www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 20, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
Diverse perspectives: Naval STEM touts outreach programs at DoD STEM event
“It turns out that orthopedic surgery is the least diverse field of medicine,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marvin Dingle, who himself is one of a handful of African American orthopedic surgeons in the Navy.“I knew I wanted to do something to improve that number, but how?” Page A3
VOL. 31, NO. 14, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
April 20-April 26, 2023
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Feb. 14, 2023) U.S. Navy Capt. Cassidy Norman, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), speaks with new Sailors during a School of Ship brief at Huntington Hall, in Newport News, Virginia, Feb. 14, 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS JONG S. PARK)
Taking care of people: Building Team 74 starts day one From USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Working in a shipyard environment is tough, especially for the U.S. Navy’s newest Sailors. Not only are new check-ins coming from boot camp trying to figure out their new rating and jobs, but the shipyard provides an even more complex and often difficult physical work environment. Before arriving for a multi-year overhaul in 2021, the leadership team aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) recognized these additional hardships. “Typically, when new Sailors are assigned to an aircraft carrier, they can go straight to the ship, check in immediately, and start getting acclimated to their new command,”
said Capt. Cassidy Norman, Stennis’ commanding officer. “We knew that would not be possible for our new Sailors arriving at a private shipyard.” Stennis’ leaders took proactive steps to help new Sailors by creating Training University (Training U), a unique take on a robust command indoctrination program. Since Sailors have to wait weeks to receive their badge to enter the shipyard, the Stennis team utilizes that time to welcome and train new Sailors. “Before E-6 and below Sailors ever come into the shipyard, they attend Training U for upwards of four weeks at Huntington Hall, one of Stennis’ off-site work locations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Charlotte Roche, Stennis’ Training Officer. “Our goal is to ensure new Sailors
feel like they are a part of the team and are ready to work aboard the ship when they enter the shipyard. We enable them to start with their best foot forward.” Roche manages a robust curriculum that new Sailors go through during Training U, including formal indoctrination called School of Ship, administrative check-in items, basic qualification completion including Damage Control and Maintenance & Material Management (3M), as well as facilitating the Navy’s newest medical training, Tactical Casualty Combat Care. They also receive training on several topics grouped into a class called True North, a collection of practical lessons of serving in the Navy gathered through feedback from new Sailors and experienced leaders. The specialized train-
ing includes the importance of mentorship, nutrition education, digital literacy, saving and investing, and mental and preventive health. New Sailors also learn about the many quality-of-life programs, resources, and opportunities available to them during their tour in the shipyard. They learn about Team 74’s very active Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program, command social outings, mental health resources, the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), continual transportation to access a gym and Navy Exchange mini-mart, monthly visits from Mutts With A Mission, WiFi locations inside and outside the shipyard, and several Turn to Taking Care of Peple, Page 7
AIRLANT welcomes new Force Master Chief By Chief Petty Officer Brian Brooks Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT) welcomes Force Master Chief (FORCM) Jimmy W. Hailey III. Hailey, a native of Austin, Texas, assumes responsibility from FORCM Chris Chelberg as AIRLANT’s 20th Force Master Chief. Chelberg is retiring after 33 years of naval service. Prior to reporting to AIRLANT, Hailey served as the command master chief of the Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) to preserve warfighting capability, combat lethality and readiness by working with stakeholders to identify, mitigate or eliminate hazards in order to reduce unnecessary risk to people and resources. As the senior enlisted advisor to AIRLANT, Hailey now oversees more than 52,000 Sailors assigned to aviation assets on the East Coast. “I look forward to getting out to find and address normalization of deviation, things that we’ve become so accustomed to that are just normalized now,” Hailey said. “I’m excited to meet our Sailors and see what’s on their minds and to address those things.” Hailey began his Navy career as a Sonar Technician (Surface) where he served on his early career on guided-missile destroyers and says he’s possibly one of the last plank owners’ of USS Fitzgerald that is still on active duty. He says joining the Navy provided him with some needed discipline and purpose.
After several assignments to various other commands, to include being a recruit division commander twice, he made the transition to Naval Aviation. From there he became the command master chief for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Next, he went back to Great Lakes to the Naval Service Training Command, then to the then Naval Safety Center and took it through the transition to the NAVSAFECOM. HaileysaysthathistimeatNAVSAFECOM has really changed how he views the Navy and sees his role as the senior enlisted advisor to AIRLANT perfectly aligned with the priorities of the commander of AIRLANT, Rear Adm. John F. Meier. Hailey went on to say he is looking forward to his time at AIRLANT. “I’m really excited to meet AIRLANTs Sailors and leadership and figure out how I can help clear obstacles for them to be successful in their mission,” Hailey said. “I’m thrilled to be here and very humbled to have this opportunity to serve as the force master chief of naval aviation for the Atlantic.” AIRLANT is responsible for seven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 54 aircraft squadrons, 1,200 aircraft and 52,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel with priorities focused on warfighting, people, and readiness by providing combat ready, sustainable naval air forces with the right personnel, properly trained and equipped, with a focus on readiness, operational excellence, interoperability, safety, and efficient resourcing.
Force Master Chief (FORCM) Jimmy W. Hailey III poses for a portrait photo. (COURTESY PHOTO)
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Working in a shipyard environment is tough, especially for the U.S. Navy’s newest Sailors. Not only are new check-ins coming from boot camp trying to figure out their new rating and jobs, but the shipyard provides an even more complex and often difficult physical work environment. The leadership team aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) recognizes these additional hardships. Page A7
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