Tall ships, concerts and much more ... Approximately 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen descended upon New York City to celebrate Fleet Week New York 2012, May 23 - 30.
» see B3-B5 for more coverage SECTION B
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Block Party kicks off Fleet Week New York By MCSN Karen Blankenship Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
NEW YORK
It’s much bigger than we’ve had in the past. This event is spectacular in that we’ve got everybody involved.” - Bob Murphy, USO volunteer and a director of the event
MC2 Drae Parker Singer Katy Perry performs for service members during a Block Party at the Brooklyn Piers during Fleet Week New York 2012. This year marks the 25th year the city has celebrated the nation’s sea services.
Press Release U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs
■ Sailors taking the E5 test saw their advancement opportunity increase from 20.68 percent to 30.94 percent.
NORFOLK
■ Sailors taking the E6 test saw their advancement opportunity increase from 10.75 percent to 16.18 percent.
MC2 Benjamin Stevens
MORE THAN 29,000 SAILORS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO ADVANCEMENT
Press Release Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
Navy leaders opened advancement opportunity to higher levels this cycle
to fill fleet vacancies with Sailors possessing the skills and experience required. “As part of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative focus on readiness, our goal is to provide the fleet with the right Sailor with the right skills and the right experience level to maximize Navy’s readiness,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta,
» see RESULTS | B7
■ links to full advancement lists Active duty: http://1.usa.gov/JqEn12 Navy full-time support Sailors: http://1.usa.gov/JKnorR Canvaser recruiters: http://1.usa.gov/LzjPaK
APS2012
HSV-2 Swift Sailors, Marines gives back to Namibia By Ens. Joe Keiley HSV-2 Swift Public Affairs
WALVIS BAY, NAMIBIA
Sailors and Marines assigned to High Speed Vessel Swift 2 (HSV-2) participated in a pair of community service projects during an Africa Partnership Station (APS) port visit to Namibia, May 22 - 23.
» see BLOCK PARTY | B7
Fleet Forces launches breathalyzer beta test
■ Sailors taking the E4 test saw their advancement opportunity increase from 30.97 percent to 45.83 percent.
Petty Officer list released on May 25
Fleet Week New York 2012 officially kicked off with a Block Party and concert at the port authority, May 23. The USO hosted the event to welcome participating ships for Fleet Week and OpSail 2012. In attendance were Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Pepsi Vice President of U.S. and Canada Sales Mike Spanos, actor Wilmer Valderrama and national recording artist Katy Perry. “We come here every year. It’s the No. 1 Fleet Week,” said Greenert. “I just look forward to seeing Sailors attending and mixing with the people of New York, many of them are New Yorkers, and having New York meet their Navy.” Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city’s celebration of the sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, firsthand, the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S.
In two days and in two separate areas, Swift’s crew took time to build fences to protect natural resources while also taking moments to make children smile, ensuring that community engagements conducted in Namibia met the core mission of APS, to strengthen relationships and build
» see APS | B7
I think you can say that you’ve been in one of the biggest parks in Africa and that you’ve helped here.” - Rob Braby, project coordinator, Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism
U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) launched a beta test, May 23, to obtain fleet feedback that will help determine the most effective approach for implementation of a Navy-wide alcohol breathalyzer program. The 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, announced by the Secretary of the Navy in March, outlined the Navy-wide breathalyzer program as a way to increase fleet alcohol education and awareness and to provide commanders with another tool to ensure the health and safety of Sailors by identifying potential alcohol abuse. USFF has selected 13 sea and shore commands to participate in the beta test, which runs from May 24 through Sept. 30. All data collected will be consolidated under a summary recommendation and forwarded to the office of the Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) to be considered for implementation into the final policy. “This beta test will be used to identify, develop and make recommendations on specific processes, procedures and policies to effectively implement the use of alcohol breathalyzers in the Navy,” said USFF Fleet Master Chief Mike Stevens, who’s working in coordination with USFF’s Breathalyzer Implementation Team on the beta test. “By obtaining feedback from the fleet, we’re ensuring the final policy will be fully executable and will serve as a tool that benefits individual organizations and Sailors.”
■ awareness The 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, announced in March, outlined the Navywide breathalyzer program as a way to increase fleet alcohol education and awareness, and to provide commanders with another tool to ensure the health and safety of Sailors by identifying potential alcohol abuse.
USFF’s breathalyzer implementation team met with the leadership of all 13 commands involved in the beta test to issue equipment, provide training and issue specific guidance. Participating commands will provide detailed feedback to the implementation team throughout the test. Under the Navy program, the breathalyzer will be used primarily as an education and prevention tool. Breathalyzer results alone will not be used as the sole evidentiary basis for punitive or adverse administrative action. Participating commands include: USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); USS Montpelier (SSN 765); USNS Apache (T-ATF-172); Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2; Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4; the staff of Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic; Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit (EODTEU) 2; Navy Information Operations Command, Norfolk; Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic; Navy Operational Support Center, Norfolk; and the USFF staff.