November 21, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 45• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
NS Guantanamo Bay Enjoys a Special Delivery
Chief Interior Communications Electrician Ryan Reed hands out letters and cards from school children across the country along with other treats and supplies that were donated by Molly’s Adopt A Sailor Program, Nov. 10. MCC Keith Bryska Gazette Editor
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ervice members at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay received special holiday treats donated by Molly’s Adopt a Sailor program, Nov. 10. Molly’s Adopt A Sailor Program started on the website, navyformoms.com. The group was created as a way to adopt a group of deployed military personnel, and send them items that could help them get through their deployments and make their time away from home more bearable. Chief Interior Communications Electrician Ryan Reed helped set up the event to help the Sailors at Guantanamo Bay. “I still keep in touch with Ruth, a teacher of mine from high school. She is involved with Molly’s Adopt A Sailor program through her Navy Mom organization because her son is a Gunners Mate. She had mentioned that Molly’s had adopted divisions on
ships and were getting more and more participation,” said Reed. “Then she asked if I could be the point of contact for them to adopt Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, which I gladly accepted.” According to Reed they received more than 130 boxes which were literally over a ton of care packages. The care packages came from all over America to include Illinois, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Massachusetts. Builder 3rd Class Eric Malinski believes organization’s like Molly’s Adopt A Sailor program are a great morale booster for junior Sailors. “To see that people who we don’t know take the time and money out of there busy lives to show support and love for all of us overseas keeping them safe really means a lot,” said Malinski. “I have been on a few deployments and when we get mass care packages from Continued on Page 3
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates ND1 Cortez on his selection as Sailor of the Week. ■Job/Department: Navy Diver ■Age: 30 ■Hometown: Cape Coral,FL ■Hero: Mom and Dad ■Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys ■Goal: Make Chief and finish my BA ■Hobbyn: Diving, dirt biking, working on cars, fishing ■Favorite Book: US Navy Dive Manual ■Greatest Accomplishment: Joining the Navy and graduating from the Naval Diving and Training Center ■Sailor of the Week Because: ND1 Cortez was nominated for his researched Navy COOL credentialing and found three programs that the ND rate qualifies for. He brought that information to the Junior Sailors and walked them through the process with his peers and leadership following along. His efforts resulted in 100% of the dive locker receiving three Association of Diving Contractors International diving accreditations. Additionally he facilitated three Navy Divers receiving their NAUI SCUBA Dive Master certification cards through the Navy Diver Foundation. His efforts have expanded the civilian credentials of all Navy Divers stationed in Guantanamo Bay while gaining a deeper knowledge of Navy Programs. He led and mentored his junior Sailors through a Navy program that they were not familiar with resulting in greater qualifications.
ND1 MATTHEW CORTEZ
VOL. 71 • NO.44
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC3 JASON BAWGUS
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 900.
these organizations it has a positive impact. It keeps us in high spirits to keep moving forward.” The boxes came with not only candies and food, but everyday comforts that the Sailors enjoyed like soap, toothpaste, bug repellent, sun screen and other hygiene supplies. Malinski’s favorite items were the pillow cases. “As a Seabee I work outside a lot and we can never have enough bug spray and sunblock,” said Malinski. “The pillow cases added a little special touch for me. I will keep those pillow cases forever because they remind me of home each time I lay my head down to sleep.” Reed believes all of the items were a hit, but the one item seemed to be biggest hit were the letters and cards
November 21, 2014• PAGE 3
from school children that came from Illinois and Iowa. Many of the Sailors said it was like having a letter from a little brother or sister and could not wait to write back. “This great way for NS Guantanamo Bay’s junior service members without family to get a little taste of home and the timing couldn’t have been better. All packages arrived in time for the holidays and Veteran’s Day too! Every branch from NAVSTA and JTF showed in full force. It was a huge success and very rewarding to see so many happy service members,” said Reed. “I would also like to thank Ruth and Molly’s for helping these kids remember why they’re doing this and taking them home for a bit.”
American Diabetes Month USNH Guantanamo Bay
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iabetes Mellitus is a condition in which your body’s use of blood sugar is disrupted. Every cell in your body uses sugar, obtained from the food you eat. Insulin is a hormone in your body that allows your body to use sugar from carbohydrates. If your body does not have enough insulin, or stops responding to insulin, the sugar is not able to get into the cells. Your body then cannot use it and then the sugar accumulates in the blood stream leading to various body function complications. There are different categories of diabetes mellitus. Typeone diabetes is a condition in which your pancreas does not make enough insulin, and is often diagnosed at a young age. Type-two diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells become insensitive to insulin. Type-two diabetes was typically diagnosed in the older population, but is now becoming more common in the young, in association with overweight, obesity and high blood pressure. Diabetes mellitus is treatable, occasionally preventable, and in some cases even reversible. In every case, diabetes is a chronic medical condition which requires blood sugar monitoring and lifelong treatment. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications (nutrition, physical fitness), selfcare, and oral or even injectable medications. Guidelines recommend screening for diabetes in mid-
adulthood with your primary care provider. This may include questions regarding symptoms or by obtaining labs. Symptoms of diabetes mellitus include frequent urination, frequent thirst, and blurred vision. Laboratory screening may include a fasting glucose, meaning measuring the amount of sugar in your blood after not eating for 8-12 hours, or by measurements of your hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin A1c blood test indicates your average blood sugar over a two to three month period. See your primary care manager to discuss if you are due for screenings and to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding diabetes. Lifestyle interventions are the first line in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus. If you are not already engaged in a physical fitness regimen, please see your primary care manager to discuss what options are best for you. Also remember to ask about nutrition habits that may be optimized. For places to start or to gather more information about what to ask your health care provider, please see the following resources: The Center for Disease Control www.CDC.gov American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org Or schedule an appointment with your PCM through the USNH GTMO Primary Care Clinic 7-2944.
Operation Valiant Sentinel 2014 MCC Keith Bryska Gazette Editor
Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay held an anti-terrorism and force protection training exercise, Operation Valiant Sentinel, Nov. 12-14. Operation Valiant Sentinel is designed to test the installations chain of command and first responders to a variety of terrorism and force protection threats. Lt. Christopher Weil, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s Emergency Management Officer believes that these drills are important for us so we can be better prepared for a real life scenario. “Just like a dozen other examples, if we don’t exercise them, our skills atrophy. We don’t run drills just to train/practice, but also to validate systems and procedures, and to identify shortfalls or areas for improvement,” said Weil. “But the most significant gains are only realized when all hands follow-through and take action to incorporate the lessons we learn back into our areas of responsibility.” The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) that controls all the assets was manned during the evolutions ensuring communication was taking place and was understood between all the departments. During the three-day exercise, the EOC served as the hub evaluating how NS Guantanamo Bay would monitor, communicate and act during an emergency. “Staffed by representatives from multiple areas, the Emergency Operations Center provides sustainable reach-back capability and coordination to support the Incident Commander on-scene. This frees up the 9-1-1 dispatch center so they can handle other incidents,” said Weil. “As a Command and Control node, we also maintain the operational picture and lines of communication for the installation CO and higher HQ. Around 30 role players were coordinated to present unexpected challenges that mirrored the real time exercise, showing the command and leadership where changes need to be made but in most cases,
reflected the readiness when such incidents arose. Chief Master-at-Arms Joshua Bright, Anti-Terrorism Officer said not only is this is an annual requirement, but it also makes the Guantanamo Bay residents realize that we are still a military installation, and we are still a target for terrorism. “This shows our base command, and its residence that we can defend its assets and are capable of keeping them safe,” said Bright. “It takes complete coordination from all of the tenant commands and departments on the installation. Everyone from the schools to the airfield has roles they played in during these scenarios.” The scenarios took place over a three day period and ranged from the detection of a suspicious package to an active shooter scenario in a populated area. First responders included the Naval Stations security department, fire and emergency services and the Naval Hospital. According to Chief Master-at-Arms Kenton Thomas, exercises like these are important because they test personnel and their responses to a variety of events and help us gauge where the base is as a whole. “Valiant Sentinel, as we termed it this year, helped us to test and train in a variety of events with other base agencies such as the Fire Department, Medical, Marine Corps Security Force Company, and Army MP’s allowing for interagency cooperation and strengthening of Security’s relationship with personnel from those fellow first responders,” said Thomas. Overall the training was a success and brought everyone together to act as one team. “It is important for young Master at Arms to understand that no matter what situation they are in, slowing down just enough to pay attention to details and always maintaining professionalism go a long way to completing the mission and saving lives,” said Thomas.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
Why Advent, Why Now LT Baron Miller
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
dvent—the word simply means “the coming A arrival” and for us, the season begins on Sunday Nov. 30.
As far back as the 4th century, Christian began celebrating the “coming arrival” of Jesus by intentionally remembering his arrival as well as celebrating his anticipated second coming. This is where we get the celebration of Advent, which traditionally lasts 5 weeks—4 before Christmas and the 5th actually being Christmas. Advent is a season rich with symbolic meaning. All the components to an Advent wreath have specific meaning. The lit candles are purple recognizing Christ’s deity, his Godness, with one pink candle representing joy. The center white light affirms that in Jesus, there is light in the world, for he said he is the light of the world. Each week a new candle will be lit. The greenery around the candles represent hope, a sign that winter will end and spring will come—a symbol of God making new life. The circular form of
the candles means that God has no beginning and no end—he has been, is now, and ever shall be. Many have grown up part of a church that celebrated Advent, yet never grasped its full meaning—just another stuffy church tradition. This is not so. Advent is a time to recapture the anticipation of Christ’s first coming and the excitement of his second coming. For the Christian, all of our hope is in Jesus, yet we also live in a time where that concept is increasingly difficult to grasp. To truly live out our hope, we have to sift through our holiday “bustle” and be intentional about carving out time to revel in the anticipation and excitement of Jesus’ birth. This is precisely why we need Advent and need it now. Remember that this season, in the midst of the busyness and distraction, when the haves and havenots are so visible, we will honor the promise, preparation, rejoicing and wonder of God, crammed into a womb and born in straw poverty.
Active Duty? Your Roth TSP Contributions May Stop Unless You Act By Abigail C. Reid Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
f you are an active duty member of the Army, I Air Force, or Navy making dollar-amount Roth contributions to your TSP account, these deductions will stop on January 31, 2015, unless you act. How your election requirements will change: An upcoming change in myPay will require you to designate your Roth contributions as a percentage of your pay, not a dollar amount. If you don’t comply with this change, then the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will not be able to process your Roth contributions. This change affects your Roth contributions only; your traditional contributions are already designated as a percentage of pay. When the change will take place: The new requirement will take effect January 1, 2015. You will have 30 days to change your Roth election from a dollar amount to a percentage of your pay. If your new Roth election is not received by January 31, 2015, then DFAS will not be able to process your Roth contributions until you update them.
How to make the change: Log into myPay. You’ll see a special TSP section called “Traditional TSP and Roth TSP”—click there. Then, in the “Contribution from Roth TSP” section, you can enter the percentage of your pay that you’d like to contribute (10%, for example). Finally, click “Save” at the bottom of the screen. Why Roth contributions might be good for you: When you make Roth contributions, you pay taxes on the money you save before it goes into your TSP account. So you pay no income taxes when you take it out, and your earnings can also be tax-free if you have reached age 59½ or have a permanent disability and five years have passed since the year of your first Roth contribution. As a member of the uniformed services, you can make Roth contributions from tax-exempt pay, basic pay, incentive pay, special pay, and bonus pay. If you make Roth contributions from tax-exempt pay earned in a combat zone, you won’t pay taxes on your contributions, and you’ll have the opportunity for tax-free growth.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
E-mail classified ad submissions to
PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
VEHICLES 98 Honda Accord LX, 5 speed manual, great working condition, cold A/C, new tires, silver exterior, 173K miles--avail 11/28 -$2500. FMI call x79451 1999 Volvo station wagon, silver with tinted windows, new tires and tune up within the last year, A/C needs repair. Can easily pass base inspection. Vehicle will either be parked in first open/public parking area going in to the Paola Point housing area, or at my quarters (729 Radio Point). If interested call 74100 and leave a message. Red 1992 Geo Tracker for sale. $1500, Have maintenance records. Great driving Vehicle no Mechanical problems I just restored much of this Car’s Exterior. For test Drive or Info Please Call 77219
ELECTRONICS HTC ONE M8, 16gb Factory unlocked with original box and cases with back up battery, with wireless headset (HBS 730) For $400.00 Gunmetal Color. ACER Aspire V3 55Gx419, 6GB Ram, AMD A-10 Series, Dual graphics guard a Total of 5GB, 750 HDD, Midnight black color, Windows 8, With original box and charger 74891 or 90782
OUTDOOR REC.
25 Ft Parker Center Console with twin Yamaha 200’s and trailer. Anchor Windless, Live Well, Garmin GPS and Depth Finder, Garmin VHF 200 Marine Radio, Fusion Marine Stereo with MPS, CD, Satellite radio, Down Rigger, Out Riggers, Electric Reel. Have a clear title for the boat and trailer. $22,500 OBO Call 90376 This 25x8’ pontoon boat is a very good platform for either fishing or diving in the bay... It has a rebuilt 4 stroke 130HP Johnson OB motor. It comes with two new marine batteries, 20 gal fuel tank, hydraulic steering system, a large covered deck, three full-length pontoons for stability. Center Console is installed with a fish finder, Marine-Band VHF Radio, Navigational GPS and CD/ Radio Stereo System, all electronics work fine. Boat is located at Pier 33. If interested call 74100 and leave a message. For Sale - Club Car Golf Cart and Charger Electric 48 volts, Mag Rims, Very Nice Cart, Cart was ordered and shipped in from the states Not a GTMO Special. $4000.00 OBO Call 90376 For Sale, Dive equipment. 2 BC’s, 2 sets of fins, regulators , dive bag. Much more, all for $300.00. Please ask for Mike. Home phone after 6:00PM 75655 or work contact phone 3005 (JTF trans) office., ask for Carolyn Martinez for more info.
YARD SALE
Holiday Back Yard Sale! Trees, decorations, cards, stocking stuffers and more. SUNDAY, 23 NOV 10 am-12 pm. CP 1410 A NO EARLY BIRDS!
Backyard sale Friday November 28 from 0800 to 1200 at GP6D. Samsung Galaxy S4 mini i9190 8GB Golf clubs, patio bar accessories, Factory Unlocked Price $350.00 Keurig, household goods and sea OBO. Please call Sammy at 78742 or glass. leave a message
The
scoop
SONY BRAVIA 32” TV $125, SONY CD / DVD Player DVP-SR210P $25, Cisco Linksys E900 Wireless Router $20, Zhone 1511-A1 ADSL2+ Router KIDS BDAY PARTY $20, Day phone 75064 Evenings The kids Christmas party will be held on Friday December 79473
5th from 1800-2000 at the HOUSEHOLD GOODS community center. RSVP is Starband SATELLITE internet for required and can be done by sale! $500 transferable account. contacting PS1 Murray at ext Best way to Skype or FaceTime with 4414 or FC1 Castillo at 55073. NO interruption from your home!!! ENTRY CLEARANCE Call x79451 As of Oct. 3 the previous Entry Wanted Treadmill or Elliptical, X 84470 Clearance form was rescind-
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ed and replaced by SECNAV Form 5512/1. Personnel requesting access to the installation will continue to route forms through their Depart- DOWNTOWN LYCEUM ment Head and Housing prior FRIDAY Nov.21 to submission to the Security 7 p.m.: The Hunger Games: MockOffice for vetting. For quesingjay PT.1 PG13 tions contact 4151 or 2249. 9:15 p.m.: John Wick R
COMMUNITY CLUB The Guantanamo Bay Community Club will be holding their annual tour of lights and decoration contest. Those wanting to participate must complete an entry form or be nominated by an admirer to be judged. Entry forms are available at Treasures and Trivia and runs from Nov. 1 to Nov. 22. For additional questions see base roller or stop by Treasures and Trivia. JEA and MWR The Junior Enlisted Association in conjunction with MWR will be holding GTMO’s Got Talent and Minute to Win It at the Windjammer Ballroom on Nov. 29 at 1800. This is a great opportunity to share your talent and compete for prizes. Sign up by Nov. 26 by contacting mose.dantzler@ gtmo.navy.mil.
SATURDAY Nov.22 7 p.m.: Dumb and Dumber To PG13
9 p.m.:
The Best of Me PG13
SUNDAY Nov.23 6:30 p.m.: Alexander and The Very 8 p.m.:
Bad Day PG Quija PG13
MONDAY 7 p.m.: The Good Lie
Nov. 24
TUESDAY 7 p.m.: Annabelle
Nov. 25
WEDNESDAY 7 p.m.: Interstellar
Nov. 26
PG13
R
PG13
10 p.m.: Fury R
THURSDAY Nov. 27 7 p.m.: National Lampoon’s
GAZETTE There will not be a paper next 9 p.m. week due to Thanksgiving.
Christmas Vacation PG13 The Book of Life PG
A Webinar Series You Will Not Want To Miss! The Navy Child & Youth Program, Child & Youth Education Services announces a series of Parent Education Webinars for Navy personnel and DoD personnel assigned to Navy Installations. These interactive webinars offer research based information and ideas for participants. Mark your calendars and register for the webinar that fits your needs. Once you’ve registered, you will be able to view the live webinar or watch a recorded presentation for up to two weeks. Registered attendees are limited to one viewing of the webinar per registration.
To register for remote viewing, go to the link following your selected topic below:
Webinar Topics and Dates December 10, 2014—Building Resiliency https://cc.readytalk.com/r/w703eatjuy22&eom
December 17, 2014—College Admissions (for parents and students) https://cc.readytalk.com/r/cf2ptpiickmv&eom
February 11, 2015—Bouncing Back: Turning Stress into Strength https://cc.readytalk.com/r/krcduc7kuzbc&eom
March 11, 2015—Transitions https://cc.readytalk.com/r/uhl5uqbg71z2&eom
March 18, 2015—Grief, Trauma and Loss in Children https://cc.readytalk.com/r/lv8u8t73z7x3&eom
March 25, 2015—Transitioning with Children with SPECED Needs https://cc.readytalk.com/r/yox9fk3y90mp&eom
May 13, 2015—Keys to Success in Middle School (parents of children grades 5-8) https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ty5glyhsm9ux&eom
All webinars will take place at 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time Free to all Navy personnel and DoD personnel assigned to Navy Installations, but space is limited. Please contact your installation’s School Liaison Officer or MCEC staff for more information.
REGISTER TODAY!! Judy.Glennon@MilitaryChild.org - Find us on Facebook @ Military Child Education Coalition
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