MWR’s Summer Splash ... NASP MWR is pulling out all the stops tomorrow, Aug. 20, for Summer Splash at the Barrancas Sports Complex from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Wet and dry inflatable games, an obstacle course, moon bounce and more. Also try your skills on the bungee jumping and in the jousting ring. The event is free to all authorized MWR patrons and children of all ages are invited. For more information, call 452-3806.
Vol. 80, No. 33
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
August 19, 2016
NATTC instructor named top AO in the Navy From Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Public Affairs
A Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) instructor was named the 2016 John W. Finn Aviation Ordnanceman of the Year Aug. 15. AOC (select) Amanda J. Roth, NATTC’s Aviation Ordnanceman “A” School leading petty officer, was recognized by the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen as the top AO in the Navy, something she said is both an honor and privilege. “Aviation ordnancemen share a great history and heritage, and to be named one of the best of these shipmates is an extraordinary honor,” she said, “but all the Sailors with whom I’ve worked and led, all the chiefs who’ve mentored and trained me, are the reason I am where I am.” The award, named for former Navy ordnance-
During a January 2016 visit, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John M. Richardson receives a brief on the Naval Air Technical Training Center’s (NATTC) aviation ordnance courses from then-AO1(AW/SW) Amanda Roth aboard NAS Pensacola. Richardson, along with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Michael D. Stevens, visited NAS Pensacola-area commands to observe aviation training. Photo by Bruce Cummins
man and Medal of Honor recipient John W. Finn, is generally awarded to a petty officer first class or second class. Eligibility for the award involves a
departmental and subsequent command nomination, including a review of the service member’s records and impact they have had on the AO rating.
700 military children earn DeCA scholarships From Defense Commissary Agency
FORT LEE, Va.– Seven hundred students from military families each received a $2,000 scholarship this year thanks to the 2016 Scholarships for Military Children program. Recipients from Navy commissaries in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties include Michael Hopko, Brianna McKinzie, Baillier Padden and Marygrace Ruiz at NAS Pensacola and Lacey Littleton at NAS Whiting Field. The NASP program was sponsored by Seald Sweet International and the NASWF program was sponsored by Unilever. Recipients at the Hurlburt Field commissary included Kyle Marocchini, Bethany McKinney, James Phillips and Katherine Sartz. The sponsor of the program was Overseas Service Corporation. The recipients at the Eglin Air Force Base commissary included Nolan Arenz, Keara Bogart, Rebecca Cathey, William Easley, Regan McAllister, Carson Wilber and Megan Wood. The sponsor was Fisher House Foundation. The program, created in 2001, recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissary’s role in enhancing military quality of life. The program is administered by Fisher
House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to service members and their families. “With a 13 percent increase in applications this year, the program was even more selective than in the past,” said Fisher House Foundation Vice President Jim Weiskopf. “In addition to recognizing the scholastic achievements of the 700 recipients, we owe special appreciation to the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) business partners whose donations each year make the scholarship program possible.” No government funds are used to support the program. DeCA’s industry partners – vendors, manufacturers, brokers, suppliers – and the general public donate money to fund the program, and every dollar donated goes directly to funding the scholarships. The contributions go to Fisher House Foundation Inc., which treats each as a “restricted donation.” The foundation in turn contracts with Scholarship Managers, a professional scholarship management firm, to evaluate the applications and select the best qualified as awardees. In all, there were 4,513 qualified applicants this time around. “I’m always impressed with the creativity and dedication to the pursuit of See DeCA on page 2
Roth, according to NATTC AO “A” School Course Supervisor AOC Hector Mendez, epitomizes what an aviation ordnanceman should em-
body, and has proven instrumental in ensuring the next generation of AOs are more than prepared for duty in the Navy and Marine Corps. “Chief (select) Roth has been the driving force in ensuring the students passing through our doors are ready for the jobs they will do in the fleet,” he said. “She’s a deckplate leader, and she makes sure these students are instilled with AO pride and professionalism while reinforcing the Navy core values.” While initially an instructor, Roth later transitioned to an administrative role, coordinating more than 30 Navy and Marine Corps instructors in training and mentoring nearly 3,000 students. Roth also became instrumental in the planning, development, realignment and implementation of the AO “A” School curriculum revision, eliminating unnecessary and redundant coursework and reducing
required training time by more than a week. Roth also serves as a master training specialist mentor, the NATTC Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC) assistant coordinator and as a NATTC Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) victim advocate. Roth also is involved in the Pensacola community, particularly with Blue Angels Elementary School, where she is a member of the school advisory committee. She also serves as the Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) staff administrator and is a member of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen, Chapter 34. NATTC Commanding Officer Capt. Hugh Rankin said Roth’s unparalleled leadership and mentoring is helping to shape the AO rating. “Her imprint of leadership and mentorship is See AO on page 2
NASP to host Gold Star program Names are being sought for inclusion From staff reports
NAS Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), in cooperation with the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), will conduct the Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members ceremony Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. at the NNAM. The event is a national program that remembers and celebrates the lives of fallen service members. The ceremony is being conducted simultaneously across the nation and the names of fallen heroes will be read aloud. For each name, a bell is struck one time. Filmmaker Jill Hubbs will be the guest
speaker. Hubbs recently produced the documentary “They Were Our Fathers” in which she shares the experiences of those whose fathers died in Vietnam as well as her personal experience of losing her father. The Navy Gold Star Program serves the families of all who died on active duty, regardless of branch of service or cause of death. The program serves survivors by providing support, information and services as long as they desire. FFSC is asking all Gold Star Survivors to participate in this event and is actively See Gold Star on page 2
Change of charge at Naval Branch Health Clinic ... Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Harrison, new officer in charge, Naval Branch Health Clinic NAS Pensacola, address the audience at a change of charge ceremony Aug. 5 for the clinic. At the ceremony, Harrison assumed the position of officer in charge from Lt. Cmdr. Rachel Baudek. Baudek will be reporting to Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where she will work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Photo by Jason Bortz
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.