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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 13 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 03.29.12
Navy takes new approach to deter Sailors from drugs, alcohol By David Todd The Flagship Managing Editor
NORFOLK
Truman Sailors participate in Mind, Body, Spirit symposium By MC3 David R. Finley, Jr. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) attended a Mind, Body and Spirit symposium aboard the ship’s auxiliary barge, March 22. The event was designed to provide personal, physical, spiritual and professional guidance for Truman Sailors. “Today, we are hosting our Mind, Body and Spirit campaign aboard the barge, and we are emphasizing that Sailors are our most valuable asset,” said Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Truman’s Commanding Officer. “We have more than a dozen of our program managers out there
Nomination deadline for Military Spouse Awards is March 30 NORFOLK
This is the last week to nominate a deserving military spouse for the 2012 Heroes At Home Military Spouse Awards™, the only regional event in the country that honors military spouses from all branches of the Armed Services. More than 1,200 spouses have been nominated for this recognition program over the past seven years for their volunteerism, support for other military families, and for the challenges they overcome every day. Some say the hardest job in the military belongs to the military spouse, and our military spouses are unsung heroes who maintain the homefront during lengthy deployments, selflessly give back to their communities though volunteer work
to provide important information to the crew.” Various command program representatives were present to answer questions and specific information. “We coordinated a one-stop shop for Truman Sailors to get information,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW/AW) Tanisha ScruggsThomas, 2nd Class Petty Officer Association president. “It is a great opportunity to educate the crew and bring awareness to our programs.” The event also gave Sailors a chance to socialize and meet new people, said Scruggs-Thomas. “Communication is very important,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Kathy-Ann Gomez, Truman’s command drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA). “Knowl-
■ Truman’s status Harry S. Truman is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to conduct maintenance and refurbish shipboard systems.
edge is power. If Sailors are more knowledgeable about the things around them, they can make better decisions.” The event also included Sailors signing contracts with the commanding officer regarding alcohol use and expectations as part of the Right Spirit Campaign. The Navy’s Right Spirit Campaign requires responsibility and accountability from all hands regard-
MC3 Zachary D. Montgomery Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class James Cooley (right), assigned to the medical department aboard the USS Truman, teaches Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Brian Johnson about the benefits of quitting smoking and the assistance the medical department has to offer.
less of rank or rate. The goal is to enhance fleet readiness by reducing alcohol abuse and related incidents. “They are making a promise to themselves, the commanding officer, the Navy and their families to do the right thing,” said Gomez. “The contract brings awareness to the situation and causes Sailors to be more mindful of themselves and their shipmates.” Health and wellness are important elements of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combateffective force in the history of the Department.
ENTERPRISE CSG COMPLETES PASSING EXERCISE and provide moral support for their loved ones serving both at home and in harm’s way. Visit www.norfolknavyflagship.com/heroes_at_home to fill out a nomination form today. Deadline for entry is March 30. All nominees will be honored at the Heroes at Home luncheon, May 10. The nomination form can be found online at https:// heroesathome.myreviewroom. com. Any spouse of active duty U.S. military service member, Coast Guard or reserves, living in the Hampton Roads, Fort Lee, Va. or Camp LeJeune/Jacksonville, N.C. region may be nominated for the 2012 Heroes at Home Military Spouse Awards. Nominations will be accepted from any individual or group, civilian and active duty personnel. A person may submit more than one nomination.
NAVY CONCLUDES SOLID CURTAIN-CITADEL SHIELD 2012 The Navy wrapped up its largest annual security exercise, March 23, after a week of training designed to test the service’s ability to respond to nationwide threats to its installations, units, personnel and families. » see A8
By MC1 (SW) Steve Smith Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA
Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed a series of training evolutions with Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 during a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Mediterranean Sea, March 24 - 25. During the two-day exercise, nine ships from multiple navies were provided the opportunity to work together to promote communications, interoperability and partnership for the shared goal of maintaining the safety and security of the region’s sea lanes. “PASSEX allows the Enterprise CSG to train with our coalition partners, build on relationships and maintain our interoperability,” said Cmdr. Richard D. Brawley, surface operations officer for Carrier Strike Group 12.
■ the exercise Multiple navies were given the opportunity to work together promoting communications, interoperability and partnership in order to maintain safety and security for the region’s sea lanes.
One of the evolutions conducted was a link exercise (LINKEX), which employed the Link-11 and Link-16 tactical data link systems to trade communications, intelligence and other data directly among all the ships in the exercise. The ships used these systems during an air-defense exercise to increase self defense and create a better situational awareness. “During the exercise, we’re tracking the other NATO ships, merchant
» see ENTERPRISE | A9
MCPON WEST TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON HAZING MCPON Rick D. West testified before Congress, March 22, on hazing in the military along with leaders from other branches.
EASTER EVENTS The Flagship has compiled local Easter events, tips for Easter traditions and a history of the holiday.
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In an effort to educate Sailors and Marines on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the Navy has developed several new campaigns to keep service members mission ready. In addition, the Navy has also begun testing for synthetic chemical compounds (NAVADMIN 082/12), such as the ones found in the cannabinoid “Spice,” and as of May 1, will begin testing for more commonly abused prescription drugs during random urinalysis. “We always kind of relate it to Russian roulette,” Dorice Favorite, Director, Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Office (NADAP) said when describing Spice. “You never know what’s in (Spice). When a Sailor smokes Spice, they don’t know what compound is in there, because there are so many compounds. And the effects are different for everyone.” According to a Navy Personnel Command press release, service members who tested positive for illicit drug use in 2011 hit a record low, with a total of 1,515 out of the 1,184,160 samples tested. The DoD announced, Feb. 1, that the testing panel for all urinalysis samples submitted for testing will now include the prescription drug families: benzodiazepines, hydrocodones and hydromorphones (i.e. Xanax, Vicodin and Dilaudid). The reason for this addition is because these drugs are being prescribed more frequently. “We want to make sure that people that are on these drugs – that have prescriptions for these drugs – their records reveal the documentation,” said Favorite. Proper documentation is extremely important in regards to random urinalysis and a Sailor’s military career.
» see TESTING | A9
■ zero tolerance The Navy maintains a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use, reinforced by the separation of 1,515 Sailors in fiscal year 2011.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY The Naval Safety Center offers resources to help manage driving risks.
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