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Vol. 83, No. 20
May 24, 2019
Tuition Assistance, Navy College Program policy updates announced From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
Matthew McMillen, a Metson Marine deckhand for Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Port Operations Department, handles an oil containment boom prior to an oil recovery exercise May 17 at the air station’s Allegheny Pier.
NASP Port Operations completes annual oil spill response training Story, photo from Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs
Civilian employees and contract workers from Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Port Operations Department completed required annual facility response training recertification May 16 at the air station’s Allegheny pier.
NAS Pensacola is one of four installations in the continental United States with an active airfield and a deep water port. The Facility Response Training (FRT) scenario, an annual recertification process conducted by NAS Pensacola’s Port Operations and orchestrated by contracted company LRS See Port Ops on page 2
WASHINGTON (NNS) – Navy announced changes to Tuition Assistance (TA) and Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) program management May 21, in NAVADMIN 114/19. Beginning Oct. 1, 2019, enlisted Sailors and officers must complete a minimum of two years of service before becoming eligible to use TA or NCPACE instructor-led or Distance Learning (DL) courses. This requirement may not be waived. In addition, TA and NCPACE (DL) funding is capped at 12 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) per fiscal year (FY) and a total of 120 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) in a career. Most Sailors in recent years have only used up to an average of nine semester hours annually. “Due to unprecedented usage and fiscal constraints, Navy is reshaping how we administer the TA and NCPACE programs,” Jim Johnson, head of Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED) said. “We want to keep both programs avail-
able and sustainable for eligible Sailors, while ensuring our Sailors remain focused on their professional qualifications.” Navy transformation efforts focused on improving the “Sailor experience” have dramatically improved the ease of access to several technical and education programs, including TA and NCPACE. As a result, fleet-wide TA demand in FY19 was 30 percent higher at the midyear review than the same point in FY18. TA funding is expected to run out this month with no additional funding to be made available for the remainder of FY19. Sailors currently taking classes or who are in receipt of a funded TA voucher will not be impacted. Johnson said that every billet is important to the Navy’s mission and that commanding officers (CO) and officers in charge (OIC) should judiciously manage their Sailors’ education outside of working hours. “A typical three semester hour college course requires up to 12 hours of weekly commitment,” he said. “COs See TA on page 2
NASP observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month From Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs
The May 17 observance, organized by the NAS Pensacola Diversity Committee, featured Pensacola City Council Vice President and University of West Florida Professor Emeritus P.C. Wu, Ph.D., as the event guest speaker. “The military has led the way for acceptance of all people,” Wu, who grew up in Savannah, Georgia said. The hour-long observance, designed to recognize and honor the heritage and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, served to further reinforce the diversity the Department of Defense (DoD)
employs according to Cmdr. Michael Harbison, the NAS Pensacola executive officer, who provided opening remarks for the ceremony. “Our nation’s strength, and the strength of our armed forces, comes from our diversity,” Harbison said. “Observations such as this help us further inform the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen here not only about the military life they’ve chosen, but to embrace the cultures which shape our great country.” The theme of this year’s Asian American Pacific Is- Pensacola City Council Vice President Dr. P. C. Wu lander Heritage Month – Unite Our Mission by Engag- (Ph.D) speaks with NAS Pensacola Executive Officer ing Each Other – was selected by the Federal Asian Cmdr. Michael Harbison and CMDCM Mario Rivers at See Observance on page 2
Former Vietnam POW Gaither ‘stood tall’ in captivity Story, photo By Mike O’Connor Gosport Editor
Dozens attended a funeral service at Barrancas National Cemetery (BNC) onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola May 16 for retired Cmdr. Ralph Ellis Gaither Jr., a naval aviator well-known in the Pensacola community as a Vietnam veteran and Prisoner of War (POW) who had exemplified defiance while in enemy hands. Gaither, 77, was a resident of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he passed away May 7 in the company of his loved ones. NAS Pensacola squadron VT86 provided a flyover at the service with two T-45C aircraft, one of which peeled off in a missing-man salute to the decorated pilot. Gaither enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1962. During boot camp he was asked to consider the Navy Aviation Cadet Program, and since he held a flying license – acquired at age 17 – he soon found himself in flight training in Pensacola. Preflight and cadet training followed; flights in the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor and
Bobbi Gaither (right) receives a flag from presenter retired Lt. Cmdr. Mike Louy at a funeral service for her husband, Cmdr. Ralph Ellis Gaither Jr., held May 16 at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard NAS Pensacola.
later in the North American T-28 at NAS Whiting Field, that he soon mastered. Moving on to Carrier Qualification Squadron VT-5, he completed training aboard the USS Lexington (CVA 16) in May 1964. Jet schooling followed at Chase Field in Texas where Gaither flew the Grumman F-9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger; he was designated See Gaither on page 2
the NASP Diversity Committee Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observance May 17.
CO’s Memorial Day safety message From Naval Air Station Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr.
This coming weekend marks a holiday designed to recognize – and honor – the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces. I encourage each and every one of you to take a moment to pause and reflect on the service members who have come before you and laid down their lives for our country. It is because of them that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer. Many of you will take this long weekend to spend time with friends and families, enjoy a barbecue, or visit one or our beautiful beaches in the area. I sincerely hope that you take the time to enjoy this weekend. Spend some time with those you love and enjoy the wonderful recre-
ational activities the Gulf Coast has to offer. Most importantly, though, whatever your plans for the weekend, I just ask that you please be safe. Take the time to plan appropriately for any trips you might take, follow local laws and regulations, and be aware of your surroundings. If you are going to be outside for long periods of time, be sure to apply sunscreen. If you are under 21, do not consume alcohol. If you are 21, and choose to drink alcohol, drink responsibly and do not drink and drive. The risk to your life and the safety of others on the road, your career and your wallet is just not worth it. Drinking and driving is a choice. Before you go out this weekend, plan for your safe return home. Don’t ever put yourself in a position where the wrong choice is even an option. Enjoy your weekend, stay safe and I’ll see you around the base or in the community. Fly Navy!
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.