Panorama June 10, 2016

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61st year, No. 23

Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy

Friday, June 10, 2016

DoD Ramps Up Training on New Blended Retirement System By Karen Parrish DoD News

U.S. Navy Adm. Michelle Howard and Adm. Mark Ferguson salute during a change of command ceremony. Howard assumed command from Ferguson at the JFC Naples headquarters in Naples on June 7, 2016. Howard is now the 29th commander of JFC Naples. Photo by MC3 Weston Jones

Adm. Michelle Howard Assumes Command of JFC Naples By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Patton

U.S. Navy Adm. Michelle Howard took command of Allied Joint Force Command Naples and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa during a ceremony held at the JFC Naples headquarters, June 7, 2016. Howard, the 29th commander of JFC Naples, assumed command from U.S. Navy Adm. Mark Ferguson, who is slated to retire from the Navy. Howard previously served as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. In addition to Howard and Ferguson, the ceremony’s official party included U.S. Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. David Rodriguez, commander,

U.S. Africa Command, and Adm. Bill Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations. “I would like to state my appreciation to Naples, Italy as our host community,” Howard said during her remarks to the crowd. “You have treated us like family for over six decades, and your support is a key enabler to our mission success.” The Commander of JFC Naples is one of two subordinate Joint Force commanders to NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. As commander of JFC Naples, Howard’s primary mission is to be prepared to conduct the full range of military operations throughout the NATO area of responsibility in order to deter aggression, defend NATO territory and forces,

safeguard freedom of the seas and economic lifelines, and to preserve the security of NATO nations. As Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Howard will be responsible for leading full spectrum maritime operations in concert with allied, coalition, joint, interagency and other partners to advance U.S. interests while enhancing maritime security and stability in Europe and Africa. Howard pledged to lead the formation with the same strength, resolve, and readiness that the troops of JFC Naples have demonstrated in the past. “Your work has made my first direction and guidance simple: Steady as she goes. Full speed ahead,” Howard said. CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2

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TEDDY BEAR PICNIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

BE NICE, CLEAN UP . . . . . . . . . page 14

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The Defense Department’s new retirement system will affect some 2.2 million people who all need to get smart on what it will mean. Two subject-matter experts from the department’s personnel and readiness branch described the issues involved to DoD News: Army Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas Jr., senior enlisted advisor to the Defense Department’s Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, and Wayne Boswell, DoD’s director of financial readiness. Thomas described the fourphase overall training program planned for the Blended Retirement System, or BRS, as “a very comprehensive financial education strategy.” The leader training module was available June 1, on the Joint Knowledge Online portal and the MilitaryOneSource website, and on DVD at deployed, shipboard and other remote locations. Thomas, who has reviewed the module, said he’s impressed with the tools available in the training. “I’m going to have service members whose situations are all different … I can go up online to JKO, click ‘launch the class,’ and then look in the glossary and get the specific information I need to be able to talk to my service member one on one,” Thomas said. Thomas said that while leaders are required to take the first round of training, it’s also available to those who aren’t yet in leadership roles. Boswell noted that the online availability also will help family members learn about the new retirement system.

RETIREMENT

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