Navy

WASHINGTON, D.C.── Naval Oceanography attended this year’s Sea-Air-Space (SAS)—the largest maritime exposition in the United Sates—hosted by the Navy League, April 3-5, 2023.

U.S. defense industry stakeholders and key military decision-makers gathered for three-days to engage: policy discussions; informative educational sessions; national security threats and sea service-related solutions in capability as the way forward.

Here, Naval Oceanography was able to reassure its partners of value they offer in collaborative efforts to increase capabilities that meet global-threats facing the world.

“I attended Sea-Air-Space this year in my role as CNMOC’s Chief Technology Officer and Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA),” said Betty Jester, Naval Oceanography’s Chief Technology Officer. “Several of the entities who Naval Oceanography has active Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) or in process of developing a CRADA were in attendance”

During SAS, stakeholders already in collaboration with Naval Oceanography were able to speak with Jester and other representatives about critical work underway, but SAS also facilitates new partnerships—so perspective collaborators had on-the-spot networking ability.

“It was a great opportunity to connect and re-connect with these important industry partners that provide Naval Oceanography access to emerging capability to enhance our ability to close gaps in various mission area,” Jester said.

It’s conferences like SAS that continue to push the nation’s defense components and provide the, literal and figurative, room to convene and discuss pressing issues facing the globe.

“The conference also afforded Naval Oceanography the ability to see other companies that provide applicable, newly-innovative capabilities and ability to hear senior DOD leadership officials speak on important topics such as emerging threats and the strategic importance of the Artic,” Jester continued.

When government officials, like Jester, attend SAS or similar conferences, they hear directly from DOD Senior Executives with possible one-on-one feedback, thus clarity is shed on mission focus areas—resulting in more mission success.

“I spent several days with important follow-ups and realize SAS gave me a ‘leg-up’ in several important technology areas such as Unmanned Surface Vehicles and Data Management advances,” said Jester.

Naval Oceanography has approximately 2,500 globally distributed military and civilian personnel, who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to guarantee the U.S. Navy’s freedom of action in the physical battlespace from the depths of the ocean to the stars.

The Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition was founded in 1965 as a means to bring the U.S. defense industrial base, private-sector U.S. companies and key military decision-makers from the sea services together for an annual innovative, educational, professional event located in the heart of Washington, D.C. This year’s exposition brought together 15,000 participants, 350 Exhibitors, 270 Flag and SES Officers, and delegations from 67 countries.

The Navy League of the United States, founded in 1902 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, is a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine. The Navy League has more than 30,000 individual members, more than 200 councils and, more than 240 corporate and community affiliate members.

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SOUTH CHINA SEA – A young Sailor stares up, eyes fixated on the massive gray hull of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. About to go underway on the ship for the first time he finds himself lost in wonder and excitement, the Sailor is drawn back to reality by the call of his name in the distance. He believed it to be a coincidence, though his name is called again, closer this time. The Sailor looks in the direction of the unknown voice only to be delightfully surprised to see his childhood friend and they rushed to greet one another.

Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman John Giannaris, and Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Marcus McGee, both from Columbus, Ohio, were not best friends at first sight but later became great friends through their schooling experience together.

“Moving around so much, I never really had any friends, but when I moved to Ohio, John was the first real friend I ever made,” said McGee. “We went to school together at Lincoln Heights Elementary, having the same classes and homeroom teacher together.”

The duo started talking when they discovered they had a similar interest in video games. Because of that, Giannaris invited his new friend over to his house for the first time, and he discovered that McGee’s favorite dog was the labradoodle, which Giannaris just so happened to have as a household pet.

“I remember seeing the labradoodle at John’s house for the first time,” explained McGee. “I was so excited because I loved these dogs. Over the years, when I went over to John’s house, we would play with the dog all day. I believe that we bonded while doing so.”

The two friends spent their school days and afternoons with each other, up until they graduated from middle school. It then came time for high school, and due to the differences of where they lived, they were required to go to separate schools for the first time. This was not the end of their friendship, though, since these two had built a bond and were determined to remain friends. Though their interests varied, with one pursuing football in athletics, and the other being passionate about music, they still put in the effort to spend time with one another after school hours, sharing how their days had gone and what new adventures they had journeyed.

“Life may have taken us in different directions, but we always made sure to reconnect when we could,” said Giannaris. “If you want something, you have to make the effort and pursue it to the best of your ability.”

High school came and went for the two friends, and it was then time to take the leap past school and into the world. McGee chose to join the U.S. Navy after leaving high school, and Giannaris chose to stay in Columbus and work while continuing his education.

“Choosing to join was hard for me,” said McGee. “I was making the first big decision of my life that would take me away from friends and family. John came to see me off to boot camp, which I really appreciated. I tried my best not to get emotional about it. It really showed me how much he cared.”

A year went by, and there had been little to no contact between the two friends. McGee decided that after a year of work, it was finally time to visit home. As he traveled, Giannaris’ mother called to ask him to help Giannaris take the next step in his life. Hearing that his friend needed help, McGee contacted Giannaris and started to talk to him about joining the Navy.

“I was hesitant to join, but with the help and support of Marcus, I was able to take that step towards my future,” said Giannaris.

McGee, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73; and Giannaris, assigned to Nimitz, continued their Navy careers working without much contact.

“I unfortunately lost contact with Marcus for some time as I focused on my career, but I never forgot him,” said Giannaris.

As the Nimitz was in-port San Diego during its first week of work-ups in 2022, the ship’s crew was let go for liberty as the squadrons came aboard. While Giannaris was making his way off the brow, he looked down the pier, spotted a familiar face fixated on the hull of the ship and happily called to him.

McGee and Giannaris now are deployed together aboard Nimitz during its 2022-2023 deployment. They might not always be able to spend time with one another, but they still talk, hangout, and get lunch and dinner together when they have the time.

“We might not be kids for long,” said McGee. “But a genuine friend lasts forever.”

By Aisha Lomax

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

“Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives. It is an urgent call for action,” states a proclamation signed by President Joe Biden in observance of Black Maternal Health Week 2023, observed April 11-17.

“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation,” the presidential proclamation added.

“Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) is a hallmark of commitment to safe, high-quality care, equitable, culturally diverse and inclusive care as a leader in advanced childbirth health care,” said Navy Capt. (Dr.) Kelly Elmore, WRNMMC chief of staff and an OB/GYN.

WRNMMC is one of the largest birthing centers in the Military Health System and delivers almost 1,200 babies every year. WRNMMC is also a referral center for high-risk pregnancies and complicated deliveries.

The Mother Infant Care Center (MICC) at WRNMMC offers lactation consultants, antepartum testing, certified nurse midwife program and doulas. Labor, delivery and recovery occur in private birthing rooms.

But despite the safe and quality care provided at WRNMMC, every year in the United States as a whole, too many women die during pregnancy or experience maternal health challenges. “One in 5 women in America experience maternal mental health conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder, so we launched the Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS), a confidential, 24-hour, toll-free number,” Biden continued.

The president encourages people to “give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day. And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”

According to the American College of OBGYNs, several factors including socioeconomic statuses, maternal education, health insurance coverage, access to prenatal and postnatal care, and health care services, contribute to the disparity in pregnancy survival rates among racial groups.

A study published in 2021 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) titled, “Race matters: maternal morbidity in the Military Health System,” hypothesized that universal access to health care, as seen in the military health care system, leads to similar rates of maternal morbidity regardless of race or ethnic background.”

“Equal access to health care and similar socioeconomic statuses in the military health care system do not explain the health care disparities seen regarding maternal morbidity encountered by Black women having children in the United States. This study identifies health care disparities in severe maternal morbidity among active-duty service members and their families,” the study’s conclusion states.

“In order for doctors to be successful they should be able to engage with patients from different backgrounds,” said Dr. Logan Peterson, an OB/GYN at WRNMMC who also serves as director of clinical clerkships for OB/GYN for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU).

“Patients should be educated and empowered to control their plan of care,” added Robyn Daniel, MICC nurse coordinator at WRNMMC.

“Better support for women and pregnant women will continue to produce better outcomes in terms of healthy births, healthy mothers, and military retainment during their pregnant years,” shared Air Force Lt. Col (Dr.) Krista Mehlhaff, department chief of maternal fetal medicine at WRNMMC.

Our military public health is critical to the readiness of our global military forces and their families,” Elmore concluded.

More information regarding black maternity is available on social media at #maternalhealthawareness, #maternalheathawarenessday2023, and #BMHW23.

WRNMMC, the world’s premier, integrated military medical center and where the nation heals our heroes, strives to provide extraordinary experiences for patients, families, and staff while driving tomorrow’s healthcare advances through education, innovation, and research. For additional information about WRNMMC, please visit us at http://walterreed.tricare.mil.