F R A o u t l i n e s VA p r i o r i t i e s t o P r e s i d e n t, VA C o m m i t t e e s
8
April 2009
Submariners:
Brotherhood of Pride and Mutual Respect p.18
5A Warning About Health Care Fees for 2010
14
Happy Birthday Chiefs!
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April
Number 4
18
April 2009
18 Submariners: Brotherhood of
Pride and Mutual Respect
April 2009 marks the 109th birthday of the U.S.
Navy’s Submarine Force.
Departments
2Communications
5NED Perspective
A Warning About Health Care Fees for 2010
6SHIPMATE FORUM
8
8ON & OFF CAPITOL HILL
Budget Battles Begin
14 FRA Salutes Chief Petty Officers
17MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Recruiting and Mentoring
14
27 Reunions
28News from the Branches
32 Taps
33Looking For…
36LA FRA NEWS
Message from RPSE Sue Cattell
Loyalty, Protection and service
FRA is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization
advocating for current and former enlisted members of the
U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard on Capitol Hill. For
more information on the benefits of membership, please visit
www.fra.org or call 800-FRA-1924.
1
FRA Today
Featured
Volume 88
2009
On the cover
Submarine Sailors share a unique bond that hasn’t
changed much in the Submarine Force’s 109-year
history.
Communications
2
FRA Today
April 2009
National Officers/Board Of Directors
Happy Birthday!
Eileen Murphy
On 1 April 1893 President Benjamin Harrison established the rate of
Chief Petty Officer. In the March issue of FRA Today, we invited readers
to “Salute the Chiefs” by sending in birthday wishes for Chiefs in general, or to honor a specific Chief. We appreciate all those who looked
past the unfortunate typo in the year and sent in sentiments for publication. We have made a “virtual birthday card” on www.fra.org which
includes all the wishes we received and will continue to receive after
this issue has gone to print. Please see pages 14–15 for our salute which
includes those comments received at publication.
Another anniversary in the month of April is that of the Submarine
Force, celebrating 109 years of proud service. Our feature article (page
18) highlights the history and heritage of submariners and on page 24,
we take a special look at the Chiefs of the Boat.
From all of us at National Headquarters, happy birthday Chiefs and
Submariners!
FRA makes a difference! As you will read in NED Perspective (page
5) FRA’s recent testimony and legislative advocacy has made a dramatic
difference on the Hill. We still have much work to do and need your
support now more than ever. If it’s time to renew your dues, please do
so right away! If you know someone who should join FRA, please call
1-800-FRA-1924 and let us know. We will send a prospective member
packet and invite them to join. Interested in recruiting directly? See our
flyer promoting the new recruiting campaign for 2009–2010 membership year on page 16.
Thank you for your continued support of FRA!
Volunteer to help America’s veterans!
Your Mission – Your Voice
FRA’s Free Teleconference Series
8 April 2009 Noon (EST)
VAVS
To participate call:
1-800-391-1709
Enter bridge number 444143
National President
National Vice President
National Executive
Finance Officer
Junior PNP
Donald Mucheck, L. Mendel Rivers Branch 50
Gary C. Blackburn, Vallejo Branch 8
Joseph L. Barnes, Navy Department Branch 181
Paul Rigby
Lawrence J. Boudreaux, Hangtown Branch 275
Regional Presidents
New England
Northeast
East Coast
Southeast
North Central
South Central
Southwest
West Coast
Northwest
Nat’l. Parliamentarian
Nat’l Chaplain
Paul F. Loveless, Jr., Pinetree Branch 156
James E. Brown, Staten Island Branch 226
Ray E. Santee, Virginia Beach Branch 166
John E. Sutton, Mayport Branch 290
Robert A. Melson, USS Indianapolis Memorial Branch 130
Donald Larson, Corpus Christi Branch 94
Charles F. Tompkins, James Hunter Branch 47
Nathan “Joe” Nash, Silver Dollar Branch 192
Donald L. Bordwell, Dungeness Branch 174
PNP Robert G. Beese, Orange County Branch 175
Tom Whitaker, B. Duke Woody Branch 147
Active Duty Advisory Council
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen
Reserve Advisory Council
Force Master Chief of the Naval Reserve Ronney A. Wright
USMC Reserve Force Sergeant Major Kim E. Davis
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force
Jeffrey Smith
FRA TODAY Magazine
Publisher FRA
Managing Editor Eileen Murphy
Contributing Editor Lauren Armstrong
Design and Art Direction
FIREBRAND, Alexandria, VA www.firebrandstudios.com
Design Director Scott Rodgerson
Production Manager Sandy Jones
The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service program
(VAVS) offers many different ways to volunteer and give back
to America’s veterans. Learn about FRA’s role and in what ways
you can offer your time and talents to our veterans through
VAVS.
fra today (ISSN 0028-1409) is published monthly by FRA, 125 N. West St.,
Alexandria, Va 22314-2754. A member’s subscription is covered by the member’s
annual dues. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA and additional
offices. Publication of non-sponsored advertising in fra today does not
constitute an endorsement by the FRA or its representatives. Postmaster:
Send address changes to: Member Services, FRA, 125 N. West St., Alexandria,
VA 22314-2754. fra today is published in the interests of all current and
former enlisted personnel of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Eligible non-members are not entitled to subscription rates. Established
1 November 1923. Title registered with U.S. Patent Office.
Can’t be on the call? Check the home page of www.fra.org
after the call to listen to a recording of the call.
FRA Administrative Headquarters: 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2754
Phone: 703-683-1400, 800-FRA-1924 • Fax: 703-549-6610 • E-Mail: [email protected]
www . fra . o rg
This conference call is free and the information is priceless.
Eileen Murphy is the Director of Marketing and Communications and serves as the Managing
Editor of FRA Today. Please contact her at [email protected].
Volume 88 Number 4
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NED Perspective
5
DoD and VA beneficiaries remains
FRA’s top legislative agenda issue this
year and this was addressed by myself
and other association leaders at a recent roundtable meeting hosted by
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Some
positive proposals are included in the
new Administration’s budget blueprint
for FY2010. The plan includes significantly higher VA funding (about $5.5
It will be much more
difficult – particularly
in the current budget
environment — to halt
the authorization of
higher TRICARE fees for
military retirees and
other beneficiaries in
2010 and beyond.
billion above this year’s level), which
is critical in providing full and timely
appropriations for the department’s
health care programs, improving
chronic claims-processing problems,
and preventing the establishment of
enrollment fees for Priority Groups 7
and 8 beneficiaries.
A proposal to expand concurrent
receipt of military retired pay and VA
disability benefits to medically-retired
service members is also included. This
is an unprecedented proposal and
certainly welcomed by FRA members, but it’s not all good news. During
the roundtable discussion, Rep. Ike
Skelton warned that funding such an
expansion will pose a “serious challenge” to the House Armed Services
Committee. Skelton, who chairs the
committee and has significant influence over compensation and benefits,
also explained that including more
medically-retired service members in
the benefit will require offsets from
other House committees, which will
impact programs under those panels’
respective oversight.
As concurrent receipt takes center stage for the new Administration,
it will be much more difficult – particularly in the current budget environment – to halt the authorization of
higher TRICARE fees for military retirees and other beneficiaries in 2010
and beyond. Although details of next
year’s budget won’t be known until it’s
sent to Capitol Hill later this month,
Skelton’s statement is a somber warning about the challenges ahead with
regard to funding for health care and
other benefit enhancements.
For the past three years, Congress
has responded to FRA’s strong opposition and rejected DoD’s recurring
proposals for drastic health care fee
hikes for younger military retirees.
President Obama recently withdrew a
plan to bill veterans’ individual health
insurance carriers for VA care associated with service-connected disabilities or conditions after FRA’s National
President Don Mucheck and other
military and veterans’ organization
leaders weighed in to challenge the
proposal. (FRA also noted its objection to this plan during a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’
Affairs Committees.)
These are just two examples of
Joe Barnes
FRA’s successful advocacy on behalf
of our members. And although we’ve
won the battles, the war is ongoing. Proposals to increase TRICARE
fees have resurfaced year after year,
and 2010 will be no different. It’s not
known how this issue will be addressed in next year’s budget – and
Congress can certainly adopt, modify
or drop any budget proposal as legislation advances in both the House and
Senate. As always and particularly in
And although we’ve
won the battles, the
war is ongoing.
the coming months, shipmates can be
assured that their Legislative Team is
standing watch and prepared to launch
an alert (or alerts) urging our members to communicate their concerns
to their respective U.S. Representative
and Senators. In the meantime, please
check out FRA’s Action Center on our
web site (www.fra.org) and utilize
the prewritten messages or compose
your own regarding legislation that’s
already been introduced during the
First Session of the 111th Congress.
Joe Barnes is FRA’s National Executive Director and
Chairman of the National Committee on Legislative
Service. A member of Navy Department Branch 181,
he is also an advisor to the National Committees on
Budget and Finance and Membership and Retention.
April 2009
Adequately funding health care for
FRA Today
A Warning About Health Care Fees for 2010
and Beyond
Shipmate forum
6
FRA Today
April 2009
Cold War Recognition
I signed on to the website listed for the
Cold War Certificate and couldn’t find
any reference to the certificate. The site
appears to be all Army and asks for an
AKO to sign in. I am retired Navy and
do not own an AKO. Can you elaborate
on your instructions please?
Jack Lehman
FRA Response: The Army revised their website since we published the link in last month’s FRA Today. We’ve also learned
that some shipmates are getting security warnings when they
try to visit the Army site. We apologize for the confusion.
Although the Army is administering the program, the
certificate is available to all Cold War veterans. To request
the Cold War Certificate, you do not have to use the downloadable form from the Internet. A letter that clearly indicates the service member’s name, address, social security or
service number is perfectly acceptable. The letter must be accompanied by proof of service, which can be “any official government or military document that contains the recipient’s
name, Social Security Number or Military Service Number
or Foreign Service Number, and a date showing at least one
day of service during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945
to December 26, 1991). Examples include DD Form 214, a
Leave and Earnings Statement, and the Standard Form 50.”
The letter and proof of service may be sent to:
Commander
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Cold War Recognition Program, Hoffman II, Room 3N45
ATTN: AHRC-CWRS
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473
USS Indianapolis
Hats off to Hunter Scott, the young
man who would not let a tragedy and
its ensuing cover-up go unchallenged
(USS Indianapolis, February 2009). My
immediate response to this article was
that could have been my father’s ship.
The pride I have had for the U.S. Navy
has been shaken to the core by this
story of bravery, heroism, and injustice.
My regret is that those who were responsible for the death
and suffering of so many men were never exposed. They
escaped the shame and humiliation to which they subjected
Captain McVay. You might argue that long past events such
as these should not be awakened, saving the responsible
parties and their families from the embarrassment, but I
say they earned the embarrassment and shame and should
be held accountable.
Thank you for having the courage to print this article,
revealing the incompetence and lack of leadership that occurred in the USS Indianapolis incident.
Gene E. Fowler
Thanks so much for the article on the USS Indianapolis.
You did a great job, and now many more people can learn
of the miscarriage of justice on the part of the Navy, in the
largest casualty at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Today I travel all over the U.S. telling of the ordeal and
the Providence of God that brought us through those terrible days. Since my book “Out of the Depths” came out in
2005, I have been in 22 states telling my story to schools,
colleges, churches, civic and veterans groups, or any place
that will invite me.
My time is limited at 84, so I must do all I can to keep the
story alive, so thank you for your part and help.
Ed Harrell, survivor USS Indianapolis
In the February story “A Fight for Survival and Honor,” Mike
Kurlya is referred to as a “third-class coxswain.” His rate
would have been “Boatswain’s Mate Third Class.” I was a coxswain in 1941 and I hope no one considered me third class.
Arthur Quesinberry
Garnishment of Retired Pay
I was divorced in 1974 and my wife was to receive 25 percent
of my Navy retired pay as it was received. I had been sending
her 25 percent of my gross pay before deducting any taxes.
Two years ago I started deducting taxes first. According to a
pamphlet distributed by the local Hill AFB: “In calculating
disposable retired pay orders entered into prior to February
3, 1991, and referred to as, “Old Law Cases”, provide for
subtraction of Federal Income Taxes PRIOR to the division
of any retirement pay. This only includes orders prior to 3
February 1991. This does NOT apply to orders issued after
3 February 1991.”
Is there any known reference that you are aware of that
state taxes are also included in calculating disposable pay
for divorces prior to 3 September 1991?
John T. Peters
FRA Response: According to Defense Finance and Accounting
Service (DFAS), state employment taxes and income taxes are
included. The regulations also stipulate that the taxes withheld are “to the extent that the amount is consistent with
member’s tax liability.”
For more information on garnishment of retired pay, visit the
DFAS website at www.dfas.mil/garnishment/retiredmilitary.html
Submissions: Send Shipmate Forum letters to: Editor, FRA Today, 125 N. West St.
Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail submissions may be sent to [email protected]. Please
include “Shipmate Forum” in the subject line. FRA reserves the right to select and
edit letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect the opinions
and views of FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of
FRA as a whole. FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content.
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On & off capitol hill
FRA Today
April 2009
8
Budget Battles Begin with New Administration
In an address to a joint session of Congress, President
Obama focused on the economic slowdown and other
challenges facing our nation. While not officially a State of
the Union address, the president’s speech served the same
function as he revealed his FY2010 budget and legislative
goals for the upcoming year.
During the address, Obama pledged to increase the size
of the Army and Marine Corps (to 547,400 and 202,000,
respectively, by the end of 2010), which is two years ahead
of schedule. He also stated that his budget will “keep our
sacred trust with those who serve … we will raise their
pay and give our veterans the expanded health care and
benefits that they have earned.” The administration’s budget blueprint, released in
late February, addresses expanded concurrent receipt of
military retired pay and VA disability compensation, and
makes no mention of TRICARE fee increases. The outline proposes a 2.9-percent pay raise for service members,
John Davis
based on Employment Cost Index (ECI) data from 2008.
The administration will also request $533.7 billion in discretionary spending for DoD, which is about four-percent
higher than the total FY2009 appropriation.
The budget outline proposes funding increases for
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to include
dramatic increases for VA health care funding, restoration of health care eligibility for modest-income veterans
(Category 8), and implementation of the Post-9/11 GI
Bill by 1 August 2009. The administration also announced it will request a
supplemental spending bill for $75.5 billion in additional FY2009 war funding. House Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee Chairman John P. Murtha, (Pa.) has
pledged to add $16 billion to $18 billion on top of that for
congressional priorities. Complete budget details will not
be sent to Congress until sometime in April.
FRA Outlines VA Priorities to President, VA Committees
FRA’s National Executive Director Joe
Barnes highlighted the Association’s
veteran-related priorities before a
joint hearing of the House and Senate
Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee in
March, and also voiced concern to
President Obama about proposals
to bill veterans for care they receive
for service-connected injuries and
illnesses.
During the hearing Barnes praised the VA for its plan to lift the ban
on health care coverage for Priority Group 8 veterans, but restated FRA’s
concern about proposals to impose an enrollment fees for veterans in
Priority Groups 7 and 8. FRA supports a two-year budget cycle for the
VA and asked for the committees’ support to ensure implementation of
the Post-9/11 GI Bill by 1 August 2009. Barnes also urged the committees to eliminate restrictions on Agent Orange disability claims by “Blue
Water” Vietnam veterans.
In response to opposition from FRA and other military and veterans’ organizations, the White House withdrew a proposal to bill veterans’ private
and employer-based insurance companies for care they receive at VA facilities for service-connected conditions. The Association has been a longtime
advocate for the concept of Medicare subvention—asking Medicare to reimburse the VA for care it provides to Medicare-eligible veterans for nonservice-related conditions—but FRA does not support any third-party
billing for treatment of service-connected disabilities or injuries.
FRA Seeks Equity for Military
Credit Unions
FRA wrote to President Obama urging action
by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to exempt military credit unions from proposals that
will force these member-owned credit unions
to forfeit nearly $5 billion in conjunction with
losses by corporate credit unions. Related to
this, the National Credit Union Administration
(NCUA), which regulates credit unions, plans
to restore the National Credit Union Share
Insurance Fund to its maximum operating level.
The letter cites “NCUA’s unfair requirement
[that] would force almost half of all military
credit unions into the red, which would result
in degraded services, reduced loan opportunities, reduced savings returns, and higher loan
interest rates for millions of military families
who depend on their military credit unions for
essential financial services.” FRA believes the
U.S. Treasury should not impose this unfair
burden on blameless credit unions and their
military “owners,” who already bear a grossly
disproportionate share of national wartime
sacrifice.
Please visit FRA’s Action Center (www.fra.org) to share your concerns with Secretary Geithner.
On & off capitol hill
9
The stimulus package totals more than $780 billion and includes $2.98 billion for
construction and modernization of DoD hospitals ($1.33 billion), barracks ($335
million), and daycare centers ($240 million). In addition the measure provides $
1.2 billion for VA construction projects, plus $240 million for the Coast Guard
in FY2009. The legislation also authorizes a $250 one-time payment to disabled
veterans, $198 million to Filipino veterans who served alongside U.S. Forces in
WWII, and aid to those who suffer a significant loss on the sale of their homes
due to a PCS move.
FRA’s Assistant Director of Legislative
Programs (ADLP) Ed Dockery spoke
at a Capitol Hill press conference
in support of Rep. Ellen Tauscher’s
(Calif.) legislation (H.R. 1052), which
seeks to ensure adequate dwell time
(time between deployments) for active
duty and Reserve component personnel. The bill would require the time
between deployments be at least the
length of the unit’s last deployment
for active duty forces, and three times
the last deployment length for Guard/
Reserve units. “The Ensure Military
Readiness Through Stability and
Predictability Policy Act” would establish the “optimum” standard for dwell
time as two times the last deployment
time for active duty units and five
years for Guard/Reserve units.
The bill also includes an automatic waiver for Special Forces units,
gives the service chiefs the authority
to waive the dwell time standard for
service members who volunteer for
deployment, and authorizes the president to waive any dwell time requirement to meet a national security threat
as long as he notifies Congress within
30 days.
Prosecuting the Global War on
Terror has caused an enormous strain
on both active duty and Reserve forces.
Repeated and extended deployments
have resulted in undue strain on service members and their families, and
a key aspect of this problem is inadequate end strength. FRA consistently
advocates for adequate manpower to
meet the demands of Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring
Freedom (OEF) and other operational
requirements. Inadequate dwell time
impacts recruiting and retention, and
may put the all-volunteer force in
jeopardy. The bill is listed on the FRA
Action Center at www.fra.org.
Military Recruiters’ Access to Student Information
Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.), a new member of the House Armed Services
Committee (HASC) who is also the son of former HASC chairman and ranking
member Duncan Hunter, introduced “The Fairness for Military Recruiters Act”
(H.R. 1026) that clarifies and strengthens existing law to ensure that military
recruiters have the same access to high schools and basic student information as
colleges, universities and corporate recruiters.
Specifically, the Fairness for Military Recruiters Act:
• Ensures that military recruiters continue to have access to student information,
similar to colleges, universities and other organizations recruiting students;
• Places decisions regarding a student’s personal information and future career
opportunities firmly in control of his or her parents, unless a student is 18
years of age;
• Makes clear that no process other than that of a written parental request shall
be used to authorize the withholding of basic student contact information;
• Prevents the implementation of an “opt-in” process, whereby all student information would be withheld from military recruiters unless parents send in an
authorization form.
FRA supports military recruiters having unrestricted access to secondary
schools, colleges and universities on the same basis as private sector employers.
While current law provides parents and students the right to request contact information be withheld, some school boards have attempted to limit and creatively
interpret the provision as a way of denying recruiter access. Shipmates are urged
to use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org) to contact their U.S. Representative
to ask them to co-sponsor the bill.
April 2009
Dwell Time Bill Introduced
FRA Today
What’s in the Stimulus Package
On & off capitol hill
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On & off capitol hill
11
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
FRA’s National President Don Mucheck met with the Senate Democratic Steering and
Outreach Committee during a round-table discussion on priority veteran’s issues in
early March. Senate leaders in attendance included Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.),
Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (Mich.), and Veterans Affairs Committee
Chairman Daniel Akaka (Hawaii).
Issues discussed during the meeting included:
• Adequate funding for VA health care and support for wounded warriors;
• Improving the VA’s claims and funding processes;
• Opposing enrollment fees for lower priority-group veterans seeking VA health care;
• Ensuring full implementation of Post 9/11 GI Bill by 1 August 2009; and
• Eliminating restrictions on Agent Orange disability claims for “blue water” veterans who served in Vietnam.
The FY 2010 Independent Budget (IB)
urges the new Administration and the
111th Congress to invest $54.6 billion in
VA funding, an increase of $3.6 billion for
the coming fiscal year. The annual comprehensive budget and policy document
supported by FRA includes recommendations of $46.6 billion for health care, $575
million for prosthetic research, $1.6 billion
for benefits processing, and nearly $2 billion for major and minor construction. The
IB also recommends an advance appropriations process for veterans’ health care
funding to deliver sufficient, timely and
predictable resources in the future.
Additionally, the IB focuses on the importance of resolving the backlog of veterans’ benefits claims and recommends
better use of electronic information systems to speed up claims processing. Given
the current economic climate, rapid approval of the veterans’ benefits will provide much-needed help to disabled and
other veterans. The IB has served as a
guide for funding the VA Department for
more than 20 years.
Two-Year VA Budget Bill Introduced Senator Daniel Akaka (Hawaii) and Rep. Bob Filner (Calif.), respective chairmen of the
Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committees, announced the introduction of legislation (S. 423 and H.R. 1016, respectively) to address VA’s funding process. The measures
seek to authorize advance funding for veterans health care and allow the VA to make strategic long-term decisions, such as hiring medical personnel and funding IT upgrades. The
bills would secure timely and predictable funding for the veterans’ health care system
through the advance appropriations process, providing funding one year in advance
of the existing appropriations cycle. Shipmates are encouraged to visit the FRA Action
Center (www.fra.org) to urge their elected officials to support this initiative.
The VA budget is one of 12 major annual appropriations (spending) bills that are
considered by Congress each year, and according to Akaka, 19 of the last 22 annual budgets have been late getting enacted and implemented. FRA called for advanced funding
during congressional testimony and at a recent round-table discussion with members of
the House VA Committee and representatives from 35 other veterans service and military
organizations. FRA Visits VA Medical Center
Along with executive directors from four other veterans’ organizations and the Virginia
Wounded Warrior Program, FRA’s National Executive Director (NED) Joseph Barnes participated in a roundtable discussion on priority issues and programs at the VA Medical Center
(VAMC) in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by VAMC Director Fernando Rivera and
included presentations on the world-renowned research being conducted at the facility, as
well as the Disability Evaluation System (DES) Pilot Program for returning OEF/OIF service
members currently underway there and in other VA and DoD health care facilities.
The DES Pilot Program was developed in collaboration between DoD and VA, and is
designed to eliminate the duplicative and often confusing elements of the departments’
current disability processes. Key features of the program include one medical examination
and a single-sourced disability rating, with the primary goal being more effective transitions to veteran status and more effective delivery of VA benefits and compensation. Since
starting the pilot program in November 2007, WRAMC has decreased the time it takes for
service members to be evaluated from an average of 221 days to an average of 116 days.
The pilot is part of a larger effort to improve care and services to wounded, injured and
ill service members and veterans. Some of the other ongoing initiatives include improved
information technology and data sharing, facility enhancements, recruitment and retention of care professionals, new methods to care for brain injuries and mental health concerns including post-traumatic stress disorder, and the use of life-long care plans to fully
support service members from recovery through rehabilitation to community integration.
VA Implements Final Action in
Agent Orange Case
The VA recently announced final action on
claims affected by the ongoing legal case
of Haas v. Peake, a court case related to
Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans. After a variety of court rulings and appeals, Vietnam veterans must again prove
a physical presence within the land borders
of Vietnam to receive VA disability benefits
for health problems related to exposure to
Agent Orange and others herbicides. Many
Navy veterans who served off the coast of
Vietnam, so-called “blue water” veterans,
have health problems commonly associated
with herbicide exposure, but have endured
lengthy legal struggles to prove these problems are service-related. The final Haas v.
Peake decision is available at: www.cafc.
uscourts.gov/opinions/07-7037.pdf.
To address this legislatively, Rep. Bob
Filner (Calif.), Chairman of the House
Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the
continued on page 13
April 2009
New Independent Budget for VA
FRA Today
FRA Speaks Out on VA Issues
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On & off capitol hill
13
Honor & Remember Flag Legislation Introduced
continued from page 11
TRICARE ISSUES
DoD Committee Recommends TRICARE Fee Increases
The DoD Military Health System Senior Oversight Committee (MHS-SOC) recently issued
a report on the 2007 recommendations of the DoD Task Force on the Future of Military
Health Care. Specifically, the MHS-SOC addressed the Task Force’s recommendations to
dramatically increase TRICARE fees for military retirees under 65, establish an enrollment
fee for TRICARE for Life (TFL) beneficiaries, and implement pharmacy co-pays that would
all be adjusted regularly to cover the cost of health care inflation.
The MHS-SOC did not concur with the Task Force’s proposal to implement a TFL enrollment fee and its recommendations overall are not as severe as those proposed by the Task
Force. The MHS-SOC recommends:
• Future pharmacy co-pay increases, indexed to the military retiree cost-of-living
adjustment (COLA);
• Eliminating pharmacy co-pays for beneficiaries who use mail-order prescriptions;
• Increasing TRICARE Prime enrollment fees, but no amount was specified;
• Tiering fee increases to mitigate impact on those less able to pay; and • Reducing catastrophic caps on out-of-pocket costs from $3,000 to $2,500.
FRA urges Shipmates to use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org) to contact their U.S.
representative and urge them to co-sponsor “The Military Retirees Health Care Protection
Act” (H.R. 816). This legislation, introduced by Rep. Chet Edwards (Texas), chairman of
the House Military Construction/VA Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Walter Jones
(N.C.), would prohibit DoD from increasing TRICARE fees without congressional approval.
The bipartisan bill is similar to the one they sponsored in the 110th Congress in response
to Pentagon proposals to drastically increase TRICARE enrollment fees for military retirees.
FRA believes the Defense Department must explore and implement cost-saving alternatives rather than shift costs to retired beneficiaries. Imposing higher health care fees
would send a powerfully negative message not only to retirees, many of whom were
promised free health care for life, but also to those currently serving about the value of
their service to the nation.
The FRA Legislative team is Joe Barnes, National Executive Director, John Davis, Director of Legislative Programs,
Bob Washington, Health Care Advisor and Outreach Manager, Chris Slawinski, National Veterans Service Officer
and Ed Dockery, Assistant Director of Legislative Programs.
TRICARE Beneficiary Podcast
Now Available
As part of a continuing effort to keep beneficiaries informed, TRICARE has added a
news podcast to its website at www.tricare.mil. The TRICARE Beneficiary Bulletin
brings listeners the latest news about their
benefits every week in a quick, easy-todigest format. The debut podcast includes
updates on TRICARE Reserve Select and
points listeners to other useful online information sources.
The Beneficiary Bulletin features
quick tips to promote a healthy lifestyle,
news of other military health programs
and news on upcoming changes to the
TRICARE benefit. Keeping beneficiaries
educated on how their benefit works
is a priority for FRA and the TRICARE
Management Activity.
April 2009
“Agent Orange Equity Act” in the last session of Congress. The FRA-supported measure would have reversed the VA’s policy
that prevents “blue water” veterans from
claiming disability benefits for diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange,
and strongly supports reintroduction of
similar legislation in the 111th Congress.
This issue as an FRA priority for 2009
and the Association is addressing it in congressional testimony and other interaction
with lawmakers in the coming months.
FRA Today
Rep. Randy Forbes (Va.), a member of the House Armed Services
Committee, introduced legislation to designate the Honor and
Remember Flag as an official
symbol to recognize and honor
members of the armed forces
who die in the line of duty. The
bill (H.R. 1034) is identical to
legislation introduced last year
by Representative Thelma Drake
(Va.). FRA salutes Past National President Tom Leisher and FRA Branch 5
(Norfolk, Va.) for their efforts to champion this initiative. Shipmates are encouraged to visit www.honorandremember.org for more information.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
FRA Today
April 2009
14
Happy 116th Birthday, Chiefs!
The Navy rate of Chief Petty Officer was established on 1 April 1893, and
the Coast Guard created the CPO grade on 18 May 1920. Chiefs from both
services are recognized as the hands-on leaders among enlisted personnel.
FRA proudly salutes all Chiefs for their professionalism and leadership.
View these and other tributes to Chiefs at www.fra.org/CPO.
On 01 April 2009, I join all Chief Petty
Officers of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast
Guard in celebrating 116 years since the
grade of Chief was established. Congress
first authorized Coast Guard Chiefs on
18 May 1920, so both Navy and Coast
Guard Chiefs hail from a long blue line
of deckplate leaders. We serve “in respect
for those who have gone before us, and
as a guide for those who follow,” as advocated by the Coast Guard Chief Petty
Officers Association Preamble.
As I travel throughout the Coast
Guard, I proudly observe Chiefs reinforcing our Coast Guard core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion
to Duty. As I visit Navy units with the
Master Chief of the Navy, I witness Navy
Chiefs joining our Coast Guard Chiefs
to emphasize teambuilding; leadership;
History, Heritage and Tradition; and
networking. We also strengthen and
unify the local Chiefs Mess, we foster a
sense of pride and unity in our service,
and we recognize the significant contribution of our military families.
The words “Go ask the Chief ” continue to resound both up and down the
chain of command, as our Coast Guard
Chiefs comply with MCPOCG Standing
Order One to mentor both enlisted
Guardians and junior officers. During
our Chiefs Call to Indoctrination
(CCTI) new Chiefs are recognized,
mentored, and welcomed into the Mess
in ways that were never considered 20
years ago. With this achievement in
mind, I have established this year’s CCTI
theme as, “Chiefs - The Backbone of The
Guardian Ethos.”
On this important anniversary, I
thank all Chiefs for accepting the Chief
Petty Officer Charge to serve as the
“fount of wisdom, the ambassador of
good will, [and] the authority in personnel relations as well as technical
applications.”
I also thank member associations of
The Military Coalition, such as the Fleet
Reserve Association, for doing so much
to fight for the rights and benefits of our
Chiefs and all our troops.
MCPOCG “Skip” Bowen
The Chief Petty Officer’s birthday provides the perfect opportunity to reflect
on the rate and comment on a few innate traits I noticed in Chiefs I’ve met
and observed throughout my 35-year
career. For me, the Chief was that leader
whose uniform and grooming were always impeccable, the person everyone
went to for help and problem solving,
the one who always had time for you
because they cared about your success
and occasional problems, the leader
who seemed to know everything, the
one who demanded the most from you,
the individual who seemed to command
everyone’s respect, and someone who
others wanted to be some day! From the
start, Chief Petty Officers made such a
huge impact on me, I still remember
many of their names and faces. And,
because of the Chiefs I encountered, it
is the rank I always wanted to achieve
and the advancement that provided the
deepest sense of pride. To all Chief Petty
Officers, thanks and Happy Birthday!
MCPOCG Rick Trent, USCG (Ret.)
15
I wanted to share a Tom Clancy quote
from the U.S. Submarine Veterans World
War II magazine, “Polaris” (Vol. 52, No.
6, December 2008, page 3): “It’s possible
the Navy could operate without its officers, but there is NO WAY IN HELL it
could operate without its CHIEFS.”
Tom Bachman
I am writing this for my dad, HMCS
William Pylypciw, USN (Ret). He enlisted in June 26, 1941 and took a test on
June 23, 1944, for a new trainee certificate for Chief Petty Officer (after completing a tour as a medic with the 3rd
separate medical company, 3rd Marine
Division, in the Pacific). He was promoted to CPO on June 15, 1945. He
really had a remarkable career and his
memory of the events during his 22
years in the Navy are still very clear.
Bill Pylypciw, Jr.
A special salute to my favorite Master
Chief, Jack P. Clabaugh, born on the
4th of July and one of the Pearl Harbor
Survivors.
From your wife, Elaine
My friend and Shipmate Lynn Wink was
the personification of a Chief. He was always there for his friends and shipmates
and always willing to go the extra mile.
Lynn not only cared for his family and
friends, but also for the country he loved
so dearly. It was my honor to have Lynn
as my friend and shipmate.
John Chiumento/Vess
YNC Ted Lemond, USN (Ret.)
Happy Birthday to all Fleet & Force Master
Chiefs (past & present) and my friend,
MCPO John Kemp, retired Force Master
Chief of the Naval Air System Command.
GMCM James E. Smith
I would like to wish all CPO’s smooth
sailing. May the wind always be at your
back and may your coffee cup never be
empty. Good luck & God bless.
AWC Paul J. Walden, USN (Ret.)
Happy Birthday to all the CPO’s, past
and present, near and far. My dad, Jesse
J. Parker, Jr., who was a Chief Old Goat,
is the guy that I want to honor above all
others.
Dad was a dear and wonderful husband and father. He made us laugh often
and we all admired his gregarious nature. He was a consummate joker, a natural talent I’m sure he honed during his
Navy days. We loved having him home
from overseas and missed him terribly
when he was gone.
He was also a great historian and
would really enjoy celebrating this,
the 116th Birthday of the Chief Petty
Officer. He has been gone nearly a year
now, but I know he would appreciate the
sweet irony of the Most Powerful Rank
in the U.S. Navy celebrating its inception
on APRIL FOOL’S DAY!! I just want to
know, did those Brass Guys think that
up? Or was it those fellas with paint
scrapers hanging off the side of the ship?
Many more happy birthdays to the
God-Like Sailors who make the Navy
work SO well.
Karen Parker Pruett
My husband, Clarence Parker, Jr., retired
as a Chief Petty Officer SHC in 1961,
after serving his country with pride for
20 years. I want him to know his family
is really proud of him, especially me, his
wife of 61 years. God bless him and all
the chiefs who served their country with
pride and honor.
Happy Birthday Chiefs,
Mrs. Vivian Parker
April 2009
MCPON Bill Plackett, USN (Ret.)
My mentor and leader of 50 years ago
is EMC (SS) Bob Y. He was COB of the
USS Albacore (AGSS-569) and he leaned
on me hard to make me a sub sailor. I
made CPO trying to uphold his image
and demeanor.
FRA Today
As we pass another milestone in the
long and storied history of Chief Petty
Officers in our Navy we should all pause
and reflect on how far we have come
from our meager beginnings. Chief Petty
Officers have been the heart beat of our
Navy from the start. Historically we have
always led from the appropriate position;
the front. The tempo of a command is set
by the Chiefs’ Mess. That was true 116
years ago and it is true today. Show me a
command with a strong Chiefs’ mess and
I will show you a command that is ready
to fight under any conditions.
Chiefs have had the tradition of training newly minted junior officers. “Ask the
Chief ” has always been the advice given
to junior officers and enlisted alike. That
advice is even more relevant today in an
environment of ever increasing technological qualification requirements for junior officers and enlisted. I am extremely
proud to have been a Chief, of enjoying
the camaraderie and closeness of the
mess and seeing those Petty Officers
who turn to us for guidance promoted
to join us. I became the Master Chief of
the Navy because of the training, history
and traditions the members of the mess
instilled in me along the way.
Happy birthday, shipmates. Today you
enjoy the confidence of the entire chain
of command and the prestige of being
“The Chief.” I am proud to be one of you.
Be an Excellent Recruiter
by recruiting three new
members and receive a pin.
Qualify for valuable prizes with each
Shipmate you recruit.
To qualify for FRA’s ‘09–‘10 Membership Award Program:
1.Recruit three new or reinstated members and receive the
“Excellence in Recruiting ‘09–‘10” lapel pin along with one
entry in the FRA ‘09–‘10 prize drawing for each Shipmate
you recruit. (Note: You receive an entry in the drawing for each new or reinstated
2.Submit the completed applications to: FRA, 125 N. West
Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2754. Remember to include payment with application and your full name and
membership number.
member, i.e., sign up 15, you get 15 entries in the drawing and one pin.)
Join FRA: Membership Application
125 N. West Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2754
Phone: 703-683-1400
Toll-Free: 1-800-FRA-1924
www.fra.org
Membership is open to all current or former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps or
Coast Guard. I certify that I fulfill the eligibility requirements and want to join FRA. Annual dues
include a subscription to FRA Today magazine.
for
New Members
$48 for 2 years
Name:_______________________________________________
Member No:_____________________ Branch No.:________
Name:________________________________________________________________ Rate/Rank:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Offer
Recruited by:
Street
Lot/Space
City
State
Date of Birth:_ _______________________ Social Security No.:____________________________ Phone: (
Service:____________ Status:_____________ Membership Preference: Branch No._ _______
Previous FRA Member:
No
Zip Code
)_____________________
Nearest to Home
Member-at-Large
Yes (If yes, previous ­Member No.:_ _____________________________________________________)
Spouses Name:_____________________________ Your E-mail Address:_ _____________________________________________________
Applicant’s Signature:_______________________________________________________________ Date:____________________________
Dues:
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2 Yrs $48.00
3 Yrs $85.50
5 Yrs $135.00
Payment Options: MC
Visa
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Exp. Date:_______________________________________________________________________
Membership matters
17
FRA Today
Having Recruiting and Mentoring
programs in your branch is a great
way of providing awareness and orientation to new members about the
FRA. Let’s take a look at how these
programs can work together.
Your branch should select a recruiting/outreach coordinator to prepare
an annual plan for participation in
outreach events throughout the year.
This will assist with your recruiting efforts. Most events in your community
will be advertised in local newspapers,
on the Internet, as well as TV and radio. You should choose to participate
in events that will attract Sea Services
veterans, retirees, active duty personnel or Reservists. These could include
Navy Week, Blue Angels Air Shows, a
NASCAR Race, Rolling Thunder, observances of Memorial Day, Veterans’
Day, Armed Forces Day, and Veterans’
Appreciation Day at local veterans’
hospitals or military bases. When you
have selected the events for participation, a group of volunteers should be
identified to assist with setting up tables and displays, or conducting whatever activities you may have planned.
Be sure not to overburden the volunteers and divide work into shifts if
necessary. Recruiting materials, such
as brochures, applications, magazines,
other literature and a few promotional
items are available from FRA National
Headquarters. An order form is available on the website (www.fra.org)
or you can call Member Services at
1-800-372-1924 and place your order
by phone.
When you get your events scheduled, displays arranged and materials ordered you are ready to embark
upon discussing awareness of the FRA
with prospective members who may
ask, “What’s in it for me?” An excellent publication to review prior to the
outreach event is FRA’s “Successful
Recruitment Methods: How to Attract
and Retain FRA Members.” This manual has information about the FRA,
tips on attracting and integrating new
members and retaining current members. If you are successful in recruiting
new or reinstating previous members,
it’s time for orientation and mentoring.
The purpose of a
mentoring program is
to orient, motivate and
educate fellow shipmates
to grow personally,
professionally and
as FRA members.
The purpose of a mentoring program is to orient, motivate and educate
fellow shipmates to grow personally,
professionally and as FRA members.
By developing a list of volunteers
from the branch that would like to be
mentors and identifying a mentoring
coordinator, these members in good
standing can assist new and longstanding members become an active
and involved part of the branch.
This is particularly important for
new members who are not familiar
with the organization and operation
of FRA branches. As soon as your
branch receives the monthly list of
new members, for example, a personal
Penny Collins
“Welcome Aboard” letter may be
mailed with notification of the next
meeting, an offer to provide transportation, or other information that
may be useful to them. When the new
member attends his/her first meeting,
an initiation ceremony should be performed. The mentor should introduce
themselves and take charge of assisting the new member.
Mentors should be able to teach
the new member about the monthly
meeting process to include serving on
branch committees. In addition, the
mentor should talk about upcoming
events scheduled at the branch so the
new member can participate. Also,
FRA has a number of programs and
benefits available to members such as
our scholarship and disaster relief programs, as well as consumer discounts
on rental cars, insurance, and credit
cards. Ensure that the new member
is aware of the benefits. Be sure to
keep the new member abreast of any
legislative accomplishments, and refer
them to the FRA website, which is a
great source of information about the
Association.
The overall goal of having a mentor
is to provide a support system, answer
questions about branch organization
and maintain a spirit of camaraderie.
Recruiting and mentoring programs
can go a long way in keeping the
branch active, supportive and engaged
in the community.
Penny Collins is a member of FRA Branch 24 in
Annapolis, Md. and can be reached at [email protected].
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April 2009
FRA: Recruiting and Mentoring
FRA Today
April 2009
18
Brotherhood
of Pride
and Mutual
Respect
When the United States Navy purchased John Holland’s internal-combustion, gasoline-powered submarine in April of 1900, it marked the birth of
our nation’s Submarine Force. That first submarine was 53.3 feet long and
could travel at speeds up to 10 knots. It was capable of carrying a six-man
crew and three Whitehead torpedoes to depths up to 75 feet below the
water’s surface. A Holland Pneumatic Dynamite Gun, positioned above
the torpedo tube, augmented the sub’s firepower, launching a 222-pound
payload 1,000 yards when fired from the surface and 30 yards when fired
underwater. The crew could stay aboard comfortably for 40 hours.
19
responsible to themselves and each other for all aspects of operation
of their submarine. They are the crew. They are the ship.”
April 2009
or peril at sea, can turn to each other. These men are ultimately
FRA Today
“In each submarine there are men who, in the hour of emergency
FRA Today
April 2009
20
Imagine what Holland would think
of today’s nuclear-powered submarines
that range from 362 to 560 feet in length
and carry a crew of between 134 and
155 men.Today’s submarines can travel
faster than 25 knots underwater and
submerge to depths exceeding 800 feet.
They can remain underwater indefinitely,
limited only by the 90-day supply of food
they customarily carry.Weapon payloads
consist of torpedoes, mines and missiles.
By way of comparison, today’s ballistic
missile submarines can carry 24 Trident
missiles, each weighing up to 130,000
pounds with a range of up to 4,600
statute miles (4,000 nautical miles).
As submarines have evolved, so have
the responsibilities and lifestyle of the
Sailors who serve aboard them. But
what hasn’t changed is the pride and
are assigned to a submarine. Before
they can be qualified as submariners,
each crew member must be able to
operate, maintain and repair every system or piece of equipment within their
speciality. Regardless of his specialty,
every submariner must understand
the intricate operations of the entire
submarine and know how to respond
to any emergency that may arise.
“Everyone has a specialty, but
submariners have to qualify in all
compartments,” explains Ralph Schmidt,
who served aboard subs from 1953 to
1973.“We had to know how to move
water ballast, how to stop and start
the engines, how to dive, how to load
and fire torpedoes. We had to know all
the valves and what each one did. We
might never be expected to handle the
personnel) insignia that distinguishes
him as a submariner. Affectionately
called “bubbleheads,” submariners
enjoy a unique and elite brotherhood.
Wearing dolphins automatically earns
respect from other members of the
submarine community.
“Earning your dolphins is a big deal,”
recalls Schmidt.“The presentation was
usually done at quarters, topside.The
CO [commanding officer] would pin
on the device and then the crew would
‘wet you down.’ It didn’t matter if you
were an officer or enlisted, they’d toss
you overboard!”
“Earning your dolphins meant you
could stand watch and could relieve
your shipmates,” says Ron Aycock, who
served in the Submarine Force from
1968 to 1996.“Dolphins were a visible
Machinist Mate 2nd Class Travis Massie, left, assigned to the Los
Angeles-class attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770), received his
submarine warfare pin in 30 days, a record aboard the boat. Petty
Officer Massie received his “Dolphins” while underway during a
ceremony on March 10, 2005. Typically it takes about nine months for
most Sailors to receive their pin. Massie attributed his rapid qualification to working aboard 637-class training submarines in Charleston,
S.C., before reporting aboard Tucson.
spirit of the men who earn the right
to wear U.S. Navy dolphins on their
uniforms.
Becoming a Bubblehead
In many ways, submarine service is
similar to serving on any other Navy
vessel. The crew must be disciplined
and work as a team. Like all Sailors, submariners must demonstrate knowledge
of their vessel and skill in their assigned
duties. But unlike surface vessels,
members of a submarine crew must
perform their duties in extremely close
quarters, in a windowless working and
living environment, while submerged
for months at a time.
All submarine Sailors are volunteers and must pass a variety of
tests to determine their suitability
before attending submarine training.
Claustrophobics, for example, need not
apply. Shore-based training teaches the
fundamental skills, but there is extensive and ongoing training once Sailors
controls, but we had to understand how
to do things.The safety of the ship and
crew depended on it.”
“On a submarine, it doesn’t matter
who makes the mistake, seaman or
admiral. One mistake and we could all
end up dead,” says John Dean, a WWII
quartermaster who served aboard USS
Bluegill (S-242) and S-47.“We had to
depend on one another. We drilled and
drilled, until everything was second
nature — everything!”
“Submarine service is sometimes
described as hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer terror,” says
Josh Thompson, a photographer who
served aboard the USS Parche (SSN-683)
from 1999 to 2003.“There’s no room for
error. When there’s a problem, it needs
to be fixed NOW and there’s nobody
to rely on except yourself and the guy
standing next to you.”
When a crew member has mastered
all facets of submarine operations and
safety, he is awarded his “dolphins,” the
gold (for officers) or silver (for enlisted
indicator that your shipmates could
depend on you.”
Fast Attacks and Boomers
The U.S. Navy has two principal types
of submarines: attack submarines and
fleet ballistic missile subs. Depending
on the type of submarine, these vessels
are capable of a variety of missions. In
addition to controlling the open sea
through anti-submarine and anti-surface
warfare, submarines can and do provide
strategic deterrence; land special
operations forces; perform search and
rescue operations for downed aviators
or stranded special operators; conduct
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle
groups by providing intelligence and
undersea protection; lay minefields;
offer cruise missile strike capability and
covertly transport personnel and cargo.
Attack submarines, often called
“fast attacks,” are smaller and faster to
execute their mission of pursuing and
21
a diesel-powered submarine could
stay underwater for up to several days
before resurfacing to recharge batteries, expel stale air and resupply with
fresh air.
“Diesel submarines were incredibly
quiet, when submerged,” explained Earl
Jackson, Jr., who served on submarines
during WWII.“That’s how the submarine service won the War.The ocean
was divided into grids and if an enemy
target came into our grid, we could be
the ‘sneak from the deep.’ We’d use our
listening devices and other intelligence
information to find the target.They
couldn’t see or hear us, but we’d blow
‘em out of the water.”
Although they were quiet when
beneath the surface, many submarine
veterans recall service aboard diesels as
(left) The fast attack submarine USS Providence (SSN
719) is moored at the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first submarine polar transit completed by the USS Nautilus (SSN
571) in 1958.
(right) Navy divers and special operators attached to
SEAL Delivery Team (SDV) 2, perform SDV operations
with the Ohio-Class nuclear-powered guided-missile
submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) for material
certification.
missiles.They have SSBN hull numbers
and are often referred to as “boomers.”
Today’s USS Ohio class submarines are
also called Trident subs because of the
type of missiles they carry. Ohio class
subs are 560 feet long, 42 feet wide and
displace 18,750 tons when submerged.
Their mission is strategic deterrence.
The boomer’s ability to survive a
nuclear attack makes them a credible
deterrent to nuclear missile attacks on
the U.S. Additionally, boomers have two
crews, one at sea and one at home, and
the entire crew will rotate out every
three months.Those who are at home
will use that time to go to schools,
update requirements or take leave.
Boomers are either underway or being
refitted at all times.
A few SSBNs have been converted
to guided missile submarines and carry
Tomahawk missiles.These SSGN submarines also have two crews, but conduct
attack-oriented missions.According to
Thompson,“A lot of guys like the SSGN
because they have the variety of attack
sit on station for long periods of time,
while the fast attacks I was on followed
Russian subs and put parties ashore.”
Ron Aycock, a mess management
specialist who also served as Chief
of the Boat (COB) aboard USS Vallejo
(SSBN-658), agrees with Scott.“Boomers
are a cook’s dream, because there’s a lot
more places to store food and supplies.”
Regardless of size or mission, all submarines are part of the Silent Service.
“We’re called the Silent Service for a
reason,” explains Berry.“You don’t see
us on CNN or in the news, but submarines are out there 24/7, doing our jobs,
keeping the country safe.”
Nuke versus Diesel
All U.S. submarines today are nuclear
powered, but before 1955, they were
fueled by diesel engines when on or
just below the surface. Batteries and
electric motors were used to power
the subs when submerged. Depending
on the vessel’s speed and other factors,
noisy and smelly business. According to
Aycock,“It was noisy as hell on those
diesel subs when we were on the
surface [to recharge the batteries]. We
traveled with the hatches open for air
circulation and those air compressors
were really loud.” But the fresh air was
always welcome.“If you were in a group
of Sailors,” adds Aycock,“you could
always tell a submariner by the sulfur
odor on his clothes.”
Schmidt, who served aboard both
diesel- and nuclear-powered subs,
agrees.“It was stinky and stuffy.You
could smell us coming up the river
when we’d open the hatches. But diesel
life was better,” Schmidt recalls fondly.
“The camaraderie was better.The crews
were smaller and we were all together
almost all the time.”
Today’s submarines employ nuclear
reactors to generate power. Diesel
generators provide backup to supply
emergency electrical power, if needed.
The reactors also supply energy to systems that maintain air quality, regulate
April 2009
missions, but they can enjoy the space
and lifestyle of the larger (boomer) subs.”
Stan Berry, a master chief who has
served on both fast attacks and boomers,
sees the advantages of both.“Boomers
have a more predictable schedule; there
are rarely any scheduling changes. When
you’re in port, you work more of a 9-to-5
schedule and have more time at home.
When you’re at sea, you spend your time
hiding,” explains Berry.“Fast attacks’ go
to more places, more ports. SSN schedules are more dynamic and can change
on short notice.”
Except for some ratings, qualified
submariners can serve aboard either
SSNs, SSBNs or SSGNs interchangeably,
but you can be sure that each has his
preference.“I liked fast attacks better,”
says Schmidt.“The boomers would
FRA Today
attacking enemy ships and submarines.
Most of today’s Navy fast attack subs are
of the USS Los Angeles class and have
SSN hull numbers. Los Angeles class
submarines are 362 feet long, have a
33-foot beam and displace 7,200 tons
when they are submerged.They carry
cruise missiles with conventional warheads and also conduct ISR missions, lay
mines and support special operations.
The Navy is currently building the next
generation of fast attack submarines,
the Virginia class, which is tailored to
excel in a wide variety of warfighting
missions with improved shallowwater handling and high-resolution
digital cameras to replace traditional
periscopes.
Ballistic missile subs are larger
and carry long-range nuclear warhead
FRA Today
April 2009
22
temperature, and distill salt water into
fresh water. As a result, there is no need
to surface for fresh air or to recharge
the power supply, so “nukes” can remain
underwater for months at a time if necessary to accomplish the mission. Food
stores and other supplies, which are
normally stocked for a 90-day period,
are the only limits to submergence time
on nuclear subs.
With the advent of nuclear power, as
well as nuclear weapons, tighter security and safety measures were instituted.
“When the USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
and other early nukes first came along,
all crew members went to nuclear
power school,” says Schmidt,“even
cooks and stewards.That eventually
stopped and not all crew members
were required to go to nuke school.”
Habitability
Today’s subs are larger and faster than
in the past and there are more creature comforts, but submarine life still
means close quarters with little privacy.
Because of the limited privacy and the
lack of real estate for separate quarters,
women are not currently assigned to
U.S. Navy submarines.
While underway, sub crews operate
on an 18-hour work day, not a 24-hour
cycle.Three watch sections means that
each section is on duty for six hours
under normal circumstances, and then
spends 12 hours off watch. (When leaving or entering a port, or while at battle
stations, all crew members have a watch
station.) When not on watch, submariners attend training sessions, study
1960’s, described diesel submarine
showers as “an aluminum box the size
of a coffin designed for Mickey Rooney.
It had a shower head that delivered
semi-hot water at the rate of five peeing
humming birds and a shelf for soap that
could leave a very distinctive purple
mark on your upper biceps if the boat
took a roll during occupancy. Even
though you had to Crisco your ass to
turn around [in it] … it was the closest
thing to heaven a diesel boat sailor
came in contact with at sea.”
“Habitability was horrible,” remembers Aycock, but as a cook, he felt like
he “had it good. BuMed [Bureau of Navy
Medicine] mandated that cooks and mess
cooks had to shower daily.You have to
understand these were ‘sub showers,’
so they were very short, but other crew
for advancement or to become qualified watch-standers in other stations,
perform preventative maintenance, eat,
sleep or enjoy a variety of free-time
activities. In addition to movies and traditional board games, today’s submarines
also have computer games and a variety
of athletic equipment (like rowing machines, exercise bikes and free weights)
on board. Boomers usually have more
exercise equipment than SSNs, simply
because there is more available space.
According to the Navy website (www.
navy.mil), SSBNs are so large that some
submariners run marathons by circling
the perimeter of the missile compartment thousands of times.
To say the least, habitability aboard
submarines has come a long way.
During the diesel days, the aforementioned “smell” wasn’t just from the
engines. Fresh water was in limited supply and showers were often infrequent.
Bob “Dex”Armstrong, a Torpedoman
aboard USS Requin (SS-481) in the
members might go weeks without showers.We felt pretty fortunate.”
Submarine Sailors are known for
their creativity and ability to improvise.
For example, Schmidt and his shipmates
“would put five-gallon milk cans in the
bilges and collect the condensation a
shower. It wasn’t a lot, but it was fresh
water and it was warm.”
Close quarters also means limited,
sometimes shared, personal space.
Schmidt remembers the perks of seniority.“The junior folks had to ‘hot bunk.’
If there’s 75 crew members and only
65 bunks, somebody got to share. In my
next life, I want to come back as a COB
(Chief of the Boat),” chuckles Schmidt.
“He always got his own bunk.”
Today’s nuclear submarines can produce their own fresh water, so showers
aren’t restricted, but hot bunking still exists.“We’d have three guys sharing two
racks,” explains Thompson.“It’s a matter
of necessity, not any sort of harassment
of the junior personnel. It’s a privilege
when you make rate and can get your
(left) Conventional weapons handling supervisor Sonar
Technician (Submarines) 1st Class Joseph Halikman,
from Upper Marlboro, Md., inspects the conventional
weapons handling team’s work before loading a simulated Tomahawk missile into the torpedo tube of the
fast-attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750).
(right) Conventional weapons handling team member
Sonar Technician (Submarines) Seaman Apprentice
Neil McGuire, from Athol, Mass., shuts the breach
door of the torpedo tube of the fast-attack submarine
USS Newport News (SSN 750).
Today, three Navy job ratings are
included in the nuclear field. Nucleartrained Machinists Mates, Electricians
Mate and Electronics Technicians attend
the Navy’s nuclear training program,
which qualifies them to work with the
reactors aboard nuclear submarines.
“Nuke Sailors go to A school, then
Nuclear Power School, which is predominantly theory,” explains EMCM(SS)
Berry.“Then we go to Prototype, which
is more hands-on and allows us to apply
the theory we learned at Nuclear Power
School. It takes about two years from
the time a nuke Sailor joins up till he
hits the deck of a sub.”
“It was a bit of a culture shock
when I transitioned from diesels to
nukes,” says Aycock.“On a diesel sub, it
was a small crew and everyone knew
everyone else.You could come aboard
with a hand salute. Understandably,
there’s more security on a nuke. We had
to show ID and crosscheck our names
to a roster.”
23
we’re at sea.And they’re broadcast to the
whole world, so they’re far from private.”
Submariners’ Pride
The fast-attack submarine USS Philadelphia (SSN 690)
Chief of the Boat Master Chief Machinist Mate Manny
Meneses checks the aft end of the boat as Philadelphia
pulls into Submarine Base New London.
Batfish (SSN-681) in 1975, we had more
than 50 divorces out of a crew of 135.”
Staying connected with families
ashore is easier today. Submariners have
access to e-mail and can communicate
more regularly with loved ones, but not
necessarily on a daily basis. As in the
past, it depends on the current mission.
“E-mails can only be transmitted
and received when the ship is on the
surface or at periscope depth,” explains
Thompson.“Crew members key in their
messages and hit send, but it doesn’t
go directly to the recipient. It goes into
a queue and is held there until we can
send and receive e-mail traffic. We can’t
send or receive when we’re submerged,
so it’s not always ‘on.’”
“E-mail communication is really
dependent on the mission,” explains
Berry,“but about once a week is a fair
average. Family grams still exist and
augment the e-mail communications,
but they’re limited to 40 words and each
crew member gets a total of eight for the
entire deployment, no matter how long
earned and held for their shipmates.
“I have a pretty lame excuse for
volunteering,” says John Carcioppolo,
who retired in 1997 after a full Navy
career as a submariner.“I was dating a
girl who lived on Long Island, and a sub
assignment would allow me to stay near
her. She dropped me shortly after I left
for sub school, but in many ways, it’s the
best thing that could have happened.
I loved being a submariner because
it’s all about taking care of people and
setting standards. All ships are steel and
weaponry, but it’s the crew that makes
it a submarine.”
John Dean’s father was a WWI Navy
veteran who served on coal-powered
ships.“I remember him being dirty and I
knew there was no coal on submarines.
Plus, at the age of 17, I wanted to do
something adventurous and dangerous,”
he chuckles.“I came to love the mutual
respect the entire crew shared for one
another.There was a tremendous respect
between the ward room and the after battery. It wasn’t that way on surface ships.”
pot for the next guy. We all had a sense
in was our sub.”
“I volunteered because I didn’t
know any better,” laughs Stan Berry.“It
just sounded kind of cool. But I came to
love it. I’ve done one tour on a surface
ship, and I can tell you it’s like night
and day. Sub crews are smaller and
tighter.There’s more camaraderie. And
it’s a place where one person really can
make a difference.”
Scott, who left submarines 14 years
ago, still misses it. Aycock attributes
much of his success in life, during his
military career and in the civilian sector, to the skills and values he learned
aboard submarines. Schmidt recalls
his 20 years of submarine service with
pride and warmth, and sums it up
simply:“It was a great life. I wouldn’t
change it for the world and I’d do it all
over again if I could.”
Lauren Armstrong is the
Contributing Editor and an
LA FRA Member at Large.
April 2009
Overall, the quality of life aboard
submarines has improved considerably.
But submariners of all eras will tell you
that being part of the Silent Service has
never been about the close quarters,
dimmed lights or even the Submarine
Duty Incentive Pay. It was, and is, about
pride in being a submariner. It’s about
knowing each crew member can trust
and depend on the other and knowing
that others are depending on you.
Each submariner interviewed for
this article had a different reason for
volunteering for sub service, but each
came to love it for the respect they
Earl Jackson altered his birth certificate and joined the Navy at the age
of 16 in 1942.“My father told me that
anybody who volunteers to get on a
ship that sinks on purpose is a nut, but
I wanted to do something nobody else
was doing. I loved my years on subs, but
it’s hard to explain why. Submariners’
dedication and pride are unbelievable.”
Submarine service isn’t a standard
assignment for Navy photographers, so
when Josh Thompson saw an opportunity for a sub assignment, he took it.“I
figured I’d never get another chance, so
I volunteered,” remembers Thompson.
“I loved the sense of ownership that
existed among the crew. We were small,
so you knew everyone and everybody
looked out for one another. If you took
the last cup of coffee, you’d brew a new
FRA Today
own rack. It’s like a rite of passage.”
Nuclear power allows for longer
deployments and more time away from
loved ones, which adds to the challenge
of submarine service.
“The divorce rate was particularly
high in submarines,” says Aycock.“On
boomers, we might be gone on 70- to
75-day patrols and might get eight or
ten family grams [during that time].
They’d come into the radio shack,
where they’d be printed out and distributed to the crew.They weren’t private
and had a limited number of words, but
they were a connection to our families.
But on fast attacks we didn’t get family
grams – none. We’d get a mail call when
we got to port, but that might be after
80 or 90 days at sea. During a sevenand-a-half month Med Run on the USS
FRA Today
April 2009
24
Chiefs of the Boat
April not only marks the anniversary of the U.S.
Submarine Force, it also marks the 116th anniversary of the Chief Petty Officer grade. The
senior enlisted position aboard a submarine
is that of the Chief of the Boat, or COB. When
there was only one chief petty officer aboard a
submarine; he was Chief of the Boat by default.
But as submarine crews grew larger, there were
more chiefs assigned to each vessel and the
position of COB came to be the chief with the
most authority aboard. Although he’s not necessarily the highest ranking enlisted member of
the crew, the COB has tremendous authority
and accountability aboard a submarine.
The COB’s duties encompass a wide variety
of responsibilities and the post is often compared
to a Command Master Chief (CMC) on a surface
ship or shore command. “In some respects,
there’s no difference,” says Wes Koshoffer,
who is the Command Master Chief of the Naval
Submarine School in Groton, Ct., and served as
COB aboard USS Alexandria (SSN-757). “Both
jobs require you to promote the CO’s vision and
translate it to all ranks, be a task master for the
crew while also looking out for their interests.”
Like all submariners, COBs must be qualified in
all facets of submarine operation and must also
have previously qualified as Diving Officer of the
Watch. But it’s more than that.
“COBs have the authority and accountability for the whole crew,” explains former
MCPON Terry Scott, who served as COB aboard
USS Jacksonville (SSN-699) from 1992 to 1995.
“A COB is responsible for the success of the
whole sub and crew, not just one small piece.”
“His top concern is the safety of the ship
and crew,” adds Ron Aycock, who served as
COB aboard USS James Madison (SSBN-627)
and also as a CMC.
The COB is usually one of the first people
a new Sailor will meet when assigned to a sub
and will make work and bunk assignments.
He helps maintain esprit d’corps and is also
responsible for the order and cleanliness of
the ship. “They make sure the crew adheres
to grooming standards … have hair cuts and
their uniforms are squared away,” says Aycock.
“If you saw a Sailor walking on the pier and he
looked good, you knew he had good leadership.
But a COB is only as good as the chiefs who are
working for him.
“The COB is the senior enlisted and supports the ward room, too. He works closely with
the commanding officer (CO) and executive officer (XO), who along with the COB are sometimes
called ‘the triad.’ COBs tremendous access to
the chain of command,” adds Scott.
“There’s a special relationship between the
CO and the COB,” explains John Carcioppolo,
who served as COB aboard USS Dallas (SSN700) from 1991 to 1994. “I had two captains
during my tour aboard Dallas and both of them
let me run the ship; write schedules, set liberty.
During my tenure as COB, we earned the Battle
E [Battle Effectiveness Award, presented annually to Navy ships, subs, aviation and other
units that win their battle effectiveness competitions] three years in a row. A big part of our
success was a result of the captain, chiefs and
crew all working together.”
“COBs run the boat,” according to Schmidt,
who never served as a COB, but has great
respect and admiration for those who have.
“They’re an outstanding group of guys. They
had a lot of power, but in my experience, they
always wielded it judiciously.”
In Schmit’s day, the CO selected the COB,
who was usually a deck rate. As technology advanced, different rates were assigned as COBs
and the selection process evolved.
“When I became a COB, there was a
rigorous interview process, which included
interviews with a board of peers as well as
submarine COs and COBs. Shortly after I
was assigned as a COB in 1992, the process
changed a bit and they got qual cards and a
process by which COBs got lots of documented
experience. I didn’t have that, but it would have
been helpful.”
“Most of my COB training was through the
University of Hard Knocks,” chuckles Carcioppolo
“I learned a lot on the job, but also from the COBs
and Chiefs I’d worked for in the past. I learned
from both the good ones and the bad ones.”
While much of Scott and Carcioppolo’s COB
training took place after they were assigned to
the position, today there’s a Command Master
Chief/Chief of the Boat (CMC/COB) course. “We
do a better job preparing COBs today,” explains
Scott, who was instrumental in establishing
the CMC/COB course at the Senior Enlisted
Academy in Newport, R.I., during his tenure
as MCPON. “The CMC/COB course gives them
ideas, tools and exposure to the experience
before they have to perform. We try to provide
them the resources to be successful. We have a
lot of great talent out there, and the course also
provides an opportunity to reach back [for support after the course is complete]. The program
gets continual feedback and the curriculum
changes accordingly.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of COB
duty is seeing other crew members grow and
succeed. Most are proud to be a mentor for
their peers and subordinates.
“It was great to see young seamen come
aboard and learn to handle everything thrown at
them,” recalls Aycock. “We drilled the heck out
of them, but it paid off. They could handle fires,
floods, hydraulic ruptures.”
“It’s the best job I ever had,” says
Carcioppolo. “It was gratifying to see the results; to foster that sense of teamwork and see
the successes of the individuals and the ship as
a whole.”
“There are no more gratifying moments in
my career than being part of something bigger
than myself,” explains Koshoffer of his COB
service. “With all the responsibility also comes
great rewards. The most rewarding part was
seeing the command and the Sailors succeed
together. Knowing we were accomplishing the
mission and seeing all Sailors – not just the
enlisted crew members – have successful Navy
careers was very gratifying.”
“Being a COB was the most thrilling job I
had at sea, and it’s a part of my career that I
recall fondly. It’s a hard and challenging job and
not for the faint of heart,” acknowledges Scott.
Aycock agrees. “Being a COB was the most
rewarding, most fulfilling job I ever had.”
Cmdr. Wesley R. Guinn, commanding officer
of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine
USS Scranton (SSN 756), and Chief of the
Boat Master Chief Machinist’s Mate Steven
Nordman inspect the crew in the new Navy
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Reunions
27
USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884)
14–21 September 2009, San Antonio
Texas. Contact Bill Birdsong, 17139
Owl Tree Road, Riverside CA 92504,
951-789-5309, [email protected].
Navy Mail Service
14–20 September 2009, Kansas City,
Mo. Contact Mary Ann Froderman, 152
N. Washington St., Brazil, IN 47834,
812-446-3726, [email protected].
USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7)
16–20 September 2009, Tucson,
Ariz. Contact Robert G. Mcanally, 152
Frissell Street, Hampton, VA 23663,
757-723-0317, [email protected].
Aviation Logistics Marines
15–18 July 2009, Quantico, Va. Contact
Don Davis, P.O. Box 293, Havelock, NC
28532, 252-444-1777,
[email protected].
USS Guam (LPH-9)
16–20 September 2009, Tucson,
Ariz. Contact Robert G. Mcanally, 152
Frissell Street, Hampton, VA 23663,
757-723-0317, [email protected].
CVWR-30/CVWR-20
17–20 May 2009, Reno, Nev. Contact
M. L. Roberts, 562-420-9514, [email protected].
USS Harris (APA-2)
17–20 September 2009, Dayton, Ohio.
Contact Mike Stafford, P.O. Box 832,
Fairborn, OH 45324-0832, [email protected].
NAS Chase Field (All Hands)
24–26 April 2009, Beeville, TX. Contact
Mark Webb, 951-278-8812.
Odin Squadrons, VX 4, VW 2, VP 11,
VP 54, VB 101, VPB 101, PATSU
102, CASU(F) 56 (1941-1976)
21–23 May 2009, Patuxent River, Md.
Contact Walt Jones, 727-517-1407,
[email protected].
USMC Food Service Association
19–23 August 2009, Quantico, Va.
Contact Edwin Gray, 1001 McArthur
Dr., Jacksonville, AR 72076, 501-9828930, [email protected].
USS Albert T. Harris
27–30 September 2009, Newport, R.I.
Contact Charles Cook, 918-749-8434,
[email protected].
USS Helena (CL-50, CA-75, SSN-725)
5–7 September 2009, Mobile, Ala.
Contact GailUdell, 37679 Medjool Ave.,
Palm Desert, CA 92211, 760-7729326, [email protected].
USS Hornet (CV-8/CV/CVA/CVS-12)
16–20 September 2009, Buffalo/
Niagara Falls, N.Y. Contact Carl &
Sandy Burket, USS Hornet Association
Inc., Box 108, Roaring Spring, PA
16673, 814-224-5063, hornetcva@aol.
com.
USS Knox (APA-46)
20–25 September 2009, Pigeon Forge,
Tenn. Contact Tim Sherer, 260-723-5001.
USS Askari (ARL-30)
2–6 September 2009, Indianapolis,
Ind. Contact Lee Daley, 407-275-0314,
[email protected].
USS LSM/LSMR Wisconsin-Midwest
18–19 May 2009, Wisconsin Dells,
Wisc. Contact Allen Westerberg, 12575
Pleasant Ave. So., Apt. 315, Burnsville,
MN 55337, 952-894-1116,
[email protected].
USS Bausell (DD-845) (U.S. Navy)
20–24 September 2009, San Antonio,
Texas. Contact Eugene D’arezzo, P.O.
Box 1765, Lake Havasu, AZ 86405,
928-453-6066, [email protected].
USS Merrimack (AO-179)
12–13 June 2009, Branson, Mo.
Contact Andy Collins, 1516 N. Glen
Ellyn St., Independence, MO 64056,
816-796-8728, [email protected].
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
24–27 September 2009, St. Louis, Mo.
Contact Vernon G. Dascher, 3064 De
Villa Trail, St. Charles, MO 63301,
636-949-9413.
USS Newport News (CA-148)
30 April–3 May 2009, Baton Rouge,
La. Contact Tom Boggs, 12203 Lake
Ladare, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, 225296-5115, [email protected].
USS Nitro (AE-2/AE-23)
18–21 June 2009, Seattle, Wash.
Contact Bob Eberlein, 12215 Ashland,
Granger, IN 46530, 574-277-3128,
[email protected].
USS Obannon (DD/DDE-450 DD-987)
23–26 September 2009, Cincinnati,
Ohio. Contact William Jones, 451
Pennsylvania Ave, Shreveport, LA
71105, 318-869-3383,
[email protected].
USS Okinawa (LPH-3)
16–20 September 2009, Tucson,
Ariz. Contact Robert G. Mcanally, 152
Frissell Street, Hampton, VA 23663,
757-723-0317, [email protected].
USS Rasher (SS/SSR/AGSS-269)
10–13 September 2009, San Diego,
Calif. Contact Dick Gonzalez, 20328 SE
130th St., Issaquah, WA 98027, 425228-6327, [email protected].
USS Sea Cat (SS-399)
14–17 September 2009, New London,
Ct. Contact Edwin Hymer, 319-6352175, [email protected].
USS Shelton (DD-790)
10–13 September 2009, Albuquerque,
N.M. Contact Dick Petrowich, 308 S.
Jackson, New Athens, IL 62264, 618475-3248, [email protected].
USS Skate (SSN-578)
10–11 September 2009, San Diego,
Calif. Contact Ted Dick, 115 South
Fourth Street, Fowler, CA 93625, 559834-2191, [email protected].
continued on page 30
April 2009
USS Coolbaugh (DE-217)
10–14 September 2009, Alexandria, Va.
Contact Harvey Weiss, 217 Rothell Rd.,
Toccoa, GA 30577, 706-886-2709.
USS Mispillion (AO-105)
17–20 September 2009, Rapid City,
S.D. Contact Steve Dengler, 1211
Pueblo Lane, Auburn, IL 62615, 217438-3529, [email protected].
FRA Today
USS Cascade (AD-16)
23–27 September 2009, Norfolk, Va.
Contact Barb Kennovin, 176 Teal Drive,
Millsboro, DE 19966, 302-945-2719.
News from the branches
April 2009
28
BRANCH 77 Green Valley, Ariz.
FRA Today
Branch President Joel Greenberg (left) and
DJ Charles Heller of Liberty Watch Radio
(KVOI 690 AM) interview Gannon McHale
(not shown), author of “Stealth Boat,”
about his Navy experiences.
BRANCH 235 Rutland, Vt.
BRANCH 182 Bethesda, Md.
Shipmate Mark Allen (left) spearheaded
the Flags Across America effort at Arlington
National Cemetery. More than 100 volunteers helped place USCG and US flags on
graves of fallen Coast Guard members.
Members of the Castleton (Vt.)
Community Senior Knitters
Network created and donated 50
stocking hats and 20 Christmas
stockings to the branch’s
Wounded Heroes Project.
BRANCH 256 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
BRANCH 281 Redding, Calif.
Branch President Larry Williams (center)
and Vice-President Don Burroughs (far
rear) initiated new members Pat Campbell,
Paul Douglas, Charles Peterson, George
Rafajko, Ted Kryza, Jim Perez, Terry
Shumway, and Bob Pinto.
Shipmates Frank Russell (left) and Mike
Braden (right) distributed dictionaries to
Grace Perryman and 525 third graders in
Shasta County Schools as part of a partnership with the Anderson Grange, Military
Order of Cooties Aux. #61, and Metro
Redding Kiwanis for Shasta County.
News from the branches
29
FRA Today
BRANCH 136 Minneapolis, Minn.
April 2009
Shipmate Godfrey Orbeck accepts his 60-year membership pin from Branch President Thomas Dooley. Shipmate
Orbeck’s distinguished Navy career included saving a shipmate’s life by performing an appendectomy.
BRANCH 328
Roseburg, Ore.
Shipmates (l to r)
Woodberry, Fass,
Bessey and Duton
participated in the
branch’s recruiting
campaign.
Honolulu, Hawaii
During his visit to Hawaii to observe Pearl Harbor
Day, FRA National President Don Mucheck (right)
met with VA Director James Hastings.
BRANCH 280 Tulsa, Okla.
BRANCH 71 Riverhead, N.Y.
President George W. Bush is greeted
by Shipmate William Thomas (left) as
he arrives at JFK Airport to rededicate
the USS Intrepid on Veterans’ Day.
Branch members present a check and cash for
$612 to the Broken Arrow (Okla.) chapter of the
Blue Star Mothers of America. Shown (standing, l to r) are Branch President Joe Cantrell,
Secretary Jack Rice, Treasurer Bob Prater, Blue
Star Mothers President J. D. Stigall, Shipmates
Jim Waller and Frank Schneider. Seated (l to r)
are 1st Vice President Frank Jones, 2nd Vice
President, Chaplain Mark Nelson, and Shipmate
Gene Dunn. The donation will be used to
send packages to service members in Iraq and
Afghanistan combat zones.
To submit a photo for News From the Branches, please e-mail a photo as an
attachment in jpeg format to [email protected] or mail a high-quality photograph to FRA
Today, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please include a brief description of the
photograph and include the names of those pictured. Laser prints and scanned copies of
photographs cannot be accepted.
FRA Today
April 2009
30
A Treasured Symbol of
Your U.S. Navy Service
REUNIONS continued from page 27
USS Solace (AH-5) WWII
9–11 September 2009, Bettendorf, Iowa. Contact
JimUnderwood, 146 South Ash Lane, Whitewater,
WI 53190, 262-473-5416.
USS Sproston (DD/DDE-577)
16–20 September 2009, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Contact Len Doran, 820 Bengal Road, Neenah, WI
54956, 920-722-2414, [email protected].
USS Strong (DD-758)
16–21 September 2009, Philadelphia, Pa. Contact
Jim Kelly, 510A Abbott Dr., Broomall, PA 19008,
[email protected].
USS Takelma (ATF-113)
17–20 September 2009, St. Louis, Mo. Contact
Clyde Wiles, 2118 Pioneer Rd. #107, Red Wing,
MN 55066, 651-388-5390, [email protected].
USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14, CV-14, CVS-14, CG-47)
30–3 May 2009, Corpus Christi, Texas. Contact
Bob Modersohn, 2500 Barton Creek Blvd., #1613,
Austin, TX 78735-1623, 512-328-4827,
[email protected].
Members can post reunions online at www.fra.org, submit to
[email protected] or mail to: FRA Reunions, 125 N. West St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
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In Memoriam
FRA Today
April 2009
32
NAMEBRANCH
NAMEBRANCH
Abston, Henry E., HM1
Adams, Donald E., LCDR USN
Allen, Jimmie E., ENC
Anderson, Carl E., HMC
Anderson, Danny C., GMGC
Anderson, Francis C., AMSC
Anderson, Robert C., SSGT
Andretta, Cosmo L., ADRC
Gamble, John J., CWO4 USN
George, James R., CTAC
Gifford, Arvel L., ADRC
Gray, Leland, PO1 USN
Greber, William, BM1
Greene, Donald V., BTC
Guerry, Martin, GMC
Guild, James, HT1
Gurney, John T., Jr., ADCS
MAL
284
269
053
197
MAL
327
126
Barber, Russell J., MGSGT
141
Bauer, Cyril L., RMC
120
Beghtel, Francis V., EMC
043
Bingham, James H., AZC
009
Bishop, Richard, CMCS
MAL
Bizon, William G., FTMC
MAL
Blinn, Byron P., MAL
Bocks, Robert A., CSCS
MAL
Bonta, James V., PNC
172
Borggren, David C., Sr., EM1/AE1 040
Boyd, James P., Jr., LCDR USN MAL
Brannon, Odus W., EMCS(SS)
MAL
Brantigan, John, LCDR USN
163
Britt, James W., LT USN
089
Broom, Harris C., BMC
089
Brown, Emerson S., HMCS
MAL
Buckley, Marcus W., 1STSGT
MAL
Busbee, Ben H., GMGC
MAL
Caja, Rogelio G., PO1 USN
Carey, Douglas B., EMCS
Carvander, Charles R., BMC
Caudry, Jack, PHC
Cawley, John E., AMCS
Chellis, William R., ADR1
Childs, James E., MSGT
Chilson, Jack C., CSCS
Clement, John, YN
Cook, Bobby, MCPO
Cook, Herbert A., EN1
Crites, Willard B., RMC
099
098
050
MAL
018
MAL
MAL
147
MAL
MAL
203
MAL
Davis, Gary T., LCDR USN
Davis, Howard L., BMC
Densmore, Dean W., LCDR USN
Detwiler, Fred, CDR USN
Devitt, Richard L., STC
Dougher, Don J., QMCS
Dryer, Gordon, EN1
Dunne, Jeremiah, RMCS
Dykes, James E., QMC
049
MAL
MAL
MAL
186
312
MAL
012
022
Eckles, Joseph J., CPO USN
Eggleston, Fred A., Jr., SM1
Erickson, Richard W., AMHC
Evans, Eugene E., HMCS
MAL
MAL
MAL
MAL
Ferguson, Donald F., YNC
Foster, Glen E., ACC
Fowler, Francis M., YNC
Fuller, Donald W., HMC
MAL
MAL
089
027
024
MAL
060
MAL
MAL
040
040
219
212
Hackler, James H., CPO USN
274
Hammond, Harry F., Jr., QMC
374
Haneberg, George L., SKC
MAL
Hanna, Thomas T., ACCM
MAL
Hart, Donald E., ZJA1
226
Hawkins, Charles E., AVCM
MAL
Hayes, Heber E., BTC
124
Healey, Harry M., MSGT
089
Helmstetter, Joseph N., PO1 USN 001
Hiestand, Ralph L., TDCS
279
Holland, Jack V., Jr., AMCS
264
Hopper, Bernard C., SGT
203
Houck, Glen R., EMC
269
Hutton, Warner J., DSC
110
Ikeda, Barney S., USMC
061
Janssen, Thomas K., CPO USN
Jones, Henry C., ADC
MAL
089
Kelley, John C., MMC(SS)
Kendall, Steven N., MM1
Kentro, Raymond, BMC
Kight, James F., AFCM
Kmeco, Stephen G., YNC
Krull, Duane F., MMC
Kwiatkowski, Joseph J., BMC
Kyle, Alfred R., ATC
048
219
009
104
MAL
018
008
MAL
Lafon, Raymond E., MMC
Laverty, Raymond E., SKCM
Law, Allard F., MSGT
Leclair, Phillip L., TMCS(SS)
Lee, Robert E., PO1 USN
Lee, Robert E., GMGC
Lefeber, Robert T., ENC
Lehman, Duane, ETCM(SS)
Levy, George W., AMSC
Lezada, Frank, PO1 USN
Lopes, John P., RMCM
MAL
010
MAL
238
044
MAL
108
MAL
MAL
MAL
MAL
MacConnell, David P., DSCS
008
Main, Kenneth L., MMC
029
Manning, Fletcher A., LCDR USN MAL
Martin, Norman T., CPO USCG MAL
Martin, Richard M., CWO3 USN 061
Martini, Margaret E., YNC
358
McDaniel, Gale J., MSGT
MAL
McDowell, Joseph G., ETCM
338
McGarrigle, Richard J., BTC
053
NAMEBRANCH
McGinnis, Gene, CPL
McLaughlin, Edmund P., ABE1
McQuagge, Archie G., QM1/C
Merritt, Raymond J., ADRC
Mesina, Guillermo C., SDCM
Michael, George H., MSGT
Middlebrooks, James, LT USNR
Miller, William Francis, CTCS
Miller, William R., ADR1
Mims, James A., SK1
Moon, Harold R., SM1
Morgan, Edward E., ACC
Moses, Albert O., LT USN
Mulligan, Wilfred D., GYSGT
Mullins, Robert N., AOC
Murphy, Mark, PO1 USN
029
374
MAL
179
229
MAL
MAL
108
MAL
022
269
MAL
008
MAL
099
097
Nelson, George C., CAPT USN
Nerat, Thomas E., ATC
Nichols, Ray F., AO1
Nipper, Harry L., BM1
Norman, Roy A., LCDR USN
MAL
061
MAL
MAL
030
Orr, Frank K., JO1
Owen, Thomas O., ATCS
288
089
Palmer, Richard, LCDR USN
Parrish, Thomas V., HTC
Passman, Elbert J., CS1
Payne, Benjamin H., EMC
Peeler, Robert L., CSC
Pelkey, Reginald W., SMCS
Perkins, Jesse A., IC1
Peters, Donald V., USN RET
Pogorelec, Tony J., ICC
Pollock, Clifford E., LCDR USN
Prewett, Mercer B., SM USN
Price, Edward P., SHCS
Printz, Charles J., AECS
Purcell, Henry F., CWO USN
MAL
365
MAL
MAL
043
MAL
159
MAL
005
MAL
024
028
070
040
Radomski, Casimer C., CPO USN
Raulerson, Franklin O., EOC
Rethman, Victor M., Sr., HT1
Rhodes, Worlie C., HT1
023
147
MAL
050
TAPS continued on page 33
Looking For…
33
Shipmates who remember RDM2 Frank
L. Cummings
He served aboard USS Pensacola (CA24) from January 1941 thru July 1943
and on USS Pinkney (APH-2) August
1943 thru November 1944 in the Pacific
Theater. Contact Carolynne C. Forster
(daughter), PO Box 101, Florissant, CO
80816 or [email protected].
MU2 David W. Wolfert and MU2
James E. Hughes
Both served in COMFLTACTS Band in
Yokosuka, Japan, 1959-61. Wolfert’s
hometown was Sheboygan, Wisc., and
last known address was Scottsdale,
Ariz. Hughes was from Robbinsdale,
Minn. Contact John Fluck at
[email protected] regarding 50th
anniversary band reunion.
Nav Cad Kenneth M. Scott
Stationed at NAAS, Corry Field,
Pensacola, Fla, about 1951-1952.
Please contact Elizabeth Knight, 1261
SW Xavier Dr. Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or
[email protected].
Anyone who served aboard USS Fulton
(AS 11) from Sept 1941 thru May 1991
Please contact Bill Weisensee, 47
Camelot Way, Woodbine, GA 31569 or
[email protected].”
Anyone who served aboard the USS
PLUNKETT at Anzio in late January
1944
My uncle, William Robert Hampton, was
a torpedoman 2nd class and was killed
along with over 50 shipmates. Please
contact Jim Hampton at 859-640-7127
or [email protected].
SC W3 William “Bill” White, USN
Served on board USS Okinawa (LPH-3),
1976 – 1978. Please contact MCPO Joe
Enriquez, USN (Ret.) at enriquezjg@
sbcglbal.net or 619-985-3417.
These notices are published on a space available
basis. Notices must be submitted in writing.
E-mail [email protected] or mail your request to: FRA,
Looking for…, 125 N. West St., Alexandria, VA, 22314.
NAMEBRANCH
NAMEBRANCH
NAMEBRANCH
Richardson, Allen, ASC
Risher, Earl W., ENC(SS)
Risley, Edwin E., CPO USN
Roach, James W., BT1
Robinson, Bryant R., GMG1
Rock, Victor C., HMCS
Ross, Kenneth J., ET1(SS)
Roy, Donald G., Sr., ADR2
MAL
175
324
MAL
MAL
068
008
MAL
Spoor, Ralph E., ETN2
Spraggins, Ray, ADC
Stanley, Troy, ADC
Starkey, George A., EMCS
Streeter, Dale I., ADJC
Strickland, James C., SMC
Stropoli, Charles, DTCM
Sylvester, Richard D., CTR1
Salmon, Wilfred G., CSCM
Sanders, Leroy, CS1(SS)
Schipf, Robert G., LT USN
Schlecht, Wesley, MR1
Sennett, Robert E., II, ACC
Shanklin, Cecil W., ENC
Sigafoos, William E., LTJG USN
Skerlecz, Charles, ENC(SS)
Slight, Merle A., ADC
Sloan, Leonard M., CGM
Smith, David Alvin, MAC
Snyder, Samuel J., YNCM
Soto, Jerome J., AD1
Spear, James D., CTC
296
MAL
MAL
MAL
MAL
230
005
061
MAL
046
MAL
317
070
MAL
Thayer, Orville, SH2
014
Thomas, Leo N., HTCM
130
Thompson, Edward W., CPO USN 014
Thompson, Marlowe, PO1 USN MAL
Thompson, William R., SH2
MAL
Thornton, Fred D., LCDR USN
040
Thornton, Joseph W., ACCS
MAL
Tighe, Donald C., PO1 USN
097
Tracy, Thomas M., MSGT
051
Tucker, James A., ENC
MAL
Tupin, Charlie T., CPO USN
192
Walker, Charles E., Jr., GMG1
MAL
Walker, John U., QMC
MAL
Walters, Arthur, HMC
MAL
Walton, Robert L., MMCS
005
Ward, James E., AEC
042
Whelan, John F., Jr., CAPT(SS) USN 024
Willhoite, Walter A., HM1
005
Williams, Thomas O., LCDR USN 022
Winslow, Robert E., SGTMAJ
061
Wogan, Anthony J., GMGC
020
Wood, Nelson W., GMC1
MAL
TAPS continued from page 32
Vogel, Hilary L., MMC
Waller, Johnie, BMC
365
MAL
047
MAL
280
147
071
024
061
184
Yeats, A. J., USN RET
Yenter, Norman E., CAPT USN
068
101
Zipoy, Willard M., MMC
Zook, George J., MSGT
136
324
Names in red indicate 50 year continuous members.
J indicate a Past National Officer.
April 2009
Pilot CDR W.F. Culley; Co-Pilot Lt. J.K.
Johnson; Crew SO-3 G.A. Decamp and
AT-2 M.R. Dronz
Trying to locate those who accomplished a helo landing on USS Corporal
(SS-346) in 1956, 100 miles off Key
West. Helo VX-1 Side Number 51. CMR
Dave Fry is working with Phil Poisson
on a story. Please contact
[email protected]
MCB 62 and NMCB 62 Veterans —
WWII and Vietnam Era.
Contact Norm Hahn, 1805 Oaklawn Dr.,
Eau Claire, WI 54703, 715-834-4780,
[email protected], or visit
http://nmcbalumni.org.
Shipmates aboard USS Laertes
(AR-20), 1952–1953
Please contact Ivan “Pete” Henry at
[email protected]
FRA Today
CDR ALbert Barre, ATCM Ted Johnson
Barre’s last known assignment FAW
Brunswick, Maine or COMAIRLANT.
We joined the Navy together in 1941
at Orange, Texas. Johnson’s last
known assignment was VP26 at NAS
Brunswick. These or any shipmates I
served with please contact Jim Tullos
at 2708 Lafayette Rd, Huntsville AL
35801 or [email protected].
Does Science Have a Simple Way to Improve the
Size of His…ahhh, “Confidence?”
Ask Whitney
“In the Bedroom…
How Big is His
Confidence?”
Dear Whitney:
My husband seems to be getting a little softer and smaller
and it’s really hurting his confidence. I try to tell him he still
is great but the firmness just isn’t there and we end up with
some embarrassing moments. He doesn’t want a prescription
medicine with side effects, he just wants some of his size and
vigor back. He’s in his mid 40s, What can he do?
FRUSTRATED
Richmond, VA, April 14, 2008
•
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pumping the blood into the corpus cavernosum.
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sperms, in sex drive, erection, ejaculation and
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SH FR
IP EE
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G
Take a bath again… Safely
The Neptune™ Reclining Bath Lift can help
millions rediscover the simple pleasure of a
relaxing therapeutic bath… without the
risk of slipping and falling.
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• Reclines for a comfortable,
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• Charges overnight
Powerful motor
slowly lowers you
• Battery operated
• Wide seat
down, and when
• Folds for portability
you're done,
• Extra-high backrest
Includes
waterproof
remote!
gently ascends
• Chair raises up to 17” and lowers to 3”
with the push
• Transfer flaps for added stability
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you, or someone you love has been forced to
give up one of life’s simple pleasures, we have
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that can make bathing safe, easy, and enjoyable.
It’s called the Neptune Bath Lift, and it’s only
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it for yourself. Call today and our helpful,
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wait, call today! firstSTREET exclusive. Not
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All Rights Reserved © 2008 TechnoBrands, Inc.
Remember when taking a bath was
something you looked forward to?
If you can sit in a chair… you can now take
a bath. The Neptune Bath Lift is simple to
operate and easy to use. Just place it in your tub
and use the waterproof remote to raise the seat
so it’s even with the sides– you’ll know this
when the transfer flaps lay flat. You don’t have
to worry about stepping into a slippery tub and
falling, all you do is sit on the flap and swing
your legs over. Lower the seat with the remote
and enjoy your bath. When you’re done, raise
the seat, swing your legs over and you’re done.
The powerful mini motor can handle anyone
up to 300 pounds, and the unit will work for
7 down/up cycles on a full charge. The remote
is fully waterproof so there is no danger of
shocking, and it detaches for easy charging in
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Technology” in the unit will not let the seat
lower if it does not have enough power to
complete the cycle.
Try one for yourself with our exclusive
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52477
E
very year, it’s the same. Fall and winter
bring not only colorful leaves and
lower temperatures, but also aches and
pains. For millions of people, one of the
simplest and most effective solutions for
everyday aches and pains is to take a warm,
relaxing and rejuvenating bath. Unfortunately,
this is not always the safest solution. Most of
the falls that occur in the home happen in the
bathroom. Slipping and falling is the number
one reason people are forced to leave the home
they love for some form of assisted living. If
LA FRA news
FRA Today
April 2009
36
Message from the Southeast Regional President
Thank you to the Southeast Region for the honor to serve as your 2008–2009
Southeast Regional President. Many new friends have been made in my travels
to the units and many friendships I have acquired over the years in the Auxiliary
have been renewed.
On November 10th, 2008, it was an honor to represent the Southeast at the
National Veteran’s Day Celebration in Birmingham, Alabama. The evening of
November 10th, a dinner honoring many distinguished guests from all militaryconnected organizations was held. The entertainment was by the Army Band and
a choir from one of the high schools.
The Pearl Harbor Ceremony held on board the USS McInerney was a very
awesome experience. There were three Pearl Harbor survivors aboard, one from
the USS Arizona, USS Pennsylvania, and USS Tennessee. There were twelve burials at sea; each received full honors and a 21-gun salute.
February 20th – 21st, 2009, Mayport Branch and Unit 290 hosted the Southeast
Regional Mid-Year in Jacksonville, Florida. We held a very informative workshop
on the procedures of opening and closing a unit meeting.
As always, members are very busy in their community helping with churches,
schools and hospitals. One unit, with the aid of auxiliary members from other
organizations, purchased 900 phone cards. These were placed in little stockings
with a candy cane and given to the patients in the VA Hospital at Christmas time.
Another unit has a food bank where they bring in non-perishable food products
and donate them to families in need.
Remember the 2009 Pilgrimage will be held Saturday, 25 April 2009.
Reservations can be made by calling the Holiday Inn Eisenhower at 703-9603400. Please be sure to state you are with the LA FRA. Room rates are $120 plus
tax. A tea honoring our National President Georgia Gallagher will be held in the
morning at the Holiday Inn Eisenhower. Services are tentatively set for 3:00 p.m.
at the Mast of the Maine, followed by a service at 4:30 p.m. at the Tomb of the
Unknowns. We hope to see many of you there.
Fran Hoadley is the editor of LA FRA News and the FRA Today Liaison.
Southeast Regional Midyear, 21
February 2009
(L to R) Anne Rogers of Unit 102 and Nelva
Clemens of Unit 186 receiving membership
pins during initiation from LA FRA RPSE Sue
Cattell.
Unit 346 – Panama City Beach, Fla.
(L to R) Ella Blackburn, Brenda Ward, Mary
Blackford, Delois Grant, Ramona Watford,
Mary Ann Slocumb, Barbara McGill and
middle front is Jean Peugh.
Photo credit: Shipmate Marcia Koeppe,
HM1(AW/FMF), USNR (Ret.)
Sue Cattell
Southeast Regional President
Unit 126 – Jacksonville, Fla.
Unit members attending the 61st Southeast
Regional Convention were (L to R, standing)
President Veralyn Thomas, Edith Johnson,
(seated) Shirley Attebery, Victoria Billiter and
Flo Kulier.
Photo credit: Branch 126 President Bill Kulier
Unit 30 – Brunswick, Ga.
(L to R) Secretary Eileen Ligay, RPSE Sue
Cattell, Vice President Gay Jetton, Chaplain
Charlotte Brown and Dale Logue.
Asbestos
Cancer Hits
Former
Sailors
Many sailors who served their country proudly aboard
ships in the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War eras,
are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers.
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Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Member services
FRA
125 N. West Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2754
PERIODICAL