®
Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 23 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 06.13-06.19.13
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKES AT NORTHWEST ANNEX By Katisha Draughn-Fraguada Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs
CHESAPEAKE
Students from a reptile monitoring and conservation class with the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation in Front Royal, Va. had the opportunity to get up close and personal and learn about tracking and implanting radio transmitters in canebrake rattlesnakes during their visit to Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Northwest Annex (NWA), May 21. “We wanted the students to meet and see experts in lab and field setting, and to have access to their knowledge, passion and wisdom,” said Dr. Tom Akre, Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Longwood University. “We wanted the students to see a long-term monitoring program in action, in particular, one that was focused on a threatened species that included cooperative management between different agencies.” Conducting surgeries on the canebrake rattlesnakes to implant radio transmitters has been a longterm and intensive study completed at Northwest Annex since 1995. Since the start of the study, more
■ surgery Chris Petersen, a natural resources specialist with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic (NAVFAC), performs surgery on the canebrake rattlesnake.
We wanted the students to meet and see experts in lab and field setting, and to have access to their knowledge, passion and wisdom.” - Dr. Tom Akre
Since the start of the study, more than 50 snakes have been implanted with radio transmitters and approximately 14,000 observations have been collected.
than 50 snakes have been implanted with radio transmitters and approximately 14,000 observations have been collected. In 1995, Northwest Annex wanted to understand the impact of the loss of forest canopy density on the behavior of the canebrake rattlesnake. An agreement was then formed between Northwest Annex and Old Dominion University, with funding and support by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the Navy.
» see SNAKES | A11
Yeoman 1st Class Maria Daviddelacruz, (left) and Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Julemarie Hayes, both from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, go over the requirements to become Department of Defense Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) advocates.
Katisha Draughn-Fraguada
MCPON discusses career navigator, uniforms at Newport By MCC Shawn D. Graham Center for Service Support Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I.
MC3 Damian Berg
Fleetwide sexual assault awareness standdown scheduled for June Press Release Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
All Navy commands will conduct a sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) standdown between June 10 and July 1, according to Navy Messages released this week. Reserve component units and deployed personnel will also commence their standdown starting June 10, but will have until July 22 to complete. “Our end state for this standdown will be that all of our service members and civilian personnel clearly understand SAPR principles and resources,” said Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, Chief of Naval Personnel. “All personnel will understand their
BATTLE OF MIDWAY COMMEMORATION Read about how Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Weapons StationYorktown, Navy Warfare Development Command, and U.S. Naval War College Newport honored the Battle of Midway. » see A8
■ standdown Following the standdown, a completion report will be submitted to the Secretary of Defense by July 17. A facilitator’s guide and Navy leadership video messages can be found at www.sapr. navy.mil.
accountability and role in reducing with a goal of eliminating sexual assault from the Navy, fostering a command climate of dignity and respect, and upholding our core values of honor, courage and commitment.” The command triad (commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief) of each command will lead Sailors and Navy civilian personnel in a minimum two hours of focused facilitated instruction on SAPR principles and the importance of fostering a climate of dignity and respect in the workplace. Additionally, targeted professional ethics/standards of conduct refresher training will be conducted for recruit-
» see SAPR | A11 FATHER’S DAY IS THIS SUNDAY This week’s Heroes at Home section has columns about Father’s Day as well as gift ideas for every kind of dad!
» see B2-B3
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (AW/ NAC) Mike D. Stevens visited Naval Station Newport to discuss Sailor issues, June 4. During the visit, MCPON spoke to the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat courses, attended various events and spoke to enlisted Sailors stationed in the New England area. Stevens discussed the new
■ more MCPON See B1 to read about MCPON’s trip to Oklahoma. Career Navigator initiative, which replaced the Navy’s decade-old Perform to Serve (PTS) re-enlistment approval. The new Career Navigator program, implemented June 3, has several new policies about reenlistment. Petty officer first class’ will no longer have to compete against their peers for reenlistments. Neither will petty
officer second class’ and below in undermanned ratings. At present, more than 150,000 Sailors are in rates or pay grades that position them for automatic approvals to re-enlist. “Retention is changing, but we will always have Sailors transitioning out and coming in just like normal,” said Stevens. “The Navy’s retention is in great shape and it’s only going to get better with the Career Navigator program.”
» see MCPON | A11
Summer = Smart energy conservation By Busola Omosewo Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Energy Manager
YORKTOWN
It’s summertime again and the hot and humid days of summer have already arrived. When the heat and humidity increases, the use of electricity for cooling our spaces also increases. You can do your part to help conserve energy by practicing smart conservation measures. Energy conservation benefits many parts of our lives on a daily basis by reducing consumption of vari-
ART EXHIBITS, ART CAMP AND D.I.Y. ART Check out C1 for your local art fix, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s 58th annual Boardwalk Art Show and the Chalk the Walk at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, both taking place this weekend. » see C1
ous utilities. The summer months increase our efforts to regulate the temperature of the air in offices and workspaces. A large part of our workforce travels from shops and offices to other areas, and are in and out of spaces constantly, causing fluctuation in the air temperature that results in people constantly adjusting the thermostat. Every little adjust-
ment adds to your command’s monthly electric bill. A good conservation measure is setting and leaving the thermostat at one temperature. Don’t adjust the thermostat for your body temperature change – let your body adjust to the space temperature. When entering a conditioned space, wait at least 15 minutes before
» see ENERGY | A11
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free! Sign up today! Call 222-3965