www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, June 27, 2024 1
SCSTC delivers Warship Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Training to the fleet SCSTC recently conducted a pilot of the newly developed Warship Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare course of instruction to USS Truxtun with USS James E. Williams supporting with an Anti-Submarine Warfare team. PAGE A2 VOL. 32, NO. 24, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
June 27-July 3, 2024
Yorktown, Va. (June 20, 2024) Sailors assigned to the Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity (NORA) Color Guard present the colors during the opening ceremonies for the Tri-Service Optician School’s (TOPS) class 24-005 commencement ceremony. The commencement ceremony was held at Nelson Chapel onboard Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown. The mission of TOPS is to provide formal optical training to Army Optical Laboratory Specialist MOS (68H) and Navy Hospital Corpsman (NEC L19A) students with quality training through a 24-week, DoD, uniformed services school on the subjects of ophthalmic dispensing, ophthalmic fabrication and clinical optics. Upon completing the required curriculum, graduates are immediately able to function as an independent optician in any military environment. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MAX LONZANIDA/RELEASED)
Tri-Service Optician School aboard NWS Yorktown graduates 15 new opticians on first official day of summer By Max Lonzanida
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
YORKTOWN, Va. — Fifteen graduates of the Tri-Service Optician School’s (TOPS) Class 24-005 joined the Class of 2024 and set their sights on joining the fleet and respective field activities near and far as trained optical laboratory specialists on Thursday, June 20th. Their rigorous 24-week training course at the school, co-located at the Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity (NORA) onboard Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown concluded with a commencement ceremony attended by family and service members alike, making this milestone achievement a focal point for many on the first official day of summer. Commander Christopher DeAngelis, MSC, Director of the Tri-Service Optician School provided official remarks during the ceremony. He remarked that “I’m continually impressed by the work of our Tri-Service Optician School students, making this school one of the best optician training courses in the Department of Defense. He also noted that their training took place at the NORA facility, which is the largest and finest Optical Fabrication Enterprise (OFE) within the Department of Defense. In addition to classroom instruc-
tion, practical training for the cohort of Sailors of instruction on ophthalmic dispensing, and Soldiers occurred onboard Fort Eustis, fabrication and clinical optics among other Langley Air Force Base and at Sewells Point in subjects that equipped the graduates with Norfolk among other the required skilllocations. Instrucsets to be successful tion was provided by at their respective the dedicated staff duty stations. of Civilians, Drill Special awards Sergeants, other were presented to Sailors, Hospital several cohorts of Corpsman and other the graduating class. specialists in the field Hospital Corpsto graduate students man Apprentice that will allow warfTanner Steward was ighters near and far awarded the Navy the sight to fight and and Marine Corps win in any domain. Yorktown, Va. (June 20, 2024) HA Tanner Achievement Medal “As new opticians Steward is presented with the Navy and as the cohort’s Navy you are now the most Marine Corps Achievement Medal as the Honor Graduate. highly trained opti- Navy honor graduate of the Tri-Service Sergeant Eric Johncians that our military Optician School’s (TOPS) class 24-005 son was awarded the has to offer. You have commencement ceremony by Commander Army Achievement the most up to date Christopher DeAngelis, Director of the TriMedal as the cohort’s training available and Service Optician School. Army Honor Graduthe curriculum that ate. Several Soldiers you received in the past six months should in the cohort graduated with honors, among serve as a baseline from here,” concluded them Private Second Class Stephanie Aguayo, Commander DeAngelis. It was also noted Private Second Class Terrance Daniels, and that their rigorous curriculum consisted Private First Class Jennifer Ramos-Lopez.
Additionally, several Sailors also graduated with honors, among them Hospital Corpsman Second Class Lindsay Blythe, Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Anthony Carreto-Cardona, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joshua Forte and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Vincent Stanley. Additionally, U.S. Army Medical Department Certificates were presented to the Soldier graduates by TOPS instructors Sergeant First Class Darwin Prudencio and Staff Sergeant Rebecca Worthy. Thereafter, Class 24-005 comprised of the newest Navy Hospital Corpsman (NEC L19A) and Army Optical Laboratory Specialists (MOS 68H) took to the stage and received their respective graduation certificates. About the Tri-Service Optician School: The mission of TOPS is to provide formal optical training to Army Optical Laboratory Specialist MOS (68H) and Navy Hospital Corpsman (NEC L19A) students with quality training through a 24-week, DoD, uniformed services school on the subjects of ophthalmic dispensing, ophthalmic fabrication and clinical optics. Upon completing the required curriculum, graduates are immediately able to function as an independent optician in any military environment.
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic at your fingertips Courtesy Story
NORFOLK, Va — On Monday, Commander Navy Region Mid Atlantic (CNRMA) will introduce its first-ever mobile application, aimed at enhancing communication and support services for personnel across the region. The launch of the CNRMA app marks a significant milestone for CNRMA and represents a commitment to leveraging technology to improve efficiency and accessibility. The new CNRMA app will provide users with a convenient platform to access a wide range of resources and information relevant to their needs. From important announcements and updates to local events and support services, the app aims to streamline communication and ensure that personnel have easy access to the information they require. “One of my projects when I arrived to CNRMA was to get an app established for ease of communication throughout the
Region. I am excited to say the rollout of the app is happening Monday,” said Rear Admiral Wes McCall, Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. “The new capability will be available to everyone with a smart phone, and with a touch of a finger, you can learn more about our Navy installations. A key feature of the app will be its ability to deliver timely notifications and alerts directly to users’ mobile devices with push notifications. Whether it’s information about upcoming training exercises or emergency notifications, the app will help ensure that personnel stay informed and prepared. The introduction of the mobile app reflects CNRMA’s ongoing commitment to the quality of life of the sailors and their families. By embracing technology and exploring new ways to enhance communication and support services, CNRMA aims to better serve the needs of personnel throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Aquatic Robotics: ROVs take center stage at International SeaPerch Challenge The 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge was held May 31-June 1 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. The event featured more than 170 competing teams of elementary, middle and high school students from around the world. PAGE A5
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