Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang

BREMERTON, Washington – USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailors honored veterans buried in Ivy Green Cemetery during a community service event, Nov. 6.

Twenty Sailors joined participants from six different groups in placing American flags at the graves of veterans in preparation for Veterans Day.

“We had almost 100 people turn out,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Corey Martin, from Bremerton, Washington, the organizer for the event from John C. Stennis.

Ivy Green Cemetery is the final resting place of 560 veterans, who’s service dates back to the Civil War, and the site of a shared grave for 67 Sailors from the World War II aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV 3).

After completing the day’s task, the volunteers gathered at the Tomb of the Unknown, a replica of the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, for a brief history lesson from Marion Hersey, volunteer coordinator for the city of Bremerton and a retired senior chief petty officer.

“I think it’s really cool that we’re out here placing flags for all the veterans,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Loomis, from Spanaway, Washington, a volunteering John C. Stennis Sailor. “Knowing that people care to remember us after we’re done serving and after we die … I think that’s important and I think that’s really cool.”

John C. Stennis Sailors also participated in a cleanup event at Ivy Green, Nov. 4. More than 20 Sailors joined civilians in raking leaves, scrubbing tombstones, pulling weeds and other activities.

“This whole city was built up around the Navy and I think a lot of people forgot that,” said Martin. “Now they’re actually starting to see us as part of the community and that we do care about the community and that we’re here to help.”

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aime Lykins

AUBURN, Washington – Twenty-four Sailors assigned to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) marched in the Auburn 51st Annual Veterans Day Parade alongside the Washington Society of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution color guard, Nov. 5.

Auburn is designated by the Veterans Day National Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a regional site for the celebration of Veterans Day 2016. The city has hosted the parade since 1965 and it is one of the largest Veterans Day parades in the United States, according to the city’s parks department.

“We represent the first veterans,” said Bob O’Neal, the color guard commander for the Washington Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and a retired Army artillery officer. “We are so happy to have the Navy here with us today. They [USS John C. Stennis Sailors] represent our armed forces all over the world. Together, we are carrying on the tradition of military service and we are so happy to have them with us.”

Enlisted Sailors from John C. Stennis’ Combat Systems, Medical, Supply and Weapons departments carried flags down the parade route as hundreds of spectators, clutching both umbrellas and American flags, cheered, applauded and saluted.

“This is not the first time that USS John C. Stennis has participated with the Sons of the American Revolution, but this is my first time and I’m excited,” said Petty Officer 1st Class

Tamara Gholson, who coordinated the community relations (COMREL) opportunity for John C. Stennis. “It’s great to see every branch of service participating in the parade today, even ROTC and Sea Cadets, so we are honored to be representing the Navy.”

The parade featured more than 200 units comprising nearly 6,000 military and civilian personnel, including Navy Band Northwest, representatives from Bremerton Base Submarine Veterans, military vehicles, high school marching bands, veterans associations and various honor guards.

“I like doing COMRELs,” said Seaman Vanessa Abney. “I feel it’s important to honor veterans of every branch and I owe them that respect. It makes me so proud and I just got my ESWS [enlisted surface warfare specialist] pin and it really makes me feel a part of something bigger than I am.”

The parade festivities also featured a 5K fun run, military flyovers by various aircraft, and numerous vendors and veterans resource groups.

KOMO News was onsite to live stream the parade for those unable to attend and the recording can be viewed at http://komonews.com/news/videos/watch-community-honors-veterans-with-auburn-parade

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aime Lykins

BREMERTON, Washington – USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) Family Readiness Group (FRG) hosted a fall family festival at the Concord West fitness complex, Oct. 30.
The three-hour festival featured information about the FRG, games, bounce houses, crafts, a costume contest, a photo station, a variety of sweet treats and a special information table featuring Kitsap County Public Libraries.

“This event is about bringing the families together,” said LaKeasha Bennett, from Savannah, Georgia, the FRG vice-president, “The FRG is really about upping the morale and this event is a way to get families out of the house, get them involved and meet each other. We are really all about having fun.”

Children of all ages, dressed in colorful costumes, entered the gymnasium’s double doors and were greeted with music and smiles from FRG members and Sailors volunteering at the event.

“I just came to give back, help out the families and get involved with the kids,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Arrington Jenkins, from Arlington, Texas, who volunteered his Sunday afternoon to set up the event. “A lot of parents have been gone for a while because of deployment so it’s nice to help out and see the families connect.”

It was not only John C. Stennis Sailors who volunteered their time for families. Jaime Forsyth, the executive director of the library foundation for Kitsap County, partnered with Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrish Bilbrey to bring information about local public libraries to John C. Stennis families.

“When I talk to military families, they tell me one of the first things they do at a new duty station is find the public library because it can be one of the only constants in their lives,” said Forsyth. “Anytime that we can be where the military families are gathering, we try to inform them that our services are free and we are here to support them with our programing designed for the whole family.”

Squeals of laughter and spooky music flooded the gymnasium as children played and parents socialized while snapping photos to commemorate their experience.

“Even though the ship is headed into a maintenance period, the FRG will remain active for the families,” said Bennett. “We have a Facebook page, an e-mail list and we work alongside the ombudsmen to support our families. People can definitely expect more fun events from the FRG in the coming months and new year.”

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Susan Damman

PORT ORCHARD, Washington – The John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership recognized three USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailors for their outstanding leadership at an awards ceremony, Oct. 20.

Cmdr. Robert Burgess, from Romulus, Michigan, received the Straight Furrow Award; Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Schmugge, from Rush City, Minnesota, received the Look Ahead Award; and Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Winkler, form Wichita, Kansas, received the Constitution Award.

Congress created the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership in 1988 in recognition of the exceptional public service leadership of John C. Stennis, a U.S. senator representing Mississippi for more than 41 years and the namesake of the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier. The Stennis Center hosts the awards ceremony annually to recognize Sailors aboard John C. Stennis for sustained superior performance and exceptional leadership skills.

“We present these awards because we think it really is important to recognize and honor the best of the best and hold up their example of leadership for others to see,” said Rex Buffington, director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership.

The award winners were presented with replicas of the U.S. Capitol building.

“It’s actually quite amazing to be selected because of all the leaders that I’m surrounded with on the ship,” said Schmugge.

The Straight Furrow Award, the Look Ahead Award, and the Constitution Award recognize Sailors who demonstrate honor, courage, commitment, foresight and integrity. The names of the three awards are derived from leadership principles demonstrated by Senator Stennis.

Stennis once said, “I want to plow a straight furrow right down to the end of my row,” referencing how farmers must look forward while maintaining steady effort to plow a straight line in the field.

USS John C. Stennis’ motto is, ‘Look Ahead,’ the same motto Senator Stennis kept on a plaque on his desk to remind himself to focus on the future.

Stennis memorized the entire Constitution while a law student. He admired the document and the inspiration and determination of the leaders who created it.

“[John C. Stennis] always looked ahead, always had a plan and was always thinking about others,” said Winkler. ” I think that’s what we’ve got to do as leaders. We have to take care of our people, and we have to take care of each other.”

The John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership was created by Public Law 100-458, and is codified in the United States Code under Title 2 – The Congress, Chapter 22. The Stennis Center develops and delivers programs for young people, leaders in local, state and federal government, and congressional staff that promote public service as a noble calling, enhance leadership skills and foster relationships among leaders with similar concerns.

For more information about the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership visit http://www.stennis.gov.

John C. Stennis is conducting a scheduled maintenance availability at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.

For more news on John C. Stennis visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang

BREMERTON, Washington – USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) held another session of its ongoing Sailor mentorship program, ‘Rudder Shift,’ Oct. 19.

Rudder Shift is a voluntary mentorship program conducted by the religious ministries department that features members of the Chiefs Mess sharing their life experiences with junior enlisted experiencing difficulties in their professional or personal lives.

The program started in March and due its success, has gone from being held once a month to every two weeks.

“A lot of the Sailors who have come to Rudder Shift have come back to talk to us and their motivation has increased,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Warren Brown, from Houston, a Rudder Shift speaker. “We continue to have conversations with them about how they can better their careers and their lives. I think the program is a great success.”

Each session features a handful of speakers who address a small group of Sailors.

“When I was in the Navy at a young age, I would just constantly get in trouble,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrish Bilbrey, from Lafayette, Tennessee. “Had someone shared a story with me … I might have felt like I had someone I could relate to and look up to.”

Bilbrey emphasized empathy as a focus of Rudder Shift.

“If we can understand that each of us has a specific struggle and story, and we share those things instead of being angry about it and angry at one another then we would just have a better environment altogether,” said Bilbrey.

The goal of the program is to encourage Sailors to take initiative in changing in their lives for the better.

“One thing that I always tell Sailors is that a small course change will get them pointed in the right direction,” said Brown “If they can just find one little thing they can improve on, and that may be being on time, or being respectful regardless of the situation … something as small as that will help them get back on course.”

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Seaman Oscar Quezada

PACIFIC OCEAN – USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) completed its Unit Level Training Assessment – Sustainment (ULTRA S) prior to returning to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Oct. 6.

ULTRA-S helps ensure John C. Stennis remains mission ready, with the skills needed to carry out a variety of missions.

A team from the Afloat Training Group (ATG) embarked the ship to observe, assess and evaluate Sailors’ shipboard watch standing, war fighting and damage control proficiencies. The drills performed during ULTRA-S help determine the quality of the ship’s ongoing training programs and see how ready the ship really is.

“We want to know that the fleet can trust this particular ship to sustain itself in any kind of casualty,” said Petty Officer First Class Dominic Gamez, from Phoenix, an ATG assessor. “What we are looking for is safety compliance, that all safety procedures are going well and while combating a casualty, how well the motivation is and [to] make sure they meet the particular wickets we are looking for.”

One of the drills used to help determine John C. Stennis’ readiness level is a mass casualty drill. This drill prepares Sailors for worst-case scenarios, such as an aircraft crash-landing on the flight deck resulting in multiple people injured.

“It’s a shipboard drill, so what is getting evaluated is the firefighting capabilities of our flight deck crews, the medical response to the ship’s mass casualty, our response to run elevators to bring casualties to the hanger bay to get triaged and then get reported back down to main medical to save lives,” said Lt. j.g. Donald Schmidt, from Newington, Connecticut, who was overall in charge of the mass casualty drill. “We simulate a worst-case scenario on the flight deck where we have an out of control [fire], over 50 casualties and have aircraft in the way. The reason we have that stuff is to cause enough chaos to see how we can respond putting out the fire, rescue casualties and get the deck ready to recover aircraft.”

Another training tool used during the underway were general quarters (GQ) drills.

The GQ drills are scenario-based evolutions in which Sailors rapidly report to damage control repair lockers, prepare the ship for imminent damage by closing hatches and fittings to maximize ship survivability, and then seek out and respond to simulated casualties including fire, flooding and structural damage.

“We are required to be certified by the Afloat Training Group to be able to [respond] within a certain amount of time,” said Senior Chief Thomas B. Funderbeurk, from Hinesville, Georgia, a member of the damage control training team. “Think of it as a recertification. The evaluators are looking at the damage control team’s ability to identify areas that need improvement on our fire fighting methods.”

GQs also have a medical training component involved. Sailors are evaluated on how to deal with different injuries and report the injuries to the medical department of the ship.

“Knowing the basics of first aid and injury treatment will better serve [Sailors] when there is an actual injury in a workspace and [medical] is not readily available to respond,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jose A. Jimenez, from El Baño, California, the medical training coordinator.

At the end of ULTRA-S, John C. Stennis was deemed overall proficient and prepared to conduct future tasking.

For more news from John C. Stennis visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aime Lykins

PACIFIC OCEAN – More than 40 Sailors on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) gathered in the ship’s training resource complex to talk about motorcycle safety, Oct. 3.

The Sailors; a mixture of new, and experienced riders; came together to network, discuss Washington state licensing procedure, outline Navy mandated safety requirements and sign up for further training courses.

“We are really talking about [operational risk management] ORM,” said Senior Chief Thomas Funderburk, from Hinesville, Georgia, John C. Stennis’ motorcycle safety coordinator and motorcycle rider since 1985. “Everything you are taught with ORM in the Navy is thinking about what you are getting ready to do. You have to make plans. Even if the environment changes while you are out there riding, if you at least have a plan and proper training…you have an idea of what adjustments you need to make to stay safe.”

Five motorcycle safety representatives (MSR) attended the meeting and shared experiences from their motorcycling history to help junior riders with topics such as selecting proper personal protective equipment (PPE), dealing with mishaps and the process of becoming a registered John C. Stennis motorcyclist.

“We have 88 registered riders,” said Funderburk. “Since we have been back from deployment, we are offering refresher courses so that we can be 100 percent compliant with the [motorcycle safety] program. It is my goal that every rider is trained, educated and has a better chance of survival on the road.”

After the safety presentation, new riders paired up with experienced riders as part of the motorcycle mentorship program designed to help new riders stay safe, informed and understand the responsibilities and risks of riding on and off base.

“I’m definitely going to sign up for the [basic motorcycle safety] course,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Patrick, from Kendallville, Indiana. “The biggest thing I learned from attending this training is how big the network of riders is on board. There is more support for riders than I thought, and they put out really good information that is relevant to motorcyclist to let them know what is going on out on the road.”

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Seaman Oscar Quezada

PACIFIC OCEAN – USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) command religious ministries department (CRMD) celebrated Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday, with a visiting Navy Rabbi, Oct. 3.

Lt. Josh Sherwin, a Navy chaplain, from Orlando, Florida, is one of ten active-duty rabbis in the Navy and is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 1.

Having a rabbi onboard for the holiday is unusual, as there are relatively few compared to the number of ships at sea.

“It’s called a High Holy Day, there are only a few of them, [and they] are incredibly important,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitchell Dubin, from Sarasota, Florida. “The fact that we managed to get someone who has studied this for their entire career, has dedicated his life to the study of Judaism and to help us through this incredibly important day is almost overwhelming.”

Rosh Hashanah is a two-day event, representing the beginning of the Jewish year, that marks the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve in the Jewish tradition.

“Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, similar to how January 1st begins the new calendar year. But in addition to changing the page on the calendar it’s also about looking back at the past year on how you did things well, things you didn’t do so well, mistakes you made and lessons learned,” said Sherwin. “Then you look ahead to the new year and look at how you can make the new year better.”

Sherwin provided the Sailors Rosh Hashanah services including customary observations such as sounding the shofar, a hollowed-out ram’s horn, and sharing symbolic foods with Sailors, such as apples dipped in honey, to induce a “sweet new year.”

Celebrating the holiday on the ship while underway also afforded unique opportunities, such as having the Tashlikh ceremony on the ship’s fantail. Participants of Tashikh symbolically throw away bread, representing their sins, into a body of water to wash the sins away.

“The water is represented in tradition as life and the current of the water carries those sins away,” said Sherwin. “It’s really cool, I don’t think most Jews get to do it off an aircraft carrier. In fact, the congregation in San Diego was really jealous.”

Rabbi Sherwin will be with John C. Stennis until the end of the underway and, like all Navy chaplains, is available to talk with Sailors.

“I feel very lucky to be here, very happy to be here, I’ve always found that my underway and my deployed holidays are more special and more memorable than the ones I spend in a congregation back home,” said Sherwin. “I’m very thankful and happy to be here with the crew of John C. Stennis.”

For more news from John C. Stennis, visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang

BREMERTON, Washington – Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) completed a maintenance availability period, Sept. 20.

In a little more than a month, John C. Stennis Sailors, together with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) workers and contractors, laid down 97,955 square feet of nonskid in multiple areas including on the flight deck, fantail and jet shop, replaced the wire rope of one of the ship’s four aircraft elevators and replaced two watertight doors.

“We did very well,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brent Miller, from Grand Island, Nebraska. “We were prepared for it … which is always very important for the first few days because if you get a slow start in the first week, it can really put you behind.”

Miller and Lt. Cmdr. Mike Palmer, from Vancouver, Washington, served as John C. Stennis’ maintenance managers for the availability period.

According to Miller, another key to John C. Stennis’ timely completion was teamwork.

“We have good communication and we’re working very well with PSNS and our contractor teammates,” said Miller.

The availability started Aug. 15 following John C. Stennis’ regularly scheduled deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

For more news on John C. Stennis visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang

BREMERTON, Washington – USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) got underway from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington to conduct routine training, Sept. 27.

During the underway, John C. Stennis Sailors will conduct damage control and firefighting training, seamanship training, small boat operations and exercises designed to maintain technical and tactical proficiency in a variety of areas.

The goal of the underway is to ensure John C. Stennis and its crew maintain their high levels of proficiency and readiness.

John C. Stennis returned from a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Aug. 14, and has been conducting a routine maintenance availability in its homeport of Bremerton.

For more news on John C. Stennis visit http://www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stennis74.