Gosport - August 26, 2016

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Special Tactics Airmen dedicate military freefall to local fallen hero ... If you see parachutes today (Aug. 26) over Pensacola Bay around noon, they are Air Force Special Tactics Airmen who are dedicating a military freefall parachute training jump to honor Staff Sgt. Forrest Sibley, a Pensacola native who was killed in action in Afghanistan.The Airmen will then march alongside Sibley’s family to his burial site at Barrancas National Cemetery to pay their respects. Sibley had served in the Air Force as a combat controller since 2008. In his seven years of service, he received four Bronze Star Medals, once with valor for heroism in combat, as well as a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.

Vol. 80, No. 34

VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

August 26, 2016

Navy advancement center hosts chief selectees Story, photo by Ed Barker Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) Public Affairs

A group of 35 prospective chief petty officers from NAS Pensacola visited the Navy Advancement Center Aug. 22 as part of their transition training from petty officer first class to CPO. The Commanding Officer of the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center, Capt. Lee Newton, kicked-off the program by stressing the impact the chief selectees will have on their Sailors. “I’m standing here today as the commanding officer of NETPDC because I had good chiefs to lead and inspire me as a petty officer early in my career,” said Newton. “As chiefs, you are charged with leading by example and shaping the fleet of the future.” Newton’s chiefs, senior chiefs and master chiefs at the NAC serve as Military Exam Leaders, and provided the NASP chief selectees detailed insight into the

exam and advancement process; including construction, preparation and factors that combine for a Sailor’s final multiple score. ACC(select)(AW) Leonor Ortegacruz, instructor at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) , said as a chief she will be counted on to know the details of the advancement process. “As we go through the transition process, the selectees are learning to think from a different perspective – not focused on ourselves, but focused on taking care of all Sailors; our fellow chiefs, our Sailors and our community,” said Ortegacruz. “Without an understanding of everything that goes into the advancement process, a Sailor can fail to advance or a career can become stalled, so the time spent today at the advancement center is exceptionally beneficial.” HMCS(FMF) James Hill, NAC Military Exam Leader, coordinated the visit by the selectees and hopes they will consider returning as exam subject matter experts after they pin-on See Selects on page 2

NAS Pensacola chief petty officer selectees visited Saufley Field Aug. 22 to learn more about the Navy Enlisted Advancement System. Chiefs assigned to the Navy Advancement Center provided briefs and gave the selectees a tour of the exam answer sheet scanning center. (Above) HMCS James Hill gives selectees a chance to see the machine that scans each exam answer sheet sent in from commands worldwide.

NASP marks 500 days without alcohol-related incident From Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs

NAS Pensacola celebrated a milestone of more than 500 days free of alcohol-related incidents (ARI) in a cake cutting ceremony Aug. 19 at command headquarters, Bldg. 1500. The NASP Commanding Officer, Capt. Christopher Martin, congratulated his Sailors and expressed

his pride and amazement. “This is unprecedented,” he said. “This is unlike anything I have seen in my 32 years in the Navy. You guys are setting the bar, and you are setting the bar high for the rest of the base in being responsible in what you do both on and off duty.” The Command Drug and Alcohol Program Adviser (DAPA), RPCS

Melanise Bradley, also praised the accomplishment. “Thank you guys for making my job as the DAPA so much easier,” she said. “This is so exciting and it is because of you guys, and I really, really appreciate it,” she said. “Keep up the

good work.” The handmade tally board has been on display on the quarterdeck at NASP headquarters for several years, but this is the first time that the 500-day mark has been reached. Programs from Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse

NASP service members volunteer for local school programs Story, photo by Mike O’Connor Gosport Associate Editor

More than 30 NAS Pensacola service members attended a meeting with Escambia County School District officials Aug. 23 to learn how military volunteers can help improve the lives of children in the community. Officers and enlisted personnel representing the Navy, Air Force and Marines met with Escambia County School District Coordinator of Community Involvement Programs Jo McArthur, Project Director Mentor Program Sally Bergosh and former volunteer, Navy veteran Dennis Mills. The meeting was facilitated by NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin and NASP Executive Officer Cmdr. Shawn Dominguez, who intro-

NASP CO Capt. Christopher Martin meets with Escambia County school officials and military volunteers at an Aug. 23 meeting to direct the base’s volunteer efforts. Mentors are being sought to help area school children.

duced the speakers and answered questions. Martin believes service members can be successful role models for children. “Let’s think about ways we can change and transform the lives of some of these schoolchildren,” he

told the group. The CO became concerned recently after reading a local news story about a “report card” for local schools and the grades they received. Martin consulted with Dominguez and soon See Volunteers on page 2

Prevention help Sailors be responsible with alcohol and assist some with alcoholism and recovery. Programs such as “Keep What You’ve Earned” and “Who Will Stand Your Watch,” encourage responsible drinking among Sailors by celebrating the achievements in their Navy careers and educate Sailors about the consequences of poor decisions regarding alco-

hol. For more information on Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) programs, go to http:// www. public. navy. mil/ bupers-npc/ support/ 21st_Century_Sailor/ nadap/Pages/default2.aspx. For more news from NAS Pensacola, go to http://www.cnic.navy.mil/r egions/cnrse/installations/nas_pensacola.html.

Food collection drive underway The 2016 Feds Feed Families started June 1 and continues through Aug. 31. Non-perishable food donations can be placed in collection boxes around the base and at the NASP Commissary, 5800 West Highway 98. Boxes are also available at various commands around including at NAS Pensacola Command Headquarters, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Hospital Pensacola and NASP Corry Station. For more information on the campaign, go to www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome? navid=feds-feed-families. For details on drop-off locations or other local information, contact the NASP Chaplain’s Office at 452-2341.

Voting: Primary Election Day Aug. 30 Don’t forget to cast your ballot on Primary Election Day, Aug 30. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Florida is a closed primary state, so voters may only vote for candidates in their party of registration unless there is a universal primary contest, a nonpartisan contest, or other issue on the ballot. Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID to the polls. For more information, call 595-3900 or go to EscambiaVotes.com.

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.


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