EXpeditionary e xpre s s A
Navy
E xpedi t i on ary
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Navy Announces NEC Code Overhaul
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NECC Holds Warfighter Resiliency Forum
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EODMU 6 Sailors Speak to Brookwood Elementary School
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The Carl M. Brashear Foundation 12 2016 Navy Diver of the Year
Com m and
Pu bl i cat io n
Naval Expeditionary Force Weekend DRILL
JULY 2017
NMCB3
CHANGE OF COMMAND
Vol. 1 Issue 11
Expeditionary E xpre s s News You Can Use
Navy to Issue Letters of Intent for most Sailors’ PCS Moves -- The Navy announced
June 30 that beginning July 5, most Sailors will receive a Letter of Intent. (read more on page 3)
Navy Announces NEC Code Overhaul 5
-- The Navy announced July 13, in NAVADMIN 174/17 that as part of its Sailor 2025 efforts, the service will implement a new Navy Enlisted Classification code construct this October and also realign enlisted rating communities and career fields. (read more on page 4)
NECC Overview
EODMU 6 Sailors Speak to Brookwood Elementary Robotics Team -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 spent an afternoon speaking to robotics club students at Brookwood Elementary School on June 12. (read more on page 9)
Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors Frocked During Promotion Ceremony --
Observing naval tradition, six Sailors attached to Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 were selected for advancement and assumed the responsibilities of the next rank during a frocking ceremony onboard Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti June 3, 2017. (read more on page 10)
Naval Expeditionary Force Trains on Drill Seabees Build Relationships in Micronesia Weekend -- When two Coastal Riverine Squadron with a School Renovation -- Deployed Seabees One boats launched from Navy Operational Support 8
renovate an eight-room school that has been in a dilapidated condition and condemned on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, June 29. (read more on page 5)
NECC Holds Warfighter Resiliency Forum -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
(NECC) held a two-day Warfighter Resiliency Forum at their headquarters for subordinate commands and their spouses on June 14. (read more on page 8)
Center Alameda July 15, a multi-day Naval Expeditionary Force exercise featuring various Navy Expeditionary Combat Command assets was fully underway. (read more on page 11)
The Carl M. Brashear Foundation 2016 Navy Diver of the Year -- The award is
presented annually to candidates who have overcome challenges to earn and keep the coveted Navy dive pin. This year’s selection is Navy Diver 1st Class Kenneth Dinette. (read more on page 12)
NECC in the Spotlight
NECC’s Civilian of the Month -- Ted Segida, NECC Atlantic Forces’ senior deputy customer technical representative for NMCI. (read more on page 15)
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NECC Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Cate Cook Comm: (757) 462-4316 ext. 252 Email: cate.cook@navy.mil
NECC Public Affairs Staff MCC Edward Kessler MC2 (SW/AW) Travis DiPerna
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Navy to Issue Letters of Intent for most Sailors’ PCS Moves From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON
(NNS) -- The Navy announced Friday in NAVADMIN 159/17 that beginning July 5, most Sailors will receive a Letter of Intent (LOI) that will help them coordinate a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) household good shipment much earlier, as well as complete other necessary screenings. These mitigation efforts and innovative process changes will now allow most Sailors to complete operational (sea duty) screenings, update security clearances, take permissive Temporary Duty (TDY) to find a residence, and begin the entitlement counseling and application processes for the movement of Household Goods (HHG) before receiving funded orders. “We understand the impact that compressed PCS lead times have had on Sailors and their families preparing to move,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. “That is why we have been working hard to develop and implement solutions within our control that minimize the impact to our Sailors. Our focus and priority remains on manning the Fleet, and taking care of Sailors and their families.” Previously, only Sailors receiving orders to an overseas duty location were issued LOIs to start the process of completing overseas and medical screenings, dependent entry approval, passport applications and security clearance requests. Now, most Sailors will receive an LOI. “While we are working hard to ultimately provide Sailors six months of orders lead time, these are tangible changes that will help Sailors prepare for their upcoming move several months in advance,” said Burke. “We believe these changes will enable greater flexibility and help alleviate some of the challenges of the already stressful situation associated with a PCS move.” Upon receipt of an LOI, Sailors should access the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), accessible through http://www.move.mil. If not in receipt of funded PCS orders, “NAVYLOI” should be entered as the PCS order number to begin the process of shipping their HHG. When funding is received and PCS orders are issued, NPC will provide the HHG offices with a copy of the Sailor’s PCS orders for upload into DPS and send the moving request to industry. Additionally, Personnel Support Detachments can make reservations for travel with the LOI. However, because an LOI does not contain a line of accounting, it cannot be used to issue tickets, receive advanced military and/or travel pay, ship HHGs and Privately Owned Vehicles (POV) or place them in storage, or used to reimburse for a personally procured move. While most Sailors will receive an LOI for their PCS orders, the following types of orders are not eligible to receive one: Temporary Limited Duty (TLD), Home Port Changes, Pre Commission units, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC), Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hands, pregnancies, accessions, retirements and separations. These types of orders have defined release timelines well in advance, making an LOI unnecessary.
Service members are encouraged to visit https://www.navsup.navy. mil/household/ for the schedule of Household Goods Entitlement Webinars and other valuable information. This website or the local Personal Property Office will provide families with detailed instructions on completing the online household goods move application. Commands are requested to proactively encourage members to begin the HHG move application process as early as possible. Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) provides the following reminders to facilitate other aspects of PCS move planning: Those Sailors applying for Navy family housing can be placed on the housing waitlist according to the date of detachment from the Sailor’s prior permanent duty station based on their PCS orders, provided that a housing application is submitted within 30 days of the reporting date. Advance applications will be accepted. However, placement on the list will not occur until the Sailor reports to the gaining Command. This ensures Navy family housing waitlists are independent of orders receipt date. Housing also provides a tool that allows Sailors and their families to engage with Housing Service Center staff at one or more Navy installations worldwide earlier in the PCS process. The Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) can be accessed at http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT, even before PCS orders are issued. No CAC is required to access the website. Additionally, MilitaryChildCare.com provides a single online gateway for families to access military-operated or military-subsidized child care options worldwide across all Services. Due to the standardized request process and waitlist management tools, the DoD site offers a more streamlined approach for finding and requesting care and providing Anticipated Placement Time (APT) estimates. This allows families to submit requests for care at programs with an APT that most closely fulfills their needs. Since APT estimates may change, families are advised to review all their options on a regular basis and submit requests for all DoD child care operations that may meet their requirements.
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
Navy Announces NEC Code Overhaul
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
Going forward, the first digit of the new NEC code will be based on a Sailor’s community and identify the individual’s respective career field. The second and third digits will be unique alpha-numeric identifiers developed by the Navy Manpower Analysis Center. The fourth digit will represent how many blocks of training remain for a Sailor, or if the NEC code is not yet part of blocked training. For example, the current NEC code for a Logistics Specialist Postal Basic (NEC 2800) would become S000 under the new construct.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced July 13, in
NAVADMIN 174/17 that as part of its Sailor 2025 efforts, the service will implement a new Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) code construct this October and also realign enlisted rating communities and career fields. “These efforts are about warfighting readiness and are absolutely critical to the development and implementation of the Navy’s Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) and rating modernization initiatives,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. “Not only will these changes improve our personnel and billet management processes to assign the right individual to the right job, but it will ultimately provide us the ability to train and repurpose elements of our force to meet a rapidly changing world.”
- 1st Digit: S (supply career field) - 2nd Digit: 0 (part of unique identifier assigned by NAVMAC) - 3rd Digit: 0 (part of unique identifier assigned by NAVMAC) - 4th Digit: 0 (all blocks complete) 1 (1 block remaining) 2 (2 blocks remaining) 3 (3 blocks remaining) 4 (4 blocks remaining) Letters A-Z (NEC code is not associated with blocked training). Another aspect of the revised NEC construct currently being developed is a two digit suffix to the NEC code which will contain additional information about a Sailor’s skillset. This is intended to better capture a Sailor’s proficiency, experience and currency, which is a fundamental element of the Navy’s rating modernization efforts. Quarterly updates, released in NAVPERS 18068F, VOLUME II Navy Enlisted Classifications, will identify the Navy’s 1,400 NEC codes that have completed their conversion to the revised construct. No action is required on a Sailor’s part - these changes will occur automatically.
Beginning in October 2017, NEC codes will have four alphanumeric characters and be organized into 12 communities and 23 career fields as part of the new construct.
NEC codes are used to track skills and training, distribute Sailors to appropriate billets, and ensure operational units have Sailors with the necessary skills to carry out their missions.
These revised communities and career fields, which can be viewed at www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/nec/pages/ default.aspx, were developed within the rating modernization working group and will replace the current occupational fields and associated ratings listed in the Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards Manual (NAVPERS 18068F, Volume I). As new NEC codes are developed, they will be created using this new construct.
RRL is a Sailor 2025 initiative focused on providing the right training at the right time in a way that Sailors will retain. Block Learning, an important part of RRL, will divide enlisted Sailors’ training into separate courses delivered at multiple points throughout a career to help improve their retention. This will also help ensure that content is refreshed for changing platforms and technologies so Sailors are ready to perform on day one at their new units and help the Navy transform its industrial, conveyer-belttraining-model into a more modern one.
The new career fields and communities will not only aid the rating modernization effort, but they also more directly translate to civilian occupations and will help facilitate licensing and credentialing efforts.
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Seabees Build Relationships in Micronesia with a School Renovation
by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexa Trafton
KOSRAE,
Micronesia – Deployed Seabees renovate an eight-room school that has been in a dilapidated condition and condemned on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, June 29.
Builder 2nd Class Desirae Cleary, from Modesto, California, and a local construction apprentice measure cement boards for an elementary school project, May 26. Photo by Utilitiesman Constructionman Matthew Konopka.
In February, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 began renovation of the facility that was condemned in 2016 because of a collapsing roof.
partnership but truly impacts these children’s lives and futures. I could not be more proud of what the crew has done.”
Upon completion, the renovation will allow 210 students to return to a more conducive learning environment while reducing overcrowding in another school on the island.
NMCB 1 provides combat-ready engineer forces in response to Combatant Commander and Naval Component Commander requirements and provides planning and operational support for Seabee employment. The continued operations in the Pacific Command help demonstrate the U.S. commitment to developing enduring relationships, and strengthening local institutions and communities throughout the region.
“Building the school is very important to this community,” said Builder 2nd Class Lecreia Hudson, from Gary, Indiana. “The kids are right next door in an overcrowded school, and this school will create a larger, safer and cleaner environment that lets the students focus on learning.” Hudson is the crew leader of four Sailors and two local construction apprentices during the project. The renovation consists of framing walls, placing a new sidewalk, constructing two rain water catchment systems, extending a concrete pad, and installing new windows, doors, electrical, flooring, roof and gutters. “The Sailors of NMCB 1 could not be more proud of working to help the people of Kosrae and their children by building a school in one of the most remote locations in the world,” said Officer in Charge Lt. Michael Yeary, from Cumming, Georgia. “The locals just don’t have a lot, and being able to share the goodwill of the U.S. helps not only our national
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Rear Adm. Brian Brakke (left), commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, speaks with Chief Master-at-Arms Craig Lusk (right), assigned to Coastal Riverine Group 2, during a tour aboard USNS Walter S. Diehl while moored at a port in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 25, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Natalia Murillo.
U.S. 7th Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Brian Hurley awards four Navy divers with Meritorious Service Medals in a ceremony July 12 at Japan Regional Maintenance Center headquarters. U.S. Navy photo.
Builder Constructionman Dever Kelly, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One, measures a wood beam for use in a tent camp construction project at Base Naval de Puerto Castilla, a Honduran naval base, during Southern Partnership Station 2017, July 27, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Jeremy Starr.
Nancy Harned, executive director, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), observes Landing Craft Air Cushion operations on July 26, 2017. The operations were part of a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Load Exercise 2017, an annual exercise to rehearse the embarkation of NECC equipment on U.S. Navy amphibious platforms in support of potential DSCA missions. Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Bill Purcell.
A MK VI patrol boat, belonging to Coastal Riverine Group 1 Detachment Guam, transits off the coast of Guam to participate in a medical evacuation drill with the “Island Knights� of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, July 10, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Torrey W. Lee.
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 exits a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from B Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment during military free-fall training in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 10, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Charles Oki. Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 use medium tactical vehicle replacements to transport patrol boats in Djibouti City, Djibouti on July 5, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Natalia Murillo.
Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 help repair a damaged coral reef in Apra Harbor on June 29, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Alfred A. Coffield.
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S A F E G U A R D I N G I N F O R M AT I O N K n o w
yo u r
r ol e
“It is everyone’s duty who holds a security clearance to take the time to understand the classification of the information you are privy to and ask the question if there is any doubt to its classification before disseminating that information.” - Rear Admiral Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Exppeditionary Combat Command (NECC) AND NECC Pacific
7 Most Common Information Spillages:
1 2 3 4
Failure to label classified material with proper classification Mislabeling of classified material Introducing Classified Material to a Nonclassified Source
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Classified area left unsecured Allowing an uncleared individual into a classified area Removing classified material without proper authorizatioin
Failure to secure classified material
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NECC Holds Warfighter Resiliency Forum From Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA
BEACH, Va. – Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) held a two-day Warfighter Resiliency Forum at their headquarters for subordinate commands and their spouses, June 14-15, on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
A member of FOCUS introduces the actors who portrayed four emotionally intense scenes dealing with militaryrelated stressors that apply to all NECC forces on June 14, 2017. U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Travis DiPerna.
The training featured actors who portrayed four emotionally intense scenes dealing with military-related stressors that apply to all NECC forces. Representatives from Navy Fleet and Family Service Center, Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS), NECC Recovery Care Management, and NECC Psychological Health Team were on hand to provide attendees with information on the variety of services they offer. April McBride, a member of FOCUS, spoke of the many resiliency resources offered to service members and their families on Fort Story. The organization holds training for couples, which teaches new ways to cope with stress. FOCUS also provides specialized services for families of wounded, ill or injured service members. Cmdr. Robert Hines, psychologist on staff at NECC, coordinated the two-day training event and discussed the importance of continuing the discussion on building resilience. “Resiliency is an important topic for all of us to focus on since we know that military careers present unique stressors and challenges for both our NECC Sailors and their families,” said Hines. “It is our job as a community to further this discussion on building resiliency so we can properly rise up to meet these challenges.” Hines added that additional training will be offered later this year in Port Hueneme, Coronado, and Gulfportexpeditionary concentration areas for NECC forces.
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NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-toshore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.
EODMU 6 Sailors Speak to Brookwood Elementary Robotics Team by Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Oki
VIRGINIA
BEACH, Va. -Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 spent an afternoon speaking to robotics club students at Brookwood Elementary School in Virginia Beach, Va., as part of a community relations event June 12. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6, talks a robotics club student through operating the Packbot transportable EOD robot during a community relations event at Brookwood Elementary School on June 12, 2017. U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Charles Oki.
The visit was a surprise for the students’ hard work during the robotics competition earlier this year. “We really wanted to end their year on a positive note,” said Rebecca Winslow, the gifted resource teacher and robotics club mentor. “This was the first year of the robotics club so we all struggled a little bit building the robots and getting them fine tuned. We wanted to show them what professional robots looked like and how they operate to hopefully help inspire the students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math fields as they move onto middle school next year.” The Sailors began by speaking with the students about being in the Navy as an EOD technician and using robots as part of their profession.
generations that come after us and this is a great way to show them the use of science and technology in the real world. We’ve got a smart group of kids here, they’re having a lot of fun, and they are asking a lot of intelligent questions. It took them a minute to get the hang of driving but now the kids are driving the robots like professionals.” EODMU 6 is assigned to EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. EODGRU 2 oversees all east coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward-deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 2, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2, and the only east coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2.
After a question and answer session, the students were split into groups to learn more about the Talon and Packbot EOD robots and how to drive them. Once the students had familiarized themselves with the basics, the technicians gave the students simple tasks to complete using the robots. “Events like these are a great way to show students what they can do with an education,” said Lt. j.g. Nathan Cofsky. “We all have the responsibility as Americans to help the
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Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors Frocked During Promotion Ceremony
By Mass Communication 2nd Class Natalia Murillo, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S.
CAMP
LEMONNIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Observing naval tradition, six Sailors attached to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 1 were selected for advancement and assumed the responsibilities of the next rank during a frocking ceremony onboard Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti June 3, 2017. Cmdr. Christopher Burns, CRS-1 mission commander, promotes a Sailor to the next rank during an advancement ceremony on June 3, 2017.
The frocking tradition awards Sailors selected for promotion the opportunity to wear the uniform and take on the responsibilities of their new rank prior to formal advancement. Sailors will not receive pay and entitlements for their new paygrade until their official date of advancement, which occurs in three increments throughout the fiscal year. “Anytime you get to be part of celebrating someone’s transition up the ranks, it’s great,” said Cmdr. Christopher Burns, CRS-1 mission commander. CRS-1 Sailors who were selected for promotion include Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Darion Brown, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Ariel Deitrick, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Danielle Lukosus, Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Travis Phillips, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Matthew Mikhail and Mineman 3rd Class Luis Vazquez III. “Now that I’m an E-5, I am expected to not only be accountable for myself but also my peers and subordinates,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Ariel Deitrick. Another frocked Sailor recognized the increased responsibility that comes with the promotion. “It’s more tasks that I wouldn’t get as an E-3,” said Mineman 3rd Class Luis Vazquez III. “Now that I’m a petty officer 3rd class, I feel that the Navy sees me as someone who can take on bigger responsibility than when I was a seaman.”
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Burns urged the frocked Sailors to motivate and guide others for promotion as well. “Whoever helped you, make sure you pass it on to the next generation,” said Burns. “We all have mentors that help guide us through every day and what we do, and the newly frocked Sailors are now getting to the point where they should be picking some Sailors to be mentors to.” CRS-1 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and provides port and harbor security, high value asset protection and maritime security operations in coastal and inland waterways. U.S. 6th Fleet is headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http:// www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/ usnavy. For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.
Naval Expeditionary Force Trains on Drill Weekend
From Navy Reserve - Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
ALAMEDA,
Calif. (July 15, 2017) – When two Coastal Riverine Squadron One (CRS 1) boats launched from Navy Operational Support Center Alameda on July 15, a multiday Naval Expeditionary Force exercise featuring various Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) assets was fully underway.
Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Phillip Tank of Coastal Riverine Squadron One (CRS 1) participates in a port and starboard quarter drill on July 15, 2017. U.S. Navy photo by MCC John Pearl.
Meanwhile, Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 14 were hoisting cargo containers from auxiliary crane ship Keystone State (T-ACS 1) to auxiliary crane ship Grand Canyon (T-ACS 3), both moored at Alameda Point. 5th Navy Expeditionary Logistics Regiment commodore Capt. Steven Lathrob described the exercise as both opportunistic and consistent with NECC operational concepts. “CRS 1 realized that we were going to be out here the same weekend they were. We were going to be out here swinging cranes on ships, and they were going to be on the water, so we thought it would be great if we could integrate a little bit under the NECC adaptive force package,” said Lathrob. Lt. Cmdr. Corey Strong of CRS 1 described various integration points between his unit and NCHB 14 including watch bills, pier security, entry control points, and tactical operations center (TOC). In the TOC, Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Melissa Phillips of CRS 1 described the benefits of this exercise for drilling Selected Reserve Sailors. “We have the boats out. We have communications out. We’re getting everyone involved. We have some crossassigned and new people in. A lot of people do not get to do this on their normal weekends,” said Phillips. “We make sure communications with the boats and the NOC are up to speed and everyone can communicate with each other.”
According to Lathrob, similar interoperability training opportunities happen in much larger exercises, but are rarely so swiftly conceived and contained within a reserve drill weekend. “Coordinating logistics movements with security is key. This was an opportunity for us, on our own, to exercise what we are starting to do on larger scale exercises,” said Lathrob. “It does happen in big plans when you do bigger exercises, but on a drill weekend with literally no marginal costs, it is very very unusual.” In addition to the exercise primary goal of training independently and then intraoperatively within a Naval Expeditionary Force environment, Cmdr. Daniel Foster, NCHB 14 commanding officer, described other potential wins. “The success coming out of this will be the amount of lessons learned we can implement going forward. If we walk away with some qualifications for our watch standers, that is a win, and anything we can yield from this on how to operate together going forward would be an even bigger win.” Another exercise later this year is under discussion. NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing seato-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations, which is focused on delivering combat-effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.
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The Carl M. Brashear Foundation 2016 Navy Diver of the Year By MC2 Joshua Walters
The military ranks are lined with men and women who go above and beyond what is required of them to get the job done. Some specialized jobs, such as Navy diver, require Sailors to push themselves further and harder to overcome obstacles in their lives, personal or professional.
“A Navy diver is someone who has proven to themselves to get through any situation, and when the going gets tough, isn’t going to turn their back and quit,” said Navy Diver 1st Class Kenneth Dinette, the 2016 Navy Diver of the Year. “Really, what Navy diving is all about is just embracing whatever situation is out there, taking it on head-on and completing it right.” The Navy Diver of the Year award was established in 2014 to recognize the diver who best represents the singular commitment to excellence that is the hallmark of the Navy diving community. He or she must also embody the kind of courage and unwavering determination as exemplified by retired Boatswain’s Mate Master Chief Carl Brashear, the first African-American master diver.
to San Diego where his mom was located. Barely an hour away from the hospital, Dinette received devastating news. “April 2, 2016, I got very terrible phone call,” said Dinette. “My chief called me and let me know my mom had passed away. I had that feeling like my throat was in a vice. I could barely breathe. It’s a day I will never forget in my life. “Once my mom passed away, everything changed,” he continued. “My wife had to quit her career and had to be a stay-at-home mom, and I’m trying to continue on with my Navy career. It was hard balancing work and home life, and trying to process everything, trying to grieve.”
The Carl M. Brashear Foundation presents the award annually to candidates who have overcome significant personal, physical or emotional challenges to earn and keep the coveted Navy dive pin. Those can include candidates who lose someone close to them, face physical or physiological hurdles or those who meet academic challenges that could prevent them from qualifying for dive school. Dinette, a native of Gresham, Oregon, enlisted in the Navy in April 2004. He had been having a hard time at home and wanted to change his life for the better. While watching “Men of Honor,” he was inspired by Brashear’s story and how he overcame the hardships and racism he experienced. Dinette decided to follow in his footsteps and become a Navy diver. “I think it has been a life-long struggle for ND1,” said Senior Chief Navy Diver Charles Foster. “He has never had it easy. He had to work hard for everything he has ever gotten and I think this is no different.” While celebrating Easter in the Fresno, California, area with his wife and kids, Dinette learned his mom, who had lived with their family for several years and cared for the children, was in the hospital. He and his family packed up and started driving down
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When everything started to get back to normal and the family began settling into their new roles and routines, the Dinettes decided to spend the day hiking in Cedar Creek Falls, California. But as they were enjoying their day outside, their outing went south. Dinette’s wife, Sylvia, slipped, fell and broke her tibia and fibula in half. The years of dive training instilled into Dinette kicked in and he fixed her leg enough to carry her. With his boys single file in front of him, he slowly carried her up the hill. Luckily, they ran
said Dinette. “It was very difficult to overcome all of that at once. I found myself at some points just like, ‘This is ridiculous. How am I going to do this?’ You take it one day at a time and control what you can control. I can either sink and go down in flames, or I can just say, ‘You know what? Run the next play until I start winning again.’” Somehow, he still showed up early for work and took an hour to study each morning. This unwavering commitment and desire to be the best diver he could be while dealing with his personal hardships didn’t go unnoticed by Dinette’s superiors. “The motivation, the never-give-up type of spirit that Carl Brashear had is clearly evident in ND1,” said Foster.
into some hikers who were able to get into cell phone range and call for help. Ultimately, Dinette carried his wife a mile and a half until a rescue helicopter could reach them.
Many Sailors in the diving community look to Brashear for inspiration and the courage to get back up and keep moving forward. Brashear encountered and overcame many personal struggles throughout his diving career. He even lost a leg after a salvage operation went wrong, and fought to not only stay in the Navy, but become a master diver. Through sheer willpower and stubbornness, he achieved this milestone in 1970. Dinette used this motivation to push through his toughest of days.
“I handled it like any dive drill: This is the situation that’s presented, this is what I am seeing, this is what I am hearing,” said Dinette. “I got her to a clearing, a little meadow area and then we heard the helicopter fly around, and were able to life flight her out of there.” “I was in shock and didn’t know what to do. It was scary,” said Sylvia. “It was nerve wrecking, so he kept me calm by staying calm and knowing what to do.” Dinette had to pick up all the responsibilities in the house because his wife was unable to walk for a couple of months. He had to once again balance his work and personal life. On top of preparing to go and participate in the annual Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC), he was cooking, cleaning and taking care of his wife and kids. “It took her about two months to start walking again and start actually being able to do the normal things she does a daily basis,”
“Master Diver Carl Brashear ... a whole other era. If he could overcome the struggles he had, I have zero excuse whatsoever,” said Dinette. “I had a broken heart, and still do. My mom is still the first thing I think of every single morning when I wake up. Just knowing I can never talk to her again is very hard, but if he [Brashear] could overcome the struggles he overcame, why can’t I?” It was this attitude that earned Dinette the 2016 Navy Diver of the Year award. He persevered and overcame not only the two hardest moments in his life, but also remained determined to become the best diver he could be. “If anything, this award validates the year I had on a large scale, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Dinette. “It’s a true honor to have my name associated with Master Diver Carl Brashear. I was super excited and I actually gave a fist pump and yelled out ‘Ya!’ I was fired up about it.”
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From DON Innovation
The U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community completely transformed a 2012 Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Fastlane Initiative into the Navy’s premier Mine Countermeasures (MCM) unit of action, the Expeditionary MCM (ExMCM) Company.
Utilizing special OSD Fastlane acquisition authorities, the U.S. Navy EOD community rapidly fielded a force to employ newly acquired unmanned underwater vehicles in concert with legacy MCM platforms and assets, many of them nearing the end of their projected service life.
The success and speed of this truly groundbreaking initiative, including the fielding of the MK18 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) family of systems and commercial remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), resulted in the delivery of effective and reliable operational MCM capability in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. Due to its many successes, global demand for this specialized capability continues to grow. “They’ve made themselves indispensable in rather short order,” said Capt. Dean Muriano, commodore of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One, speaking of the ExMCM capability. “Our Sailors are the drivers behind this innovation; they have been remarkable as they’ve developed tactics, techniques and procedures and integrated technologies into their unit as well as integrating themselves into multiple platforms and units.” The ExMCM Company: The Newest Capability in the EOD Community.
The UUVs, previously commercial-off-the-shelf items, were adapted and re-purposed for military use. These particular UUVs eventually became the MK18 UUV Family of Systems. “ExMCM isn’t built around a sensor or a platform, rather it’s a command and control construct bringing together the right Sailors to perform the complete detect to engage to attribute sequence in a single, expeditionary unit of action,” added Muriano. ExMCM Company innovators built a reliable, flexible, and enduring stand-alone MCM capability by expertly coupling some of the most sophisticated UUVs and ROVs on the market, with the traditional EOD MCM dive platoons, that resulted in producing the rapid development of this warfighting capability. This capability was accomplished at a fraction of the cost of other emerging Navy platforms and systems, and without an institutional framework or roadmap for success.
The ExMCM Company was initially conceived in 2012 as a response to a Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Joint Urgent Operational Need for increased mine countermeasures capacity at a time of heightened tensions in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility.
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The Navy EOD community has been unwavering in its ability to employ advanced technologies and develop revolutionary tactics, techniques, and procedures to mitigate and neutralize everevolving threats to our Nation. “They will continue to do remarkable things as they develop new
tactics and innovate with new and different sensors to include UUVs, USVs, and potentially even UAVs,� said Muriano. With the development and implementation of the ExMCM, Commander, U.S. FIFTH Fleet, quickly recognized that he had a unique capability on his hands, one that yielded immediate, and reliable, operational MCM effectiveness.
The UUVs provided critical search and detection capabilities and, when coupled with an EOD MCM Platoon, delivered the entire MCM Detect-to-Engage sequence into a single unit of action, the ExMCM Company. The flexibility presented by this newly formed MCM Adaptive Force Package expanded U.S. Navy MCM capabilities, resulting in the easy decision by Navy senior leaders to formalize this new unit of action and hand the reins to Sailors. The first two Sailor-led ExMCM Companies deployed to CENTCOM in early 2015. Since then, U.S. Navy ExMCM Company operators have, in short order, rapidly developed, prototyped, and demonstrated revolutionary MCM tactics, techniques, and procedures in a variety of operational environments and from a wide suite of platforms. Today, six ExMCM Companies support CENTCOM operations, with two simultaneously deployed to Bahrain and two additional ExMCM Companies projected as growth in FY18. The U.S. Navy EOD community currently operates more than 100 UUVs, more than any other force in the Navy. U.S. Navy ExMCM Company operators transformed an ad hoc solution for additional MCM capacity into the force of choice for MCM operations. Their superb performance elevated demand across the globe, with SIXTH and SEVENTH Fleet Commanders requesting ExMCM Companies of their own.
The ExMCM Company overcame significant obstacles in achieving timely certifications and authorities for successful embarkation and employment. Exercise results validated ExMCM Company operations from LCS as a viable option for the Fleet Commander. To date, ExMCM Companies have conducted rapid response flyaway missions and exercises across the globe. With a relatively small footprint, and an adaptable force package, the U.S. Navy EOD community provides the Fleet Commander with flexible response options. No other single MCM unit of action in the inventory detects, identifies, neutralizes, and recovers underwater threats for exploitation and possible attribution. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Company Team was recognized with honorable mention for the 2016 Secretary of the Navy Innovation Award in the Innovation Leadership category. The SECNAV Innovation Awards recognize the top innovators within the Department of the Navy. Their accomplishments are remarkable and serve as inspiration for the Navy and Marine Corps to think boldly and solve the fleet and force’s most challenging problems.
The ExMCM Company is the only rapidly deployable and scalable MCM force package in the Navy today. Its successes are directly attributable to the Sailors operating its systems. In 2016, an ExMCM Company embarked USS Freedom (LCS1) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2016 in the Southern California Operating Area, a first-of event for any full Detect-toEngage MCM capability on a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The ExMCM Company was never envisioned to operate from a LCS, but the ExMCM Company operators proved that operation could be accomplished.
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Necc’s Civilian
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Ted Segida
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Segida has served as a network operations manager at NECC since 2013 and is responsible for providing guidance and IRGINIA BEACH, Va. –Navy management to all NECC commands within the U.S. Fleet Expeditionary Combat Command Forces area of responsibility for all NMCI and One Net services. (NECC) announced the selection of its July Civilian of the Month, “Well done to Mr. Segida,” said Nancy Harned, Executive Director, NECC. “Ted coordinates and manages services for June 30. 11,800 NMCI and One Net users to include completing service Ted Segida, a Homestead, orders, technology refresh schedules, hardware and software Pennsylvania native, is assigned deliveries, user moves and accounts, and provides training and to N6 NetOps Branch and serves trouble call assistance to the force Assistance deputy customer as the NECC Atlantic Forces’ technical representatives at NECC subordinate commands.”
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senior deputy customer technical representative for Navy and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) Segida also serves as the technical lead for planning and delivery of all network and telecommunications infrastructure for all and One Net services. facility upgrades and new construction for the Type Command. “This is the second time I have been recognized as NECC NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-toCivilian of the Month,” said Segida, who was recognized as shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the Civilian of the Month in 2014. “It gives me great pride that my full range of military operations that is focused on delivering leadership has recognized me for my contributions to NECC combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future. as a whole.”
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