New leadership for VX-20 Page 3
Toys for Tots Page 5
A Striking Career Page 8
GO NAVY! VOLUME 69, NUMBER 48
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
DECEMBER 6, 2012
X-47B UCAS catapult launch makes naval aviation history By Jamie Cosgrove Program Executive Office Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Public Affairs The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator successfully completed its inaugural landbased catapult launch here Nov. 29, marking the start of a new era for naval aviation. "Carrier-based unmanned aircraft will change the concept of operations for the carrier-controlled airspace," said Rear Adm. MatWinter, the program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. "The N-UCAS program's goal is to demonstrate integration of an unmanned aircraft into a carrier environment and reduce technical risk associated with developing potential future unmanned, carrier-compatible systems." The Navy's first-ever steam catapult launch of the pilotless X-47B
U.S. Navy photo by Kelly Schindler
Launching crew prepares the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System for its first land-based catapult launch Nov. 29 from NAS Patuxent River. ensures the vehicle can structurally handle the rigors of the unique and
stringent aircraft carrier environment.
"The X-47B shore-based catapult launch we witnessed here to-
day will leave a mark in history," said Vice Adm. David Dunaway, NAVAIR commander. "We are working toward the future integration of unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, something we didn't envision 60 years ago when the steam catapult was first built here." Since the birth of naval aviation, engineers have relied on experienced test pilots to help evaluate aircraft flying qualities and structural suitability. Today, the Navy UCAS integrated test team relied solely on data from a pre-programmed automated X-47B aircraft to achieve these data points. "This test, in addition to the extensive modeling and simulation done prior to today, gives us great confidence in the X-47B's ability to operate on the flight deck," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy UCAS program manager. The combined Navy and
See Launch, Page 13
Go Navy! Beat Army! Navy goes for 11th consecutive win against Army By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer Are you ready for some football? This Saturday, for the 113th time, U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen will face off against their archrival U.S. Military Academy Black Knights in what has become known to legions of football fans simply as the Army-Navy game. The teams first met Nov. 29, 1890, on The Plain at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., where the much more experienced Navy team dominated with a 24-0 victory. Since then, the series record stands at 56 Navy wins, 49 Army wins and seven ties. Navy is riding a current winning streak of 10 consecutive years. There have been occasions over the years when the two teams did not meet. Army canceled its entire football season in 1909 due to the death of a cadet in a game against Harvard; World War I interfered in 1917 and
1918; and because neither school could agree on player eligibility standards, the 1928 and 1929 games were called off. But the longest break in action came after the 1893 game when a duel nearly occurred between a Navy admiral and an Army general, which resulted in each school being restricted to playing home games only. After a five-year cooling-off period, both teams took the field once again, but always in a neutral location, and often in the city of Philadelphia. Saturday's game will once again be contested in the City of Brotherly Love at Lincoln Financial Field, beginning at 3 p.m. Besides being seen by hundreds of thousands of people on network television, the game will be heard around the world via satellite radio, Army Sports Network and Navy Radio Network. It will also be streamed live on the Internet. The Middies will take the field wearing their new predominantly white helmet displaying an anchor logo on each side with a metallic
gold stripe embellishment. Cheering them along on the sidelines will be Bill the goat, the Navy's team mascot. Why a goat? For centuries, ships sailed with livestock to provide Sailors with fresh food and early ships often carried goats to eat garbage and to supply milk and butter. According to the U.S. Naval Academy website, legend has it that a pet goat died aboard a Navy ship and officers decided to preserve the skin for mounting upon returning to port. On their way to the taxidermist, two young ensigns who were entrusted with the skin stopped by the Naval Academy to see a football game. At half time, one of them dressed up in the goat skin and amused the crowd. Navy won the game and, although there were brief periods with other mascots, the goat eventually won the spot and has served without interruption since 1904. A crowd of more than 100
See Football, Page 13
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kori Melvin
U.S. Navy Midshipmen charge the field to kick off last year's Army-Navy college football game at FedEx Field Dec. 10, 2011. It was the first Army-Navy game played in the nation's capital. This year, the teams face off Saturday in Philadelphia.
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Plans for Air Expo 2013 begin
Thursday, December 6, 2012
NAS Pax holiday gate manning NAS security department holiday leave will reduce manning slightly at the gates starting Dec 13. Please allow extra time for access to the installation by departing your residence at least 30-45 minutes early. Gate services will be: Gate One • Open and augmented to expedite traffic: Dec. 13-14, Dec. 17-21, Jan. 2-4 and Jan. 7-10. • Open with no augmentation: Dec. 24, Dec. 2628, and Dec. 31. • Closed weekends, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. • Normal manning resumes Jan. 11: 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Gate Two • Normal operations with limited augmentation. Gate Three Three • Open 5:30-8:30 a.m. for inbound and outbound traffic. Open 3:30-5 p.m. for outbound traffic only. • Closed weekends, Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1.
U.S. Navy photo by Connie Hempel
The Blue Angels events coordinator and narrator visited NAS Patuxent River Nov. 28-29 to discuss plans for next year's Air Expo. The show is slated for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. More information will be posted in the coming months in the Tester and at www.Facebook.com/NASPaxRiver.
News Briefs On base: VXS-1 petty officer promotions
The following Sailors were among those selected for promotion with the release of the fall Petty Officer Advancement list Nov. 20: Aviation Electrician's Electrician's Mate Mate 3rd 3rd Class Desmond Desmond Cooper, Cooper, Naval Nav al Aircr Aircrewman ewman Mechanical Mechanical 2nd Class Felix Felix Gonzalez and Aviation Electrician's Electrician's Mate Mate 1st Class (AW) Justin Justin Hearn Hearn.
Toys-for-Tots Marksmanship Competition canceled
Due to the requirement to comply with specific statutes and DOD guidance concerning fundraising, the Toys-for-Tots Marksmanship Competition slated for Dec. 13 and 14 at the NAS Pax River indoor shooting range has regrettably been canceled. If you would like more information regarding the Marine Corp'sToys-for-Tots program, visit http://ToysForTots.org.
Annual Children's Christmas Party
Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. Religious Program Center All children with base access are invited to the NAS Pax River Chapel’s annual Children's Christmas Party. The free event offers food and activities, and every child receives a gift from Santa Claus.
FEW open house
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Building 1489, rooms 101 and 102 The Federally EmployedWomen Pax River chapter is holding a Holiday Open House. For more information, contact Emily Stump at StumpTheSquirrels@gmail.com or 301-904-2984.
Pax River blood drive
Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building Atrium Appointments can be made online at www.MilitaryDonor.com sponsor code: NSPR. Walk-ins are also welcome. For more information, contact Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Arlequin at 301-342-2752.
Military Child of the Year nominations
Register by Dec. 15 Operation Homefront is accepting nominations for Military Child of the Year. This award recognizes military children who demonstrate resilience, leadership and achievement.
One child from each branch of service is selected for the award and receives $5,000 and a laptop. Nominations may be made by parents, family members, teachers, counselors, coaches, community and church leaders, neighbors and others. For more information or to nominate a child, visit http://MilitaryChildoftheYear.org.
No Tester issue Dec. 20 or Dec. 27
Due to the holidays, the Tester is not published Dec. 20 or Dec. 27.
NEX holiday hours
The Navy Exchange is open Dec. 24 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Dec. 25.
NAS Pax River Chapel Holiday Services
Roman Catholic: Catholic: Daily Mass is Monday-Thursday at 11:35 a.m.; Feast, Immaculate Conception, Mass is Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.; Christmas Mass is Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and again Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. Protestant: Pr otestant: ChristmasWorship Service is Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. For information on Jewish holiday events, call the Beth Israel Synagogue at 301-862-2021.
Sittercity Military Program
Sittercity memberships, funded by the Department of Defense, offers active-duty and Reserve Navy families help in securing care during the holidays. Families have access to more than 2 million in-home caregivers across the nation including babysitters, senior caregivers, pet sitters, housekeepers and tutors. In some instances, these caregivers are other military families. Military families can activate their membership at www.SitterCity.com/dod.
Influenza vaccinations
Weekdays Active-duty military can receive their flu vaccine at the Naval Health Clinic Preventive Medicine Department from 811:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries can get their flu vaccine from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays, or from 7:30 to noon Wednesdays at the Immunization Clinic. For more information, call the Clinic's Influenza phone
See News Briefs, Page 11
Webster Field Field • Only the main gate will be open through the holiday period. The back gate will be closed. NRC Solomons NRC Solomons • Open through the holiday period.
"Seven Tips from the Security Officer" for a safer and more expeditious commute:
1. Adjust your work schedule, as able, to come in 30-45 minutes earlier or later than normal. This will better distribute the volume of vehicles accessing the base. 2. Have your window down and ID ready to present to the sentry. Those few seconds you save by not having to locate your ID add up over the course of the morning and will reduce traffic delays for everyone at the gate. 3. Avoid multitasking—eating, last-minute makeup, changing radio stations and especially talking on cell phones and texting—while proceeding thorough the Entry Control Point. Those distractions combined with winter darkness and potentially inclement weather increase the likelihood of not seeing the sentries posted on both sides of the roadway. 4. Please be courteous to the sentries. They are doing the best they can to process as many people through the Entry Control Points as possible while still verifying base access authorization to ensure the safety and security of the installation and our mission. 5. Plan for the worst and hope for the best by leaving your residence 30 to 45 minutes early. If you get through the gate quickly you can enjoy a cup of coffee or breakfast on the shore line and set the tone for a great Pax River day. 6. Do not block the intersections at Route 235 and installation's gates in attempt to "beat the stoplight." Cross the intersection only when you have sufficient room for your entire vehicle to be completely clear of the intersection. Blocking the intersection is dangerous and only compounds backups on an already congested roadway. Local law enforcement has issued citations for this in the past. Don't block the box. 7. Turn off headlights while proceeding through gate if possible. Headlights can blind sentries to oncoming traffic. Also turn off your car stereo while entering the base as music may prevent you from hearing verbal directions from the sentry.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
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New leadership for VX-20 By Doug Abbotts Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Public Affairs Friends, family and colleagues welcomed a new commanding officer at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 at NAS Patuxent River Nov. 15. Cmdr. Robert Polvino, a Naval Academy graduate, turned over command of the 420-member squadron to Cmdr. Jason Rider, an Alabama native during a ceremony at the unit's hangar. Rear Adm. Randy Mahr, Naval AirWarfare Center Aircraft Division commander, told the audience that under Polvino's leadership the squadron delivered 6,600 sorties, was awarded the CNO's Aviation Safety Award for 2011, and completed 21,260 maintenance actions and 1,220 configuration changes on the squadron's aircraft. "Your leadership and fellowship have left this command in a better condition than when you started your tour," Mahr said. "There is no higher praise I can give you." Polvino's next assignment is the Naval AirWarfare Center Training Systems Di-
Chaplain's Corner:
Are you prepared? By Al Kaniss Guest contributor
U.S. Navy photo
Cmdr. Jason Rider shares a lighter moment with the audience during a change-of-command ceremony at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 on Nov. 15. Rider, the new VX-20 commander, served as chief test pilot under outgoing skipper Cmdr. Robert Polvino, who heads to Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, Fla. vision in Orlando, Fla. Before assuming command, Rider servedVX-20 as the chief test pilot. He has flown more than 2,900 hours in 11 different Navy aircraft, including a combat tour during the 1998 Kosovo Conflict. He is a 1993 gradu-
ate of Auburn University with bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial and systems engineering. "Your job is squarely at the business end of the acquisition chain," Rider told his new command. "If that chain had a 'tip of the spear,'
you would find it here in this test squadron." VX-20 has the most diverse aircraft inventory in the Navy, performing test and evaluation flights in 22 uniquely configured aircraft including the new P-8A Poseidon and E-2D Hawkeye.
Decorating safety tips make for happier holiday season Commentary by George E. Revoir NAS Patuxent River Safety Department Holiday greetings Pax River shipmates and friends. It's that time of year again to crawl up on the rooftop to string up those Christmas lights and decorations. But, before you begin your holiday decorating, the Safety office urges you to keep in mind that every year about 12,500 people nationwide are treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC also reports candles as the root cause for about 11,600 fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss, while Christmas trees cause about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage. Always keep burning candles within sight and be sure to extinguish before leaving a room or going to bed. "Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles," CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton said in a CPSC press release. Holiday lights should be marked by recognized testing lab, such as "UL," which shows they meet safety standards. CPSC monitors holiday lights and decorations sold at stores nationwide. Since these inspections began, 116,500 units of holiday lights were prevented from being imported for not meeting safety standards. Here are safety tips from Pax Safety Office to make your holiday a safe one:
Courtesy photo
Don't let the tree be a fire hazard. Artificial trees should be labeled as "fire resistant" and live trees should be fresh and the stands filled with water.
Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree
See Safety, Page 11
I find it interesting how people differ in preparing for the future. Some people are meticulous planners and are prepared for all of life's common situaAl Kaniss tions: retirement, longterm care, advance directive or living will, and even their own funeral. Others don't worry about or plan for such events, either waiting until they come or just letting someone else worry about them. The ultimate planners are the survivalists—"doomsday preppers"—who even prepare for life's less common scenarios. Hurricane Sandy was a good example of how differently people prepared. My neighbor bought 30 extra gallons of gasoline for his generator, which he didn't need and wound up dumping into his truck's fuel tank. Most people removed items from their decks and yards that could become airborne. A few people in my neighborhood sandbagged their doors. As we heard, though, others in hard-hit areas had not even stored extra food or drinking water in preparation for the storm, despite the advance warning they had. While the future is certainly unpredictable, and we all plan for it differently, there are some things that are inevitable. We know we're all going to leave this life, we just don't know how or when. The Bible does tell us to plan for it, though. Amos 4:12 tells us to "... prepare to meet your God." Matthew 25 contains the parable about a group of young women who missed the wedding banquet because they had not procured oil for their lamps. Those who had prepared by having a supply of oil, were ready. We should all expect to give an account to God for what we accomplished with our lives. This would include not just our behavior, but also what we did with the time, money, energy and talents God gave us. Were we most interested in ourselves or others? Did we do worthwhile things with our relatively short time in this life or just "kill time?" Will people remember us for our achievements and our care and concern for others, or just that we were nice people? There's a well-known poem by Linda Ellis called, "The Dash," which refers to the period between being born and dying, as indicated by the punctuation mark separating the dates on a tombstone. It's a good reminder that we need to be conscious of what we do with what we have and of our relationships with others. The eulogy is too late to tell someone how we feel about them. People spend a lot of time preparing for things, and rightfully so. Remember the old saying, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail?" We prepare for vacations, practice for performances, plan parties and get ready for moving to make sure everything goes just right. Let's also prepare daily for our eventual meeting with God by doing the things in this lifetime that please and honor him I think we'd all like to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant." So let's not leave it to chance.
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Tester
Meet the FFSC professionals By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer For the next few issues, the Tester will highlight the instructors, facilitators and counselors from the Fleet and Family Support Center. FFSC offers a variety of classes and seminars free to active-duty and retired military and their families, and if space allows, to DOD employees, their spouses and contract employees. For a full listing of class schedules, or to be added to an email list to receive the Beacon newsletter, which includes class schedules, call the FFSC at 301-342-4911. This week, meet Gloria Arteaga and Linda Schmid.
Gloria Arteaga Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
Arteaga is the SARC for NAS Patuxent River and NSASP Dahlgren/Indian Head installations. She holds a juris doctor degree from Franklin Pierce Law School, University of New Hampshire, and had 10 years of advocacy experience. "My introduction to sexual assault and advocacy began with a visit to post-war Sarajevo, Bosnia, where I met victims of the rape camps," Arteaga explained. "The experience guided me to study law and transformed me into the advocate I am today." Arteaga's advocacy experience includes: civilian and military sexual assault; domestic abuse; disability rights; human rights; special education advocacy for Spanish-speaking children with mental health disorders in the State of New Hampshire school district; court investigator and guardian ad-litem in abuse and neglect cases for the State of Massachusetts; and care-giver to people in crisis for the Catholic Church. Time at Pax Pax River? River? I arrived here in August 2011 from Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, where I also held the SARC position. Classes taught? My classes concentrate on the awareness and prevention of sexual assaults in the military, and how the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program works
for the victims of this crime to ensure we respect their rights. The SAPR team assists victims in the path to recovery and/or guidance through the SAPR process of investigation and seeking justice when the "unrestricted reporting option" is the path they choose. Skills participants participants learn learn from from classes: Participants learn how to be "first responders" as SAPR Victim Advocates by understanding the guiding policies of the SAPR Program. Further, they learn more about being active members within the program by getting involved in the awareness, prevention, data collection and becoming liaisons to the program. They learn all the available resources for victims both on base and within the community. Next class? SAPR Victim Advocate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 17-20 at the Pax River Fleet and Family Support Center. Arteaga's Ar teaga's expert expert advice: The SAPR Program works. Confidence in the program is rising and people are seeking help. Our message is clear and it is being heard. However, if you feel we are missing something, it will not be addressed unless we hear from you. Get involved, help the cause and protect our fellow Sailors. It's your duty.
Linda Schmid Education Service Facilitator
Schmid holds a master's degree of science in health education and is an experienced public school health educator, pharmaceutical sales trainer, personal trainer, Department of Health advocate and educator, and SAPR coordinator. "My entire career has centered on creating, implementing and evaluation educational programs," Schmid said, "and I'm ready, willing and able to do road shows at individual commands." Time at Pax Pax River? River? Since December 2008. Classes taught? Personal Communication, Marriage is a Work of Heart (Couples Communication), Stress Management, Anger Management, Suicide Awareness and Prevention and Myers -Briggs Type Indicator. Schmid also works with other FFSC members to provide Naval Air Station and Naval Air Systems Command Indocs bi-weekly or bi-monthly classes to familiarize new military
Ho-ho-ho— It’s Christmas time Commentary by Nirvana Dimmitt NAS Patuxent River Command Ombudsman
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so let's jingle our way to a merry Santa! I don't know about you, but Christmas is my favorite holiday. For me, it's all about the tree and decorating it. By the way, it doesn't matter if the tree is real or fake, Santa's happy with both. Nirvana Dimmitt 'Tis also the time for writing letters to Santa, baking cookies, shopping for the perfect present ... There's just so much to be excited about. Yes, the countdown to Christmas has definitely begun and there are lots of fun activities happening all month long. Although Christmas may bring some down, reminding them of another year that has sped by really fast, it's also full of excitement as we send cards to and receive cards from so many wonderful families and friends from all around the world. After all, we are military. So, if this is your first year in the military rodeo, brace yourself. You will meet several new families in the military here, and many more down the road. For those who have been in the military setting for a while, you've met quite a few families already, most of them dispersed around the world, and we love receiving cards from all of them. Sometimes they're the traditional printed cards and sometimes they're the fascinating picture cards. Sending and receiving these cards are a way to renew contact with families and friends you don't see often. And that's part of the Christmas magic.
See FFSC, Page 10 Hours of Oper Operation: ation: Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All classes are held at the Fleet and Family Support Center building 2090 on Bundy Road, unless otherwise noted. To make a reservation or to volunteer, call 301-342-4911. For more information on FFSC classes, visit the NAS Patuxent River Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/NASPaxRiver.
Ombudsman's Corner:
• Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.: Playgroup at Glen Forrest Community Center • Today, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Marriage is a Work of Heart • Monday through Dec. 18, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Transition Assistance Program and E-TAP • Wednesday, 1-4 p.m.: CARIT brief • Dec. 13, 9-10:30 a.m.: Stress Management • Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m.: Amazing Newborns • Dec. 17-20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: SAPR Advocate training • Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Consumer Awareness • Dec. 19, 1-3 p.m.: SAPR Refresher training
See Christmas, Page 13
Exceptional Family Member Program
EFMP is a DOD program to address the special needs of military families. Sailor who have an Exceptional Family Member with special needs—medical or educational disability—should enroll in the EFMP so the Navy can do its part in caring for any EFM need through appropriate assignments and by providing helpful information and referral resources.
Clinical Counseling Services
Clinical Counseling services can directly improve the quality of life of service members and their family members by addressing the stressors facing today's military: family hardships, marital conflicts, parent and child issues, money concerns, frequent moves, health and environmental factors and other difficulties. To make an appointment with a counselor, call 202685-6019.
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Commanding Officer
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Public Affairs Specialist
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refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office. News copy should be submitted by Friday to be considered for the following week’s edition. All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity, and conformity to regulations. To inquire about news copy, call 301-342-4163 or fax the Tester at 301863-9296.
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Toys for Tots in full swing • Pax Marines volunteer to manage drive in St. Mary’s
Ask the Lawyer
What can I do about being denied leave? By Mathew B. Tully Guest Contributor
By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer Once again the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is underway collecting toys to deliver the joy of Christmas to needy children nationwide. Without a Marine Corps Reserve detachment here in St. Mary's County, two NAS Patuxent River Marines and local members of the Marine Corps League, a civilian organization comprised of Marine veterans, have stepped forward to take up the cause. Marine Aviation Detachment Gunnery Sgt. Dana D. Charter and Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Wickenden, Pax River Toys for Tots coordinators, are responsible for working with the Marine Corps League to place boxes and collect toys around the station and in the community. "To date we've placed over 100 boxes throughout the community," Charter said. "They're located in banks, grocery stores, restaurants, many retail outlets and other businesses around town." White drop boxes sporting the familiar red Toys for Tots train logo stand in a number of buildings around the installation, including the heavily-trafficked Navy Exchange. "It's all about visibility," Charter said. "The NEX box fills up constantly. Last week, we pulled out 106 toys from that box alone." Saturday, Marines are manning collection stations at the Dress Barn, Kmart and WalMart stores from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at the Fitz Auto Mall in Lexington Park from noon to 4 p.m. "We'll take any new, unwrapped toy and every toy collected here in St. Mary's County stays in St. Mary's County," Charter said. Cash donations are also welcome and are used to purchase items Toys for Tots needs, but may be short on, such as infant toys or protective helmets. "Whenever we give a skateboard or a bike, we also provide a safety helmet," Charter said. "And we may need to purchase those." The group works with social services agencies in St. Mary's County to identify families in need of extra help this holiday season. There are still a few days left to make a donation. They begin removing the drop boxes Monday and are distributing the toys between Dec.14 and 16. Locally, Marines help hundreds of families each year. Since beginning the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in 1947, Marines have distributed more
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Q. My commander has repeatedly denied me leave ever since we had a tiff. How can I formally complain about this wrong?
U.S. Navy photo by Donna Cipolloni
Marine Aviation Detachment Gunnery Sgt. Dana D. Charter, Toys for Tots coordinator at NAS Patuxent River, begins to empty a stuffed Toys for Tots collection box in building 2806 on Dec. 3.
Marines are manning the following collections stations Saturday:
• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dress Barn, Kmart and WalMart • Noon to 4 p.m., Fitz Auto Mall in Lexington Park than 452 million toys to more than 209 million children in need. "Kids don't have anything to do with their home situation," Charter said. "Toys for Tots is a way to make a kid happy on Christmas. I'd do anything to put a smile on a kid's face. I hope people will give."
A. Service members have a number of options available to them for grieving command-inflicted wrongs, Mathew B. Tully such as notifying their branch's Inspector General or pursuing an Article 138 complaint. Filing an Equal Opportunity complaint may be another option. The trick is in knowing the best avenue for resolving the wrong at hand. Generally, the military's grievance procedures are not intended to undermine the chain of command. So, service members who believe they have been wronged should first seek resolution by bringing the issue to the attention of the commanding officer responsible for the perceived wrong. What happens after the commanding officer refuses the redress may depend on the branch of which the complainant is a member. Under JAGINST5800.7D, for example, Navy personnel have 90 days after the wrongdoing was discovered to submit an Article 138 complaint through the chain of command to the general court martial authority. A "wrong," according to JAGINST5800.7D, "results in personal detriment, harm or injury to a military subordinate; is without substantial basis, unauthorized, arbitrary and capricious, unjust, or discriminatory." The instruction states actions that are improper subjects for Article 138 complaints include actions taken by individuals other than the commanding officer, separation board findings and recommendations not finalized. Other improper subjects concern general military policies, non-judicial punishment and court-martial proceedings. In the Air Force, AFI 51-904 has a definition for "wrong" similar to JAGINST5800.7D. To the list of complaints not normally reviewed under Article 138, it adds performance reports or evaluation systems, assessments of financial liability and flying status suspensions. Generally, most Article 138 complaints I've seen involve discriminatory actions by a commanding officer or denials of leave. Usually, complaints over denials of leave get shot down at the redress stage, and it may not be worth sending a formal complaint of wrongs up the command chain and getting higher-ranking officers involved in a simple leave matter. It may be a different story if any seriously wrongful underlying factors influenced the denial. One of the perks of contacting the IG is that the commanding officer will likely have to justify his or her actions to an investigator. But, it is important to remember that the IG's investigative authority is limited in scope. As the Naval Inspector General's Investigation Manual states, the IG will "inquire into matters that have some relationship to readiness, effectiveness, discipline, efficiency, integrity, ethics, and public confidence." It is also keenly interested in allegations of fraud, waste, and violations of laws, rules, or regulations. Depending on the circumstances, leave denials may fall within this scope. However, actions that fall outside the IG's purview include major crimes, crimes committed by military personnel, adverse employment actions, and discrimination cases, excluding harassment. Determining how to resolve a wrong can be complex, so service members should consult with a military law attorney who could explain the pros and cons of pursuing one option over another, prepare a complaint, and fight for the most favorable outcome possible. Mathew B. Tully is an Iraq war veteran and founding partner of the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC. Email questions to askthelawyer@fedattorney.com. The information in this column is not intended as legal advice.
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tester the MWR Administrative Building at building 467. Calls to children are slated for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday. For more information or to volunteer to help, call 301-342-1694.
Sea Nettle Ornament class
Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Customized Creations Learn how to make whimsical sea nettle ornaments with ceramic caps, colored wire, beads and charms for your tree or too give as gift. Cost is $30 plus a $15 materials fee. To register, stop by Customized Creations or call 301-342-6293.
Santa's Calling
Register by Tuesday Operators are standing by at the North Pole Center to put your child's name on Santa's telephone list. Registration forms are in all MWR facilities. Forms must be turned into any MWR drop box:Youth Center, Bowling Center, Center StageTheater, MWR ITT Office, Child Development Center, CDC Annex or
Cookies with the Clauses
Register by Monday Dec. 14, 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Navy Recreation Center Solomons An afternoon of Winter Family Fun at the Fourth Annual Cookies with the Clauses event hosts arts and crafts with Santa's elves and special cookies with Mrs. Clause. There is also a surprise visit and story time with Santa. Cost per person is $7, E15; $8, all others. For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Marchant at 410-286-8365 or jennifer.marchant@navy.mil.
Dec. 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Landing Zone Restaurant Come out with the family and enjoy dinner featuring holiday performances from our piano students during dinner followed by dancing. There is also an appearance from Santa. Cost is $5; children ages 2 and younger, and adults ages 65 and older free. To register, call 301-342-1694.
Moms on the Move! (Dads welcome too!)
Jan. 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Drill Hall A fitness class for stay-at-home-parents! Come for a free workout from 9:30-10:30 a.m.Tuesdays and Fridays beginning Jan. 4. Class includes cardio training, strength work and flexibility. Formats include circuit training, boot camp workouts and more. Children are welcome, but parent are responsible for them at all times.
Sunday Brunches are coming to the River's Edge
Come for brunch on select Sundays in 2013. There are two seatings: 10 a.m. and noon. Seats are limited and reservations are requested. For more information, call 301-342-3656.
Winter Intramural Sports organizational meetings
Meetings start at 1 p.m. at the Drill Hall Bowling Center on the following dates: Jan. 7, basketball; Jan. 8, volleyball and Jan. 9, racquetball. Intramural Sports are open to active-duty, Reserve and retired military, their family members and patrons enrolled in the NAS Pax River Fitness and Sports Program. Membership information can be obtained at Drill Hall. For more information, call 301-757-1194.
Energy Zone classes
Intr ntro o to Pilates Mondays, Jan. 7 through Feb. 4; or Wednesdays, Jan. 9-30. Participants learn the principles of Pilates and 10-12 exercises designed to help build familiarity with Pilates mat exercises.The exercises provide a foundation for building core abdominal strength, stability and flexibility. No class Jan. 21. Cost for four-week session is: $8, E1-E6; $16, all others. Register at Drill Hall. Ballr allroom oom dancing Mondays, Jan. 4 through Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m. Learn the fox-trot, waltz, swing rumba, cha-cha, tango and more. Cost per person for a six-week session is: $24, $48, all others. No class Jan. 21 or Feb. 18. Register at Drill Hall. Belly dancing Tuesdays, Jan. 8-26, 7-8 p.m. Participants can improve their fitness level and have fun at the same time. No previous dance experience is required. Cost for eight-week session is: $30, E1-E6; $60, all others. Register at Drill Hall by Jan. 7.
Energy Zone open house
Jan. 12, 8-11 a.m. The Energy Zone is hosting a free open house to showcase several of the different classes offered. See 30-minute demos in Zumba, body pump, spinning, will power and grace and more. Light refreshments are provided. For more information, call 301-995-3869.
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For more information on MWR events, visit www.Facebook.com/NASPaxRiver.
Winter Wonderland Dance
The Liberty Program sponsors free or reduced-price events for Pax River active-duty E1-E6. Liberty is a component of the Single Sailor Program. Civilian guests are not allowed to participate unless otherwise stated. For more information, call 301342-4208 or www.Facebook.com/NASPaxRiver. • Monday: Bowling with Liberty • Dec. 24: Liberty Christmas Eve Party • Dec. 25: Christmas Day at the Liberty Center • Dec. 31: Liberty Up All Night • Jan. 6: BCS Championship football game • Jan. 12: National Aquarium Trip • Jan. 14: Bowling With Liberty • Jan. 19: Snowboard/ski trip
Thursday, December 6, 2012
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Tester
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
LIVE UNITED
All contributions to United Way of St. Mary’s stay in St. Mary’s County
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gains something he never expected as he becomes a sensation that rallies the entire school.Rated:PG(1hr,45min) Friday, Dec. 7 6:30 p.m., Alex Cross Alex Cross, a young homicide detective/psychologist, meets his match in a serial killer. The two face off in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, but when the mission gets personal, Cross is pushed to the edge of his moral and
psychological limits. Rated: PG-13 (1 hr, 42 min) 9 p.m., Paranormal Activity 4 Strange things have begun happening ever since the new neighbors moved in next door. Rated: R (1 hr, 28 min) Saturday, Dec. 8 4 p.m., Hotel Transylvania (not in 3D) Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish
sters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world's most famous monsters - Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more to celebrate his daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Drac,
See Movies, Page 10
Please remember United Way of St. Mary’s County in the local CFC campaign. Our Number is 75738.
www.unitedwaysmc.org
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
LIVE UNITED
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Thursday, Dec. 6 6:30 p.m., Here Comes the Boom Former collegiate wrestler ScottVoss is a 42-year-old apathetic biology teacher in a failing high school. When cutbacks threaten to cancel the music program and lay off its teacher, Scott begins to raise money by moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter. Everyone thinks Scott is crazy most of all the school nurse, Bella but in his quest, Scott
Look for upcoming events on our website, and help support Snack Sac program in partnership with the Southern Maryland Food Bank. five-stake resort, where mon-
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
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Tester
A Striking Career
Precision Strike Weapons group honors acquisition leader with roots in its community By Paula A. Paige Program Management (AIR-1.0) Public Affairs Office
U.S. Navy photo by Kelly Schindler
Assistant Commander for Acquisition, Keith Sanders was recently honored with the 2012 Richard H. Johnson Technical Achievement Award by the Precision Strike Weapons Association, a coalition of defense industry, government and academic experts. Sanders has worked on nearly every air-launched weapon in the DOD inventory.
Keith Sanders Assistant Commander for Naval Air Systems Command's Acquisition/Program Management organization
The Voice of Reason
Bio: Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University, master's from George Mason University. Joined the civil service in 1971; appointed to the senior executive service in 2003; after college, briefly worked for Pratt & Whitney before becoming a Navy civilian. He has held positions at Naval Weapons Support Center, Crane, Ind.; the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; and a variety of leadership roles at NAS Patuxent River. On tackling tough problems: problems: "I was never in a position to choose to work on a tough problem. They kind of found me. You have to understand the root causes before you try to solve that problem. If you just start trying to solve the problem without really understanding what's making it happen, you can spend an awful lot of time and money guessing wrong." On finding your your calling: "Like most young people, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I grew up. I recommend they find themselves a meaningful role doing things they find challenging. Helping your team succeed has a beneficial side effect of furthering your opportunities. Find something you enjoy. That's the key."
When neuropsychologist RogerWolcott Sperry conducted his split-brain studies, he probably wasn't considering "wholebrained" thinker Keith Sanders. The assistant commander for Acquisition, Sanders integrates left-brained analysis and right-brained thoughtfulness to manage 99 Acquisition Category II to IV programs—a portfolio of roughly $2 billion—for Naval Air Systems Command. It's a role he's held since 2010, one that requires him to be intuitive, innovative and visionary—decidedly right-brained functions, but not a creative stretch for someone who ran track in high school, played the trumpet in a jazz band and enjoys wildlife photography. For most of his 41-year federal government career, however, Sanders' profession required the cerebral focus that neuroscientists would have labeled left-brained thinking. He has worked on nearly every air-launched weapon in the DOD inventory. His early development efforts for the Advance Bomb Family were the first serious attempt to improve generalpurpose bombs and inertial guidance kits for bombs since the Mark 80 family was conceived in the 1950s. ABF didn't survive, but it influenced nearly every subsequent direct-attack weapon in the Navy and possibly the world. Though Sanders shifted his professional focus from building bombs to building consensus, the weapons community never forgot his contributions. On Nov. 15, the Precision StrikeWeapons Association, a coalition of defense industry, government and academic experts, honored him with its 2012 Richard H. Johnson Technical Achievement Award at a restaurant near NAS Patuxent River. "Keith has enjoyed a remarkable career, nobly serving our great nation for more than four decades—touching the acquisition or life-cycle support of virtually every major strike weapons program," said Andy McHugh, chairman of the Precision Strike Association, who also works as director of Business Development at Tekla Research. "Keith is very deserving of this recognition and it will be an honor to present this award to him in front of family, friends and members of the precision strike community."
U.S. Navy photo by Paula A. Paige
Commander of Naval Air Systems Command, Vice Adm. David Dunaway congratulates Assistant Commander for Acquisition Keith Sanders on receiving the 2012 Richard H. Johnson Technical Achievement Award at a gathering Nov. 15 at the Tides Restaurant near NAS Patuxent River.
"Keith worked on some of the same programs Dick Johnson [the award's namesake] did," said Steve Roemerman, president of Lone Star Aerospace, an analysis and systems engineering company, who has known Sanders for more than 20 years. "Keith is someone who takes a systems approach to understanding what facts matter. That kind of systems thinking helps him navigate complex and difficult problems. When a group of people are facing a difficult set of challenges, he's one of the voices who help people find a consensus on how to overcome problems or challenges." Known for his trademark humility, Sanders' simple response when notified that he earned the trophy was "Gee whiz. Who would have thought?" "So much time had passed," he said. "I never saw myself as a noteworthy character in these efforts. I definitely feel ownership and pride from these efforts, but it was always as part of a team. In addition to JSOW [Joint Standoff Weapon] and JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition], I'm particularly proud of being part of the Tomahawk Block IV program. The networked capability that Tactical Tomahawk introduced in the early 2000s—those were both very significant contributors to the strike capability of the U.S. and its allies. Tactical Tomahawk made it possible for the on-scene commanders to redirect a weapon that was in-flight to a higher priority target, so that brought the time frames down significantly. Basically it took Tomahawk from being a weapon that was mostly strategic, down to being a true tactical tool for the special-operations teams." While Sanders saw himself as more of a footnote in the development of precision weapons, others saw him as the headline. "For 40 years, Keith has contributed to the evolution of precision strike systems, beginning with the Mark 80 series, laserguided bombs, to the more sophisticated systems, like JSOW, JDAM and JASSM," NAVAIR CommanderVice Adm. David Dunaway told those gathered at the restaurant. "He has been on the leading edge of helping our Navy progress from launching several aircraft with multiple bombs to ensure target destruction,
"In addition to knowing everyone in the business, Keith knew how to work with them all and, most importantly, knew what was important to them." —Retir Retired ed Rear Adm. Adm. Bert Johnston Former Naval Air Systems Command vice commander
to launching one aircraft with multiple precision-guided weapons that can neutralize targets with little or no collateral damage. He has a long history with the Naval Air Systems Command; and it is my honor to go to work with him every day." Rear Adm. Mat Winter, program executive officer for the Navy's Unmanned Aviation and StrikeWeapons program, called Sanders a "great American." "Keith's selfless dedication and commitment to weapons excellence has ensured our warfighters have had and continue to have the reliable, capable, cost-effective warfighting tools to fight the fight and win," said Winter, who worked with Sanders in the Precision Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201). "His presence in the weapons and energetics arena will be felt for many decades to come." Retired Rear Adm. Bert Johnston, a former NAVAIR vice commander who worked with Sanders in the Conventional Strike WeaponsProgramOffice,recalledSandersas"theperfectteammate. "In addition to knowing everyone in the business, Keith knew how to work with them all and, most importantly, knew what was important to them," said Johnston, who is now a defense industry consultant. "There were numerous times that Keith and I would have a discussion about where we needed to go, and the next day he would have a meeting or conference call scheduled or actions assigned to press ahead. It was obvious that Keith supported the warfighter."
Leash and Latitude
Sanders credited his mentors, from both the Navy and the defense industry, for his professional development. "Rear Adm. Jack 'Jocko' Chenevey, [former program manager in PMA-201] gave me opportunities that I wouldn't have otherwise had, in terms of trust and a long leash and latitude," Sanders said. "He selected me as his deputy shortly before he left PMA-201." "Keith had a very easy manner of leadership and a superb reputation within the Navy and Marine Corps weapons communities," said Chenevey, who has since retired. "The PMA-201 portfolio was very diverse in terms of the technologies and the field activities we had to support us. No one had a better grasp of these factors than Keith. His knowledge of the conventional air-to-ground weapons business was invaluable in our management of the development and sustainment programs." Longtime colleague Earle L. Rudolph Jr., vice president of Market Development MBDA, said Sanders has provided both naval aviation and the U.S. Air Force with the tools needed to "fight and win" for more than 20 years. "[Keith] was integral to the success of JDAM, GBU-24 and JSOW in PMA-201," Rudolph said. "He was the go-to lead to make a troubled program work, to solve management and technical issues. He took fleet aviators and made us understand that our contribution at NAVAIR was as important as what we did in the air." For Sanders, the development of sophisticated weapons sys-
Going out with a bang Over his 41-year career, Assistant Commander for Acquisition Keith Sanders provided technical and management leadership for a vast portfolio of precision-strike weapons, many of which have garnered headlines for the visible impact during high-intensity combat operations. They include: AARGM AAR GM: A complement to the High-Speed Anti-Radiation missile (HARM), the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile is a medium-range, supersonic, air-launched tactical missile whose primary mission is to attack and kill enemy radars. AMRAAM: The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air MisAMRAAM sile is a modern beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. Guided 2-75-inch Rockets: Rockets: What began as unguided airlaunched rockets of 2.75-inch (70-mm) diameter in the late 1940s has evolved into the Navy's Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, "plug and play," "point and shoot" weapon. Harpoon arpoon: An all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, Harpoon has also been further developed into a land-strike weapon, the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM). JASSM: Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile is an auJASSM tonomous, long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile. A 2,000-pound class weapon with a penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM cruises autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using a stateof-the-art infrared seeker in addition to the anti-jam GPS to find a specific aim point on the target. JDAM: The low-cost Joint Direct Attack Munition guidJDAM ance kit converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided "smart" weapons. JSOW: The Joint StandoffWeapon precision strike weapon JSOW is a 1,000-pound air-to-surface missile that can carry several different lethal packages. Laser Guided Guided Bombs Bombs: Laser-guided munitions use a laser designator to mark a target. The reflected laser light from the target is then detected by the seeker head of the weapon, which sends signals to the weapon's control surfaces to guide it toward the designated point. Maverick Maver ick: An air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close air support, the Maverick is the most widely produced precision-guided missile in the Western world. Sidewinder: The Sidewinder family of short-range air-toair missiles is carried on a wide range of modern tactical aircraft. SLAM-ER SL AM-ER: The Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response is the U.S. Navy's choice for surgical strike against high-value land targets and ships in port and at sea. Tomahawk: Considered the weapon of choice for U.S. leaders, the Tomahawk is an all-weather submarine or shiplaunched land-attack cruise missile. Today's Tomahawk Block IV can circle for hours, shift course on command and beam a picture of its target to controllers halfway around the world. Walleye alleye: A television-guided glide bomb used by the U.S. during the 1960s, the Walleye was the first of a family of precision-guided munitions designed to hit targets with minimal collateral damage. tems has been like transforming science fiction to science fact. In his books, novelist "Tom Clancy talked about doing things with air-launched weaponry, with satellites, aircraft. In practice, that wasn't really achievable, but this community has dedicated itself to making it real," Sanders said. "And through the efforts of many companies and government weapon centers, those capabilities today have truly been achieved and transformed how the Defense Department prosecutes its kinetic engagements. This group of companies and government organizations are involved in the business of weapons systems—emphasis on systems—because it involves satellites, aircraft all kinds of sensors and mission planning. The ability to deliver surgical strikes is something this community made possible. Not only the ability to do the strike, but to do it on an urgent basis. That's where the miracles happened."
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tester
HX-21 selects Kirk as SOY
MOVIES Continued from 7 legendary monsters is no problem—but this could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis. Rated: PG (1 hr, 32 min) 6:30 p.m., Alex Cross Rated: PG-13 (1 hr, 42 min)
served. No holding seats for someone who has not already received a ticket. Admittance starts around 1 p.m. Rated PG-13 Mondays and Tuesdays No Movies
9 p.m., Paranormal Activity 4 Rated: R (1 hr, 28 min)
Wednesday, Dec. 12 6:30 p.m., Alex Cross Rated: PG-13 (1 hr, 42 min)
Free Sneak Preview Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (3D) No cameras, camera phones, camcorders permitted; no recording devices. First come, first
MarkYour Calendar Sneak Preview Free for all Sunday, Dec. 16, 2 p.m. Jack Reacher Rated PG-13
FFSC Continued from 4
U.S. Navy photo by Information Systems Technician 1st Class Josh van der Smissen
Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class (AW) Ryan A. Kirk was named Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 Sailor of the Year for 2012. Kirk, the leading petty officer for the Government Inspection Office at hangar 109, completed his college degree, JPME, USMAPS and earned his Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal this year. Kirk was also the squadron's Sailor of the Quarter for the third quarter.
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members and their family with the services and programs available here. Skills participants participants learn learn from from classes: Achieving positive lifestyle behaviors. Participants are given opportunities to practice the skills they learn within the classroom and are then encouraged to continue outside the classroom because practice becomes permanent. Next class? Marriage is aWork of Heart (Couples Communication), from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today. It's
a brown bag lunch. A Stress Management class is 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 13. Schmid's expert expert advice: When life throws you a curve ball, your thoughts and actions will determine how you react or respond. Ask yourself, "What would need to happen in this situation for me to be able to say afterward that it was worth the journey?" Then, determine what can be done right now to take you one step closer to that positive outcome.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
NEWS BRIEFS Continued from 2 line at 301-342-7894.
Where's Gnorman?
Somewhere in this issue we've hidden Gnorman the gnome. Be the first to call in his location and receive two free Center StageTheater movie tickets; good for any Center Stage movie. Contest calls are not taken after 4:30 p.m. Friday.The same person cannot win more than once a month. Congratulations to last week's "Where's Gnorman?" winner, Joan Elliott. Call the Tester staff at 301-342-4163.
ID/CAC card appointment
Save time by making an appointment for ID card services and DEERS updates at https://rapids-appointments. dmdc.osd.mil. Separate appointments should be made for each person receiving an ID/CAC Card. A five-minute grace period for appointments is in place. If more than five minutes late, customer will be serviced as a walk-in. If unable to keep an appointment, cancel the appointment as early as possible.
PSD reenlistment update
Personnel Support Detachment can no longer accept reenlistment requests less than 30 days prior to the reenlistment date. Sailors with a special case should contact Athena Rolsma at 301-342-7396.
Flight physicals, PHAs
Sailors should receive their flight physical during their birth month to keep the physical health assessment and flight physical in sync. For more information, contact Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW/SW)
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Tester Eric Temple at Eric.Temple@navy.mil or 301757-8922.
SAFETY Continued from 3
Off base: Budds Creek Road closed Saturday
To ensure the safety of workers and motorists, the Maryland State Highway Administration is closing Route 234, Budds Creek Road, at the bridge over Allens Fresh Run in Charles County from midnight to noon Saturday for an inspection and resurfacing project. Electronic message signs are placed at the site this week alerting motorists to the upcoming work, and detour signs will be in place this weekend to guide motorists around the work zone using routes 6 and 236.
Bone marrow donor drive
Saturday, noon to 3 p.m., Fredericksburg Expo Center Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. Prince Frederick Fire Department Diagnosed with leukemia on Christmas Eve 2008, Adam Lumpkins, who is now 5 years old, continues his battle and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. For more information on this drive, visit Be the Match at www.Be TheMatch.com.
Volunteer opportunities: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots
Dec. 16, 22 and 29, 8 a.m. until done Foodlion in Prince Frederick Volunteers needed to monitor the primary distribution at the storefront for the Charles County Toys for Tots drive. Contact Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Kepich at 301-379-1557.
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won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, so keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Lights
Indoors or outside, only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory and lights with fused plugs. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.Throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks that are available at most hardware stores. Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. Use caution when removing outdoor
holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights-they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.
Decorations Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use nonflammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
Fireplaces Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely. Plus decorative wrapping with metallic shine gives off toxic vapors when burnt.
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
LAUNCH Continued from 1 Northrop Grumman team will continue ground-based catapult verification and final flight software validation at Pax River before embarking on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) later this month for its initial sea trials. The Navy will use the X-47B to demonstrate the first carrier-based launches and re-
CHRISTMAS Continued from 4 who have loved ones deployed, remember, you've bonded with many new families. Christmas is all about coming together. So don't hesitate to gather around a few found friends and create a new Christmas
FOOTBALL Continued from 1 people—Sailors, Academy alumni and fans aboard NAS Patuxent River—is expected to attend the Annual Army-Navy Game Eggs and Legs Breakfast at River's Edge from 7:309 a.m. Friday to rally support and show their team spirit. "The tradition of eggs and legs began years ago at the Naval Academy when a Supply Corps officer had to come up with a lastminute meal to feed the busloads of Midshipmen traveling to the Army-Navy game and the only thing available were chicken drumsticks and eggs," explained Mike De-
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Tester coveries by an autonomous, unmanned aircraft in 2013. "We are breaking new ground with the development of a carrier-based system that enables launch and recovery support of an unmanned platform off a carrier flight deck," Engdahl said. "Every test we are conducting at Pax River and at sea is a historic milestone for naval aviation." To see watch the first-ever X-47B catapult launch, visit http://youtube/gHtMow d8eWc. spirit. "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." - Hamilton Wright Mabi "A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone far or near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for the coming year." - John Greenleaf Whittier Manss, USNA Class of '73 graduate and president of the Greater Southern Maryland Chapter of the USNA Alumni Association. "Southern Maryland fried chicken legs with scrambled eggs became a standard breakfast at USNA and was commonly called 'eggs and legs'. We continue to honor that tradition." Those who don't make the breakfast can still join in the celebration at the Lexington Restaurant and Lounge on Great Mills Road where local fans traditionally gather to watch the game on big screen televisions. One final tradition that follows the game: both teams singing each other's alma maters. "It's tradition for the losing team to sing their alma mater first," DeManss said. So, let's go Navy, make Army sing first.
Around Town
St. Mary's County: Holiday Open House at Camber
Today, 7-10 a.m. Camber Corporation at Exploration V Annual event for business professionals to gather for breakfast and networking. Professional attire preferred.
Family Plantation Christmas
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sotterley Plantation Santa, carriage rides, carolers, seasonal greens, hand-crafted items, Santa's Secret Shop for children shoppers and Patuxent Voices, a women's a cappella group, performing holiday favorites from many historical periods. Cost is $5 per person at the gate.
Buying an eReader?
Friday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Charlotte Hall library Hear the pros and cons of various eReaders and tablets. Ask questions and try out the library's devices for free. Register by calling 301-884-2211.
Christmas Open House at St. Clement's Island Museum
Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Catch the holiday spirit during the 27th Annual Christmas Doll and Train Exhibit. Fees for this day are waived. For more information, call 301-769-2222.
Christmas Open House at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum
Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Free admission to Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park. The museum and keeper's quarters are filled with political memorabilia on loan from private collectors in the community and are displayed in a holiday setting. For more information, call 301-994-1471.
Pax River Quilters Guild
Monday, 6:30 p.m. Good Samaritan Lutheran Church Holiday party with games, raffles, grab bags and food. Bring a dish and a gift for the optional gift exchange. Guest and new members are welcome. For more information, contact Lois Andereck at
Grannie98@md.metrocast.net or Patty Wathen at PWathen@md.metrocast.net.
Opening Art Reception
Wednesday, 5-8 p.m. Lexington Park library Come and meet local artist Candy Cummings and view her artwork currently on display in the library's art gallery. For more information, call 301-863-8188.
Calvert County: Retiring Gracefully Series: Healthy Retirement Lifestyle
Today, 7-8:30 p.m. Calvert library, Prince Frederick Get excited and informed about an active and involved retirement with the Office on Aging Program Manager's Family Feudstyle exchange. Register by calling 410-5350291 or 301-855-1862.
Solomons Christmas Walk
Friday and Saturday, 6-9 p.m. Stroll through the luminaria-lit streets of Solomons taking in the sights and the sounds of the season. This free event hosts live entertainment, crafts, refreshments and a visit from Santa and the otter.
Gingerbread House Workshop
Saturday,10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. Calvert libraries Students in grades 1 through 7 can come and build a small gingerbread house. Each child is asked to bring a bag of candy to share with the group for decorating the houses. Register by calling the Twin Beaches branch at 410-257-2411 or the Fairview branch at 410-257-2101.
Solomons Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, 6 p.m. Boat captains and crews are invited to participate in the Solomons Lighted Boat Parade. All boats, any size, shape or make are welcome to decorate their starboard side and more to show their holiday spirit. Prizes are awarded. For more information and to register, visit www.SolomonsMaryland.com.
H H THE RÉSUMÉ EXPERT H H “Mobile Service”
n Federal/Civilian/Military Transition Résumés n n Database Input n Résumé Writing Training n n KSA’s n Job Search Assistance n n
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