June 2013 Newletter
Content
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLET TER
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
JUNE 2013
F ROM THE CO’ S D ESK
Team MILIUS, Welcome to the June Newsletter! We’ve included a number of important updates for everyone’s consumption and I encourage you to read this newsletter in its entirety. CMC has some excellent comments about summer safety and makes a good recruiting pitch for future Ombudsman. Our Career Counselor discusses advancements and our front line news section covers a lot detail about the happenings around the ship. Here are a few other updates: Drydocking and EDSRA Update We recently received approval to extend our drydocking period from Jun 17 to Aug 19. The extra time in the dock is required to perform repairs to two key components of the underwater hull. The drydock extension shifts the overall EDSRA end date to 04 Nov. Our Operations Officer, Training Officer and the other Department Heads are working very hard to put the rest of the schedule together. From our undocking on 19 Aug to the end of EDSRA, the crew will be very busy putting the ship back together, testing our systems, moving back aboard the ship and certifying safe to operate for our sea trials. Towards the last week of October, we’ll get underway for a few days to test everything out at sea. . Ombudsman Opening As previously advertised, Mrs. Teresa Tillman and her husband will be transferring from MILIUS this summer. UPDATE: Mrs. Jeri Nix and her husband are now transferring from MILIUS this summer as well. If you are interested, please contact our Command Master Chief via e-mail at [email protected]. One question you may be asking – will we go with a single or co-ombudsman. Short answer, I don’t know. It depends on the number of applicants we receive. The goal is to set the ship and MILIUS families up for success through the 2014 deployment. Ooohrah, MILIUS!!! Sincerely, CDR Steve Shedd Commanding Officer USS MILIUS DDG-69
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
CMC’s Call Ccc news CALENDAR OF EVENTS OMBUDSMEN MEMO Milius frontline news CREW advancement PHOTOS Bravo zulu! RESOURCES
2 2 3 4-5 6 7 8 9
P AGE 2
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CMC’s Call
MILIUS families, Summer is almost here, officially. We like to stress the “Critical Days of Summer” across the Navy as a time to emphasize safety on the road, in the home and while enjoying recreational activities. Your Sailors will be receiving some training and reminders on that, but let me give it to you in shorter form: please continue to be smart while you’re traveling and just use common sense. Many of the accidents on our freeways during the next few months will be attributed to fatigue, alcohol, or just a lack of attention to surroundings. Please be safe, be smart and stay on your loved ones about it. As we’ve been communicating the last few months, our Ombudsmen will be leaving soon. Teresa and Jeri will be missed, and we need to fill this critical position. Here’s why: our schedule is firming up and the next several months are going to be hectic. Our time in the shipyard is, thankfully, drawing to a gradual close. After that, we start looking at underway periods and serious preparations for deployment. Our families need a link to the command and they need someone they can call with questions and concerns. It’s critical and we wouldn’t be making this push if we didn’t truly believe in value of Ombudsmen. Some misconceptions about the program center around experience and the belief that you have to be a spouse who’s been around the Navy for a while in order to be effective. Nope. The only criteria we’re immediately concerned with is your genuine compassion for the MILIUS families and your willingness to help them when they need it. The training you’ll receive is outstanding and you’ll be fully prepared for the job. If you’re interested, or if you have questions about this opportunity, please feel free to email me: [email protected]. Thanks for everything all of you do to support us. We appreciate it and your Sailors are excelling because of that support. Sincerely, CMDCM(SW/AW) Bill Houlihan
FROM THE COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR
Greetings, MILUS Crew, Family & Friends, The month of May announced our Sailors that advanced from the recent Navy Wide Advancement Exam results. Our Sailors worked very hard studying and exceeding every opportunity they have been given. Please take the time to congratulate them. Bravo Zulu All! It is never too early to start studying now for the next Navy Wide Advancement Exam in September. The rating bibliographies have posted on Navy Advancement Center via www.nko.navy.mil. Creating a study group and making the time to study will benefit not only you put your family as well! Father’s Day is in the month of June, take the time to appreciate the men that have influenced and impacted your life. Something simple as a phone call or card can make someone’s day. Sincerely, NC1 (SW/AW) D. Gutierrez
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P P AGE AGE 3 3
JUNE
Sun
2 9 16
23 30
Mon
3 10 17 24
Tue
4 11 18 25
Wed
5 12 19 26
Thu
6 13 20 27
Fri
7 14 21 28
Sat
1 8 15 22 29
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
Thursday, June 6 — 69th Anniversary of D-Day Friday, June 7 — 71st Anniversary of Battle of Midway Tuesday, June 11 — San Diego Public School’s Summer Break (Traditional Calendar) Friday, June 14 — Flag Day
NBSD Flag Day 2 Mile Run/1 Mile Walk - Check in starts at 9 am at Admiral Prout Field House Track. Open to all ID cardholders. For more information, call 619-556-7444.
Your father deserves the very best, so treat him to brunch for Father’s Day at the Island Club on Naval Air Station North Island or Admiral Baker Clubhouse near Mission Valley. We offer world-class guest service and a sumptuous full course buffet in our stunning and unique locations. Show Dad how much you appreciate him by spending quality time relaxing together while enjoying a truly delicious meal. Call for reservations and seating times today! Island Club, 619-545-9199 Admiral Baker Club, 619-487-0016
Sunday, June 16 — Father’s Day
Friday, June 21 — First Day of Summer!
P AGE 4
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
OMBUDSMAN MEMO
Milius Families, Very soon we will have at least one Ombudsman position opening up. Are you interested? If so, please consider it. You, as command spouses, have a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on our command by joining our Ombudsman team. As a part of this team you will be another link between the command and our families. You will be a confidant, a thoroughly trained asset to the command, a credible listener and a safety net to anyone who needs you. As an Ombudsman you have the challenge and privilege of empowering our families to help themselves as they navigate the challenges of our Navy Lifestyle. Will you join us? What is an Ombudsman? Ombudsmen are volunteers appointed by the commanding officer to serve as an information link between the command leadership and command families. Ombudsmen are trained to distribute information, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issue and local quality of life improvement opportunities around the community. They also provide resource referrals when needed and can be instrumental in resolving family issues before they require extensive command attention. Command ombudsmen are part of the command support team. The roles and responsibilities of the command ombudsman include: • Serve as a liaison between command families and the command. • Keep the command leadership informed regarding the morale, health and welfare of command families. • Communicate regularly with the command and command families. • Contact families upon arrival to introduce themselves and explain how they can be of help to the family. • Develop and distribute command-approved monthly newsletter. • Maintain an up-to-date list of resources and support organizations available to Navy families. • Serve as a source of emergency and crisis information. • Avoid conflict of interest. • Maintain confidentiality. • Coordinate services for command families during mobilization or geographic separation. It is the ultimate goal of the command ombudsman to empower family members to help themselves. Ombudsmen responsibilities DO NOT include: • Providing child care. • Transporting people. • Lending money. • Allowing people to stay with them in their home. Confidential Information vs. Non-Confidential Information Confidential information is sensitive information about a service member or family member. It is kept within the commanding officer’s designated network and is for official use only. Command ombudsmen are required to adhere to the strictest code of confidentiality to protect the privacy of individuals. Types of confidential information ombudsmen may hear include: • Marital problems • Substance abuse issues • Financial difficulties • Parenting challenges • Work performance issues • Medical issues • Domestic issues • Suicidal or homicidal behaviors
Ombudsman Info: [email protected] OMB Phone– 619.417.9980 Careline– 619.338.1754
Family members may contact the command ombudsman to ask for information, guidance, and referrals, or they may just want to discuss their concerns with a caring person. An ombudsman does not share these private concerns with anyone – including their spouse, other members of the command support team, or assistance agencies – without the approval of their commanding officer (CO) or the caller.
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 5
OMBUDSMAN CONT’D
It is important to understand that not all communication with an ombudsman is confidential, and some information is required to be disclosed to the proper authority. This information is called “reportable”. Reportable information involves situations in which someone’s safety and well-being are at stake. All Department of the Navy personnel, including ombudsmen (with the exception of chaplains and attorneys who have privileged communication), are MANDATED reporters. Navy instruction requires ombudsmen to report: • All suspected or known child abuse/neglect. • Alleged domestic abuse. • Suspected or potential homicides, violence, or life-endangering situations. • All suspected or potential suicidal risks. Ombudsman Training Training is an important factor of a successful Ombudsman Program. Trained ombudsmen are better able to enhance the readiness of Navy families. Ombudsmen are required to complete an initial 16.5 hours of basic training. The training consists of 9 modules that equip ombudsmen with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to properly execute their duties required by OPNAVINST 1750.1F. The basic training ensures that families receive a standardized level of services throughout the Navy. On-going training enables them to stay abreast of changes in programs and services, and to become familiar with new programs and services available to service members and their families. All ombudsmen are required to complete advanced training throughout the year. In addition to basic and advanced training, ombudsmen are required to regularly attend bi-monthly assemblies, which provide a forum for sharing and exchanging information, resources, and best practices. Ombudsman Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics is the essential foundation upon which an ombudsman’s credibility is established and maintained. Ombudsmen are committed to strict adherence to the code, which includes: • Maintaining confidentiality. • Supporting the command’s mission. • Working within the chain of command as directed. • Maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. History of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program The Navy Family Ombudsman Program enables service members to be more focused and productive at work because their families have a safety net. The Navy’s philosophy of developing healthy, self-reliant families is epitomized through the Navy Family Ombudsman Program. The ombudsman concept originated in Scandinavian countries, where they investigated citizens’ complaints against the government or its functionaries. Today, the concept is widely used in the fields of government, business, and healthcare. On September 14, 1970, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., Chief of Naval Operations, established the Navy Family Ombudsman Program when he issued Z-Gram 24. It emphasized the importance of Navy spouses and established a procedure that gave spouses the opportunity to present complaints, viewpoints, and suggestions to the commanding officer. In doing so, he acknowledged the vital role spouses play as members of the Navy team and provided them with what he described as an “official representative to express their view to commanding officers and base commanders.” For more information or to put your name on the list for consideration, please contact CMC at [email protected] Your Ombudsman Team, Jeri Nix and Teresa Tillman
P AGE 6
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
FRONTLINE NEWS
Whether the ship is out to sea, by the pier, or up on blocks, the crew of USS MILIUS finds a way to stay active. During the month of May, milestones have come and gone on board only to be replaced by more and more goals and milestones for the crew. By continuing to attend service schools, take college courses, get in great physical shape, and volunteer numerous hours to the community, MILIUS is ready for anything and itching to get the ship back to fighting shape. Here are a few events that took place this past month: With summer fast approaching, MILIUS conducted a commandwide Safety Stand-down. The focus of the stand-down was to reinforce common knowledge pertaining to safety in and outside the workplace. Subject matter experts spoke at length on specific topics such as: motorcycle, vehicle, boating, drug and alcohol abuse, outdoor, and shipyard safety. As the summer months approach, the rate of mishaps and accidents to service members and their families sharply rise due to the increase of outdoor recreation and activities. Please remember to always keep safety in mind, the greatest asset to a ship is her family. For two weeks this month some of the crew participated in the Virtual Flag conference held in Albuquerque, NM. An Air Force administered exercise, the crew was hosted at Kirtland Air Force Crew Members attending Safety Stand-down Training Base for two weeks, completing integrated training with all four services. The event was a great success for the MILIUS and the Navy. By educating the other services on the true capabilities of an Aegis class destroyer, many high ranking officials saw the potential for a multi-mission ship with an ever changing global scene. On the 15th of this month, the USS MILIUS completed 50% of its extended maintenance availability period. At the shipyard, numerous officials met for a progress report conference. The conclusion of the conference found the maintenance on the ship is tracking quite well. Some maintenance has been extended and as a consequence has extended the dry-dock phase. This will change the qualification and assessment calendar of the ship. Please talk with your Sailor as the weeks go on the hear about the changes in schedule, and prepare to be flexible. Heads up to the MILIUS crew and their families. The Navy is brining together all enlisted career management policies, processes, and multiple information technology systems under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions as announced in NAVADMINs 149/13 and 150/13 released May 30. Career Navigator will use Career Waypoints as the IT system that supports key Sailor decisions about which way to go next in their career. Career Waypoints will include enlisted career management processes that allow Sailors to give their intentions to reenlist, reclassify, designate into a rate, convert or transition between Active Component and Reserve Component. Accordingly these processes will be called: Mast preservation is one of the many projects ongoing. Reenlistment (formerly Perform to Serve (PTS)), Reclassification (formerly production management office), and Conversion and Transition. Changes to the system, policy, and process names will occur in the next few months. Discuss some of these changes with your Sailor and see how that affect any short and long term family plans.
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 7
CREW ADVANCEMENT PHOTOS
P AGE 8
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
BRAVO ZULU!
BZ to GM3 York for providing SAR swimmer support to USS SAMPSON. BZ to the MILIUS flag football team! OS3 Kuhn, ET3 Day, FC2 Brady, SN Wright, QM3 Pannell, FC3 Wiilliams, OS3 Dooling, and OS3 Perussi have been playing this season since February. The team ended up finishing 3rd overall and made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs. Way to represent BZ to the entire Crew from the SKED 3.2 Installer: “To date USS Milius (DDG-69) has been the most proactive ship in preparing for SKED32; Over 106 personnel completed their training circuits! Being that this crew was better prepared, I was able to provide more in-depth training which benefited the command.” BZ to SH3 Richards and EM3 Abshire for getting the Navy Cash System powered back up a few weeks ago. Their knowledge and determination to fix the system saved the crew from having to wait for Navy Cash Technicians to come aboard to fix it. Great example of selfsufficiency! BZ to FC3 Smith for earned the highest score on the Navy Handgun Qualification Course with an Expert score of 234! BZ to QM3 Newbanks for earning a perfect score of 18 on the Handgun Practical Weapons Course! BZ to FC2 Lin, FC2 Melo, GMSA Salmons, STG2 Savin, FC2 Schwendeman and STG2 Zanini for earning a perfect score of 18 on the Handgun Lowlight Course of fire! BZ to CC Division for their hard work and dedication in maintaining compliance with DOD Policy concerning Cryptographic Material in an unusual configuration while in the yards. The CMS A&A Team Visit last week concluded without any discrepancies in their Local Element. Well done! BZ to SH3 Richards and EM3 Abshire for getting the Navy Cash System powered back up earlier this week. Their knowledge and determination to fix the system saved the crew from having to wait for Navy Cash Technicians to come aboard to fix it. BZ to OSSN Woltkamp for earning Honor Graduate at OS "A" School as well as the GCCS-M Operator Course. Way to represent! BZ to FC1 Minnich, GM2 Montoya, FC2 Tanner, FC2 Modlin, GM3 Cruz, FC3 Crepensik for coordinating and executing four small arms gun shoots over the past several weeks. There efforts as range staff, coaches and Ship's Armorer led to the qualification of 221 of Sailors in small arms. These are critical qualifications for the ship. BZ to the MILIUS RAGNAR Team for particpating in and finishing the RAGNAR race two weeks ago.,.
Awards Navy Commendation Medal LT FERRARI Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal GSM1 HUBBARD HM1 BADILLO PS2 FUENTEBELLA HM3 GUERRERO Commanding Officer Letter of Commendation: SN WRIGHT Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist CTT2 SUNMAN EM3 ABSHIRE GM3 PRIES Reenlistments FC2 SKIDMORE GSM3 GADOW IT2 ARMSTRONG
Promotions LTJG KELLEY LTJG ADEIMY LTJG KWIATKOWSKI LTJG LEO Advancements PO1 IT2 MCDANIEL PS2 CAMACHO PO2 QM3 BARNETT OS3 BECK EN3 CAFFERKY YN3 CREAMER GM3 CRUZ OS3 DOOLING GSE3 DULSKI OS3 FINCH FC3 FOSTER OS3 MANISCALCO STG3 NEMCHER
Advancements cont’d ET3 REINKE FC3 ROBERTSON EM3 JOHNSON IT3 WHITE PO3 ITSN BODDIE HN DOAN YNSN GUYTON DCFN HILL SN JOHNSON (PS3) LSSN KUANG MMFN LOEWEN LSSN YAN BMSN ZIEGLER ITSN MIRELYS RATED SAILORS SN DURITSCH — SHSN SN JACOBS — BMSN
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 9
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 6
JUNE 2013
F ROM THE CO’ S D ESK
Team MILIUS, Welcome to the June Newsletter! We’ve included a number of important updates for everyone’s consumption and I encourage you to read this newsletter in its entirety. CMC has some excellent comments about summer safety and makes a good recruiting pitch for future Ombudsman. Our Career Counselor discusses advancements and our front line news section covers a lot detail about the happenings around the ship. Here are a few other updates: Drydocking and EDSRA Update We recently received approval to extend our drydocking period from Jun 17 to Aug 19. The extra time in the dock is required to perform repairs to two key components of the underwater hull. The drydock extension shifts the overall EDSRA end date to 04 Nov. Our Operations Officer, Training Officer and the other Department Heads are working very hard to put the rest of the schedule together. From our undocking on 19 Aug to the end of EDSRA, the crew will be very busy putting the ship back together, testing our systems, moving back aboard the ship and certifying safe to operate for our sea trials. Towards the last week of October, we’ll get underway for a few days to test everything out at sea. . Ombudsman Opening As previously advertised, Mrs. Teresa Tillman and her husband will be transferring from MILIUS this summer. UPDATE: Mrs. Jeri Nix and her husband are now transferring from MILIUS this summer as well. If you are interested, please contact our Command Master Chief via e-mail at [email protected]. One question you may be asking – will we go with a single or co-ombudsman. Short answer, I don’t know. It depends on the number of applicants we receive. The goal is to set the ship and MILIUS families up for success through the 2014 deployment. Ooohrah, MILIUS!!! Sincerely, CDR Steve Shedd Commanding Officer USS MILIUS DDG-69
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
CMC’s Call Ccc news CALENDAR OF EVENTS OMBUDSMEN MEMO Milius frontline news CREW advancement PHOTOS Bravo zulu! RESOURCES
2 2 3 4-5 6 7 8 9
P AGE 2
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
CMC’s Call
MILIUS families, Summer is almost here, officially. We like to stress the “Critical Days of Summer” across the Navy as a time to emphasize safety on the road, in the home and while enjoying recreational activities. Your Sailors will be receiving some training and reminders on that, but let me give it to you in shorter form: please continue to be smart while you’re traveling and just use common sense. Many of the accidents on our freeways during the next few months will be attributed to fatigue, alcohol, or just a lack of attention to surroundings. Please be safe, be smart and stay on your loved ones about it. As we’ve been communicating the last few months, our Ombudsmen will be leaving soon. Teresa and Jeri will be missed, and we need to fill this critical position. Here’s why: our schedule is firming up and the next several months are going to be hectic. Our time in the shipyard is, thankfully, drawing to a gradual close. After that, we start looking at underway periods and serious preparations for deployment. Our families need a link to the command and they need someone they can call with questions and concerns. It’s critical and we wouldn’t be making this push if we didn’t truly believe in value of Ombudsmen. Some misconceptions about the program center around experience and the belief that you have to be a spouse who’s been around the Navy for a while in order to be effective. Nope. The only criteria we’re immediately concerned with is your genuine compassion for the MILIUS families and your willingness to help them when they need it. The training you’ll receive is outstanding and you’ll be fully prepared for the job. If you’re interested, or if you have questions about this opportunity, please feel free to email me: [email protected]. Thanks for everything all of you do to support us. We appreciate it and your Sailors are excelling because of that support. Sincerely, CMDCM(SW/AW) Bill Houlihan
FROM THE COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR
Greetings, MILUS Crew, Family & Friends, The month of May announced our Sailors that advanced from the recent Navy Wide Advancement Exam results. Our Sailors worked very hard studying and exceeding every opportunity they have been given. Please take the time to congratulate them. Bravo Zulu All! It is never too early to start studying now for the next Navy Wide Advancement Exam in September. The rating bibliographies have posted on Navy Advancement Center via www.nko.navy.mil. Creating a study group and making the time to study will benefit not only you put your family as well! Father’s Day is in the month of June, take the time to appreciate the men that have influenced and impacted your life. Something simple as a phone call or card can make someone’s day. Sincerely, NC1 (SW/AW) D. Gutierrez
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P P AGE AGE 3 3
JUNE
Sun
2 9 16
23 30
Mon
3 10 17 24
Tue
4 11 18 25
Wed
5 12 19 26
Thu
6 13 20 27
Fri
7 14 21 28
Sat
1 8 15 22 29
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
Thursday, June 6 — 69th Anniversary of D-Day Friday, June 7 — 71st Anniversary of Battle of Midway Tuesday, June 11 — San Diego Public School’s Summer Break (Traditional Calendar) Friday, June 14 — Flag Day
NBSD Flag Day 2 Mile Run/1 Mile Walk - Check in starts at 9 am at Admiral Prout Field House Track. Open to all ID cardholders. For more information, call 619-556-7444.
Your father deserves the very best, so treat him to brunch for Father’s Day at the Island Club on Naval Air Station North Island or Admiral Baker Clubhouse near Mission Valley. We offer world-class guest service and a sumptuous full course buffet in our stunning and unique locations. Show Dad how much you appreciate him by spending quality time relaxing together while enjoying a truly delicious meal. Call for reservations and seating times today! Island Club, 619-545-9199 Admiral Baker Club, 619-487-0016
Sunday, June 16 — Father’s Day
Friday, June 21 — First Day of Summer!
P AGE 4
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
OMBUDSMAN MEMO
Milius Families, Very soon we will have at least one Ombudsman position opening up. Are you interested? If so, please consider it. You, as command spouses, have a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on our command by joining our Ombudsman team. As a part of this team you will be another link between the command and our families. You will be a confidant, a thoroughly trained asset to the command, a credible listener and a safety net to anyone who needs you. As an Ombudsman you have the challenge and privilege of empowering our families to help themselves as they navigate the challenges of our Navy Lifestyle. Will you join us? What is an Ombudsman? Ombudsmen are volunteers appointed by the commanding officer to serve as an information link between the command leadership and command families. Ombudsmen are trained to distribute information, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issue and local quality of life improvement opportunities around the community. They also provide resource referrals when needed and can be instrumental in resolving family issues before they require extensive command attention. Command ombudsmen are part of the command support team. The roles and responsibilities of the command ombudsman include: • Serve as a liaison between command families and the command. • Keep the command leadership informed regarding the morale, health and welfare of command families. • Communicate regularly with the command and command families. • Contact families upon arrival to introduce themselves and explain how they can be of help to the family. • Develop and distribute command-approved monthly newsletter. • Maintain an up-to-date list of resources and support organizations available to Navy families. • Serve as a source of emergency and crisis information. • Avoid conflict of interest. • Maintain confidentiality. • Coordinate services for command families during mobilization or geographic separation. It is the ultimate goal of the command ombudsman to empower family members to help themselves. Ombudsmen responsibilities DO NOT include: • Providing child care. • Transporting people. • Lending money. • Allowing people to stay with them in their home. Confidential Information vs. Non-Confidential Information Confidential information is sensitive information about a service member or family member. It is kept within the commanding officer’s designated network and is for official use only. Command ombudsmen are required to adhere to the strictest code of confidentiality to protect the privacy of individuals. Types of confidential information ombudsmen may hear include: • Marital problems • Substance abuse issues • Financial difficulties • Parenting challenges • Work performance issues • Medical issues • Domestic issues • Suicidal or homicidal behaviors
Ombudsman Info: [email protected] OMB Phone– 619.417.9980 Careline– 619.338.1754
Family members may contact the command ombudsman to ask for information, guidance, and referrals, or they may just want to discuss their concerns with a caring person. An ombudsman does not share these private concerns with anyone – including their spouse, other members of the command support team, or assistance agencies – without the approval of their commanding officer (CO) or the caller.
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 5
OMBUDSMAN CONT’D
It is important to understand that not all communication with an ombudsman is confidential, and some information is required to be disclosed to the proper authority. This information is called “reportable”. Reportable information involves situations in which someone’s safety and well-being are at stake. All Department of the Navy personnel, including ombudsmen (with the exception of chaplains and attorneys who have privileged communication), are MANDATED reporters. Navy instruction requires ombudsmen to report: • All suspected or known child abuse/neglect. • Alleged domestic abuse. • Suspected or potential homicides, violence, or life-endangering situations. • All suspected or potential suicidal risks. Ombudsman Training Training is an important factor of a successful Ombudsman Program. Trained ombudsmen are better able to enhance the readiness of Navy families. Ombudsmen are required to complete an initial 16.5 hours of basic training. The training consists of 9 modules that equip ombudsmen with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to properly execute their duties required by OPNAVINST 1750.1F. The basic training ensures that families receive a standardized level of services throughout the Navy. On-going training enables them to stay abreast of changes in programs and services, and to become familiar with new programs and services available to service members and their families. All ombudsmen are required to complete advanced training throughout the year. In addition to basic and advanced training, ombudsmen are required to regularly attend bi-monthly assemblies, which provide a forum for sharing and exchanging information, resources, and best practices. Ombudsman Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics is the essential foundation upon which an ombudsman’s credibility is established and maintained. Ombudsmen are committed to strict adherence to the code, which includes: • Maintaining confidentiality. • Supporting the command’s mission. • Working within the chain of command as directed. • Maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. History of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program The Navy Family Ombudsman Program enables service members to be more focused and productive at work because their families have a safety net. The Navy’s philosophy of developing healthy, self-reliant families is epitomized through the Navy Family Ombudsman Program. The ombudsman concept originated in Scandinavian countries, where they investigated citizens’ complaints against the government or its functionaries. Today, the concept is widely used in the fields of government, business, and healthcare. On September 14, 1970, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., Chief of Naval Operations, established the Navy Family Ombudsman Program when he issued Z-Gram 24. It emphasized the importance of Navy spouses and established a procedure that gave spouses the opportunity to present complaints, viewpoints, and suggestions to the commanding officer. In doing so, he acknowledged the vital role spouses play as members of the Navy team and provided them with what he described as an “official representative to express their view to commanding officers and base commanders.” For more information or to put your name on the list for consideration, please contact CMC at [email protected] Your Ombudsman Team, Jeri Nix and Teresa Tillman
P AGE 6
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
FRONTLINE NEWS
Whether the ship is out to sea, by the pier, or up on blocks, the crew of USS MILIUS finds a way to stay active. During the month of May, milestones have come and gone on board only to be replaced by more and more goals and milestones for the crew. By continuing to attend service schools, take college courses, get in great physical shape, and volunteer numerous hours to the community, MILIUS is ready for anything and itching to get the ship back to fighting shape. Here are a few events that took place this past month: With summer fast approaching, MILIUS conducted a commandwide Safety Stand-down. The focus of the stand-down was to reinforce common knowledge pertaining to safety in and outside the workplace. Subject matter experts spoke at length on specific topics such as: motorcycle, vehicle, boating, drug and alcohol abuse, outdoor, and shipyard safety. As the summer months approach, the rate of mishaps and accidents to service members and their families sharply rise due to the increase of outdoor recreation and activities. Please remember to always keep safety in mind, the greatest asset to a ship is her family. For two weeks this month some of the crew participated in the Virtual Flag conference held in Albuquerque, NM. An Air Force administered exercise, the crew was hosted at Kirtland Air Force Crew Members attending Safety Stand-down Training Base for two weeks, completing integrated training with all four services. The event was a great success for the MILIUS and the Navy. By educating the other services on the true capabilities of an Aegis class destroyer, many high ranking officials saw the potential for a multi-mission ship with an ever changing global scene. On the 15th of this month, the USS MILIUS completed 50% of its extended maintenance availability period. At the shipyard, numerous officials met for a progress report conference. The conclusion of the conference found the maintenance on the ship is tracking quite well. Some maintenance has been extended and as a consequence has extended the dry-dock phase. This will change the qualification and assessment calendar of the ship. Please talk with your Sailor as the weeks go on the hear about the changes in schedule, and prepare to be flexible. Heads up to the MILIUS crew and their families. The Navy is brining together all enlisted career management policies, processes, and multiple information technology systems under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions as announced in NAVADMINs 149/13 and 150/13 released May 30. Career Navigator will use Career Waypoints as the IT system that supports key Sailor decisions about which way to go next in their career. Career Waypoints will include enlisted career management processes that allow Sailors to give their intentions to reenlist, reclassify, designate into a rate, convert or transition between Active Component and Reserve Component. Accordingly these processes will be called: Mast preservation is one of the many projects ongoing. Reenlistment (formerly Perform to Serve (PTS)), Reclassification (formerly production management office), and Conversion and Transition. Changes to the system, policy, and process names will occur in the next few months. Discuss some of these changes with your Sailor and see how that affect any short and long term family plans.
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 7
CREW ADVANCEMENT PHOTOS
P AGE 8
USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER
BRAVO ZULU!
BZ to GM3 York for providing SAR swimmer support to USS SAMPSON. BZ to the MILIUS flag football team! OS3 Kuhn, ET3 Day, FC2 Brady, SN Wright, QM3 Pannell, FC3 Wiilliams, OS3 Dooling, and OS3 Perussi have been playing this season since February. The team ended up finishing 3rd overall and made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs. Way to represent BZ to the entire Crew from the SKED 3.2 Installer: “To date USS Milius (DDG-69) has been the most proactive ship in preparing for SKED32; Over 106 personnel completed their training circuits! Being that this crew was better prepared, I was able to provide more in-depth training which benefited the command.” BZ to SH3 Richards and EM3 Abshire for getting the Navy Cash System powered back up a few weeks ago. Their knowledge and determination to fix the system saved the crew from having to wait for Navy Cash Technicians to come aboard to fix it. Great example of selfsufficiency! BZ to FC3 Smith for earned the highest score on the Navy Handgun Qualification Course with an Expert score of 234! BZ to QM3 Newbanks for earning a perfect score of 18 on the Handgun Practical Weapons Course! BZ to FC2 Lin, FC2 Melo, GMSA Salmons, STG2 Savin, FC2 Schwendeman and STG2 Zanini for earning a perfect score of 18 on the Handgun Lowlight Course of fire! BZ to CC Division for their hard work and dedication in maintaining compliance with DOD Policy concerning Cryptographic Material in an unusual configuration while in the yards. The CMS A&A Team Visit last week concluded without any discrepancies in their Local Element. Well done! BZ to SH3 Richards and EM3 Abshire for getting the Navy Cash System powered back up earlier this week. Their knowledge and determination to fix the system saved the crew from having to wait for Navy Cash Technicians to come aboard to fix it. BZ to OSSN Woltkamp for earning Honor Graduate at OS "A" School as well as the GCCS-M Operator Course. Way to represent! BZ to FC1 Minnich, GM2 Montoya, FC2 Tanner, FC2 Modlin, GM3 Cruz, FC3 Crepensik for coordinating and executing four small arms gun shoots over the past several weeks. There efforts as range staff, coaches and Ship's Armorer led to the qualification of 221 of Sailors in small arms. These are critical qualifications for the ship. BZ to the MILIUS RAGNAR Team for particpating in and finishing the RAGNAR race two weeks ago.,.
Awards Navy Commendation Medal LT FERRARI Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal GSM1 HUBBARD HM1 BADILLO PS2 FUENTEBELLA HM3 GUERRERO Commanding Officer Letter of Commendation: SN WRIGHT Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist CTT2 SUNMAN EM3 ABSHIRE GM3 PRIES Reenlistments FC2 SKIDMORE GSM3 GADOW IT2 ARMSTRONG
Promotions LTJG KELLEY LTJG ADEIMY LTJG KWIATKOWSKI LTJG LEO Advancements PO1 IT2 MCDANIEL PS2 CAMACHO PO2 QM3 BARNETT OS3 BECK EN3 CAFFERKY YN3 CREAMER GM3 CRUZ OS3 DOOLING GSE3 DULSKI OS3 FINCH FC3 FOSTER OS3 MANISCALCO STG3 NEMCHER
Advancements cont’d ET3 REINKE FC3 ROBERTSON EM3 JOHNSON IT3 WHITE PO3 ITSN BODDIE HN DOAN YNSN GUYTON DCFN HILL SN JOHNSON (PS3) LSSN KUANG MMFN LOEWEN LSSN YAN BMSN ZIEGLER ITSN MIRELYS RATED SAILORS SN DURITSCH — SHSN SN JACOBS — BMSN
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
P AGE 9
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.
