July 18, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 28• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
Administrative Department Works to Keep GTMO Running
Naval Station Administrative Department from L to R: YNSA Zapata, YN3 Collins, YN1 Schwartz, CWO2 Cabret, YN2 Hernandez and YNC Mainville. Missing from photo is YN3 Martinez. MC3 Jason Bawgus Photojournalist
F
rom the Master at Arms patrolling the roads, the corpsman working in the hospital, and the barge and ferry delivering goods, Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay is dependent on thousands of people working together to ensure the day to day operations run smooth. Some of the people that work behind the scenes and you may not see on a daily basis are the members of Naval Station’s Administrative Department. “Here in Admin we take care of all Administrative matters for the base and tenant commands to include Environmental Morale Leave (EML), the Plan of the Week, Correspondence, Instructions, Defense Travel System (DTS), Notices and Awards and whatever else comes our way,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jose Cabret, NS Guantanamo Bay’s Administration Officer. “The most important thing for my department to remember is that customer service is our number one priority.” Even though most of their work day is spent inside Bulkeley Hall, it is still filled with challenges and last minute emergencies.
“Working in the Admin Department there is always going to be a surprise, no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to completely plan a day out,” said Yeoman First Class Robert Schwartz, Admin Leading Petty Officer. “No two scenarios are ever the same because everyone will have a different situation.” Much like other things at Guantanamo Bay being on an island can make even the simplest task very time consuming. “Being on an island complicates things because there is only one way on and off the island,” said Schwartz. “Something as simple as going on leave can turn into a very lengthy process because of the seat availability and the weather.” There are a few things that people can do to make their visit to Admin easier as well as make it easier on the yeoman who work there. “Being organized and making sure that don’t wait till the last minute for an issue can really help us begin to help you,” said Schwartz. “At the end of the day our job is helping people, and getting to see a customer leave satisfied is the most rewarding part of our day.”
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL GUANTANAMO BAY COLOR GUARD HM1 DARNELLE MASON - LPO HM1 JOSE GONZALEZ HM3 LORNE ADAMS - ALPO HM3 PRICILLA HERRERA HM3 HAROLD ABELLANOSA HM3 STUART NUNLEY HN KAITLIN LAGODICH
HN DANIEL CEDENO HN TAYLOR BRUCE HN PEREZ ANSAH HN ANDREW GALNARES HA JONRAF DELAROSA HA MEGAN SALAZAR
Selected because of their hard work and dedication for volunteering to be a member of the Color Guard. They proudly represent the base and numerous command functions. Their hardwork and dedication is greatly appreciated by the Naval Station and tenant commands. VOL. 71 • NO.28
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC3 JASON BAWGUS
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.
Identity Theft: You CAN Take Steps to Prevent It!
JULY 18, 2014• PAGE 3
LT Jennifer N. Smith, JAGC, USN
dentity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in I America. Last year, nearly 10 million people were victims. And it’s not just the financial loss, but the impact
on your credit. It includes your borrowing and repayment plans, credit cards and loans, whether you have been delinquent on payments, or you’ve filed for a bankruptcy. The identify thief steals your information and opens one or more accounts. In the mail you begin receiving past due notices for accounts in your name. Erroneous postings end up on your credit report. The negative entries lower your credit score. They lead to denials of future loan requests. Employers and landlords look at credit reports when deciding whether to hire you or if you qualify for a lease. The effort to clean up the mess left by identity thieves is hours of your time and months to get your good name back. Active-duty military are prime targets for identity theft. Lots of moves. Extended absences for training or deployments. Working in remote locations unable to monitor bank and credit accounts. The consequences for active-duty service members can be severe. Poor credit reports can result in the loss of a security clearance and impact future service or your career. While there’s no 100 percent guarantee against identity theft, there are steps you can take to make it more difficult for your identity to be stolen and to limit the impacts should identity theft happen. Here are some helpful tips: 1. Regularly monitor bank and credit accounts: Check accounts twice a month for incorrect entries. 2. Safeguard your personal information: Protect yourself by: a. Shredding documents that contain personal information; e.g., receipts, bank statements, and medical documents.
b. Having a friend pick it up or request a hold at the post office. c. Considering opting out of prescreened offers of credit and insurance by going to optoutprescreen.com. d. Limiting identification you carry such as your Social Security card. e. Avoiding logging into personal accounts on a public wireless network. f. Regularly change passwords. g. Not posting personal information like your full birthday on public websites. 3. Check your credit report three times a year: You can access your credit report annually for free from the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, or you can go to www.annualcreditreport.com. Space your requests to each of the agencies throughout the year to regularly monitor your credit for any suspicious entries. Early identification of identity theft is your best defense. 4. Set up a credit alert: These alerts require businesses to contact you to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. You only need to request an alert with one of the credit reporting agencies and they will report it to the others. If you become the victim of identity theft, an initial alert for 90 days can ensure that no further credit is taken in your name. If deploying, consider the active duty alert which last for twelve months and removes you from prescreened offers for credit and insurance. While you can’t always avoid identity theft, you should take steps to limit the possibility. For more information and advice, visit: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacyidentity. And of course, if you become the victim of identity theft, contact your local RLSO Legal Assistance office!
Chaplain’s
Corner
True Peace Cmdr. Gabriel Mensah NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
P
hilosophically, there are two kinds of silence. There is the silence of the cemetery or the graveyard. This kind of silence speaks only of one thing – death. Most people understandably abhor this silence. Then there is the silence of a cool. spring evening; there is no rustling of leaves. The only sound you hear is the singing of the birds. Yet everything in spring is alive and growing. The silence of spring is thus delightful. When it comes to peace, there are also two kinds. First, we have the peace of the swamp, where things appear normal and calm on the surface, but lurking beneath are alligators and rotten things. Peace based
on injustice, bigotry, and discrimination is like the swamp; it is not true peace. True peace is respecting the basic rights of others, and allowing people to live in freedom and dignity. This kind of peace is not necessarily the absence of war, but it is being able to live in this world where all humankind will see each other as brothers and sisters. The interesting thing about true peace is that it just does not fall from the sky; rather it takes the concerted efforts of everybody to make it a reality.
CDR Gabriel Mensah
Emergency Responders Trained and Ready MC3 Jason Bawgus Photojouralist
Firefighters and Sailors stationed at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay and Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay took part in a training exercise, July 14. The exercise was an opportunity for both Master-AtArms and Corpsman to practice their first responder training as well as a chance for the firefighters to operate the Jaws of Life. “The exercise was of a simulated vehicle roll over from the Bay View hill down into the ferry landing parking lot,” said Chief Gunners Mate Derrick Abson, NS Guantanamo Bay’s Installation Training Team (ITT) Coordinator. “There were two passengers in the van, one was wearing a seat belt and the other was not. A lot of roads are close to the edge of cliffs or have a steep decline,” said Abson. “If something like this ever does happen we want to be able to respond efficiently.”
The exercise was put in place to test the response times of the NS Guantanamo Bay’s emergency responders. “Medical originally came up with the idea of the exercise to see how long their emergency responders would take,” said Abson. “We decided to include the Fire Station to test their response time as well as their equipment capabilities such as the Jaws of Life and pneumatic drills.” The drill was a success and gave all of the responders the chance to get training and use equipment that is vital to the safety of residents at NS Guantanamo Bay. “The exercise went a lot better than we had expected,” said Abson. “Actually allowing the responders to be hands on and get realistic experience with some of the tools is key.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Can My Spouse Claim Another State for Tax Purposes? LT Charles M. Roman, JAGC, USN
A
lthough tax season is behind us, it is never too late to think about next year, and how you and your spouse can make decisions that will best allow your family to avoid the taxman. One thing to always remember, tax residency (described here) is a separate concept from your home-of-record (an exclusively military designation). Under the Sailors Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a service member does not pay state income tax in the state where the service member is stationed if that state is not his domicile (legal state of residence for tax purposes). Instead, the service member is taxed on his military income in his state of legal residence. For example, Seaman Paul, whose state of residence is Florida, does not pay income tax to the state of Virginia from his military income earnings while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Rather Seaman Paul will be taxed based on Florida state tax law – which has no state income tax. Furthermore, no matter where Seaman Paul is stationed, Florida will always remain his state of legal residence, unless he changes it. Until a few years ago, this benefit under the SCRA did not extend to service members’ spouses. Every time a service member moved, the spouse’s state of legal residence would change and the spouse would be taxed by the state on all income earned in that state. So before, when Seaman Paul moved to Norfolk, Virginia with his wife Kristen; she became a Virginia resident and the state of Virginia would tax her on income earned while she lived there. The Military Spouses Residency relief act (MSRRA) changed some of the basic rules of taxation in regards to military spouses. Today, the spouse of the military member is entitled to SCRA tax protection for the same domicile (state of legal residence) of the service member - IF the dependent spouse had also previously acquired the same legal domicile. Translation: if Kristen resided with Seaman Paul in Florida long enough to establish it as her residence when they were ordered to move to Norfolk, Kristen’s state of legal residence can be Florida. Moreover, if Kristen works while in Norfolk, she will not be taxed by Virginia – she will be subject to Florida state income tax rate (zero). Also, Kristen will not be taxed by Virginia on automobiles when they are titled solely in Kristen’s name or jointly with Seaman Paul. Keep in mind two things: 1) The spouse must be present with the
service member in the non-domicile state pursuant to military orders and 2) spouses can keep prior residences IF AND ONLY IF they are the same as that of the service member. Eligible spouses need to designate their appropriate domicile state by filing new withholding forms with their employer. Think about changing withholding forms for next year now! There are some common misunderstandings that need to be addressed: 1. The MSRRA does not allow a spouse to pick or choose a state of legal residence. 2. The MSRRA does not allow a spouse to “inherit” or assume a service member’s domicile upon marriage. There is not a standard form to be filled out that allows a spouse to change their residency. Actually, the spouse must have lived in the state, intends to return to there, and have a tangible connection to the state. Connections that need to be established are: voter registration, driver’s license, professional licenses, homestead declaration, purchase of residential property, registration or titling of vehicles, and even executing a will under the laws of that state. Basically, you need to show a bono-fide intent to return to the state from which the military has ordered you to move away from. Please, note: it is not necessary to establish all of these contacts, but the more the better. 3. The MSRAA does not allow a spouse to recapture an old abandoned domicile unless the spouse physically returns to the state with the requisite connections and intent to remain there permanently. 4. The tax exemption for working spouses only applies to wage income and income from services performed in the non-domiciliary states. Thus, if Kristen sells their Norfolk house or rents out their extra home in Virginia, she will be taxed by Virginia on this income. Also, Kristen will pay Virginia state income tax on businesses she has opened while in Norfolk. Legal residency and how it applies to your taxes is a confusing topic and is detail specific. Hopefully, this article makes the MSRRA a little easier, but if you have more questions contact your local legal assistance JAG. This article is not intended to substitute for the personal advice of a licensed attorney.
USS America to Visit Guantanamo Bay MilitaryConnections.com.
On July 11, the USS America, a Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) ship set off from the Ingalls Shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship is headed to her new home port of San Diego, CA. This USS America is an amphibious assault ship that is commonly used as the flagship of Navy Expeditionary Strike Groups. These small fleets consist of Amphibious Assault Ships, Amphibious Transport Docks (such as the USS New York) and Dock Landing Ships (like the USS Pearl Harbor), escort frigates, cruisers and destroyers. Expeditionary Strike Groups transport and house Marine Expeditionary Units. The USS America is the fourth ship in the U.S. Navy’s history to bear the name of our country. The first USS America launched in 1782, and was given to France. The second USS America was originally the German ocean liner SS Amerika, which was seized during WWI, and was used to transport U.S. troops. The most recent USS America was a KittyHawk-class aircraft carrier that was commissioned in U.S. Naval Service from 1965 to 1996. The newest USS America is the first of its class, meaning that it is the first ship of its type and design. Each new class of ship is called by the first ship of its type to bear the name. Even though
the USS America is the sixth LHA, it is the first ship of its design and specifications. The second America Class, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7), was laid down in June. The America-class ships differ from the older Tarawaclass LHA’s and most other amphibs in that that they do not have a well deck. Well decks are used by other amphibious ships to launch and recover landing vessels. Amphibs take on water in their ballast tanks and fill their well decks with water, so that landing vessels, including Landing Craft Utilities and Landing Craft Air Cushions (hovercrafts) can transport Marines and supplies to and from a beachhead. The lack of a well deck on the America-class is intended to give them more room to carry aircraft, essentially making them smaller aircraft carriers. After initial testing of the USS America, the Navy has stated that it is likely that all LHA’s after LHA-7 will once again have well decks. The USS America went underway from Pascagoula with expected port visits in Guantanamo Bay, Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Peru. The America is scheduled to be commissioned on October 11, 2014 during Fleet Week in San Francisco. The USS America is slated to replace the USS Peleliu, which is scheduled to be decommissioned on March 31, 2015.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
for two Co-Hosts/one fantasy)! Three years strong! Please contact Touchdown Tommy at purepigskingtmo@gmail.com or 77055
YARDSALE
YARD SALE – Villamar 37B, E-mail classified ad submissions to P A O - C L A S S I F I E D A D S @ Furniture, clothes, shoes, and U S N B G T M O . N A V Y . M I L kitchen items and much more! 0800-1100 If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
VEHICLES 2006 VW New Beetle Convertible - Metallic Gray, Less Than 10K Miles, Excellent Body and Leather, Interior, Mechanically Sound - Great AC, New Tires, Battery and Wipers, Rag Top Rear Window Needs Replacement (GTMO Heat) Asking Under Blue Book at $11,000 please call 90443 or 74474.
OUTDOOR REC Full Scuba set $400, Dive Rite 22lbs travel back plate and wing, Nice travel set up fits in carry on has generous D-rings and Integrated weight pockets. HOG Regulator, SPG Gauge, Octo, easy breathing Balanced Diaphragm Din with yoke adapter. Dive anywhere in the World. All $400 please call 72410, or 77219 thank you. Two bikes for sale: One old school Schwinn Varsity road bike, new tires and tubes, well maintained. $100.00/obo., Mongoose Montana mountain bike, well maintained. $100.00/ obo. Call Mike Office: 2446 Cell: 84437
ELECTRONICS SCSI modem 4 sale $45 Call 77798 SCSI Modem for sale, Price $50.00 Call 78742 and ask for Sammy. Brand New in the Box Samsung Galaxy S4 mini i9190 8GB Factory Unlocked Price $395.00 Please. Call 78742 and leave a message.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Yard Sale - INSIDE - @Radio Point 731, Saturday 19 July from 0630 1030
GTMO JOBS MWR is offering the Following jobs: Senior Library Technician Cashier Recreation Assistant Housing Manager Custodial Worker Operations Clerk Front Desk Clerk Front Desk Associate Recreation Aid Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Victim Advocate Support Specialist NEX is offering the following jobs: Sales Clerk Personlized Service Clerk Receptionist Front Desk Clerk-Navy Lodge Barber Hair Stylist Housekeeping Attendant Sales Clerk NAVSTA HRO is offering the following jobs:
YOU to help co-host the Saturday morning radio show! (Looking
scoop
FCPOA The First Class Petty Association would like to invite you to their “Late Night BBQ Combo” Friday July 18 behind the BEQ (BLDG 1670) from 2300-0100. For $7.00 dollars you can get any two meat combination, chips and a drink CAR WASH Need your car washed? The Navy Ball Committee will be washing cars this Saturday, July 19 at the base car wash station from 0900-1300. All donations will go to the 2014 Navy Ball. IMMIGRATION AND NATURIZATION SERVICES. Representatives from Immigration and Naturalization Services will be available to answer questions and provide guidance for base residents with questions pertaining to the immigration and/or naturalization process on Monday, July 21 from 13001630 and Tuesday, July 22 from 0830 to 1030. They willl be located in Bulkeley Hall. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Mr. Lee Adelman at 4696.
Sexual Assualt Response Coordinator Environmental Protection Specialist Facility Management Assistant Burns & Roe Services is offering the following jobs:
P/T Passenger Service Representative Community Bank is offering the following jobs: Banking Center Service Specialist GTMO Hospital is offering the MISC following jobs: Your host of Pure Pigskin Football on Radio GTMO is looking for DMLSS Support Specialist 4 Vegas $.25 slot machines - Wild Cherry, 5X Play, Triple Diamond, and Poker. $3000 for all 4 or $1000 each. Large Brinkman 5 burner grill – has side burner and smoker $200. End table with lamp and magazine rack $20. Large pet kennel $40. Call 84147.
The
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
JULY 18, 2014• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY July 18 8 p.m.: Think Like a Man Too PG13
10 p.m.:
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes PG13
SATURDAY July 19 8 p.m.: The Fault in Our Stars PG13
10:15 p.m.: Transformers: Age of Extinction PG13
SUNDAY July 20 8 p.m.: Planes: Fire & Rescue PG
MONDAY July 21 8 p.m.: X-Men: Days of Future Past PG13
TUESDAY July 22 8 p.m.: Million Ways to Die in the West R
WEDNESDAY 8 p.m.: Jersey Boys
July 23
R
THURSDAY July 24 8 p.m.: Edge of Tomorrow PG13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Guantanamo Bay: A Shelling Destination Kelly Wirfel
NS Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs Officer
Whether it is because of the rich history, unique location or what is broadcasted by the media, people in the United States are intrigued by Guantanamo Bay for various reasons. For Clark and Pam Rambo the appeal of the base is very simple, beautiful beaches with beautiful shells. The Rambo’s call Sanibel, Fla. home but travel the world’s beaches seeking out these natural ocean treasures. For both Pam and Clark, their interest in shelling began at a very young age. “I grew up in Virginia Beach, Va. and we used to go every summer to the Outer Banks in North Carolina and we would go camping. Shelling is what we would do, that’s what we would be entertained by all day long. It was just a treasure hunt on the beach, whatever we could find,” said Pam. “Clark actually did the same thing growing up on the Jersey Shore. We met in Virginia Beach and both had shared this same interest.” Once they relocated from Virginia Beach their past time of collecting shells quickly became an infatuation. “Once we moved to Sanibel, shelling became much more serious to us. Sanibel is considered the shelling capital so once you’re surrounded by shellers you can’t help but become more interested,” said Clark. With the sound of waves breaking behind them at Windmill Beach the couple shared stories about their shelling experiences and talked about some of the unique places their shared passion has taken them. “We have been to Thailand, quite a few places in the Bahamas, Belize, the Florida Keys, all over Southwest Fla., and most uniquely here to Guantanamo Bay,” said Pam and Clark. “I would honestly say that our favorite location of anywhere we have traveled is right here. You have outstanding shells here and very little competition for them. The shells you have are unique to the Caribbean but nobody can believe how many different species we found last year when we were here. You find species here that you don’t find in other Caribbean locations such as the Bahamas.” Pam’s passion for shells has not only taken her all over the world, it led her to start a popular Web site, www.iloveshelling.com which has more than 60,000 followers every month. “The blog almost accidently came about. I am an artist as well and I
made a line of Christmas cards and created a website to sell them. So I was trying to get people to my card website and a gentleman at the Apple store suggested blogging. At that time I did not know anything about blogging and in fact did not even know what it was,” said Pam. “So that day I went home and started my blog. Once someone commented, I was hooked. That was five years ago in September and it has taken off. I am obsessed with it. I use it to educate people about the shells and I am educated by others as well.” One of Pam’s friendships that she developed through her blog is what actually led her to Guantanamo Bay. “I have many social media outreaches through my blog, and Lee (Merrill) actually found our Facebook page and posted all these amazing photographs of Guantanamo Bay shells and I commented once inquiring if and how I could ever get there,” said Pam. “Then Lee and Susan attended one of my shelling events in Sanibel and our friendship took off. They sponsored us last year after we met in Sanibel and now we are back again.” When asked what the couple enjoyed most about shelling they quickly shared their answers. “Shelling is actually the vehicle that gets people to the beach and then you can enjoy everything else around you,” said Pam. “You are part of the beach; you see how beautiful and relaxing the beach is. Even if you don’t find a lot of shells it is an enjoyable experience. Finding shells is just icing on the cake. Plus, it is a treasure hunt. Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt?” For Clark it is the time spent and the people that you meet. “Shelling is something that you can do together. Look at the four of us (referring to Pam, Lee and Susan). Through shelling we have developed an everlasting friendship with Lee and Susan,” said Clark. “We get along so great and have so much fun together. They have the entire weekend planned out for us and really take amazing care of us while we are here.” The Rambo’s and Merrill’s will be combing the beaches of the base this weekend, so if you see them, say hello, ask questions and welcome them to the base. Who knows, it might just peek your interest in shelling like it did for me!
JULY 18, 2014• PAGE 7