Flagship 08/20/15

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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. 33 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 08.20-08.26.15

Solar Ready Vets’ futures powered by graduation By MCSN William B. Dodge Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK

being able to do something that they were able to do before, as well as learning new skills.” Among the participants was First Sgt. Travis Baker, 41, who was once a marathon runner and water ski instructor. “There’s a lot of things I used to love to do that I can’t do anymore,” he said. “I’ll never get back to that, so now I’m just trying to find a way to be competitive in other sports.” During his time at the lake, Baker progressed through using different types of “cages” – sit-ski seats that offer different levels of stability and maneuverability for riders while being towed behind a boat. Baker was injured in July of 2014, after falling 40 feet from the side of a mountain while on

A total of 17 veterans and active duty service members graduated from the East Coast’s first ever Solar Ready Vets Program at the Joint Forces Staff College Aug. 17, in Norfolk. The program, implemented to assist service members transitioning into the civilian sector, consists of six weeks of studies in the installation, sale and support of solar energy systems. After completion of the program, the students received interviews from five leading companies in the solar industry. “The interviews gave us a great expectation of what to do when we get to the field, what the community is all about, and where this industry is going,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Shane Hawkey, one of the programs graduates. The Navy, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, Pennsylvania State University and Fleet and Family Services, established the program at military installations in California and Colorado. According to Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Work and Family Life Coordinator Douglas Morfield, the goal is to expand the options to include Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Information Technology programs to cater to a larger variety of exiting Sailors’ interests. “Regardless of whether you’re an Admiral or a Third Class Petty Officer, someday you will transition,” said Rear Adm. Rick Williamson, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and ceremonial guest. “This is an opportunity, and that’s what

» see WATER SKI | A7

» see SOLAR | A7

MC1 Eric Brown

A Wounded Warrior wakeboards across Witchduck Lake on Aug. 8.

Disabled service members water ski for fun, therapy Nine disabled active-duty service members spent three days at the 40-acre Witchduck Lake for recreational therapy that included waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and inner-tubing. The Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization that began in 2007 and is headquartered in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, hosted the event from Aug. 7-9. “When we are working with our warriors, we encourage them to learn the sports without holding their hands, and letting them learn how to do it on their own,” said Bill Dietrich, the organization’s executive director and founder. “The rewards are obvious, like when you see smiles

on their faces when they’re done.” Participants at the event had undergone treatment for a range of traumatic injuries, including above- and below-the-knee amputations, orthopedic injury with limb salvage and neurological disorders. “Water sports support the rehab mission through the increase of strength, endurance, balance – all those core physical aspects, as well as anybody working on some cognitive deficits, where we go through procedures and practice the form, remembering the type of equipment they need to use and body positioning,” said Cara Navarro, recreational therapist in the Outpatient Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. “It really improves overall functioning and morale,

event

JEBLCFS

By MC1 Eric Brown NAVSTA Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH

Local Seabees use ELCAS for exercise preparation

RETIREE BENEFITS Are you transitioning from active duty and want to know about your health benefits? Come join us for this inaugural event! No pre-registration required.

Seabees assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion (PHIBCB) 1 and 2, use a 200-ton crane place piles onto Elevated Causeway System (ELCAS) in preparations for installation during the build exercise. ELCAS is a modular 3,000 foot pier system that can be rapidly constructed anywhere port facilities are needed for logistics over the shore (LOTS) operations. The piles, once driven into the ground and cut, support the pier system.

When: Aug. 25, 7:30 a.m. – noon. Doors open / check-in 7 a.m. Where: Building C-9, Base Theater, Naval Station Norfolk Topics covered: TRICARE Medical (PRIME and STANDARD) TRICARE Dental (TRDP – DELTA DENTAL) Survivor Benefits For information, call 953-8708. Future events: Sept. 22, Nov. 24, and Dec, 22.

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MC1 Ricky Allen

FROM THE CMC In this week’s article, the Region CMC discusses the importance of holding command Quarters and how vital it is to our Navy culture.

» see A2

ALCOHOL The Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Office launched the third annual Keep What You’ve Earned survey to gain insight on how alcohol use and abuse is perceived in the Navy. » see B4

OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER The 10th annual Out of Darkness Community Walk is scheduled to be held at Mr.Trashmore in Virginia Beach, Sept. 12.

» see C1

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