The Primary Loop Volume 1 Issue 8

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command

May 2020

DIO Instructors Page 4

Asian American Pacific Islander Month Page 6

Volume 1. Issue 8

SAILORS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma.

Why he joined: Job opportunities later in life and learning new skills.

Favorite part of the Navy: Shared sense of humor with those I work with and learning to better manage my time.

ETN3 Joshua Brock

What are you looking forward to most in the fleet? Visiting new places.

Hobbies: Boxing and riding my motorcycle.

Hometown: Houma, Louisiana.

Why he joined: I could not decide exactly what I wanted to do after college, and the Navy checked most of my boxes. I think it is going to open many doors and set me up for the future.

Favorite part of the Navy:

I enjoy the organization and the definite career progressions. I also enjoy that it is something I can say I’m doing with pride.

What are you looking forward to most in the fleet?

Traveling and close bonds that I will develop with shipmates.

Hobbies: Tennis, working out, exploring Charleston, and being outdoors.

ETN3 Gregory Bergeron

Hometown: Lake Worth, Texas.

Why he joined: I wanted to better myself and to gain valuable life experience, and to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

Favorite part of the Navy: My future opportunities to travel and see the world, and learning a lot of useful things for a career after the Navy.

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MMN3 Silas D. Sheek

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What are you looking forward to most in the fleet? Travel and see the world and the tight-knit community.

Hobbies: Collecting action figures (Transformers), listening to audio books, crochet, knitting, drawing, and video games.

A Message from the 77th Secretary of the Navy

Official Portrait for U.S. Ambassador to Norway Photo taken on June 7, 2018

To Sailors, Marines, and all men and women of the Department of the Navy serving across this great world: Today marks the honor of my life, taking the oath of office to become the 77th but more importantly...Your Secretary of the Navy.

I am incredibly humbled to stand before You, the greatest Navy and Marine Corps in the world to accept this responsibility. For nearly 35 years I like you have served Our country; first as a U.S. Naval Officer deploying around the world to include sailing into “Harms Way� and most recently as our U.S. Ambassador to Norway, a nation important to our national security. Never have I ever doubted why we serve...to protect and defend the greatest nation on earth...the United States of America!

For more than two centuries the Department has exemplified the strength and resilience of the nation we represent.

Through tragedy and triumph, in both peace and in war, the source of our strength has been three simple but extremely powerful words: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

As each of you know they must be our guide stars as we navigate challenges round the globe. We can never forget that they are written in the blood of those who sailed before us: from John Paul Jones to Doris Miller...from Grace Hopper to Jason Dunham, all part of a formidable anchor chain of service through which each of You is an important part.

Make no mistake we face significant challenges today. Our Nation is up against perhaps the greatest test of our commitment to the ideals we hold dear than at any time in our history...surely since the end of World War II. We must recognize this challenge for all it is and all it presents, lurking in the shadows of deceit or the depths of dishonesty. However our Navy and Marine Corps have faced tough times before. Each time we have prevailed and we will persevere again. It is our sacred duty and we shall do so by relying on Our core values, the bedrock of Our service and the key to Our success: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

The object of success for our service is simple: American Seapower. America always has been and always will be a maritime nation. America and our principles of freedom rely on seapower delivered by a strong and capable Navy and Marine Corps. Each of You provides that power through your actions each day -- actions that demonstrate our resolve to place service above self.

I look forward to the days ahead to do all I can on your behalf, ensuring that you have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in your service to Our Nation. American Seapower will continue to defend Our Nation, and American Seapower will continue to preserve peace while deterring any and all that would challenge our way of life. And when or if we find it necessary, American Seapower WILL decisively win in battle which is our solemn duty because there can be no alternative.

Please accept my personal appreciation which I sincerely send to every one of you for your selfless service, your devotion of duty and for your Honor, Courage and Commitment. I am privileged to stand with you, the greatest Navy and Marine Corps the world has ever known in your service to the People of America. Godspeed to You and us all in this Great Endeavor!

Kenneth J. Braithwaite 77th Secretary of the Navy the primary loop

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Story and photos by MCSA Keyly Santizo

Direct Input Officers Chart Uncommon Path 4

In the Navy’s continual effort to educate, train and prepare its members to lead its force, Sailors at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) learn nuclear field knowledge under the guidance of instructors who have taken a less traditional route to instructing.

Direct Input Officers, or DIOs, are akin to collegiate professors, as the DIOs teach and mentor officer and enlisted students and instructors.

DIOs join the Navy straight out of college and begin their instructor assignments directly after graduating from Officer Development School (ODS), as opposed to sea-returnee instructors who have returned to NNPTC following time in the fleet.

Lt. John Schreiner, division officer for officer math and physics division, a DIO assigned NNPTC, studied nuclear engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he said he tutored other classmates and took joy in doing so.

“I like being able to

influence students,” said Schreiner, from Columbia, Missouri. “One day some of these students are going to become captains or admirals.”

DIOs typically commit to their Navy path prior to their junior year of college, receiving E-5 or E-6 pay while finishing school. Schreiner said he heard about the DIO program from a recruiter at a college fair who persuaded him to join.

“Of course it sounded very intriguing, and of course the rest is history,” said Schreiner.

As a first generation college student, Lt. Sindy D. Ramirez, division officer for electrical equipment division at NNPTC, was a National Institute of Health funded biomedical science researcher in microbiology and environmental toxicology at the University of California Santa Cruz. As part of her course she taught lessons to her classmates, preparing her for her role at NNPTC.

“I loved teaching science,” said Ramirez, from Rialto, California. “There is so much wealth of knowledge and I always knew I

wanted to join the military.”

DIOs teach officers and enlisted personnel the theories and fundamentals behind the design and operation of Navy nuclear reactors and power plants, preparing them for their work in the nuclear power field.

DIOs are expected to work up to five years teaching, mentoring, and leading officers and enlisted personnel.

After fulfilling their DIO time, DIOs may choose to separate or laterally transfer to another Navy job.

“I chose to stay,” Ramirez said. “I am lateral transferring to the Supply Corps. I enjoy fighting for freedom, being part of the team, and

science.”

Lt. j.g. Marcos González, division officer for basic electricity, said he chose the DIO route because being an instructor allowed him to impact more Sailors and to eventually lateral transfer into another community. Gonzalez said he knew he wanted a leadership role.

“I wanted to influence the development of Sailors while still having professional development,” said Gonzalez, from Isabela, Puerto Rico. “Some advice I like to give is to always strive to be a better version of yourself.”

Gonzalez said ultimately his job is to help make better instructors

so they can help make better trained students to go out in the fleet. He said as a DIO he does not have the fleet experience or sea stories that all sea returnees have, but has the smallest gap between college and coming to NNPTC, so it allows him to bring new teaching techniques, recommendations for technology improvements and a different perspective than a majority of the sea returnees might have.

Although DIOs do not go out to sea prior to instructing, their knowledge prepares Sailors with theoretical background of nuclear power for their future assignments in the nuclear field.

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PHOTOS AROUND NNPTC

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A painting of Kaiser Wilhelm II

“Der Tag”

Germany’s Navy in the First World War

By Ensign Josh Warnick

American popular culture recently saw a surge in awareness of and interest in the First World War, with numerous multimedia projects on the subject being produced and released from 2014 to 2019. From YouTube channels following the events of the war week-by-week (Indy Neidell’s The Great War channel) to documentary and feature films (Peter Jackson’s They Shall Not Grow Old and Sam Mende’s 1917), to video games (DICE’s Battlefield One), the years around the centennial anniversary of the Great War were a 10

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cultural renaissance for a war whose history is often forgotten in the shadow of its successor.

The importance of naval operations in the First World War is often downplayed. Perhaps the submariners among us might have a greater awareness of its significance during the period, as the United States entered the war over the torpedoing of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania by an Imperial German U-boat, but overall naval power did not prove as decisive as it would in the Second World War, where naval power was

the key to the defeat of the Empire of Japan. In the First World War, the most dramatic naval engagement was the Battle of Jutland, which was a tactical draw and saw Germany fail to break the British stranglehold on their trade lanes while Britain lost the appearance of absolute command of the seas that had become a keystone of its national identity ever since Horatio Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar. However, for German navalists, Jutland, or a battle like it, had been a priority since the birth of the contemporary Imperial German Navy.

Prior to the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, and for decades afterward, Germany’s navy was neglected in favor of a strong army. This changed when Kaiser Wilhelm II took the throne in 1888. As a young man, he had been fascinated by the power of the British Royal Navy, and his position as Kaiser of the German Empire meant he could make his dreams of “a fleet of his own” a reality. The pillar of his “New Course” of foreign policy was to build a colonial empire and a world-class navy to rival that of Great Britain and fully establish Germany as a world power. He chose Alfred von Tirpitz, a fellow devotee of Alfred Thayer Mahan’s “The Influence of Sea Power Upon History”, to be his navy secretary.

Tirpitz maneuvered the Imperial German Reichstag into giving him the fleet that he and the Kaiser desired, establishing a “building tempo” that demanded an ever-increasing ratio of capital ships be constructed in order to maintain Germany’s fleet as a credible threat to Britain.

Tirpitz knew that his fleet could never achieve the same size or power as Britain’s, which was mandated by British doctrine at the time to be as large as the next two world navies combined, but he could build a fleet that was so threatening that Britain would either have to make diplomatic concessions to Germany or commit a large portion of its fleet to ensure it had overwhelming superiority if a battle ever broke out. This battle was seen as the object of the Imperial German Navy’s existence; officers and enlisted sailors referred to it as “Der Tag”, or “The Day” in German; an apocalyptic day that would decide the future of great power politics for generations to come, in which they would cement Germany’s “place in the sun”.

While the draw at Jutland did deal a great blow to British national pride, Der Tag had come and gone, and Germany’s expensive capital ship fleet had proven unable to break the British blockade. The Imperial German Navy would return to their previous policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, and the blockade would continue to strangle the German economy.

Imperial Germany’s position as a nation with global naval ambitions, but also one with its naval power projection restricted by geography, is one that modern naval thinkers have studied and written on extensively as nations continue to build up their naval forces and attempt to reshape the global order to their ends. Studying and understanding the events of this time period may offer insight into the mindset of ambitious rising naval powers during current times.

SMS Koenig Albert, one of Imperial Germany’s Kaiser-class battleships

Alfred von Tripitz, Kaiser Wilhelm’s navy secretary

British Queen Elizabeth-class battleships HMS Warspite and HMS Malaya sailing into action at the Battle of Jutland.

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Chaps’ Corner

It Happens; Even to Chaps!

By Lt. j.g. Pete Canales

There I was, walking into the building after lunch, feeling pretty good despite the events that took place the past couple hours. Then the unthinkable (or unplannable) happened...

Earlier that morning I had left my ID card in my office on my way home for lunch. Frustration set in because I live on base and could not go home for lunch because I did not have my ID card to enter the security gate, nor could I come back to NNPTC because of the security gate. As I reflect, there were a few feelings going on with me at that point. I was embarrassed and frustrated with myself that I left my ID card in the office. I would like to say I recalibrated in that moment, but I did not. Bottom line, I was hungry. Thankfully I was not hangry (hungry and angry), as I was able to collect myself quickly and make new plans.

With only a few options on base available, I opted for Subway at the mini-Nex. Short line, quick service, and it was tasty; maybe a silver lining to the day so far.

Perhaps in my subconscious I really wanted Subway and that’s why I “forgot” my ID card, but I digress.

Thankfully I was able to retrieve my ID with help and coordination, but while I was waiting, I had a wild thought epiphany maybe. A few months ago, I had begun to cut back on my soda intake and so far I have been pretty successful. It had been a couple of weeks since my last 12

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soda. Yet there are times I just crave that fizzy goodness and the only thing mitigating the temptation to buy a soda is price of a single soda compared to buying in bulk.

So, while waiting at the mini-NEX I thought of buying a 12pack of soda, leaving them in my office, and drinking one per week.

Plus, to avoid drinking them right away, I planned on leaving them at room temperature. This would force a little waiting time between placing them in the fridge and enjoying that cool refreshing drink and hopefully prevent me from drinking them all in one week (because I really do not like ice in my drinks nor do I like drinking a room temp. soda, I mean who likes warm soda?). I had a new goal, made a commitment, added in a little will power and I thought I had a great plan.

All was coming together.

I bought my sodas, received my ID card, hopped in my vehicle and headed back to work. There I was, 12-pack of soda in my left hand, feeling pretty good despite a little set-back earlier. I was about 20 yards from the entrance to the building and then it happened. The cardboard gave and the 12-pack hit the pavement. Then I heard the sound of spewing soda and hoped, at best, only one soda exploded, but I really thought a lot were ruined.

I picked up the case and had soda dripping from the 12-pack. I still had to walk to the building, through the building, and into my office where there would be a Sailor waiting for

an appointment.

To say that I was embarrassed as I walked to my office would be an understatement. My sodas made a mess, leaving a trail from the entrance to my office, in addition to the soda drips on my boots. To my amazement, when I arrived to my office, both my chaplain assistant and the Sailor waiting for me came to my aid. Behind me, the watchstander had already called for a cleanup to mop up the trail of sodas I made, pretty much telling me “we got you covered Chaps” as he saw me with paper towels trying to clean up my mess.

Things happen in life, as you may well know, but it is amazing how people can come to your aid. Yes, I had to shake off the embarrassing incident and do my job. Afterwards my chaplain assistant handed me eleven dried up, deformed soda cans.

Lessons learned: do my best to make sure I have my ID card before leaving the office and do not trust the cardboard handle on cases of soda. Every week as I place one of those deformed soda cans in my fridge to take home for the weekend I am reminded of that event and it brings a smile to my face. But yes, I am still a little embarrassed.

What are your embarrassing stories? Are they holding you back in any way or a distraction from allowing you to move forward in life? Remember that you can always talk to your chaplain. We are here for you.

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Navy MWR Navy Entertainment Invites Performers to Your Home News

By Shannon Revelle, Commander, Navy Installations Command Commercial Sponsorship Program Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped the folks behind Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Navy Entertainment from doing what they do best – supporting the quality of life of Sailors and their families.

MWR Navy Entertainment, in partnership with Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM), quickly launched the Surprise Guest of the Day program after stay-at-home and restriction of movement orders went into effect in March. The Surprise Guest of the Day program includes daily virtual videos posted on Navy Fleet and Family Readiness’s (FFR) social media page, (www.facebook. com/navyffr), and on Navy MWR’s website, (www.navymwr.org).

NEXCOM also shared posts on their social media outlets.

“MWR Navy Entertainment has always been there to provide quality live entertainment for Sailors and their families at installations, and we are continuing to provide digital versions at home,” said Karen Fritz, CNIC’s MWR Navy Entertainment program manager. “While it isn’t the same as live shows, we hope that we are able to give our Sailors something to look forward to during this unprecedented time.”

MWR Navy Entertainment contacted entertainers around the globe who previously toured with the program. The artists recorded a personal message to Sailors and their families, thanking them for their service to our country and shared previously recorded concert footage or recorded original content.

The program received outstanding participation and curated over 75 individual videos. Videos included the Harlem Globetrotters teaching kids an exercise routine and ball skills and the Washington Redskins cheerleaders teaching both kid-friendly and adult dance 14

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U.S. Navy Photo

classes.

Multiple musicians demonstrated how to perform magic tricks and artists who previously performed with MWR Navy Entertainment shared music videos. Genres include county, hiphop, reggae, pop and Americana.

In addition, celebrity chefs shared recipes and demonstrated how to make some of their famous foods including salsa and dumplings. The cheesesteak king, Tony Luke, shared his best Philly cheesesteak recipe.

Stephen Lang, actor from “Avatar,” read poetry he wrote from his home.

MWR Navy Entertainment also participated in the “We Stand Together” promotion anchored by NEXCOM. The promotion featured Navy Entertainment artists and showcased original content during daily scheduled posts.

“We were able to reach some new emerging artists for

this promotion,” Fritz said. “Live cooking demos from our Messlord celebrity-cooking team was a highlight of this promotion.”

MWR Navy Entertainment provides top-quality live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea, and assists patrons in the continental U.S. locations with talent referral and production of shows.

For more information on Navy MWR, visit www.navymwr. org or the Fleet and Family Readiness Facebook page at www. facebook.com/NavyFFR

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/ local/cni/.

NAVY PHOTOS

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Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew G. Peterson III

Executive Officer Cmdr. Jeb Parm

Command Master Chief EMNCM(SS) Derek G. Gruell

Public Affairs Officer GAETA, Italy (May 6, 2020) Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Drew Poleviyuma conducts a COVID-19 test while aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) while in Gaeta, Italy. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Damon Grosvenor/Released)

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 MCSA Keyly Santizo Ensign Josh Warnick ARABIAN SEA (May 4, 2020) Lt. Kevin Pitcock, dressed as Star Wars character BB-8, walks on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Tony D. Curtis/Released)

Answer Key

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.

Cover photo: Lt. Sindy D. RamĂ­rez briefs a class on safety precautions before they start the AC generator lab. (U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Keyly Santizo)

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M E M O R I A L D AY

Game Corner