Flagship April 16, 2015

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AWARD WINNING

JOURNALISM 2013 Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards has recognized in Civilian Enterprise News Publications: First Place:The Flagship

More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

Vol. 23, No. 15 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 04.16-04.22.15

■ local ceremony Hampton Roads Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps midshipmen stand in formation in preparation to conduct a pass in review at Regent University. More than 250 midshipmen from Hampton Roads Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps participated in the pass in review and spring awards ceremony.

Regent University hosts Hampton Roads NROTC Pass in Review ceremony

MC3 Jared King

By MC2 (SW/AW) Dominique Shelton Navy Public Affairs Support Element – East

NORFOLK

Naval leadership of the future was on full display as Regent University hosted the Hampton Roads Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Spring 2015 pass in review and spring awards ceremony, April 11. The ceremony recognized the extraordinary academic achievements of the Hampton Roads NROTC midshipmen. “I just want to give a round of applause to these midshipmen, Marines and officer candidates on a job well done,” said Capt. Daniel S. Cave, Hampton Roads NROTC unit commanding officer. “These guys have put in a lot of hard work. There were a lot of early mornings and a lot of time spent on the drill field and I just want to thank them for their efforts and let them know I couldn’t be more proud.” Pass in review is an age-old tradition. Present day parades in the naval service have their basis in both history and tradition. The massed formation of troops on one long line at close interval made the massing of firepower from muzzle-loaded muskets possible. The NROTC program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to instill them with the highest ideals of duty and loyalty. In addition to a normal academic workload leading to a baccalaureate degree, NROTC students attend classes in Naval Science, participate in the NROTC unit for drill, marching movements, physical training and other activities, which cumulatively combine to their understanding of the leadership principles of a military officer. The Hampton Roads NROTC is one of the largest officer training battalions in the nation, consisting of more than 250 Sailors, Marines, and midshipmen. It is comprised of a consortium of institutions that include Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Regent University and Tidewater Community College. “These guys are going to amaze you with their experiences and rapid maturity as they are thrust into some of the most demanding leadership roles,” said Rear Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, assistant commander of Navy Personnel Command.

» see NROTC | A7

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Ships passing in the straits unite Navy families By MC3 Cory D. Sanders USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, AT SEA

Sailors assigned to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) took part in a joint command venture aimed at reuniting military family members stationed on each of these forwarddeployed carriers, April 13. Carl Vinson will soon depart the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for its homeport of San Diego after supporting operations in the region since October 2014. Theodore Roosevelt, having just entered the region, will be taking the place

of Carl Vinson. With that, this brief reunion for some military families stationed on these forward-deployed carriers, breathes life into the old saying, “like two ships passing in the night.” Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Robyn Gonzales, assigned to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, currently deployed on board Carl Vinson, and Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Alexander Gonzales, assigned to the Red Rippers of VFA-11, currently deployed on board Theodore Roosevelt, reunited for a brief moment on Theodore Roosevelt. The dual-military couple explained the challenge of being stationed at separate commands.

MC2 Chris Brown Cousins stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) are reunited as Theodore Roosevelt prepares to relieve Carl Vinson in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

“Being away from my husband has been the most difficult part of the deployment,” said Gonzales, apart from her husband since August 2014 when Carl Vinson departed its homeport of San Diego on its current deployment.

» see FAMILIES | A7

NAVY, AIR FORCE COLLABORATION BENEFITS BABIES, TAXPAYERS By Deborah R. Kallgren Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH

By combining resources in a joint initiative between Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) and the 633rd Medical Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, more than $1.5 million of taxpayer money has been saved in less than a year. This joint venture means Air Force service members have Navy doctors caring for their children in an Air

SPARTYKA RUNS FOR THE WOUNDED In spite of the blistering cold temperature and fierce winds, the sun warmed the backs of runners as they gathered at Neptune Park in Virginia Beach, March 28, to participate in the Spartyka Nationhosted seventh annual Wounded Warrior 5K run. » see A5

Force hospital, and Navy families’ babies are treated by Air Force nurses in a Navy hospital. This innovative resource-sharing project has resulted in improved patient safety, significant cost savings, and convenience to families of newborns who need neonatal intensive care. The project is coordinated by the Tidewater enhanced Multiservice Market, or eMSM for short. In an analysis of data from October 2013 to August 2014, more than 150 acutely ill newborns were diverted to civilian

hospitals due to the limited number of neonatal intensive care unit beds within the Tidewater military health system. For babies who are transferred out, the continuity of patient care is disrupted, risking patient safety. Families must travel to visit their newborns, who often require weeks or months of hospitalization. And sending care to a civilian hospital contributes an additional $3 million for taxpayers.

NHHC 50 YEARS Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) took a bit of history and historic expertise to the Sea Air Space (SAS) Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland, April 13-15.

» see MEDICAL | A7

TATTOO The Virginia InternationalTattoo, taking place April 2326 at Scope Arena in Norfolk, will welcome more than 900 performers from eight countries to the cast.

» see B1

THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY South Hampton Roads: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free!

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