The Primary Loop Volume 1 Issue 1

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command

October 2019

Volume 1. Issue 1

Embedded Mental Health Page 4

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Page 6

NEWSPAPER TITLE CONTEST WINNER

SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Ensign Josh Warnick

EMN3 Federico Loianno

Hometown:

Hometown:

Kirkland, Washington

Delray Beach, Florida

Why He Joined:

Why He Joined:

I wanted to be part of a team with strong professional and service culture.

I wanted to be part of a professional work environment, and explore the world.

Favorite Part of the Navy:

Favorite Part of the Navy:

Working with, meeting, and talking with Sailors.

The camaraderie; having Sailors support me during times of hardship and success.

What are you looking forward to most in the fleet?

What are you looking forward to most in the fleet?

Working to be the best junior officer I can be, and getting the job done everyday.

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I am ready for the long sleepless hours of maintenance and watch onboard a submarine.

Hobbies:

Hobbies:

Rowing, swimming, cooking, and reading.

Photography, running, and listening to music.

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CMC’s Corner

In your hands is the first issue of The Primary Loop. It is the hope of the command team that you find this newsletter to be informative, inspiring, a little bit funny, and that it becomes another avenue for communicating all of the amazing things occurring here at NNPTC and also in the fleet.

In the future issues of The Primary Loop, my portion of this newsletter will contain whatever is on my mind at the time of the deadline the MCs assign to me. It is my hope that I will be able to impart to the reader some insight

into what provides me with the drive and determination to do my very best in being YOUR command master chief. Other times my hope is to start a thought provoking dialogue among staff and students on a variety of issues.

For this issue, I will try to keep my thoughts simple about what I want in regards to life, the Navy, and NNPTC. I believe to positively impact the direction of the life of another individual, you must provide them with hope. By looking every day to provide someone else with hope,

two things have the possibility of occurring. One, the receiver of the positive energy realizes they are not alone in their superhero story; they gain a sidekick (let’s be honest, we all think in terms of we are the superhero in our internal monologue). Second, the provider sees the effect of the hope and gets a positive boost to their own superhero narrative. If every one of us just tries to Help One Person Everyday, we will provide the needed boost of energy to all around us. We will provide HOPE to those who need it most.

Motivational Quotes “Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and our character becomes our destiny.” - James C. Hunter “How you use the opportunities you are given to affect the world around you will determine the legacty you leave behind.” - Tony Dungy

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The embedded mental health division poses for a group photo. (From left to right: Lt. Kelsey Blomeke, Cmdr. Dayna Lobraico, HM2 David Wilder, Lt. Stefanie Rubin, HM2 Timothy Monroe, and HN Jessica Iriarte)

New NNPTC Department Supports Sailors’ Mental Health Story and photos by MC2 Jessica Gomez

Naval Nuclear Power Training

embedded mental health in Building 206 as

therapy, and non-clinical coaching to

Command’s (NNPTC) academic curriculum

NNPTC’s hub for mental health resources,

students and staff.”

is widely acknowledged as being one of

and to provide them an avenue to seek

the most demanding programs in the U.S.

assistance. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class

referrals to their two Military Family Life

military. Students spend about 45 hours

David M. Wilder, embedded mental health’s

counselors, the Naval Health Clinic, and

each week in the classroom with additional

leading petty officer, along with licensed

programs out in town, as needed.

mandatory study hours after class time

providers, works with students and staff to

ends. The vast amount of academic work,

improve stress management and emotional

practice skills for coping with stress,”

combined with a myriad of other life

wellbeing.

Wilder said. “We can help you learn more

stressors Sailors experience from time

“We focus on early identification

about yourself and identify, examine, and

to time, can sometimes cause them to

and intervention of issues with individuals

challenge unhealthy or unhelpful thoughts,

experience difficulties and mental health

at this command,” said Wilder, whose

beliefs and behaviors.”

matters that are entirely new to them.

specialty as a hospital corpsman is mental

an

health. “We also link people with other

Sailors may be nervous or scared about

resources where appropriate. Our uniformed

talking to anyone in the mental health field

circumstances,

providers offer consultation, assessments,

for fear of being dropped from the nuclear

the

to

Wilder said he understands why

support

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effort

“We can help you develop and

NNPTC students and staff during these

4

In

They are also able to make

command

opened

program or the Navy, because of the history with

professionals in one location.”

stigma surrounding mental health, and being

afraid to ask for help.

Barnwell provides training for the Student

“The Navy and command requested

Support Team (SST) volunteers who provide

an embedded team to ensure that the providers

peer-to-peer psychosocial support to other

that work with students are knowledgeable of

students.

the high demands of this school and to ensure

we are advocating for the best possible treatment

approximately two years ago,” Barnwell said.

opportunities,” Wilder said. “You can still do

“This program is very successful and I am so

your job as a student or staff member while

proud of the way the students look out for each

working with a mental health provider here,

other.”

and the command is supportive of their Sailors

getting help without disrupting their naval

and the other licensed counselors are here to

career.”

support the Sailors and the command.

Wilder said working with embedded

In addition to counseling services,

“The

SST

was

implemented

Wilder said embedded mental health

“We are here for you,” Wilder said.

mental health can reduce the risk of being

“Our mission is to help Sailors cope with the

dropped from a program because improving

stress of a naval career and life in general, and

mental health improves performance.

to ensure that you are as successful as you can

health

be. My personal hope is that mental health is

was established, the amount of providers and

normalized, and all Sailors - students and staff -

counselors available for students and staff were

leave here better suited to deal with the stressors

limited. Tresa Barnwell, a licensed independent

of life.”

social worker-clinical practice counselor at

Building 206, arrived at NNPTC in 2007 to

training program that is being incorporated into

provide students with easier access to counseling

the instructor qualification process to provide

services.

instructors and section leading petty officers

Before

embedded

mental

“There were more than 3000 students

Embedded mental health also began a

tools to assist their students.

and only me and one other counselor on-site at

Embedded mental health’s

hours of

the time,” Barnwell said. “Since the embedded

operations are Monday through Friday from 7:30

mental health medical group was established,

a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by

the students now have access to a whole team of

phone, 843-794-8372.

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NNPTC CHIEF SELECTS HOST CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EVENTS OF SEPT. 11 Photos by MC2 Jessica Gomez 6

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‘Navy Chief, Navy Pride’ NNPTC Pins 20 New Chiefs Story by MC2 Laura Elmore

Photos by MC2 Laura Elmore and MC2 Jessica Gomez

The Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) Chiefs Mess welcomed 20 new Sailors during a chief petty officer (CPO) pinning ceremony held Sept.

14.

The ceremony marked the completion of CPO 365 Phase Two for the new chiefs.

Master Chief Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) Derek Gruell, the command master chief at NNPTC, 8

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said the pinning ceremony was the culmination of six weeks of hard work under immense pressure for the chief selects.

“We forced them to work amongst themselves as a newlyformed team, and to rely on one another,” Gruell said. “Initially, they were high-functioning first class petty officers who did not necessarily need to rely on anyone, and we made them come out of their

comfort zone.”

The CPO community is one of the Navy’s most exclusive and elite fraternities. These men and women proudly carry on the tradition of providing continual steadfast leadership and guidance where “Ask the Chief” is routinely used throughout the Navy.

“As a first class, you’re responsible to your Sailors, but it is more about taking care of yourself

and advancing your career,” said Chief Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) Mathew Hinzer, a new-pinned chief petty officer at NNPTC. “As a chief, I feel honored to have the opportunity to make a real impact on Sailors’ lives, and be the chief I always wanted.”

The chief pinning ceremony is part of a longstanding tradition to commemorate the Sailors’ transformation into dependable chief petty officers.

“There is a legacy that spans more than one hundred years,” said Chief Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) Hubert Chan, a newly-pinned chief petty officer at NNPTC. “I need to carry on [the legacy], and every day I must earn these anchors by taking care of our Sailors.”

The new CPOs entered the ceremony singing Anchors Aweigh and without rank insignia, and

were joined by family and friends near the end of the ceremony as they donned their new covers and received their anchors for the first time.

“I felt immense pride,” Hinzer said. “Having my family there on the best day of my career so far meant more to me than I could explain.”

The rank of chief petty officer was established April 1, 1893, for the U.S. Navy to recognize those who serve as both a technical expert in their field and as extraordinary leaders.

“They must earn their anchors every day,” Gruell said. “Many people think that when they have been selected for chief petty officer and received their anchors they have arrived, but right then is when the hard work starts.”

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CONGRATULATIONS FY20 CHIEFS!

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New NAVADMINS Updated Leader Development Courses replace command delivered petty officer indoctrination

NAVADMIN 185/19 announced changes to the Enlisted Leader Development (ELD) continuum, canceling Petty Officer 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class Selectee Leadership Courses and replacing them with updated Leader Development Courses (LDC).

The student courses will be comprised of The Foundational LDC for E-3 and E-4, The Intermediate LDC for E-5, The Advanced LDC for E-6, and The Chief Petty Officer (CPO) LDC for E-7, which will be delivered in addition to the CPO Indoctrination Course.

The focus of the courses will be on developing Sailors with strong character and professional expertise. The ELD continuum shifts from command-delivered petty officer indoctrination courses generally administered at or just prior to advancement results, to an ongoing, iterative training model that continuously teaches and trains Sailors within each pay grade, serving as an investment in their development.

The ELD Framework, which was described in Laying the Keel, will consist of three lines of effort, beginning with the updated

LDCs being taught off-site near the waterfront or flight line by a unit of instructors trained and certified by Navy Leadership and Development Center. The LDCs will be nearly the same duration as the legacy courses. Following the LDC, the key concepts introduced during classroom instruction will be reinforced via Sailor 360, a command defined, command developed and command delivered training program. Lastly, active mentoring, coaching, and experiential learning will be utilized for deliberate continued focus on meaningful and relevant character issues.

There is no longer a requirement to complete the courses prior to frocking, but commands must provide an opportunity for Sailors to attend the appropriate course for their current paygrade.

This provides commands maximum flexibility to find the right time for Sailors to attend the courses.

Resources, course listings, a scheduling tool, and more are available on the MyNavy Portal (MNP) ELD webpage.

Navy offers new PCS tools for Sailors and families

NAVADMIN 161/19 announced plans to improve and provide new resources and capabilities for Sailors and their families to utilize during permanent change of station (PCS) moves. The improvements were rolled out in three phases, with additional NAVADMINs 183/19 and 211/19.

Included in the initial phase was the launch of MyPCS Mobile.

The app provides Sailors a personalized PCS checklist on a mobileenabled website that is accessible on personal government mobile devices, tablets, laptops and desktops.

In the continued effort to improve PCS moves, phase two of the PCS move improvement initiative introduced two new PCS planning and execution capabilities designed to simplify the move process: lean orders and a PCS entitlements calculator.

Lean orders are a simplified and plain language version of orders that will provide the most essential information from Sailors’ hard-copy orders required for them to execute a PCS move. Sailors’ lean orders will be available via the MyPCS mobile app and on desktop at MyNavy Portal, where the full-text legacy version of orders will also be available. Sailors must read their lean and legacy orders in their entireties.

Examples of lean orders may be found at www.applocker.navy. mil or www.mnp.navy.mil.

The PCS entitlements calculator will assist Sailors, as well as their command pay and personnel administrators (CPPA), in calculating PCS travel entitlements for planning purposes. Sailors are encouraged to check applicable references when computing estimated travel entitlements, and also reminded that travel rules and entitlements are subject to change. The PCS calculator will be beneficial when filling out travel claims, as well. The tool can be located www.mnp.navy.mil.

Supplemental to phase two, NAVADMIN 184/19 announced 12

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Photo by MC1 Holly L. Herline PEARL HARBOR (May 31, 2019) Lt. Bilal Agha, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), is greeted his wife, Lt. Kelly Agha, and his son during a homecoming ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

the pilot program and provided policy and guidance for the optional use of the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) during PCS travel if Sailors are existing GTCC cardholders, executing CONUS-to-CONUS PCS orders, single or traveling with accompanied dependents, and authorized less than 30 days total of travel including temporary duty under instruction.

Phase three introduced the MyPCS travel voucher, a fully automated and electronic travel voucher capability available on personal and government mobile devices, tablets, laptops and desktops, with CAC-free access. The MyPCS travel voucher will allow Sailors to create a travel voucher, review and edit personal information, enter their travel itinerary, add expenses for reimbursement, print and save the travel voucher, and even electronically sign and submit the voucher to their CPPA.

Sailors are encouraged to review these new features in MyPCS Mobile or MNP regardless of transient status.

‘Man the Torpedoes!’

Navy News Navy Announces Re-establishment

of Torpedoman’s Mate Rating From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy announced the re-establishment of the Torpedoman’s Mate rating (TM) in NAVADMIN 225/19, released Sept. 30.

According to the naval message, re-establishing the rating will renew the heritage and pride of the submarine TM.

“The Torpedoman’s Mate rating was disestablished in 1995, but based on feedback from the fleet we are bringing it back,” said Capt. Angela Katson, branch head of Enlisted Force Shaping Plans and Policies. “In the spirit of heritage, and Sailor 2025 initiatives, we are returning to the use of the original Torpedoman’s Mate rating badge.”

During an All Hands Call that took place at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson fielded questions from Sailors on the possibility of re-establishing the TM rate in April. Shortly after, the Navy began the process to approve re-naming the Machinist’s Mate (Non-nuclear, Submarine Weapons) (MMW) rating to Torpedoman’s Mate.

“I think the Navy bringing back the TM rating is going to pay incredible dividends,” said MMWCS Heath Mangrum, the force torpedoman at Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic.

“The excitement level amongst the Sailors is through the roof. It’s the right time for a change like this to light the fire under our Sailors, and embrace the heritage in the rating.”

The Torpedoman rating was established in 1921 and renamed Torpedoman’s Mate in 1942. Following the success of the submarine force in WWII, the rate remained until 1995 when it was merged into the Machinist’s Mate rating.

“Although there are similarities

Photo by MC2 Kelsey J. Hockenberger APRA HARBOR, Guam (Sept. 25, 2019) Machinists Mate (Weapons) 2nd Class David Gentry, from Buckeye, Ariz., gives a tour of the torpedo room aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) during a family day cruise.

between a Machinist’s Mate and a Torpedoman’s Mate, the TM’s main focus at sea is weapons handing, force protection and maintaining an incredible level of proficiency in ordnance, small arms and the upkeep of those systems,” said Mangrum.

TMs are responsible for all phases of weapons loading, unloading and storage on all classes of submarines. This includes torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles and countermeasure devices. A TM works on high pressure air and hydraulic systems to maintain loading and launching capabilities for torpedo and vertical launch tubes.

The re-establishment of the general rating is solely administrative in nature, but will require a rating badge change for affected Sailors.

The TM rating badge will be the same one in use when the rating was

disestablished in 1995.

“The importance of a TM stems far beyond namesake,” said Mangrum. “When the commanding officer is calling for a ready weapons posture, the TMs make sure all systems are locked, loaded and ready to go.”

There will be no change to the Navy-wide exam policies for the rating beyond the change in name, and no change to the administration schedule of examinations will occur.

Current policies exercised will continue unaltered. Additionally, there will be no changes to E-7 and above evaluation and selection board processes.

Sailor 2025 is the Navy’s program to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward, and retain the force of tomorrow. the primary loop

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Chaps’ Corner

Hope for ‘Les Miserables’

By Chaplain Gibson

“Do you hear the people sing/ lost in the valley of the night/it is the music of a people who are climbing to the light/for the wretched of the earth, there is a flame that never dies/even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Les Miserables

The book, “Les Miserables,” is one of my all-time favorites, and after seeing the 2012 film adaptation of the musical several years ago, I can honestly say that the music is by far some of the best I have ever heard.

As I’ve listened to the soundtrack many times, I’ve found myself questioning again and again what I consider to be the primary message of “Les Miserables”. I do this often after I’ve watched a movie or read a book, because I think trying to “get at” what the author or creator is trying to convey can help us take away important life lessons as well as make sense of the world around us.

Truth be told, there is a lot going on in “Les Mis” in terms of its overall message. Without giving a full synopsis, it’s the story of crime, punishment, class warfare, thievery, rebellion, revolution, courage, love, 14

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and ultimately, redemption. But perhaps even above all of those elements, it is, at its foundation, a story of…eternity; specifically, of the exact same eternal longing for hope that John saw fulfilled in Revelation 21:1-5.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and he will dwell among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be among them, and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And he who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new. And he said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

If you’re like me, you get discouraged. You want to give up

at times. You wonder if your life is making even the slightest difference where you are or where you have been.

Or maybe, for you, it’s not merely discouragement. Maybe it’s illness (yours or a loved one’s), maybe it’s financial struggle, maybe it’s a marital or relational issue of some kind.

Regardless of what it may be, chances are you can find yourself relating closely to the “wretched of the earth” described in the quote above and on most days are simply trying to “climb to the light”…wherever that may be.

And there’s the rub; what “light” are you climbing to? What do you reach for when you begin to fall? When your marriage is troubled?

When your relationship with your children is falling apart? When your finances are in peril? To be sure, God often does put people, activities, and even items in our lives to help us cope when times get tough. But ultimately, the reality of Revelation 21:1-5 is what he wants us to look that day when God will wipe away every tear and will create a new home (new heaven and earth) for us to live in free from pain.

NAVY PHOTOS

the

primary loop Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew G. Peterson III

Executive Officer Cmdr. Jeb Parm

Command Master Chief EMNCM(SS) Derek G. Gruell

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 8, 2019) The fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) transits alongside the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during a replenishment-at-sea. (Photo by MC2 Kyle Carlstrom)

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Louis W. Wood

Assistant Public Affairs Officer Lt. j.g. Amelia Waddell

Media Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Darren M. Moore

Editors/Layout MC2(SW/AW/IW) Jessica Gomez

Contributors MC2(SW) Laura R. Elmore MC3(SW) Becca Winberry

NAPLES, Italy (Oct. 3, 2019) Sailors assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) stand in formation during a divisional service dress blue uniform inspection at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy. (Photo by MC3 Drew Verbis)

The Primary loop is an authorized Publication for the staff and students of Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

All items for publication must be submitted to an editor at least five days prior to publication.

To contact The Primary Loop staff, call (843) 794 - 8011 Cover photo: Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Gregory Fimbres, a chief petty officer select assigned to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC), performs “Taps” during a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at NNPTC. (Photo by MC2 Jessica Gomez)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 4, 2019) Sailors finish chocking and chaining an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, on the flight deck of the aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

(Photo by MC3 Danielle A. Baker)

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Game Corner

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