A4 | THE FLAGSHIP | FEB 5, 2015 | FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM
JEBLCFS TAKES THE MILITARY SAVES PLEDGE By MC3 Jared Aldape JEBLCFS Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
DOD personnel and their family members gathered inside the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) auditorium at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS) to take financial responsibility at a leadership forum, Jan. 27. The conference is part of an all-encompassing financial yearround saving program highlighted annually as the “Military Saves Campaign.” The event kicked-off as Capt. Frank Hughlett, Commander, JEBLCFS signed the Military Saves week proclamation ratifying the installations involvement in pledging to save. “Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story fully supports the Military Saves campaign and its commitment to assisting Military Families, including officers, Sailors, Airman, Soldiers,
Marines, Coast Guardsmen, family members, retirees, and civil servants in taking immediate financial action to build wealth, not debt,” said Hughlett. This year’s campaign runs from Feb. 23 - 28, and is an annual opportunity for the Department of Defense to increase the knowledge of its service members and their families in establishing savings goals and creating good habits that set money aside for emergencies, future needs and retirement. “Although the economy is improving slowly, the number of financial challenges facing our Sailors today has not declined,” said Mary Spear, a financial educator at Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) JEBLCFS. Spear also explains that unhealthy financial practices can hinder a service member’s career. “The Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility reported that 62 percent of all Sailors who had their security clearances revoked or denied had a
MC3 Jared Aldape Capt. Frank Hughlett, Commander, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS) signs the Military Saves week proclamation ratifying the installations involvement in pledging to save during a command leadership forum event.
financial issue,” said Spear. Peter Bielagus, a motivational financial educator, was the keynote speaker for the event. Bielagus has been called “Young America’s Financial Coach” whose strategies help put money back into service member’s pockets. “I’ve been helping service members since 2007. Fiscal responsibility is so important and I would like to impress upon you all to take actions to secure your finances,” said Bielagus. During the event Bielagus shared tips and strategies to build wealth, emergency savings, eliminate
debt, and increase personal net worth. “Start before you need to start, there’s never going to be an ideal time to save there will always be something in the way it starts today,” said Bielagus. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet with finance experts, credit unions, non-profit institutions and community officials for information and assistance at the event. “This event was truly resourceful,” said Engineering Aide 1st Class Asdru Arana, an event participant. “It’s like an epiphany, that all of a sudden you realize that
you have the power to control your financial future.” FFSC JEB Little Creek is offering a number of free events as part of the campaign to help DoD personnel and their families build wealth, not debt. Events include a children's financial fair hosted by Navy child and youth program (CYP) and a mobile shredding station where participants can eliminate hard to dispose of invoice and billing receipts that may contain accounting and personal information. In addition, FFSC has prepared seminars and workshops to help educate all members of the military on how to improve their financial fitness throughout the month of February in consumer practices, credit cards, I.D. theft and how to identify financial scams. “The majority of service members seen by command financial specialists and FFSC financial counselors this past year have revealed a lack of basic saving, investing, and financial planning for the future,” said Spear. “The Military Saves Campaign seeks to reverse this persistent trend.” Hampton Roads FFSCs will be spreading the savings message and urging the community to participate in Military Saves Week and take the Military Saves Pledge at www.militarysaves.org/take-the-pledge.
FFSC hosts federal employment class during career week By MC3 Timothy Daughton NAS Oceana Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
Whether preparing to transition from military service in the near future or planning for it someday, military members, DOD employees and eligible family members have the opportunity to take classes at Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Oceana that will help them do just that. Once a month, FFSC holds a career week consisting of classes that discuss federal employment, job search strategies, interview techniques and effective resume writing. More than 15 people attended the Federal Employment Systems workshop Jan. 16, at Oceana. The class provided information and resources on applying for government jobs. Among the group who attended the class, the majority were looking to crack the code on how to gain an advantage when applying for government jobs. Another common expectation for the class was to learn better networking skills. “I have been to other classes and this is one of the best I have seen. I learned a lot about the federal job system and how to become organized and prepared for applying for different positions,” said retired Master Chief Dan Mittendorff. One of the resources discussed during the class was USAJOBS.gov, a one-stop website resource for federal veteran employment information. It is designed to ensure veterans, transitioning service members and their families receive accurate and consistent information regarding veteran’s employment in the federal government.
Many of the attendees said they were familiar with the website but had become overwhelmed by the application process, which was discussed in-depth during the class. “We know a lot of transitioning service members and spouses are looking for federal employment and the information they receive during these classes is crucial to their transition,” said Roslyn Williams, employment educator. Williams, a retired senior chief, has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and a master’s degree in Public Administration. As an employment educator, Williams conducts one-on-one resume reviews, plans job fairs and has been teaching classes for more than 18 months. “This is the second course I have taken here at FFSC, the first being resume writing which was exceptional, and this really prepares you to be able to compete for federal positions,” said Cmdr. Jody Kite, air traffic control analyst at Naval Safety Center Norfolk. Another resource discussed during the class was Mil2fedjobs.com, a website designed to provide information on federal jobs related to a member’s military experience. It also explains federal job characteristics, paygrades and qualifications. For more information on Mil2fedjobs, visit http://www.dllr.state. md.us/mil2fedjobs/. “We do have several success stories from members who have attended this class. I have been a part of their application process and many have come back for mock interviews that allowed them to be better prepared. A lot of people are intimidated by the federal employment systems and we assist in taking away some of that anxiety,” added Williams.
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MC2 Chris Brown Capt. Daniel C. Grieco, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), gives a thumbs up to Capt. Barry “Butch” Wilmore, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, during a video teleconference aboard Theodore Roosevelt. Wilmore fielded questions from the Theodore Roosevelt crew during the event. Theodore Roosevelt is underway participating in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group’s ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit.
NASA touches-down on USS Theodore Roosevelt By MC3 John M. Drew USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), along with a distinguished visitor from NASA, answered a long-distance phone call from the International Space Station (ISS), Jan. 26. NASA astronauts Navy Cmdr. Reid Wiseman, Air Force Col. Eric Boe, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Randy Bresnik, Serena Aunon, Michael Barratt along with NASA flight surgeons Air Force Maj. Anil Menon and Dr. Stephen Hart visited TR for a taste of life aboard an aircraft carrier and a chance to meet her Sailors. NASA flight director Gregory Whitney, and NASA military liaison Judy O’Connor also joined the group visiting TR. “It’s so great to be on an aircraft carrier again,” said Wiseman. “As soon as I stepped onboard I could feel the energy of the ship and her crew. It’s amazing.” During their tour, the NASA guests joined TR Sailors for a video teleconference (VTC) with Navy Capt. Barry “Butch” Wilmore, a NASA astronaut, aboard ISS. Sailors asked Wilmore, currently on a five-month trip aboard ISS, questions about life in space. “It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anna Van Nuys, a native of Akron, Ohio. “You don’t get chances to talk to the International Space Station very often, so it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.” The most prevalent question was how he had become an astronaut. “My training started when I joined the Navy. Thanks to the Navy I had the opportunity to do this,” said Wilmore, gesturing to the space station around him.
“From TR, we thank [Capt. Wilmore] for taking the time to answer our Sailors’ questions,” said Capt. Daniel Grieco, commanding officer of TR. “We are all incredibly proud of all of the work you and NASA are doing, especially you and how well you represent the Navy.” In the evening, Sailors packed into TR’s aft mess decks as each member of NASA took a turn to discuss not only their jobs, but what life in space is like. Afterward, Sailors lined up to take pictures with the astronauts and ask them questions. Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Allison Brilla, a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one Sailor lucky enough to meet the NASA team and took full advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It was amazing – the best day of my life,” said Brilla. “I’ve always wanted to meet an astronaut since I was in the Young Astronomers Club when I was younger. It was a stellar opportunity.” TR is underway participating in composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG), which tests the strike group’s ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit. TRCSG is composed of Carrier Strike Group 12 staff, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the guidedmissile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and the DESRON 2 ships; guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS Farragut (DDG 99). Join the conversation with TR online at www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and www.Twitter.com/TheRealCVN71. For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/.
You don’t get chances to talk to the International Space Station very often, so it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.” -Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anna Van Nuys