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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 36 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 09.12-09.18.13
Week-long SARC Conference commences in Norfolk By David Todd Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
early to help set up information centers, booths for on-site counseling, water stations and first-aid sites. More than 5,000 people attended the event, which focused on raising awareness of depression as a way to prevent suicide, remembering lost loved ones and celebrating good mental health.
Chief petty officers (CPO) and CPO selectees from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) helped build a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity community relations project (COMREL), Sept. 4. Other Sailors from the Lincoln have been assisting at the Habitat for Humanity build site since July 31.
As a continued effort to eliminate sexual assault within the Department of the Navy (DON), Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) are attending an annual week-long SARC Conference at Naval Station Norfolk’s Vista Point Conference Center, Sept. 9 -13. Sexual assault prevention is the Navy’s and Chief of Naval Operations’ number one priority, said Vice Adm. William D. French, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), who provided conference opening remarks Monday. Sexual assaults also affect the Navy’s overall mission readiness and effectiveness, he said. “We are coordinating with the fleets to make sure we get the right word out to our Sailors,” said French, who noted the Navy has dedicated numerous training modules specifically for sexual assault prevention, including Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) Standdowns, SAPR Leadership (SAPR-L), SAPR Fleet (SAPR-F), and most recently, SAPR Civilian (SAPR-C). “From our perspective at CNIC, we’re hiring 66 new SARCs, 66 new SAPR Victim Advocates (VA), and soon we will be hiring 21 resiliency councilors that will be deployed aboard 21 different big deck ships – on amphibs as well as aircraft carriers.” “We’re working to try to educate folks on how to be responsible, and at the same time, we are holding those perpetrators and offenders accountable,” he continued. “It’s a broad effort across the Navy.” French said that securing qualified SARCs and VAs has been a smooth process due to the willingness of active duty volunteers. “We’ve been able to find a lot of motivated and fully-qualified SARCs and Victim Advocates … and the bulk of our Victim Advocates are volunteers that are wearing the uniform,” he said. “Most of our Victim Advocates are those that are assigned to each of our ships, aviation squadrons, submarines and tenant commands – everybody is responsible for having a Victim Advocate that is familiar with the people from their command.” “We have a lot of volunteers who have that responsibility and interface with paid Victim Advocates and paid SARCs,” he continued, noting that by the end of this month, CNIC will have a total of almost 5,000 credentialed SAPR VAs and SARCs within the command. “It’s a great network!” Training during the week’s events will include: CNIC SAPR program updates, mock sexual as-
» see WALK | A9
» see COMREL | A7
» see SAPR | A7
MC2 Jeff Atherton
Navy commissions 10th Virginia-class submarine Press Release Navy Office of Information
NORFOLK
The Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 7. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivered the ceremony’s principal address. Ellen Roughead, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and a Minnesota native, served as the
ship’s sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, she gave the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!” USS Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia-class, is named in honor of the state’s citizens and their continued support to our nation’s military. Minnesota, which has a long tradition of honoring its veterans of wars past and present, is proud to be home to 46 Medal of Honor recipients that span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. “Minnesota and the success of our Vir-
ginia-class submarine program prove that acquisition excellence is a key element of building the future fleet,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “The work of the more than a thousand shipyard craftsmen and engineers who built this boat have helped make the fleet stronger and our nation safer. Their dedication and expertise led to the delivery of the world’s most advanced submarine almost a year ahead of schedule ... and on budget.”
Spectators listen to remarks during the commissioning ceremony for Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783). Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia-class, is named in honor of the state’s citizens and their continued support to our nation’s military.
» see MINNESOTA | A7
LINCOLN CHIEF SELECTEES HAMMER AWAY WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Sailors, civilians attend suicide walk
By MCSN Jonathon Lockwood USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
Compiled by Flagship Staff VIRGINIA BEACH
MC3 Jackie Hart Sailors and civilians from Hampton Roads begin the 2013 “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk as part of National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 7.
It kills every 14 minutes. It doesn’t discriminate by race, gender, age, wealth or poverty. Suicide is an equal opportunity killer. In an attempt to increase awareness for the issue of suicide, military members, including about 85 Navy volunteers, and civilians gathered for the 8th annual “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk in Virginia Beach, Sept. 7.
“This is all about creating awareness for all the people of Hampton Roads so we can try and prevent this illness of suicide,” said Susan Rowe, “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk registration lead. “We have to get the word out that there is help, and we have to reach out and give people the help they need.” Sailors and veterans arrived
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CREDENTIALING OPPORTUNITIES The Center for Security Forces was cited, Aug. 28, as being the “gold standard” in Learning Center implementation of the Navy’s Credentialing Program.
» see A8
HAMPTON
FEDS FEED FAMILIES 2013 A SUCCESS With schools beginning across the country, children once again have access to school nutrition programs.The 5th annual Feds Feed Families campaign collected more than 900,000 pounds of nonperishables for distribution to food banks across the fleet. » see B1
INDIE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL The ETC (Embraces The Culture): Norfolk’s Indie Music & Arts Festival is scheduled for Sept. 14 from noon to 10 p.m. atTown Point Park in Norfolk.
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