Earlybird lab hours for Naval Hospital Pensacola ... Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) has announced new “earlybird” hours for the NHP lab. The laboratory at the hospital will now be open at 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with a closing time of 6:30 p.m. The lab hours for all other days of the week are 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The lab will be closed Sundays and federal holidays. For more information, contact the laboratory at 505-6724.
Vol. 77, No. 3
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
January 18, 2013
CNP visits NAS Pensacola Navy’s training command briefs Chief of Naval Personnel on its systematic approach to develop quality training Story, photo by Steve Vanderwerff NETC PAO
Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP), Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, visited Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Jan. 11. After meeting with Rear Adm. Don Quinn, NETC’s commander, and NETC’s FORCM April Beldo, he was briefed by
Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, left, discusses with Rear Adm. Don Quinn, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) systematic approaches which ensure quality training.
Cmdr. Joseph Finn, NETC’s director of Learning and Development (N7), about the Human Performance Requirements Review (HPRR) process. Finn explained to Van Buskirk how NETC uses HPPR’s to review training so it meets current and future fleet requirements, and gives Sailors the opportunity to voice concerns regarding individual rate training, and the enlisted community’s health, by allowing direct access to community managers and system experts. Conducted on a regular basis, NETC’s learning centers have broad guidance to
tailor the process to meet unique enterprise requirements. After Finn’s detailed explanation of the process, Capt. Terry Burt, commanding officer of the Center for Naval Air Technical Training Center (CNATT), described their success in the process, which includes identifying training gaps, enabling communication, having a repeatable process, creating working solutions locally where possible, having HPRR process management pushed to the site level and the efficient allocation of resources to readiness. “I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss CNATT’S success with Vice Adm. Van Buskirk,” Burt said. “We’ve done a lot of work over the last two years to build this process across aviation and its really starting to pay off for us. It’s something the fleet needed and in these very tight times with resources it certainly gives us a focus on what’s the most important thing to fix and impact readiness.” Van Buskirk was pleased by CNATT’s success and how it has affected fleet readiness. “Quality training is crucial to fleet readiness, and Naval Education and Training Command’s Human Performance Requirements Review process is integral to the development and updating of that training,” said Van Buskirk. “During a HPRR, training commands work with fleet experts to complete a comprehensive review of existing training against validated fleet requirements, system and platform requirements and community or career management needs. Capt. Burt and his team across the CNATT operations have built a strong positive relationship with stakeholders in squadrons and across the fleet in support of this essential program. The results have included improvements in aircraft and weapon systems maintenance in platforms throughout the fleet.”
See CNP visit on page 2
Leadership Pensacola ʻjoins the Navyʼ ... AWR1 Joshua Frank, a Rescue Swimmer School instructor, greets members of the 2013 Leadership Pensacola (LEAP) class as if they were a new group of trainees at the Naval Aviation School Command (NASC), Bldg. 633, Jan. 10. The LEAP class spent the day learning about the military’s infrastructure, economic impact and relationship to the local community. Photo by Janet Thomas See story, 4A
Hours extended for flu vaccine From Jason Bortz NHP PAO
For those who have not had their annual flu vaccine, it’s not too late. Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) will have extended hours at its immunization clinic to allow all TRICARE Prime beneficiaries the opportunity to receive the influenza vaccine. The extended hours
for the clinic will be Jan. 22-23 from 5-7 p.m. The immunization clinic can also administer the vaccine to TRICARE Prime beneficiaries during normal business hours without an appointment, M o n d a y s through Fridays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. While not 100 percent effective, a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza. Individuals can
also minimize catching the flu by washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently and keeping hands away from the face. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into the upper sleeve or elbow and not the hands, can also help reduce the spread of diseases. For more information, contact the NHP Immunization Clinic at 505-6257.
Tax season kicks off; Navy VITA information From NASP VITA
Commanding General, Training Command visits MATSG-21 ... Marine Brigadier Gen. John W. Simmons was onboard NAS Pensacola Jan. 8-11 for a site visit of NASP and NASP Corry Station. The tour included focus groups and discussions with Marine personnel. (Above) Simmons holds a session on current events with Marine lieutenants in the MATSG-21 Headquarters. Photo by 2nd Lt. Joseph Daclan
It’s tax season. Many people have questions for the Navy’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and VITA is happy to answer those questions. This year, clients are using self-service at all VITA sites. Although this may be new to some, it’s been in existence now for about five years and became mandatory starting in 2012 (tax year 2011). Some of you may
have noticed or experienced the change last year. The new program is expected to reduce staffing by 50 percent than full-service, traditional VITA. Why the change? The purpose of the Navy tax assistance program is to primarily assist junior enlisted personnel with their tax preparation. In the past, VITA has been able to offer one-onone tax preparation to
See VITA on page 2
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