Volume 12, Number 281 Naval Support Activity Bahrain March 4, 2015

INSIDE THESE

STORIESA N DMORE...

T-PAIN LIVE @ NSA BAHRAIN!, P. 2 NSA BAHRAIN EMPLOYEE HONORED, P. 4

GIRL SCOUTS TRAINING AND EVENTS, P. 5

3 - CHAPLAIN’S CORNER - FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK4 - WEEKLY WARRIOR - SAFETY6 - MWR EVENTS & INFO

Photo by Carole Stringfield

Culinary Specialist 1st Class Vibol Som prepares Mongolian barbecue for lunch aboard coastal patrol craft USS Chinook (PC 9).

Culinary Specialists Get Cooking Aboard Coastal Patrol ShipsBy Carole Stringfield NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) — Imagine cooking a meal for 30 people in a kitchen measuring 5 by 9 feet. Now, imag-ine doing that three times a day, aboard a ship, at sea, all alone. This is what the culinary specialists (CS) assigned to coastal patrol ships (PC) based out of Bahrain do every day.

Culinary Specialists 1st Class Vibol Som, USS Chinook (PC 9) and Jose Valencia, USS Firebolt (PC 10), cook for their crew of about 30 Sailors every day, by themselves, in a kitchen the size of a walk-in closet.

“For a CS on a PC, they are kind of alone and unafraid. They are the lone supply rating that is assigned to the ship,” said Lt. Cmdr. William Buford, commanding officer, USS Chinook, on the culinary specialist’s role on a coastal patrol ship. “They don’t have the support network of an onboard supply officer or dispersing officer or even anyone else in the department, so as a first class CS, he’s running the whole show, food service, soup to nuts, all by himself.”

Being a culinary specialist aboard a coastal patrol ship

is no easy feat. There is no culinary team and there are no food service attendants to help them.

“On a larger ship, I have lots of help and usually one is assigned to a specific job and that is all you have to do; just make sure your assigned duties and responsibilities are completed. Here on a PC, it’s just me,” said Valencia, “from the supply officer to the food service officer, to the leading culinary specialist, to the food service attendant-many dif-ferent hats, one person.”

Culinary specialists aboard coastal patrol ships are in charge of budgeting, menu planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the mess.

Going from being a part of a culinary team to being the entire culinary team can be a humbling experience. “As a CS, being independent like this teaches us to appreciate more, it also teaches us to appreciate the personnel and help we get on large deck ships,” said Valencia of his experience.

Not only are they involved with food, but also with the clean-up and maintenance of the kitchen. Each of the ship’s crew help the culinary specialists anyway they can,

Photo by MC1 Martin L. Carey

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives on Sailor’s Quality of Life. Among his concerns, Stevens spoke about the future of service member’s health care, single-Sailor barracks, and family support programs.

MCPON Stevens Delivers Congressional TestimonyBy MC1 Stuart B. Phillips Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Michael Stevens testified before Congress Feb. 25.

Stevens appeared before the House and Armed Services Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.

Stevens, along with the senior enlisted leaders from the Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force, discussed the current status of their respective military branches, focusing spe-cifically on quality-of-life programs and issues that are cause of concern for today’s service members.

Stevens discussed the Navy’s current operational tempo and told the subcommittee there are currently nearly 100 Navy ships underway with thousands of Sailors standing the watch. He went on to talk about quality of life for Sailors, and the uncertainty that sequestration has created.

“My regular interface with our Sailors and their families over the past year has shown an overall satisfactory quality of life; however, the ongoing discussion regarding possible changes to future pay and compensation has created an air of uncertainty,” said Stevens.

He explained that Sailors are concerned there will be reductions in medical benefits, pay and compensation, and family programs. While they understand there will always be some degree of uncertainty in the geopolitical and operational world, ambiguity relating to military benefits is not as easily understood. Stevens zeroed in on a specific area of compensation during his testimony.

“If you were to ask me today to pick one [concern] with regard to pay and compensation, my greatest and immedi-ate concern for our people is the future of health care,” said Stevens. Health care is a quality of life issue that constantly resurfaces during my fleet interactions. It is extremely important to our Sailors and their families, and is very influ-ential in recruiting and retention decisions.”

Beyond military pay and compensation, MCPON expressed concerned about the deteriorating condition of

MCPON Page 4

CULINARY SPECIALISTS Page 5

2 The Bahrain Desert Times March 4, 2015

The Bahrain Desert Times is an authorized publication primarily for members of the Navy and Marine Corps military services in Bahrain.

Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof.

All editorial content is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the staff of the NSA, Bahrain, Public Affairs Officer.

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps and Commanding Officer Naval Support Activity Bahrain of the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

The Bahrain Desert Times is published bi-weekly by Red House Marketing, P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, a private firm in no way connected with DoD, the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.

Red House Marketing, is responsible for commercial advertising, which may be purchased by calling: (973) 1781 3777 or send in a Fax to (973) 1781 3700.

439-4520www.cnic.navy.mil/bahrain

Commanding OfficerNaval Support Activity Bahrain Capt. David Meron

NSA Bahrain Executive OfficerCmdr. Leif Hammersmark

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Doug C. Battig

Public Affairs SpecialistsMC1 (SW) Steven SmithMC2 John BensonHanar Al Balooshi

T-PAIN Live @ NSA Bahrain!Photos by MC2 John Benson

March 4, 2015 The Bahrain Desert Times 3

For more information on visas and CPR cards contact Immigration at 1785-4258.

By Cdr Joseph Koch CHC, USN

The word ‘justice’ is on our lips quite frequently rightly or wrongly. We often claim to fight for justice when we are disputing on our favorite issues as for instance the election drama in Florida. One man/woman one vote we demand; every vote cast counts we shout. Even in this tumultuous situation let us ask ourselves, what is human equality.

Human equality derives from the principle of human dignity. Difference in talents possessed by human persons are a part of the Creator’s plan, but discrimination at the level of fundamental human rights is not. Our natural endowments — what we bring with us into the world — explain what might be called “natural differences” in the human community. They make possible a variety that enriches the human condition.

Life, therefore, can often be uneven without necessarily being unfair or unjust; the unevenness makes life interesting and challenging, though it sometimes brings pain and sadness.

One person may be born healthier or brighter than another, but those natural advantages are not taken at the expense of the other. It is possible, however, for one person’s gain to be the result of another person’s loss — for example, lost income for the many may well have provided funds for the enrichment of the few. Maybe, but not necessarily.

Unevenness in the world requires careful analysis before a given situation is declared unfair. The notion of equality raises in the popular mind and expectation of evenness — the even playing field, the even allocation of time to take the test.

Treating equals equally is one way of defining justice, which is also understood classically as rendering to each person his or her due. Underlying

the notion of equality is the simple principle of fairness.

The principle of human equality might just as well be called the principle of fairness or principle of justice. Persistent income inequality points to poverty. Can poverty ever be said to be fair? Just?

A simple definition of poverty is “sustained deprivation.” In answer to the follow-up question — “Deprived of what?” — income, shelter, nutrition, healthcare, education and employment come immediately to mind.

The more probing question, “Sustained by what (or by whom)?” calls attention to possible discrimination, or systemic and structural obstacles in society that are symptoms so something other than unevenness; they point to injustices.

Christianity, the bearers of this tradition of social thought, clearly believe in the importance of education — not simply religious education to protect and cultivate faith, but education of every person’s full human potential for enjoyment of a full and productive human life.

You will search in vain for a person who is well educated and also involuntarily poor. Hence, an important strategic step in poverty’s reduction (a social-justice issue) is the provision of sound education. Measures also must be taken to provide jobs, housing, good nutrition, and health care, but education can break the cycle of poverty.

Not just basic education is strategically important, higher education is the key to closing the widening gap between high-and low-income families. The principle of human equality will serve to drive a sustained effort to reduce income inequality through more, better, and higher education.

One simple image helps in detecting injustice. You see it on lawyers’ paperweights and office insignia. It is the familiar trays in balance on a scale; the scales of justice. If the trays are even, the situation is just. If there is a downside gain taken at the expense of the upside tray, the situation is unjust and calls for compensatory measures.

The familiar figure of the tall, blindfolded woman with extended arm holding the evenly balanced trays, symbolizes the impartiality of the law.

The lawyers’ job is to promote just relationships, to even up the trays. The good Christian, committed to the promotion of social justice, has the job of applying strategically the principle of human equality for the good of the human community.

Chaplain’s CornerThe Principle Human Equality?

Bahrain Elementary School had a Dr. Seuss door-decorating contest. The judging was held on March 1. The winning classes were able to choose new books as a prize, which were donated by the PTSO.

Dr. Seuss Door Decorating Contest

The Seussian Doors of Bahrain School

Photos - Jack Higbee For Bahrain Elementary • DoDDS

4 The Bahrain Desert Times March 4, 2015

By Carole Stringfield NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Public Affairs Officer

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain — Sovichenmon Chacko, transportation assis-tant, for NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain, was presented the Community Excellence Award (Indian Community) by the former president of India Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, at a ceremony held at The Indian School, Bahrain, Feb. 6.

Chacko received this award for his contributions to the Indian community and his three-year effort in spearheading the visit of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

He was elected to receive the award by the Indian community under the patronage of the Indian Embassy due to his volunteer work in setting up educational programs and efforts to provide aid for the less fortunate in Bahrain.

Along with receiving the award from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Chacko was also invited to meet the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

“I am very happy of this award,” said Chacko. “Especially receiving it from India’s most respected citizen and former president of the Republic of India.”

Chacko works at the Personal Property Office in the Customer Service and Inbound receiving area.

“Very proud and encouraged,” said Gerald Bridgers, Director of Household Goods for NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. “His accomplishments exemplify the whole life concept that Captain Sean Egge has set in place for our organization. We are here as part of the com-munity and giving back is in line with Navy standards and traditions.”

NSA Bahrain Employee Honored

Photo by Kerala Catholic Association

Sovichenmon Chacko, transportation assistant for NAVSUP FLC Bahrain, center, receives the Community Excellence Award (Indian Community) by Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, former president of India.

MCPON from Page 1

WEEKLY WARRIORMrs. Danielle “Dolly” Bailey started with MWR in February of 2013 as an Operations Clerk with the Child & Youth Programs. Dolly immediately became an integral part of CYP operations in Bahrain. She was very quickly able to become the local SME on a newly implemented CYP database known as CYMS or Child and Youth Management System. She also became known for her outstanding customer service as she became the “go to” person for internal and external customers alike. Dolly never turns down an opportunity to exceed expectations as she readily accepts collateral duties such

as serving as the interim MWR NAF HR representative and taking on MWR Purchasing Agent duties. A large part of CYP’s successes over the past year can be attributed to Mrs. Bailey’s efforts as part of the CYP team.

Mr. Acie Blocton started working for CYP Youth Sports in October 2014. Arriving in Bahrain with his wife and four children, Acie signed on with a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked with the youth sports program in Yokosuka, Japan. Despite working full-time as a chief on board NSA, he regularly coaches three teams a season. His positive attitude and upbeat make every game/practice day special for the children. Acie has played a big part in the implementation of the basketball season, football season, cheerleading season, soccer season, baseball clinic, gaga ball, bike rides, and much

more. Acie Blocton is an Outstanding CYP employee and one who is dedicated to bringing a positive sports experience to the children aboard NSA Bahrain and one deserving of the title “Warrior of the Week”.

single Sailor barracks — a deterioration that has been amplified by sequestration cuts. Ultimately, the Navy has had to prioritize warfighting requirements at the expense of investing in the maintenance of barracks infrastructure.

“This risk has resulted in the overall condition of our barracks falling to approximately 50% adequacy,” said Stevens. Should sequestration resurface, I am concerned the condition of our barracks will decline further. This standard of living directly impacts our Sailors’ quality of life.”

Stevens also spoke about the importance of Family Support Programs such as: Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers; Navy Child and Youth Programs; Navy Ombudsman Programs; and Family Readiness Groups. He emphasized the positive impact of these pro-grams and thanked the subcommittee for their continued support before delivering his final remarks on quality of life.

“As I have stated in prior testimonies, one of the most important and effective weapon systems we can provide our nation and Navy is a combination of individual and unit morale,” said Stevens. And it is my firm belief that the support this subcommittee provides to the Navy greatly impacts our ability to sustain this weapon system.”

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy regularly testifies before Congress along with the senior enlisted leaders of the other services. This was his third appearance before this congressional subcommittee.

TEXTING WHILE WALKING

Thanks to smartphones and the Internet, videos of people walking and texting their way into an embarrassing adventure are not hard to find. While they may provide a laugh, distracted walking accidents can hurt, or even prove fatal.

Consequences include bumping into walls, falling down stairs, tripping over clutter or stepping into traffic.

The problem is that when texting, you’re not as in control with the complex actions of walking. While talking on the phone is a distraction, texting is much more dangerous because you can’t see the path in front of you.

Though injuries from car accidents involving texting are often more severe, physical harm resulting from texting and walking occurs more frequently.

Pedestrians face three types of distraction: manual, in which they are doing something else; visual, where they see something else; and cognitive, in which their mind is somewhere else.

Tens of thousands of pedestrians are treated in emergency rooms across the nation each year, and experts believes as many as 10 percent of those visits result from accidents involving cell phones.

Historically, pedestrian accidents affected children, the intoxicated or the elderly. However, cell phone related injuries have skyrocketed over the past 10 years, coinciding with the rise of smartphones.

And with social media so pervasive, texting isn’t the only concern. It’s not uncommon to find a person walking, head down, scrolling through their Twitter feed or checking email.

Since problems with distracted walking are still emerging, it’s important to be proactive.

Pedestrian accidents are senseless occurrences and can easily be prevented if people pay more attention to their surroundings and potential hazards than the distraction of electronic devices.

March 4, 2015 The Bahrain Desert Times 5

Girl Scouts Training and EventsBy Jennifer Lucas 904 & 905 Troop Leader

On February 19, the USA Girl Scouts Overseas — North Atlantic Bahrain held their first ever “Glamping” at Bahrain School. Not only did the troops enjoy “glamorous camping”, which included a scavenger hunt and fun activities orga-nized by Events Coordinator Betsy Boerger, but also valuable First Aid training given by the base EMTs.

The Daisies, Brownies and Juniors stayed at Bahrain School for their session. After a short talk on First Aid, the troops visited the inside of the ambulance. During this time, Senior Girl Scout Valentine and Ambassador Girl Scout Nadine were accompanied on Base by Nurse Kyte to meet with Chief Painter and his team. Their first aid requirements covered how to provide first aid in extreme conditions such as disaster or the wilderness. The Girls Scouts thank OCC Cora Sampson, Bahrain School Nurse Kyte, Chief Painter and all the EMTs for helping them achieve their first aid badges.

by putting away dishes, washing dishes, or helping the CS to clean the kitchen.

“We all wash our own plates. We all put our silverware in the dishwasher. If I go right now and went to wash my plate and stick it in the dishwasher and it was full, I am going to unload the dishwasher,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mitch McGuffie, commanding officer, USS Firebolt, on helping to keep the mess clean. “We all help out, the fact that we all sit down together, there is no chief’s mess, no first class mess, there is no ward-room; it is just one mess area that we eat in and it definitely promotes a family feel and a family style of helping out.”

One of the benefits of being a culinary specialist aboard a coastal patrol ship is the feedback is instantaneous. Each culinary specialist is able to get immediate feedback on what the crew wants, likes, and dislikes.

“The ship is only 180 feet long and there are 30 of us so feedback, good or bad, tends to surface pretty quickly.” said Buford.

This allows each CS to tailor the ships meal plans to what the crew wants instead of following the Navy Standard Core Menu (NSCM), a set menu plan that repeats every 21 days, that larger ships are required to utilize.

Aboard USS Chinook, the crew meets monthly to discuss the next month’s meal plan, meals that were liked, and meals they never want to see again. “We sit in the mess and talk about the food. Everyone partici-pates and I create the monthly menu,” explained Som. “There is a little more free-dom on the ship because we are not required to follow the Navy Standard Core Menu.”

Each ship is different in how the CS and crew contribute to the meal planning pro-cess. While some ships do not follow the NSCM, some ships try to keep traditional the NSCM meal days. Aboard USS Firebolt, there are meals in the NSCM that are not changed or skipped. Taco Tuesdays, Burger Wednesdays, and Pizza and Wings Saturdays are still staples in the meal planning pro-cess, “Those are must have meals on board,” said Valencia.

Each of the culinary specialists and the commanding officers of the coastal patrol ships believe the food served plays an important role in boosting and maintaining morale.”The morale of the crew is in their food-the better the food and meals we pro-vide, the higher their morale is,” empha-sized Valencia on morale and meals. “Seeing my shipmates come through the line and leave happy after they had a good meal is what it is all about. It makes my day and my job more rewarding in many ways.”

On a ship like a PC, being out to sea means no cable television, limited exercise

space, limited contact with family, and lim-ited berthing space to relax in during down time. The only real space available for relaxing and bonding is the mess deck. In addition to providing a space to socialize, the mess helps to celebrate holidays, when the ship is out to sea and the Sailors are away from their families and home. “A Sailor could be having a bad day for any reason, but when the chow call is given, it is my time to make that Sailor’s day a little bit better,” said Valencia.

Cooking aboard the patrol craft while at sea can be a challenge. Each CS has to plan to obtain enough food to last the ship for the amount of time they are out to sea. With the lack of refrigerated and dry space to store food, each CS must make sure they buy just the right amount of food to get them to their next port stop.

“Food and supplies ordering is one of the challenges. With the heavy operational schedule of the PC’s, it requires a lot of coordination to make sure the little time in port is well used to purchase supplies and food for the next patrol,” Valencia contin-ues, “It is the only chance to get what I need for the next few days at sea.”

Planning for food stores is not the only challenge. “Cooking meals can get really challenging because the ship rocks back and forth while out to sea,” says Som on the dif-ficulty of cooking a meal on a ship, “it can get pretty rocky and cooking while seasick is not easy.”

Because the crew is so small on the ship, they take on additional duties and responsibilities. This means that the culi-nary specialists aboard the PC also have the opportunity to take on additional oper-ation duties such as being an officer of the deck, a career counselor, an engineering officer of the watch, a safety observer and many more.

This is a rare chance for a culinary spe-cialist to earn qualifications and gain expe-rience that will be beneficial for their career progression. “It is unusual for a CS to get an Officer of the Deck qualification in the Navy and that will definitely set him apart from his peers.” said McGuffie of the opportunities that culinary specialists have aboard the ship.

As challenging as this duty station may be, it is also incredibly rewarding. The crew becomes a tight knit family, the culinary specialists get in touch with their culinary roots and come away with experiences and qualifications to help them achieve and pass on knowledge at their next command.

Som said of his experience, “It’s a good challenge. If you can make it here you can make it anywhere. When I go to a bigger ship, I think I’ll do really well.”

CULINARY SPECIALISTS from Page 1

6 The Bahrain Desert Times March 4, 2015

HR Classified AdsANNOUNCEMENT: NSA-15-023Position: Accounting TechnicianDepartment: Housing Dept. (NGIS), NSA BahrainClosing Date: 07 March 2015

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The mission of the Human Resources Office (HRO) is to administer Human Resources Management programs for U.S. civil servants and foreign national employees of the Naval Support Activity Bahrain. HRO provides consultative advice and guidance to various commands and activities in the following program areas: position management and classification; recruitment and staffing; labor management advisory services; Equal Employment Opportunity Program; employee development; employee relations matters; and benefit entitlements.

Questions? To speak to a Human Resources Specialist, please call: 1785-4763 or DSN (318) 439-4763.

NSA Bahrain@

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BAHRAIN?By Hanar Al Balooshi

JUMPWhen: March 5 – 7Event: Non-verbal performance, combining acrobatics and martial artsVenue: Arad FortGravity-defying, internationally acclaimed Korean act, Jump, which had a hit run of performances, returns to Arad Fort. They are a comedy sensation combined with martial arts, Taekwondo and mind-blowing acrobatics. Stay tuned for more information on tickets in our next issue.

THE MAGIC CHICKENWhen: March 19 - 22Event: Culinary Comedy ShowVenue: Salman Cultural Center An out of this world theater performance for children and adults, The Magic Chicken is a treat of culinary chaos. How much mess can chefs make on stage? While two chefs mix up a hilarious concoction of comedy cookery, a magic chicken flaps in, turning the stage into a kitchen nightmare. Hilarious act from New Zealand features everything from physical comedy to live music and puppetry. Minimum age requirement: 6 years old

March 19 : 1600 and 1830March 20 : 1030 and 1530March 21 : 1030 and 1530March 22 : 1600 and 1830

Disclaimer:The activities and events are controlled by individuals acting in their private capacities. These events are not part of the U.S. Department of Defense or any of its components and have no governmental status.

Arabic Words of the Week1. Mabrook (Mab - rook)Mabrook means Congratulations. You can use the word Mabrook to congratulate someone.Example: Mabrook on the new car!

2. La Afham (La – af – ham )La afham means ‘I don’t understand’. It’s useful for the instances you run into someone who only speaks Arabic and you have difficulty communicating.Example: Sorry, la afham.

The Magic Chicken

Jump