Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Harry Andrew D. Gordon, Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Everett

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING – (May 5, 2023) – Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command (REDCOM), Everett hosted a Returning Warriors Workshop (RWW) at the Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

RWW, a component of the Yellow Ribbon Program, provides an opportunity for Reserve Component (RC) Sailors that have recently returned from a deployment, mobilization or individual augmentation to gain knowledge and support as they acclimate back into their civilian lives and relationships. The Sailors are encouraged to invite a designated representative who the Sailor identifies as anyone that provided them support during their deployment. It is usually a spouse, family member or friend but can be anyone the Sailor chooses to invite.

The Sailors and guests attend the event in civilian clothes and normally in locations away from military bases. The casual dress code and location are intended to provide a relaxed atmosphere where they can explore and address stressors and difficulties of post-deployment life. Facilitators provide a weekend is full of presentations, counseling sessions, workshops and resource booths.

“We have a wonderful group of REDCOM Everett staff members, facilitators who volunteer their time and expertise, dynamic speakers, and representatives from supporting resource organizations who come together to provide an incredible weekend for the attendees. We provide workshops to give Sailors and family members alike the tools to address potential reintegration issues and enhance their overall mental and emotional well-being.” Jolie Harris, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Specialist, REDCOM, Everett.

The workshop has breakout sessions scheduled throughout the weekend that cover topics like couples reconnecting, communication skills, temperament and parenting, financial planning, finding happiness, and mindfulness and meditation. The facilitators also offer free group, couples’ and one-on-one counseling sessions with mental health trained professionals. Guests have the opportunity to pick and choose which breakout sessions appeal to them most.

“My wife and I have enjoyed the weekend and topics covered. There have been some things that have come to our attention that we had not considered prior to the workshop. The facilitators and counselors have been helpful and caring. The location is beautiful and I would recommend an RWW to any Sailor returning from a deployment,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class Anthony Ferris, Reservist Sailor and attendee, assigned to Navy Reserve Center Cheyenne.

The weekend peaks on Saturday night with the Banquet of Honor. The guests are encouraged to change into formal attire. The evening starts with a social hour to mingle, decompress and take photos. The guests and facilitators then take time to recognize those that have come before them and those who paid the ultimate price. Sailors assigned to REDCOM Everett conduct a prisoner of war/missing in action ceremony to honor those service members. Guests then enjoy dinner and the night concludes with a guest speaker.

“It was an honor to be the guest speaker and share the weekend with these amazing warriors and family members. I’ve learned so much from their stories and challenges. I’m overwhelmed and humbled with their resolve, unwavering motivation and most cherished support system,” said Rear Admiral Jackie McClelland, Vice Director, Navy Staff, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command.

The last day of the workshop continues with more breakout sessions and general presentations followed by guest reviews and evaluations of the event.

“I think it is great the Navy provides a workshop like this for RC Sailors. We hope they have learned a few things to add to their resiliency and fortitude tools boxes. Hopefully they are able to apply these new skills to allow themselves and their families to have a happier and healthier life,” said Command Master Chief Jerry Dotson, Senior Enlisted Leader REDCOM, Everett.

For more information about Returning Warrior Workshops and the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, visit the YRRP website at www.yellowribbon.mil.

SEA OF JAPAN (May 5, 2023) A San Diego native and 2018 graduate of the University of Arizona is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113).

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ethan Naftalin is a Sonar Technician (Surface), also known as STG, serving aboard USS John Finn, forward-deployed to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.

“I decided to join the Navy because I knew from when I was 14 that I was going to go into the military,” said Naftalin. “I’m the 4th generation in my family to do so and the first one to enlist, and the Navy seemed like the best fit for me at the time.”

Sonar Technician’s track, classify and localize contacts of interest. They operate surface sonar and other oceanographic systems and operate surface ship underwater fire control systems.

“Sonar Technicians are responsible for locating and tracking surface and sub-surface ships to protect either our ship or those in a Task Force,” said Naftalin. “We provide an early warning against ships attempting to close in on vital assets in the Navy.”

John Finn recently shifted homeports from San Diego to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naftalin is prepared to enjoy life to the fullest while stationed in Japan.

“I cannot wait to try all the sushi I can get my hands on,” said Naftalin. “Between that, and getting to explore a brand new country that I never would have been able to go to otherwise, I’m pretty excited to be here.”

Even though it can be exciting to be stationed in a foreign country, there can be some drawbacks for forward-deployed service members.

“I definitely miss my family,” said Naftalin. “They’re extremely proud of what I’m doing and are nothing but supportive when I talk to them. Their support definitely helps me stay grounded.”

Some Sailors might find it difficult to be halfway across the world, but Naftalin says that the people he works with make it easier.

“The people of this command, especially those of Weapons Department, are some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” said Naftalin. “It is a privilege getting to work alongside and learn from them every day.”

John Finn is forward-deployed to Commander, Task Force 71, U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. CTF 71 is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as well as any surface unit conducting independent operations in the region. Navy’s 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet and routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect critical regional partnerships.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Capt. Todd E. Whalen relieved Rear Adm. Randall “Randy” W. Peck as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), Joint Expeditionary Base – Little Creek (JEBLC) during a change of command ceremony held at the Drexler Manor Conference Center on JEBLC, Virginia Beach, VA, May 5, 2023.

The change of command is an important event and honored ceremony that signifies the transfer of authority, responsibility, and accountability from one commander to another.

INSURV, as most Sailors in the fleet know it, is responsible for inspecting the fleet’s in-service and new construction ships, determine their material readiness, and report this assessment to Congress, and Navy Leadership.

“Since I reported in April 2021, you have conducted 121 ship Material Inspections and Trials, 465 craft inspections and 48 inspections on Military Sealift Command Ships,” said Rear Adm. Peck. “These inspections included direct inspector surveillance on over 6 million shipboard components, which is also 6 million Sailor interactions on every Naval Vessel Registry Platform across the globe.”

Peck thanked his team for their impact to the fleet saying, “your insights have fueled 49 significant recommendations and 14 Technical Issue Papers and resolved 12 major technical deficiencies affecting the Fleet, problems they will never have to work around in the future.”

Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, commander, Task Force 80 and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces served as presiding officer and guest speaker.

“INSURV Inspection Results are used to improve our commanding officers’ ability to self-assess – this is foundational to our ability to self-correct and to improve our platform’s abilities to be self-sufficient,” said Kilby.

“Randy, you and your team have greatly increased the performance and output of the Board of Inspection and Survey – in the words of the Boy Scouts, ‘you left it better than you found it.’ Thank you for your dedication and leadership in this critical role of our Navy.”

Capt. Whalen assumed command as the 70th President of the Board of Inspection and Survey having previously served as chief of staff, commander, Surfaces Forces Atlantic.

The Board of Inspection and Survey was initially established in 1870 to ensure that the ships of the United States Navy were properly equipped for prompt, reliable, sustained mission readiness at sea. In 1882, Congress enacted legislation which established the Board of Inspection and Survey under statutory authority. U.S. Code Title X, 7304 requires a Board of Naval Officers to conduct a Material Inspection of all naval ships at least once every three years, if practicable. INSURV has been operating continuously under this authority since that date.

Today INSURV is comprised of nearly 200 high talented military, civilian, and contractors dispersed in various locations in the United States, and concentrated in San Diego and Virginia Beach.

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Mutts with a Mission deploys with USS Gerald R. Ford

NORFOLK, Va. – Sage, a three-year-old female yellow Labrador Retriever, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, May 2, as part of the Expanded Operational Stress Control Canine pilot program.

Sage is part of Gerald R. Ford’s warfighter toughness mental health and resiliency team, and she is specifically trained to help Sailors cope with the operational stress associated with deployment. The intent is for Sage to provide a unique outlet and comfort for Sailors during deployment. Animals are proven to be another form of stress relief and provide a sense of companionship.

Mutts with a Mission, a Virginia-based non-profit organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International, raised and trained Sage, and loaned her to the Gerald R. Ford crew for the ship’s scheduled deployment. Gerald R. Ford will be the first U.S. Navy ship to have an expanded operational stress control (EOSC) canine as part of the crew throughout deployment, and this will serve as an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of the program.

Chaplain Genevieve Clark, Gerald R. Ford and Carrier Strike Group 12’s Chaplain, serves as Sage’s primary handler. In preparation to deploy with Sage, Clark completed 120 hours of handler training with Mutts with a Mission. Three other volunteer handlers aboard Ford also support Clark in Sage’s care and mission.

“One of the positives of having Sage aboard the ship is her help in breaking down some barriers to utilizing mental, emotional, and spiritual resiliency resources,” said Clark. “Sailors are coming to more warrior toughness events and improving their morale through the vast network of resiliency resources the ship offers with Sage now present at these opportunities.”

During deployment, all Sailors will benefit from spending time with Sage, who will be present with Chaplains, Resiliency Providers, and Mental Health professionals thereby having the opportunity to receive counseling sessions. Sage will be available to Sailors during ship-wide Morale, Welfare, and Recreation events. Her daily schedule will also be made available to Sailors for general visitation and morale boosts throughout the day.

Mutts with a Mission sent Sage with all necessary supplies for deployment, including a waste collection mat, proper bedding located in the handler’s stateroom, personal protective gear including paw, hearing, and eye protection, and a life vest.

“The Sailors of Gerald R. Ford are excited to welcome Sage to the ship. Mutts with a Mission provides an invaluable service to Sailors, one that will aid in stress relief during the ship’s deployment,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Ford’s commanding officer. “Sage is one of the many resources aboard the ship to help Sailors build resiliency and enhance morale.”

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is conducting a scheduled deployment in the Atlantic Ocean in support of interoperability and maritime security. The GRFCSG provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce. In total, the GRFCSG is deployed with more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander tasking.

Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, Advanced Arresting Gear and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to deliver greater lethality, survivability and joint interoperability with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way forward for naval aviation.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78, DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).