The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the crew of the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not neces-sarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.

VOL 1 / NO 38 August 22, 2010

Carl Vinson’s

Story by MC3 Heather RoeUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

See SAFETY, Page 5

Carl Vinson conducted a safety survey August 19 to prepare for Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and to assess how the ship’s overall adherence to safety.

A team of subject matter experts from the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk came aboard to conduct the survey on 10 major areas of the ship.

Safety Survey

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Follow Vinson on Facebook: www.facebook.com/USSCARLVINSON Photos by MC2 Adrian White, MC3 Luis Ramirez, MC3 Aaron Shelley and MCSN Rosa Arzola

Publisher Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey

Commanding Officer

Executive Editors Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien

Photo EditorMC2 Adrian White

Layout and DesignMCSN Rosa A. Arzola

Staff Writers/PhotographersMC3 Patrick Green

MC3 Jessica RobertsonMC3 Heather Roe

3August 22, 2010

Photos by MC2 Adrian White, MC3 Luis Ramirez, MC3 Aaron Shelley and MCSN Rosa Arzola

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5August 22, 2010

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Madison Gutierrez has her copy of the video game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” signed by Jesse Stern, the game’s head writer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Green

“The team came out to give us a look ahead for what to expect during INSURV in October,” Said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (SW/AW) Luke Willdigg, Safety Department’s leading chief petty officer. “The same things are going to be looked at by the INSURV team, so when we do have INSURV, we are going to be prepared.”

The safety team surveyed Vinson’s engineering, combat systems, damage control, deck, electrical, main propulsion, naval occupations safety and health, safety and weapons areas on board.

Each section was surveyed for safety

discrepancies, testing shipboard readiness and capabilities. The team surveyed equipment and administration capability.

“With INSURV on the horizon, this (survey) will help get Carl Vinson ready to pass,” said Willdigg. “Overall we did well, but this will give us a good look at what we need to work on, so this ship can go to war.”

In the safety survey, Carl Vinson’s performance was higher than the class average for carriers in the fleet. A survey hasn’t been conducted on board since December 2004 before Refuel Complex Overhaul (RCOH). A safety survey must be conducted every three years on board an operational ship.

“The safety survey is a way to enlighten the crew for INSURV,” said Lt. Brad Lester, Industrial Hygiene Officer and Assistant Safety Officer on board. “This was an outside eye giving Carl Vinson actual data to see what we need to work on.”

The product of the survey stays on the ship and is released to the commanding officer and executive officer. The results will guide Carl Vinson on what discrepancies to fix and where to focus for INSURV.

“Safety on board ships is very important,” said Lester. “It’s not worth risking a Sailor’s life just to get something done.”

SAFETY Continued

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Thank You Carl Vinson, We indeed were truly awed by the teamwork, the precision choreography, and the enthusiasm of the so many young Sailors who bring the Carl Vinson to life. The visit was an inspiration for all of us. You have an incredibly talented and dedicated crew, and a truly impressive warship. Thank you again, and best wishes.

Very Respectfully, Dr. Joseph P. Lawrence III Director of Transition Office of Naval Research

SPOTLIGHTSailor

IN T

HE

Story by MC3 Jessica RobertsonUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Johnetta Heckard might look

like the average Sailor. She wears the uniform, she PTs, she goes to the mess decks just like everyone else on the ship. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that’s where the similarities end.

Heckard was recently named CARL VINSON Junior Sailor of the Quarter.

“It was the best thing I could be nominated for,” Heckard said. “Making Junior Sailor of the Quarter was my goal from when I checked onboard, and for my department to put me up for it was really awesome.”

It was also an honor she’d worked very hard to earn. Along with her daily job requirements, Heckard has volunteered for a number of collateral duties. She’s the departmental Career Counselor as well as the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) and Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist (EAWS) coordinator for her department. Heckard is also the vice president of the Second Class Petty Officers’ Association, the divisional Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) representative, and

the departmental Safety Petty Officer. And yes, she volunteered for all of these duties.

“I love helping out the Sailors,” Heckard said. “Especially being Career Counselor. Everyone always comes up to me, asking for help with getting orders or submitting chits, cross-rating or doing a split tour. I really enjoy helping them out.”

Sharing knowledge is something Heckard is very passionate about and she’s a firm believer in mentoring.

“I think everyone, especially first-termers, should have a mentor to help point them in the right direction, and keep them on track,” she said.

But while helping other Sailors attain their goals is something she enjoys, Heckard also has a few of her own.

“I’d like to make 1st Class by the end of this next deployment,” she said. “I also want to enroll in Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) courses so I can finish my degree, and of course I want

to work on improving my finances and my Physical Readiness Test (PRT) score.”

Her Assistant Leading Petty Officer, Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Kyle Cook, won’t hesitate to tell you Heckard deserves the recognition she’s received.

“Her motivation is the main thing,” Cook said. “She always volunteers, no matter what it’s for, even if it involves staying late.”

What’s the biggest quality that has helped get her to where she is today?

“Having initiative, not having to be told time and time again to do something,” Heckard said. “I can pretty much self-motivate to separate myself from everyone else on the ship.”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jessica Robertson