www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, March 28, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE
MSC’s Fleet Replenishment Oiler Partners with Local Middle School AVID students from Oscar Smith Middle School received a once in a lifetime experience aboard Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), located in Norfolk, Va., Feb. 28. PAGE A5
VOL. 32, NO. 11, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
March 28-April 3, 2024
CWO3 (Ret.) Wes Weir, a NWW program participant, pictured with one of his daughters. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Colorado Springs, Co. U.S. Navy Master at Arms Third Class Pablo Monreal is shown having the advantage while wrestling as part of the All Navy Wrestling Team. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MA3 PABLO MONREAL/RELEASED)
NWS Yorktown Sailor competes as part of All Navy Wrestling Team By Max Lonzanida
tling paid dividends when he was selected and received TAD orders in January 2024. He joined other Sailors who hailed from YORKTOWN, Va. — WrestleMania 40 points far and near at the MWR wrestling promises to draw crowds to Philadelphia camp at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington. this year on April 6-7th as fans from near Conditioning and training started from day and watch this signature World Wrestling one after arriving and possibly enjoying Entertainment (WWE) event. The an obligatory cup of brew from the 40th iteration of the annual event state’s thriving coffee scene. promises to draw in some of the There was a diverse mixture of WWE’s most talented wrestlers. Sailors “who had experience wresEarlier this year, Naval Weapons tling in high school or at the amateur Station (NWS) Yorktown’s Seculevel. There was a mixture of third rity Department sent one of their classes and there was even a Senior own to compete as part of the All Chief on the team training with Navy Wrestling Team across the us,” recalled Monreal. Training and continent to Naval Base Kitsap in learning from others was tough Bremerton, Washington. Enter into and regimented, and he recalled a the ring Master at Arms Third Class few times where he was slammed Pablo Monreal. to the mat “so hard that I may have Monreal, a native of Colorado, saw stars.” He didn’t recall how enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2021. many times he threw fellow Sailors He was part of his high school’s onto the mat, and pointed out that varsity wrestling team, and it was his he returned to his room after each recruiter who originally pointed out training day exhausted and sore; but the unique opportunity to wrestle as very eager to learn more the followpart of the All Navy Sports Program. Colorado Springs, Co. A photo showing the wrestling ing day. They trained and honed “The Navy has a lot of Sailors that singlets worn by the All Navy Wrestling Team. (U.S. NAVY their skills for nearly a month before have the ability to compete in sports PHOTO BY MA3 PABLO MONREAL/RELEASED) departing for his home state of Coloat the National level and higher. The rado to compete in the Armed Forces All-Navy Sports program is here to assist and installation leadership they were Wrestling Championships at the Air Force those Sailors in making that happen,” said great, and they supported me one hundred Academy. There, he competed as part of the Michael Morris, All-Navy Sports Program percent.” He also noted that “it just shows All Navy Wrestling Team during the first Manager. that the Navy does offer opportunities for week of March 2024. “We battled it out the After completing the rigorous Master sailors to branch outside of what they do.” best we could against the Army and the Air at Arms “A” school and upon reporting to That support and desire to hone his NWS Yorktown, he pursued the opportu- repertoire of Greco-Roman style wres- Turn to All Navy Wrestling, Page 2 Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
nity to wrestle at the national level. “The Navy All sports website has an application process where you fill out a form and your accolades and what you’ve achieved in wrestling,” said Monreal. “I completed the application on my off hours, and I had it up through my chain of command. Our SECO,
Navy Wounded Warrior Program assists service members during critical times By Ninoshka Basantes and MC1 Maddelin Hamm
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
The Navy Wounded Warrior Program (NWW), previously known as Safe Harbor, stands as a beacon of support and care for active duty Sailors, Reservists serving on active duty, and Coast Guardsmen wounded, ill, or injured in the line of duty or off duty. Established to provide personalized assistance and resources, NWW serves as a lifeline for service members and their families navigating the complexities of recovery and rehabilitation. From physical injuries to invisible wounds, NWW offers a comprehensive network of support tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant. “Many Sailors enroll in the program not sure about who we are or what we do, but at the end of their transition we become their bedrock for accurate and timely information and resources,” said Marc Puco, recovery care coordinator (RCC) with NWW. Puco said every enrollee is unique and requires different resources and support. RCC’s provide one-on-one concierge support and resources specific to their individual needs. NWW is a non-medical care management team, which assigns a dedicated RCC to each participant. These RCCs serve as advocates and guides, assisting service members and their families in navigating the maze of medical appointments, paperwork, and rehabilitation programs that may come with injury. With a deep understanding of military culture and the challenges of recovery, RCCs offer personalized support tailored to the unique circumstances of each individual. “I was immediately impressed by the team,” said Retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jonathan Weir. “Even during my intake interview, I found myself surrounded by capable, well-connected and passionate professionals who very clearly had my best Turn to Navy Wounded Warrior, Page 2
Bataan ARG, 26th MEU(SOC) return from 8-month deployment More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Bataan ARG and embarked 26th MEU(SOC) returned to Hampton Roads following an eight and a half-month deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, March 21. PAGE A4
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