Flagship 02.08.2024 by Military News

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Naval Station Norfolk awarded 2023 Secretary of the Navy Energy Excellence Award The installation received the award due to the Public Works Department Norfolk demonstrating outstanding initiatives in energy management, security processes, and more. PAGE A3 VOL. 32, NO. 5, Norfolk, VA | ﬂagshipnews.com

February 8-February 14, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (February 3, 2022) - Naval Air Station Oceana’s Security Forces participate in Citadel Shield Force Protection Exercise. Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain is an annual exercise that uses realistic scenarios to ensure U.S. Navy security forces maintain a high level of readiness to respond to changing and dynamic threats. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS MEGAN WOLLAM)

Mid-Atlantic Navy installations to participate in security exercise Courtesy Story NORFOLK, Va. — Navy Region Mid-Atlantic will participate in an annual force protection exercise, Feb. 5-16, 2024. Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2024 (CS-SC24) is conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) on all Navy installations in the continental U.S. “The annual exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of our Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and

our community partners,” said Rear Adm. Wesley McCall, commander of the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We are able to test our ability to prepare for, deter, and respond to potential threats.” Citadel Shield, which occurs the first week, is the ﬁeld training exercise portion led by CNIC. Solid Curtain occurs the following week and is the command post exercise led by USFFC. This two-part approach was designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners in order to protect life, equipment and facilities.

CS-SC24 is a regularly scheduled exercise and is not being held in response to any speciﬁc threat. Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and ﬁrst responders. “There will be an increase in activity on and around the installations across the region for the next two weeks,” said McCall.

“We are striving to train like we ﬁght. Adding a level of realism enables us to test ourselves and seek improvements in the best possible way.” For information about potential impacts due to the exercise, please follow our social media platforms on Facebook (@CNRMA. PAO), Twitter (@CNRMA), and Instagram (@CNRMA). For more information, contact the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs office at 757-322-2853 or kaitlyn.h.hewett.civ@ us.navy.mil.

NRMA installations receive Navy Installations Command Retention Excellence Award for 2023 Katie Hewett, Public Affairs Specialist Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. — Two Navy Region Mid-Atlantic installations, Naval Station Newport and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, received Commander, Navy Installations Command’s (CNIC) Retention Excellence Award for fiscal year 2023. This award honors Navy installations who lead the way in retaining the most talented Sailors in the Navy, and recognizes their efforts to meet or subceed attrition benchmarks for the entire year. “Your dedication and commitment to Navy career programs not only exemplify your superb performance, but also attest to your concern for the professional needs of your Sailors,” wrote Commander, Navy Installations Command, Vice Adm. Gray, in his official announcement to recipients. “Every member of your command can be justiﬁably proud of their achievements.”

Naval Station Newport, located in Rhode Island, and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, located in Virginia, are actively taking steps towards increasing the quality of life for our Sailors through professional development opportunities, career counseling, child and youth programs, award-winning galleys and more. “I want to thank you for creating and setting the tone where your Sailors feel like ‘staying Navy’ is the right thing to do,” said Capt. Henry Roenke, Naval Station Newport’s installation commanding officer, in an email following the award’s announcement. “As the career counselor, along with the command Career Development Team, our pivotal roles are instrumental in guiding and empowering Sailors to excel in their careers, fostering a positive command culture, and signiﬁcantly contributing to our command’s attainment of the prestigious Retention Excellence Award,” said Navy Counselor 1st

Class Thelma King, installation career counselor at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. “The recipients of CNIC’s FY’23 Retention Excellence Award exemplify a profound commitment to the welfare of their community members, fostering an environment where every individual’s well-being is prioritized and supported,” said CNIC Force Career Counselor, Master Chief Navy Counselor Yenier Ramirez. “Through their dedication and care, these installations serve as beacons of excellence during these challenging times in keeping our shore strength mission ready.” The Retention Excellence Award pennant is proudly displayed on the ﬂag pole of Naval Station Newport, RI, after being one of two Navy Region Mid-Atlantic installations to receive recognition in 2023. (NAVY PHOTO BY BRUCE KATZ)

Sailors host stress management training for mental wellness www.ﬂagshipnews.com

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Sailors assigned to Naval Medical Forces Atlantic hosted a Sailor 360 stress management training for mental wellness on board Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads – Portsmouth Annex, Jan. 24, 2024.. The training began with a presentation of resources available locally to Sailors to assist with stress management and the life factors that cause stress. PAGE A4

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The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

FRCE Mentor of the Year ﬁnds joy in helping others By Samantha Fehr

Fleet Readiness Center East

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recognized one of its leaders as Mentor of the Year for their dedication to helping others in a ceremony held Jan. 30. The command recognized Christopher Day, who serves as director of the Engines and Dynamic Components and Industrial Processes divisions, as the depot’s top mentor. Day’s special talent for educating his fellow employees and commitment to continual improvement earned him the title, leaders said. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Production Department Head Tina Rowe, Day’s supervisor, said he is exceptionally equipped to be a mentor as he clearly enjoys helping others. “Chris shows real dedication to his mentees, and vice versa,” said Rowe. “He didn’t become a mentor for personal gain; he became a mentor because he truly loves helping his coworkers succeed. He is the type of supervisor everyone wants to have. “Chris genuinely cares about his fellow employee’s growth and will do everything he can to help them along their journey here at FRC East,” Rowe continued. “He will stop whatever he is doing to help someone with a challenging situation. For that, I believe he is very deserving of this recognition.” Day said he was honored by the recognition, which came as quite a surprise to him. “When I learned I was selected for this recognition, I was shell shocked,” said Day. “I wouldn’t have expected someone to nominate me. I’m overwhelmed with the thought that someone took the time to do this for me.” Day began his career at FRCE repairing AV-8 aircraft engines 24 years ago; he has been in his current position for a little under a year. While he officially became a mentor when Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) launched a formal mentoring program in 2007, Day said passing along helpful information to those coming into a new position has always come naturally to him. The mentors he had toward the beginning of his career instilled this in him and were a key factor in both why and how he became a mentor himself. “When I ﬁrst became a work leader, I had some great mentors. They spent hours helping to develop me into a leader. I think

Director of the Engines and Dynamic Components and Industrial Processes divisions Christopher Day, left, and Clean and Paint Branch Head Matthew Sinsel, right, sit and discuss current efforts. Sinsel nominated Day for the Mentor of the Year recognition for his dedication to helping others. (PHOTO BY SAMANTHA FEHR, FLEET READINESS CENTER EAST)

because of that, mentoring came naturally to me,” said Day. “I’ve always been interested in helping others and I’ve always extended a hand to those in need because if I can help, let me know. Come to my office and we can talk.” According to Matthew Sinsel, head of both the Manufacturing, Machining and Welding Branch and the Clean and Paint Branch, Day is the type of mentor who is always willing to lend a helping hand, especially if it will aid in his mentee’s success. This made Sinsel’s decision to nominate Day for this award easy. “Chris goes above and beyond. He is committed to helping others reach their full potential and be the best versions of themselves,” said Sinsel. “He is a good listener, provides constructive, non-judgmental feedback and is both passionate and enthusiastic about his role as a mentor.

He demonstrates a positive outlook that inspires others to work harder.” Sinsel said he nominated Day for Mentor of the Year because he has witnessed Day’s mentorship help many others, himself included, on countless occasions. Working with Day has provided him with numerous shadowing opportunities that have been beneﬁcial to his job performance and improvement, he said. “Chris’ reassurance and positive feedback kept me on the right track to make a positive impact,” said Sinsel. “His mentorship allowed me to challenge myself, work to broaden my knowledge and better understand NAVAIR’s mission.” For Day, being recognized as Mentor of the Year is not the most fulﬁlling part of being a mentor; instead, he feels the real reward is simply knowing the information he provided to someone helped them along

their journey. “When someone realizes the information you gave them was of great value, and they come back and say how much it actually helped them, that is what being a mentor is all about,” said Day. “Simply knowing that one short conversation you had with that person will resonate with them for the rest of their career is rewarding. It is very gratifying.” FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the ﬂeet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

NAVSAFECOM continues risk assurance assessments across enterprise By Rebecca Coleman Naval Safety Command

NORFOLK, Va. — Nearly two years since the Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) began its assurance assessment process across the naval enterprise, it has completed over 20 Echelon II/ III risk assurance assessments, continuing its focus on risk identification, communication and accountability at the appropriate level across the Navy and Marine Corps. Coming full circle, a team of subject matter experts from the command’s Assurance Directorate recently conducted its first follow-on assessment, visiting Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. NAVSAFECOM is tasked by the chief of naval operations with evaluating commands’ ability to comply with established policies and processes and to ensure the assessed command is managing, mitigating and communicating risk effectively. This entails assessing whether commands are accurately identifying risk, communicating risk and taking accountability of risk at the appropriate level. “Before the first assessment in 2022, the NECC commander had recently assumed command and it was encouraging to see that the processes he implemented after our first visit were reflected as positive risk management tools in our second visit,” said Capt. Christopher Roberto, team lead for the second visit. “The second assessment went smoothly as a result of the NECC staff’s superb communication and eagerness to provide information.” “I’m proud of my team and the effort they invested to get us to where we are today,” said Rear Adm. Brad Andros, NECC commander. “Our command now identifies risk, communicates risk and assigns risk to the correct risk owner far more effectively

due to the transparency of our conversations, small process improvements and embracing the Get Real, Get Better culture shift.” “Get Real, Get Better is about fostering a culture that rewards honesty, humility and transparency so we can problem-solve together and embrace continuous improvement among our ranks,” Andros said. “This is what drives warﬁghting advantage in an era of strategic competition. Because of processes like the assurance assessment, I know we are better prepared to propel our force generation forward as a type command, so when the Navy’s expeditionary combat forces are sent into combat, we win.” Andros noted the 2022 assessment team helped his organization develop and implement better methods to identify, communicate and account for risk across his entire type command, comprising different expeditionary warfare communities, each with unique cultures. “Establishing aligned processes across the different warfare communities has only beneﬁted our command and our forces,” he added. Over the past year and a half, the Naval Safety Command’s risk assurance assessments across all levels, from the unit to the major command level, have come a long way in raising risk awareness and understanding the importance of establishing self-assessing and self-correcting processes and behaviors. “Organizations most often expect the scope of our assessment will most heavily focus on occupational safety and health,” Roberto said. While the assessment teams do look at this area, it is a minor piece of their risk assurance endgame. “The processes we look at can be anywhere in an organization and often

involve factors beyond a unit’s control,” Roberto noted. “In those cases, we assess a unit’s mitigation strategies, but they are often surprised when we comment on external risk areas in our reports.” The team leader said, “Regardless of whether a commander can fund or fix a risk area, the fact it exists will stress an organization’s ability to meet mission and prevent unnecessary harm to personnel and equipment.” Once an organization is scheduled for assessment, Roberto said the assurance assessment team assembles and gets to work. “Generally, there are four phases to each assessment,” he said. “In the first phase, we conduct administrative preparation that includes schedules, introductions, security and access requirements, account establishment, and we also generate questions for the record for leadership.” The second phase consists of collecting and reviewing command-related data and directives. During the third phase, the team interviews staff members and leaders during the assessment week, with the last phase consisting of post-visit follow-up and report preparation. “We would like to complete all analysis by the last day of an assessment visit but sometimes there are matters that require further data collection or coordination with outside entities, so this may extend an assessment period’s activities by as much as 10 days,” Roberto said. Roberto acknowledged communication within the team is key. “Team members do not hesitate to share their findings with each other and with the assessed organization as items are uncovered,” he said. “We often use our team members for a second opinion or validation of results. Many times, a command directorate will point out their known risk assurance shortcomings and we

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA): Rear Adm. Wesley McCall

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Regional program manager for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA): Public Affairs Director | Beth Baker The Flagship® is published by Flagship, LLC., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense (DOD) or the United States Navy, under exclusive written contract with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the paper, including advertisements, are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, DOD, or the Department of the Navy (DON). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD; DON; Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Flagship, LLC. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Department of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Stories may be submitted via email to news@flagshipnews.com. The Flagship® is published every Thursday by Flagship, LLC., whose offices are located at 223E. City Hall Ave, Suite 400A, Norfolk, VA 23510. © 2021 Flagship, LLC. All rights reserved

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do not hesitate to look across directorates for similar behaviors or processes. Chasing each potential risk area to the appropriate depth will always require cross-communication among team members and staffs.” The Assurance Directorate also has the benefit of getting an outside perspective for their assessments. “We bring our United Kingdom partner [Lt. Cmdr. James Newbury] on almost every visit,” Roberto said. “Aside from his expertise as an aviation maintenance and engineering officer, he often identifies processes that seem normal to us, but are cumbersome and overly complex when viewed through his lens. The Royal Navy is a much smaller and leaner force and we could do well to learn lessons in efficiency from their experts.” Andros offered the following advice to commands facing their first assurance assessments: “Be transparent. Be candid and be forthcoming.” “We greatly appreciate the time and dedicated effort the Naval Safety Command team has invested in our command and the Navy’s Expeditionary Combat Force,” Andros said. “We are better prepared to fight and win our nation’s wars because of their risk assurance assessment process.” Ultimately, Roberto believes the inherent value the Assurance Directorate provides is that it shines a spotlight on issues that are prevalent across the naval enterprise so leaders at the highest levels can consider those issues when formulating resourcing or other priorities. “The risk areas we identify are rarely easily ‘fixed’ or mitigated and often require a multi-echelon risk management approach. So long as we can enhance the identification, communication and accounting of risk, we will offer a valuable tool to commanders.”

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 3

NORFOLK, Virginia (Feb. 1, 2024) The Central Steam Power Plant, or Building P1, located onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 1, 2024. The Central Steam Power Plant’s energy usage and output is one of many utility assets on the installation that Public Works Department Norfolk tracks throughout the year. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS

NORFOLK, Virginia (Feb. 1, 2024) Various gauges measuring pressure, output, and intake operate inside the Central Steam Power Plant, located onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 1, 2024. The Central Steam Power Plant’s energy usage and output is one of many utility assets on the installation that Public Works Department Norfolk tracks throughout the year. (U.S.

JOSEPH T. MILLER)

NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JOSEPH T. MILLER)

Naval Station Norfolk awarded 2023 Secretary of the Navy Energy Excellence Award By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph T. Miller NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk received the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Energy Excellence Award in the Installation (Large) category, Jan. 23, 2024. The installation received the award due to the Public Works Department (PWD) Norfolk demonstrating outstanding initiative in energy management, improvement in energy security processes and commitment to a mission-capable and ready Navy. The SECNAV Energy Excellence Award recognizes Department of the Navy (DON) installations and activities that demonstrate exceptional leadership and continuous excellence in their energy program management. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic, who oversees PWD Norfolk, as well as every other navy public works department in the Mid-Atlantic region, submitted NAVSTA Norfolk for the award for FY23. PWD Norfolk is responsible for reporting the usage of all utilities used by NAVSTA Norfolk, including: water, sewage, steam, natural gas and electric power. Lt. Rachel Radwan, the installation energy manager, oversees the operation and also works as a production officer for PWD Norfolk. “A lot of what we do is tracking utility and energy usage, validating energy

consumption reports and seeking opportunities to improve energy efficacy, resiliency and readiness,” said Radwan. “Most of the energy is metered and a lot of smart engineers track specific nuances of the usage and then report it to the system, and I will then validate the numbers. If there are any dramatic swings in consumption, we can track why those happened and how to counter it. If we are able to ‘attribute it’,” meaning the problem can be identiﬁed, “we can make sense of it.” Barry Miller, Radwan’s predecessor, implemented the systems currently used to manage the entire installation’s energy consumption. Radwan credits Miller’s work for PWD Norfolk’s continued success as an energy consumer. Radwan took over Miller’s position as installation energy manager in late July 2023. She ﬁlled the normally civilian-held position and began balancing it with her other role as the production officer. Through the efforts of Radwan and Miller, NAVSTA Norfolk stood out to the Office of the SECNAV for continuing to maintain their Installation Energy Program Summary) metrics and updates, allowing them to maintain course for their strategic energy roadmap. “Congratulations to all award recipients,” said Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, in the award message. “Improving the energy security of our oper-

ating forces and installations remains a top priority and I look forward to your future accomplishments in support of this critical objective.”

As SECNAV Energy Excellence Award recipients, the command is awarded a plaque and the SECNAV Energy Flag, which they can ﬂy for one year.

NORFOLK, Virginia (Feb. 1, 2024) Lamond Cherry, a boilermaker, repairs a feed-water inlet valve inside the Central Steam Power Plant, located onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 1, 2024. The Central Steam Power Plant’s energy usage and output is one of many utility assets on the installation that Public Works Department Norfolk tracks throughout the year. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JOSEPH T. MILLER)

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4 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

Sailors host stress management training for mental wellness

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis Decker Naval Medical Forces Atlantic

Sailors assigned to Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL) hosted a Sailor 360 stress management training for mental wellness on board Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads — Portsmouth Annex, Jan. 24, 2024. The training began with a presentation of resources available locally to Sailors to assist with stress management and the life factors that cause stress. Sailors then participated in breathing exercises and stress relief exercises consisting of sand gardens, putty, croqueted stress balls and calming music. “When we were discussing the idea for this training, originally we wanted to coincide with the monthly theme, stress management seemed obvious,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Mykayla Mack-Allen, an assistant reserve program director assigned to NMFL. “Stress affects how a person functions. If you are overly stressed, you can’t do the best you can at work. Getting to the bottom of that and learning to manage that will help you move forward in life and be the best Sailor you can be.” The training finished with a visit from two service dogs, Capt. Patty and Capt. Charlie, and their handler Cmdr. Tracy Krauss, the officer in charge and public health specialty leader of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Norfolk. “Dogs have a unique ability to draw Sailors out and get them to talk about their problems,” explained Krauss. “Working with Patty and Charles, I can instantly see how what they do impacts the Sailors, it’s instant gratification and incredibly rewarding.” Sailor 360 is a program that gives leaders the flexibility to tailor existing source material to fit their needs. The program allows Sailors of all ranks to speak candidly towards improving their personal and professional cooperation and focus on specific topics of training to support professional development. “I think this has been one of the most effective trainings that we’ve had in quite a while, and maybe that I’ve seen ever since this program started,” concluded Senior Chief Personnel Specialist Carson Seibert, the command climate specialist assigned to NMFL. “The tools that they had and then bringing on the dogs itself was amazing. [The team] went over everything in there, from the importance of stress management and what stress does to everything or how it affects everyone. It was well made and well executed.” NMFL, headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, delivers operationally focused medical expertise and capabilities to meet Fleet, Marine and Joint Force requirements by providing equipment, sustainment and maintenance of medical forces during combat operations and public health crises. NMFL provides oversight for 21 NMRTCs, logistics, and public health and dental services throughout the U.S. East Coast, U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba, Europe, and the Middle East. Navy Medicine — represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals — provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore. ABOVE: PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Jan. 24, 2024) Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb Bacon, the directorate for administration assistant lead petty officer assigned to Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL), interacts with service dogs during stress management as part of Sailor 360 training on board Navy Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads - Portsmouth Annex, Jan. 24, 2024. Sailor 360 gives leaders the flexibility to tailor existing source material to fit their needs. The program allows Sailors of all ranks to speak candidly towards improving their personal and professional cooperation. LEFT: PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Jan. 24, 2024) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Charles Nallie, a request for services action officer assigned to Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL), participates in stress management activities during Sailor 360 training on board Navy Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads - Portsmouth Annex, Jan. 24, 2024. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS LEVI DECKER)

Show me the money: Making funding available for shipyard requirements By Troy Miller

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Has there ever been a time when you suggested to your chain of command the need to purchase a tool or new piece of equipment to replace items that are well beyond their years, or for new, 21st Century technology that would help you to perform your job faster and with higher quality? If so, how many times did you hear “good idea, but we don’t have the money for that”? If it feels like you ran out of fingers and toes trying to figure how many times that happened, then you’re not alone. “This urban legend of not having money needs to be snooped,” said Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Production Resources Officer (Code 900) Capt. Frank Gasperetti. “Most likely, this myth came about because of years of being told to ‘don’t over spend.’ ‘Don’t waste taxpayer money.’ Furthermore, we have allowed the chain of command to say ‘no’ vice finding ways to get to ‘yes.’ Gasperetti continued, “It’s simple to tell someone the tooling or material is not in the budget. When in reality, that tooling or material is a requirement, so therefore, get the budget to support the requirement.” NNSY’s annual budget goes towards

payroll, project material, project contracts, overhead purchase of minor property, overhead equipment maintenance and other overhead (i.e. information technology requirements, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command requirements, Defense Logistics Agency requirements, etc.). “During the Gemba walks on the waterfront with the shipyard commander and other senior leaders, employees mentioned that they needed tools and materials to perform their job as well for any repairs or maintenance required for current machines and equipment to fulfill the shipyard’s mission, but there was no money available for those tools and materials,” said NNSY’s Comptroller (Code 600) Susan Wood. “After the Gemba walks, the senior leaders would come to Code 600 looking for additional funds. Good news is rarely do codes completely run out of funding prior to the September 31st deadline, the last month of the ﬁscal year. It is important to note that the code will have to either redistribute the current money allocated towards its budget based on the priority of the item or the comptroller will have to reallocate funds depending on priority and need of the command.” Gasperetti added, “It takes a constant reinforcement to tell folks we have money.

Production Department is committed to driving requirements and developing a plan to spend for those said requirements and is able to adjust according if the need for unexpected requirements arise and the shipyard recognizes these spending requirements are justified and worth putting the money against.” A common way of thinking is to save the funds until the third or fourth quarter, not knowing what new and unexpected funding requirements might arise. According to various shipyard funding administrators, it would be in the best interest of codes to spend their funding in the first and second quarter. If an unexpected funding need occurs within the last two quarters, the department and the comptroller will work together to obtain the additional funds needed to complete the mission. This would also mitigate the risk of something not getting ordered before the end of the fiscal year due to workloads and time constraints of the employees who do the actual ordering. “NNSY tends to get sweep-up funds late from unused funding from other commands within the Fleet,” said Deputy Comptroller Jamie Finlay. “We have done a great job over the last couple of fiscal years preparing and executing those sweep-up funds.

Money always goes towards those that are ready to execute the funding; in other words, contracts ready to award or a JML staged and ready to go, including correct sourcing.” It’s recommended that before you start handing in your wish list to your chain of command, remember to be wise about what you are asking for. Do you need 100 of a particular item or will 50 be more than adequate? Are all the bells and whistles required or necessary for a new piece of equipment or machine, or can a basic or above basic package be more than sufficient? Is it a “need,” a “want,” or a “nice to have”? And one of the biggest questions of all, are you spending money on things that you don’t necessarily need, because of the old government adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it and will get less money next year”? Remember, the next time you come up with a good idea for spending government funding on and you’re told “no,” work with your chain of command to ﬁnd out how to turn that “no” into a “yes” if it supports a requirement. To paraphrase the Great Knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: “spend wisely.”

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 5

The Radiological Emergency Planning Division (Code 105.6) team writes all drill packages pertaining to the Radiological Emergency Response Organization (RERO) drills. It can take anywhere from three weeks to four months to complete a drill package. (PHOTO BY SHELBY WEST)

Lights, camera, action! Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s “screenwriters” challenge emergency response teams with realistic drill packages By Troy Miller

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Emergency drills conducted at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) provide a valuable training activity that simulates a real event as closely as possible to evaluate the shipyard’s ability to respond to an emergency using a highly stressful environment that models actual response conditions. “Depending on the type of drill we are exercising, up to approximately 150 qualiﬁed individuals may respond,” said Radiological Emergency Planning Division (Code 105.6) Health Physicist Rebecca Spencer. “However, it’s just not those who are qualiﬁed responders that are drilling, but also shipyard employees, Sailors and contractors conducting their daily jobs will likely participate as well.” The type of scenario dictates who writes the drill package. For Radiological Emergency Response Organization (RERO) drills, the Radiological Emergency Planning Division (Code 105.6) writes the drill

packages. The Emergency Management Planning Division (Code 1130) is responsible for drill packages pertaining to major ﬁres. Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) NNSY’s Installation Emergency Management Department develops drill packages for active shooters, gate runners, suspicious packages, threatening messages, destructive weather, shipyard power outages and many other drill scenarios. Code 1130’s Emergency Management Specialist Jacquelyn Singletary explained what exactly a drill package is. “A drill package is a document comprised of outlines, in detail, for the drill scenario: expected responses by responders, scripts for the role players, safety precautions, data to be given by drill controllers, the termination points as well as alternate outcomes, and responder objectives.” Installation Emergency Management Officer, Nicole Roten, added, “A drill package helps the training team executing the scenario to move smoothly from one critical event to the next, annotates expected actions

when certain events occur or are presented to responders, and gives evaluators a standard against which to compare observations. When done right, a well-designed drill scenario encourages critical thinking for responders to solve the problem at hand, especially when an unexpected or anomalous condition is exposed.” From start to ﬁnish, it takes anywhere from two to six individuals to write the drill packages, which can take anywhere from three weeks to four months to complete. It all depends on what type of scenario is being drilled at any given time and what the goal is for any particular drill. There are many challenges that come with writing a drill package. The drill package writers need to understand how all the pieces ﬁt together for a cohesive and comprehensive response. “Drill package creation and execution requires coordination of a large number of personnel, of which can be very difficult,” said Spencer. “It can be especially difficult to coordinate with evaluators in package

creation, considering their senior positions within the shipyard, which means high levels of responsibility and full schedules.” Singletary added, “Another challenge is the vessel used during the drill. Some spaces have limited access due to the work being conducted in there at the time of the drill as well as ensuring only those authorized personnel enter the space to perform any tasks pertaining to the exercise.” Once the drill has been executed and completed, the drill package is kept for three years. This helps as a tool to create future drills taking the lessons learned and building upon them to turn the areas that need improvement into strengths. If you are interested in becoming a responder or role playing for RERO drills, contact Rebecca Spencer at Rebecca.e.spencer.civ@us.navy.mil. For major ﬁres, contact Brent Kotcamp at brent.k.kotcamp.civ@ us.navy.mil. For drills and actual events for the installation, contact Nicole Roten at alexis.n.roten.civ@us.navy.mil or John Callahan at john.e.callahan8.civ@us.navy.mil.

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6 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

Welcome to the family, MWD Hanes U.S. Navy Story By Mass

Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Botts

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Naval Air Station Oceana welcomed the newest member of its Navy security forces, Military Working Dog (MWD) Hanes, Dec. 3, 2023. MWD Hanes is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois whose primary role at Naval Air Station Oceana is the deterrence of any potential threat to the installation, as well as detection and patrol capabilities. MWD Hanes graduated from his initial training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, last year, after which he received his orders to Naval Air Station Oceana. After getting settled in, MWD Hanes’ handler, Master-atArms 2nd Class Jonathan Weaver, brought Hanes to NAS Oceana’s headquarters building for his ﬁrst official portrait in January. “We call a new dog ‘green,’ ” said Masterat-Arms 1st Class Vincent Nicholford, the kennel master onboard Naval Air Station Oceana. “Meaning the dog has never been to a duty station or been assigned a handler.” It will take time, patience, and practice for MWD Hanes to get trained up to the same level of expertise that his new kennel-mates at NAS Oceana exemplify. “Getting a brand new MWD is very exciting, but comes with a lot of work,” said Nicholford. “Acclimation to the new environment is most likely the biggest challenge we face when we get a new dog. If we move too fast and insert the new dog into a new location too soon, that may cause undesired behaviors to come out or create negative associations.” Nevertheless, the handlers onboard Naval Air Station Oceana have a plan to get MWD Hanes acclimated to his new environment and integrated with the rest of the team. “By utilizing successive approximation, we introduce a new dog like Hanes slowly and methodically, into new areas,” said Nicholford. “Going slowly allows the dog to soak in the new environment without causing issues to arise.” Nicholford and his MWD teams will be working alongside NAS Oceana’s entire

Navy security forces team this week and next to support Exercise Citadel ShieldSolid Curtain 2024, an annual force protection exercise. The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services, and agency partners to protect life, equipment, and facilities. For more news, photos, and events from Naval Air Station Oceana, follow us on Facebook @NavalAirStationOceana or on Instagram @nasoceana.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (Jan. 24, 2024) Military Working Dog (MWD) Hanes poses for photographs with his handler, Master-atArms 2nd Class Jonathan Weaver, onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Jan. 24, 2024. MWD Hanes is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois whose primary role at NAS Oceana is the deterrence of any potential threat to the installation. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS MEGAN WOLLAM)

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew combats a boat ﬁre in the Anchorage Marina, Maryland, Jan. 31, 2024. The boat crew was deployed by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capitol Region watchstanders to assist partner agencies during the incident. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. COAST GUARD STATION CURTIS BAY)

Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to ﬁre in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor By Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves

U.S. Coast Guard District 5

BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard and multiple partner agencies responded to a multi-vessel fire Wednesday in the Anchorage Marina, on the Patapsco River in Baltimore. A good Samaritan alerted Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region watchstanders to the fire at approximately 9 a.m. and reported that he heard a popping noise and saw two boats engulfed in flames. Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay launched a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium crew to support response efforts. Once the boat crew arrived on scene, a Baltimore City Fire Department crewmember embarked the Coast Guard boat to assist with extinguishing efforts. Additionally, the marina’s manager reported that a man was aboard one of the engulfed vessels but said that he was rescued by Baltimore City Fire Department and Maryland Natural Resources Police. After the fire was extinguished, one of the affected vessels sank with an unknown amount of diesel fuel on board. Maryland Department of the Environment personnel deployed a containment boom to mitigate pollution effects. Coast Guard pollution responders remain on scene to monitor the situation and assist with cleanup efforts. There are currently no waterways or marine traffic impacts resulting from this incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Coast Guard and partner agencies respond to a boat ﬁre in the Anchorage Marina on the Patapsco River, Maryland, Jan. 31. 2024. Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capital Region watchstanders deployed responders to assist including a boat crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO BY PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS MATTHEW WEST/ RELEASED)

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 7

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www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 1

uarterdeck

DOD reduces on-base child care fees for military families The Defense Department is focused on making quality child care options affordable for military families as officials continue to prioritize initiatives to take care of those who serve. Page B6

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs Specialist Kristi Britt speaks with Workforce Development Career Counselor Dave Randall during a one-on-one career counseling session. (PHOTO BY PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS MEGAN BRANNON)

Guidance towards the future: NNSY Career Counselors are here to help By Kristi R Britt

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

In the toasty summer of 2008, I took my first steps through Gate 15 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), joining the ranks of the America’s Shipyard workforce as part of the Pathways Program. A curious student intern seeking a career in media studies and production, I was floored that there could be a role for me in the world of ship repair and maintenance. It was so rewarding to find a place in this dedicated community whose mission was to repair and modernize our Navy’s Fleet — servicing any ship, any time, anywhere. I felt part of something greater, working daily in an effort to improve and provide the best communications to our people. Now, nearly sixteen years since that fateful day, I’m a well-known name in our Public Affairs team as well as the editor and producer of our monthly Service to the Fleet magazine. It’s been an amazing career for me so far…yet I’ve reached the pinnacle where a very important question has begun to linger in my mind. What’s next? That question can be a bit scary for people — a glimpse into the unknown and unsure of what path or direction you want to focus on. Is the path you are currently on one you want to continue down — or maybe you want to veer down another road into uncharted territory? No one decision is the correct answer for

all — everyone’s journey is unique to them and their aspirations. I’ve seen many of my teammates venture in various directions — but what path is right for me? What are my goals and inspirations? And once I determine that, what tools do I need to get there? In an effort to set my next step in the right direction, I made a connection with NNSY’s very own Career Counselors, setting up a one-on-one appointment with NNSY Workforce Development Career Counselor Dave Randall to discuss my career so far and what paths I can take in my continuous personal and professional development. “There was an interview where former First Lady Michelle Obama shared the importance of being a mentor and to embrace that lifestyle to help empower and motivate others,” said Randall during our discussion. “She spoke about one of her ﬁrst mentees being a fellow graduate of Harvard Law School during her time as a lawyer in Chicago. She took this young man under her wing, introducing him to the partners he would be working with, showing him the ropes, and helping him succeed in that stage in his career. This man would later serve as the 44th President of the United States — Barack Obama.” He explained, “You never know what influence you may truly have on those around you, what you can inspire not only in your life but in others. In workforce development, we aim to empower our shipyard teammates to take charge of their careers while ensuring the organization has the

right people in the right positions at the right time to positively impact NNSY and our Fleet. From mentoring your teammates, to becoming a mentee yourself, to taking a look at your current path to determine if it’s right for you — we want everyone to find a positive way forward in everything they do.” Before we sat down together in the room, Randall provided a Client Intake form for me to fill out — this form gave an ideal outline of what I was looking for in our session. We determined my appointment goals, he asked me if I had a resume or Individual Development Plan (IDP) I could share, and provided some career assessments I could partake in ahead of time, including a Work Values Test and the O*NET Interest Profiler. “Every session — just like every individual in our workforce — is unique. We tailor our discussions to exactly what our customer is looking for, taking a deep dive into what’s available and what they are interested in through a seven-step process,” said Randall. “We offer a range of assistance, including developing their IDPs or resumes to get them on track with their career goals, preparing individuals for interviews, assessing their career so far and what options are available to them, and providing counseling assistance. We also have additional avenues within our team, including coaching services to provide guidance on achievable goals, consulting services including succession planning and management and referral services to help employees find the best resources in job enrichment, mentoring and

more.” Sitting down with Randall, we had a dedicated meeting on my career, opening my eyes with a new lens to truly see what I’ve accomplished so far, what I could be doing better and what I’m excelling in, and determining what I am to do next. For instance, my goal to someday become a leader in my field, aiding my team to ensure they can do their very best each and every day. He went stepby-step through my career and showed me what trainings or services I should look into to make it happen. By the end of our session, I had a brand new outlook on my profession — ready to take charge and define my future to be what I want it to be. “We do individual or group sessions, depending on what our clients need,” said Randall. “There’s something for everyone — from our mechanics to our leadership. Anyone who needs help can reach out to our team here and we’ll be ready to assist. Our passion is helping people find what makes them happiest. This is such a fun job for me being able to provide what our clients need, providing a motivational experience for all.” The NNSY Career Counselors provide services to NNSY civilians in all three shifts as well as our detachments at NRMD Kings Bay; Groton, Connecticut; Naval Foundry and Propeller Center in Philadelphia; New York and more. To learn more about their services, please visit https://webcentral.nnsy. navy.mil/Departments/C900/C900CU/ WD/SitePages/Home.aspx. You can also reach out to NNSY_WFD@us.navy.mil.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s new Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant provides increased efficiency and safety By Susanne Greene

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is building a brand new Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant to increase wastewater treatment capacity, incorporate more efficient technologies and enhance safety for plant operators. The plant has the ability to treat in excess of two million gallons a year. Phase one of the facility was completed in October 2023 and the second phase is expected to be completed by fall 2024. “The Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWTP) is a brand-new facility that is replacing the old IWTP that had been in continuous operation since 1976,” said NNSY Environmental Protection Specialist Michael Zemienieuski. “The new IWTP is being constructed in two phases: phase one, which became operational in October 2023 houses the treatment process; and phase two, which is currently under construction, will contain storage and maintenance areas, administrative offices, a control room, laboratory and additional personnel support rooms.” “The IWTP supports the mission of NNSY by treating the industrial wastewater in-house and removes a large liability from the Navy as NNSY is responsible for the wastewater from generation to ﬁnal disposal,” said Zemienieuski. “As overhaul and modernization processes and techniques change, different waste streams are generated and the IWTP is capable of treating these new waste streams with little or no changes to plant operations.” The IWTP operates under regulations controlled by the Clean Water Act, which is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality while NNSY’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Office (Code 106) monitors operations and compliance. A dedicated team of eight licensed operators keeps the IWTP running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard has begun phase two of construction for the new Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant which is expected to be completed by fall 2024. (PHOTO BY DANIEL DEANGELIS)

The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

Q: What types of family housing are available? A: There are three types of housing available to families:

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) FABLAB Lead Engineer Christopher Rivera, right, stands next to the FABLAB outside of Grover C. Fields Middle School while teaching sixth grade students the fundamentals of fixed wing flight. The FABLAB is a mobile makerspace equipped with tools and technology to assist in STEM-based lessons. With the help of FRCE’s engineers, the students assembled foam gliders and performed a series of tests on the center of gravity to find the best construction for optimal flight stability. (PHOTO BY SAMANTHA FEHR, FLEET READINESS CENTER EAST)

FRCE provides local students with exciting learning opportunities By Samantha Fehr

Fleet Readiness Center East

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — The Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) STEM Outreach Team recently visited a local middle school to give students hands-on exposure to tools and techniques they may encounter if they pursue a technical career field. FRCE visited Grover C. Fields Middle School in New Bern Jan. 17 with two goals: providing engaging educational resources to sixth through eighth grade students in the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program, and assisting teachers in developing technology-based lessons. According to FRCE Innovation Lead Randall Lewis, the hope is that providing these resources will inspire students to consider careers in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. “By giving students this exposure, we are able to enhance their education and open their minds to new possibilities,” said Lewis. “Not only is STEM-based education an important part of their curriculum, but it could also play an important factor in their future. FRC East has a large and growing workforce, many of which are STEM professionals, so having outreach events is very important.” The FABLAB, a mobile makerspace, makes these hands-on lessons possible. The self-contained unit is a 32-foot-long, 8-footwide enclosed trailer equipped with devices used in the STEM field, but not commonly found in most classrooms. The equipment includes 3D printers, a laser engraver, laptops and circuit boards. The unique features of the FABLAB provide students with learning opportunities different than the lessons they might receive in a traditional classroom environment. The FABLAB primarily serves students within a 100-mile radius of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and is often seen at schools and local events. David Rackley, an AIG program teacher

for Grover C. Fields Middle School, said he finds the FABLAB to be a beneficial tool for students. He said he enjoys using STEM lessons in the classroom as it can open the students’ minds to new career paths and ideas. “I love these events. I enjoy seeing the students do things they don’t normally do because it helps them learn and grow,” said Rackley. “I bring the FABLAB in so the students get those experiences with things they normally would not have in the classroom.” Rackley said not only do the students enjoy these outreach events, but it also encourages them to pursue careers in the STEM field. “They love it. When they hear FABLAB, they are more interested in the FABLAB than they are in coming to my class,” said Rackley. “And in middle school, they don’t really know what they want to do career-wise. That’s one of the reasons we do this kind of thing, so we can give them that experience.” During the event, FABLAB Lead Engineer Christopher Rivera and electrical engineer Zach Shuler introduced the students to the fundamentals of fixed wing flight with foam gliders. The students assembled the foam gliders and performed a series of tests on the center of gravity to find optimal flight stability. Rivera said seemingly simple activities like this can spur a lifelong interest in a student. “My favorite part about this job — primarily in terms of outreach — is introducing something new to a student, especially when it’s not something they would have ever encountered in their life, or didn’t think they’d be interested in,” said Rivera. “Seeing the students enjoy something they’ve never encountered before, or didn’t know existed, has been incredibly rewarding.” FRCE K-12 Educational Outreach Coordinator Michelle Smith serves an important role within the depot’s outreach initiatives. Prior to her FRCE career, Smith taught STEM classes to middle school students. Now, she coordinates with teachers to ensure

the FABLAB activities correlate with the students’ curriculums. “It’s important for the FABLAB activities to support the curriculum the teachers are already following,” said Smith. “Our outreach team does an outstanding job creating informative and enjoyable STEM-based activities for the students. We hope they encourage the students to pursue further STEM-based education, and eventually a STEM-based career.” Rivera said tying the FABLAB activities to the teacher’s lesson plan also allows for customization. “When we partner with local school systems, we can bring in a premade lesson where we introduce the students to an engineering concept, whether that be computer-aided design or additive manufacturing,” said Rivera. “We can also ﬁnd a lesson that the teacher is already doing with their students. For example, say they are working on a clean energy project where the students have mocked up windmills or solar farms. We can come into that class and teach the students how to actually design them. And then, for demonstration’s sake, we can 3D print them in the FABLAB so they can use them as aids in their presentations.” Lewis has been with the outreach program since the introduction of the FABLAB. He said he is proud of all that the STEM Outreach Team has accomplished. “Our outreach program has come quite a long way, especially since the introduction of the FABLAB, and we are constantly brainstorming new ways to improve,” said Lewis. “I am looking forward to the program’s future initiatives.” FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the ﬂeet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

ABOVE: Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) electrical engineer Zachary Shuler, left, and FABLAB Lead Engineer Christopher Rivera, middle, assist sixth graders at Grover C. Fields Middle School with their foam gliders. As a part of FRCE’s outreach program, engineers took the FABLAB, a mobile makerspace, to the local school and provided students from the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program with engaging STEM-based activities. FRCE engineers introduced the students to the basic concepts of fixed wing flight prior to helping them assemble their own foam gliders. Students then used their newfound knowledge to perform tests on the gliders’ center of gravity to promote optimal flight stability. LEFT: Sixth grade students at Grover C. Fields Middle School test the aerodynamics of the foam gliders they made with the help of Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) engineers. FRCE sent two engineers to provide the students with hands-on, STEMbased learning experiences. The engineers introduced the students to the basic concepts of fixed wing flight, which applies to any aircraft that does not primarily use rotating blades to generate lift. (PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA FEHR, FLEET READINESS CENTER EAST)

Public/Private Venture (PPV) Housing is also referred to as privatized housing in the Navy. The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible for the construction, renovation, maintenance and day-to-day management of the housing. PPV housing may be located on or off government property and in most cases will be former military housing. Government Owned (also known as Military Housing or Navy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing. While only available in limited quantities CONUS, Government Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS. Community Housing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPV or government operated. This is housing outside of the base that is privately owned and operated.

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www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 3

Wargaming continues to evolve as a valuable resource for the U.S. Navy By Taft Coghill

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Six members of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) workforce were placed in a high-intensity environment in the 17th series of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Global War games Oct. 16-20 at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island. U.S. Armed Forces representatives, including admirals and generals, were on hand and they wanted answers quickly from the NSWCDD contingent. “It was very frantic, especially the ﬁrst couple of days,” said Joshua Shiben, an analyst in the Force Analysis and Strategic Systems Branch within the Warfare Analysis and Digital Modeling Department at NSWCDD. “We evaluated 30 to 40 different scenarios with a small team and it was just ‘go, go, go, go.’ They had a certain window to adjudicate and they didn’t want our answers coming at the end. So it was really vigorous.” Wargaming, which debuted at NWC in 1887, is an integral part of research and education at the college. It involves a game of strategy that realistically simulates warfare and gives warﬁghters an idea of what they may encounter in battle. Shiben said wargaming is “imperfect, but realistic.” He believes the Modeling and Simulation Toolbox (MAST) developed at

NSWCDD improves the effectiveness of wargaming and vice versa. “Collaboration with NWC gives us both opportunities to improve our products,” Shiben said. “The addition of modeling and simulation adds ﬁdelity, reliability and repeatability to wargaming, while insight into what warﬁghters are thinking and doing shows us where and how to improve our models to capture what really matters.” The value wargaming adds to the nation’s defense is impossible to overstate, although the technology used in modeling and simulation is constantly evolving. NWC conducts more than 50 wargaming events each year and they range from complex, multi-sided computer-assisted games to simple, single-sided seminar programs. The simulations assist scientists and engineers in understanding the decisions military leaders make in maritime and joint warfare. Wargaming is also an avenue to foster discussions and debates on strategic and operational concepts. Shiben said NSWCDD is showing increased interest in wargaming as a resource. “Broadly, wargaming has been a thing since wars have been a thing,” Shiben said. “But now there is better computational capability and better modeling. At the Global War Games, Dahlgren brought out models

and ran them in real-time and was able to get modeling and simulation results to help inform adjudications.” Allan Cahill, a mission engineer in the Warfare Analysis and Digital Modeling Department at NSWCDD, said wargaming gives the military insight into the most difficult aspect of battle to predict — the human element. “What makes wargaming so challenging, complex and interesting is that it adds a lot of contextual factors that you normally don’t think of,” Cahill said. “When you play wargaming board games, you’re not thinking about weather, technology or what year it is. But when you do it here, all of those factors are pulled in and you start to meet different levels of experts, which creates a very interesting community to talk, share and learn from one another.” Philip Costello, chief mission engineer in the Warfare Analysis and Digital Modeling Department, noted that he and his colleagues met the objective established by NWC to apply modeling and simulation to the war game. They were invited back to participate in at least two more events in 2024. Costello said the evolution of wargaming leads to better results for those on the frontlines. “It allows the warfighter to have higher fidelity and higher confidence in the results of an engagement versus a group of subject

matter experts debating,” Costello said. “It gives you the hard data that tells you, ‘This is what most likely will happen.’ ” The NSWCDD cadre was put to the test at the Global War Games. Shiben recalled an instance when high-ranking officials urged the group to come up with a model immediately to test a potential solution. The adjudication center was abuzz as the NSWCDD contingent attempted to quickly build a model. “It was a major event that factored into how that war game would play out,” Cahill. “You had VIPs looking at us because our whole crux was, ‘We can help you figure out answers.’ The players and subject matter experts were looking around the room like ‘What do they think happened?’ That was definitely high stress, high pressure.” Cahill said military leaders look to wargaming to challenge their theories, confirm their beliefs or test new adaptations that the military may need to seek out. Shiben said the passion that goes into wargaming makes a career at NSWCDD rewarding for the current workforce and attractive to young adults who may be seeking to enter the defense field. “It’s high intensity. It’s high profile. It’s dynamic. It’s rigorous,” Shiben said. “If those are things you like in your day job, it is something we have here at NSWCDD.”

Navy Week sets sail for Daytona Beach By Lt. J.g. James Caliva

U.S. Navy, Navy Office of Community Outreach

The U.S. Navy is preparing to bring Navy Week to Daytona Beach, Florida from Feb. 12 to 18. Daytona Beach Navy Week will bring between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to volunteer throughout the community and discuss why the Navy matters to Florida. This will be the first Navy Week hosted in Daytona Beach since the program first started in 2005. Daytona Beach Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, ad engagements throughout the week that will include: Senior Navy Leaders — Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders with ties to Florida and the surrounding area. Navy Band Southeast - Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command — Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers. U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command — Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy. Naval History and Heritage Command — Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Florida and the Navy. Navy Talent Acquisition Group — Educational presentations, community service projects and static displays. USS Constitution — Demonstrations about the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy. Navy Weeks are the service’s signature outreach program, designed to allow the citizens of Daytona Beach to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) coordinates Navy Weeks. “We are thrilled to bring the Navy to

(COURTESY PHOTO)

Daytona Beach,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Though our Navy is deployed around-the-world and aroundthe-clock, the Navy Week program allows us to showcase our Navy in places that don’t enjoy an everyday naval presence. Most importantly it affords us the opportunity to highlight our most important asset — the highly skilled men and women of the United States Navy who ensure our warﬁghting advantage to preserve our American way

of life.” Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s ﬂagship outreach effort to regions without a signiﬁcant Navy presence, with over 300 Navy Weeks held in more than 95 different U.S. markets. “Our mission is to connect with the heartbeat of each community and we strive to make a lasting impact on the Sailors, partners and community members,” said NAVCO Navy Week program manager, Lt. Caroline

Ready. “We coordinate with corporations, civic and community service organizations, local government, educational institutions, media, and veterans to give the community as many opportunities as possible to engage with their Navy.” For more information on Daytona Beach Navy Week visit https://outreach.navy.mil or contact Lt. j.g. James Caliva at (210) 776-2831 or james.caliva.mil@us.navy.mil.

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6 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – A child development center staff member cares for children at Buckley Space Force Base. The CDC provides a curriculum based on children’s social, emotional and cognitive needs to foster an environment that emphasizes cooperation, caring, mutual respect, creative opportunities, openness and a spirit of inquiry. (U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY CRAIG Z. RODARTE)

DOD reduces on-base child care fees for military families By Joseph Clark DOD News

The Defense Department is focused on making quality child care options affordable for military families as officials continue to prioritize initiatives to take care of those who serve. Earlier this month the department implemented its new fee schedule for on base child care designed to reduce fees for lower income military families while maintaining high quality care at DOD child development centers around the world. Chad Sheldon, DOD’s associate director for child and youth programs policy, said the driver behind this year’s fee change was “to make the child care fees more equitable and more affordable, speciﬁcally for those families with the greatest economic need.” “We wanted to be able to reduce the percentage of income that they’re paying for child care and balance that across our fee schedule,” he said. The reduction in the basic weekly rate for on base child care is applied across several tiers under the new structure, as determined by military families’ total family income: Those with a total family income of $45,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $54, down from $82 under the previous fee schedule. Those with a total family income of $65,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $74, down from $121 under the previous fee schedule. Those with a total family income of

Lenese Rogers, Peterson SFB Main Child Development Center lead education technician, reads a story to a group of children on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Nov. 9, 2023. This is one of two CDCs that Peterson SFB offers for children whose parents or legal guardians are either active-duty military, DoD civilian personnel paid with either APF or NAF, reservists on active duty or during inactive duty training, and DoD contractors. (U.S. SPACE FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JUSTIN TODD)

$90,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $104, down from $143 under the previous fee schedule. Those with a total family income of $115,000 will pay a basic weekly rate of $138, down from $154 under the previous

fee schedule. Sheldon said child care can be a major expense for new families who are typically still in the early stages of their careers and not at the peak of their earning potential. “By making these adjustments to our fees,

our intent is that they’re going to have more money in their pocket to cover additional expenses — food, diapers, all those things that come along with being a parent as well,” he said. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have made reducing child care costs for military families a key focus of the Biden-Harris administration. The new fee structure follows Biden’s executive order in April directing the DOD to improve child care affordability on military installations. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has prioritized efforts to strengthen support for DOD personnel and family members under his “Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families” initiative. Improving access to child care is a key part of that effort. The DOD operates one of the largest employer-sponsored child care programs in the U.S., serving more than 160,000 children every year, according to 2022 ﬁgures. “Our service members matter,” Sheldon said. “Their families matter. And certainly we have a vested interest in children and youth. Our mission is a really important one and one that we take seriously.” He said child care providers and child development center staff throughout DOD, take their mission to serve the children of military families to heart. “I hope that service members know that their well-being and their family’s well-being is something that is critically important to us,” he said.

Removal of excess industrial plant equipment improves production at Norfolk Naval Shipyard By Susanne Greene

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Norfolk Naval Shipyard has been focusing on the removal of older and unneeded Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE) to improve workforce safety and production efficiency. “It is critical to our mission to have reliable and capable equipment for the safety of our personnel and to complete requirements as scheduled,” said NNSY (C900F.2) Equipment Division Head, Matthew Diggs. “At the end of the day, it is the workforce that allows us to get the boats out on time, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have equipment readily available to do so.” After a fall 2023 visit from the Naval Sea Systems Command Property Officer, Lizz Arre, discussing this priority, the shipyard team set a goal to have 50 assets excessed within 60 days and as of November 29, 71 assets had been removed. “The big win here is that the team, consisting of Codes 900F, 300, 700 and 931, was able to work with Defense Logistics Agency-A, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Offices, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems, NAVSEA and the NAVSEA 04 team to excess other items as well,” said Shipyard Production Resources Officer Captain Frank Gasperetti. “We gained huge partnerships with all the parties and the team is looking at pushing more IPE out the door over the next year.” “Norfolk Naval Shipyard has three priority areas in regard to equipment excessing: Building 163 furnace, Dry Dock 4 enclosures and Building 171, Shop 31, equipment,” said NNSY (C-900F) Facilities and Equipment Manager Joseph Singer. “Elim-

Norfolk Naval Shipyard has been focusing on the removal of older and unneeded Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE) to improve workforce safety and production efficiency. (PHOTO BY SHELBY WEST)

inating the old equipment creates space for modern equipment which improves our workforce’s production efficiency and

helps NNSY meet our mission.” “NNSY is always working hard to improve our production efficiency in

order to support the needs of the Fleet,” said Shipyard Commander Captain Jip Mosman.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 7

Sailors graduate from boot camp at U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., Feb. 10, 2023. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Taking care of Service Members is key to recruiting next generation By Joseph Clark DOD News

The Defense Department’s focus on taking care of those in uniform is a critical component for motivating the next generation to serve, a senior Pentagon official said. Shawn G. Skelly, performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said ensuring those in uniform know they are valued is among DOD’s most effective tools in shaping the public’s perception of military service and recruiting others to join. “The most powerful means of communication we have is the lived experience of those people who serve and their family members,” she said during a panel discussion on military recruiting hosted by the Institute for Defense

Analyses in Washington yesterday. Skelly said lived experience is ultimately what shapes others’ perception of life in uniform, adding that the message spreads far beyond service members and their immediate families. She added that shaping that lived experience ultimately comes down to “taking care of our people.” Since taking office, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has prioritized efforts to strengthen support for DOD personnel and family members under his “Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families” campaign. Those efforts include key initiatives to improve the lives of service members and their families through access to quality and

affordable child care and easing the burden of relocation for military families, among other things. Skelly said those initiatives, many of which are overseen by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, are about making sure the total force receives the full support of the department as they answer the call to serve. “What I see us doing is exercising the responsibility that we have to meet the expectations of those service members as to what their service requires the support to them to be: healthy living conditions and a complete and total beneﬁts package that enables them to support their family and live healthily and live safely where we send them,” Skelly said.

The panel discussion comes on the heels of a challenging year for military recruiting. Last year, just two of the services — the Marine Corps and Space Force — met their recruiting goals. Defense officials attribute that to a variety of factors that have challenged recruiting in recent years. Skelly said that no matter how technology and warfare change, the strength of the force always comes down to people. She said the nation’s ability to support those who serve is critical to meeting the most pressing challenges now and in the future. “That’s the most powerful message that there is,” she said.

Physical Evaluation Board Discharge Claims From Navy.mil On September 27, 2022, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia determined veterans of the United States Navy and Marine Corps whose ﬁnal Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) occurred between September 12, 2016 and June 11, 2018 and who did not receive a medical retirement through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) may be entitled to a reme-

dial PEB. In accordance with the District Court’s ruling, the Department of the Navy has established a Class Action Review Board (CARB) as a remedial PEB process for those impacted. To that end, the CARB is reissuing PEB ﬁndings for those identiﬁed as class members over the next 12-18 months. If class members do not want further review of their PEB case, no action is required. If no review is requested, there

will be no impact to your current status and beneﬁts, to include your VA beneﬁts. Inquiries about the CARB or general information about the CARB may be directed to a CARB Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer at peb_peblo_comms.fct@navy.mil or 202-685-6436. For class members desiring legal advice or counsel regarding the Torres CARB, a Government attorney is available for advice and counsel, free of charge, through

the Department of the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General, Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program (DESCP). The DESCP may be reached at DESCP_TorresUnit@us.navy.mil or (202) 875-1198. For additional information and the latest updates about the CARB please visit the CARB website: https://www.secnav.navy. mil/mra/CORB/Pages/CARB.aspx

8 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

On iberty

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 1

Whether you’re gearing up for game day or Mardi Gras, let the good times roll with these party favorites! Cajun Shrimp Dip, Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies & Mini Muffulettas. Page C4

Virginia International Tattoo announces 2024 cast and more!

(PHOTO CREDIT: INTERNATIONAL TATTOO)

Press Release

NORFOLK, Va. — The 2024 Virginia International Tattoo returns April 18 — 21 in Norfolk, Virginia! The heartbeat of the 2024 Tattoo will be its incredible international cast featuring more than 800 performers with bands, drill teams and more from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps joined by civilian and military performers from seven nations. You will see returning favorites including Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps and the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy and ﬁrst-time performers that are sure to become new favorites. Not to be missed are the Massed Pipes and Drums from four nations who will be joined by the incredible Virginia International Tattoo Highland Dance Company. The soul of the 2024 Tattoo will be an emotional and grateful Celebration of Freedom, 80 years from the D-Day landings and 75 years from the founding of NATO. This Tattoo will remind us that as Americans, we have helped write some of the greatest chapters in the story of human freedom. With stirring music, historic photos and video, tributes from US military bands and appearances by special guests, we will remember and celebrate the men and women who have safeguarded freedom not only for the United States, but for the world.

“The longest day of the week for the Tattoo cast and crew is our Tuesday rehearsal day. It is at least a 12-hour day for everyone involved and the very last scene that we rehearse is the Tattoo Opening, which includes the Star-Spangled Banner. And every year as the Drum Major calls “Present Arms”, every member of the Tattoo team stops whatever they are doing and stands. And one by one, our guests who are sprinkled throughout an almost empty Scope arena, stand in recognition of the level of respect that exists for our National Anthem and for the military. That respect lives at the heart of the Tattoo and is why we are known far and wide as the most patriotic of the world’s great Tattoos.” - J. Scott Jackson, Producer/Director Tickets are available and on sale now at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.

What is the Tattoo? The centuries-old tradition of Tattoo originated as a signal from drummers instructing Dutch innkeepers near military garrisons to “Doe den Tap-too” or “turn off the tap”. Hearing the call “Tap-too” soldiers would return to their barracks for an evening roll call. The ensuing parade of soldiers evolved

into a military marching band performance now known worldwide as “Tattoo.” The Tattoos seen across the world today are ceremonial performances of military music by massed bands. Each Tattoo is inﬂuenced by the culture of the country they represent. Fans of these massed spectacles of music and might ﬂock to the world’s great Tattoos: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada. But the greatest Tattoo in the United States, and rivaling the largest in the world, is the Virginia International Tattoo.

Virginia International Tattoo 2024 Details: When: Thursday, April 18, 7:30 pm Friday, April 19, 7:30 pm Saturday, April 20, 7:30 pm Sunday, April 21, 2:30 pm Where: Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia Tickets and Information: www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510. Stay up to date: Follow the Virginia Inter-

national Tattoo on social media platforms @ VaTatt and subscribe to our Virginia International Tattoo YouTube page for the latest and greatest content, behind-the-scenes, cast takeovers, and more!

Virginia International Tattoo 2024 Participating Nations: AUSTRALIA 51 ACU Swan Regiment Drums & Pipes Scots College Pipes and Drums CANADA Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drum FRANCE XV du Paciﬁque Army Rugby Team MULTINATIONAL Virginia International Tattoo Highland Dance Company GERMANY Musikkorps der Bundeswehr NETHERLANDS Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy SWITZERLAND Top Secret Drum Corps UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Andy’s Tartan Army Turn to International Tattoo, Page 2

HEART announces long-awaited Royal Flush Tour 2024 with special guest Cheap Trick Press Release NORFOLK, Va. — Following their electrifying performances at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park for the NHL Winter Classics on January 1st and Climate Pledge Arena New Years Eve, the legendary rock band HEART announced their highly-anticipated return to the road for the first time after a five-year hiatus. Presented by AEG Presents, the Royal Flush Tour 2024 will see the band embark on a North American and European tour. HEART is set to kick off their tour on Saturday, April 20th at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC and will visit several cities including Portland, Montreal, Detroit, London, Stockholm as well as New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO and Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA. HEART is also joining forces with Def Leppard & Journey for three epic stadium dates in Cleveland, Toronto and Boston this summer. WIth a career spanning nearly five decades, the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees have earned global recognition selling more than 35 million albums worldwide, with 20 Top 40 singles to their name. HEART will be performing their catalog of global chart-topping classic hits including “Magic Man”, “Barracuda”, “Crazy on You” and “These Dreams”. The current members of HEART feature Nancy Wilson (rhythm, lead and acoustic guitar, backing and lead vocals), Ann Wilson (lead vocals and flute), Ryan Wariner (lead and rhythm guitar),

Ryan Waters (guitars), Paul Moak (guitars, keyboards and backing vocals), Tony Lucido (bass and backing vocals) and Sean T Lane (drums and bike). “We’re excited and all geared up to hit the road in 2024 to perform for our devoted fans,” Heart’s lead vocalist Ann Wilson stated. She added “The exceptional talent of the band - Ryan, Ryan, Paul, Tony and Sean - brings a whole new level of energy to Heart’s live performance”. Ann hinted the possibility of adding more tour dates in the near future heightening anticipation for what promises to be an incredible concert experience. Nancy Wilson shared, “I am incredibly proud of the show that our band has crafted and am looking forward to reconnecting with our fans. We can’t wait to share our music with everyone and celebrate the big electric energy of a completely live on the spot rock show.” HEART will be joined by celebrated rock band Cheap Trick on the Royal Flush Tour 2024. Formed in 1974, Cheap Trick has sold 20 million albums worldwide, including hits “I Want You to Want Me”, “The Flame”, “Dream Police” and “Surrender”. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 cementing their place in rock history. Their perfect blend of ‘60s guitar pop, hard rock, and punk rock, combined with the infectious sound of HEART’s powerful melodies, is sure to make for an unforgettable evening of live music. Showtime is Tuesday August 27 at 8p.m.

Left to Right: Heart members Ryan Wariner, Tony Lucido, Sean Lane, Ann Wilson, Paul Moak, Ryan Waters, Nancy Wilson. (PHOTO CREDIT: CRISS CAIN)

A limited number of exclusive VIP Packages are also available. These exclusive offers can include an amazing selection of reserved seated tickets, custom merchandise and more. Tickets are on sale now through the band’s official website www.heart-music. com, the Scope Arena Box Office and Tick-

etmaster.com. The Scope Arena box office is located in the Scope parking garage at 201 E. Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510. It is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit sevenvenues.com/events or call 757.664.6464.

INSIDE: Check out Flagship Values, your source for automobiles, employment, real estate and more! Pages C6-7

The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

Community SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS, NEWS AND PHOTOS

The Flagship welcomes submissions from our readers online. Please submit events here: www.militarynews.com/users/admin/calendar/event/ Please submit news and photos here: www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-ﬂagship/submit_news/

Valentine’s Day date ideas to break from the norm By Family Features If you’re feeling pressure to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day date, it may be time to veer away from tradition. While ﬂowers, chocolates and dinner for two is a classic, thinking outside the box can make for just as romantic of an experience. Consider these simple date ideas to reduce stress and make your day extra special.

Take a Dance Class

Learning something new together can be a great way to bond with your signiﬁcant other. Research dance studios in your area and book a lesson for a night out. Many studios offer new or ﬁrst-time discounts and typically have a variety of lessons available from ballroom to salsa, cha cha and more. If dancing isn’t really your thing, consider another skill-building class you can do together like pottery, cooking or painting, for example.

Recreate Your First Date

Take a trip down memory lane and go back to the beginning of your relationship by recreating your ﬁrst - or a favorite - date. Whether you went bowling, mini golﬁng, to dinner and a movie or something else entirely, reliving the past can be a special way to connect and show your partner how much you care.

Plan an Indoor Picnic

If it’s too cold outside for an actual picnic, clear some space in your living room and throw down a blanket. Pack a basket of ﬁnger foods like sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, a bottle of wine and dessert for a romantic meal for two in the comfort of home.

Book a Staycation

A getaway doesn’t have to mean going far from home. Become tourists in town by booking a night at a nearby hotel and visiting some local landmarks you’ve been wanting to check out or haven’t experienced in a while. A simple break from routine can make for an enjoyable escape, even if you’re only a few miles from home.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH)

Schedule a Photoshoot

If the last time you had your photo professionally taken was on your wedding day or a family vacation, hire a photographer for a couples photo session, and use it as an opportunity to create fun memories together. Many photographers offer mini sessions, which only take 15-30 minutes, leaving time for a night out afterward. For an inexpensive option, have a friend take a few casual pictures or use a selﬁe stick to help document your date.

Cook Dinner Together

Restaurants are often booked up on Valentine’s Day, so try something different this year and make a special home-cooked meal together. Whether you make a tried-and-true favorite or whip up something new, like a heart-shaped dish, you’ll bond over the experience while creating a tangible (and hopefully tasty) reward once the oven timer dings. Then dim the lights, play some soft music and light some candles to create a romantic ambiance while enjoying dinner together.

Go On a Road Trip

Take a day - or a weekend - and venture to a destination you haven’t been before on a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway. Even if traveling far away isn’t possible right now, exploring a town or two over allows you to check out new restaurants, stores or other attractions and get out of your comfort zones. Find more ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day at eLivingtoday.com.

Norfolk Public Library to host 2nd annual Essence of Heart & Soul Festival Press Release

NORFOLK, Va. — Celebrate Black history, culture and art with the second annual Essence of Heart & Soul Festival at Norfolk Public Library’s Downtown Branch at Slover from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. The Essence of Heart and Soul Festival will highlight Black businesses and the Black dollar, the education of minority students, health and wellness and Black creatives. The festival aims to bring awareness to the different aspects of community and culture, such as how the Black community has contributed to the growth and advancement of the Hampton Roads area and the success and accomplishments of Black people within our region.

Norfolk Public Library is partnering with Tidewater Waves, Noir Art, and Made in Norfolk Apparel to provide business panels, art galleries featuring local Black artists, vendors, story times, crafts and other featured programs. Find a full list of panels and events at www.norfolk.gov/heartandsoul. About Tidewater Waves: Tidewater Waves is a premier marketing and media company that contributes to the development of the 757 area of Virginia. Since conceptualization, they have provided elite services to clients and pride themselves in providing media exposure to creatives, entrepreneurs and businesses. About Noir Art 757: Noir Art 757 is a Black art collective that hosts programs and

showcases to highlight the work of local Black artists. It provides a space for local creatives to be expressive and build an art community. Noir Art 757 will act as the host for two art galleries during the festival with over 10 local Black artists. About Made in Norfolk Apparel: Since its humble beginnings in 2012, Made in Norfolk Apparel has grown to become a premier clothing and merchandise brand in the 757 area of Virginia. It opened its ﬁrst store front location in 2019 and has expanded its quality and reputation in the area and abroad through consistent promotion and community-driven branding and outreach, pairing those ideals with high-fashion street wear. Made In Norfolk Apparel also provides community program-

ming that promotes reading and education for children in Norfolk Public Schools. About Norfolk Public Library: The Norfolk Public Library offers access to information, books, programs and online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for lifelong learning. The library system consists of four anchor branch libraries, eight neighborhood libraries, a local history and genealogy collection and Mobile Delivery. All programs are FREE of charge. Norfolk Public Library embraces the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement. Visit www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org or call us at 757-664-READ for more information. NPL - Creating a City of Learners.

International Tattoo from Page 1

Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Granby High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Hampton Roads Police Color Guards Norfolk Fire-Rescue Honor Guard Old Dominion University Concert Choir Tidewater Pipes and Drums U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Herald Trumpets U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band Virginia Children’s Chorus Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus *Subject to changes and additions. As of 1.18.2024 About Virginia International Tattoo: The Virginia International Tattoo is located in the Coastal Virginia city of Norfolk - home to the world’s largest Navy base, NATO’s only North American headquarters, and the largest population of active duty and retired military in the United States. With our “home port” in these waters, it is no surprise that our Tattoo is widely known as the most patriotic in the world. About Virginia Arts Festival: The Virginia Arts Festival celebrates its 27th Anniversary in 2024. The largest and most prestigious performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival has transformed the region’s cultural scene, presenting great performers from around the world and making this historic region a cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around

(PHOTO CREDIT: INTERNATIONAL TATTOO)

the world. Over the past 25 years, the Festival has welcomed visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 25 foreign countries. The Festival has presented over 1,438 performances, free community events, and student matinees and workshops with a reach of over 1.2 million attendees. Each

season, millions more are reached through international broadcasts of Festival performances on American Public Radio’s Performance Today, nationally on PBS TV, and regionally on WHRO TV. Over 32% of ticket sales come from outside the region, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to

local museums and attractions and ﬁlling regional hotels and restaurants. The estimated annual economic impact of the Festival exceeds $25 million.

Listen to our top news stories for free. Start now at PlayOurNews.com

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 3

4 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, February 8, 2024

Food

(PHOTO BY HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ)

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Whether you’re gearing up for game day or Mardi Gras, let the good times roll with these party favorites! Cajun Shrimp Dip Recipe by Sara @ DinnerAtTheZoo.com This Cajun shrimp dip is a blend of shrimp, peppers, seasonings and three types of cheese, all baked together to hot and bubbly perfection. The perfect party dip that’s sure to please any crowd! Servings: 8 Ingredients 1 lb raw shrimp peeled and deveined (leave the tails on 3 shrimp for garnish) 1 tablespoon butter ½ cup red and/or green bell pepper ﬁnely diced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 ¼ teaspoons Cajun seasoning salt and pepper to taste 8 ounces cream cheese softened ½ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice ⅓ cup parmesan cheese ﬁnely grated 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided use 2 tablespoons green onions sliced diced red and green bell pepper for garnish optional cooking spray Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a small skillet or baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside the 3 whole shrimp with tails on for garnish. Chop the remaining shrimp into ½ inch pieces. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp, including the 3 reserved shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the bell peppers, garlic and Cajun seasoning to the pan. Cook for an additional 2 minutes or until shrimp are pink and opaque. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the whole shrimp from the pan and set aside. Pour the shrimp and pepper mixture into a bowl along with the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, parmesan cheese and ¾ cup mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine gently.

Spread the shrimp mixture into the prepared pan and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until dip is golden brown and bubbling. Garnish with reserved shrimp, peppers and green onions, then serve. Tips: This dip can be assembled and stored in the fridge up to 8 hours before you plan to bake it. You may need to add a few minutes on to the baking time to compensate for starting with a cold dip. I typically use medium size shrimp, but smaller shrimp are more economical and will give you the same ﬂavors.

Crispy Andouille Hush Puppies Recipe by Sourthern Living Test Kitchen @ SouthernLiving.com You’re going to love this twist on classic hush puppies that has a bit of a kick from Andouille sausage. Buttermilk, beer, and white cornmeal make a light and tangy batter. Fry in batches in hot vegetable oil in a Dutch oven, drain, and keep warm until ready to serve. Servings: 8 to 10 Ingredients Vegetable oil 1 ½ cups self-rising white cornmeal 1 cup diced andouille sausage ¾ cup self-rising ﬂour ¾ cup ﬁnely chopped sweet onion 1 large egg, lightly beaten ⅔ cup lager beer ⅓ cup buttermilk Directions Pour oil to a depth of 3 inches into a Dutch oven; heat to 375°F. Stir together cornmeal and next 3 ingredients

(PHOTO BY PHOTO: JENNIFER DAVICK; STYLING: AMY BURKE)

in a large bowl. Add egg, beer, and buttermilk; stir just until moistened. Let stand 10 minutes. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, drop batter into hot oil, and fry, in batches, 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels. Keep warm in a 200°F oven.

Mini Muffulettas Recipe by Southern Living Editors @ SouthernLiving.com These hand-held sliders disappear like hotcakes at any party. Stuffed with layers of cheese, cold cut, and pickled vegetables, these are sure to please the crowd. You can easily make these Mini Muffulettas the day before the party. Just assemble, place in ziplock plastic freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight. Store-bought craft paper and simple twine create clever sandwich wrappers. Servings: 12 Ingredients 2 (16-oz.) jars mixed pickled vegetables (We used Mezzetta Italian Mix Giardiniera pickled vegetables) ¾ cup pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, chopped 2 tablespoons bottled olive oil-and-vinegar dressing (We used Newman’s Own Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing) 12 small dinner rolls, cut in half 6 Swiss cheese slices, cut in half 12 thin deli ham slices 12 Genoa salami slices 6 provolone cheese slices, cut in half Directions Pulse pickled vegetables in food processor 8 to 10 times or until ﬁnely chopped. Stir in olives and dressing. Spread 1 heaping tablespoonful pickled vegetable mixture over cut side of each roll bottom. Top each with 1 Swiss cheese slice half, 1 ham slice, 1 salami slice, 1 provolone cheese slice half, and roll tops. Cover with plastic wrap. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, February 8, 2024 5

Health

Headed to the Doctor? Bring proof of your TRICARE coverage By TRICARE Communications FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Are you preparing for a trip to the doctor’s office or the pharmacy? If so, make sure you have your proof of TRICARE coverage. For most people with TRICARE, you’ll need to show your Uniformed Services ID card to your provider as proof of TRICARE eligibility. If you’re an active duty service member, you’ll need to show your Common Access Card. Each ID card has a unique 11-digit Department of Defense Benefits Number (DBN), which confirms TRICARE coverage. The DBN helps you and your provider file claims. When getting care, filling a prescription at a military or retail pharmacy, or signing up for TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery, your ID card is your proof of coverage. “Without the proper documents, you could be denied treatment and have to reschedule your appointment,” said Jim Frank, DEERS Integration Manager, TRICARE Health Plan Division. “Knowing what proof of coverage you need is an important step to getting the care you need. You’ll also avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.” How do you find and maintain your TRICARE proof of coverage? Follow these tips to ensure you have everything you need before your next provider appointment.

Update DEERS Using your ID card starts with making sure your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record is up to date. You must be registered in DEERS to use your TRICARE health program beneﬁt. If you’re already in the system, be sure to

can bring this letter with you to your health care appointments. To download an eligibility letter, go to milConnect and click “Obtain proof of health coverage.”

TRICARE For Life Do you have TRICARE For Life (TFL) coverage? You need to show both your Medicare card and your Uniformed Services ID card when getting care, as noted in the TRICARE For Life Handbook (online at https://tricare.mil/Publications/Handbooks/tricare_for_life). It’s a good idea to check with your provider to see if they take Medicare. You should also check that Medicare and TFL cover the type of care you’ll receive. Otherwise, you may have out-ofpocket costs.

Premium-based plans

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update your or your family’s information in DEERS too. To add or remove family members to DEERS, sponsors must go in person to a local RAPIDS ID Card Office. You can make an make an appointment online to do this. Remember to bring all required forms, documentation, and identiﬁcation to your appointment. Learn more about getting your ID card. If you need to renew your ID card, you may be able to do so online. A Department of Defense pilot program, which was

recently expanded, allows family members, retirees, and others to renew a Uniformed Services ID card online. At this time, the pilot is limited to cardholders in the United States.

Eligibility letters Eligibility letters are another way for providers to verify your TRICARE coverage. Sponsors can access these letters for themselves and their eligible family members. You

If you’re enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve, you can show your provider your enrollment card as proof of coverage. If you need a replacement card, log in to milConnect to print a copy. You can enroll in TRICARE Young Adult without a Uniformed Services ID card. When your coverage begins, and you’re notiﬁed by your regional contractor, visit any ID card office to get a new ID card. You should show your ID card when you go to the doctor or pharmacy. Having proof of TRICARE coverage is the ﬁrst step to getting care. Remember to keep your information in DEERS up to date and your Uniformed Services ID card current so you and your family have access to health care services when you need them.

Understanding the impacts of LDL cholesterol By Family Features/American Heart Association About 38% of American adults have high cholesterol, which can be caused by poor lifestyle habits or genetics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Having a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol number - considered “bad” cholesterol - can contribute to fatty buildups (plaque) and narrowing of the arteries. LDL cholesterol is also the type of total cholesterol most closely associated with an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. In fact, 75% of heart attack and stroke survivors reported having high cholesterol, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association, yet less than half (49%) prioritize lowering their cholesterol. “There’s a pervasive lack of public awareness and understanding around bad cholesterol and its impact on your cardiovascular health,” said Joseph C. Wu, MD, PHD, FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer president and director, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Simon H. Stertzer, MD, professor of medicine and radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. “As bad cholesterol usually has no symptoms, we often ﬁnd that many patients are walking around without knowing they’re at risk or how to mitigate it.” To learn about LDL cholesterol, its impact on heart health and the steps you can take to maintain a healthy number, consider this information from the Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now initiative, nationally sponsored by Amgen.

Get to Know Your LDL Number According to the survey, nearly half (47%) of heart attack and stroke survivors are unaware of their LDL numbers. While cholesterol levels can vary by race and ethnicity, with higher levels of LDL seen most often among Asian men and Hispanic women, various research studies on LDL have shown “lower is better.” For healthy adults an LDL at or below 100 mg/dL is ideal for good health. If you have a history of heart attack or stroke and are already on a cholesterol-lowering medication, your doctor may aim for 70 mg/dL or lower. In addition to race and ethnicity,

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family history, age, sex, tobacco use or exposure to secondhand smoke, eating habits, lack of physical activity, heavy alcohol usage and obesity can impact LDL numbers.

Understand How Often to Check Your Numbers Because high LDL does not typically cause symptoms, it’s important to have your number checked by your health care professional. Ask your doctor for the right frequency for you. Generally, healthy adults ages 20-39 should have their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years. Adults over age 40, or those who have heart disease (including prior heart attack) or other risk factors, may need their number checked more often.

Learn Risks Associated with LDL Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of fatty deposits inside your arteries - a condition known as atherosclerosis which can narrow arteries and reduce blood ﬂow. If a piece of the plaque breaks free, it might travel into the bloodstream and block a blood vessel to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. This narrowing also elevates the risk of peripheral artery disease.

Take Steps to Manage High LDL Managing high cholesterol is not one size ﬁts all. Talk with your health care profes-

sional to map out the right treatment plan for you. According to American Heart Association guidelines, lifestyle habits can help control your cholesterol, including: Eating a healthy and balanced diet (emphasizing fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean protein and ﬁsh) Staying active and aiming to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week (such as brisk walking) Managing stress Eliminating tobacco use However, some individuals, especially heart attack and stroke survivors, should have a conversation with their doctor about cholesterol-lowering medications. Talk to your doctor about getting your cholesterol tested and visit heart.org/LDL for more information.

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