Viewpoint
Getting back on the merry go round
My mother bustled into the kitchen. “Honey, it’s almost four o’clock. Sam has gardening club at school today. You have to pack a substantial snack, put his equipment into the car, and pick him up not at the normal place but at the school bus stop and get him to lacrosse practice by 4:25.” I squinted at her. “Zip! Zip!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands.May 11, 2007
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What do we do with a horrible year?
My girlfriend swears that bad things run in threes. If she has two minor tragedies she expects that third one like a blow to the head. But passing the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina made me wonder: what happens when the string of bads just keeps coming—spiral deployments, serious illness, chronic loneliness, separation, family troubles? What happens when we military families get a whole year made up of one bad thing after another? When this happened to Queen Elizabeth II in 1992, she called it her “annus horribilious”—her horrible year. That was the year the marriages of both of her sons unraveled and Windsor Castle burned. In her Christmas message, the queen said didn’t think she would be looking back on ‘92 with “undiluted pleasure.’April 13, 2007
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More on deployability, employability
Last week, FLTCM (SS/SW) R. D. West addressed the recently announced changes to the Navy’s focus on the deployability and employability of our units. I would like to echo his comments and further explain how these changes will affect you and your families. First, it’s important to understand the history that led to these changes and why these decisions were made. The original PERSTEMPO instruction was written in 1985 within the context of the Cold War requirements. Prior to the instruction, nine month at sea and multiple deployments during an at-sea tours were common. The 1985 PERSTEMPO instruction set the framework for more than a decade of steady six-month deployments and a predictable rotation policy.March 30, 2007
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Cycle of Deployment — part one
Deployment, now that can be a hard word to swallow sometimes. For many it is an emotional and difficult time as they adjust to the change. It can also be a time for growth as well. One fact remains, deployments happen and all involved experience normal stages of adjustment to this abnormal event. Your command ombudsman is trained to recognize these definable stages of adjustment known as the “cycle of deployment” and is available to help you through them all. In all there are seven stages to this cycle, with the first stage being the “Anticipation of loss.” Most experience this about six weeks before a known deployment.March 30, 2007
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What do all these new deployment terms mean?
I hope everyone is enjoying a safe and prosperous 2007. I have been out and about in the Fleet since the beginning of the New Year meeting many of you and as I have said many times over, you continue to amaze me with your enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to complete any and every mission. I want to take this time to talk to you about the Navy’s new focus on the deployability and employability of our assets as well as other terms used like “dwell,” “Fleet Response Plan (FRP),” and “Homeport Tempo.” You may have already begun to hear these terms used, and it is important you understand these terms and understand what is behind the changes in how we deploy the Navy — and you.March 23, 2007
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The ultimate sacrifice
Arriving at Bravo Surgical for my weekly debriefing with the psychologist, I passed the concrete barrier where one of the Army doctors had lost his life from a mortar attack the day before his scheduled return home. The memory drew my thoughts to a recent report of fallen Marines from another unit. Rounding the corner, I saw the corpsmen lined up, stretchers in hand, waiting in silence. Everything slowed down. As I stared into the faces of those who battle death daily, I knew something was terribly wrong.March 23, 2007
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Can I get a side of fries with my SPAM sandwich
Well folks. It has been a blast. I really enjoyed my time as a Sailor in the Pacific Northwest, but it is time for me to pack my bags for the French Riviera or Sao Paolo, Brazil because my tickets came in twice in one afternoon. You ask how I have come into such wealth? Well apparently I have received an inheritance of $2.5 million Hong Kong Dollars from a distant cousin from the Republic of China valued at roughly $320,000. (You got to love cousin, Yao) Then my e-mail was randomly drawn in the “UK, You Say Rich” Power Lotto, with a grand prize of 500,000 Great Britain LB’s. (I like that. Sounds like you got fat money.)March 23, 2007
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Tax time and housing allowances
January 26, 2007
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Your children are part of mission
You’ve heard me say it before: mission readiness depends on family readiness. We’re here to defend the nation, but to do that job we must take care of each other — that includes taking care of families, especially children. It’s a job we take seriously. Last week I had the pleasure of being part of the ribbon cutting to open the Hourly Child Care Drop In Care facility in Jackson Park. That’s exciting news for me and our community as this new facility joins the drop-off care program held in the NAS Whidbey chapel. The Navy is growing in the Northwest, and child care needs are growing with it. The new hourly care program fills a gap and can help you address your personal needs such as time at the gym, a shopping trip, or a medical appointment.January 19, 2007
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SECNAV sends holiday tidings
Each year during the holiday season, Americans celebrate the promise of renewal and the possibilities of peace. Your dedicated efforts enable us to enjoy these rich blessings at home, while bringing hope to people throughout the world. Each of you — whether on active duty, a member of the reserve component, a civilian, or a family member — has played an integral part in giving the greatest gifts, gifts of peace, promise, freedom, and in many situations, life itself to countless millions. You have paid for them with your unequaled dedication, selfless sacrifice and boundless energy.December 22, 2006
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