NMCRS 2025 ACTIVE-DUTY FUND DRIVE KICKS OFF AT NSA BAHRAIN
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shayla D. Hamilton, NSA Bahrain Public Affairs
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain leadership, service members, volunteers and key persons gathered to kick off the annual Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Active-Duty Fund Drive (ADFD), Feb. 27.
The annual fund drive aims to support the NMCRS’ efforts to offer a variety of confidential, needs-based financial assistance to military members and their families.
The ADFD begins on March 1 each year, with a goal of raising eight million dollars to directly support active-duty Sailors, Marines, and their families. According to ALNAV 002/25, while voluntary financial contributions are appreciated, the primary objective of the ADFD is to increase awareness of the resources available.
In 2024, the installation set a new record, raising $196,644, an 18 percent increase from 2023.
“I chose to take on this role because I am a huge
advocate for this program,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Gregory Cutting, 2025 ADFD coordinator. “This program promotes a culture of giving back and helping service members in need. When I was at my first duty station, I decided to go out and get a new Mustang, with a 15% interest rate. At the same time, nine years ago to the day, I lost my grandmother. I didn’t have the money to get a flight home to attend the funeral. My [supervisor] at the time let me know about NMCRS, which is why I’m such a huge advocate for it today. They were able to get me the funds needed to get home, attend the funeral and be with my family, then get back to my command.”
NMCRS provides assistance with basic living expenses such as food, rent, utilities, assistance with emergency transportation, funerals, medical and dental bills, essential car repair, pay problems, and other emergency needs. Assistance is provided with loans or grants, depending on financial need.
During the event, Renee Rhinehart, director, NMCRS Bahrain Office, presented key facts about the fund drive, highlighting that NSA Bahrain dispersed more than $317,000 in financial support across 47 commands in 2024.
The event concluded with the first $1,500 donation being made by the NSA Bahrain First Class Petty Officer Association, and a cake cutting by this year’s ADFD leadership team.
To learn more about NMCRS or the ADFD, please contact your command Key Person or reach out to NMCRS Bahrain via email at bahrain@nmcrs.org, or at DSN 318-439-2914.
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.
International Maritime Exercise 2025 Concludes
Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs
The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, concluded during a closing ceremony here, Feb 20.
IMX 2025 brought together 5,000 personnel from over 30 nations and international organizations committed to preserving the rules-based international order and strengthening regional maritime security cooperation.
The 12-day exercise took participants through several exercise serials across multiple locations at sea in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, as well as ashore and in the air. Some of the serials included diving, harbor security, mine countermeasures, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration, visit, board, search and seizure procedures, and global health management events.
“It’s inspiring to see so many nations working together.
The incredible level of international representation is pivotal to our success of safeguarding regional waterways and enabling the free flow of commerce,” said U.S. Navy
Vice Adm. George Wikoff, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, in his remarks at the closing ceremony. “IMX 2025 was truly about partnering to strengthen and expand our capabilities.”
“[The] exercise brought forward many viewpoints [about how] to handle a single situation in various
different ways. I am confident that the takeaways of this exercise will serve all the participants in planning and executing various exercises in their respective countries,” said Pakistan Navy Commodore Rashid Mahmood Sheikh, who led the CPX exercise for IMX 2025, in his remarks.
IMX 2025 ran in conjunction with a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa exercise, Cutlass Express 25, with each exercise’s respective maritime operations centers exercising their information sharing capabilities to improve theater-to-theater coordination, reduce regional seams, and strengthen interoperability.
The ninth iteration of the series, IMX began in 2012 as the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, before changing its name to reflect a more expansive mission set.
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes
the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb. For imagery, photos and information on IMX, visit the feature page at: https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/IMX/.
There
it
NAVCENT Hosts Mental Health Campaign at NSA Bahrain
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shayla D. Hamilton, NSA Bahrain Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain— Mental health providers, chaplains, counselors, and support service groups aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain gathered to kick off the 2025 Mental Health Campaign, March 4.
The five-session campaign, hosted by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Religious Ministries Team, features topics including learning the resources, best practices for navigating mental health, building the human connection, creating positive environments, and effective leadership.
The first session covered learning the resources, allowing participants to connect with counselors from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Bahrain, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Bahrain mental health professionals, Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and other embedded mental health officers and licensed social workers supporting the installation.
“The overall goal of the event is to help leadership continue to develop a deliberate mental health strengthening strategy through the information promulgated in alignment with CNO’s [Chief of Naval Operations] Quality of Service initiative, while building collaboration between the Bahrain mental health entities,” said Cmdr. Devon Foster, NAVCENT/
U.S. 5th Fleet deputy chaplain. “There are more than 20 designated caregivers on island consisting of chaplains, MFLCs, LSWs [licensed social workers], psychologists, as well as the professional doctors and nurses at Serene Hospital. This was all about learning the resources from the Navy’s Mental Health Playbook and Roadmap. While our services as providers can overlap, our session shows how each caregiver cares and provides unique amenities within their portfolio.”
NSA Bahrain’s mental health roadmap outlines key resources available on the installation for personnel seeking support, ranging from connecting with friends, family, and chains of command, to seeking support from providers through outpatient care off-base.
During the event, Capt. Jorge Brito, NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet force surgeon, discussed the importance of brain health, emphasizing risk factors, and ways to promote healthy brain function. The presentation included an interactive activity which allowed participants the opportunity to brainstorm ways they thought individuals could improve brain health through implementing or abstaining from certain factors. The exercise validated some beliefs, and challenged common misconceptions about brain health.
The Mental Health Campaign will continue with Session
2, covering best practices for navigating mental health.
“By understanding these services each person can seek assistance from one or more of these professional to meet their needs,” said Foster. “If the help can best be served through another provider, the person will be referred to whomever can give them the care they need.”
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.
when you are seriously injured, it will keep you awake and angry, and remind you to finish the job and get the hell home. But you know the best thing about pain? It lets you know you are not dead yet” Know the movie? Yes, that was from the movie G.I. Jane. The quote by Master Chief John Urgayle. I myself am in pain as I write this. My sides, back, quads, glutes and hamstrings are immeasurably upset with me right now. This is because I demonstrated a dynamic warm up to the Track and Field students at a local school that I volunteer at as a sports coach. If you have never done vinyasa flow yoga, then you don’t know what I am talking about. A series of moving stretches designed to flow from one to the other in a seamless pattern. It is fantastic for warming up the muscles and if like me you have not worked them out recently then it serves as a
fantastic workout too. The pain I am in only reminds me that I am out of shape. I actually understand how this can put people off training, which is why we slowly build up the intensity. I do know that in a few days my muscles will recover from the DOMS (Delayed onset Muscle Soreness) which is a great time to catch up on much needed cardio that will help flush out the lactate build up and allow me to recover faster.
As a coach it is my job to assess, recommend and modify exercises to suit the level of the client at the start of training. Chase the pain or not chase the pain. Yes and No. This you will here a lot in the fitness industry. We should be called fitness lawyers.
Let's discuss next time on chasing the pain or not chasing the pain. Until then, stay strong, recover well and
train better than yesterday.
Do you need to decompress after a long day, maintain or increase fitness with a team to help keep you motivated and accountable? If so, my classes are a sure way to get you on track.
* Sun. @ 1600 Boxing (Human Performance Area aka NOFFS)
* Mon. @ 1600 Kickboxing (Aerobics Studio)
* Tues. @ 1600 Boxing (Human Performance Area aka NOFFS)
* Wed. @ 1600 Kickboxing (Aerobics Studio)
And if group sessions aren’t really your thing, I am available for one-on-one coaching as well.
Fill in a PT request form requesting Shaun at the P911 gym reception.
“Tu Certa Salutis Anchora“
Kickin’ it with Shaun – It Hurts
BGCA President, CEO Jim Clark Visits NSA Bahrain for MYOY Presentation
By Ms. Kelsey Lambert, Bahrain School
Liaison
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s Child and Youth Program (CYP) was honored to host Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) President and CEO, Mr. Jim Clark, Feb. 10-11. During the visit, the NSA Bahrain CYP celebrated many young leaders within the program and named the 2025 NSA Bahrain Military Youth of the Year. Mr. Clark’s first visit to NSA Bahrain, the only BGCA-Affiliated Youth Center in the Middle East, encompassed two days of activities and exploration of the installation’s Youth Programs and the Host Nation of Bahrain.
In addition to Mr. Clark, members from the BGCA Military Services and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Child and Youth Programs
Leadership teams joined us for this exciting week of recognition and connection.
Experiencing Bahrain is incredibly important to understanding the nuances of living in the Middle East as a militaryconnected dependent. We were able to share more about Bahraini history and local culture with Mr. Clark by exploring Bahrain’s roots in the pearl diving industry.
“Five thousand years ago, the Dilmun civilization settled here in Bahrain due to the country’s strategic location on the world map,” said Mr. Khalid Almeshari, who led the tour. “This path tells a story of why Bahrain was considered a magical island where in the middle of the desert, people found spring waters, greenery and precious pearls in the sea. This is the very reason why Bahrainis today are multicultural and open minded.”
The tour began with an authentic Bahraini breakfast and a short boat ride to the Pearling Path. Here, we were able to walk the same walk as the pearl divers from the early days of pearling in Bahrain, learning about the significance of each cultural house along the way.
The Youth of the Year program is BGCA’s signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepare to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. The program strives to select one exceptional member of the Club to serve as an ambassador for BGCA youth, as well as a voice for all of our nation’s young people. The Military Youth of the Year program is a unique component of Youth of the Year which recognizes outstanding teens who are active members at their BGCA-affiliated Youth Center on military installations worldwide. We are incredibly proud to be the Youth Center home of the 2024 National Military Youth of the Year,
Taylor R.
In recognition of the NSA Bahrain 2025 Youth of the Year candidates, CYP hosted a celebration dinner on Feb. 11.
We were pleased to have installation and community leaders present as we recognized young leaders within School Age Care and Youth Sports, as well as volunteers within our youth programs.
The ceremony began with the National Anthems of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States by some of the talented teens in our programs. Our three Youth of the Year Candidates, Kyra A., Keyanna G. and Breena Y., each presented a threeminute speech at the event followed by remarks from our very own Taylor R., the 2024 National Military Youth of the Year. We had the honor of Mr. Clark sharing a few words with the audience, as well as announcing our 2025 NSA Bahrain Military Youth of the Year, Keyanna G. She moves on to the Europe Military Youth of the Year Competition at Ramstein Air Base this month to compete against 16 other candidates from across Europe.
As part of his visit to NSA Bahrain, Mr. Clark and his team had the opportunity to spend time in our programs and spoke directly with NSA Bahrain Leadership, CYP staff, youth and teens. The CYP staff were able to discuss the challenges faced living overseas and how to best serve the youth and teens in our programs. Mr. Clark was able to offer advice, support and a listening ear to staff. A small group of teens were invited to a group discussion with Mr. Clark where they were able to share their thoughts and feelings on what impacts teens today.
ADFD 2025
capt ZACHARIAH APERAUCH - ADFD CHAIR
MA1 Gregory Cutting -
intelligence, living in the Middle East, and what each teen is passionate about were just a few of the topics discussed. Mr. Clark also had the opportunity to speak directly to installation leadership and discuss the impacts to the youth and teens within our community, as well as how BGCA can continue to be a supportive partner to Navy CYP moving forward.
Mr. Clark presented Capt. Zachariah Aperauch, NSA Bahrain’s commanding officer, with brand new plaques to be displayed at the School Age Care and Teen Center to
recognize the Military Youth Program Partnership with BGCA. The team was incredibly honored to host Mr. Clark and his team, as well as our higher headquarters leadership from the CNIC CYP. We enjoyed sharing our programs with him and the opportunity for our staff, youth and teens to speak directly with the leader of such an incredible organization.
and closed by saying, “let’s get cracking on those kids, what do you say? I love you.” Needless to say, the crowd did not quite know what to do with his transparency, especially in Hollywood.
The point of this account is to highlight human connection and its impact on mental health and well-being in general. As a father of seven, I am obviously a fan of spousal exchange that results in the production of another life, but sex is not the kind of human connection that I am talking about. People who feel connected to others and who feel connected to a purpose greater than themselves, lead healthier lives in general. And this is not just anecdotal. For instance, researchers from Harvard found in studies over a 15-year period, that attendance in a house of worship just once a week reduced mortality by 20% to 30%.
But the most influential researcher on the impact of human connection on mental health is that of Duke University researcher Harold G. Koenig who has collected thousands of studies on the relationship between participation in religious activities and a reduction in depression and destructive behaviors. For instance, the risk of suicide in those who do not practice some form of religion is five times that of those who do. Religion is itself both a connection to others and a connection to something larger than ourselves. There are thousands of studies that reveal the impact of religion and spirituality on mental and physical health. This week we just concluded our third iteration of the mental health campaign, which focused on human connection. If you were not in attendance, you missed an important opportunity to hear what a multi-faceted concept mental health is, and how human connection is vital to its sustainment. Providers from the base, and our partners in Bahrain, came together to encourage us about the many resources available to foster health. Chaplains, RPs, Mental Health providers, Medical personnel, and others provide a cooperative effort to help us not just endure but live full lives.
Going back to Kieran and Jazz, for them it is the fostering of family in his speech that sparks its novelty. I like many of you am here without my family, a connection I am trying to maintain through creative efforts. But family is one component of connection that is often overlooked in our larger culture, but is vital to the Navy’s sustainment of our warrior’s edge. That sounds counterintuitive, but if you recall human connection to something bigger than ourselves is one component of mental health. Children and family is a connection to something larger than ourselves, and for some of us that family is larger or smaller—but the connection is still important.
In a very real sense, our unit is an extended family. It is an opportunity to connect with others to a purpose greater than ourselves. We all joined for some greater purpose, whether school or patriotism, and we all serve the larger purpose of our fellow service members and our country. Our mutual mission is a unifying purpose beyond ourselves that draws us together. So as we head into the heat of summer, seeking comfort in the air conditioned spaces of our work, I want to challenge you to connect with your military family at work, at the Chapel, and at your local house of worship. Connect for special events, MWR specials, and anywhere but the seclusion of your villa or hotel style apartment. People are our greatest resource and when you connect that with a larger purpose you have a winning combination for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It is a recipe not just for surviving, but for a full life.
New MOVIES at the MWR Cinema
Heart Eyes (R) – 1h 37m
For the past several years, the "Heart Eyes Killer" has wreaked havoc on Valentine's Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine's Day, no couple is safe. Cast | Mason Gooding, Olivia Holt, Gigi Zumbado
Captain America: Brave New World (PG-13) – 1h 58m
Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan. Cast | Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez
Paddington
One of Them Days (R) – 1h 59m
When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa's boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Cast | Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams
in Peru (PG) – 1h 46m
Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey. Cast | Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw, Imelda Staunton, Oliver Maltman
