The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the crew of the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or

the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.

VOL 2 / NO 6 January 18, 2011

Story by MC2 Byron LinderUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) James R. Evans

See ‘POSTAL’ Page 6

Inside this Issue: Going Postal | PTS | MLK Jr. Celebration | Tools of the Trade

How Mail Gets Here From Home

Going Postal!The U.S. Postal Service is a gargantuan infrastructure, with

thousands of employees working around the clock to provide mail to millions of American citizens. While mail can be expected six times a week in the U.S., the average mail carrier would be ill-equipped to acquire a package signature hundreds of miles from land.

On board Carl Vinson, the ship’s logistics specialists working in the post office face a considerably larger set of challenges to meet the postal needs of more than 4,000 Sailors. Getting a package from home into a Sailor’s hands is a complex formula, requiring multiple elements working in congress to achieve a successful result.

The end of the line for a parcel in the civilian mail system for Vinson Sailors is the Joint Military Postal Agency Pacific (JMPAPAC) facility, explained Chief Logistics Specialist (SW/AW) Noe Nesmith, Vinson’s Postal Officer.

“JMPAPAC is the large entity on the military side that processes our mail leaving from (Los Angeles International Airport) LAX. The ship’s postal officer and supply officer write a Mail Routing Instruction (MRI) for them, and that’s a confidential document saying how to route our mail,” explained Nesmith.

Parcels with expedited or overnight shipping will only go as far as the port of exit at LAX before being added into the mail shipment going to the ship, Nesmith added. With a warship needing to be fluid and adapt to mission schedule changes, the key players work to ensure the MRI is updated accordingly and intelligently using all available resources.

“All the mail follows where we’re going, but rerouting can cause delays. If we’re in range to fly a carry on delivery (COD) flight, we do that, and we do a mail call the same day. If not, we receive mail when we do a refueling at sea (RAS), and we’ve seen it’s a large volume of

mail with three or four mail calls throughout the day,” Nesmith said.

Vinson’s operational area during the deployment will allow for a steady influx of mail, said Nesmith.

“We understand mail is a big part of morale and where we’ll be operating, getting mail sources will be easier than when we were in South America,” Nesmith explained. “Military flights are the most cost-effective way to deliver mail and there will be plenty of those in the area we’ll be in.”

A simple way to avoid delays is to ensure packages coming to the ship have complete and accurate information. The five personnel working in Vinson’s post office spend many hours processing “directory mail.”

“Directory mail is mail we get after mail calls that just have a name on the package, no department or division,” said Nesmith. “We have to go to the directory database or alpha roster and find out where that Sailor is.”

Carl Vinson Voice2

Sailors from Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday with a cake cutting ceremony on the mess decks and program in the ship’s forecastle Jan. 16.

The events were sponsored by CSG-1 and Vinson’s American Heritage Observance Committee (AHOC).

Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) Shantae Clark introduced the program as a celebration of King’s historic struggle as a staunch advocate for civil rights, equality and diversity.

“I say celebration of diversity,” said Clark, “because the cause Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for has transformed right before our eyes. The Navy is built on and takes tremendous pride in our diversity. From different races, cultures and religions, all the way to different rates, working together for one main cause: to maintain the safety and security of the world’s seas.”

The program included a skit performed by several members of the AHOC committee of many different races, ranks and cultural backgrounds. Each member recited an excerpt from King’s famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” There was also intermittent singing to enhance emotion in the skit.

“I liked the way they broke down the speech by adding songs to make it more modern and diverse,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Conesa King of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81.

The program also included a poem written and read by Ensign Judy Reid of VFA-81 and an interpretive dance to the song “I Dream in Color,” performed by Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airman Chaundrell Thompson from Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department.

“I took time out of my day to attend this celebration because of the time and effort he gave for his cause,” said King. “It was really awesome, one of the best AHOC programs I have seen at this and other commands.”

Vinson’s AHOC committee is designed to educate and celebrate cultural diversity on board. The program was both entertaining

Publisher Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey

Commanding Officer

Executive Editors Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Erik Schneider Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien

Photo Editor MC2 Adrian White

Layout and DesignMC3 Megan L. Catellier

Staff Writers/PhotographersMC2 James R. Evans

MC2 Byron LinderMC3 Lori Bent

MC3 Christopher HwangMC3 Jessica TounzenST

AFF

D r . M L K J r . ’ s B i r t h d a yCarl Vinson Celebrates

Story by MC2 Ashley Van DienUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airman Chaundrell Thompson dances during a Martin Luther King, Jr. day ceremony in the ship’s forecastle. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Hwang.

and educational for the crew.“It is important for us to understand each other,” said AHOC

chairman Chief Legalman (AW/SW) Tracy Mitchell. “Being able to respect, relate, tolerate and appreciate each other creates a better working environment.”

“I am thankful for being part of the voices echoing the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who fought to make the world a better place,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Narcisse Satchivi, AHOC member from Engineering Department.

The celebration of King’s life and accomplishments was a reminder that through hard work and dedication, one person can make a difference.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability,” said Dr. King, “but comes through continuous struggle.”

And although change may start with one person, embracing the diversity of the Navy as one team allows us to strongly support the mission, together.

3January 18, 2011

Story by MC3 Lori BentUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Perform To ServeStay informed to Stay Navy

Re-enlisting is no longer as simple as raising your right hand and promising to serve two to four more years. In an effort to manage the size of the force and monitor the quality of Sailors who continue to serve, the Navy created the Perform to Serve (PTS) program in 2003.

PTS (MILPERSMAN 1440-060) is a long-term force shaping tool that aids in leveling overmanned and undermanned ratings while managing the quality of applicants by controlling the authority for re-enlistments.

A PTS application is mandatory for all E-3 to E-6 Sailors with less than 14 years of service. Applications are required to be submitted 12 to 13 months prior to the service member’s Soft End of Active Obligated Service (SEAOS) or submitted for your Projected Rotation Date (PRD) if you have less than 24 months remaining for your next tour on your EAOS.

Effective October 1, 2010, PTS integrated into the Fleet Ride program, changing the algorithm for the PTS system. PTS is now based off of year groups, which are determined by the fiscal year a Sailor joined the Navy.

“Sailors are required to submit an application, even if they intend to separate, are ineligible or not recommended for re-enlistment,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW/AW) Tammy Smoot, Vinson’s Senior Command Career Counselor. “Gone are the days when Sailors could change their minds at the very last minute about re-enlisting. If a member annotates they are not intending to re-enlist and do not change the application in the six looks they receive then their final denial is irrevocable”.

At the same time, if a Sailor is certain they are separating then they need to annotate that because if they put “intend to reenlist” and have no intentions of re-enlisting then they may very take a quota

from a Sailor that really wants to stay in the Navy.

The algorithm for determining PTS selection process is based on Sailors in highest paygrade, Sailors selected for advancement but not yet advanced (frocked), cumulative average of the five most recent evaluations (minimum of two required), PFA failures in a 4 year period, and proximity to SEAOS.

“If we have two Sailors of the same rate, who came in the Navy in the same fiscal year but one is advanced to E-6 and the other is an E-5, the E-6 Sailor will receive the quota. And depending on the quota’s available that month, the E-5 may be rolled over to the next month,” explained NCCM Smoot. “Then, based on the number of remaining PTS quotas, the frocked E-6 Sailors will then be selected before the E-5. Advancements are key to quota selections for the PTS process.

Study had for that next advancement.” NCCM Smoot further explained that if

you are capped and you are currently in the PTS system, it is extremely important that you notify the Command Career Counselor’s (CCC) office because you will receive an automatic approval but there are steps the CCC office has to complete to ensure you receive this automatic in-rate quota.

“You limit yourself by not submitting a PTS application on time,” added Master Chief Smoot. “Be mindful of your EAOS/PRD and monitor your Fleet Ride application every single month. Once those results are released, go back and review your application and ensure you are aware of in-rate and conversion opportunities often because they are going to change monthly. What was offered to you one month may not be offered the next.

Career Development Boards (CDB) are also key to a successful PTS quota selection.

Conversion opportunities are limited

by minimum ASVAB scores Every division on board has a career counselor responsible for conducting CDBs and submitting Sailors PTS applications into the Fleet Ride program. A Sailor should not fill out a PTS application without understanding Fleet Ride and the quotas available that month, along with what conversion you are being offered.

“If you do not know who your divisional career counselor is, seek them out. Always stay on top of your career and understand and know your options available,” urges NCCM(SW/AW) Smoot. “Once you are in your PTS window it really is too late to open your conversion opportunities if you did not do this prior to entering your PTS window.”

Last thing to be aware of is your quota’s are only valid for 13 months from the time you receive them. If you let an extension go operative, then you just used your PTS

quota so be very mindful of when you received it and any extensions you have on file, explained NCCM(SW/AW) Smoot. Anyone that has a legacy

quota that was received prior to October 1, 2009 also needs to be aware that it expires March 1, 2011, so if you have this you need to re-enlist prior to March 2, 2011 or your PTS is invalid and must be resubmitted.

“It really is the service member’s responsibility to be in charge of their careers” said NCCM(SW/AW) Smoot. “With this comes the responsibility of understanding PTS and their current status of application submitted.”

Sailors will receive a official notification letter informing them of either selection or non-selection of application..

“PTS needs to be taken very seriously,” said NCCM(SW/AW) Smoot. “Sit down with your divisional career counselor and ask the questions. This is your career. Manage it well.”

For more information on PTS contact your divisional career counselors/departmental counselors or you can stop by the Command Career Counselor’s Office located at 3-114-01-Q. CCC can also be reached at J-6555.

“This is your career,” said Smoot. “Manage it well.”

Carl Vinson Voice4

MC3 Lori BentUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

OF THE TRADE

“Fire! Fire! Fire!” When a casualty is called away on board, time is of the essence, and one of the most important factors for quickly fighting the ship are functional fire hoses, fire fighting ensembles (FFE) and fully stocked repair lockers.

Carl Vinson’s Damage Controlmen (DC) maintain and operate casualty-fighting equipment and systems on board. They are also members of the Gold Eagle Flying Squad and Rescue and Assistance Team.

“Every job has its ups and downs,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Bryan Sipe. “But no matter what, once we hear those bells ringing over the 1MC we start moving. That’s just how our job works.”

Damage control is an all hands effort and involves tools and equipment that make shipboard firefighting more efficient. The pick axe, maul and naval firefighting thermal imager (NFTI) are three DC tools that Sailors on board are trained to use during Basic and Advanced DC classes.

“We are effectively and thoroughly trained to use and teach others how to use the equipment,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW) Steven Espinoza. “An important aspect of our job is training the crew how to combat different types of casualties and the proper ways to use the equipment.”

The pick axe is used to access locked or jammed doors and inaccessible spaces, in order to fight casualties and rescue trapped personnel. The firefighter’s maul is used for knocking wedges during a shoring evolution.

The “NFTI” (naval firefighting thermal imager) is an infrared thermal imager used by the team leader to locate fires, hot spots and ventilation fires. It is also used to find personnel causalities in smoke-filled spaces by detecting body temperature.

“I love what I do,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Erika Tello. “It’s a lot different when you know what to do to stay alive.”

5January 18, 2011

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White

Carl Vinson Voice6

Deckplate Dialogues

IS2 (SW) Darrel Ellis Jr. CTM3 Timothy Biddison AOAN Paitra Johnson

Who is your role model and why?

“My mother. She worked so hard to raise five children by herself. She saw us all

through the struggles in our lives.”

“My Dad. He always has the right answers for everything.”

“I aspire to be an entrepreneur and an artist in the music

industry. I draw influences from performers like Beyonce

and Jada Pinkett-Smith.”

DECKPLATE

The Landing Signal Off icer, under supervision of the air off icer, is responsible for

the visual control of aircraft in the terminal phase of the approach immediately prior

to landing.

The ship contains four steering units.

There are two on line at all times and two

in stand by.

The elements also play a key factor in mail delivery, Nesmith said. A mail call on board Vinson requires hundreds of personnel working together and harsh weather can create a dangerous environment where aircraft are not cleared to operate.

Ultimately, Sailors awaiting packages from home will have to be patient and know the system is working for them during the mission.

“We are a deployed unit and the mission comes first, but the mail will get to the port of exit and get routed to us. Families obviously want their Sailors to get the packages they send, and we work every day to provide the best service possible,” said Nesmith.

From ‘POSTAL’ Page 1