby and they want to have her baby baptized on the ship as well. We’re getting second generation people baptized here,” said Johnson.
Nimitz chaplains even baptize adults. The bell can be used, as the water is dipped and sprinkled on the individual. Most adults prefer submersion for baptism. For those individuals, a trough is set up on the flight deck and filled full of water to baptize adults. At times, churches or museums request the bell. During decommissioning, the ship puts a message out for any requests of the bell. Museums want the bell for a display based on that ship. Every ship has a sponsor; sometimes that family of sponsors has their names specially engraved on the inside. After decommissioning, the sponsoring family may be given the opportunity to purchase them. For more information on how to have yourself or family members christened with the bell or by the Nimitz chaplains, contact Chaplain Johnson.
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Nimitz News
Aug 4, 2011
Chief Engineman Gureau measures Sailors in order to determine whether or not they meet body fat requirements in preparation for the Navy’s semi-annual Physical Readiness Test. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Aaron Ansarov.
Fleet-wide changes coming to Navy physical readiness program soon Story by MCSA Jess Lewis The Navy has recently released a new version of the physical readiness program instruction dealing with the policies and requirements set in place for Sailors. The initial step is a medical screening. No Sailor is allowed to participate in the Physical Fitness Assessment until they have been medically cleared. “We want (Sailors) to take care of any physical problems they may be dealing with now rather than later,” said Lt. Kevin Goodell, USS Nimitz’s (CVN 68) medical screener. “If a Sailor has a waiver from say the spring PFA and still has the possibility of needing another one for the next PFA, we want them to come in and get checked. Otherwise they’re going to go before a medical review board.” The OPNAVINST 6110.1J instruction outlines that if a service member is granted two consecutive waivers, or three in a four year period, he will be referred for a medical evaluation board. The MEB will decide if a Sailor is fit for full duty, and, if not, he can be administratively separated from service, said Goodell. Goodell said if a Sailor already has a waiver from a previous PFA to come to medical now to try and get cleared. If a Sailor is still having problems, they can come to medical to get physical therapy treatments in order to prepare him for the PFA. “Physically fit Sailors are better Sailors,”
said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Yolanda Adams, the command fitness leader. “Physically fit individuals are happier and less stressed. Exercise releases stress. Low stress levels contribute to
“The Navy’s goal is to have personnel maintain a level of physical fitness required to support overall mission readiness. We do that by living a healthy lifestyle that encompasses proper nutrition, weight control, tobacco cessation and physical exercise.” - LSCS Yolanda Adams Command Fitness Leader productivity and effectiveness. Productivity and effectiveness contributes to mission success.” Goodell recommends if a Sailor is not prepared for an upcoming PFA to start slow and don’t procrastinate. The 10 week PFA notice will go by quickly. “Personal pride is something that can’t
be forced,” said Goodell. “You have to want it for yourself.” There are many things available for Sailors who are not prepared for an upcoming PFA. First, a Sailor has to be willing to change his lifestyle. Nutrition classes are available to teach Sailors how to eat properly and control weight. The command’s Fitness Enhancement Program is conducted every day at 3 p.m. and anyone can attend. The Concourse West Fitness and Aquatic Center also offers free personal trainers who will work around a Sailor’s schedule. “The Navy’s goal is to have personnel maintain a level of physical fitness required to support overall mission readiness,” said Adams. “We do that by living a healthy lifestyle that encompasses proper nutrition, weight control, tobacco cessation and physical exercise.” Being out to sea is not a hindrance to being physically fit. Morale, Welfare and Recreation provides many resources in the gyms and equipment on board. Food service division also provides healthy and nutritious options in meals served. Adams said if Sailors need or want extra help with physical fitness they can see her, the Assistant Command Fitness Leader Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Victor Cadena, Chief Aviation Technician Brett Baldwin, the Fitboss or any department and divisional ACFLs.
Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
Page 5
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Nimitz News
Aug 4, 2011
A Whale of a Good Time
Story and photos by MCSN Andrew Jandik
My tour started in Port Townsend at nine in the morning with overcast skies and a hot cup of coffee. I was not happy that I had just spent $80 and it looked like it was going to be the usual Washington weather: gloomy and wet. Unwilling to waste the money and just turn back, I grabbed my sweatshirt and went aboard “Glacial Spirit,� the ferry boat owned by Puget Sound Express. Still in my sulky mood, I managed to grab a booth toward the back and hoped for the best.
A
fter my coffee, I was feeling a little more optimistic and ordered a piece of Blueberry Buckle pie, which is a homemade recipe passed down through the owners of the Puget Sound Express. It was amazing and I wanted to eat the entire pan. From this point on my day only got better. As I finished eating, a voice came over the
speakers and introduced herself as Sarah, daughter of Captain Pete. Sarah tried her best to rouse some excitement from a cabin full of people half asleep and half regretting the trip already but to no avail. She then informed us all that in about 10 minutes the skies would be blue and warm. I was skeptical to say the least.
Ten minutes later the skies were blue. It was much warmer and Sarah was back on the speakers talking about the only thing I really cared about: the whales I was supposed to be seeing. She explained that there are three resident pods, or families, that call the San Juan area home. The pods are labeled J, K and L. These pods
Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
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The Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tour includes views of orca whales, Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands. Photos by MCSN Andrew Jandik.
are famous in the world of orcas since the whales from Free Willy are from J pod. At this point I’m ready to see some whales jumping over rock barriers and doing flips like in San Diego at Sea World. Sarah proceeded to demolish my dreams right then by explaining orcas rarely breach, or jump out of the water, and usually just casually glide by. Bummer. Alright, so this has been a rollercoaster day of regret, stuffing my face, and having my dreams of seeing a whale jump out of the water crushed. Just then, Captain Pete came on the intercom and announced they got a report of whale sightings about 20 minutes away and we were headed that way. And just like that,my excitement returns and I can’t wait to see these Free Willy wannabes in action. As we arrived in False Bay where the whales were supposed to be, I was surprised to see about 15 other boats all lined up along the shoreline.From small inflatable boats to ferries much like the one from Bremerton to Seattle, all waiting with engines off and people along the sides. Then Captain Pete comes on again and tells us to look off the front of the boat quickly. “Off the front of the ship right now are two females about 25 yards out,” Captain Pete said. Luckily, I was the closest person to that side and made my way there quickly to catch a fleeting glimpse of a tail. A few
seconds later,both whales were on the surface of the water about 10 yards away. They may have been visible for just a few moments, but it made the whole trip worth it. For about an hour, orca whales were on all sides of us casually rolling through the water, some with babies in tow. I started to look at the other boats and noticed the smaller boats were able to get much closer and quickly position themselves to have better viewing angles. The large car ferries were much further out in the ocean away from the action. I decided the boat I was on was just about perfect since I could still go to the bathroom, sit down on a cushioned seat, and with my purchase of a $5 unlimited hot drink mug, I got all the hot cider I wanted. Whale watching was over for my tour group, but the trip was nowhere close to being done. We pulled into Friday Harbor to stretch out our legs and get some lunch. I walked around the marina for a little while looking at the crab stands and massive
personal boats people had moored there. Then I made my way to the streets of Friday Harbor to have a look around and find some food. The town has a very old feeling to it with gold painted words on hanging signs and wooden stairways. I stopped at a bar called The Rumor Mill that had ESPN on and figured I could get a burger and a drink while I catch up on the end of the NFL lockout. The Salmon burger that I had was delicious and I don’t think I’ll ever have one again unless it’s from that bar. At 2:30 p.m. we left Friday Harbor to head back to Port Townsend. It was a sleepy ride for the majority of the boat which gave me a chance to talk to Sarah about Puget Sound Express. Her grandfather, Pete, started the company in 1985 as a ferry service. As the years passed, they noticed that the route to Friday Harbor consisted of whale sightings during the summer months and the whale watching tour began. The company is now run by Pete’s son, Pete, and his son Chris. The whole family is involved in the company from grandma and grandpa down to their young cousins. The service on the ferry was better than most restaurants and their knowledge is thorough. I couldn’t be happier with the $80 I spent to go on the tour with them. Maybe if there was a Free Willy jump or two it could’ve been better.
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Nimitz News
Aug 4, 2011
LAN migration requires cooperation Story by MCSN Jacob Milner
While repairs and upgrades continue aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in preparation for leaving the shipyards, the information systems technicians are preparing for a big change. Nimitz plans to begin migrating its LAN, or local area network, system from the barge to the ship soon, and the implementation of that plan will require the cooperation of every Sailor on the entire ship. “This migration is only going to be successful if the users do their parts,” said Lt. j.g. Kevin Armendariz, the automated data processing officer aboard Nimitz. “Their parts meaning; keeping their mailboxes under 50 MBs and keeping their home directory under 300 MBs.” Individual Sailors aren’t the only ones that need to be concerned. Any departments that the migration and upgrade may affect needs to prepare their individual space for wiring and hardware installation. “Departments need to start grooming their work centers on the ship,” said Armendariz. “If they plan on setting up printers onto their stand alone PC, those need to be in place with the proper cabling.” For individual Sailors, simple upkeep and file maintenance represents the basics of what is needed to ease the transition to the new systems. “If they have data on their desktops, it needs to be moved over to the home directory because that is stored in a user’s profile, and profiles will not be moved over,” said Armendariz. During the upgrade and migration, many basic and vital systems for some personnel will be down. Planning and preparation for the absence of connectivity and system software could lessen the blow to productivity.
“The network will go down and we will start making our work station image,” said Armendariz. “In the days following we will be loading up the servers, and during that period the ship as a whole needs to start thinking about how they can function without NIPR net (Non-classified internet protocol router network) on the ship.” At the beginning of the upgrade period, certain positional leaders with a need for it will be provided a means of completing their essential day to day tasks, though the networks will now be available. “We will provide CDOs, ACDOs and senior section leaders with standalone PCs so they can write watch bills and keep their printing capabilities,” said Armendariz. The new PCs that are planned to replace the current desktop computers are to be distributed to all work centers at different times. The first will be sent to the most in need of both connectivity and hardware. “In mid-August we’re going to deploy 200 priority PCs,” said Armendariz. “Those 200 are going to include the CO, the XO, department heads and then the main customer servers like personnel.” Following the deployment of new PCs to essential personnel on board, other departments will begin receiving their PCs as quickly as possible. “After the initial deployment, we’re going to try to do up to 50 PCs a day being deployed,” said Armendariz. “It’s only going to go as fast as the participation we get from the department will allow. If we’re running around opening up doors to get spaces open, it’s going to go from 50 to 20.” The upgrading process is going to consume the shipboard ADP department for the next several months, with the help
of both civilian contractors and additional Sailors. “Right now I have about 20 or 30 ITs that will be dedicated to PC placement and data migration,” said Armendariz. “We’re also getting a couple of ITs coming in from other ships that volunteered. They’re getting the same install down the road, so they’re sending a couple of their guys for a month.” With the addition of extra IT Sailors and civilian contract workers, the load of upgrading and migrating the ship’s LAN system may seem lightened, but the transition will invariably stress the IT work center’s capabilities and man power. “As it stands now, we’re going to be doing six day work weeks and 12 hour days, and that could increase depending on what we get done through the day,” said Armendariz. “The shipyard workers are required to put 20 PCs out a day, but we’re trying to double that.” With the new system being put into place, cooperation and participation are key to making the transition a smooth one. “The ship needs to be patient. We are getting a new system and there’s going to be a learning curve that everyone has to go through,” said Armendariz. “I intend it to speed up accessing the share drive and any other services or data riding off the network.” With a new system on the way in, work centers and individual Sailors need to strive to make the transition as painless as possible. The time to leave dry dock looms ever closer and the LAN migration represents just one more step towards that goal.
Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
Advancement Exam Workshops
Story by MCSA Jess Lewis Today and tomorrow there will be a Navy-wide advancement exam workshop held on the crew messing and berthing barge in classrooms 3A and 3B from 8 to 11 a.m. The workshop is open for anyone preparing for the E-4 through E-7 exams. A lot of information will be covered so Sailors are encouraged to attend. “The main reason for this is Nimitz had declined scores compared to the Navy-wide scores,” said Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Daniel McNeil, the advancement exam workshop coordinator. The idea behind having an advancement exam workshop came to McNeil after receiving an email from the command master chief about the advancement scores following the March exam. “I wanted it to be different than the (Nimitz Advancement Attack Team) class, especially with the new NAVADMIN coming out next year,” said McNeil. “We wanted to do something to help Sailors get new study techniques and really know how to study.” The new NAVADMIN 197/11 changes the amount of ratespecific and basic military requirements questions asked. Each of the new advancement exams, scheduled to start next September, will ask 150 rate-specific questions and 25 BMR questions. McNeil said he helped write Navy-wide exams in Pensacola, Fla., before and will be teaching most of the workshop himself. The workshop will cover how to acquire and read profile sheets and bibliographies, an explanation of how Navy-wide exams are created and how the information from the exams can be leveraged. The workshop will also go over ways to increase final multiple scores, study resources and best ways to study for specific learning types. Even if Sailors are in a rate with a bottleneck at certain ranks, they are encouraged to attend the workshop and study for the exam. Sailors just have to show up for the workshop at 8 a.m. today. If there is an overflow, the same class will be held again tomorrow, also at 8 a.m. If the workshop is popular and a lot of people want to attend the workshop again, the program will continue in the future, McNeil said.
CHIEFS: career milestone Induction
marks
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“I’m still in shock,” Estrada said. “This is a great milestone for me,” the Brawley, Calif. native added. For the Sailors who didn’t see their names on this year’s selection list, he stressed the need for them to continue to work hard to reach their goals. “Don’t ever give up.” For Roesler, the selection was the result of years of hard work and dedication. “I’m on Cloud 9 right now,” the Mt. View, Calif. native beamed. “I’m very excited to have this news. I’m very happy.” The feeling of career accomplishment was also shared by Negronleon, who hails from Ponce, Puerto Rico. “This is really awesome,” he said. “This is a great feeling. It’s been a major goal of mine to get selected for Chief since I entered Boot Camp.” The 16 Nimitz Sailors look forward to begin the time-honored process of Induction.
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Aug 4, 2011
Galley upgrades to new equipment Story by MCSN Jacob Milner
While the process of upgrading and replacing equipment on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68) continues, the galleys prepare to begin the daily operations of feeding the crew once again. “We have new grills in all of the galleys, along with new mixers,” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Aloysha Barton. “The more damaged refrigerators have been replaced while the others were repaired.” Before the galleys can be opened, tests need to be run to check the workability of the new equipment. “During the steam test we turn on all the steam to make sure everything that runs
on steam actually works,” said Barton. “Without the steam we can’t boil water or really cook anything that has to do with water.” The steam test, scheduled to be conducted in September, signifies first step towards the galley re-opening in early October. Though the new equipment in the galleys is an upgrade, some changes present new challenges. “The mixers are going to be an improvement,” said Barton. “I’m not sure if I like the grills because they’re smaller. They have a more even heating temperature and they’re easier to clean, but I lose about
six inches of cooking space.” The amount of man power that has gone into upgrading the galleys is considerable. During the process of replacing and repairing old equipment, others have to continue to cook in the barge galley for the crew, said Barton. “I have approximately 21 people,” said Barton. “They’re assigned to help take care of cleanliness and moving equipment.” The upgrades and improvements to the Nimitz galleys are well underway and the crew can look forward to sitting in familiar surroundings as they eat.
MWR: Nimitz enjoys Summer Spectacular CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The smell of Sam Adams Restaurant and Brewery barbecue lingered through the air as hotdogs and hamburgers were cooking on the grill. Sailors mingled at the beer garden while vendors provided shaved ice, kettle corn, fresh fruit and ice cream. “The food was delicious,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Nathan Tissandier, a Nimitz Sailor. “It’s good MWR and the command were able to put together a function for all the Sailors to get together outside of the work place and enjoy themselves. “ Sailors and their families participated in games such as horseshoe, sack toss, tug-of-
war and a dizzy bat race. “I played a lot of horseshoe. It was probably my favorite thing to do at the picnic,” said Davis. The picnic kicked off at 10 a.m. and ended around 3 p.m. after the raffle winners were announced by Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz’s commanding officer. “This event was a great way to start off the weekend. It was definitely worth attending and I had a really good time,” said Tissandier. “I’m grateful the command throws these kinds of functions. It’s a great change from the stressful work environment and it was definitely a morale booster.”
“This event was a great way to start off the weekend. It was definitely worth attending and I had a really good time.” - ET3 Nathan Tissandier
Aug 4, 2011
Nimitz News
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Nimitz News
Aug 4, 2011
Summer 2011
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