The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is on the radar ... The 2019 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show will be held Nov. 8 and 9 when the Blue Angels close out the season. For more information, visit https://www.naspensacolaairshow.com.
July 26, 2019
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
Vol. 83, No. 29
CMC returns home – to Pensacola
Story, photo By Jason J. Bortz Public Affairs Officer, Naval Air Station Pensacola
Command Master Chief (CMC) Mario Rivers enlisted in the Navy in 1994 to see the world, and to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Sailor. Twenty-three years later, he returned to his hometown of Pensacola as the command master chief for Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. “I wanted to see the world and be part of the greatest Navy in the world,” Rivers said. “I wanted to live out my dream.” Rivers was born and raised in Pensacola and grew up in a workingclass family. His father and uncles all served in the military, but it was his correctional officer mother that pushed him towards a career in the Navy. “My mom was tough as nails, but she made me a better person,” Rivers said. “She always pushed me to work hard in school, sports and to pursue my dreams. She taught me everything about life, and the minute I confessed my love for the Navy at 5 years old, it became her bargaining tool.” For Rivers, that dream was to serve his country as a U.S. Sailor.
Naval Air Station Pensacola Command Master Chief (CMC) Mario Rivers enlisted in the Navy in 1994 after graduating from high school in Pensacola. The Pensacola native is back in his hometown, but has big plans for the future.
“I was drawn to the Navy at an early age and my Mom signed me up for a Navy mentorship program called Saturday Scholars,” Rivers said. “I would meet with my mentor every Saturday and he would tell me about the Navy.” Rivers joined the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program at Booker T. Washington High School. While in JROTC, he learned about the history of the Navy, which
fueled his desire to become a Sailor. After graduating high school, Rivers enlisted in the Navy as an undesignated seaman recruit, which allowed him to learn about different jobs in the Navy before he selected a career to pursue. Rivers eventually decided on the ship’s serviceman rating. “I always loved math and enjoyed the financial and logistical part of that rating,” Rivers said.
Rivers excelled in the Navy and would serve onboard the USS Supply (AOE 6), USS Hayler (DD 997), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56). In 2012, he was selected to be a command master chief and joined the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) in 2013. As fortune would have it, the man who joined the Navy to see the world returned to his hometown in 2018. “I choose to come back to Pensacola,” Rivers, who holds a bachelor’s degree in workforce education and a master’s in human resources said. “I wanted to give back to my community, contribute to the common good and be around family. I vividly remember Pensacola as a loving community; and for the most part, everyone worked extremely hard to provide their family with the American dream. Pensacola has blossomed into a big little city.” Rivers wants to continue his career in the Navy by seeking higher leadership positions. When he does decide to retire from the Navy, there is little doubt where Rivers plans to call home. “Pensacola is my home and always will be,” Rivers, who is married and has three children, said. “It’s in my heart; it’s a part of me.”
NMCI: Cyber risk from mobile application FaceApp NMCI User Awareness Bulletin
SUBJECT: NMCI User Awareness Bulletin – Users are directed NOT to install FaceApp on iOS endpoints and immediately uninstall if applicable. EVENT: Apple iOS Mobility Users are directed NOT
to install FaceApp on any NMCI mobile endpoint. Delete FaceApp immediately if currently installed on any NMCI Mobile endpoint. AUDIENCE: All users of Apple mobile end-
points (iPhones and iPads) on the NMCI network DATE/TIME: July 19, 2019 SITUATION: FaceApp has an associated cyber security risk and therefore has been added to the
NMCI Application Blacklist. Users shall not install the application on any NMCI mobile endpoint. Existing installation of the application must be immediately removed by the user. Any endpoint with FaceApp installed will be denied access to NMCI resources until removed.
REQUIRED ACTIONS: Uninstall any versions of “FaceApp” to regain access to NMCI resources. ASSISTANCE: Contact the NMCI Service Desk at 1-866-THE-NMCI (1-866843-6624) or by e-mail at ServiceDesk_Navy@nmciisf.com.
DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE:
Rabies alert issued for Escambia County From Florida Department of Health
Tim Kinsella III, 10, participates in a game at the NAS Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center July 19 during a celebration of the 40-year anniversary of the establishment of FFSCs. More than 80 FFSC facilities operate at Navy and Marine Corps bases and air stations around the world.
NAS Pensacola FFSC celebrates 40 years Story, photo By Jason J. Bortz Public Affairs Officer, Naval Air Station Pensacola
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) celebrated the 40-year anniversary of the establishment of FFSCs with a birthday party and open house July 19 at the organization’s headquarters onboard NAS Pensacola. During the ceremony, NAS Pensacola FFSC Director Kathleen Doherty lauded the continued efforts of the approximately
40 FFSC staff for the services they provide to service members and their families at the largest Navy Regions Southeast (CNRSE) installation. “Our staff is committed to supporting and assisting military families,” Doherty said. “At NAS Pensacola, we have families that are here for several years or several months depending if they are here for training or permanently assigned, but we have services and programs for everyone.” More than 80 FFSC facilities operate
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a rabies alert for the Bayou Chico area of Escambia County. The alert is in response to a report of a positive test result for rabies in a cat on May 25, which follows a positive test on a raccoon found in the same area in January. All residents and visitors in Escambia County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal popula-
tion and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Escambia County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert. The rabies alert will last for 60 days and covers the area in southern Escambia County, surrounding Bayou See Rabies alert on page 2
PH Robert Sinise onboard NAS Pensacola... Did you know that Robert Sinise was a photographer’s mate (PH) in the Navy and went through the U.S Naval School of Photography onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola? Robert’s son, Gary Sinise, would later play the role of “Lt. Dan” in the movie Forrest Gump.
See FFSC 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.