The Flagship 05.29.2025 & HEROES AT HOME Military Spouse Awards Special Section
ByBoatswainsMatePettyOfficer
3rdClassJessicaNunes
NORFOLK,Va NavalStation(NAVSTA)Norfolkhad the honor of hosting 1 Degree of Separation during the week of May 5, 2025. This free event, open to all activedutyandreserveSailors,familymembers,andDepartment of Defense civilians, featured comedians who use humor toaddresssensitivetopicssuchasdepressionandsuicide
The 1 Degree of Separation Show series is an entertainment program designed to blend comedy with mental healthawareness Theshowaimstoraiseawareness,spark openconversations,andhelpbreakthestigmasurrounding mental health by sharing the comedians’ personal stories and experiences
“The first part of our show is meant to change your brain chemistry It makes you more aware and receptive to receiving information,” said Brad Bonar Jr., comedian and creator of 1 Degree of Separation
The main goal of the program is to create a space wherepeoplefeelcomfortablediscussingdepressionand suicide The second portion of the show is a discussion panel, during which the comedians share their personal experiences with depression by answering five key questions:Whatdoesyourdepressionfeellike?Whatdoothers
do that makes it worse? What do others do that makes it better?Whatdoyoudothatmakesitworse?Whatdoyou do that makes it better?
“We’vepassedthesecardsaroundateveryshow.We’ve neveraddedanotherquestion—thesequestionsaresuper simple,” said Bonar “They’re all-encompassing.”
The 1 Degree of Separation troupe has performed for a widevarietyofaudiences,includingfirstresponders,medical professionals, college students, and other branches of the military Now, they are bringing their important messageofmentalhealthawarenesstotheNavy providing service members and their families a unique opportunity for reflection, understanding, and healing
“I enjoyed how real they were with everything They weresuperopenaboutthetopicandwhathelpedthemin their experiences,” said Electronic Technician 2nd Class Sawyer Pyawasay, an attendee at one of the shows “Don’t knock it until you try it. It might not sound appealing at first, but actually hearing what they had to say during the show really opens your eyes.”
For more information on the series and upcoming events, visit NavyMWR.org/1Degree You can also visit ffr.cnic.navy.mil to learn how your installation’s Fleet and Family Support Center can help you navigate the Navy lifestyle
MARINECORPSAIRSTATIONCHERRYPOINT,N.C. FleetReadinessCenterEast(FRCE)openedanewchapterinitssupportofnavalaviation’sheavyliftmissionwiththeinductionofaCH-53KKingStallionApril 17 marking the first time the platform has ever been inducted for depotlevelmaintenance TheaircraftarrivedApril4fromMarineHeavyHelicopterSquadron461 (HMH-461) onboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, and is the first of 14 CH-53K helicopters that will undergo routine maintenance at FRCE as part of the Age Exploration Program, Depot (AEPD). AEPD collects information regarding the aircraft’s condition through controlled testing andanalysisandassistsinthedevelopmentofeffectiveandefficientmaintenanceschedulefornewaircraft.
Marine MasterSgt.Richard Hughes,maintenance chief at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE),prepares
NMRLC’s Olusegun Olabode rises from enlisted corpsman to U.S. Navy Captain
ByJuliusEvans Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg,
Va
In a message announcing promotions to the permanent grade of captain, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan stated, “I am pleased to announce the following staff corps officers on the active-duty list for promotion.”
Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command’s (NMRLC) executive officer, Cmdr.OlusegunA.Olabodewasonthatlist.
Having started his career as an enlisted Sailor, Olabode’s Navy journey has been marked by significant accomplishments leadingtohisselectionforpromotion.
“No one in my family lineage had ever servedinthemilitarywhenIdecidedtojoin the U.S. Navy I was motivated to join when I watched a Navy recruiting TV commercial and realized the plethora of opportunities and benefits for serving in the Navy,” he recalled. “I started researching and came across the quote by President John F. Kennedy that stated, ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country.’ I wanted to be a part of somethingbiggerthanmyself,soIcalledthe recruiter anditwasawrap.”
Thedichotomyofhisjourneyisquitetelling Born in Chicago IL, Olabode spent his formative years in Nigeria, where many of hischildhoodmemorieslay.
“Growinguptherewastough,butalsofun and memorable It instilled in me mental toughness, resiliency, discipline, humility, andmotivationtoexcel,”hesaid.
Thetoughnesswasn’taboutdanger buta constantneedforresilienceandadaptability innavigatingdailylife Abeokuta,OgunState Nigeria, where Olabode grew up, literally means ‘under the rock in Yoruba, and the city’s identity is inextricably linked to the Olumo Rock This massive granite outcrop isn’tjustageographicalfeature,it’sahistoricalmonumentandasymbolofrefuge,resilience,andstrengthfortheEgbapeople The enduringpresenceofseeingthisiconicrock daily represents heritage protection, and a deepconnectiontohistory
For Olabode, joining the Navy wasn’t just aboutajob,itwasadeep-seatedcalling
“Being in the Navy is about answering a desire to be a part of something bigger than myself,” he said. “The Navy isn’t easy. It demands sacrifice. It means long deploymentsawayfromfamily,facingchallenging conditions andpushingmyselfbeyondwhat Ithoughtpossible.”
These dynamic traits were undoubtedly shaped by his upbringing in Nigeria where the culture, particularly Yoruba culture prevalent in Abeokuta, places a strong emphasisonrespectforeldersandcommunity cohesion. Growing up, Olabode would likely have been instilled with the importanceofshowingdeferencetohiseldersand this would foster discipline and humility,
ByPettyOfficer3rdClass
BenjaminHurner
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
Whensomethingmalfunctionsorbreaks, what do Sailors do? They grab their tools, troubleshootittofigureoutwhatcausedthe malfunction, and they fix it. But sometimes toolsaren’tsettothecorrectstandard.Calibration provides the standard for our tools andequipment,tomaintaintheNavy’swarfighting and mission readiness aboard USS RonaldReagan(CVN76).
In the simplest terms calibration is defined as comparing an unknown value to a known value It falls under the science of meteorology,thestudyofmeasurement.The conceptcanbetracedbacktoancientEgypt, when the distance between the Pharaoh’s noseandthetipofhisfingerwasconsidered aunitofmeasurement.
“That’swhythepyramidswerestructured the way they are, said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class John Thompson. “If there’s no standard of measurement to say that a foot is a foot, or a pound is a pound, howdowehavecontinuity?”
Over the centuries, more advanced systems would be developed, such as the metric system, which is used today as one of the central standards of measurement in calibration.
Today, calibration is utilized in numerous industries: aerospace, medical, automotive, and manufacturing, to name a few IntheNavy,calibrationisamajorpartofthe day-to-day operations on nearly every ship
traitshedisplaystohisworkforce
“For me, the Navy is about duty and honor Ultimately, serving in the Navy is about personal growth. It’s about pushing my limits, learning new skills, and developing into a leader It’s about becoming a betterversionofmyself,bothpersonallyand professionally,”heexplained.“It’saprivilege to be part of this proud tradition, to stand alongside those who have come before me andtocontributetothelegacyoftheUnited States Navy It’s a commitment I take seriously, and it’s something I’m incredibly proudtobeapartof.”
NavigatingdailylifeintheNigerianenvironment necessitated a degree of resourcefulness,problem-solving,andadaptabilityto overcomeobstacles contributingtomental toughness and resilience And strong soci-
inthefleet
Calibration is utilized in the calibration laboratory (Cal Lab). It is a part of the AircraftIntermediateMaintenanceDepartment (AIMD), and mainly manned by aviation electronics technicians (AT). Every month,theCalLabwillsendoutanupdated 350report,whichisalistofallthecalibrated equipment every work-center on the ship has custody of A representative from the work-centerwillturnintheirequipmentfor calibration, before the due date that’s written on the calibration sticker on the item. Some items are too massive to bring to the Cal Lab, so the representative will request an on-site, where technicians from the Cal Lab come to the work-center and calibrate the item on location. If the item is broken, theworkcenterhastogetitrepairedbefore turningitbacktotheCalLab AviationElectronics Technician 3rd Class Jacob Button said the reason behind these procedures is forittobereliableasquicklyaspossible
“Our most important job is periodically checkinggearandmakingsureit’sworking,” said Button. “If you are trusting something you assume is working and it’s broken, it’s abadday.”
Therearetwokindsofcalibration:electricalandmechanical.Mechanicalcalibration involves non-electrical tools such as torque wrenches pressure gauges and switches Electrical calibration involves electrical toolsandequipment,likemultimeters,oscilloscopes,waterloads,andattenuators
AviationElectronicsTechnician1stClass Bryson Long said that ATs and electronics
etal values are placed on education and the pursuit of economic opportunities in Nigeria Thisdriveoftencomesfromadesirefor self-improvementandtoupliftone’sfamily. That indicates why Olabode’s academic successisoutstanding InJuly1998,Olabode enlisted in the United States Navy under the Delayed Entry Program and attended Recruit Basic Training in September 1998 In 2005 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class he attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, completing his degree in HealthcareManagement. In2006,heattendedMarymountUniversity, Arlington, VA, completing his Master of Business Administration degree with a focusinHealthcareAdministration.In2007, hecompletedOfficerIndoctrinationSchool and reported to Naval Hospital Yokosuka,
technicians (ET) are the only rates authorizedtocalibrateelectricalequipment.After initial schooling ATs and ETs can receive ordersforCalibrationTechnicianbillets and attendasixmonthfollowonschoolinBiloxi, Mississppi,tolearncalibrationtheory,troubleshooting,andadministrationprocedures thattheycanapplytothefleet.
The Cal Lab maintains and monitors up to 21,000 calibrated items aboard the ship On deployment, AIMD is the number one customer for Cal Lab because they’re constantly working on the gear from the squadronsandtheyneedtokeeptheirtools incheck.However,whentheshipisinport, AIMD takes a back seat to other departments Multiple departments use equipment such as pressure gauges to keep track ofthePSIrunningthroughtheirrespective systems
“You want to make sure you have proper pressure, not too much, not too little,” said Gunner’sMate3rdClassRosaAndrews “It’s veryimportant,especiallywhenitcomesto apotentialfire.
The Combat Systems Department uses pressure gauges to monitor the dry air that runstheirradarequipment.
“Without calibration, there wouldn’t be anymaintenance,”saidElectronicsTechnician 2nd Class Samuel Perez. “No maintenance no radar; no radar no eyes; no eyes degradedwarfarecapability.”
The Engineering Department uses radar tomonitortheamountofwaterinthetanks tomaintainlistcontroloftheship Theyalso usepressuregaugestowatchthefiremains
Japan, for duty as a General Healthcare Administrator
From March 2007 through April 2009 he was appointed as Department Head for Operations Management with oversight of 42militaryandcivilianstaffinfivedivisions including, Emergency Management, Post Office, Quarterdeck, Security, and HousekeepingDivisions
From June - December 2009, he was assigned to the Multi-National Security Transition Command in Baghdad, Iraq as Chief of Transportation in the Logistics Division of the Iraq Security Assistance ManagementDirectorate He was then assigned to Naval Medical CenterPortsmouth,VA,fordutyasDivision Officer,MaterialsManagementDepartment in January 2010 before being selectively detailedtoNavalHealthClinicGreatLakes, IL, as the Head of Materials Management Department in March 2010 While there, he attended the University of Illinois in Chicago, completing a second master’s degree,thisoneinpublichealthinformatics, thatyear Afternumerousotherassignments and changes in duty stations throughout Navy Medicine, Olabode completed his doctoral degree in Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg in2021.
Olabodeattributeshissuccesstohiswife’s support. Having been assigned to multiple over-seas tours of duty, those changes alwaysleadtofamilystress,butthroughher support,hewasabletothrive.
“My career in the Navy, and any success I have achieved, would be simply impossible without the unwavering support of my wife. She is the bedrock of our family Her strength resilience and understanding allowed me to focus on my duties and pursuitofmygoalswithconfidence,knowing that our home front was secured with love,” he said. “Her sacrifices, both big and small,arewhattrulymakemyservicepossible I am eternally grateful for her love, her patience,andherunwaveringbeliefinme.”
Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA manages the warehouse and production facility that procures,produces,manages,sustains,prepositions, and deploys rapidly deployable ExpeditionaryMedical(EXMED)Platforms in support of operational plans, exercise support,andreal-worldoperations As the executive officer, Olabode is charged with achieving the command’s mission to develop acquire, produce, field sustain, and provide enduring lifecycle supportofmedicalmaterielsolutionstothe Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces inhigh-endcompetition,crisis,andcombat Healsoguidethecommand’sinpursuingits vision to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity The Navy has selected the right individual topursuethesegoals
and the ship’s systems in damage control central.
“Whenwelosepower,theconsolesinDC Central don’t work,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Dulse Herrara. “So we have to physically walk around and check all the gauges and that’s why we have stuff calibrated.
While all of these department’s gear is important, the Cal Lab’s services are the most essential for Reactor Department. Alongwithnumerouspressuregauges,reactorhastorquewrenches,switches,temperature switches, and pressure switches that constantly need to be calibrated Reactor will send Sailors to work in the Cal Lab to act as representatives of the department to assist in calibrating Reactor Department equipment, performing on-sites in ReactorDepartmentspaces,andreadingcertain schematics These Sailors will determine whether certain jobs are high priority or not in order to maintain the reactor’s optimalfunctionalitytoprovidethefundamental needs of the ship, such as potable water, electricity andsteam.
“That’showimportantCalLabistoReactor Department, said Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Liam Adams “We give them the supportthattheyneedtodotheirjobproperly.”
Because of calibration, pilots can launch offtheflightdeckwithabsoluteconfidence in the instruments they use to accomplish the mission, and engineers and technicians canaccuratelyreadthedataofsystemsthat peopleonboarddependtheirliveson.
Calibration has served the Navy and the restofsocietyfordecades,andwillcontinue todosointheyearstocome
ByNatalieSkelton
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation
DefenseSupplyCenterRichmondearned the 2025 Commander in Chief’s Annual AwardforInstallationExcellence,recognizingitsoutstandingsupportofDepartmentof Defensemissions
The award honors military installations that demonstrate exemplary support of Department of Defense operations including excellence in mission support, quality of life, safety, real property management, communications, health and security, and public relations, according to a fact sheet releasedbytheOfficeoftheAssistantSecretaryofDefenseforEnergy,Installations,and Environment.
Out of six installations recognized across the military services, DSCR is one of three located in Virginia, joining Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Base Langley-Eustis as recipients Per the installation’s award submission narrative, DSCR earned the distinction for its comprehensive efforts to modernize facilities enhance workforce productivity expand energy resilience and strengthen communitypartnerships allinsupportof globalreadiness
“This award is a reflection of the incredible dedication and resilience of every member of our team,” said DSCR and DLA Aviation Commander U.S. Air Force Brig Gen. Chad Ellsworth. “From logistics support to infrastructure innovation, every
accomplishment points back to the people who make this mission happen every day. I’mincrediblyproudofwhatwe’veachieved together.”
Each winning installation receives a commemorative trophy, installation excellence flag, and a letter of congratulations fromthePresident,accordingtotheDepartmentofDefensenewsreleaseissuedMay15
Located in Chesterfield County Defense Supply Center Richmond is home to the federalgovernment’sonlyresidentelkpopulation and the headquarters of DLA Aviation, a major subordinate command of the Defense Logistics Agency, serving as the aviation demand and supply chain integrator for more than 2,260 weapon systems in support of warfighters and military readi-
nessacrosstheglobe
TheinstallationisalsohometotheheadquartersoftheVirginiaNationalGuard,the U.S.ArmyReserve80thTrainingCommand, and numerous other tenant organizations fromDLAandothergovernmentagencies
According to a news release on Defense gov, “Excellent installations enable better mission performance and enhance the working and living conditions for military men and women, DoD civilians and their families Each of the winning installations succeeded at being the best in performing installation management within their military service and the Defense Logistics
CourtesyStory
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area
PORTSMOUTH, Va The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) returnedtotheirhomeportinPortsmouth, Monday, following a 79-day patrol in the EasternPacificOcean
Forward’s crew deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) to conduct counter-drug operations while underway in the Eleventh Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility Through detection monitoring and interdiction efforts crew members directly reduced the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States Forward’s crew workedalongsideadditionalunitstoinclude CoastGuardCuttersKimball(WMSL756), Thetis (WMEC 910), and the Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South (TACLET-S) to stop suspected drug smugglingwhilepatrollingoffthePacificcoastof CentralandSouthAmerica.
While at sea, the cutter interdicted a vessel engaged in drug-trafficking After it was detected by a maritime patrol aircraft, a Coast Guard boarding team that included members from TACLET-S launched to pursue the vessel, which led to the apprehension of four suspected drug traffickers A second small boat crew was launched to locate and recover 37 bales of cocaine that werejettisonedbythesuspectedtraffickers resulting in the seizure of 2,039 pounds of cocaineworthmorethan$23million.
“Transnational criminal organizations are smart and sophisticated, and our crews meet that challenge head-on,” said Cmdr Andrew Grantham, commanding officer of Forward. “Throughout this demanding patrol, our team performed with professionalismanddetermination.However,asa 35-year-oldcutter,Forwardfacesincreasing limitations that can impact mission effectiveness including lost opportunities to interdict known threats As the Commandant has stated, we continue to feel the strain of sustaining aging assets. Continued investment in new capabilities will ensure weremainreadytocounterevolvingthreats inthemaritimedomain.”
On May 17 the crew of Forward rescued two people and their disabled 60-foot sailboatnearly90milesoffshoreofCharleston, South Carolina. Forward’s crew towed the sailboat to coastal waters, where a Station
Charleston boat crew and a commercial salvage vessel took over and safely transported the two sailors and their boat to shore.Noinjurieswerereported.
During the deployment, Forward’s crew engagedwithEcuadoriannavyofficialsand valued partners in the Galápagos Islands duringaportofcallonSanCristóbalIsland, Ecuador Forward hosted the delegation aboard the cutter, providing a tour to highlight Coast Guard capabilities in support of U.S. Ecuadorian, and international joint objectives
SupportfromTACLET-S,whichisbased in Miami, improves mission capability As partoftheCoastGuard’sdeployablespecializedforces,LEDETsdeliverboardingofficer teams for high-risk maritime interdiction
operations These units are highly skilled and experienced in counter-drug missions andenforcingU.S.lawatsea.
JIATF-S in conjunction with partner nations, works to target, detect and monitor illicit drug trafficking within the joint operating area. The organization facilitates the interdiction and apprehension of illicit traffickerstodismantletransnationalcriminal organizations while reducing the flow of drugs to the public Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phaseoftheoperationbegins andcontrolof the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific OceanareperformedbymembersoftheU.S. CoastGuardundertheauthorityandcontrol
Forward is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter The cutter’s primary missions are counter-drug and migrant interdiction operations, as well as search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.The cutter falls under the commandofU.S.CoastGuardAtlanticArea, whichisbasedinPortsmouth,Virginia. For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit Go Coast Guard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academycanbefoundathttps://uscga.edu.
Japanese Government honors F-35 program manager with prestigious award
ByScottSwofford F-35 Joint Program Office
The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announces that Graham Rowell, the F-35 JPO Japan program manager, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold andSilverRays,bythegovernmentofJapan. This award recognizes Rowell’s service and contributionstoJapananditsdefenseforces.
One of the oldest Japanese honors, the Order of the Rising Sun is awarded in the nameoftheEmperorofJapanandapproved bytheJapanesecabinetforindividualswho havemadeconsiderablecontributionstothe nation making this recognition a significant achievement from the highest levels of theJapanesegovernment.
“Graham Rowell’s recognition with the Order of the Rising Sun is a reflection of his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan defense relationship,” said Lt Gen. Michael Schmidt, F-35 JPO program executiveofficer “Hiseffortshavemadealasting impact,andwe’reproudtoseehisdedication honoredinthisway.”
Rowell joins a select group, as one of just 107 non-Japanese individuals among the 3,990 recipients of the Order of the Rising SunandotherJapanesehonorsawardedthis spring Rowell whobeganhisrolewithintheF-35 JPO in 2016, has been instrumental in the developmentandtransformationofJapan’s F-35program.
Fromhelpingensurethesuccessfularrival of Japan’s first F-35 Lightning II aircraft in 2018 at Masawa, Japan, the establishment of two new Japanese airbases at Komatsu and Nyutabaru, to establishing an Air Vehicle Maintenance Repair Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U) facility in Nagoya his leadership has delivered strategicandhistoricresults
Rowell also played a central role in the expansion of Japan’s F-35 fleet, boththeF-35AandF-35Bvariants,tomeetJapan’sevolvingmissionrequirements
Notably, Rowell helped lay the groundwork for Japan’s maritime F-35 operations,overseeingtheinitialworktomodifytwoJapaneseIzumo-class multi-purpose escort destroyers to accommodate F-35B aircraft. These modifications led to a U.S. Marine Corps demonstration where an F-35B landedontheJSIzumo(DDH-183)inOctober2021,andthesuccessfulF-35 testingfortheJSKaga(DDH-184)offthecoastofSanDiegoinlate2024
While the F-35 is widely recognized as a vital asset to global security, it’s the dedication and expertise of people behind the scenes like Rowell who makeitssuccesspossible
“This is a tremendous and very much well-deserved honor,” said Asher Curry the F-35 JPO Japan deputy program manager. “Through his work with the F-35 JPO Graham did a great deal to strengthen the JASDF and US-Japanrelations thisawardisatestamenttothat.
Rowell’sworkreflectstheongoingcooperationbetweentheUnitedStates and Japan, and his contributions support the future of bilateral security efforts The F-35 JPO acknowledges this significant recognition and looks forwardtocontinuedcollaborationinsupportoftheU.S.-Japanpartnership
Gen Nakatani,left theJapan MinisterofDefense,placesThe
The heartbeat behind healthcare: How biomedical technicians keep hospitals running
ByDesmondMartin Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command
TheNavyandMarineCorpsForceHealth ProtectionCommand(NMCFHPC)playsa criticalroleinthebiomedicalfield aninterdisciplinary area that applies the principals of biology, medicine, and engineering to developtechnologies,treatments,andinnovationsthatimprovehealthcarediagnostics, andpatientoutcomes
NMCFHPC advances biomedical research, disease surveillance, and preventivemedicinetoenhancewarfighterhealth readiness and survivability By mitigating biological, chemical, and environmental threats, the command ensures a medically ready force capable of operating in contested environments None of this can beaccomplishedhowever,withoutbiomedical technologies that require upkeep and maintenance
One of the Sailors who bridges engineering and healthcare is Chief Eric Garcia, a biomedical equipment technician (BMET) and maintenance manager for NMCFHPC anditselevenfieldactivities BMET’smaintain, repair, and calibrate medical and diagnostic equipment essential for warfighter care.
“The technical and operational importance of having trustworthy equipment cannot be overstated,” said Garcia. “It is a vital component to ensuring mission readinesswithintheNavy.”
BMET’s use their expertise to ensure life-saving technologies, field medical systems,andlaboratoryequipmentfunction reliably in both the operational and clinical settings Garcia explained that BMET’s help safeguard the health of service members and
enablethemtofocusontheirmissionswithout worrying about the reliability of their medicalsupport.“Theseeffortssupportthe Fleet, ensuring any medical emergency can beaddressedswiftlyandeffectively,enhancing operational readiness,” he said. It also supports force health protection medical readiness,andexpeditionarycapabilities
According to Garcia, the integration of biomedicaltechniciansandtechnologyinto militaryoperationsenhancesoverallmission effectiveness by reducing downtime due to medical issues. When Sailors and Marines receive prompt medical attention facilitated by reliable medical equipment, their recovery time is minimized allowing them toreturntodutyswiftly
Without skilled BMETs, the Navy would face significant challenges in maintaining medical readiness The absence of this specialtycouldleadtoincreasedequipment failures, delays in medical response times, and ultimately compromise the quality of care provided to service members This could result in higher rates of preventable injuries or complications during medical emergencies, which would affect individuals, and could have broader implications for mission success, and operational effectiveness
Garcia stated, “the impact of our work goes beyond just immediate patient care; it fosters a culture of safety and excellence within the Navy’s healthcare system. In essence my role is not just about fixing machines; it’s about being a crucial part of a larger mission—one that prioritizes the health and safety of those who serve our country.”
According to Garcia, the role of BMETs in the Navy is poised for significant evolutionasthedemandsofexpeditionarymedicine and operational support continue to
grow As the Navy increasingly engages in complex,multi-domainoperations,BMETs willplayacrucialroleinensuringthatmedical equipment is not only operational but alsoadvancedenoughtomeetthechallenges posedbymodernwarfareandhumanitarian missions
“We will need to enhance our skills in maintaining and troubleshooting a wider array of sophisticated medical devices and will increasingly be involved in the medical portion of the planning and logistics of deployments,”hesaid.
TheNavyplaysacrucialroleinsafeguarding our nation Attracting talented individuals to this noble cause is essential for its continued success Efforts must emphasize the critical nature of BMETs, highlighting career development opportunities and the impactthesetechnicianshaveonsavinglives andenhancingoperationalcapabilities.
“For Sailors interested in becoming a BMET, the journey begins with research,” he said. “Understanding the various roles, we play and what they entail is key. Reach outtocurrentBMETsandbeginwithsome on-the-job training to make sure the fit is right. This role not only requires technical skills, but a commitment to improving lives through innovation.” He also encouraged Sailors to seek out training and mentorship opportunities, and to stay curious about advancements in medical technology, and askquestions
Those who are interested in the BMET training program, should understand it encompasses more than a year of rigorous, hands-ontrainingthatcombinesbothtechnical skills and healthcare knowledge to ensure the proper functioning of medical devices Theprogramcoversawiderangeof topicsfromelectronics,mechanicalsystems, andsoftwareapplicationstosafetystandards
“Imagine being the backbone of healthcare systems, ensuring that the medical devicesandequipmentarefunctioningoptimally so that doctors can provide the best possible care to their patients,” said Garcia. “Your expertise will directly contribute to improving health outcomes and making a real difference in people’s lives You will have opportunities to work alongside brilliantminds,engageinproblem-solving,and push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcaretechnology Thisisnotjustajob; it’s a calling that requires passion, dedication,andacommitmenttoexcellence.”
When asked what made him pursue this career field he said, “I started as a Dental Tech and for so long, they [BMET’s] just seemed like some of the coolest people to work with,” said Garcia. “Anytime we had issues,theycouldjustpullouttheirtoolsand handle it.” This appealed to Garcia because hesaidheenjoyssolvingproblems
“My drive comes from the profound impact we have on healthcare and patient outcomes Every day, I witness how skilled BMETs contribute to saving lives and enhancingthequalityofcare.”
The Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC), an echelon four command, oversees the FDPMUs, while Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Units (NEPMUs) provide personnel. NEPMU TWO man’s TeamsONE,TWO,THREE,andthereserve Team SEVEN; NEPMU 5 man’s Teams FOUR and FIVE; and NEPMU SIX man’s Team SIX. Teams are occasionally blended tomeetspecificmissionrequirements,with finalcertificationapprovedbyNavyMedical ForcesAtlantic(NMFL).
NIWTG Norfolk holds change of command ceremony
ByChiefPettyOfficerKeithCraven
Naval Information Warfare Training Group Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va
Capt. Steve McIntyre was relieved by Cmdr. Ken Brooks as commanding officer of Naval Information Warfare Training Group - Norfolk (NIWTG-N) during a change of command ceremonyheldatVistaPoint,May16 TheceremonywaspresidedoverbyCapt MeredithSchley,Commander,NavalInformationWarfareTrainingGroup(NIWTG).
Capt. McIntyre assumed command of NIWTG-N in January 2025 During his tenure, he oversaw critical advancements inthedeliveryofInformationWarfare(IW)
“For many years, FRC East has provided the heavy lift community with world-class service in support of sustainment,” Berti said. “As aviation technology continues to evolve, we’re excited to add the CH-53K King Stallion to our portfolio This first induction as part of the Age Exploration Program will allow us to learn more about the aircraft and refine the processes and procedures that will help us continue our critical role in driving flight line readiness forournation’swarfighters.”
The CH-53K King Stallion is the U.S. MarineCorps’heavy-liftreplacementforthe veneratedCH-53ESuperStallion.TheKing Stallion is the largest and most powerful helicopterintheU.S.DepartmentofDefense and will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, faster throughout the area of responsibility The CH-53K is designed to carry 27,000 pounds at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in U.S. Navy high/ hot environments, which is almost triple the baseline of the CH-53E. Its maximum external lift capability is 36,000 pounds It isalsodesignedtohaveasmallershipboard footprint,loweroperatingcostsperaircraft, and fewer direct maintenance man hours perflighthour
The AEPD induction arrives following years of coordination between FRCE, the Fleet Support Team, the Naval Air Systems Command H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters ProgramOffice(PMA-261)andtheMarines whoflytheKilo
“This first CH-53K induction into depot maintenancesignifiesthematurationofthe platform and the readiness of our sustainment enterprise,” said PMA-261 Assistant Program Manager for Logistics Lt Col. MatthewRussell.“TheexceptionalcollaborationbetweenPMA-261,FRCEast,Marine Aircraft Group 29 and the Fleet Support
training across the Atlantic fleet. Under his leadership, the command strengthened tacticalproficiency,streamlinedcurriculum modernization, and improved alignment between training output and operational readiness requirements for fleet IW units inNorfolkandMayport
As a career Special Duty Officer (Oceanography),Capt.McIntyrebroughtaunique perspective to the IW training enterprise His diverse experience - ranging from surface warfare and SEAL support to strategicgeospatialintelligenceandunmanned undersea systems - allowed him to lead NIWTG-Nthroughaperiodofmodernizationandmissionrefinement.
Team, which began over three years ago has established a foundation for long-term supportoftheKingStallion’sheavy-liftcapability.”
FRCE H-53 Branch Head Michael Paul said the arrival of the CH-53K, in many ways, represents a new horizon both for the rotary-wing program at the depot and forthefleet.
“Simply put, it’s our future. The legacy platform, the CH-53E, has been there for 40-plus years and it’s slowly being phased out,” he explained. “The MH-53E, the last fewareintheplantrightnow wehavefour left and then that will be the end of our planned maintenance for the MH community, the Navy version of the aircraft. The CH variant flown by the Marine Corps is shrinking its footprint here, with just about fiveinductionsperyear
“And so the future, not only for FRC East butalsoforthefleet,istheKmodelprogram. It’s the newest generation helicopter out there, and so that means that this is the futureforthenext20,30or40years,forthe productteamhere.”
JeffWarren,CH-53KcapabilityestablishmentleadatFRCE saidtheKilo’sarrivalat the depot also represents the future of the platform’s sustainment schedule The 14 inductionsunderAEPDwillhelpdetermine the aircraft’s planned maintenance interval(PMI)schedule.Aplannedmaintenance intervalisaperiodoftimeprescribedforthe executionofamaintenanceevent.
“This aircraft’s induction corresponds withaspecificnumberofflighthours which has been set as a mark on the wall,” he said “It will be inspected to see if there’s any major structural damage, along with the 13 more behind it Their condition is going to dictate whether future aircraft PMI events need to happen at this number of flight hoursor,ifwe’renotseeinganymajorstructuralissuesoroverallfatigueoftheaircraft, whether the PMI event can be bumped out by an additional number of flight hours
Capt.McIntyre,anativeofVirginiaanda 2002AuburnUniversitygraduate,isreturning to Naval Information Forces following histouratNIWTG-N Cmdr Brooks,anativeofNewYork,previouslyservedastheexecutiveassistanttothe commander of Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific. Enlisting in the Navy in 1990 as a Cryptologic Technician, Cmdr BrookswascommissionedasaLimitedDuty Officerin2005andthenlaterallytransferred toCryptologicWarfarein2013. HebringsmorethanthreedecadesofIW experiencetotherole,withpreviousassignments spanning tactical afloat roles, joint task force leadership, and senior informa-
It’s setting a precedent of what the future schedulewilllooklikefordepot-levelmaintenance.”
Warren said the depot’s findings during AEPD will have implications that stretch down to all levels of maintenance, from the heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul at the depot level (D-level) to the maintenance performed at the organizational level (O-level) by the squadrons flying the aircraft,andtheintermediatelevel(I-level) performedbythemaintenanceandlogistics squadronsinbetween “The squadron’s already doing those O-level maintenance actions, but during AEPD,we’reperformingO-levelandI-level maintenanceinconjunctionwiththedepot level. We’re verifying processes and procedures,” Warren said. “This allows us to critique and refine the O- and I-level technicaldata,tored-lineit,effectively,andthen develop the depot-level tech data to assist with future depot requirements, because FRCEastisthefirst-evertoconductdepotlevelmaintenanceontheCH-53K.”
Paul said his team on the H-53 line will perform around 800 inspections on the aircraftinordertoproperlyassessitscondition, a process that will take almost half of theplannedAEPDcycletime
“Wedevelopedagenerictemplateforthe inspect and repair phase using the CH-53E andMH-53asastartingpoint,assumingthe work on the Kilo will be like and similar,” Paul explained. “However, this is the first time any K model aircraft will be disassembled and inspected at this level, and there aredifferences.It’scomputer-based sensorbased,fly-by-wire,withmorecomposite.
“Wehavesomeideasofwhatwe’regoing to find, but there are going to be some areas we’re looking into that nobody has inspected before. We are physically putting oureyesoneverything:framing,composite, flight controls, every wiring harness, all the wiring everythinghastobelookedat,”Paul continued. “We’re going to conduct these
Staying in the know is
tion operations planning positions Cmdr BrooksisagraduateofExcelsiorUniversity andtheU.S.NavalWarCollege NIWTG-N advances Information Warfare(IW)readinessbyexecutingoperationallyfocusedIWtrainingandassessment, deployingInformationOperationswarfightersindirectsupportofCarrierandAmphibious Strike Groups and enabling IW forces throughouttheAtlantictheater. FormoreinformationonNIWTG-N,visit their public web page at https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Operational-Forces/NIWDC/NIWTG/Organization/ NIWTG-Norfolk.
800-plus inspections gather the details of anydiscrepancieswefind,correctthosewe knowhowtocorrect,andrefertoengineeringforsolutionstheoneswedon’thaveany knowledge of Based on their solutions, we will implement those changes to correct those discrepancies, as well. There are a lot of unknowns going in, but it’s an exciting timeforthegrouphere.”
Current labor estimates for the AEPD process are based on the PMI process for theCH-53EandMH-53E,andonlyinclude work on the airframe itself and not on components that will eventually get routed to back shops, once those capabilities are established.Untilthen,componentswillbe removedfromtheaircraft,visuallyassessed, and exchanged for new components if replacementisrequired
According to Warren the depot should stand up its first batch of CH-53K componentcapabilitiesthissummer,withthefirst engines capability established in early fall. All told, FRCE plans to establish capability on about 150 components and dynamic components for the Kilo The second CH-53K scheduled for AEPD induction shouldarriveatFRCEinlate2026 withthe next two following within fiscal year 2027 FRCE will remain the only depot source of repairfortheCH-53KuntilFRCSouthwest, located on Naval Air Station North Island, California, establishes its King Stallion airframes capabilities, which should take placesometimeintheearly2030s,hesaid. FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance repair overhaul and technical services provider with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers Its annualrevenueexceeds$1billion.Thedepot providesservicetothefleetwhilefunctioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander,FleetReadinessCenters
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King
uarterdeck
Military Spouse Survey spurs DOD review of moving-related issues
On May16 2025,the Defense Department released to Congress the results ofthe 2024 Active-DutySpouse Survey a lookat the opinions and attitudes ofactive-dutymilitaryspouses conducted roughlyeverytwoyears. PageB6
USS Normandy returns from deployment to 4th Fleet
CourtesyStory
U.S. 2nd Fleet
NORFOLK,Va TheTiconderoga-class guided-missilecruiserUSSNormandy(CG 60) returned to Naval Station Norfolk May 15,concludinganearlythree-monthdeployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility
The crew departed Feb. 25 2025 with their mission focused on strengthening maritime partnerships, enhancing regional security,andconductingmultinationalnaval operations in the Caribbean and surroundingwaters
“IcouldnotbemoreproudofNormandy’s sailors and their relentless drive to execute thenation’stasking,”saidCapt.NathanDiaz commanding officer of USS Normandy “While independently deployed, it was an honorforourcrewtoreinforcethemaritime
commons with partners like Colombia, France, Guyana, the Netherlands, PanamaandtheU.K.
During the deployment, Normandy engagedinseveralnotableexercisesto include the Trilateral Maritime ExerciseMarch3andtheBilateralExercise with Guyana March 27 The Trilateral Maritime Exercise was executed alongside the Royal Navy’s HMS Medway and the Royal Netherlands Navy’sHNLMSGroningen.Thisoperationincludedcoordinatedmaneuvers and aviation drills, featuring a Royal NetherlandsNH-90helicopter,aimed at enhancing interoperability among alliednavalforces
TheBilateralExercisewithGuyana was conducted in partnership with
ByLashawnSykes
NORFOLK Va Military Sealift
Command’s fast combat support vessel USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) clinched MSC’s Maritime “E” award for the very first time, March 24, 2025 “The Supply crew doesn’t just navigate the waves, they continue to createaroadmaptoachievehighstandards of maritime excellence,” said Captain Peter S.Lenardson,Supply’sShipMaster The Maritime “E” Award, an annual top honor presented by MSC recognizes US Navy ships and Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARS) who demonstrated the highest degree of operational readiness, performance, efficiency and safety standards during the previous year This award, like theNavy’sTypeCommandBattleEfficiency ortheBattle“E”award,isasimilarconcept. U.S.NavyCaptain,James“JamieMurdock, MSC Atlantic commodore, presented the award in an informal ceremony aboard USNS Supply on May 6. The award is a testament to the crew’s continuous pursuit ofexcellence,Murdocksaid. Lenardsonsaidhewashonoredtoreceive the Maritime “E” Award on behalf of his amazingcrewoftheUSNSSupply “During the 2024 Maritime “E” grading period, our consistent high performance, even under difficult conditions demonstrates the unwavering commitment to safety and mission excellence that we must maintain nextyeartorepeatthissuccess.” With only two fast combat support
NORFOLK, Va (May15, 2025) - Fire Controlman (Aegis) 1st ClassAdam Brown, assignedtothe Ticonderogaclass guidedmissile cruiserUSS Normandy (CG 60),reads a card given to him byhis familyafterthe ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk. TurntoUSSNormandy Page 2
Semper S&T: ONR showcases warfighter lethality, readiness at Modern Day Marine
ByWarrenDuffie Office of Naval Research
LookingoutathisaudienceofU.S.Marines andDepartmentofDefensescienceandtechnology (S&T) professionals, Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Research Col. Russell Rybka said, “I’m not a scientist or engineer I’m just asimpleCobra[helicopter]pilot.
“However, I’m blessed to work with some of the brightest S&T minds at the Office of NavalResearch[ONR] peoplewhoprovide the Marine Corps with the expertise and capabilities needed to sustain our readiness andlethality.”
Rybka, Vice Chief of Naval Research (VCNR) Brig Gen. Simon Doran and other ONR leaders gave remarks during Modern DayMarine,heldApril29-May1attheWalter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Modern Day Marine is the largestmilitaryequipment systems servicesand technologyexpositionexclusivelytargetedto theMarineCorps
ONR hosted several exhibits at the expo, showcasing how the command helps the Marine Corps achieve mission success in an increasinglycomplexmilitarylandscape
ThisincludedadisplayoftheONRGlobal TechSolutions-sponsoredVirtualBridgeand NauticalTrainer(VIBRaNT)system which isdesignedtoserveasaportable,virtualtraining tool for surface warfare officers and ship bridgecrews
the Guyana Defence Force patrol vessel GDFS Shahoud Supported by Normandy’s embarkedMH-60RSeahawkhelicopterfrom HelicopterMaritimeStrikeSquadron50,the exercise focused on formation maneuvers andcommunicationdrillstobolsterregional maritimecooperation.
Throughout its deployment, Normandy also participated in Theater Security Cooperation port visits and collaborative operations with regional partners, reinforcing the U.S. Navy’s commitment to unity, security, and stability in the Caribbean, Central, and
Rybka outlined ONR’s mission, structure and the types of research it supports He also highlighted its Expeditionary Portfolio which delivers capabilities to Marines and Naval expeditionary forces as well as ONR’s strongconnectiontotheMarineCorpsWarfightingLaboratory(MCWL).
“ONR is in the business of solving hard problems through science,” said Rybka, “problems requiring intellectual rigor and a commitment to strengthening the Marine CorpsandNavyasawhole.”
VCNRDoranparticipatedintwospeaking engagements
Thefirstwastitled“30YearsofInnovation and Modernization, which discussed how the Marine Corps must continually evolve giventhechangingglobalbalanceofmilitary capabilities,aproliferationofemergingtechnologies and a growing assertiveness among thenation’sstrategiccompetitors Toaddress these core challenges MCWL which is celebrating its 30th anniversary guides a process of innovation through concept development,experimentation,prototyping, research,analysisandwargaming
Doran who, in addition to his ONR duties, serves as MCWL’s commanding general as well as the Marine Corps’ Executive Agent for S&T also participated in a panel titled “Requirements, ExperimentationandAcquisitions.”Thiseventspotlighted currentinitiativesdrivingforcedesign,capability development and acquisition priorities, highlighting opportunities for industry collaborationinequippingthefutureforce
SouthAmericanmaritimeregions
“The crew of Normandy has exceeded all expectations while operating with partner and ally nations and strengthening maritime partnerships in the Caribbean, said Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of CarrierStrikeGroupTwelve.“Thesuccessful completion of their third deployment in the last year and a half is a testament to the grit, determination,andselflessnessoftheSailors andtheirfamilies.”
Normandyisamulti-missionAirWarfare, Undersea Warfare, Naval Surface Fire SupportandSurfaceWarfaresurfacecombatant capable of supporting carrier battle groups,amphibiousforcesoroperatingindependently and as flagships of surface action
“MCWL, often in partnership with ONR, looksatwhatcapabilitiesthefutureforcemay need based upon potential adversaries to develop what we can from science and technology using modeling and simulation, wargaming and experimentation throughouttheMarineforceaswellaswithourallies andpartners,”saidDoran.“Wearethefusion andinnovationenginefortheMarineCorps.”
Finally, ONR Global TechSolutions Director Jason Payne addressed attendees during a presentation titled “Marines Ask, TechSolutionsBuilds.”
Payne outlined the mission of TechSolutions, which sponsors the development of rapid prototype solutions based on direct requests from Sailors and Marines, usually within12months
He described how Marines could connect with TechSolutions to submit ideas and suggestions, provided an overview of how TechSolutionsworkswithnavallaboratories andwarfarecenters citedexamplesofrecent successstories andencouragedattendeesto learnmorebyvisitinghttps://www.onr.navy mil/Techsolutions
“Our focus is developing technology to satisfy requests from Sailors and Marines,” said Payne “We turn their ideas into prototypesolutionstoincreasetheirmissioneffectivenessandForcelethality.”
Warren Duffie Jr is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications
groups
NormandywascommissionedinDec.1989 andwasnamedaftertheWorldWarIIBattle ofNormandy U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order toensureaccess,deteraggressionanddefend U.S.,allied,andpartnerinterests.
For more U.S. 2nd Fleet news and photos visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet https:// www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, X - @US2ndFleet, and https://www.linkedin.com/company/ commander-u-s-2nd-fleet.
NORFOLK,Va (May 15,2025) - Logistics Specialist Seaman JasperCeloso assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60),greets his child afterthe ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk following a threemonth deployment to U.S.Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S.4th Fleet area ofoperations. Normandydeployed to the U.S.Southern Command area of responsibilityto protect U.S.interests in the region and strengthen maritime partnerships through bilateral,trilateral, and multinational maritime operations and theatersecurity cooperation activities.(U.S.NAVY PHOTOBYMASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST1ST CLASSANDERSONW. BRANCH)
Defense Commissary Agency announces
top tier stores for Fiscal Year 2024
ByJessicaRouse DeCA Public Affairs Specialist
FORTGREGG-ADAMS,Va
TheDefenseCommissaryAgency(DeCA) isannouncingits“BestCommissaryAward”winnersforFiscalYear2024 “Congratulationstothewinningstores,”saidRobertJ.Bunch,executive director for the Store Operations Group “The employees in these stores haveworkedhardtodeliverthecommissarybenefittoourpatronsallyear long Their excellence is a testimony to their dedication to serve our militarycommunity.”
Awardsaregiveninfivecategoriesdeterminedbystorelocationandsize Theawardsarenamedinhonorofgovernmentofficialswhoprotectedthe commissary benefit and championed quality-of-life issues for the military and their families Each winner surpassed DeCA’s standards for accountability,customersatisfaction,unitcost,sales,accident-avoidanceratesand photoportfoliosubmission.
The winners are:
Director’sAward CONUSSuperstore
1stplace JointBaseElmendorf-Richardson,Alaska
2ndplace MarineCorpsAirStationMiramar California
“In an environment that is ever-changing providing top notch customer serviceandaqualitybenefitismoreimportantthanever,”Bunchsaid.“These storestookonthatchallengeandtheyhaveexcelled.
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe andsecureshoppingenvironment Commissariesprovideamilitarybenefit, savingauthorizedpatronsthousandsofdollarsannuallyontheirpurchases comparedtosimilarproductsatcommercialretailers.Thediscountedprices includea5-percentsurcharge whichsupportsthecostsofbuilding modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support elementandvaluedpartofmilitarypayandbenefits,commissariescontribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military servicesandtheirfamilies,andhelprecruitandretainthebestandbrightest menandwomentoservetheircountry
The Governor’s STEM Academy tour’s MSC Ship
ByLashawnSykes
USN Military Sealift Command
NORFOLK,Va Twenty-threestudents oftheGovernor’sScience,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy in Chesapeake, Va visited Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) on April 24, 2025
The students enjoyed a private 90-minute tour of a Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler, a 677-foot vessel that annually replenishes U.S. and coalition ships while operatingintheU.S.SixthFleet.
The visit included a complimentary lunch and countless opportunities for students to engage with civil service mari-
ners (CIVMARS), who are responsible for manning, operating, and navigating the vessel,andchatwithMSC’sN751TypeDesk T-AO 205 Class Supervisor Benjamin R. MinerwhopresentedabriefonMSC’sdaily operations and shore-based careers opportunities such as Naval Architects Mariner Engineers Program Managers Logistics Managers, and Acquisition and Contract Officers Outreach and engagement with our students about the maritime industry is crucial to trade, sealift, and defense, Miner said.“Wemustallplayaroleinpreparingthe next generation to take their place Hampton Roads has talented young people and Military Sealift Command offers innova-
tive maritime careers Informing potential applicants about these opportunities is key, asmanyareunaware.”
Additionally, students had the opportunitytowalkthemaindeck,examinereplenishmentstations andnavigatetheextensive interiormesshall.Uniquehighlightsofthis tour included visits to the bridge engineer andcargohandlingspaces
The field trip garnered positive feedback from attendees “If I could give you a YELP review, it would be 10 stars! Everyone went above and beyond by being exceptionally friendly and engaging with the students,” MeredithStrahansaid.SheisthecoordinatorfortheGovernor’sSTEMAcademy.
As a part of MSC’s Combat Logistics
Force vessels oilers are an integral part of theNavy’slogisticssystem,makingitpossible for combatant ships to stay forward deployed, protecting America’s interests worldwide The Combat Logistics Fleet is the backbone of sustained operations at sea and the CIVMARS that man and operate these ships responsible for resupplying combatshipswithfuel,stores,andammunition,arethemostcriticalpieceofthatequation. For more information from Military Sealift Command, visit https://sealiftcommand.com.
TRICARE Dental Program offers comprehensive care for children
CourtesyStory Defense Health Agency
Didyouknowthatoralhealthhasimportant links to your overall health? That’s why it’s especially important that children get proper dental care from an early age This helpsthemmaintainhealthyteethandgums throughouttheirlives
Luckily, the TRICARE Dental Program, administeredbyUnitedConcordia,hasyou covered.TheTDPprovidesdentalhealthfor eligiblechildrenofservicemembers helping yourchildrenaccessimportantdentalcare.
“The TDP provides essential coverage for children from age 1 through early adulthood,” said U.S. Air Force Col Linda Coates, Chief, TRICARE Dental Program Branch.“Itensuresyourchildhasaccessto high-qualitydentalcarethathelpsestablish healthyhabitsearly.”
Automatic enrollment at age 1
TheTDPautomaticallyenrollsyourchild in your dental plan when they turn age 1, if there’safamilymembercurrentlyenrolled. Thisenrollmenttakeseffectonthefirstday ofthemonthfollowingyourchild’sbirthday.
It’s important to be proactive with your child’s oral health in the early stages Bring your child to their first dental appointment after their first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday. Most babies’ teeth starttogrowinataround4to6monthsold.
If you had a single plan before your child turned1,yourpremiumwillchangefromthe singleplanratetothefamilyplanratewhen yourchildisenrolled.
Costs
Your TDP monthly premiums are based on your sponsor’s status, rank and your enrollmenttype Enrollmenttypesinclude:
Sponsoronly
Single enrollment (one family member, notsponsor)
Familyenrollment(morethanonefamily member notsponsor)
Sponsorandfamily
Your cost-shares depend on your sponsor’spaygradeandwhereyoulive.
Coverage duration
Children can keep their TDP coverage until the end of the month they turn 23 if they:
Areunmarried
Attend an approved institution of higher educationfull-time
Get at least half their financial support fromtheirmilitarysponsor
If your child stops meeting any of these conditions before turning 23 their coverageendsattheendofthemonththechange occurs Additionally if your child doesn’t meet these conditions at age 21, they’ll lose TRICAREcoverage
Services covered by TDP
The TDP covers a wide range of dental services for children as described in the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook (online at https://tricare.mil/Publications/ Handbooks/dental): Regularcheckupsandcleanings
X-raysandevaluations
Fluoridetreatments
Sealantsforcavityprevention
Fillingsandrestorations
Orthodontics (braces) when medically necessary
Emergencydentalcare
Most children can receive two routine teeth cleanings and two topical fluoride applications every 12 months Your dentist canrecommendtherightscheduleforyour child’sneeds
To find a CONUS dentist, search the United Concordia network. If you’re overseas, use the OCONUS Find a Dentist tool (online at https://www.uccitdp.com/ tp2opd/). Using military dental clinics
In the U.S., family members normally
can’t get care at military dental clinics But in certain situations they may. These situationsinclude: Emergencies Certainspecialdentalcasesinchildren
Your family members may be able to use overseas military dental clinics if they have spaceavailable Checkwithyourlocaloverseas military dental clinic to find out what servicestheyoffer
More information
For detailed information about TDP coverage,visittheUnitedConcordiawebsite YoucanalsocontactUnitedConcordiawith specific questions about your child’s dental benefits Regulardentalcareforchildrensupports not only their oral health but their overall well-being TheTDPhelpsmakethisessentialcareaccessibleforeligiblechildren
Keel laid for future USS Quentin Walsh
CourtesyStory
U.S. Department of Defense
The keel for the future USS Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), an Arleigh Burke-class FlightIIIguidedmissiledestroyer waslaid during a ceremony on May 20 at Bath Iron Works(BIW).
The keel laying represents the start of a ship’s construction During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when the ship’s sponsor welds their initials into the keel plate,withtheassistanceofaBIWwelder. Theship’ssponsorisMadisonAnnZolper, great-granddaughteroftheship’snamesake,
Coast Guard Capt. Quentin R. Walsh, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actionsduringWorldWarII.
Walsh received the Navy Cross for his leadership during the 1944 Battle of Cherbourg, where his 53-man reconnaissance unitcaptured750Germansoldiersandliberated 52 American prisoners of war. After World War II, he served during the Korean War and held various roles at Coast Guard headquarters AfterhisCoastGuardcareer, heworkedasateacherandparoleofficerin Maryland and became known for his dedicationtocommunitypreservation.
“Wearehonoredtomarkthebeginningof
the construction for the future USS Quentin Walsh and celebrate his legacy with his family,”saidCapt.JayYoung,ArleighBurkeclassDestroyerprogrammanager,Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships). “DDG 132 will provide our Navy with critical strategiccapabilitiestosupportFleetreadiness.”
Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporate upgrades to the electrical power and cooling capacity plus additional associated changes to provideenhancedwarfightingcapabilityto thefleet.
The keel laying of future USS Quentin
Walsh (DDG 132) symbolizes the Navy’s 250-year commitment to innovation and maritimedominance Fromseabedtospace, theNavydeliverspowerforpeace always readytofightandwin.Thismilestonemarks theNavy’senduringlegacyandcommitment toshapingthefutureofmaritimepower. PEO Ships one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, and auxiliary ships,includingspecialmissionships,sealift ships,andsupportships
Military Spouse Survey spurs DOD review of moving-related issues
Active-Duty Spouse Survey, a look at the opinions and attitudes of active-duty military spouses conducted roughly every two years
Survey participants are drawn from a representative sample and results are weighted for the entire active-duty spouse population,sofindingsaregeneralizable
Thesurveycoversarangeoftopicsincluding the availability of child care, spouse employment, family finances, availability of services, challenges posed by permanent changeofstationmovesandoverallsatisfactionwiththemilitarylifestyle
Thisyear’ssurveyshowedPCSmovesare achallengeformilitaryspouses Thebiggest factor related to unhappiness with a PCS is the problem military spouses face in findingemploymentafterthemove About49% of military spouses who experienced a PCS move said finding employment proved to bea“large”or“verylarge”problem.Lossof income and nonreimbursable moving costs alsotoppedthelist.
Tim Dill performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the department recognizes the challenges faced by military families as they relate to PCS and the department is looking at ways to make thingsbetter
“We pay a lot of attention to the spouses [who] share that they are dissatisfied with themilitary[and]wouldnotsupportremaining,” Dill said. “And one particular concern thatIthinkhighlightsjust[oneofthe]many of the challenges that military families face isthePCSmove.”
Included in that, he said, is how it affects spouseemploymentandunderemployment when spouses work in a job that doesn’t makeuseoftheirqualifications PCSmoves alsoaffecttheavailabilityofchildcareupon arriving at a new installation and present challengesinfindingschoolsaswell.
“And then finally, something that’s just beeninthenewsrecently theout-of-pocket costs associated with the move,” Dill said “That has come to our attention on the policylevel,anditiscertainlynot[Defense] Secretary [Pete] Hegseth’s intent that any military family should be coming out of pocket to pay for a move that is due to the needsofthemilitary.”
Thesurveyresultsrevealthatfrom2021to 2024 militaryspousesatisfactionremained steady with nearly half being satisfied with militarylife(49%).
However, the survey found declining support from spouses for their military spousetocontinueinservice Factorsinfluencing that shift may include quality of life issues stemming from the mobility of militarylife,theimpactonfamilystability,continuity of health care, job and child care loss with PCS moves, a lack of long-term career opportunities,andotherfinancialcostsassociatedwithmilitarylife
Predictable budgets, readiness,
top priorities for reserve components
ByC.ToddLopez DOD News
Modernizing equipment, improving readiness and securing predictable funding for the next fight remain top priorities for the reserve componentsoftheU.S.military seniorleaders toldlawmakersyesterday.
Appearing before the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee,thechiefoftheNationalGuardBureau, along with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air ForceandMarineCorpsReserve,discussed service successes over the last year and budgetingchallengestheyface
Air Force Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, thanked Congress for the fiscal year 2025 continuing resolution, which included funding for the guard’s State Partnership Program, full-time manning and the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account He said continued support is essential for mission readiness
“Every dollar you put in that [allows us to] put a mechanic out on the flight line to be able to get helicopters or the machines that we operate [ready] is critical,” he said. “Weapon system sustainment as well, on parts. Those dollars matter So, whatever [you]candotoincreasethatcapabilityalong thoselines[willhelp.]”
The NGREA helps bridge equipment capability gaps between the active and reservecomponents Itsupportsoperational growth, unfunded requirements and shortfallsinequipment
Nordhaus also emphasized the importanceofmodernizationtomaintaininteroperabilityacrossthejointforce “Wemustrecapitalizeconcurrentlywith ourservicesintoadvancedplatformsofhelicopters, infantry squad vehicles fighters, tankersandcyber,”hesaid.“Thesemodernization efforts will help advance our warfighting capabilities, deter adversaries and maximize the return on investment for our jointforceandourtaxpayers.”
Lt Gen. Robert D. Harter, chief of the ArmyReserve,saidNGREAisvitaltoequipmentprocurement.
“We only receive about 1% of the Army’s procurement budget, so NGREA has an outsized impact on our ability to procure modernizedequipment, Hartersaid.“Over thepastthreeyears,we’vepurchased2,300 mission command systems, significantly improvingourformations’abilitytocommunicateeffectivelyonthebattlefield.” Harteralsocalledforstablefunding
“Army Reserve soldiers balance civilian careers with military commitments and continuing resolutions force us to delay,
curtail or cancel training events,” he said.
“Predictability is essential for our soldiers their family members and their civilian employers.”
Vice Adm. Nancy S. Lacore, chief of the Navy Reserve, told lawmakers about the needtorecapitalizeitsKC-130Herculesfleet ofrefuellerstotheKC-130JSuperHercules model.
“Our C-130 fleet is aging and lacks the survivability necessary to operate in a contested environment, Lacore said “Recapitalizing with the KC-130J is critical toensuringthatwecaneffectivelyandsafely carry out the critical intra-theater logistics missionsforthefleet.”
Lacore also stressed the importance of timely personnel funding “I think the biggest issue for us, related to people, is the predictability and being able to get reservistsonorders,”shesaid “Itimpactsnotjust morale, but it impacts readiness when
theycan’tcommittotheircivilianemployer, and they take time off from their civilian employer and then we can’t come through withtheorders So,thatisabigone.”
Lt Gen. Leonard F. Anderson IV, commander of the Marine Corps Reserve, saidNGREAfundingallowsreserveMarines to maintain equipment and maintain interoperabilitywiththejointforce
“Ithankthesubcommitteeforitscontinuedsupport,especiallythroughtheNational GuardandReserveEquipmentAccount, he said“FortheMarineCorpsReserve,NGREA is not just a funding line, it’s a warfighting requirement. These funds allow us to field and sustain the platforms, communication systems and equipment that Marines need to train as they fight. NGREA enables reserveforcestointegratewithactiveforces by equipping them with modern capabilities at pace, and with a 99% execution rate acrossrecentfiscalyears theMarineCorps
Lt Gen. John P. Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve, cited budget predictability asachallenge
“The predictability and stability of being able to pay our participants is one of the biggest factors,” he said “With the [operations and maintenance] accounts, we’re going to be $26 million short of flying out ourflyinghoursthisyear So we’reworking trying to figure that out. In addition, quarterly authority during a CR doesn’t work well with weapon systems sustainment [suchas]whenyou’vegotlargeticketitems like$62milliontoputaB-52[Stratofortress] into periodic depot maintenance. Those continuetobechallengesaswegoforward.”
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Spouse of Ross Stowers, E7, U.S. Navy
Base/installation where spouse is stationed: Naval Station Norfolk
Duty station unit: VAW-123
Years as a military spouse: 19
Number of PCS moves: 3
Number of deployments: 6
How do you balance family/work/military life?
Balance, for me, isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about knowing what matters most in each moment and giving myself permission to shift focus as needed. As a military spouse, a mom, a volunteer, and someone who supports both my family and our larger community, I’ve learned that balance comes from setting boundaries, building support systems, and letting go of the idea that I have to do it all alone.
I lean into time management and planning, but I also leave room for grace—because the mission changes, kids need more one day and less the next, and sometimes I need to pause and recharge too. I balance by being present where my feet are, and by surrounding myself with a community that reminds me I don’t have to carry every burden alone. That’s how I stay grounded—and that’s how I thrive.
…And planners - I have to write everything down - and have it organized or I skip it entirely!
Tell us briefly about your military spouse background.
I married the love of my life, Ross, at just 19 years old—right after Navy boot camp in Chicago, Illinois. From that moment on, I embraced the military life head-on. Our first stop was Norfolk, Virginia for Ross’s A-school, but soon after, we began our adventure across the country in Ventura County, California with VAW-116.
It was during our time there that I met Ombudsman Tami Sequeira, whose compassion and strength deeply inspired me. Tami didn’t just model what it meant to serve families— she lit the spark that would fuel my own journey of service. Because of her, I committed myself fully to the ombudsman program and all it stands for: strength, connection, and unwavering support for military families.
Our military journey hasn’t been without heartache—I experienced miscarriage before the births of both of our children. But in the midst of it all, joy came too. Our daughter Zoey was born in Oxnard, California on Christmas Eve 2009, and after one final PCS back to Hampton Roads, Virginia, our son Mason arrived on January 12, 2012.
Now, nearly 19 years married (and counting!), Ross and I are beginning to look toward retirement. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been full of love, growth, and purpose—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What is the best part of being a military spouse?
The best part about being a military spouse has been the incredible friendships I’ve formed all over the world. While our biological families are often far away, I’ve learned that military life allows you to choose your family—those who truly get you, who support you through the ups and downs, and who become your rock no matter where you’re stationed.
Living this life has taught me so much about independence. You have to be self-reliant when you’re far from home, but in doing so, you also discover just how strong you are.
It’s those friendships—the ones you build with fellow military spouses—that make this life feel like home, no matter where you are. Even though we might not have our families nearby, we create our own tribe, and that bond is something truly special.
Volunteer Service Highlights:
Most of these roles exceed 5 years but I have held the following all at least between 2020 and 2025.
Navy Ombudsman (15 years): Supporting military families through deployments, emergencies, and everyday challenges with compassion and consistency.
PTA President & Advocate (8 years): Representing and uplifting students and families at both the state and local levels, working to improve education and school support.
Turn to Dawna Stowers, Page 7
Active duty spouse: Brandon Fountaine, ETN2, U.S. Navy
Base/installation where spouse is stationed: Naval Station Norfolk
Duty station unit: USS Stennis
Number of years as a military spouse: 7
Number of PCS moves: 2
Number of deployments: 0
How do you balance family/work/military life?
Reading, gardening, volunteering, training animals. But mostly lots of reading!
Tell us briefly about your military spouse background.
I’ve been a Navy spouse for 7 years now, and have spent most of the time with my husband in schooling for his job in Charleston SC and now here in RCOH. I’ve spent these years homeschooling our children, helping out in the schools, as well as getting our family involved where ever we feel called to help!
What is the best part of being a military spouse?
The community for sure, our children have learned some great social skills and their ability to make friends and face obstacles is strong. The opportunities to prove to myself
I can do hard things has always been rewarding as well.
Volunteer service highlights:
Girl Scouts Leader since 2020
Norfolk Animal Shelter - 2021
ASYMCA - 2022 - 2023 (now I work here)
Foodbank of Southeastern VA - off and on since 2022
Hosting Easter and PCS events/giveaway with my daughter in our military housing - since 2021
COMPASS - 2025
Operation Homefront since 2020
School PTA Board - 2025
Bluestar Families - 2020
What have you learned from being a military spouse/ words of wisdom/ advice for other military spouses?
That’s it’s OK to have hard days and it’s OK to not love this life all the time, because its HARD. The best thing I’ve learned to get involved. Whether its in the military community or the local community, find something you can be part of. When you invest yourself and into your community, it helps give you a sense of belonging and helps you find friends and what I like to call “geographical family.”
Share some fun facts about yourself.
I have been told my hair is a beacon and its something my OLL students look forward too as I change the color frequently. I have an affinity for attracting and collecting interesting animals so I have a tarantula and a chinchilla along with my service dog and other animals. I also enjoy hiking, concerts, and going on adventures!
What is one thing military families are facing that you would like to see improved?
Lack of community and communication. When people PCS, especially to a place as large as HR, they are often left with questions about resources and unsure how to find answers. Its very easy to feel alone, which creates a further issue with creating community. Share one of your best experiences as a military spouse.
While teaching OLL one day, one of my mommas in class was breaking down because she was scared about complications she was having with her pregnancy. Her spouse was also being deployed last min and she was stressed. Immediately, other moms in the class
Active duty spouse: Austin Finney, E5, U.S. Navy
Base/installation where spouse is stationed: Naval Station Norfolk
Duty station unit: USS Nitze
Number of years as a military spouse: 7
Number of PCS moves: 4
Number of deployments: 1
How do you balance family/work/military life?
Balance? That word still makes me laugh.
Let’s be real, it’s not balance. It’s divinely guided chaos. I still run on massive amounts of coffee, an abundance of grace, and a whole lot of Jesus. From the outside, it might look like I’m juggling it all with ease, but those closest to me know it’s more like organized surrender.
I’m a mom of four, and every one of our children has special needs. I homeschool them while working full-time, running my own business, and pursuing my master’s in discipleship ministry. I’m a military spouse, which means my life is basically one big lesson in flexibility, and my husband, while active duty in the Navy, is also a full-time student working toward his master’s to become a chaplain. Yes, our house is powered by prayer and Google Calendar.
Over the last few years, my life has been marked by both miracles and heartbreak. I’ve survived multiple miscarriages, experienced a heart attack, endured a complicated pregnancy, and undergone multiple heart surgeries. I became pacemaker-dependent at just 32. I travel with a service dog and require accommodations wherever I go. In fact, I had my sixth heart surgery just yesterday, and I’m still going.
But in the middle of all that, I’ve said yes to God again and again. I completed my degree in Christian Counseling with an emphasis in Crisis Counseling and Military Resiliency from Liberty University, fulfilling a dream to offer free, faith-based mental health support to the community I love. I returned to full-time ministry and now lead Defenders of Resilience Military Ministry, where we offer lay counseling and mental health support to military families. In 2024, we also launched Operation Resilient, a digital mental health app created specifically for the military community.
I prioritize with clarity: God first, family second, mission third. And I’ve learned to laugh at the idea of “planning”,because military life guarantees that no plan stays untouched. So yes, I usually have a Plan A… and B… and sometimes all the way to Plan Z. The truth is, what keeps me grounded is staying connected to God, to community, and to my calling. I pray constantly. I seek God’s direction in every season. I show up for my local church, keep close ties with long-distance friends, and I ask for help when I need it, which is often. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.
Balance, for me, isn’t doing it all. It’s learning to say yes to what matters most, and trusting God with the rest.
Tell us briefly about your military spouse background.
Our military journey began long before the uniforms, through prayer and surrender. When Austin and I got married, he had a son from a previous relationship. Two years later, through a whirlwind of unexpected events and God’s timing, we were granted full custody. Almost overnight, we became a family of five with the addition of two more little boys. Just weeks later, after a great deal of prayer and consideration, Austin enlisted in the Navy, and we packed up and headed to Illinois following Bootcamp.
Our first duty station, Great Lakes, was a whirlwind. In just a few months, we faced a late Autism diagnosis for one of our sons, complications with adoption, and the heartbreak of an ectopic pregnancy. Then came a life-threatening illness that sent me into a downward spiral of depression. I looked for support among spouse groups but quickly realized they weren’t built for families like ours. Married sailors in training with multiple kids were an anomaly, and community felt painfully out of reach.
That was when everything shifted. I began connecting with the base and local organizations, creating the very first online spouse network for new sailors’ families, using digital tools to fill the gaps I saw everywhere around me. That effort planted the seed for something much larger.
Just five months later, our family was split again, Austin moved to Virginia for training, Turn to Eleanor Finney, Page 9
Active duty spouse: Anthony Jones, E9, U.S. Navy
Base/installation where spouse is stationed: Naval Station Norfolk
Duty station unit: USS George Bush CVN 77
Number of years as a military spouse: 28
Number of PCS moves: 3
Number of deployments: 12
How do you balance family/work/military life?
Balancing my roles as a Director of Nursing, full-time student, mother of two teenagers, and military spouse to a Navy Master Chief requires discipline, flexibility, and a strong support system. I rely heavily on time management and intentional planning from shared calendars to structured family routines to make sure I can meet the demands of my profession, education, and home life. I also set realistic goals and give myself grace when things don’t go exactly as planned. Open communication with my family helps keep us all connected and supported, especially during my spouse’s deployments or hightempo periods. I’ve learned to embrace the ebb and flow of military life and apply that same adaptability in my leadership role and academic work. Most importantly, I remind myself daily why I do it all to be a strong role model for my children, a dedicated servant leader in healthcare, and a resilient pillar in my military family.
Tell us briefly about your military spouse background.
My husband is a dedicated Navy Master Chief who has served with distinction for over two decades. As an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, he has completed 12 deployments, many of them aboard multiple aircraft carriers, where he was responsible for the safe launching and recovery of aircraft on the flight deck one of the most intense and highrisk environments in the Navy. His career has taken him through numerous shipyard tours, where he played a critical role in maintenance, training, and bringing ships back to operational readiness. His leadership and expertise have earned him deep respect in the fleet, and his commitment to service continues to be a source of strength and pride for our entire family.
What is the best part of being a military spouse?
The best part of being a military family is the resilience, unity, and sense of purpose that come from facing challenges together. Military life isn’t always easy, but it teaches you to adapt, lean on one another, and make the most of every moment. You build a deep appreciation for time spent together, form lifelong friendships with people from all over the world, and become part of a community that understands sacrifice and service. It’s a life filled with growth, pride, and meaningful connection, not just to your own family, but to a greater mission.
Volunteer service highlights:
I haven’t had much time for volunteer service. I just completed my undergrad in nursing, which required more than 200 clinical hours. I am currently working on my master’s in nursing, which will require another 800 hours. These hours are unpaid and done in multiple care settings.
What have you learned from being a military spouse/ words of wisdom/ advice for other military spouses?
I learned that I greatly misunderstood what being a military spouse meant. I am a veteran of twelve years, separating in Oct of 2020, beginning nursing school in the height of the pandemic. I had many assumptions about what I would be like as a military spouse, mostly enjoying the luxury of day shopping at the commissary and roaming the aisles of the NEX. Instead, I’ve spent my days calling a local handyman because my husband is out to sea and the HVAC is out in the middle of a July heatwave. Spending the night in the hospital with the kids because no one else is at home to watch them. Planning many date nights, but needing to be canceled because of the ship’s schedule change. Going to parent events alone and having to paint the picture of the kids Recorder concert. Explaining to the kids why Dad just can’t stay home to play a little longer, to show them their new Turn to Tiesha Jones, Page 7
Active duty spouse: Jason Knapp, CW04, U.S. Navy
Base/installation where spouse is stationed: Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
Duty station unit: Assault Craft Unit 4
Currently deployed? No
Number of years as a military spouse: 5
Number of PCS moves: 8
Number of deployments: 12
How do you balance family/work/military life?
As a military veteran (Army) myself, and now being a CEO of my own company, being a military spouse requires the prior usage of a shared and organized calendar in our household. We try to maintain balance by living a true work hard play hard philosophy. Tell us briefly about your military spouse background.
As a military spouse of a 28 year active duty Naval Warrant Officer, my husband was deployed for the majority of 2023, and 2024. I worked to build strong bonds with the other deployed spouses through the ship’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) and I focused on my work with growing my own business.
What is the best part of being a military spouse?
That is easy! 2 part answer - 1) I get to see my soulmate dressed up in uniform all handsome and walking in and out of the house and kiss me goodbye and hello every day as the proudest wife ever. 2) When deployed, I got to travel to each and every port to meet him at various countries and explore new places, foods, cultures and make the best out of each deployment together.
Volunteer service highlights:
I serve my local community serving on the Board of Directors for Women in Defense (WID) (last 4 years) and as the Small Business Chair for Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Hampton Roads chapter (last 10 years).
I also serve as a business coach for The Honor Foundation, a career transition program for U.S. Special Operations Forces that effectively translates their elite military service to the private sector and helps create the next generation of corporate and community leaders.
I also am a mentor and work with interns under the DoD military Skillbridge program and help prepare them for their next phase of civilian workforce.
Under Hope 4 Kenya, I went on a mission trip to Kenya, East Africa, in Oct 2024 and plan to go again in Oct 2025 to support the effort to improve the quality of life for the vulnerable in Kenya through increased access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for personal, family and community sustainability.
What have you learned from being a military spouse/ words of wisdom/ advice for other military spouses?
From what I have learned through my experience as a soldier and a Navy spouse, remember that military life is always challenging, but you’re not alone. Make friends and introduce yourself to strangers and others spouses in the same command/unit/ship. Prioritize keeping, growing and loving your support network, and always being a good resource for others too. Stay connected, engage in community and volunteer activities, and your own professional growth goals and never put that on hold as there will never be a “good” time.
Share some fun facts about yourself.
I love wine tasting, crafting, cruising (like Carnival, not Navy ships), playing the slots machines, riding around our neighborhood on our golf cart.
Dawna Stowers
President & Volunteer, Deep Creek Athletic Association (9 years and current): Leading programs, supporting youth athletics, and strengthening our local sports community.
Creator & Head Coach, Champions League at DCAA (2 years): Launching an inclusive sports league to ensure kids of all abilities have the opportunity to play and thrive. I also coach a boys PONY 14U rec team as well as a Sunday select team for the same age division. That’s right I coach 3 teams simultaneously.
Cheer Coach, City of Chesapeake Parks & Recreation: Encouraging confidence, teamwork, and fun for young athletes through recreational cheer programs.
Benefit Organizer for Deep Creek Families: Organizing community efforts to support families facing crisis—raising and providing over $60,000 in the last few years to assist fire victims and children who have lost a parent, helping to ease their burden in the face of unimaginable loss.
Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to serving my community, both within the military and here at home. What started as a personal mission to be a dependable resource for others has grown into a lifelong passion for advocacy, leadership, and service. My volunteer journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m proud of the roles I’ve taken on: Each role has shaped who I am and deepened my commitment to showing up for others. No matter where life takes us, I’m proud of the community I’ve helped build and the lives I’ve been able to impact.
What have you learned from being a military spouse/ words of wisdom/
Fountaine from Page 3
pulled her into their group chat, compared availabilities, arranged days where they could give her some down time and make her meals. It was so heart warming that I could witness these spouses supporting spouses.
What will you do after military life?
I’d like to continue my education while my husband is active duty because id like to finish my degree in ASL and become an interpreter.
Favorite (or most interesting) Duty Station: Norfolk! There is SO MUCH to do here, and if you look in the right places, many things are free or offer great discounts for military families.
advice for other military spouses?
After military life, our hearts are set on returning to our family property in West Virginia—a place that’s always felt like home, even from afar. It’s where the pace slows, the air feels a little lighter, and life becomes less about constant movement and more about meaningful moments. We’ve given so much of ourselves to service, and now, we look forward to a season of stillness and reconnection.
For me, that next chapter means finally pouring into my own dreams. I’ve always been the one behind the scenes—supporting missions, coaching teams, lifting up others. But now, I’m excited about the possibility of building a career of my own, possibly in real estate. I love the idea of helping others find their home, especially after years of living the nomadic military life. More than anything, I’m chasing calm. I’ve spent so long being everyone’s safe place—it’s time to create one for myself, too.
“You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails.”
Share some fun facts about yourself.
My husband proposed 3 times- just to be sure. I said yes every single time without hesitation.
We have three ducks who follow/chase us like guard dogs. We also have three cats and two dogs and a house full of every teen that lands here for a multitude of reasons. It’s a literal zoo around here.
In high school I was voted most gullible. Can you believe that was 20 years ago? As involved in the community as I am, I am actually a huge introvert.
I have recently added Home school mom to my list of do’s.
What is one thing military families
back flip trick. I recently said when he goes out to sea the plague rolls into town, a kid needs an emergency root canal or the dog needs an emergency vet visit over constipation. So my word of wisdom is this: those challenges come to build you more resilient, to make you stronger, to make you train like you fight. Us spouses are being trained in life’s mishaps and learning what to do next time it happens to make it less scary and build confidence in ourselves. While our spouses are out there fighting the good fight, we are holding down the home front. So don’t give up the good fight and know there is a team that been where you are at some point willing and ready to help, just check our local facebook moms page.
Share some fun facts about yourself.
I am a people person, I love helping others. I am not very good at using a cricket or gardening. I can make good cookout food and am known for a mean game night. Also, I’m not very good at talking about myself, but I will always try something once. I have a fear of heights unless it’s in roller coaster form.
are facing that you would like to see improved?
If there’s one thing I could change for military families, it would be the way we approach mental health—not just for the service member, but for the spouse holding everything together and the children quietly navigating the weight of it all.
I’ve fought my own battle with mental health for years—often behind the scenes, while showing up for commands, coaching teams, supporting spouses in crisis, and keeping my own family afloat. There were days I poured from an empty cup, nights I sat in silence because there wasn’t time or space for my own pain. And like so many others in support roles, I felt like I had to stay strong—because if I crumbled, who would hold everyone else together?
The truth is, we need to stop glorifying silent strength. We need real, consistent, and accessible mental health care for everyone in the military family. We need people who see the spouse who’s burning out, the child who’s struggling in silence, and the service member battling things no one can see. We deserve care that doesn’t make us jump through hoops or wait months for help.
Being strong shouldn’t mean suffering in silence. I speak up now because I didn’t always—and I don’t want anyone else to feel like they have to carry it all alone.
Share one of your best experiences as a military spouse.
One of my best experiences as a military spouse was finally getting to meet my husband Ross overseas, after seven long months without a single port. It was the first time in his entire career that I was able to travel abroad and meet him at a port—and I’ll never forget it. I flew to Crete, not just to explore a new culture, but to feel close to him again. I wandered the streets, soaked in
What is one thing military families are facing that you would like to see improved?
I would like to see better events for families, where families can build the same bond as our sailors do at their commands. I would like to see better access services members have to dealing with issues at home. Sometimes sailors just need to take care of business at home. I would like to see families have better education to the benefits they are privileged to and better communication for questions families have at home. In doing so this would be less stressful on the service member and families.
Share one of your best experiences as a military spouse.
One of my best experiences was attending my first Khaki Ball. If you aren’t a part of the chief’s mess, it can be very mysterious as to what exactly happened there. I felt like a part of the inner circle getting a backstage pass. But what I found was that these hardworking chiefs had a night to just be themselves. I saw mingling with other departments, taking pictures for memories, and showing off their hot date for the night. They gave thanks to one another for a year’s hard work. For a
the beauty of the island, and waited with so much anticipation. But the moment that’s etched into my heart forever is when I saw him and ran straight into his arms.
In that one instant, everything I had been carrying—the stress, the loneliness, the exhaustion of holding it all together during deployment—just melted away. He didn’t need to say a word. Being in his arms reminded me that no matter where the Navy takes us, he is my home. That reunion wasn’t just about Crete or the time apart—it was about rediscovering the calm in the chaos, and the love that keeps this life worth every sacrifice.
What will you do after military life?
After military life, our hearts are set on returning to our family property in West Virginia—a place that’s always felt like home, even from afar. It’s where the pace slows, the air feels a little lighter, and life becomes less about constant movement and more about meaningful moments. We’ve given so much of ourselves to service, and now, we look forward to a season of stillness and reconnection.
For me, that next chapter means finally pouring into my own dreams. I’ve always been the one behind the scenes—supporting missions, coaching teams, lifting up others. But now, I’m excited about the possibility of building a career of my own, possibly in real estate. I love the idea of helping others find their home, especially after years of living the nomadic military life. More than anything, I’m chasing calm. I’ve spent so long being everyone’s safe place—it’s time to create one for myself, too.
Favorite (or most interesting) Duty Station: NBVC Point Mugu ,CA VAW-116 SunKings
night, they weren’t on their phones problem solving, fixing all the young sailors’ problems or making any task list. It was great to see them having a great time enjoying each other’s company.
What will you do after military life?
The world will be our oyster, we have talked about going MIA to a small remote island. But Anthony has planned to use his master’s degree to do good in our community. Having that I work in health care, he would like to try his hand at being a healthcare administrator. Favorite (or most interesting) Duty Station:
Our most interesting duty station was aboard the USS George Washington. He did two tours aboard in the shipyard and a southern tour. We had many trials and tribulations aboard and many achievements. He made the rank of senior chief and master chief and worked as two department LCPO. I watched him overcome many challenges and gain the respect of his crew. That command made him work harder than he had ever before, almost sent him into retirement but he found the courage to give a little bit more. That command made him realize his true potential.
Taylor
Tiesha Jones from Page 5
Eleanor Finney
and the kids and I relocated to Mayport, Florida, his official homeport. Barely a year into military life, I experienced another miscarriage. Grief built upon grief, and isolation deepened. When Austin deployed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was left with three small children and no support system. It was during that season that I realized how broken the mental health system was for military families, especially for spouses. That’s where my advocacy truly began.
Determined to make sure no one else felt as alone as I had, I began volunteering, building online communities, and opening my home to other military families. From hosting support calls and running Facebook groups to organizing meal trains and coffee meetups, I simply showed up. Over time, those small steps grew into a movement.
When we finally relocated to Virginia, and after 2.5 years apart, were stationed together again, it felt like a miracle. There, I helped launch a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention and mental health intervention for military families, served in various roles with the Family Readiness Group, and continued mentoring spouses who were navigating the same storms I had.
The years that followed were marked by both heartbreak and healing. We endured multiple miscarriages, received Autism diagnoses for our youngest children, and weathered long seasons apart during Austin’s training and deployments. I faced heart failure, one heart attack, and underwent six heart surgeries, becoming pacemaker-dependent by age 32. In 2023, I was told I might lose the ability to walk. But I made a choice: if I can still move, I will still serve. God didn’t bring me through all of this just to survive, He brought me through to testify.
In the middle of that storm, I found my calling. I returned to school and earned a degree in Christian Counseling with an emphasis in Crisis Counseling and Military Resiliency from Liberty University, fulfilling a lifelong dream to provide free, faith-based support to the military community. I became an ordained pastoral counselor and founded Defenders of Resilience Military Ministry, a nonprofit offering lay counseling, trauma-informed care, and virtual support to military families worldwide.
In 2024, we launched Operation Resilient, a digital mental health app created specifically for the military community. From support groups and spouse networks to digital discipleship and resources, my mission has remained clear: no one should walk through military life alone.
In 2025, I was deeply honored to be named the Base Area Armed Forces Insurance Navy Spouse of the Year. That recognition opened doors I never imagined, inviting me to speak on Capitol Hill, at military commands, and across the nonprofit space about suicide prevention, mental health, and the power of spiritual resilience.
But truthfully, I’ve never done this for the awards or the platform. The point has always been the quiet yes. The 2 a.m. texts. The whispered prayers during deployment. The moments on porches, holding space for someone else’s pain. That’s the real ministry. And for as long as God gives me breath, I’ll keep saying yes.
What is the best part of being a military spouse?
Being part of a military family is unlike anything else.
We form bonds quickly, love fiercely, and show up for each other in the hardest seasons. There’s a resilience and grit in this community that’s hard to explain, until
Hillary Boyce from Page 6
What is one thing military families are facing that you would like to see improved?
you’ve lived it. Military families become each other’s lifelines. Whether it’s swapping childcare during duty days, delivering a meal during deployment, or offering a shoulder during a PCS meltdown, we just get it. Yes, there are unique advantages. We’ve had the opportunity to live in and explore different parts of the country, and the world, through frequent relocations. With every move comes a mix of challenge and adventure: new friends, new communities, and new chances to grow. My kids have learned adaptability, empathy, and courage in ways I never could’ve taught them in a classroom. They know how to make friends quickly, how to start over bravely, and how to pray hard when Dad’s away. They’ve learned to celebrate the small wins and find joy in the ordinary, even when everything around them is changing.
One of the unexpected blessings has been watching my children develop a deep sense of compassion and awareness. Because of military life, they understand service, sacrifice, and the value of showing up for others. Whether it’s helping pack care packages, praying for a friend whose parent is deployed, or welcoming a new neighbor, we’re raising kids who don’t just move around, but who carry kindness and strength with them wherever they go.
But for me, the greatest part of this life is the honor.
It’s not easy holding down the homefront, especially with special needs children and ongoing health battles. But it’s sacred work. It’s the kind of strength that doesn’t make headlines, but it holds everything together. There is a deep sense of pride that comes with standing in the gap, supporting our loved ones who serve, and serving the families around us in return.
This life has stretched me, refined me, and given me purpose. And I count it a privilege to be a part of it, not just for myself, but for the example it’s setting for the next generation growing up in our home.
Volunteer service highlights:
Over the past five years, I have actively served in various leadership and volunteer roles within the military community. In 2024, I became the host of Warriors Unmasked, a podcast dedicated to breaking the stigma around military mental health. Since founding Defenders of Resilience Military Ministry in 2023, I’ve led efforts to provide free, faith-based mental health support to military service members, spouses, and families. That same year, I served as CEO of the Ohana Homefront Foundation, having previously served as Executive Assistant and a member of the Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024. I began as Secretary of the USS Philippine Sea Family Readiness Group (2021—2022), rose into the role of Treasurer (2022—2023), and eventually stepped into leadership as President in 2023.
Earlier in this timeframe, I co-founded Club M.O.M Military a local and online space for military spouses with children, in Jacksonville and served as a volunteer for the Mayport Healthy Military Family Initiative, USO Mayport, and as Co-President of the NS Mayport USO Playgroup from 2020 to 2021. My long-standing commitment to supporting military service members, spouses, and families also continues through my role as Founder of Navy Spouses and Significant Others, a community I’ve led since 2018.
Alongside these in-person roles, I’ve remained a consistent and present force online, believing strongly that this next generation of military service members, spouses, and families is finding authentic connection in digital spaces first. I’ve seen firsthand how online friendships are becoming real-life community, and I believe this shift is the key to making a lasting difference.
We are not the same military community we were a decade ago,and that’s not a bad thing. By embracing new platforms, meeting families where they are, and closing the generational gap with understanding and innovation, I believe we can build a stronger, more united military support network for the future.
What have you learned from being a military spouse/ words of wisdom/ advice for other military spouses? While I’ve been a military spouse for just under a decade, I’ve learned quickly,and often the hard way. When I talk to new spouses, I always say this: God doesn’t wait for your confidence,He waits for your yes. If you’re called, He will equip. Military life can feel overwhelming, especially at first, but you don’t have to do it alone. Find your people,even if you have to be the one to create the space. Get involved in your community, join a group, attend events, or volunteer. It makes all the difference. Learn the culture,yes, the acronyms, ranks, and weird traditions,but more than that, learn the rhythm of this life and what it looks like to show up with grace. Stay flexible. Plan A will almost never happen, but that doesn’t mean you failed,it just means you’re military. Communicate openly, especially with your spouse. Be honest about your needs and expectations. And don’t forget to take care of yourself,because you can’t pour from an empty cup. Strength isn’t staying silent;it’s knowing when to ask for help. Get planted,in a church, in a community, in your purpose. That’s where the growth will come from. This life isn’t easy, but it is sacred. And it’s one we don’t have to walk through alone.
Share some fun facts about yourself.
Most people call me a “serial volunteer”, and they’re not wrong. Serving others is simply part of who I am. What started as a commitment to show up wherever I was needed quickly grew into something deeper. Three years ago, I took that passion to a new level by going back to school full-time to pursue a degree in biblical military counseling, with the goal of one day providing free services to this unique and deserving community. I’m happy to say I graduated this year, and I am now doing exactly that: offering free, faith-based counseling to military families. Unpaid, of course, because volunteering is kind of my jam. In the midst of it all, I’ve battled heart failure, vagus nerve failure, and endured multiple surgeries, yet I’ve continued to serve, because I believe miracles still happen. I’m living proof.
Being a “serial volunteer” doesn’t just mean I show up for scheduled events, it means I live with an open door and an open heart. I get tagged in Facebook posts when someone’s struggling, I get phone calls in the middle of the night, and my home has been a safe space for coffee, prayer, and processing more times than I can count. It’s not about recognition, it’s about making sure no one walks through this life alone.
What is one thing military families are facing that you would like to see improved?
Choosing just one issue is hard, because so many of the challenges military families face are deeply entwined. But if I had to name one, it would be this: genuinely accessible, quality mental health care and mental health education for the entire military family. The current system is often confusing, inconsistent, and overwhelmed. Military families deserve support that is fast, trauma-informed, and, when desired, faith-competent. It should never be dependent on location, duty station, or waitlists.
That’s exactly why I created Operation Resilient, a digital mental health app
designed to bring accessible care and community right into the hands of military members, spouses, and families. It bridges gaps with trusted resources, peer support, and educational tools that equip the whole household to understand and respond to mental health needs. In tandem, I founded Defenders of Resilience Military Ministry to provide free, faith-based lay counseling, support groups, and spiritual care to military families,offering a personal, accessible alternative to systems that are often stretched too thin.
But even more than that, I believe we’re in the middle of a cultural shift within the military community. We’re not the same spouse and family culture we were a decade ago, and the way we talk about and respond to mental health must evolve too. Closing the generational gap in understanding, access, and stigma is crucial if we’re going to effectively serve the next wave of military families. The future of care depends on how we show up now, with innovation, empathy, and the courage to do things differently.
Share one of your best experiences as a military spouse.
I honestly can’t pick just one moment. Being a military spouse has been a life-changing journey, one filled with challenges, growth, and deep connection. This community has given me a sense of belonging I didn’t know I needed, lifelong friendships, and opportunities to grow in ways I never expected.
Being named the 2025 Navy Base Spouse of the Year and having the chance to stand in rooms with policymakers to advocate for military families was incredibly humbling, something I never imagined for myself. But even more meaningful are the everyday moments: the late-night texts from someone barely holding on, the porch coffee chats with another spouse navigating deployment, the quiet messages that say, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Those are the moments that remind me why I show up. It’s an honor to serve those who serve,and to walk alongside the families who carry so much behind the scenes. What will you do after military life?
Honestly… I don’t think there will ever be an “after” for us when it comes to military life. With my husband on the path to becoming a Navy Chaplain and me serving as a fulltime pastoral counselor to military families, this community isn’t just a season, it’s our life’s work. We joke that even when we’re old and gray, we’ll probably still be hanging around base events with coffee in one hand and prayer cards in the other. Whether in uniform or out, we’re here for the long haul. Military life may change, but our commitment to serving those who live it won’t.
Favorite (or most interesting) Duty Station:
Great Lakes still holds a special place in my heart, it’s where everything began. It was our first duty station, and while our time there was short, we soaked up every bit of it. The kids couldn’t get enough of the train rides, and we loved being so close to Chicago and all the city had to offer. (And thankfully, my southern Texas roots were spared from enduring a full-blown northern winter, otherwise Great Lakes might have dropped a few spots on my favorites list!) But it was Mayport that gave me my voice. It’s where I began to see the gaps in support for spouses and where my passion for advocacy and connection really took root. Then came Virginia, where, after nearly three years apart, our family was finally stationed together again. Each duty station has stretched us, shaped us, and left its mark. They’re not just places on a map, they’re pieces of our story.
Share one of your best experiences as a military spouse.
The best military spouse experience I had was being a part of the welcome home
Access to medical care. Access to medical services for active duty is awful. The families have much more access options compared to the service members. The process for the service members that they have to go through from their unit medical corp person to actual getting the needed referrals needs improvement and is totally unsatisfactory and takes months. There also needs to be anonymous urgent mental health resources for active duty, veteran and families available.
Photo credits from cover, page C1
Clockwise from top left:
NORFOLK, Va. (April 10, 2025) - Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Anataysha Leonortiz, assigned to the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), greets her partner following the ships return to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025. Hershel “Woody” Williams was forward-deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. 6th Fleet to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS DEREK COLE)
NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 7, 2025) Naval Station Norfolk hosts its 4th Annual March Madness 5K run event at Vista Point, with over 200 participants. The event is organized by Norfolk Morale Welfare Recreational Fitness. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY AVIATION ORDNANCEMAN 2ND CLASS AMAR HUSADZINOVIC)
ceremony for the USS Bataan in 2024 when my husband ran into my arms after his long deployment and being there pier side for those festivities. From seeing the children, grandparents, news channels, public affairs, friends, tears, excitement and sharing in that proud and exciting moment to welcome my Sailor home was a rewarding part of being a military spouse.
What will you do after military life?
I think we have a few years before this is at our feet but here goes.....continue to work in the government contracting space for myself, learn to like my husband’s facial hair sadly, and take advantage of no longer having to worry about my husband’s leave balance or leave chit paperwork approval for traveling much much more.
NORFOLK, Va. (September 1, 2024) Family and friends wait to reunite with Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), as Laboon returns to homeport. Laboon, assigned to Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), returned to its homeport on Naval Station Norfolk on September 1 following a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST MATTHEW N. JACKSON)
NORFOLK, Va. (Feb. 3, 2025) United Service Organizations (USO) celebrates 84th birthday. The USO is a non-profit organization that provides support and connection to U.S. service members and their families. Sailors, Veterans, and DoD civilians gather in building J50 to celebrate the event. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY YEOMAN KYA E. ROBINSON)
NORFOLK, Va. (December 14, 2024) Last weekend Operation Homefront’s annual Holiday Meals for Military® program spread some cheer and distributed meal kits to 300 preregistered local military families in Norfolk on Saturday, December 14. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Favorite (or most interesting) Duty Station: Hanau Germany. This one was actually one of my assignments when I was on active duty, before I knew my husband.
NORFOLK, Va. (December 23, 2024) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Garion Pequeno, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), greets family on the pier after returning from deployment. Cole returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a deployment in support of maritime security and stability efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS NATHAN T. BEARD/ RELEASED)
NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 8, 2022) Family and friends of Sailors aboard the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) support the Sailor’s homecoming at Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations, Sept. 8. San Jacinto was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of theater security cooperation efforts and to defen U.S, allied and partner interests. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JULIA JOHNSON)
