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F ROM THE CO’ S D ESK APRIL 2012 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4 I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : CMC’s Call Ccc news 3 3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS OMBUDSMEN MEMOS 4 5 FRG Tax Resources 6 7 7 Around town CREW PHOTOS Milius Frontline 8 9-10 11 Unofficial Change of Command Deployment re- sources 12 13 USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER Two of the big events we experienced on MILIUS this last month were participation in an exercise called EASTERN SAILOR. This exercise, conducted with Qatar, gave us a great opportunity to work with a friendly nation, to show them what we can do, and to let them show us what they can do. We do these "Theater Security Cooperation" events so if we need to work together in the future we already have estab- lished communications and they help build goodwill towards the United States. We had a pleasant and professional experience operating with the Qatar ship QENS AL DEEBEL.After that exercise, VADM Hunt the Commander of Naval Surface Forces Pacific paid MILIUS a visit. It was a great opportunity to show off, since we have a great deal to be proud of. I know I am proud of each and every one MILIUS Sailor and all we've accomplished, from INSURV - to a compressed training cycle - to deployment, and we're now deployed ready to go, trained, qualified and proficient, and fully operational. Bravo Zulus (Well Dones): - BZ to CE Division on achieving 95% Electronic Shipboard Calibration readiness - BZ to the First Class Petty Officers Mess for a WONDERFUL meal put on by the FCPO's (this may have been the best meal yet)! - Great job to FC1 Gaa, FC2 Styer, FC2 Dominick, FC3 Lycan, and FC3 Mercer for bringing FCS2 back online! - BZ to our Oil Lab team for finding and fixing a leak in the nozzle for our JP-5 hose reel on the flight deck quickly restoring our helicopter refueling capability. GSM3 McDougall found the leak and worked with GSMFN Steenburgh, GSM3 Castle, and GSM1 Iffert to make the repair. - BZ to all hands for a superb execution of Eastern Sailor 2012. - From the RIVRON Commander: "Thanks to the crew of USS MILIUS…for exceptional coordination and support during Eastern Sailor MIP [Maritime Infrastructure Protection] and VBSS [Visit, Board, Search and Seizure] Exercises. It was great working with your team of professionals." - Bravo Zulu to STG3 Miner on qualifying Sonar Supe! - Bravo Zulu to LTJG Gardner and LTJG Bobak on qualifying Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator! - Bravo Zulu to our 9 new ESWS pin holders (GM2 Bradley, FC2 Schwendeman, HM2 Sanders, BM2

April 12 Newsletter

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FROM THE CO’S DESK

APRIL 2012 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

CMC’s Call

Ccc news

3

3

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS

OMBUDSMEN MEMOS

4

5

FRG

Tax Resources

6

7

7

Around town

CREW PHOTOS

Milius Frontline

8

9-10

11

Unofficial Change

of Command

Deployment re-

sources

12

13

USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER

Two of the big events we experienced on MILIUS this last month were participation in an exercise called EASTERN SAILOR. This exercise, conducted with Qatar, gave us a great opportunity to work with a friendly nation, to show them what we can do, and to let them show us what they can do. We do these "Theater Security Cooperation" events so if we need to work together in the future we already have estab-lished communications and they help build goodwill towards the United States. We had a pleasant and professional experience operating with the Qatar ship QENS AL DEEBEL.After that exercise, VADM Hunt the Commander of Naval Surface Forces Pacific paid MILIUS a visit. It was a great opportunity to show off, since we have a great deal to be proud of. I know I am proud of each and every one MILIUS Sailor and all we've accomplished, from INSURV - to a compressed training cycle - to deployment, and we're now deployed ready to go, trained, qualified and proficient, and fully operational.

Bravo Zulus (Well Dones):

- BZ to CE Division on achieving 95% Electronic Shipboard Calibration readiness

- BZ to the First Class Petty Officers Mess for a WONDERFUL meal put on by the FCPO's (this may have been the best meal yet)!

- Great job to FC1 Gaa, FC2 Styer, FC2 Dominick, FC3 Lycan, and FC3 Mercer for bringing FCS2 back online!

- BZ to our Oil Lab team for finding and fixing a leak in the nozzle for our JP-5 hose reel on the flight deck quickly restoring our helicopter refueling capability. GSM3 McDougall found the leak and worked with GSMFN Steenburgh, GSM3 Castle, and GSM1 Iffert to make the repair.

- BZ to all hands for a superb execution of Eastern Sailor 2012.

- From the RIVRON Commander: "Thanks to the crew of USS MILIUS…for exceptional coordination and support during Eastern Sailor MIP [Maritime Infrastructure Protection] and VBSS [Visit, Board, Search and Seizure] Exercises. It was great working with your team of professionals."

- Bravo Zulu to STG3 Miner on qualifying Sonar Supe!

- Bravo Zulu to LTJG Gardner and LTJG Bobak on qualifying Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator!

- Bravo Zulu to our 9 new ESWS pin holders (GM2 Bradley, FC2 Schwendeman, HM2 Sanders, BM2

FROM THE CO’S DESK CONT . . .

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4 PAGE 2

Brooks, IT2 Pisciotto, GSM3 Gustafson, GSM3 McDougal, DC3 Sais, ET3 Shaw)!

- BZ to our new Surface Warfare Officer: ENS Lewis

- Bravo Zulu to our newest LTJGs on their promotion: LTJG Cole and LTJG Flores.

Bravo Zulu to all hands in executing a busy and complex day, with UNREP, multiple Flight Quarters, and the E-5 exam!

- Bravo Zulu for outstanding performance by CG, CA, and CM divisions as they were able to coordinate and execute torpedo handling with mainte-nance on the SVTT’s, two strike scenarios, and qualify 9 shooters on crew served weapons, expending 1300 rounds. The hard work on the deck plates across weapons department allowed for safe and effective training, while meeting all objectives, perpetuating the work ethic that is needed to sustain Milius’ high level of readiness.

- Bravo Zulu to CTT2 Brower on developing a JTT procedure that solved a system problem and will be implemented throughout the fleet!

- BZ to the JEA (Junior Enlisted Association). On base in Bahrain a few of them went out and picked up trash on their liberty. While others where out playing games and drinking, LSSN’s Acosta and Johnson, ET3 Bordelon and QM2 Mabon were doing good.

Great job done by every department on inport maintenance, ammo onload, and topside preservation while we were in Bahrain! We made an extremely positive first impression on Fifth Fleet by arriving fully operational and ready to go!

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Fun Facts:

There is a HAZMAT Center onboard where all hazardous materials: oils, greases, cleaners, etc. are kept and checked out to do maintenance. Left overs are brought back and issued to the next job.

We raised over $6000 for the Family Readiness Group by holding a “Khaki Auction”. This event was proposed by BMC Badio, and sponsored by the Chief’s mess with BMC Badio and QMC Maxwell doing the work. Thank you all khaki for doing your time!!!

The Navy, as part of the Government, recognizes a different group many months of the year, i.e. March is Women’s History Month. This usually takes the form of a special meal, cake, and speaking about why it’s important to stop and reflect on the actions of those that came before us.

The CO’s suggestion box is a box by the mess decks where crewmembers can submit comments to the Commanding Officer about problems, ideas, and concerns. I then reply to these “suggestions” on my blog. The blog is called the “Captain’s Corner” and is the first thing every Sailor sees when they log into the internet – it is their homepage (whether they want it to be or not). On the Captain’s Corner I try to put out big picture guidance about what we have going on, what I think is important, and what I need everyone to give some attention to.

Slider Day. We call Hamburger’s “sliders” and on every Navy ship these are always served on Wednesdays. Every ship. Every Wednesday. So Wednesday can be called “Slider Day” and everyone would know what you meant.

UHT. On deployment the Supply Department works hard to get MILIUS Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (also called FFV). We do also stock much frozen and dry goods in case we can’t get food for a couple weeks (like transiting the Pacific). One of the things we have a challenge getting is fresh milk, so the Navy ensures ship’s always have milk by stocking UHT milk (UHT is Ultra High Temperature processed milk – it lasts much longer than normal milk). It can be kept warm and then chilled before it’s served (it tastes better cold).

ESWS. Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist is a qualification that earns enlisted personnel a warfare pin and is a mandatory qualification when a Sailor reports to a ship. E1-E4 must earn it within 30 months, E5 and above within 18 months. During deployment is the best time to work on it since everyone is here and we’re doing everything.

Smoking Lamp. Sailors are allowed to smoke on the flight deck when the “smoking lamp is lit”. We “put out the smoking lamp” for flight quarters, underway replenishment, when in heavy weather, and during cleaning stations time and command physical training. Smoking is not allowed in the ship at all – just in this one location.

Messing and Berthing Inspection, also called “Heads and Beds” is the daily inspection (except Sundays and Holidays) by the Executive Officer to en-sure our crew’s berthing spaces and the messing spaces (the galley, the mess decks, and other places involved with food) are clean.

Sincerely,

CDR Nikki Bufkin

PAGE 3 USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER

Happy Spring! In the last month we have been underway the whole time and have been very busy with operations. We have on-loaded close to 200 pallets of stores since we have been gone. We had the March advancement exams where we hope to make a bunch of new Petty Officers. The results for E-7 board eligible were released and GSCS Talob was selected for CWO program. Thank you for what you do there. We really enjoyed the Shamrocks provided by the FRG and had an enjoyable break on St Patrick’s Day with a Steel Beach picnic. This Sunday we will celebrate the Chiefs Birthday with a Picnic hosted by the Chiefs for the crew. Schools are out for Spring Break and Easter. Enjoy your holiday and know that we are working hard and staying busy! Take care, CMC

CMC’s CALL

FROM THE COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR

Aloha again MILUS Crew, Family & Friends, This month’s topic I would like to note on is ‘Your benefits and the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System’, also known as DEERS. As a member of the Navy Family, you are eligible for many benefits. The proper registration in the DEERS system is key to receiving an ID card for DOD sponsored benefits such as Tricare, Medical, and Dental services. As changes occur, information must be updated. A service member’s enroll-ment in DEERS does not automatically enroll dependants. Enrollments of dependants must be made by the member at a Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) (ID-Card) site. To update DEERS information online through the MILCONNECT Portal at: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect or at TRICARE at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/deers

For more information on your DEERS record, you may call the DSO telephone center at 1-800-538-9552. For more information on your Navy benefits, check out the Navy Pay and Benefits Guide at http://w w w . p u b l i c . n a v y . m i l / b u p e r s - n p c / c a r e e r / p a y a n d b e n e f i t s / d o c u m e n t s /navypayanbenefitsguidefinal01jul10.pdf

If you have any questions, please ask your Sailor. Aloha and have a great Easter!

Sincerely, NC1 (SW/AW) B. Baraoidan

Reenlistments: OS1 (SW) Jacob Ortegon HM2 (SW) Tyrieka Sanders YN2 (SW) Nathan Sheddy Navy & Marine Corps Commenda-tion Medal ET1 (SW) Pedro Quintana BM1 (SW) Francis Manalo

Officer Promotions: LT Vincent Junor LTJG Cole LTJG Flores Surface Warfare Officer Pin: ENS Charles Lewis Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin: FC2 (SW) Zebadiah Schwendeman GM2 (SW) JohnPaul Bradley IT2 (SW) Anthony Pisciotto HM2 (SW) Tyrieka Sanders GSM3 (SW) Adam McDougall BM3 (SW) Phillip Brooks GSE3 (SW) Charles Gustafson DC3 (SW) Chad Sais

A big BRAVO ZULU to the following Sailors on their recent Reenlist-ments, Promotions, Advancement,

April 1– April Fools Day

April 2 - 13 - Spring Break

April 3,10,17 and 24th - Effective Parenting NBSD 9 - 4 pm

April 5th - Communicating with your Teenager

Murphy Canyon Chapel 10am

April 8 - Easter

April 14th - FRG Bowling Night

April 17th - Taxes Due

April 18th - Internet Safety and your child

Murphy Canyon Chapel 10 am

April 28th - FRG Meeting at MCYC

* Annotates in-port, away from home port

—Purple highlighted boxes annotate underway periods

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USS Milius

Alii Prae

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COME HOME SAFE!

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April 2012

FRG

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April Happy Birthday and Anniversaries to all this month!!

April is Military Child Month. As Ombudsman, we stress the importance of spouses and families staying connected with their deployed loved ones. It is just as important to stay connected to our children, regardless of their age. Our children are very resilient, probably more so than we think. We want you all to know that you are doing a great job. Keep it up! Continue setting clear and consis-tent rules and showing interest in what your children are saying to you. Although their feelings and moods may be all over the place sometimes, take the time to listen to how they are feeling. Hearing and listening are two different things that we all need to practice.

Children need rules and guidelines, regardless of their age. They need to know what you expect from them, whether that is at school or at home. This helps them know what is going to happen from moment to mo-ment. They need to understand that actions have conse-quences, which could be good or bad.

Children are going to misbehave, even when they know the rules; this is normal. They are going to test you and push your buttons. They may be angry that the other parent is away and doing things without them. They may be just wanting extra attention. Whatever their excuse is for their behavior, try to put yourself in their shoes. Before lashing out at your son or daughter, tell them you need to take a “mommy or daddy time out”. Put them in their room, then you go to your room, shut the door, put on some re-laxing music, close your eyes and take a moment for your-self. Once you’ve had the opportunity to calm your thoughts, go back to your child and calmly discuss their actions. Explain what you did not like and how you would rather have them behave. Ask them what they think an appropriate consequence would be; you might be surprised by some of their comments. If you don’t agree with their suggestion, then tell them what you think would be appro-priate and why you disagree with their suggestion.

OMBUDSMAN MEMO

PAGE 5 USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER

Ombudsman Info:

[email protected]

OMB Phone– 619.417.9980

Careline– 619.338.1754

Healthy children are happy children. Don’t force your child to eat, but offer healthy foods as an alternative to sweets. Take away sodas and excess sweets for a month. We guarantee you will see a difference in their behavior. Physical activity is great for everyone in the fam-ily. Get everyone off the couch, away from the Xbox, Wii, and electronic devices. Get outside and enjoy the great weather! Go on a hike, a bike ride, play a game of tag at the park!

Brag on your children when they do something you like; make it a big deal…tell them you’re proud of how they did on a paper at school, how they helped clear the dishes off the table, cleaned their room, etc. They need praise when they have done a good job!

Meet other families, whether they are in church with you, part of the Milius FRG, your child’s athletic teams, or a neighborhood family. Get involved and spend time with them, regardless how much other stuff you think you need to do; you need interaction with other people.

The main thing we all have to remember is our children follow by example. Treat them with respect and they will treat you with respect. They want to feel loved, appreci-ated and know that regardless of anything else, you are there for them through this deployment.

As parents, we still need our adult time. Take care of yourself, find a hobby, join a gym, or go for a walk with the dog. Find a mentor or call me or Teresa, if you get overly stressed. We are here to support you every day!

You are great parents! We applaud everything you have done so far; keep it up!!

Your Ombudsman Team,

Jeri and Teresa

PAGE 6 USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER

FRG NEWS AND NOTES

Throw a strike at Milius family bowling night

Lace up your bowling shoes and get ready for an evening of family fun at the first-ever Milius Family Readiness Group bowling night.

Mark your calendars for bowling night starting at 5 p.m., going until 7, Saturday, April 14 at the Admiral Robinson Recreation Cen-ter. We’ve reserved a couple sets of lanes at the base’s bowling alley, located at the corner of Norman Scott Road and Vesta on Naval Base San Diego. The building is number 3223. Bring the kiddos, and the FRG will buy dinner from the Corner Pin Café. But partici-pants will pay $2.25 to rent shoes and $2.45 per bowling game.

Please RSVP by Saturday April 7 on event at miliusfrg.org or shoot us an email at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see

you there!

Monthly FRG meeting set for April 28

The USS Milius’s monthly Family Readiness Group meeting is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 28 at the Murphy Canyon Youth Center. Save the date for all the latest news and information! MCYC is located at 4867 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124.

Will you be bringing your kiddos? If so please let us know ASAP!

Email the number of children attending with you, along with their ages to [email protected]. We need this information so the childcare providers will know what activities to plan! As always, your attendance at our meetings and activities will put you in the drawings for First Kiss and First Hug! Log onto miliusfrg.org for further details. Hope to see you there!

Show your support with a FRG bracelet

The Milius FRG is selling patriotic stretch bracelets in support of our sailors.

The bracelets are made with various red, white and blue glass beads. Inscriptions can be included on the bracelets with letter-block beads. For example, a sailor’s name and rank could be added or “I love my sailor,” “Navy Mom,” or “USS Milius” and much more can be added to the bracelets to personalize them. They are $7 per bracelet. For $1 more, the bracelets can include a yellow-ribbon charm.

Check out pictures of the bracelets online at miliusfrg.org. And send your orders to [email protected].

The FRG wants your recipes

What’s your sailor’s favorite home-cooked meal? Do you have a favorite homecoming meal? Are there any quick and easy deploy-ment dinners you cook while your sailor is away?

If so we want your recipes! The Milius Family Readiness is creating a ship cookbook. The book will be sold to help raise money for the FRG for our halfway and homecoming parties.

Pass on your recipes and include a short paragraph (limited to 75 words) about you’re dish and submit one photo to go along with it.

Please send your recipes to [email protected].

*Please note that not all recipes will be printed in the cookbook.

PAGE 7

TAXES DUE??

Resources to save you from the Tax Blues

Tax season is here and the due date is April 17th! For those of us who find taxes scary, and an unpleasant thought Naval Base San Diego and local resources offer assistance you can really use!

The San Diego Tax Center is offering tax preparation free of charge for active duty, their families and retirees. They are located next to PSD & ATG in Bldg 56 on the wet side. Their address is 3395 Sturtevant St Ste 2 SD. Once you enter the main gate, make a right at the circle, go to the stop sign and they are up on the left.

They are open for walk-ins Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1500, no appoint-ments necessary. We encourage you to call ahead before coming to make sure you have all the needed documents to file your taxes. The Tax Center can be reached at 619-556-6848 or 619-556-2211.

If you prefer the advice of an outside service Liberty Tax Service offers all military members a discount off the cost of their tax returns. In addition to outside services, for those of you who do your own taxes may we suggest Tax Slayer. Tax Slayer offers active duty military a free download of their tax software program. A mili-tary discount is also offered for filing of all active duty military members. Visit www.taxslayer.com for more information.

Finally, don’ forget if you need further assistance in your area, you may also call Fleet and Family Support at 619-556-7404 for help.

CHAPLINS CORNER

“Many programs in the area offer free tax assistance and filing for military families”

Hello family and loved ones of MILIUS- I hope this finds you all well. It is a blessing to be onboard doing ministry among such a fantastic crew! My name is Chap-lain Shane Freiberg, I am a Protestant Chaplain: TAD to the ship. There are multiple opportunities for those on board to get involved in the Command Religious Program: I lead worship services each Holiday routine day that the ship has. There are opportunities for people of different faith backgrounds to worship; letting myself and the command know of this desire begins the process to ensuring time, space and resources are available. I offer opportunity for counseling as well. Keeping the CO, XO, and CMC updated on morale issues is an important function that is done on behalf of everybody onboard. Evening prayer, Bible study opportunities are offered as well. I keep you all in my prayers, and give thanks for everything you are doing at home. You are thought of everyday. Peace, Chaplain Shane Freiberg

PAGE 8 USS MILIUS COMMAND NEWSLETTER

Enjoy the Outdoors:

With Spring right around the corner get out and enjoy the sunshine. Go hiking or biking through the 65 miles of trails of various diffi-culty, scenery, and length at Balboa park. Some dirt trails go through remote areas of the park, while others go past museums, and per-forming arts venues.

Visit Coronado Art in the Park on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month from 9 to 4pm.

Every Saturday from 9 to 3pm visit Old Town Market. This is San Diego's largest weekly artesian fair in the heart of Old Town on Har-ney St. They offer hand-made pottery, jewelry, clothing, photography, blown glass and more.

Swim-A-Thon

April 1-30, 2012- FREE Swim 10 miles in one month and become a member of the 10-Miler Club! All members receive a T-shirt com-memorating your accomplishment. Be a top swimmer and there are more prizes waiting for you!

Where: Admiral Prout Field House Pool, NBSD, Bldg. 3279 For more information contact 619.556.8659

Comedy Show - FREE

Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Tonight we out do ourselves in the comedy department! Hurry in, prime seats are limited. Location: The Recyard, NBSD, Bldg. 221 For more information contact 619.556.5085

Adam Ave Unplugged Saturday & Sunday, April 21st - 22nd, 2012

Music will be scheduled from 11am until 9pm on Saturday 21st and noon until 7pm on Sunday the 22nd. 3 Outdoor stages - 21 indoor stages - Over 170 musical performances.

Listen to dozens of local musicians while discovering new Avenue hot spots and falling in love all over again with old favorites.

A brand new type of weekend music and art festival is about to debut on Adams Avenue. Adams Avenue Unplugged will take place the week-end of April 21st and 22nd along a two mile stretch of Adams from Texas St. on the West, on through Normal Heights and into parts of Kensington to the East. The event will feature 170 live musical performances staged inside or around, more than 30 restaurant and bars lining the neighborhood. Musicians will also perform on three community stages spread throughout the area. As the name implies Adams Unplugged will feature acoustic music.

This free event also will include artists, crafters and dealers who will be displaying both inside business district storefronts as well as in Adams Park, within an open-air market setting. Merchandise from outside the business district will be augmenting the art and craft related selec-tions that permanently inhabit the neighborhood, to add to the weekend’s variety. Free trolley service will be provided on Adams Avenue during the event which will give folks the option of subsidizing the walking required to traverse the expansive event footprint. MTS bus routes 2 & 11 service the neighborhoods. The event will offer bike valet.

This is an event for everyone, with many types of music, food, drink, and fun! For more information please visit, http://adamsavenuebusiness.com/Events.html

47th Lakeside Western Days Parade-FREE

Parade Date: SATURDAY, APRIL 21st, 2012 Time: 9:35 am A festive parade filled with one of the largest equestrian participations on the West coast, Bands, Clowns, Classic Cars, Off -Roaders, Queens, Princesses and local dignitaries. We honor local businesses, schools, service organizations and sport teams. For information on the Lakeside Rodeo – www.lakesiderodeo.com

Vintage T-Shirt Run/Walk

Wednesday, April 25, 10 AM- FREE (Check-in starts at 9 AM)

Where: Admiral Prout Field House Track, NBSD, Bldg. 3279 For more information contact 619.556.7444

AROUND TOWN

PAGE 9

Crew Photos

PAGE 10

Crew photos

Guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) weapons department leadership finalized a ship-wide weapons qualifi-cation, March 2nd.

During the transit to the US Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, Milius’ small arms experts held daily training for the small craft action team ( SCAT) members and non-members. They were shown the fundamentals, usage and tactics of weapons handling.

SCAT is an on-call team and its members are trained to use various crew– serve weapons that defend the ship when there is a limited distance to respond. They are one of the ships critical lines of defense and support the fundamentals of marine time security operations.

“ In addition to the training, the team stood a 3 - section watch rotation to prepare for security operations,” said Chief Fireman Controlman Irvin Hay. “ All team members are ready.”

In just a month more than 50 personnel including non-SCAT members, earned their weapons qualification, in the MH2B 50 caliber machine gun, MK38 25mm chain gun and M24DB machine gun.

In addition, 9 sailors qualified as gunnery liaison officers ( GLO), demonstrating knowledge in the rules of engagement and coordinated responses to surface threats.

GLO’s are directly appointed by the Commanding Officer and are aware of a wide range of current threat situations and tactics, ensuring the safety of the ship.

The final gun shoot to qualify the SCAT members was not only successful , but conducted safely and efficiently.

“I was excited to get this opportunity,” said SCAT member, personnel specialist Seaman Joshua Rodriguez. “ I think it was awesome being a member of the team; its an important role.”

MILIUS, a San Diego– based ship, is deployed independently to the US Navy Fifth Fleet area of responsibility , operat-ing under combined task force 152, conducting theater security cooperation efforts and marine time security opera-tions.

For more information , visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/

PAGE 11

MILIUS FRONT-

By Ensign Rhianna Cole

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for MILIUS FRONTLINE NEWS, please email the Public Affairs Officer at [email protected]. Also, please check the Facebook page and contact our Ombudsmen for more information!

PAGE 12

Milius Holds Unofficial Change Of Command

By: Fire Controlman 1st Class Derrick Wilson, USS Milius (DDG 69) Public Affairs USS MILIUS, At Sea - A ‘Khaki Auction’ was held aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) to help raise money for the command Family Readiness Group (FRG), March 23. During the auction, Sailors were given a chance to exchange position with an officer or chief and take over that khaki’s position, while having that officer or chief assume all of their duties and responsibilities for five hours. Fire Controlman 3rd Class Ryan Smith, the highest bidder during the event, took control of the ship by assuming the role of commanding officer (CO). The Navy expression “khakis” refers to officers and chief petty officers (CPO), who traditionally wear the khaki colored uniform. “When Smith ‘bought’ the position of CO, I determined which afternoon would work best,” said Cmdr. Nicholie Bufkin, USS Milius’ command-ing officer. “Then I sat down with the executive officer (XO) and command master chief to come up with a plan, ensuring he would have some fun while at the same time handling the many calls and requests I receive as the ship’s captain.” The unofficial change of command ceremony, complete with banners and a cake cutting, took place on the mess decks during lunch. Upon assuming command, Smith exercised his authority by implementing a uniform change. He allowed crewmembers to wear any shirt instead of their naval working uniform blouse. Crew members scrambled to change into their new uniform of the day. “In the short but very effective reign of Captain Smith, I felt free to support my team, the Philadelphia Eagles,” said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Jeremy Perussi. “Wearing a jersey while standing my watch was definitely a morale booster.” However, not all of Smith’s hours as CO were fun and games. In addition to the privileges of being in charge, he had to assume many new re-sponsibilities. He oversaw events, including man overboard drills, tomahawk mission plans, personnel working aloft and engineering evolutions. He was called upon numerous times by the officer of the deck, tactical action officer, and XO for his expert recommendation and approvals. “It was fun and demanding doing things I had never had a chance to do before,” said Smith. “It was a challenge because I didn’t want to say yes to the wrong things. It really made me understand the responsibility that being the CO carries.” Additionally, Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Blake Turner got a chance to assume a major role in the command by buying the title of command mas-ter chief. While Smith was revered for his uniform change, Turner enforced some shipboard standards which led to him securing the crew’s Internet Café, when unauthorized drinks and snacks in the crew’s computer room led to the decision. “It wasn’t fun. It was a lot more pressure than I expected” said Turner. “I felt overwhelmed with everyone’s professional and personal prob-lems.”“He did well,” said Command Master Chief Lisa Thomas. “I think the biggest lesson he learned was the cascading effect of his decisions, and how much the CO, XO, and I work together as one team to run the ship.” Even though Smith was the highest bidder, the real winners of the Khaki auction was Milius’ FRG, who received more than $6,500 from the fundraiser. Milius is on a routine deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Deployment Resources

Deployment Resources & Information

Naval Base San Diego FFSC (619) 556-7404 or (866) 923-6478

American Red Cross (877) 272-7337 www.redcross.org

Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 www.militaryonesource.com

FOCUS (619) 556-6075 www.focusproject.org

NBSD Legal (619) 556-2211 www.jag.navy.mil/legal_services/nlso/nlso_southwest.htm

Tri-West Healthcare Alliance (888) 874-9378 www.triwest.com

TRICARE Dental Program (800) 866-8499 www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com

NMCRS (619) 238-1587/88 www.nmcrs.org

USO Downtown Center (619) 235-6503 www.usosandiego.org

Naval Base Chapel (619) 556-2658 www.chaplincare.navy.mil

Armed Services YMCA (858) 751-5755 www.militaryymca.org

Child Development Center (619) 556-8491

Operation Home front (866) 424-5210 www.operationhomefront.net

211 www.211sandiego.org

Sitter city www.sittercity.com/dod

Women, Infant, & Children (WIC ) Program (800) 500-6411 www.sandiegowic.org

Monthly Bread Ministries & Monthly FREE Food Ministries (858)688-5015

Bring your ID card, bags to carry food items. Please contact them for locations and times.

We have plenty of other resources for you from Healthy Military Families and Toddler Time to Furniture and Used Items to Websites and Re Sale Goods Items. Call the Ombudsman for more details.

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