April 2013 Newletter
Content
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLET TER
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
APRIL 2013
F ROM THE CO’ S D ESK
Team MILIUS, Spring is often a time of change and this year is no different for Team MILIUS. Our CMC, CMDCM(SW/AW) Lisa Thomas, will detach before the next newsletter. CMDCM(SW/AW) Bill Houlihan will arrive this month to begin turnover. On behalf of the crew and all families, I want to thank Master Chief Thomas for all she has done for our Sailors and our families. I know all of you will join me in wishing CMC, Andrew and their two kids all the best in the future. Our Sailors inspire the heck out of me on a daily basis. A great deal of work continues on the ship and it is a very tough environment for all of us. Through all of the yard period thus far, the vast majority of our terrific crew remains upbeat and professional in everything they do. The crew’s attitude is truly impressive and all of you should be enormously proud of your Sailor! Here are a few updates for everyone: Battle Efficiency Award and Command Excellence Awards On March 8th, MILIUS was officially awarded the Battle Efficiency Award for Calendar Year 2012 as well as all five command excellence awards (Maritime Warfare, Engineering, Command and Control, Logistics Management and Safety). This is a tremendous achievement for the ship! It is the first time MILIUS won the Battle "E" since 2002 and only the 3rd Battle "E" in the Ship's history (1998, 2002 and 2012). We also won the Green H award for medical readiness, which the ship hadn’t won in nearly a decade. So, what does this mean to everyone: 1) First and foremost, everyone should be proud! The Battle "E" and Command Excellence awards cover all aspects of our profession, from tag-out to exercise currencies to operational successes to medical readiness to control of classified material. The scope is enormous and it takes a dedicated team to make it all come together. 2) Those Sailors permanently assigned to MILIUS on any day between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012, are now awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon. 3) We paint all the command excellence "E"s and the Battle "E" on the bridge wings and display them as long as we keep winning the awards. Drydocking and EDSRA Update We docked the ship the evening of 18 March, and work on the hull and shafting has commenced. The propeller blades and hubs have all been removed and the shafts are being removed for overhaul. Most Sailors will go an entire 20 year career and not see the type of industrial work happening right now, which is simply part of the deal when doing a mid-life upgrade for a ship. Ombudsman Opening Mrs. Teresa Tillman and her husband will be transfering from MILIUS this summer and I am now accepting self-nominations for a volunteer to replace Teresa. If you are interested, please contact our Command Master Chief via e-mail at [email protected]. Oooohrah, MILIUS!! CDR Steve Shedd Commanding Officer
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
CMC’s Call Ccc news CALENDAR OF EVENTS OMBUDSMEN MEMOS MILITARY CHILD MONTH Crew photos MILIUS frontline news TAX RESOURCES Bravo zulu! RESOURCES
2 2 3 4 5 6-7 8 9 10 11
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CMC’s CALL
Happy Spring! In the last month we have been busy with school requirements for the EDSRA. We had the March advancement exams where we hope to make a bunch of new Petty Officers. The results for E-7 board eligible were released and we have high numbers eligible for Chief! OSC Trevino and ET1 Kelly were selected for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program. April 1st we celebrated the 120th CPO Birthday! The Chiefs cooked for the crew and we had cake on the barge roof top! I just wanted to let you all know that this will be my last newsletter as your Command Master Chief. I am transferring in the beginning of May and CMDCM Houlihan will be replacing me. It has been a pleasure for me to work with your Sailors and our wonderful Ombudsman these past few years. I am very proud of your Sailors and the hard work they do for the Navy every day, even when times are hard at work or at home. I wanted to share with you again a poem I have posted in my office. I often refer to “Attitude” when discussing professional and personal challenges with your Sailors. ATTITUDE “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” -Charles Swindoll Many problems can be overcome by our OWN attitudes. PMA or Positive Mental Attitude is contagious and can make a LONG, PAINFUL yard period seem shorter for everyone involved. Thank you for your support of our Sailors. I will miss them all! Take care, CMC
FROM THE COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR Greetings, MILUS Crew, Family & Friends, During March, several Sailors took the Navy Wide Advancement Exams. Our Sailors worked very hard studying to prepare for the tests, and we hope to see record number of advancements when results post in May. Sailors also had many opportunities to participate in volunteer events, and more will be available this month. We are showing our support while in the BAE shipyard and assisting our community with Milius pride! This Spring, I encourage you to take advantage of all the great events that are being offered by the nearby installations to include events for the kids and much more. If you have not done so please like our Milius Facebook page to view pictures of your loved ones and to see all the great progress we are making during this BAE shipyard period. It is an excellent opportunity to see pictures or our command functions, reenlistments, and awards ceremonies. Sincerely, NC1 (SW/AW) D. Gutierrez
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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APRIL
Sun
7 14 21 28
Mon
1 8 15 22 29
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
Wed
3 10 17 24
Thu
4 11 18 25
Fri
5 12 19 26
Sat
6 13 20 27
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
Monday, April 1 Chief Petty Officer Birthday! Thanks for 120 excellent years of deckplate leadership! Tuesday, April 9 Padres’ Home Opener Monday, April 15 Income Tax Filing Deadline Only a few days left! Resources are on page 9. Saturday, April 20 MWR Laser Tag MILIUS Sailors, families, and friends are invited to Ultrazone Laser Tag at 1:00PM on April 20 for some friendly, exciting competition. Price is $6.50/person/game. Please have your Sailor contact MILIUS MWR to sign up your group! Sunday, May 19 Navy’s 27th Bay Bridge Run/Walk Join in the Navy's 27th Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk. This annual Navy-hosted event includes the public in raising money for the Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. MWR provides Quality of Life programs for our 500,000+ active duty and retired military, reservists, their family members and civilian employees who make up our San Diego Military Family. This unique 4-mile run/walk has a one of a kind spectacular panoramic view as participants make their way to Coronado's beautiful Tidelands Park from downtown San Diego over the Coronado Bay Bridge. During the finish line celebration, runners receive an event T-shirt, Padres ticket and complimentary transportation back to downtown via bus and ferry. To register, visit https://www.active.com/register/index.cfm? CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2077146.
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
OMBUDSMAN MEMO
The Ombudsman program is a Command operated program intended to improve communication between the Command and a Sailor’s family members. The program was introduced to the U.S. Navy on 14 September 1970 by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Admiral Zumwalt adapted this program from a 19th century Scandinavian custom originally established by the King to give ordinary private citizens an avenue to express their grievances to high government officials. The primary focus of the Navy Family Ombudsman program is to provide information and referral services to the families. What is an Ombudsman? Selected by the commanding officer (CO), your Navy Family ombudsman is a spouse of a command member who voluntarily serves as the official liaison between the command and its families. The ombudsman is a vital resource to assist the command in discharging the CO’s responsibilities for the morale and welfare of the command’s families. The ombudsman is the link between the command and the Navy family. This is especially true in deploying commands, where the ombudsman is the primary point of contact between the families at home and the command during deployment. As a spouse, it is important to get acquainted with your local ombudsman. The ombudsman is not a counselor or a social worker, but can show you a direct route to getting the assistance you need to find solutions and resources. Interested in Volunteering as Ombudsman? The Command is currently looking to add to the Ombudsman Team. If you are interested in becoming part of the USS Milius Command Ombudsman team, please email Jeri Nix or Teresa Tillman at [email protected] for further information. Your Ombudsman Team, Jeri Nix and Teresa Tillman
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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MILITARY CHILD MONTH
Ombudsman Info: [email protected] OMB Phone– 619.417.9980 Careline– 619.338.1754
Happy Spring to all USS Milius Families, April is Military Child Month. The entire month is dedicated to the observance and recognition of the sacrifices our kids make and celebrate how from newborn to teens they serve alongside us every day. Here are some local events that will be going on around us. NBSD FFSC offering a great class called, Bullying Patterns: Need to know, on April 16th from 10am to 11am at the Murphy Canyon Chapel on Santo Rd. FREE Events onboard MCAS Miramar FREE Movies at Miramar on Thursdays at 2:15pm and Saturdays at 6:30pm all month long. April 6th at the paintball center they will offer a special for $19.00 for military kids only. www.mccsmiramar.com/miramar-paintball for more details. See
Family Fun Day, April 13th from 11am to 2pm…for more details visit www.mccsmiramar.com/pdfs/MOMC FREE Events offered at MCRD April 2nd tell me a Story 1000 – 1130 am Featured book will be The Three Questions by Jon J Muth. Each family in attendance will receive a book. All ages welcome April 3rd 0900 to 1300 Kids Readiness Workshop Safari Guide 6 to 12 yrs. Old Lunch will be provided. April 5th 0930 to 1130 Dads and Kids connect 0 to 8 yrs. then meeting up with mom after for picnic. They will be covering positive parenting and
April 5th 1300 to 1500 Semper Fi Family Zumba, 5 and up… total body workout. April 6th 0900 to 1300 L.I.N.K.S. for kids 6 to 12 yrs. Old Drop off event lunch will be provided. April 10th and 24th Reading to therapy dogs, all ages welcome at the library at 1000 April 16th who moved my Cheese? This is a great class for families, teaching all of us about change and how to deal with it together. Refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Tracy Genica [email protected] Register online: http://momc2013.eventbrite.com at 619-524-8030/0916 or email her at geni-
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CREW PHOTOS
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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CREW PHOTOS
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
MILIUS FRONTLINE NEWS
MILIUS completed a major milestone in her maintenance availability last month by entering the BAE Shipyard Drydock. Early in the morning on March 19, MILIUS Sailors worked alongside contractors to get MILIUS underway from her pier-side home and deliver her to the submerged drydock. Although the team only had to move the ship a couple hundred yards, the process was extensively choreographed and demanded the utmost precision from all participants. Several hours after commencing the evolution the drydock was raised to the surface. MILIUS, resting safely atop a series of support pillars, was out of the water for the first time in 8 years. This is an important time in MILIUS’ life, as maintenance that occurs during this period will allow the ship to successfully fulfill her projected 35-year service life. Being out of the water will allow preservation and upgrades on the ship’s underwater hull and external portions of the propulsion system. The drydock also presents a unique opportunity for MILIUS Sailors from an educational standpoint. Many Sailors have never seen the submerged parts of MILIUS, and the chance to do so enables a deeper understanding of the ship’s architecture and operation. In addition to all the work MILIUS is undergoing during the shipyard period, MILIUS Sailors are finding ways to remain engaged and improve themselves during the availability too. Many Sailors have taken advantage of the extended in-port period by attending classes, working towards higher qualifications, and ramping up physical fitness.
In particular, MILIUS Sailors have been given an awesome opportunity to participate in the Navy Operational Fitness & Fueling Series (NOFFS) study. This study is being used to validate the new NOFFS PT series. NOFFS is a revolutionary PT program designed to mimic the movements Sailors already use on a daily basis; pushing, pulling, carrying, climbing, etc. It was also designed to teach proper form and firing of muscles to decrease and/or eliminate musculoskeletal injuries as well as use minimal space, due to the limited space afforded by most ships!
USS MILIUS rests atop support pillars in the BAE Drydock in preparation for the next stages of her mid-life maintenance availability.
Twenty-eight MILIUS Sailors volunteered to participate in the study, which began in March with two days of pre-testing. NOFFS PT happens three times a week for twelve weeks on the barge rooftop at BAE. At the end of the twelve weeks, two days of posttesting will reveal overall improvements to Sailors’ flexibility, agility and strength. Indiana University and the University of Georgia are conducting the study, in conjunction with MWR Waterfront Fitness, to find the right PT program that works for Sailors at sea. USS MILIUS is one of four participating commands and the only one that is truly mimicking the life of an onboard Sailor. We are not out to sea, but using the barge rooftop we are still showing PT can be done with a small space!
MILIUS Sailors participating in the Navy Operational Fitness & Fueling Series (NOFFS) study workout atop the berthing barge in the BAE Shipyard.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for MILIUS FRONTLINE NEWS, please email the Public Affairs Officer at [email protected]. Also, please check the Facebook page and contact our Ombudsmen for more information!
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INCOME TAX RESOURCES
vMilitary OneSource Tax Filing Services H&R Block at Home Basic®, through the Military OneSource website and telephonic tax consultations, provides free access to a customized version of the basic H&R Block at Home electronic taxfiling product. This customized product allows for free federal filing and state filing (up to three states). It’s provided by the Department of Defense, H&R Block At Home Basic is available to active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members and their families. Tax consultants are available seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Contact Military OneSource Tax Hotline at 1-800-730-3802 or go to Military OneSource Tax Filing Services at www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/TaxFilingServices.aspx for more information. VITA More than 100 Navy Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Centers around the world are now open for business. On-site services are available to assist service members and their family members with free tax advice, tax preparation and return filing by IRS-trained volunteers. VITA ser-vices will remain available through April 15. NBSD VITA office is open by appointment only M – Th. from 0800-1500. They can be reached at 619-556-6848. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) For additional tax questions and/or combat zone information, call 1-800-829-1040 or go to IRS.gov for tax information for military members. Along with the filing extension, there are several new and existing tax laws military members and their spouses should keep in mind. Information on these laws can be found at http:// www.defense.gov/News/ NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63252. Websites: www.turbotax.com www.taxslayer.com www.militarysaves.org
(online military version E1 to E5 is FREE)
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
BRAVO ZULU!
MILIUS Sailors continue to do great things. Congratulations to all on your terrific efforts and accomplishments! - Congratulations MILIUS on winning the Battle Efficiency Award for Calendar Year 2012, the first time since 2002! - BZ MILIUS for winning Command Excellence Awards in Maritime Warfare, Engineering, Command and Control, Logistics Management, and Safety for Calendar Year 2012. - BZ to LT Fallon on receiving DESRON 21’sTactician of the Year Award. - BZ to Engineering Department on winning the Captain’s Cup volleyball championship game - BZ to GSE2 Oleary on graduating at the top of her class in Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance school. - BZ to DC3 Badigian for receiving Engineering’s Ace in the Hole Award. - BZ to FC2 Pumphrey and FC3 Delmendo for earning their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualifications. - BZ to EM2 Ketemepi for receiving Engineering’s Guiding Light Award. - BZ to our Medical Team: HM1 Badillo, HM3 Guerrero, and HN Doan, for propelling MILIUS to win the Green H Award for health and wellness excellence. - BZ to our Sailors of the Quarter for the 1st quarter of Calendar year 2013: SOQ: FC1 Minnich JSOQ: STG2 Balagtas BJOQ: PS3 Rodriguez Awardees Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal CTTCS Anderson Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal LT Bobak LT Sciortino Flag Letter of Commendation IT2 Armstrong BM2 Carpenter FC2 Modlin OS2 Perussi IT2 Pisciotto FC2 Steyer OS3 Affourtit OS3 Beck FC3 Delmendo OS3 Dooling FC3 Morris FC3 Spencer QMSN Mcmurdo Reenlistments GSM2 Garcia EM1 Weay FC2 Tanner Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist FC2 Pumphrey FC3 Delmendo Promotions LT Gardner ET3 Dahlke GM3 Pries
CDR Shedd addresses the crew following an awards ceremony atop the berthing barge.
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RESOURCES
Navy 311 1-855-NAVY-311 www.navy311.navy.mil Naval Base San Diego FFSC (619) 556-7404 or (866) 923-6478 American Red Cross (877) 272-7337 www.redcross.org Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 www.militaryonesource.com FOCUS (619) 556-6075 www.focusproject.org NBSD Legal (619) 556-2211 www.jag.navy.mil/legal_services/nlso/nlso_southwest.htm Tri-West Healthcare Alliance (888) 874-9378 www.triwest.com TRICARE Dental Program (800) 866-8499 www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com NMCRS (619) 238-1587/88 www.nmcrs.org USO Downtown Center (619) 235-6503 www.usosandiego.org Naval Base Chapel (619) 556-2658 www.chaplincare.navy.mil Armed Services YMCA (858) 751-5755 www.militaryymca.org Child Development Center (619) 556-8491 Operation Home front (866) 424-5210 www.operationhomefront.net 211 www.211sandiego.org Sitter city www.sittercity.com/dod Women, Infant, & Children (WIC ) Program (800) 500-6411 www.sandiegowic.org Monthly Bread Ministries & Monthly FREE Food Ministries (858)688-5015 Bring your ID card, bags to carry food items. Please contact them for locations and times. We have plenty of other resources for you from Healthy Military Families and Toddler Time to Furniture and Used Items to Websites and Re Sale Goods Items. Call the Ombudsman for more details.
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
APRIL 2013
F ROM THE CO’ S D ESK
Team MILIUS, Spring is often a time of change and this year is no different for Team MILIUS. Our CMC, CMDCM(SW/AW) Lisa Thomas, will detach before the next newsletter. CMDCM(SW/AW) Bill Houlihan will arrive this month to begin turnover. On behalf of the crew and all families, I want to thank Master Chief Thomas for all she has done for our Sailors and our families. I know all of you will join me in wishing CMC, Andrew and their two kids all the best in the future. Our Sailors inspire the heck out of me on a daily basis. A great deal of work continues on the ship and it is a very tough environment for all of us. Through all of the yard period thus far, the vast majority of our terrific crew remains upbeat and professional in everything they do. The crew’s attitude is truly impressive and all of you should be enormously proud of your Sailor! Here are a few updates for everyone: Battle Efficiency Award and Command Excellence Awards On March 8th, MILIUS was officially awarded the Battle Efficiency Award for Calendar Year 2012 as well as all five command excellence awards (Maritime Warfare, Engineering, Command and Control, Logistics Management and Safety). This is a tremendous achievement for the ship! It is the first time MILIUS won the Battle "E" since 2002 and only the 3rd Battle "E" in the Ship's history (1998, 2002 and 2012). We also won the Green H award for medical readiness, which the ship hadn’t won in nearly a decade. So, what does this mean to everyone: 1) First and foremost, everyone should be proud! The Battle "E" and Command Excellence awards cover all aspects of our profession, from tag-out to exercise currencies to operational successes to medical readiness to control of classified material. The scope is enormous and it takes a dedicated team to make it all come together. 2) Those Sailors permanently assigned to MILIUS on any day between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012, are now awarded the Navy "E" Ribbon. 3) We paint all the command excellence "E"s and the Battle "E" on the bridge wings and display them as long as we keep winning the awards. Drydocking and EDSRA Update We docked the ship the evening of 18 March, and work on the hull and shafting has commenced. The propeller blades and hubs have all been removed and the shafts are being removed for overhaul. Most Sailors will go an entire 20 year career and not see the type of industrial work happening right now, which is simply part of the deal when doing a mid-life upgrade for a ship. Ombudsman Opening Mrs. Teresa Tillman and her husband will be transfering from MILIUS this summer and I am now accepting self-nominations for a volunteer to replace Teresa. If you are interested, please contact our Command Master Chief via e-mail at [email protected]. Oooohrah, MILIUS!! CDR Steve Shedd Commanding Officer
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
CMC’s Call Ccc news CALENDAR OF EVENTS OMBUDSMEN MEMOS MILITARY CHILD MONTH Crew photos MILIUS frontline news TAX RESOURCES Bravo zulu! RESOURCES
2 2 3 4 5 6-7 8 9 10 11
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CMC’s CALL
Happy Spring! In the last month we have been busy with school requirements for the EDSRA. We had the March advancement exams where we hope to make a bunch of new Petty Officers. The results for E-7 board eligible were released and we have high numbers eligible for Chief! OSC Trevino and ET1 Kelly were selected for Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program. April 1st we celebrated the 120th CPO Birthday! The Chiefs cooked for the crew and we had cake on the barge roof top! I just wanted to let you all know that this will be my last newsletter as your Command Master Chief. I am transferring in the beginning of May and CMDCM Houlihan will be replacing me. It has been a pleasure for me to work with your Sailors and our wonderful Ombudsman these past few years. I am very proud of your Sailors and the hard work they do for the Navy every day, even when times are hard at work or at home. I wanted to share with you again a poem I have posted in my office. I often refer to “Attitude” when discussing professional and personal challenges with your Sailors. ATTITUDE “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” -Charles Swindoll Many problems can be overcome by our OWN attitudes. PMA or Positive Mental Attitude is contagious and can make a LONG, PAINFUL yard period seem shorter for everyone involved. Thank you for your support of our Sailors. I will miss them all! Take care, CMC
FROM THE COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR Greetings, MILUS Crew, Family & Friends, During March, several Sailors took the Navy Wide Advancement Exams. Our Sailors worked very hard studying to prepare for the tests, and we hope to see record number of advancements when results post in May. Sailors also had many opportunities to participate in volunteer events, and more will be available this month. We are showing our support while in the BAE shipyard and assisting our community with Milius pride! This Spring, I encourage you to take advantage of all the great events that are being offered by the nearby installations to include events for the kids and much more. If you have not done so please like our Milius Facebook page to view pictures of your loved ones and to see all the great progress we are making during this BAE shipyard period. It is an excellent opportunity to see pictures or our command functions, reenlistments, and awards ceremonies. Sincerely, NC1 (SW/AW) D. Gutierrez
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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APRIL
Sun
7 14 21 28
Mon
1 8 15 22 29
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
Wed
3 10 17 24
Thu
4 11 18 25
Fri
5 12 19 26
Sat
6 13 20 27
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
Monday, April 1 Chief Petty Officer Birthday! Thanks for 120 excellent years of deckplate leadership! Tuesday, April 9 Padres’ Home Opener Monday, April 15 Income Tax Filing Deadline Only a few days left! Resources are on page 9. Saturday, April 20 MWR Laser Tag MILIUS Sailors, families, and friends are invited to Ultrazone Laser Tag at 1:00PM on April 20 for some friendly, exciting competition. Price is $6.50/person/game. Please have your Sailor contact MILIUS MWR to sign up your group! Sunday, May 19 Navy’s 27th Bay Bridge Run/Walk Join in the Navy's 27th Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk. This annual Navy-hosted event includes the public in raising money for the Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. MWR provides Quality of Life programs for our 500,000+ active duty and retired military, reservists, their family members and civilian employees who make up our San Diego Military Family. This unique 4-mile run/walk has a one of a kind spectacular panoramic view as participants make their way to Coronado's beautiful Tidelands Park from downtown San Diego over the Coronado Bay Bridge. During the finish line celebration, runners receive an event T-shirt, Padres ticket and complimentary transportation back to downtown via bus and ferry. To register, visit https://www.active.com/register/index.cfm? CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2077146.
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
OMBUDSMAN MEMO
The Ombudsman program is a Command operated program intended to improve communication between the Command and a Sailor’s family members. The program was introduced to the U.S. Navy on 14 September 1970 by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Admiral Zumwalt adapted this program from a 19th century Scandinavian custom originally established by the King to give ordinary private citizens an avenue to express their grievances to high government officials. The primary focus of the Navy Family Ombudsman program is to provide information and referral services to the families. What is an Ombudsman? Selected by the commanding officer (CO), your Navy Family ombudsman is a spouse of a command member who voluntarily serves as the official liaison between the command and its families. The ombudsman is a vital resource to assist the command in discharging the CO’s responsibilities for the morale and welfare of the command’s families. The ombudsman is the link between the command and the Navy family. This is especially true in deploying commands, where the ombudsman is the primary point of contact between the families at home and the command during deployment. As a spouse, it is important to get acquainted with your local ombudsman. The ombudsman is not a counselor or a social worker, but can show you a direct route to getting the assistance you need to find solutions and resources. Interested in Volunteering as Ombudsman? The Command is currently looking to add to the Ombudsman Team. If you are interested in becoming part of the USS Milius Command Ombudsman team, please email Jeri Nix or Teresa Tillman at [email protected] for further information. Your Ombudsman Team, Jeri Nix and Teresa Tillman
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MILITARY CHILD MONTH
Ombudsman Info: [email protected] OMB Phone– 619.417.9980 Careline– 619.338.1754
Happy Spring to all USS Milius Families, April is Military Child Month. The entire month is dedicated to the observance and recognition of the sacrifices our kids make and celebrate how from newborn to teens they serve alongside us every day. Here are some local events that will be going on around us. NBSD FFSC offering a great class called, Bullying Patterns: Need to know, on April 16th from 10am to 11am at the Murphy Canyon Chapel on Santo Rd. FREE Events onboard MCAS Miramar FREE Movies at Miramar on Thursdays at 2:15pm and Saturdays at 6:30pm all month long. April 6th at the paintball center they will offer a special for $19.00 for military kids only. www.mccsmiramar.com/miramar-paintball for more details. See
Family Fun Day, April 13th from 11am to 2pm…for more details visit www.mccsmiramar.com/pdfs/MOMC FREE Events offered at MCRD April 2nd tell me a Story 1000 – 1130 am Featured book will be The Three Questions by Jon J Muth. Each family in attendance will receive a book. All ages welcome April 3rd 0900 to 1300 Kids Readiness Workshop Safari Guide 6 to 12 yrs. Old Lunch will be provided. April 5th 0930 to 1130 Dads and Kids connect 0 to 8 yrs. then meeting up with mom after for picnic. They will be covering positive parenting and
April 5th 1300 to 1500 Semper Fi Family Zumba, 5 and up… total body workout. April 6th 0900 to 1300 L.I.N.K.S. for kids 6 to 12 yrs. Old Drop off event lunch will be provided. April 10th and 24th Reading to therapy dogs, all ages welcome at the library at 1000 April 16th who moved my Cheese? This is a great class for families, teaching all of us about change and how to deal with it together. Refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Tracy Genica [email protected] Register online: http://momc2013.eventbrite.com at 619-524-8030/0916 or email her at geni-
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CREW PHOTOS
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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CREW PHOTOS
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
MILIUS FRONTLINE NEWS
MILIUS completed a major milestone in her maintenance availability last month by entering the BAE Shipyard Drydock. Early in the morning on March 19, MILIUS Sailors worked alongside contractors to get MILIUS underway from her pier-side home and deliver her to the submerged drydock. Although the team only had to move the ship a couple hundred yards, the process was extensively choreographed and demanded the utmost precision from all participants. Several hours after commencing the evolution the drydock was raised to the surface. MILIUS, resting safely atop a series of support pillars, was out of the water for the first time in 8 years. This is an important time in MILIUS’ life, as maintenance that occurs during this period will allow the ship to successfully fulfill her projected 35-year service life. Being out of the water will allow preservation and upgrades on the ship’s underwater hull and external portions of the propulsion system. The drydock also presents a unique opportunity for MILIUS Sailors from an educational standpoint. Many Sailors have never seen the submerged parts of MILIUS, and the chance to do so enables a deeper understanding of the ship’s architecture and operation. In addition to all the work MILIUS is undergoing during the shipyard period, MILIUS Sailors are finding ways to remain engaged and improve themselves during the availability too. Many Sailors have taken advantage of the extended in-port period by attending classes, working towards higher qualifications, and ramping up physical fitness.
In particular, MILIUS Sailors have been given an awesome opportunity to participate in the Navy Operational Fitness & Fueling Series (NOFFS) study. This study is being used to validate the new NOFFS PT series. NOFFS is a revolutionary PT program designed to mimic the movements Sailors already use on a daily basis; pushing, pulling, carrying, climbing, etc. It was also designed to teach proper form and firing of muscles to decrease and/or eliminate musculoskeletal injuries as well as use minimal space, due to the limited space afforded by most ships!
USS MILIUS rests atop support pillars in the BAE Drydock in preparation for the next stages of her mid-life maintenance availability.
Twenty-eight MILIUS Sailors volunteered to participate in the study, which began in March with two days of pre-testing. NOFFS PT happens three times a week for twelve weeks on the barge rooftop at BAE. At the end of the twelve weeks, two days of posttesting will reveal overall improvements to Sailors’ flexibility, agility and strength. Indiana University and the University of Georgia are conducting the study, in conjunction with MWR Waterfront Fitness, to find the right PT program that works for Sailors at sea. USS MILIUS is one of four participating commands and the only one that is truly mimicking the life of an onboard Sailor. We are not out to sea, but using the barge rooftop we are still showing PT can be done with a small space!
MILIUS Sailors participating in the Navy Operational Fitness & Fueling Series (NOFFS) study workout atop the berthing barge in the BAE Shipyard.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for MILIUS FRONTLINE NEWS, please email the Public Affairs Officer at [email protected]. Also, please check the Facebook page and contact our Ombudsmen for more information!
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INCOME TAX RESOURCES
vMilitary OneSource Tax Filing Services H&R Block at Home Basic®, through the Military OneSource website and telephonic tax consultations, provides free access to a customized version of the basic H&R Block at Home electronic taxfiling product. This customized product allows for free federal filing and state filing (up to three states). It’s provided by the Department of Defense, H&R Block At Home Basic is available to active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members and their families. Tax consultants are available seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Contact Military OneSource Tax Hotline at 1-800-730-3802 or go to Military OneSource Tax Filing Services at www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/TaxFilingServices.aspx for more information. VITA More than 100 Navy Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Centers around the world are now open for business. On-site services are available to assist service members and their family members with free tax advice, tax preparation and return filing by IRS-trained volunteers. VITA ser-vices will remain available through April 15. NBSD VITA office is open by appointment only M – Th. from 0800-1500. They can be reached at 619-556-6848. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) For additional tax questions and/or combat zone information, call 1-800-829-1040 or go to IRS.gov for tax information for military members. Along with the filing extension, there are several new and existing tax laws military members and their spouses should keep in mind. Information on these laws can be found at http:// www.defense.gov/News/ NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63252. Websites: www.turbotax.com www.taxslayer.com www.militarysaves.org
(online military version E1 to E5 is FREE)
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USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
BRAVO ZULU!
MILIUS Sailors continue to do great things. Congratulations to all on your terrific efforts and accomplishments! - Congratulations MILIUS on winning the Battle Efficiency Award for Calendar Year 2012, the first time since 2002! - BZ MILIUS for winning Command Excellence Awards in Maritime Warfare, Engineering, Command and Control, Logistics Management, and Safety for Calendar Year 2012. - BZ to LT Fallon on receiving DESRON 21’sTactician of the Year Award. - BZ to Engineering Department on winning the Captain’s Cup volleyball championship game - BZ to GSE2 Oleary on graduating at the top of her class in Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance school. - BZ to DC3 Badigian for receiving Engineering’s Ace in the Hole Award. - BZ to FC2 Pumphrey and FC3 Delmendo for earning their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualifications. - BZ to EM2 Ketemepi for receiving Engineering’s Guiding Light Award. - BZ to our Medical Team: HM1 Badillo, HM3 Guerrero, and HN Doan, for propelling MILIUS to win the Green H Award for health and wellness excellence. - BZ to our Sailors of the Quarter for the 1st quarter of Calendar year 2013: SOQ: FC1 Minnich JSOQ: STG2 Balagtas BJOQ: PS3 Rodriguez Awardees Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal CTTCS Anderson Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal LT Bobak LT Sciortino Flag Letter of Commendation IT2 Armstrong BM2 Carpenter FC2 Modlin OS2 Perussi IT2 Pisciotto FC2 Steyer OS3 Affourtit OS3 Beck FC3 Delmendo OS3 Dooling FC3 Morris FC3 Spencer QMSN Mcmurdo Reenlistments GSM2 Garcia EM1 Weay FC2 Tanner Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist FC2 Pumphrey FC3 Delmendo Promotions LT Gardner ET3 Dahlke GM3 Pries
CDR Shedd addresses the crew following an awards ceremony atop the berthing barge.
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RESOURCES
Navy 311 1-855-NAVY-311 www.navy311.navy.mil Naval Base San Diego FFSC (619) 556-7404 or (866) 923-6478 American Red Cross (877) 272-7337 www.redcross.org Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 www.militaryonesource.com FOCUS (619) 556-6075 www.focusproject.org NBSD Legal (619) 556-2211 www.jag.navy.mil/legal_services/nlso/nlso_southwest.htm Tri-West Healthcare Alliance (888) 874-9378 www.triwest.com TRICARE Dental Program (800) 866-8499 www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com NMCRS (619) 238-1587/88 www.nmcrs.org USO Downtown Center (619) 235-6503 www.usosandiego.org Naval Base Chapel (619) 556-2658 www.chaplincare.navy.mil Armed Services YMCA (858) 751-5755 www.militaryymca.org Child Development Center (619) 556-8491 Operation Home front (866) 424-5210 www.operationhomefront.net 211 www.211sandiego.org Sitter city www.sittercity.com/dod Women, Infant, & Children (WIC ) Program (800) 500-6411 www.sandiegowic.org Monthly Bread Ministries & Monthly FREE Food Ministries (858)688-5015 Bring your ID card, bags to carry food items. Please contact them for locations and times. We have plenty of other resources for you from Healthy Military Families and Toddler Time to Furniture and Used Items to Websites and Re Sale Goods Items. Call the Ombudsman for more details.
