WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
July 12, 2016
By MCSA Krystofer Belknap
TUITION ASSISTANCE: SUPPORTFORYOU AVAILABLE AID FOR SAILORS LOOKING TO EARN A DEGREE
By MC3 Kashif Basharat
career counselor THE MANY HATS OF A NAVY CAREER COUNSELOR
By MCSN Clemente Lynch
GEORGE’S C O R N ER u.s.nAVYRESERVES READY THEN, READY NOW, READY ALWAYS
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2016) – Seaman Christian Julian, from North Augusta, South Carolina, heaves in a mooring line aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Bowser
PHOTO of the DAY
Sto r y by M C SA K r ys to f e r B e l k n a p
TUITION ASSISTANCE:
SUPPORTFORYOU AVAILABLE AID FOR SAILORS TO EARN THEIR DEGREE
A
ccording to the College Affordability and Transparency Center, the required fees to attend a four or more year bachelor degree ranges from $7,793 to $15,539 – a fee covered by active duty service members who are eligible to receive tuition assistance. “Everybody gets so caught up in what they need to do for the Navy,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Henry Johnson. “They need to ask themselves ‘what can I do for myself? How could I make myself more marketable?’ If the Navy is no longer an option for you, wouldn’t you want something to fall back on and support your family with?” Tuition assistance (TA) is available for personnel in active duty status, offering $250 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour and $16.67 per clock hour for approved certificate and diploma programs. “I started using tuition assistance
in 2006,” said Johnson. “I didn’t know about tuition assistance before I joined the Navy, but once I did I thought that it would take away from my Montgomery GI Bill, which I wanted to save for when I got out. But my leadership told me how it actually works.” According to the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC), Navy TA fully covers the cost of courses leading to a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. For other education levels, Sailors can use TA annualy for up to 16 semester hours, 24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours, or a combination. “I took online classes from Columbia Southern University in Alabama,” said Johnson. “Tuition assistance covered my course, books and any fees,” said Johnson. “I finished my bachelor’s degree without paying a dime. Actually, the only money I paid for school was my application for graduation.”
To be eligible for TA Sailors must have served a year on board their first permanent duty station, have at least 12 months remaining before their end of active obligated service (EAOS) and be current on their shipboard qualifications. Eligibility for TA, according to NETPDC, also requires active duty status for service members during the entire course; attendance at an accredited institution or agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; counseling from a Navy college office or a virtual education center; provide grades from all courses completed using TA funds; and reimburse the Navy all ‘W’ and failing grades. Officers must also agree to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of courses. For information on TA’s application guidelines, command approval process and more, visit https://www. navycollege.navy.mil/ta_info.html.
Sto r y by M C 3 K a s h i f B a s h a rat
CAREERCOUNSELOR THE DIFFERENT HATS OF A NAVY CAREER COUNSELOR
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t Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) across the country, soon-to-be Sailors scour the list of Navy rates, searching for the job that’s right for them. But, one rate they won’t see on the list is Navy counselor (NC). The list of requirements to be a NC is long, and the selection process is rigorous. Sailors must have at least six years of service, be a first or second class petty officer, have departmental or career counseling experience and have a performance mark average above 3.0 on their previous t h r e e performance evaluations. “The Navy is looking for the best b e c a u s e a [NC] is responsible for the livelihood of thousands of Sailors and their family members,” said Chief Navy Counselor Nickole Palmore-Seay, a command career counselor aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Four NCs oversee the careers of more than 3,400 Sailors embarked aboard GW. To accommodate the large number of Sailors aboard the ship, NCs
selectively train and designate qualified Sailors as career counselors within each of GW’s 20 departments to ensure all 3,400 Sailors receive the knowledge and guidance necessary for a successful career. Routine career development boards (CDBs) provide Sailors, along with their career counselor and chain of command, an opportunity to assess
where they are in their career, what their goals are and how to achieve them. “Now our job as the Navy counselor is to manage those CDBs through the departmental and divisional counselors,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class William Boudreaux. “We help the [departmental and divisional] career counselors on the ship conduct the CDBs appropriately. We do that by training them on the proper procedures
and policies for conducting boards.” NCs can help sailors find the right training, complete tuition assistance forms, and setup placement exams. “A lot of Sailors don’t realize that education not only makes you a wellrounded Sailor, but will help once you leave the Navy,” said Palmore-Seay. “Be it four years or 20 [years], at one point we are all going to hang up our uniforms and have to find another craft. It is easier if we set ourselves up for success n o w . ” NCs also help Sailors navigate the Career Wa y p o i n t s Program, known as C - Wa y. “Since everything is quota based, you need permission to stay in the Navy,” said Palmore-Seay. “For the Sailors who are rated, we put their request in to stay and further their careers. For those Sailors who are unrated, we put them through the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program to find quotas so they can strike a rate.” “We have a genuine concern for the well being of the Sailors. We want to see them succeed,” said Bourdeaux.
CVN MAZE
GAMES CROSSWORD
HARD SUDOKU SUDOKU
U.S.NAVY
RESERVES
READY THEN, READY NOW, READY ALWAYS
BY MCSN Clemente Lynch
GEORGE’S
CORNER
Department: Legal Favorite Sports Team: Alabama Crimson Tide Hobbies: Reading and Jet-skiing
NAVY NEWS NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (NNS) -President Barack Obama spoke to more than 2,000 American and Spanish service members and their families during a visit to Naval Station Rota, Spain, July 10. During his visit, Obama visited USS Ross (DDG 71) as well as held an all hands call to thank service members. Obama’s trip to the naval station marked the first time a U.S. president has visited the installation in 15 years. Spain Minister of Defense Pedro Morenes introduced Obama and thanked both American and Spanish service members for their continued cooperation and support onboard Naval Station Rota. As Obama took the podium for his speech, he recognized Vice Adm. James Foggo III, 6th Fleet commander; Capt. Michael MacNicholl, Naval Station Rota commanding officer; and Command Master Chief Michelle Brooks. “What I really want to do is come down and shake some hands,” Obama said to a round of applause from the audience. “Look, I’ll be honest, it’s been a tough week back home...But I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to come and thank all of you for your outstanding service.” Prior to his visit in Spain, Obama attended meetings at the NATO summits in Warsaw, Poland.
#USSGW
President Obama Visits Naval Station Rota - First U.S. President to Visit in 15 Years By Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Brinn Hefron
“So on my visit to Europe, what I have been trying to communicate, what I have been wanting to focus on, is America’s relation to Europe and the fact that our commitment will not change,” Obama said. “We have an enduring commitment
to the transatlantic alliance and to our allies in Europe because you are central to our security and we could not have a more important alliance or a better set of friends than those of you here in Europe. That includes a strong and unified Spain, one of our closest allies. The alliance between our countries is rooted in shared values, of democracy, and pluralism and open markets and our shared commitment to freedom.” Obama went on to mention that American forces have been stationed in Spain for more than 60 years and today there are more than 3,000
service members stationed in Rota. He continued to add that the American and Spanish alliance is well-founded on shared values, and strong bonds. “Day in and day out, Americans and Spaniards like you serve together, shoulder to shoulder. Not only here but in missions for our common security in the coalition to destroy ISIL, combating piracy, supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. That’s because we believe that people around the world, and here in Europe, have the right to live in security and prosperity and dignity. That’s what America stands for, that’s what Spain stands for and that’s what NATO stands for,” said Obama. Bringing his speech to a close, Obama spoke with emotion and emphasis, “We have the finest fighting force the world has ever known, we have great partners around the world and I am absolutely confident that the people of good will ultimately overcome those forces that seek to divide and destroy us. “ “You give me confidence! You give me hope! God bless you. God bless the United States of America. God Bless Spain. Thank you very much!” At the conclusion of the event, Obama shook as many hands as possible before departing Naval Station Rota.
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underway
movie
schedule
July 12th 2016
Channel 4 Channel 5 0800 Jobs 0800 Doom 1000 The Monuments Men 1000 Ratatoille 1200 Prisoners 1200 Wall-E 1400 Cloudy with the Chance of 1400 Twelve Monkeys Meatballs 2 1600 For a Movie Request Call 4988 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 U-571 1800 Antz 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 The Hunt for Red October 2200 Lee Daniel’s The Butler 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 We Were Soldiers 0200 Closed Circuit 0400 K-19 0400 Pocahontas 0600 Silent Hill Revelation 0600 Grumpy Old Men Channel 6 Channel 7 0800 Brick Mansions 0800 Gone Girl 1000 Million Dollar Arm 1000 Step Up: All in 1200 How to Train Your Dragon 2 1200 The Giver 1400 Jersey Boys 1400 Lilo & Stitch 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Maleficent 1800 Charlotte’s Web 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 The Fault in Our Stars 2200 The Mighty Ducks 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 X-Men: Days of Future Past 0200 Up 0400 Mom’s Night Out 0400 Shrek 0600 Dumb and Dumber 0600 The Wizard of Oz
staff Commanding Officer CAPT Timothy Kuehhas
Executive Officer CAPT Kenneth Strong
Command Master Chief CMDCM James Tocorzic
Public Affairs Officer LCDR Reann Mommsen
Deputy Public Affairs Officer LTJG Jack Georges
Senior Editors MCC Adrian Melendez MC2 A. L. Smedegard
Editors
MC2 Kris R. Lindstrom
July 13th 2016
Channel 4 Channel 5 0800 The World’s End 0800 Oz the Great and Powerful 1000 Gravity 1000 Lincoln 1200 The Counselor 1200 Jack Reacher 1400 Captain Phillips 1400 Evil Dead 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Robocop 1800 The Guilt Trip 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Insidious: Chapter 2 2200 Les Miserables 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Parkland 0200 The Cold Light of Day 0400 Escape Plan 0400 Casino Royale 0600 Madagascar 2 0600 Quantum of Solace Channel 6 Channel 7 0800 The Pirate Fairy 0800 Fallen 1000 Transformers: Age of Extinction 1000 Outbreak 1200 The Untouchables 1200 Catch-22 1400 Black Rain 1400 S.W.A.T. 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Chicken Run 1800 Gladiator 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Wallace & Gromit: Wererabbit 2200 Mo’ Better Blues 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 The Boxtrolls 0200 Predator 0400 The November Man 0400 Earth to Echo 0600 The One I Love 0600 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Content MC2 Jennifer Case MC2 Loni Lopez MC3 Jessica Gomez MC3 Kashif Basharat MC3 Devin Bowser MC3 Alora Blosch MC3 Wyatt Anthony MCSN Clemente Lynch MCSN Michael Wiese MCSA Krystofer Belknap
The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer (7726).