CPPD AT DAM NECK ANNOUNCES INSTRUCTORS OF THE YEAR PAGE 4 VOLUME 52 NO. 48
DECEMBER 5, 2013
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA
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DAM NECK ANNEX
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NALF FENTRESS
INSIDEJET
Chapel hosts Lone Sailor and Marine Thanksgiving meal
CHANGE OF COMMANDS HELD
STORY/PHOTO BY MC2 (SW) ALYSIA HERNANDEZ NAS Oceana Public Affairs
PAGES 5 - 6 WREATH CEREMONY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
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Dam Neck Annex’s Chapel by the Sea hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner, Nov. 26, for Sailors and Marines who couldn’t be with their families for the holiday. Approximately 100 Sailors and Marines came together to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal. After months of hard work and preparation by the chapel staff and volunteers, the third annual Lone Sailor and Marine Thanksgiving dinner was a success. “It’s beyond my expectations in a good way,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Taylor, a chaplain Lt. Col. Damian Spooner, commanding officer of the NMITC’s Marine detachment at Dam Neck, his wife Christina at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana.“A lot of stuand daughters Sophia (l) and Bella help serve food at the Lone Sailor and Marine Thanksgiving dinner, hosted dents and people who are stationed out here — See Thanksgiving, Page 9 by the Dam Neck Annex Chapel by the Sea Nov. 26.
The Jingle Bell Jog, a nontimed, 1.5 mile run, will be Dec. 6. Run starts at 11:30 a.m. from the Oceana Flightline FitBY TAMMY VAN DAME ness Center, Director, Corporate Communication, Combat Direction Systems Activity, Dam Neck building 545. Awards to top Military members can access the new Transithree male and tion GPS, or Goals, Plans, Success program at any female runners time and any place through a new virtual tranand best Christ- sition assistance program, Navy officials responsible for developing the system announced Nov. mas sweater, 21. crazy ski hat The program,available on the Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) website, provides a service-wide and holiday standardized approach to strengthening career attire. For more readiness for troops who are exiting the military. information,call Service members located in isolated or geographically separated locations and those with 433-2695.
CDSA staff assists with developing Virtual Military Transition Program short-fused separations are among the troops who will benefit the most from the virtual Transition GPS curriculum on JKO. Moreover, family members unable to attend classroom-based training can access the program on the Department of Labor’s portal virtually. The opportunity to deploy the Transition GPS program via JKO was personal for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) employee Mike Barnum, JKO’s Chief of Knowledge Services Branch. Barnum’s command is at Combat Direction Systems Activity, Dam Neck. “It was an honor to work on this project and support those service members who are trying to make that critical transition into civilian life,” said Barnum, a veteran with a son and son-in-law
currently serving in the armed forces.“It is particularly rewarding to know that JKO was the platform of choice.” In the past, transition programs have been optional. However, legislation passed by Congress late last year called for improvements to the transition assistance program, in addition to making it mandatory for all but a few senior service members and some troops with immediate work opportunities. This led to the creation of an interagency task force that conceptualized the Transition GPS approach to strengthening career readiness for post-military careers. One of the challenges the task force faced when developing the new five-day mandatory — See Transition GPS, Page 8