Vol. 78, No. 23
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
June 13, 2014
Feds Feeds Families starts 2014 campaign Navy Region Southeast joins the fight By Twilla Smith Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs
Capt. Maureen Padden, NHP commanding officer; Lt. Christopher Lynn, department head, Urgent Care Center (UCC); and Cmdr. Carolyn Rice, director for Medical Services, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of NHP’s UCC. The UCC is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
As UCC opens, it is important to understand ER costs, benefits Story, photos by MC1 James Stenberg NHP Assistant PAO
With the conversion of Naval Hospital Pensacola’s Emergency Room into an Urgent Care Center, TRICARE beneficiaries need to understand their benefits when visiting a civilian ER. Active-duty service members and their families with TRICARE Prime still incur no cost when visiting a civilian ER, but most other TRICARE beneficiaries will incur a copay. “A copay is the amount of money, fixed or percentage, that some patients are responsible to pay for any visit to a (civilian emergency room),” said Sally Rathbun, supervisor, Health Benefits Office. “The type of TRICARE coverage a patient has will determine the amount or percentage they will pay for
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feds Feed Families is a voluntary effort supported by Federal employees across the nation where employees donate food and other non-perishable food items to be distributed to local food banks. This year’s campaign kicked off June 1 and will continue through Aug. 27 throughout Navy Region Southeast and the nation. “The Feds Feed Families campaign gives Navy Region Southeast the opportunity to give back to the community,” said RPC (SW/FMF) Michael A. Hawthorne, the region coordinator
for the 2014 Feds Feeds Families campaign. “It is in the spirit of giving that the men and women of Navy Region Southeast and this year will be no exception. My expectation is to exceed the 227,026 pounds of food we collected last year.” According to the USDA, hunger is a reality for one in six Americans. As a result, millions of Americans due to no fault of their
See Feds on page 2
Applications are being accepted for 2016 Olmsted Scholarship Program By Ed Barker NETC PAO
The Health Benefits Office on the first floor of NHP’s main building is available to answer any questions beneficiaries may have concerning TRICARE costs and copays. The Health Benefits Office can be reached at 505-6709 or beneficiaries can go to www.TRICARE.com.
the visit.” For example, an ER visit by a nonactive-duty beneficiary or their family member with TRICARE Prime will cost $30 per visit while a TRICARE Standard member will pay 20-25 percent after their annual deductible is met. There are potential costs asso-
ciated with other emergency services that nonactive-duty service members and their families may have to pay as well such as ambulance service, hospitalization and surgery to name a few. To help understand the
See UCC on page 2
The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced June 2 that careerminded line and Supply Corps officers interested in developing language skills and regional cultural knowledge are encouraged to apply for the fiscal year (FY16) Olmsted Scholar Program. Detailed in Naval Administrative Message (NavAdmin) 115/14, the Olmsted program is a unique scholarship opportunity offering two years of graduate study using a foreign language while providing overseas cultural and travel opportunities
and often leads to a graduate degree at a foreign university. Applicants for the FY-16 program should be available to start language training in summer/fall 2015, begin study at a foreign university in 2016 and complete study in 2018. The Navy is looking for leaders who display the qualities of dedicated career officers and who aspire to command as line and Supply Corps officers. Applicants must have demonstrated strong leadership qualities, solid overall performance, strong promotion potential, and superior demonstrated scholastic ability.
See Olmstead on page 2
NETC CO thanks training team at Center for Service Support By MCC Shawn D. Graham Center for Service Support Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) – Rear Adm. Michael White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) visited the Center for Service Support (CSS) June 6. PNC Roger Drumheller, administration ratings training manager, said providing White an overview of day-to-day functions is important in understanding the dynamics of CSS’ unique blend of military and civilian trainers. “Rear Adm. White is able to see the full scope of the training we provide to the fleet’s future Sailors, from basic skills to advanced training,” Drumheller said. “It’s always important to hear the boss’ perspective and listen to his thoughts about the job we perform. This was also a great opportunity to show the success of our blended team of chief petty officers and stellar civilian employees.” As White toured, MCCS Joel Huval,
CSS senior enlisted adviser, discussed the importance of CSS’ training programs for Sailors who will ultimately serve in the fleet. “We give the fleet Sailors who will become leaders and managers,” Huval said. “CSS and all of our schools and learning sites are critical to the Navy’s mission. We instill our students with required skills and training they will use in their future jobs. Our schools are at the forefront of shaping the Navy’s Sailors of the future. Our students will fill critical roles at their ships, shore installations and squadrons.” White was impressed with the staff and their efforts to educate and mentor new Sailors. “I appreciate the opportunity to look everyone in the eye and tell them thank you for what you do,” White said. “Nearly 36,000 recruits come into the Navy and in a short period of time you
Silver Eagle meets with NETC commander ... Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (center), meets with Capt. Len Friddle, head LDO/CWO community manager (left), and Capt. Richard Verbeke, commanding officer, Regional Support Group, Groton, Conn. Verbeke is the Silver Eagle or most senior LDO in the Navy. The discussions took place May 30 at the LDO/CWO board of directors meeting at NETC. Discussions included the importance of communicating throughout the Navy about the opportunities available for enlisted Sailors through commissions as chief warrant officers or limited duty officers. Photo by Joy Samsel
See White on page 2
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.