Skywriter - February 1, 2019

What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Deputy Public Affairs Officer Teal Yost Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC(SW) Ben Farone

Sailor 360 Page 4

Editor MC2(SW) Michael Doan Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan

Certifying New Command Fitness Leaders Page 10

Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki

Facebook.com/naf.atsugi Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi

CREDO Retreats Page 12

CHECK OUT OUR NEW CAPTAIN’S CALL VIDEO

@NAFAtsugiJP www.issuu.com/nafatsugi

ONLINE

ON THE COVER

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI’S BELL IS DISPLAYED WITH MT. FUJI IN THE BACKGROUND. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN)

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CMDCM CORNER With Command Master Chief Daniel Irwin allowing plenty of time for corrections or additions if needed. You’ll get an email from your ESO notifying you verify your worksheet online and or submit corrections. Once verified, you’ll need to print your worksheet and take to with you to the test. Additional details on the new worksheet program, including command and user roles and responsibilities can be found at: http://www.public. navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/enlistedcareeradmin/ Advancement/Pages/EAW.aspx Bottom Line: Both of these new initiatives will put more power in YOUR hands to control the fate of your career. The March Navy-wide Advancement Exams are right around the corner. I hope everyone is hitting the books as I look forward to pinning on a bunch of new crows in May! Lastly, and as always, if you have questions, ASK THE CHIEF!

Shipmates, welcome to the inaugural edition of CMC’s Corner! We’re starting a new initiative this year where I’ll have a monthly column in our Skywriter magazine to discuss issues that are important to you and your career.

In December 2018, the Navy rolled out several updates to our programs concerning advancement.

Let’s take a minute to break a couple of them down and explain how they impact you.

Final Multiple Score (FMS) Updates: NAVADMIN 312/18 - There’s A LOT to digest in this one! The overarching theme of this NAVADMIN, and the Sailor 2025 initiatives it aligns with, is to provide greater emphasis on performance based promotion.

Specifically, for PO1 and CPO candidates, the new Reporting Senior’s Cumulative Average (RSCA) Performance Mark Average (PMA) will combine with the legacy PMA to determine FMS performance points. The new RSCA PMA will account for 51% and 60% of PO1 and CPO Final Multiple Scores respectively. You’ll notice those numbers are higher than they’ve ever been. The Navy wants to reward top performers and now your performance will be the dominant factor in moving on to the next pay grade.

Familiarize yourself with the NAVADMIN and take a look at the chart below for a full breakdown of FMS calculations.

Enlisted Advancement Worksheets (EAW) NAVADMIN 316/18 - The Navy is transitioning to an automated Enlisted Advancement Worksheet for advancement eligibility and data tracking. What this means for you: Sailors will now be able to view their worksheet long before the testing date,

CURRENT E4 THROUGH E7 FMS FINAL MULTIPLE SCORE (FMS) CHART Cycle 104/243 to Present for E4/5/6 Cycle 106/246 to Present for E7

FACTORS

PAYGRADE

PERFORMANCE MARK AVERAGE (PMA)

E4 / E5

REPORTING SENIOR’S CUMULATIVE AVERAGE (RSCA) PMA STANDARD SCORE (SS)

COMPUTATION (PMA x 80) – 256

E6

(RSCA PMA x 30) – 60

E7

(RSCA PMA x 30) – 54

E4 / E5 / E6 / E7

Exam Score

AWARDS (AWD)

E4 / E5

PASS NOT ADVANCED (PNA)

E4 / E5

SERVICE IN PAYGRADE (SIPG)

E4 / E5

EDUCATION (ED)

E4 / E5

E6 E6

Check Advancement Manual Top 25% SS and PMA get PNA Pts for last three exam cycles SIPG / 5

E6 E6

2 Pts for AA/AS and 4 Pts for BA/BS or above

MAXIMUM FMS POSSIBLE: 100%

MAX FMS POINTS & PERCENTS E4/E5

E6

E7

64 (38%) 114 (51%) 120 (60%) 80 (47%)

80 (36%)

80 (40%)

10 (6%) 12 (6%) 9 (6%) 9 (4%) 2 (1%) 3 (1%) 4 (2%) 4 (2%)

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222

Refer to NAVADMIN xx/18 and Advancement Manual BUPERSINST 1430.16G for FMS Computations

200 10/12/18

February 1, 1800

February 9, 1943

USS Constellation engages French frigate La Vengeance in a 5-hour battle during the Quasi War.

Organized Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal ends, bringing to a close the battle that started in August 1942.

February 24, 1959

February 6, 1922

USS Galveston (CLG 3) fired the first Talos surface-to-air missile.

World powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty providing for limitation of naval armament.

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L A Y I N G T H E K E E L ATSUGI KICKS OFF SAILOR 360

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN It is a common saying in the Navy that a Sailor should be performing at the rank they want to be and not the rank they are.

First Class (AWF1) Brandon Coccio.

“It’s designed to reach all ranks and provide different perspectives from many different rates.”

Sailor 360 kicked off at Naval Air Facility Atsugi at the end of January and saw more than 100 Sailors learning about Atsugi’s new mentorship program.

In April of 2018, “Laying the Keel,” was released and set forth foundational training that includes Sailor 360.

“Sailor 360 is replacing CPO (Chief Petty Officer) 365 to involve all Sailors across all ranks, not just chiefs teaching first classes,” said Naval Aircrewmen (Mechanical)

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“In anything we do, we must always have a vision first,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (ret.)

Steven S. Giordano. “Laying the Keel is the blueprint of that vision for Enlisted Leader Development. This was developed by Sailors for Sailors.

This deliberate and comprehensive first,” said Coccio. “Sailor 360 adds approach is a path to becoming more integrity, accountability, initiative, authentic, competent, and courageous and toughness as a way to check each leaders.”

Sailors self-awareness. This is a team based program designed to check and Sailor 360 sets the foundation for a fortify our core values and develop as series of formal courses throughout the leaders across the ranks.” career continuum. Courses are short in duration, high impact, adult learning This program has been set up to experiences, with focus on: character, maximize participation from Sailors ethics, leadership, the “Profession of enrolled with the concept of “boat Arms,” self-awareness, and decision teams.” making, facilitated by trained and certified Senior Enlisted Leaders.

“The ‘boat team’ format came from Senior Hickman. He had been a part “The training is created from of CPO 365 on a prior ship of his foundational training we all received where they implemented this,” said during boot camp, ‘A’ schools and Chief Information Systems Technician formal courses like PO indoc,” said Zebulon Brackman. “When he presented Coccio. “We take those core lessons it to me I was on board instantly. The that we learned and re-introduce them purpose of this boat team structure is in an interactive learning environment to give the teams the freedom to make to get everyone involved.” this their own, with the trainings, the team building, physical training events The Navy’s core values are stressed and community relations. Also, it helps upon from the beginning of a Sailor ’s with the Sailors’ work schedules. It career. On-duty and off-duty. But will allow them to work intimately how those core values play into each with their teams to schedule an event Sailor ’s life is different. for max participation. Although, if they “Our core values as Sailors are always cannot meet with their boat team, they ‘Honor, Courage, and Commitment’ could possibly join another boat team to make up an event they might have

LEGAL-THE BOTTOM LINE

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (or VITA) center will not be provided on NAF Atsugi this tax season.

Additionally, The Camp Zama tax center will limit its VITA service to only army active duty, department of army civilians and retirees. But there are alternatives out there to help you prepare and file your taxes.

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka will offer its VITA center. It is open now to assist active duty, retirees,

dependents and civilians in filing their 2018 tax returns.

Also, the Legal Services office Notary walk-in and Powers of Attorney services are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 13:30 - 15:00 on the third floor of the headquarters building, 949. For more information on either service, contact the NAF Atsugi legal office at DSN 264-3692.

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missed. It’s a great way to help keep Sailors engaged. It is extremely tough to get every Sailor who is involved together at the same location at the same time.”

“If you’re on the fence about joining the program, I think you should first look at yourself and ask what you want to get out of the program,” said Coccio.

“The program is not mandatory but if you don’t participate you will miss out on valuable training, knowledge, comradery and opportunities that will help you stand out and help build you as a leader. This program is going to grow into something that everyone talks about here at Atsugi and you’re going to want to say that you helped in getting it started.”

Just as the Navy as a whole is diverse, boat teams are no exception.

“The Sailors were divided into boat teams by AWF1 Coccio (this year ’s SAILOR 360 Co-Lead),” said Brackman. “We wanted to ensure each boat team was as diverse as possible, meaning the leads assigned to the boat teams do not work together or come from the same rate. We attempted to keep that pattern through the 12 teams, but you can only split up so many commands and departments. The goal is to get Sailors who don’t know each other, or what they do in their rate, to get together and learn from each other, helping to create a well-rounded Sailor.”

“Have you heard of the saying, ‘don’t re-create the wheel?’ Well, in this case I kind of had to,” said Brackman.

“Laying the Keel states ‘Because SAILOR 360 is command-developed, leaders have the flexibility to tailor existing source material to best fit their observed needs.’ In other words, I didn’t really have a template to go off of and that’s how all great programs are created. Someone comes along Some Sailors may question whether with an idea that takes someone, with or not they want to participate in the support of their community, willing to program. AWF1 Coccio goes on to start from scratch to build a foundation explain why they should. for a program that will flourish.”

EMO-THE BOTTOM LINE The Emergency Management office offers a bi-monthly (every other month) course in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) for families, or NEO-4-Families.

This course covers vital details involved in declaring evacuations, when they may occur and how they apply to our residents. Details include standard USFJ requirements, family preparedness, services provided

during an evacuation, and overall expectations of service providers, units, sponsors, and families. The next course is Feb. 6 at (2 pm, in building 949, room 217. Following that, April 3 at 10 a.m. Just look for the NEO Flag. It is kid-friendly; and no-need sign up. For more information contact your unit NEO coordinator or NAFA EM at 264-4184.

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With each boat team being comprised of all ranks, Sailors may utilize that collection of Navy knowledge to further themselves as future leaders and mentors.

on this base, we will reach that goal.

Although, I believe if only one Sailor learns something through this program, I will consider it a success!”

“SAILOR 360 here in Atsugi has the potential to help make you the best in the Navy,” said Brackman. “With the help, support and buy-in of the Sailors

PWD-THE BOTTOM LINE week. To accommodate the closure, the southeast gate (typically only used by JMSDF) will be open to USN personnel between 6 and 8 am for inbound traffic only.

Then, it will open from 4:45 pm to 7 pm to outbound traffic. The project is expected to continue through mid-February.

A major paving project at the east gate (Phase 2) is ongoing through mid-February and will continue to affect both inbound and outbound access.

The east gate remains closed to personal vehicles from 8 am to 5 pm, although government, delivery vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists will still be able to use the east gate 24 hours a day, 7 days a 7

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M A D E F I T TO L E A D

ATSUGI CERTIFIES NEW COMMAND FITNESS LEADERS

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN

Fitness plays a crucial role in the U.S. Navy “On the first day they come in, we do their with Sailors required to complete a physical body composition assessment (BCA) and a readiness test (PRT) twice a year.

PRT,” said Gartner. “Once we finish that, we have an exercise session where they learn The PRT is conducted by trained professionals some of the dynamic warm ups that we do called command fitness leaders (CFL). throughout the CFL course.”

This role is filled by Sailors who must first complete a CFL certification course.

For CFLs and Sailors, it is very important to know what standards they must conform Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Morale, to and how to accurately measure those Welfare and Recreation Fitness Leader Stacy standards.

Gartner, a native of Hickory, N.C., hosted a CFL certification course for Sailors from “Make sure you show interest in the NAF Atsugi and tenant commands from Jan. program and familiarize yourself with all 14-18. the instructions and NAVADMINS,” said CFL Master-at-Arms First Class Brandon The 40 hour program combines equal parts Shambaugh, a native of Mechanicsburg, instructional lessons and physical training. Penn. “This program changes frequently 10

and a wrong measurement can drastically affect a Sailors career.”

“I think our culture is seeing an obesity trend and as it starts to impact humans on a health level, the military will start to adopt healthier lifestyle management,” said Gartner.

Physical readiness is essential and not taking it seriously can mean ramifications as a Sailor progresses through the ranks.

Gartner went on to explain a part of the CFL certification course intended to make Sailors more mindful of how they fuel their bodies.

“We also talk about the administrative actions,” said Gartner. “What happens if a Sailor scores a certain range on their PFA? What are the repercussions for not passing the PRT? This also includes what the Sailor can do if they do not pass and what the commands have set in place to help those Sailors maintain certain physical requirements. Also, we discuss how to work command PT into the regular work week.”

“On the very first day, the homework we give the students is a nutrition log,” said Gartner. “We send them home with it and ask them to fill it out from that morning until that evening. When they bring it in the next day, a lot of people are surprised to see what their eating habits are. Keeping track of what you are eating by filling out a nutrition log really puts it into perspective.

This is just another tool they have at their disposal when helping Sailors.”

These are all important questions. Some Sailors who show interest in becoming a CFL might not have thought of how fitness impacts the readiness of the Navy.

“When Sailors leave the CFL course,” said Gartner. “They can leave with knowledge that is like a toolbox to help anybody, whether it be modifying an exercise, sending a Sailor to a dietician or a smoking cessation class.

They can sit down with a Sailor and point them in the right direction.”

“As warfighters, we as a team need to ensure we are ready for anything regardless of our rate,” said Shambaugh. “The Navy fitness program is there to ensure a minimum standard is met and that we instill healthy lifestyle habits.”

When it comes to staying within standards, some Sailors may only think about the time they spend in the gym and not their unhealthy eating habits.

CAREER COUNSELOR-THE BOTTOM LINE The Department of Defense has granted a temporary exception to allow select service members to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to dependents until July 12th of this year.

NAVADMIN 020/19 announces that for a limited time, Sailors with at least 10 years of service who are unable to serve four additional years, due to

statute or policy, may transfer their education benefits to dependents if they agree to serve the maximum time authorized. The policy exception is retroactive to July 12th 2018 and ends July 11th, 2019, after which, Sailors will need to commit to the full four years of service to transfer their benefits.

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RETREAT FROM STRESS MINI-VACATIONS THROUGH CREDO

STORY BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN, PHOTOS COURTESY OF CREDO JAPAN With plenty of acronyms mixed in the Navy’s lexicon, the term CREDO might just pass by “All CREDO retreats are entirely free to qualified unnoticed. participants,” said Monnin. “A ‘qualified participant’ is any active duty service member and But, those who don’t investigate further could find their qualified dependents. Marriage programs are themselves missing out on an opportunity they for legally married couples, while family programs didn’t even know existed. are for families of all shapes and sizes (depending on the program). Personal Resiliency programs “TheChaplainsReligiousEnrichmentDevelopment focus on individuals, and either married or single Operation (CREDO) is a special ministry of the active duty service members may attend in order to Chief of Chaplains to deploy special skills-training learn and grow as a person.” opportunities to Sailors and Marines in a multitude of ways,” said Lt. Cmdr. Gene Monnin, director of For some service members it may be difficult to CREDO Japan. “One of the primary concepts we plan such activities that the retreats offer with their use is the retreat model.” work schedules. This program can help take the stress out of planning their next family trip.

CREDO primarily offers three core program retreats. These are: Marriage Enrichment Retreats, “These retreats are an opportunity for Sailors Family Enrichment Retreats and Personal and their families to get away from the work Resiliency Retreats. environment for a couple days and have to time 12

to recharge,” said Lt. Jason Christafaris, Naval Air Facility Atsugi Chaplain. “They get to go out and do some activities. Usually here in Japan they will go to Tama Hills, a campground that offers various outdoor activities including golfing, paintball, horseback riding and archery.”

The retreats that CREDO offer are more vacation away from work. They are designed to inspire hope, strengthen spiritual well-being, and enrich the lives of service members and families.

“CREDO’s goal is to enhance the resiliency of the fleet by providing opportunities for leadership development, team building, relationship enrichment and individual growth,” said Monnin.

“The Chaplain Corps prides itself on contributing to the overall strength and readiness of the Navy by bringing their unique abilities and insights to the table as we encourage our shipmates to learn, evaluate, and prepare.”

Living in a foreign country brings with it unique struggles in a new and unfamiliar environment.

“Residing in Japan may cause feelings of isolation because you are so far away from family and your normal comforts of home,” said Christafaris. “So being able to step away from work and engage with others in this community is an opportunity that some Sailors don’t have here in Japan.”

learn about themselves through things like a DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance) assessment,” said Christafaris. “It is a personality assessment where they can learn about their strengths and how to use that in a leadership setting. Understanding your personality and strengths, that empowers you and you are able to recognize your tendencies and use them in the work place. I think it is important to note that the marriage enrichment retreat is not marriage counseling,” said Christafaris. “It is intended to assist married couples in strengthening their relationship skills through a combination of instruction, group and private discussions, exercises, and free time to help each couple reconnect and grow in their relationship.”

Christafaris went on to say, in his role as chaplain he notices that a lot of people may not yet fully understand themselves and why they react the way they do to certain situations.

“When human beings are under stress, they attempt to retreat to the comfortable and familiar to regroup and recover,” said Monnin. “Being so far removed from a lot of the family, friends and comfort zones that members have relied on in the past, they are severely limited in the options available to help them to decompress and deal with the mounting stress. CREDO steps in to fill this gap by providing ‘white space’ in which service members can learn to experience the value of other, internal resilience resources that every individual carries with them For those interested in taking advantage of a new wherever they go.” acronym that some may not have known, talk to your CREDO coordinator.

Providing the right tools for the individual service member can help strengthen relationships with “As a prior enlisted Sailor where I used to use themselves and their family. these programs and now as a chaplain who helps facilitate them,” said Christafaris. “I think they are “We do some seminars as a way for them to amazing.”

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IN FRONT OF THE GRAVE OF CAPTAIN THOMPSON THE STRONG BOND BETWEEN JMSDF AND USN

STORY AND PHOTOS COURTESY JMSDF REAR ADM. AKIRA SAITO On the afternoon of Nov. 9th, 2018, it is a Playing baseball and interacting with junior high fine and serene autumn day at the El Camino school students healed their mental damage. In Memorial in San Diego. On a small hill located addition, several crew members such as Captain approximately 15 km north of San Diego, lies Thompson volunteered themselves to teach the grave of the late Marshall F. Thompson, who English during the conversation class. served as a Commanding Officer of USS Walke, decommissioned in 1974.

After the USS Walke crew members learned about Mitoko’s background as an “atomic I have been wishing to pay a visit to his grave bomb orphan”, they went out of their way to since I read an article about the heartwarming donate some pocket money to present her with story of Ms. Mitoko Yamachi’s interaction with scholarship money. The money was entrusted USS Walke crew in Sasebo 67 years ago. Her to a bank and sent to her over the following 5 parents died when the atomic bomb was dropped years. Thanks to their financial support, she on Nagasaki, after which she was orphaned at was able to go high school and went to the Red the age of 8 and adopted by her uncle in Sasebo. Cross nursing school in Tokyo. After graduation She was a junior high school student when USS from the nursing school, she served as a nurse to Walke entered Sasebo for repair after striking an contribute to society until her retirement in 1996. enemy floating mine 60 miles off the coast of Korea in June 1951, which resulted in 26 dead In the pre-digital communication age, they lost and 40 injured. During the repair period, Captain touch after several moves on each side. But on Thompson, then Commanding Officer of USS a day in March 1993, Ms. Yamachi received a Walke borrowed a playground next to the dock. letter from a Japanese-American lady living 14

in San Diego. The letter said that Captain Thompson was looking for Ms. Yamachi. In fact, Ms. Yamachi had sent many letters to Captain Thompson, but they came back marked “address unknown”. In the meantime, Captain Thompson made various efforts to obtain her address such as inquiring at the Japan Consulate in the U.S. Eventually, thanks to support by the JapaneseAmerican woman Captain Thompson met by chance in a park in San Diego, he succeeded in sending a letter to her.

Since then, she and her husband attend the Walke reunion every year. JMSDF invited Captain Thompson to the JMSDF training ship Kashima when the ship called on the San Diego port in 1999 and 2000.

This October, I had a precious opportunity to make a presentation to USN reservists and introduce this heartwarming story to them. The JMSDF and USN have overcome many challenges and have fostered a strong friendship.

In August of the year she received letter, she and her husband visited San Diego and enjoyed an emotional reunion with Captain Thompson and the old Walke crew members. That’s when she, for the first time, learned that in June 1951, Walke had struck an enemy floating mine off the coast of Korea, leaving 26 dead and 40 injured, that the crew overcame their PTSD through playing baseball and other interactions with her junior high school classmates.

Sixty seven years ago, the USS Walke crew members gave a hand to a junior high school student, and a similar “gene” has been passed down through the US Navy to this day. As you are well aware, the “gene” was demonstrated in Operation Tomodachi, conducted after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. I renewed my feeling that the spirit of mutual support is the very foundation of the Japan-U.S. alliance. As the epitaph on Captain Thompson’s grave is “He will live in our hearts forever”, so the goodwill In his interviews with media, Captain Thompson of Captain Thompson and USS Walke crew said, “We did not help Mitoko by paying for her members lives in our Japanese hearts all the time. scholarship. In fact, she is the one who helped us. She had been orphaned and yet, she was Lastly, I would like to extend my appreciation to always there to cheer up the dispirited officers the personnel of the Japan Embassy in the U.S. with a smile.” and other people who provided enormous support for my visit to Captain Thompson’s grave.

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