Conference bookie::navies

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 005/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0501.  CNO says readiness, force structure in balance
NNS0502.  Cohen seizes DoD challenge
NNS0503.  Strong leadership is the cornerstone of our Navy
NNS0504.  Navy intercepts theater ballistic missile
     Personnel Notes
NNS0505.  Tuition Assistance for spouses overseas
NNS0506.  BUPERS reviews CPO at-sea manning
NNS0507.  New process for SRB requests helps
          Sailors make career decisions
NNS0508.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     Around the Fleet
NNS0509.  USS Nassau Sailors enjoy Superbowl in Barcelona
NNS0510.  USS Lewis B. Puller Sailor rescues man from
          burning truck
NNS0511.  1997 All-Navy sports schedule
NNS0512.  Notable Quotable: Secretary of Defense
NNS0513.  Status of the Navy: Jan. 27, 1997
NNS0514.  This Week in Navy History: Jan. 30, 1862
NNS0515.  Navy/Marine Corps News highlights
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0501. CNO says readiness, force structure in balance
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jay
Johnson says the Navy currently has the right balance
between warfighting readiness and force structure to do the
job, but cautioned against proposals to reduce readiness to
pay for new ships, aircraft and other weapons.
     "I'm not going to compromise the readiness of the
force,=CB he told Associated Press during an interview at the
Pentagon.  "I don't think we can do that.  It's dangerous.
     "Right now, we are in balance," he continued, "But if
the Navy is called upon to do more, or cut the force, I'm
off balance and the alarms will go off."
     CNO also said he was very committed to the new F/A-
18E/F Super Hornet.  He called the airplane's all weather
capabilities and precision guided weapons necessary to keep
operational superiority into the next century.
     Johnson said that while more base closures may be
looked at in the future, he wants to look for savings first.
He is will try to wring some $1.3 billion a year in
infrastructure cuts from the Navy Department's $75 billion
budget.  "We are putting all our cards on the table to see
what makes sense," he said.
 -USN-
NNS0502. William S. Cohen seizes DOD challenge
by Linda D. Kozaryn, American Forces Press Service
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- William S. Cohen, who became
Secretary of Defense Jan. 24, has pledged to visit the
troops in the field as often as he can.
     In an interview after his confirmation the Secretary
said, "This is my first opportunity to send a message to the
troops in the field, and I wanted to let them know how
pleased I am that the President has put his faith and trust
in nominating me to be Secretary of Defense."
     After spending his time learning the ropes at the
Pentagon, Cohen said, he wants "to listen to those men and
women who are on those front lines out in the Mediterranean
and the Indian Ocean -- wherever they might be."  Cohen said
he will try to schedule frequent visits to field sites.
     Cohen also said he plans to continue the quarterly
senior enlisted visits started by his predecessor.
"Secretary [William] Perry believes in the maxim, 'If you
take care of the troops, they will take care of you,' and I
believe that's a wise maxim that should be followed," Cohen
said.
     Maintaining quality people and high readiness, as well
as modernizing the force, top Cohen's agenda as the 56-year-
old from Bangor, Maine, takes the reins as the nation's 20th
defense secretary. Cohen said his greatest challenge as
secretary will be to take advantage of the immense talent in
the military.
     Cohen said his job is to shape the military's enormous
capability and maintain the high level of readiness and
morale in the face of budget cuts. It's a matter of matching
resources and mission at a time when there is no
identifiable menacing threat to the United States, he said.
The job calls for persuading the American people "Just
because we're not in combat doesn't mean we don't have to
maintain a combat capability that exceeds all that we're
likely to confront," Cohen said.
     Cohen worked with six defense secretaries while serving
on the House and Senate Armed Services committees during his
18 years in Congress. He said he often visited troops in the
field and equates those with visits with his home state
constituents.
     Keeping high-quality people in the military, Cohen
said, is his first priority. "I believe the personnel we
have in the military today are the best educated, best
trained and best equipped we've ever had in the history of
this country. I want to retain the good people we have."
 -USN-
NNS0503. Strong leadership is the cornerstone of our Navy
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- "Strong leadership is the
cornerstone of our Navy," said Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral Jay Johnson. "With it, we will remain the world's
best."
     Johnson made the statement in NAVOP 001/97, released
Jan. 23, to direct fleet attention to the Leadership
Continuum.
     "Development of exceptional leaders requires many
things -- role models, experience and commitment to
excellence, to name a few," Johnson said,  "We have
established the Leadership Training Continuum as our vehicle
for imparting these and many other qualities into a program
of recurring training."
     The Leadership Continuum is a series of courses,
developed by the Chief of Naval Education and Training
(CNET), to train Navy leaders at all levels of the chain of
command. "It is important that all hands take this onboard
and understand it," said Johnson.
     CNET will release details and mechanics of the
continuum program via a NAVADMIN message in the coming
weeks.
 -USN-
NNS0504. Navy intercepts theater ballistic missile
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Navy successfully demonstrated
a Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) capability
recently when a ballistic missile target was shot out of the
sky for the first time using a new version of the proven
STANDARD missile family.
     With this intercept the Navy moved into a new era where
the Navy will play an increasingly vital role in the defense
of forces ashore. This joint development effort is conducted
by the Navy under the direction of the Ballistic Missile
Defense Organization. This new mission for the Navy is to
defeat the growing Theater Ballistic Missile (TBM) threat.
     By capitalizing on the nation's long term investment in
the AEGIS fleet of cruisers and destroyers, and taking
advantage of rapid advancements in missile technology, the
Navy will provide protection from TBMs for debarkation ports
and coastal airfields as well as U.S. and allied
expeditionary troops overseas. The SM2 Block IV-A, the next
generation of the Standard Missile, will enable the Fleet to
project a Theater Ballistic Missile Defense capability
ashore in support of joint forces.
     The modified Standard Missile 2 Block IV (SM2 Blk IV)
which destroyed the Lance TBM target Jan. 24 adds a state-
of-the-art infrared seeker to the Navy's existing SM2 Blk
IV, with reduced developmental risk. The result is superb
downrange and cross range performance at extremely high
altitudes against TBMs while maintaining an area defense
capability against enemy aircraft and cruise missiles.
     USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS Port Royal (CG 73), home
ported in Pearl Harbor, will be the first ships to receive
TBMD system modifications and SM2 Block IV-A missiles. They
will conduct at-sea testing, develop core doctrine and
tactics, and serve as focal points for putting the latest
theater ballistic defense technology in the hands of our
sailors.
     Last March, China fired a series of TBMs into the ocean
near Taiwan. USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), was called on short
notice to reposition and track the TBMs using its SPY-1A
radar. While Bunker Hill's Aegis Combat System recorded each
missile flight in detail, it did not have a missile onboard
capable of intercepting the threat. The successful TBM
intercept puts in place the final building block that will
complete the Navy's Area Theater Ballistic Missiles Defense
System.
     The Navy's first, and still primary overland mission
capability rests in the versatility and strength of carrier
based strike aircraft. The Navy's capacity to hit targets
repeatedly and accurately is built on this foundation.
Enhancing this capability is the formidable punch resident
in the Navy's surface and subsurface Tomahawk cruise missile
forces, which have achieved an outstanding operational
record since their first use in Desert Storm.
 -USN-
      Personnel Notes
NNS0505.  Tuition assistance for Spouses overseas
     WASHINGTON (NWSA)  The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
(NMCRS) has announced the Spouse Tuition Aid Program (STAP)
is now available to spouses of active duty Sailors and
Marines stationed overseas. STAP offers tuition assistance
to full-time and part-time students in on base education
programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The
program is available only to spouses residing with their
service members and is not offered in Alaska and Hawaii.
     STAP grants cover up to fifty percent of tuition costs
(up to $300 per term for undergraduates and $350 per term
for graduate students) to a maximum of $1,500 per year for
undergraduates and $1,600 for graduate students. Because
STAP is a need-based program, applicants will be asked to
submit a budget for review by a trained Navy-Marine Corps
Relief Society interviewer.
     Dependent children of active duty and retired service
members and spouses of active duty Sailors and Marines, both
overseas and in the United States, can apply for another
NMCRS program to help finance their education. Beginning
with the 1997/1998 academic year, eligibility for the VADM
E.P. Travers Scholarship Loan Program has been expanded to
include spouses of active duty Sailors and Marines. The
Society is limited to 1000 scholarships and applicants for
the program will be ranked according to financial need. The
Travers' Scholarships provide a grant of up to $2,000 per
academic year to students attending either on base or off
base undergraduate programs, on a full-time basis, at an
accredited institution recognized by the Department of
Education. Education loans of up to $3,000 per academic year
are also available. Applications for the Travers'
Scholarships must be received by 1 March (15 Oct. for the
loan program) each year.
     Information about the programs was contained in
NAVADMIN 021/97, released on January 27. Sailors and Marines
can find more information about these, and other worthwhile
NMCRS programs, at their local NMCRS office or by calling
703-696-4960.
 -USN-
NNS0506. BUPERS reviews CPO At-sea manning
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- In an effort to increase at-sea
manning readiness, the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
has established distribution criteria to transfer eligible
chief petty officers on shore duty to vacant at-sea billets.
This policy is intended as an additional tool to fill
critical, gapped, at-sea billets. Based on a recent data
run, E8/9 billets are 191 undermanned at sea and
approximately 1,000 overmanned ashore, for example.
     Before using this option, detailers will have exhausted
other alternatives such as cross decks and diverts. If the
billet is still gapped, the detailer will be forced to seek
qualified CPO's in shore duty billets.
     If a detailer is unable to fill a vacant sea duty
billet with a chief petty officer (CPO) reaching his or her
normal projected rotation date, the detailer can identify
all CPO's, E-7 through E-9, in the applicable ratings, who
are serving on shore duty, have completed a minimum activity
tour of 24 months or are currently at or past their
projected rotation dates (PRD) on their shore tours. The
detailer will then issue sea duty assignment orders to the
CPO who meets these requirements and has been on shore duty
the longest.
     CPO's who do not wish to accept the orders and are
fleet reserve or retirement eligible may of course submit
their fleet reserve or retirement requests. To date, only
about seven percent of those contacted have chosen this
option.
     BUPERS will make every effort to keep members in their
present fleet concentration area.
 -USN-
NNS0507. New process for SRB requests helps Sailors make
career decisions
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
has upgraded the database and input processes for the
Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB). Commands now should
submit SRB requests via the interactive method or diary
message reporting system (DMRS).
     SRB reenlistment requests submitted in the format
outlined in NAVADMIN 66/91 will not be processed after Jan.
31.
     The upgrades enhance a Sailor's ability to make
critical career decisions based on sound understanding of
options available to them, as well as streamline SRB
processing. The new process also improve accuracy of SRB
payments, incorporate SRB processing into a more reliable
force management (FORMAN) system and reduce errors in fleet
inputs. Career Counselors who have modem access to the
Customer Information Control System (CICS) will have access
to an on-line interactive tool, Workbench, to determine SRB
entitlement.
     NAVADMIN 15/97 outlines procedures for submitting the
SRB requests and includes detailed information on Workbench,
a retention tool to assist career counselors in providing
different scenarios to Sailors during the decision process.
     SRB reenlistment requests must be submitted to BUPERS
30 to 90 days prior to reenlistment/extension execution
dates to ensure time for reenlistment processing.
     Questions on SRB submission procedures should be
referred to Pers-255, (703) 695-0654 (DSN 225).
 -USN-
NNS0508. Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 015/97 (DTG 211830Z JAN 97) -- Revision to the
selected reenlistment bonus precertification submission
procedures.
     NAVADMIN 016/97 (DTG 231846Z JAN 97) -- FY97 Enlisted
Commissioning Program nuclear option selections.
     NAVADMIN 017/97 (DTG 231925Z JAN 97) -- Naval Reserves
promotions to grades of CAPT, CDR, LCDR, LT, CWO, line and
staff corps.
     NAVADMIN 019/97 (DTG 27134Z JAN 97) -- FY98 Enlisted
Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) Temporary
Early Retirement Authority (TERA)
     NAVADMIN 020/97 (DTG 272339Z JAN 97) -- Remaining FY97
and tentative FY98 ships and aircraft squadron
decommissionings.
     NAVADMIN 021/97 (DTG 272339Z JAN 97) -- Tuition
assistance for spouses.
     NAVADMIN 022/97 (DTG 272340Z JAN 97) -- Navy attendance
at 1997 Association of Naval Service Officers.
     NAVADMIN 023/97 (DTG 272341Z JAN 97) -- Advancement
requirements for ratings undergoing mergers and or
expansions.
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS0509.  USS Nassau Sailors enjoy Superbowl in Barcelona
Spain
     BARCELONA, Spain (NWSA) -- Crew members aboard USS
Nassau (LHA 4) recently enjoyed watching the NFL Superbowl
while in Barcelona, Spain.
     More than 500 Sailors and Marines took advantage of a
four by three-meter projection television to watch the time-
delayed game in the Norfolk-based ship's hangar bay.
     In order to view the game, the amphibious assault
ship's Morale Welfare and Recreation Fund leased a satellite
receiver and a projection television.  "Because Spain uses
the PAL System, which is incompatible with American
televisions, we were unable to view the game on ship's
television," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd
Class Michael Semrau, who helped set up the system.
"According to the contractors, we leased one of the largest
projection televisions available in Spain."
     Because of the time difference with the United States,
the Superbowl was actually watched in the early hours of
Monday morning, but the late hour didn't dampen the spirits
of true football fans aboard Nassau.  "The game was good and
the first half was especially exciting," said Semrau.
     "I got there just in time to see the second half," said
Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Chris Palmatier.  "I
enjoyed the game.  The screen was very clear.  The only
disappointment was that we didn't get to see the
commercials."
     According to Photographer's Mate Airman Al Gutierrez,
watching the game on the big screen was almost as exciting
as being there.  "There were a lot of people there, and
there was a lot of yelling and cheering."
     The projection television in the hangar bay offered a
safe environment for Sailors and Marines to enjoy the
Superbowl.  "It was especially good for those of us who were
on duty, because otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see
it," said Semrau.
 -USN-
NNS0510. USS Lewis B. Puller Sailor rescues man from
burning truck
by LT Pauline Storum, Navy Public Affairs Center San Diego
     SAN DIEGO (NWSB) -- Navy boot camp teaches Sailors
basic first aid and fire fighting skills. Luckily for one
San Diego man, Mess Management Specialist 2nd Class Gary W.
Lumpkins Jr. stationed aboard USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23)
learned those skills well.
     Lumpkins was driving to work on Interstate 8 a few
miles west of San Diego Dec. 31 when he saw a burning truck
on the side of the road. After stopping to investigate, he
found Billy Shepherd of San Diego trapped in the cab as
flames were engulfing the truck.
     Ignoring the fire and the risk of explosion, Lumpkins
reached into the burning truck and pulled Shepherd out of
the cab, carried him a safe distance from the vehicle, and
began to treat his injuries.
     "I pulled over to help extinguish the fire when I
realized someone was still inside," said Lumpkins. "I
immediately pulled him from the flaming truck."
     Lumpkins continued to care for Shepherd until the San
Diego Police Department arrived on the scene. When police
officer Patrick Cooley arrived, Lumpkins explained that
Shepherd had been the only occupant in the vehicle and that
he needed a paramedic and oxygen.
     "The medical training I've received in the Navy was
embedded in my head. I didn't have to pause to think in
giving first aid," Lumpkins said.
     Lumpkins' actions made the difference for Shepherd. If
he had not stopped and pulled Shepherd from the burning
vehicle, no one else would have known the truck was
occupied, and Shepherd would likely have been overcome by
smoke and perished in the fire.
     "I'm glad he was saved," said Lumpkins, an eight-year
Navy veteran. "Someone needed help and I was there. I'm
glad he's alive."
     Lumpkins was recognized for his heroic actions during a
command awards ceremony aboard Puller Thursday, Jan. 16.
 -USN-
NNS0511. 1997 All-Navy sports schedule
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Navy sports programs provide an
opportunity for service members of all ages and pay grades
to participate in higher level sports competitions.
     Selected athletes will be invited to attend training
camps and compete for slots on teams to represent the Navy
in inter-service contests.
     The best athletes can progress to national and
international competition with the Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) paying all travel and per diem expenses.
     Local moral, welfare and recreation athletic directors
can assist with applications for the program. Completed
applications can be sent via fax or mail to: BUPERS Det
Memphis (PERS 651e) 7800 Third Ave., Bldg. 457, NSA Memphis,
Millington, TN 38054-5045, fax (901)874-6839 (DSN 882).
Sport                    Apply         Camp                     Game
                         By            Dates                      Dates
Basketball(m)    Feb. 1       March 16 - April 5   April 6-12
Basketball (w)   Feb. 1       March 16 - April 5  April 6-12
Bowling (m)       March 1    (no camp)              April 6-12
Bowling (w)       March 1    (no camp)              April 6-12
Volleyball (m)    March 1    April 12 - May 4     May 5-10
Volleyball (w)     March 1   April 12 - May 4      May 5-10
Track-Field (m)  April 1     (no camp)               May 19-23
Track-Field (w)   April 1     (no camp)              May 19-23
Softball (m)        June 1     July 19 - Aug. 9      Aug. 10-16
Softball (w)         June 1    July 5-27                July 27 - Aug. =
2
Triathlon (m)      June 1    (no camp)               July 28 - Aug. 2
Triathlon (w)      June 1     (no camp)               July 28 - Aug. 2
Golf (m)            July 1      (no camp)                Aug. 17-22
Golf (w)             July 1     (no camp)                Aug. 17-22
Tennis (m)         Aug. 1    (no camp)                Sept. 16-20
Tennis (w)          Aug. 1    (no camp)                Sept. 16-20
Soccer (m)        Oct. 1    Oct. 12 - Nov. 1         Nov. 2-8
 -USN-
NNS0512. Notable Quotable: "I believe the personnel we have
in the military today are the best educated, best trained
and best equipped we've ever had in the history of this
country. I want to retain the good people we have." --
William S. Cohen, Jan. 24 in his first interview after being
sworn in as Secretary of Defense.
 -USN-
NNS0513. Status of the Navy: Jan. 27, 1997
Personnel: 406,827 active duty; 238,088 Ready Reserves,
217,824 civilians
Aircraft:            4,817
Ships:               352
At Sea:              175 ships (50%)
Deployed:          100 ships; 47,549 personnel
Exercises:         3
Port Visits:        11
SSNs at Sea      38 (51%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: Transit, Mediterranean
Sea
     USS John C. Stennis: Carrier quals, western Atlantic
      USS Constellation: FLEETEX 97-1, eastern Pacific
     USS Abraham Lincoln: local ops, eastern Pacific
     USS Independence: sea trials, western Pacific
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: port visit, Bahrain
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: port visit, Barcelona, Spain
     USS Peleliu: local ops, eastern pacific
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     FLEETEX 97-1, eastern Pacific
 -USN-
NNS0514. This Week in Navy History: Jan. 30, 1862 -- The
Navy's first ironclad turreted vessel, Monitor, launched in
Greenpoint, N.Y.
 -USN-
NNS0515. Navy/Marine Corps News
     Navy/Marine Corps News is a videotaped newscast
generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and shore
units. The next Navy-Marine Corps News (program #705)
includes the following stories:
  -- William Cohen confirmed as Secretary of Defense
  -- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet completes carrier trials ahead of schedule
  -- Navy succeeds in test of sea-based anti-ballistic missile system
  -- Focus on the Fleet: Off-the-shelf computer technology helps USS Coronado
  -- Navy/Marine Corps Relief offers tuition aid to active duty 
     spouses overseas
  -- News you can use: Some tax deductions available for PCS Movers
  -- Sailors on USS Tarawa win awards for energy conservation
  -- Sailors living large in new barracks at Submarine Base Pearl Harbor
  -- Marine Corps Blue Dress Coats now on sale at a 70% markdown
  -- Black History Month Spotlight: Sailor achieves superhigh goals
  -- Blue Angels Performance Schedule for 1997
  -- Movie Call: Eddie Murphy stars in "Metro"

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 006/97
EDITORS NOTE: The Feb. 6 wire service and Navy PA library
will have FY98 Navy Budget highlights.
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0601.  Exercise Native Fury 97
     Personnel Notes
NNS0602.  Emerging rates get new BIBs and PARs
NNS0603.  BUPERS uniform updates
NNS0604.  BUPERS offers TAR TERA for FY98
NNS0605.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     Around the Fleet
NNS0606.  MWR offers special discounts at ski resorts
NNS0607.  USS Thach receives CINCPACFLT Golden Anchor Award
NNS0608.  USS Carl Vinson Commanding Officer named 1997 San
Franciscan of the Year
NNS0609.  Notable Quotable: Secretary of the Navy
NNS0610.  Status of the Navy: Feb. 3, 1997
NNS0611.  This Week in Navy History: Feb. 1, 1941
NNS0612.  Navy/Marine Corps News highlights (awaiting)
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0601.  Exercise Native Fury 97
Courtesy of COMNAVIUWGRU-1 Public Affairs
     UMM SAID, Qatar (NWSA) -- More than 700 active duty and
reserve U.S. military personnel from San Diego recently
completed Exercise Native Fury 97 in the Arabian Gulf nation
of Qatar.
     "Native Fury was a huge step forward in really tying
together both landward and seaward security," said CAPT Hank
Howe, COMPHIBGRU-3.  "We often talk about 'training like
we'll fight' -- Native Fury was that."
     The exercise brought together detachments from
Commander, Amphibious Group (COMPHIBGRU) 3; 1st Force
Service Support Group; Commander, Naval Beach Group 1;
Commander, Naval Inshore Undersea Warfare Group (IUWG)1 and
Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) 107.
     The exercise tested command and control procedures,
provided intelligence and surveillance training and
conducted force protection and cargo off-load operations.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS0602. Emerging rates get new BIBs and PARs
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) recently announced advancement eligibility
requirements for ratings undergoing mergers and expansions.
NAVADMIN 23/97 also provides sources for obtaining training
manuals, non-resident training courses, ratings
bibliographies (BIBS) and personnel advancement requirements
(PARS).
     The advancement requirements in the NAVADMIN cover the
following merged or expanded ratings:
 - boiler technician (BT) and machinist's mate (MM),
surface;
 - machinist's mate (MM) and torpedoman's mate (TM),
submarine;
 - ocean systems technician (OT) and sonar technician
(surface) (STG);
 - gunner's mate (guns) (GMG) and gunner's mate (missiles)
(GMM);
 - data processing technician (DP) and radioman (RM);
 - data systems technician (DS) with electronics technician
(ET) surface;
 - data systems technician (DS) and fire control technician
(FC);
 - merger of interior communications electrician
(IC)/radioman (RM)/quartermaster (QM) submarine into
electronics technician (ET) submarine;
 - expansion of mineman (MN) rating to include related
boatswains mate (BM), gunners mate guns (GMG), operations
specialist (OS) and sonar technician (surface) (STG) rating
functions.
     Questions regarding BIBS and PARS should be referred to
the Navy Advancement Center at NETPDTC, (904)452-1383 (DSN
922-1383).  Their e-mail address is
<[email protected].>
 -USN-
NNS0603.  BUPERS provides uniform updates
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's Uniform Regulation Manual
will be available on the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
home page in July, according to the Navy Uniform Matters
Office.
     A planned hyperlink to the Navy Exchange Mail Order
Program is currently being discussed. If implementation is
possible, service members will be able to place uniform
orders electronically.
     In other uniform news, the new dungaree uniform wear
test is underway in Norfolk. Sailors aboard USS John C.
Stennis (CVN 74), USS Monongahela (AO 178), USS George
Washington (CVN 73), USS Jacksonville (SSN 699), USS Emory
S. Land (AS 39), USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Arctic (AOE 8), USS
Briscoe (DD 97), SIMA and VRC 40 are participating in the
wear test on the east coast.
     Sailors from the San Diego based ships USS Boxer (LHD
4), USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS McKee
(AS 41), USS LaJolla (SSN 701), USS Constellation (CV 64),
and SIMA, are scheduled to be fitted with the new utility
uniforms this month. Bremerton based USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is
also testing the new uniforms.
     The test is scheduled to last approximately six months,
and feedback will be reviewed in June.
     Finally, effective Oct. 1, all old-style rain coats and
the women's old-style tie will no longer be authorized for
wear. The required garments will be the Navy all-weather
coat with zip-out lining, and the new women's necktab, which
is smaller than the older version.
 -USN-
NNS0604.  BUPERS offers TAR TERA for FY98
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) recently released the new Temporary Early
Retirement Authority (TERA) for enlisted Training and
Administration of Reserves (TAR).
     Eligibility is limited to selected TAR ratings and
paygrades projected to be overmanned.  Twenty ratings are
eligible for the TERA program, but some NECs within those
ratings are excluded. Details are covered in NAVADMIN 19/97.
     Those selected must retire in the first quarter of FY98
(October through December 1997). Requests are due by March
31, and all requests will be held until then. BUPERS will
select personnel for available TERA quotas and will notify
those selected in April. In FY97, enlisted TERA resulted in
365 takers; FY98 offerings are expected to be less than half
of that amount.
     TAR TERA offers early retirement at a reduced monthly
payment rate to eligible service members, but TERA is not an
entitlement, and not all applications will be approved.
Factors considered when reviewing TERA requests include
availability of a timely relief, completion of DOD or
minimum activity tours, community manning and time in rate
and time in service.
     NAVADMIN 19/97 includes application procedures,
instructions on how to compute retired pay and explanation
of benefits and obligations for TERA retirees. BUPERS Access
will contain information on status of TAR TERA applications.
Service members are encouraged to use BUPERS Access before
calling.
     Points of contact include:
     - BUPERS Access:(800) 346-0217/762-8567 (DSN 225-6900,
224-3174)
     - Application Processing: Pers-913D, (703)614-8557,
(DSN 224)
     - Program Policy: Pers-205, (703)614-5565 (DSN 224)
     - TAR Enlisted Community Manager: Pers-221S, CDR
Marzetta, (703)614-6646 (DSN 224)
 -USN-
NNS0605. Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 024/97 (DTG 291809Z JAN 97) -- Active duty
promotions to the permanent and temporary grade of LT, line
and staff corps.
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS0606.  MWR offers special discounts at ski resorts
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation
(MWR) and ITT offices are offering special discounts at more
than 130 participating ski resorts nationwide. It's all part
of the first-ever Operation Ski and Snowboard, Feb. 26
through March 16.
     The program is sponsored by AT&T in conjunction with
the National Ski Area Association and the military
exchanges, commissaries and MWR offices.
     Special OPSKI events include the Maine Event Feb. 22 at
Shawnee Peak in Bridgeton, Me.; the Armed Forces
Invitational Ski Championships March 2-7 at Snowbasin
Resort, Huntsville, Utah, and the Armed Forces Spring
Meltdown at Tenney Mountain, Plymouth, N.H., March 9.
     Participating resorts in 34 states are offering
military patrons a variety of special OPSKI values.  Resorts
offering free lessons or other free programs include:
Alabama             Cloudmount Ski Area           Mentone
California          Kirkwood  Ski Resort          Kirkwood
California          Mt. Shasta Ski Park           Mt. Shasta
Colorado             Purgatory Ski Resort         Durango
Idaho                Brundage Mountain            McCall
Maine               Sugarloaf/USA                 Carabasset Valley
Maine               Sunday River                  Bethel
Massachusetts       Brodie Mountain Resort        New Ashford
Massachusetts       Butternut                     Great Barrington
Michigan            Pine Mountain Resort          Iron Mountain
Michigan            Swiss Valley Ski Area         Jones
Minnesota           Buena Vista Ski Area           Bemidji
New Hampshire   Attitash Bear Peak           Bartlett
New Hampshire   The Balsams Wilderness     Dixville Notch
New Hampshire   Black Mountain               Jackson
New Hampshire   Bretton Woods Ski Area       Bretton Woods
New Hampshire   Cannon Mountain              Franconia
New Hampshire   Cranmore                     North Conway
New Hampshire   Dartmouth Skiway             Dartmouth Center
New Hampshire   Gunstock Ski Area            Guilford
New Hampshire   King Pine Ski Area           East Madison
New Hampshire   Loon Mountain                Lincoln
New Hampshire   Pat's Peak                   Henniker
New Hampshire   Ragged Mountain              Danbury
New Hampshire   Sunapee Ski Area             Mt. Sunapee
New Hampshire   Temple Mountain              Peterborough
New Hampshire   Tenney Mountain              Plymouth
New Hampshire   Waterville Valley Resort     Waterville Valley
New Hampshire   Whaleback Ski Area           Lebanon
New York            Peak'N Peek Resort           Clymer
North Carolina      Scaly Mountain Ski Area       Scaly Mountain
Oregon              Anthony Lakes Mt. Resort   Island City
Vermont             Bromley Mountain              Peru
Vermont             Killington                     Killington
Vermont             Okemo                          Ludlow
Vermont             Sugarbush                      Warren
Washington          49 North                      Chewah
Wisconsin            Tyrol Basin                  Mt. Horeb
     Base MWR and ITT offices have complimentary AT&T OPSKI
coupons which you will need along with your military or
government ID to take advantage of the free and discounted
programs.  The program is open to authorized patrons of the
military resale systems and MWR/ITT offices, including DOD
civilian personnel.
 -USN-
NNS0607.  USS Thach receives CINCPACFLT Golden Anchor Award
     YOKOSUKA, Japan (NWSA) -- USS Thach (FFG 43) is this
year's recipient of the Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Pacific
Fleet (CINCPACFLT) Golden Anchor award in the small afloat
category.
     CINCPACFLT presents the award annually to commands
which have excelled in establishing a climate that supports
retention of their highest quality personnel.
      "I really enjoy working with the crew and helping them
make those important career decisions," said Thach's Command
Career Counselor Chief Gunner's Mate (SW) Gary Richard, of
Round Rock, Texas.  "It is so important to make sure that
the Sailors know their options.  Many Sailors come to me and
say: 'I didn't know I could do that.'  We have to get the
word out on the street."
     Programs like the command's sponsor program, "A" school
utilization, off duty education, OMBUDSMAN activities and a
strong recognition program have been very important to
Thach's success. The ship retained 60 percent of Sailors
with less than six years in the Navy and 100 percent of
those with more than six years of service.
     "Thach's goal is to create an atmosphere where people
enjoy coming to work and being in the Navy," said CDR Scott
Thomas, the ship's commanding officer. "This in turn will
ensure retention of the quality personnel we need to keep
our Navy strong both today and in the future. Every
individual we have retained is a quality Sailor. The few we
have lost all enjoyed their experience in the Navy and serve
as our motivation to continually work on our retention
efforts."
 -USN-
NNS0608.  USS Carl Vinson Commanding Officer named 1997 San
Franciscan of the Year
     ABOARD USS CARL VINSON (NWSA) -- CAPT Larry C. Baucom,
commanding officer of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), was recently
named the 1997 San Franciscan of the Year by the San
Francisco Forum.
     The ship long served as the officially adopted carrier
of San Francisco and is still considered "San Francisco's
Own" even though the ship shifted home ports to Bremerton,
Washington earlier this month.
     Carl Vinson's crew served the local area in many
community relations programs.  Dr. Ron Vernali, San
Francisco Forum member noted in his nomination that, "Under
Captain Baucom, USS Carl Vinson has embarked on a pro-active
community action program."  He went on to say that Carl
Vinson had, "represented this country and San Francisco in
superb fashion."
     "I'm honored," said Baucom, "but this recognition
belongs to the officers and crew whose efforts have
fulfilled the Navy's commitment to serve the public, not
just protect it.  I'm proud of their involvement in our
community, and I know the tradition will continue now that
we're in Bremerton."
     Carl Vinson Sailors have conducted scores of projects
in the Bay area including serving food to the homeless;
collecting clothing, food, furniture and toys for the needy;
renovating low income housing; serving in the Partnerships
in Excellence program with two area schools; cleaning
neighborhoods and the Golden Gate Park; and developing an
educational support project known as the Carl Vinson
Classroom where Sailors demonstrated practical applications
of math and science on board an aircraft carrier to area
students.
 -USN-
NNS0609. Notable Quotable: "During the past five years, the
Navy and Marine Corps have worked hard to institutionalize
the concept that sexual assault, sexual harassment, hazing,
abuse of power and fraternization are unacceptable. The Navy
Department has ZERO TOLERANCE for any individual who treats
shipmates with anything less than dignity and respect.  That
is the standard -- nothing less."
Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John H. Dalton, before
the Senate Armed Services Committee, Feb. 4, 1997.
 -USN-
NNS0610. Status of the Navy: Feb. 03, 1997
Personnel: 406,875 active duty; 231,931 Ready Reserves,
216,951 civilians
Aircraft:            4,817
Ships:               352
At Sea:              168 ships (51%)
Deployed:            101 ships;(29%) 48,579 personnel
Exercises:           4
Port Visits:         11
SSNs at Sea          31 (42%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: Juniper Stallion 97,
Mediterranean Sea
     USS Abraham Lincoln: local ops, eastern Pacific
     USS Nimitz: local ops, eastern Pacific
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: ops, Arabian Sea
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: port visit, Marseille, France
     USS Peleliu: local ops, eastern Pacific
     USS New Orleans: transit, eastern Pacific
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Juniper Stallion 97, Mediterranean Sea
 -USN-
NNS0611. This Week in Navy History: Feb. 1, 1941  -- The
Department of the Navy divides the single U.S. Fleet into
separate Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.
 -USN-

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 008/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0801.  Magic of Technology key to future ship design
NNS0802.  Navy says farewell to A-6 intruder
NNS0803.  USS Oliver Hazard Perry decommissioned
NNS0804.  Search begins for next MCPON 
Personnel Notes
NNS0805.  BUPERS lists important dates for Navy personnel
     Around the Fleet
NNS0806.  3rd Fleet hosts training exercise in the Pacific
NNS0807.  1997 Navy Leader Planning Guide in distribution
NNS0808.  Navy evaluates advanced cardiac care systems on surface combatants
NNS0809.  USS Antietam rescues Iranian sailors
NNS0810.  Notable Quotable:  CAPT Donald E. Peters
NNS0811.  Status of the Navy:  Feb. 18, 1997
NNS0812.  This Week in Navy History: Feb. 20, 1966
NNS0813.  Navy/Marine Corps News highlights
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0801.  Magic of Technology key to future ship design
     WASHINGTON (NNS)-- Designs now being considered for
future ships will make tomorrow's Navy more effective and
affordable. An important key is applying technology and
putting that "magic of technology" to work for the Sailor.
     Don't let rumors overwhelm you. Navy officials say
these discussions are about ships of the future and not
about those in the Fleet today. Manning concepts are being
considered for "drawing board" ships like CVX, a new
generation aircraft carrier, and SC21, the 21st Century
surface combatant ship design.
     "Innovation and technology are important to our
future," said ADM Jay Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations.
"The magic of letting technology work for us can help free
the Sailor of the future from routine daily tasks. Sailors
will be able to concentrate more on war fighting skills and
the overall crew size of some of our future ships may
shrink."
     CNO said the Navy is taking a careful approach to
bringing new technology into the Fleet. CVN-77, the tenth
and last Nimitz class carrier is by design a transition
ship. Some of the new technologies, including different ways
of manning that carrier, can then be applied to future CVX
designs. "If we go straight to CVX, we're not going to be as
smart as we need to be," he said.'
     The range of new technologies under consideration is
impressive. Future Navy ships can benefit from highly
integrated information systems. High capacity fiber optic
cables can speed information and improve combat
survivability. Composite materials used in hull components
and antennas can reduce ship maintenance and upkeep. CVX
might have catapults powered by electromagnets that take up
half as much space and require fewer people to operate and
maintain.
     "How can we man an aircraft carrier of today with 3,500
people?" asked one Navy official. "We can't. We will
continue to look at good ideas and study useable
technologies, for our future generation of ships. These
plans won't impact our ships at sea today and the size of
their crews."
 -USN-
NNS0802.  Navy says farewell to A-6 intruder
     WASHINGTON (NNS)-- The venerable A-6 Intruder medium
attack bomber will retire from the Navy's inventory of
combat aircraft at a ceremony aboard the Naval Air Station
Whidbey Island Friday Feb. 28. There are currently two A-6
squadrons in active service. Both will be retired on the
same day. VA-75 will stand down on the East Coast at NAS
Oceana, Va. and VA-196 at NAS Whidbey Island.
     For more than 30 years the A-6 Intruder has been "the
tip of the spear" in combat operations. The Intruder is a
carrier-based attack aircraft, capable of striking deep into
enemy territory, flying low level, day or night and in bad
weather. The Intruder can carry a variety of weapons from
missiles to bombs. It can carry up to 28 500-pound bombs.
The only military aircraft capable of carrying more ordnance
is the B-52.  =20
     The A-6 has served in Vietnam, Libya and Desert Storm
and in other carrier-based crisis where air power has been
employed in the last three decades. At one time NAS Whidbey
Island had as many as seven squadrons and more than 125
aircraft. As the Navy's first line of attack aircraft, the
Intruder was featured in a book by Stephen Coonts, "The
Flight of the Intruder," which was also a major motion
picture released in 1994.
 -USN-
NNS0803. USS Oliver Hazard Perry decommissioned
     MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS)-- The guided-missile frigate USS
Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG 7) will be decommissioned Feb. 20
at 10 a.m. in a ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. CAPT J.A
Young, commander, destroyer Squadron Six will be the guest
speaker.
     Perry, lead ship of the Navy's largest ship class, was
named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. When it was built
in 1977, it was the first ship to incorporate modern gas
turbine engines, computerized controls and sophisticated
weapons.
     Oliver Hazard Perry most recently completed a three-
month cruise to the Great Lakes, visiting 14 ports in
support of recruiting in the very waters where Commodore
Perry delivered his memorable words, "We have met the enemy
and they are ours."
     USS Oliver Hazard Perry is commanded by CDR Robert F.
Holman.
 -USN-
NNS0804.  Search begins for next MCPON
by JOC Cleve Hardman, Public Affairs Assistant to the MCPON
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Nominations are being sought for
the next Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON).
The MCPON occupies the highest position in the Navy's
enlisted force, serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to
the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the principal
enlisted assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP).
     The MCPON accompanies the CNO on visits to naval
installations and units; prepares and presents congressional
testimony; serves as the Navy's enlisted representative on
presidential, DOD, military service and executive corporate-
level working groups; assists commands, bureaus and other
offices of DOD and Navy Department in matters pertaining to
enlisted naval personnel and their families; assists CNP on
various boards and at symposiums concerned with enlisted
career quality-of-life issues; participates at various civic
and Navy affiliated functions; and acts as a focal point for
a wide range of personal correspondence concerning enlisted
personnel and program matters.
     Master Chief Electronics Technician (SW) John Hagan was
selected as 8th MCPON in the spring of 1992. He plans to
retire from active duty in 1998.
     All commands are encouraged to nominate, via their
immediate superior in command, those Command Master Chiefs
and Chiefs of the Boat whom they consider to be fully
qualified for this challenging position.  Nominations must
be received by April 21.  Selection will be based on command
nominations, preliminary screening action by a select panel
of the 1997 E8/9 Selection Board and final screening by a
special selection board to be convened by the CNO.
      The MCPON designate will relieve the MCPON in the fall
of 1997.  Full details of the nomination process are
contained in NAVADMIN 031/97.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS0805.  BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) is reminding Sailors of upcoming selection boards,
application deadlines and other dates that are important for
Navy men and women.
Mar 1     Women=C9s History Month
          American Red Cross Month
          Deadline for Reserve E-8/9 board correspondence
Mar 3     Active and Reserve O-7 Staff Boards convenes
Mar 4     E-4 advancement exam
Mar 6     E-5 advancement exam
Mar 10    Reserve O-7/8 Selective Early Retirement Board convenes
Mar 11    E-6 advancement exam
          Active E-8/9 Board convenes
          Active O-5 Line Board convenes
Mar 12    Technical Nurse Corps Warrant Officer Full-Time
Outservice Training Board convenes
          Law Education Program Board convenes
          JAG Targeted Augmentation Program Board convenes
Mar 15     E-5 evaluations due
Mar 17     Active O-7 NC/MC Board convenes
Mar 19     Test Pilot Screening Board #1 convenes
Mar 20     First Day of Spring
Mar 21     Transfer/Redesignation Board applications due
Mar 24     1700 XO Screen Board convenes
           Reserve E-8/9 Board convenes
Mar 24-26  CNO Career Information Team -- Southeast U.S.
Mar 25-27  Navy League Annual Sea Air Space Exposition
Mar 30     Easter
Mar 31     Mid-term counseling for Reserve O-5 (inactive) and O-4 due
          Mid-term counseling for E-8, E-7 and E-4 due
          W-4/3/2/1 Active and Reserve fitness reports due
          O-2 and O-1 Reserve fitness reports due
          Medical Service Corps Inservice Procurement Board convenes
Apr 1     Month of Military Child
          Child Abuse Prevention Month
          NASA Astronaut Board convenes
Apr 1-May Navy Savings Bond Campaign
Apr 2     Reserve E-7 Special Board convenes
Apr 6     Daylight Savings Time begins
Apr 7     Civil Engineer Corps O-5 Command Screen Board convenes
          Secretary of the Navy=C9s Retiree Council
Apr 14    Active O-5 Staff Board convenes
Apr 15    E-9 evaluations due
          Federal and State Income Tax returns due (postmarked)
Apr 17    Joint Staff Officer Board convenes
Apr 21    Reserve O-5 Line Board convenes
Apr 28    Submarine CO/XO Board convenes
          SWO Department Head Screening Board convenes
Apr 29    Active O-4 Line Board convenes
Apr 30    Mid-term counseling due for O-4, O-3 and E-1/2/3
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS0806.  3rd Fleet hosts training exercise in the Pacific
courtesy of 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
     SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- More than 15,000 service members
are testing their ability to project combat power ashore
during Pacific Joint Task Force Exercise (PAC JTFEX) 97-1,
Feb. 10 through 21, off the Southern California coast.
     The 3rd Fleet exercise involves 20 ships, fixed-wing
aircraft and helicopters from USS Constellation (CV
64)Carrier Battle Group and USS Boxer (LHD 4) Amphibious
Ready Group with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
embarked. Army, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard
units are also participating.
     The exercise includes various air strike and support
missions, maritime interdiction operations, humanitarian
operations, operational testing of weapons systems,
logistics support, search and rescue and command and
control.
     Amphibious operations supporting the exercise will
culminate with an amphibious landing at Camp Pendleton,
Calif., involving surface and helicopter assault forces.
PAC JTFEX 97-1 is part of a series of exercises previously
named "FLEETEX."  The current name reflects the increasing
focus on preparing naval forces for joint operations with
other U.S. military services.
 -USN-
NNS0807.  1997 Navy Leader Planning Guide in distribution
     PENSACOLA, Fla. (NWSA) -- The Chief of Naval Education
and Training is currently making a free initial distribution
of the 1997 Navy Leader Planning Guide (NLPG), which
incorporates many leadership items into one 53-page book.
     The guide features sections on the Navy's Core Values
Charter, Goal Card Program, Leadership Training Courses and
the Leadership Continuum.  It also includes the traditional
calendar of upcoming and historical events, reference
listings, phone listings, handy planning forms and other
useful information.
     The 1997 NLPG is available through normal supply
channels via milstrip.  The NSN is 0115-LF-113-7100.  There
are also three alternate ways to obtain a copy:
     -- Bureau of Naval Personnel's BUPERS ACCESS
In CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico call toll-free ,
800-346-0217/762-8567, or(703)614-3174/(703)695-6900, DSN
225-6900/224-3174. For tech support call (703)693-6942 (DSN
223).
     -- Naval Education Training Professional Development
Technical Center's electronic bulletin board system (NETPDTC
BBS).  To set up an account dial in with a modem at DSN 922-
1394/1820 or(904)452-1394/1820.  The Navy Leader Planning
Guide is in File Area 4, Special Requests.
     -- Streamlined Automated Logistics Transmission System
(SALTS). To apply for an account call DSN 934-3645.
 -USN-
NNS0808.  Navy evaluates advanced cardiac care systems on
surface combatants
courtesy of Public Affairs Center San Diego
     SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- Sailors assigned to cruisers,
destroyers and smaller surface ships will soon enjoy
increased availability to medical care. The Navy's Regional
Support Organization (RSO) San Diego has initiated the
advanced cardiac care pilot project to deliver better
cardiac care to Sailors underway.
      The pilot program will be evaluated by May, before a
decision is made whether to introduce the program fleet-
wide.
     "Prior to this project, we were unable to do very much
for cardiac arrest victims with the exception of CPR and
medevac," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Roy L. Underwood,
of Huntington, W.Va.  "This system allows the independent
duty corpsman to make a more informed judgment on the need
for immediate medical care."
     "Cruisers, destroyers and other smaller ships are more
often operating independently from battle groups which
creates an even greater time delay for medevac to the
advanced medical capabilities of an aircraft carrier," said
Michael M. Salas, project coordinator, of Romona, Calif.
     Advanced cardiac care systems are currently installed
on San Diego-based USS Merrill (DD 976), USS Rentz (FFG 46),
USS Vincennes (CG 49), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and USS
John Young (DD 973).
     Although only in its initial phase, the Advanced
Cardiac Care Pilot Project is already receiving high marks
from the corpsmen who have been using the system. Hospital
corpsman 3rd Class Jeff G. Simpson, of Bakersfield, Calif.,
said, "To have an acute cardiac care unit aboard the ship
will give us an advantage in saving lives."
 -USN-
NNS0809.  USS Antietam rescues Iranian sailors
     ARABIAN GULF (NWSA) USS Antietam (CG 54) rescued nine
crew members from an Iranian dhow while operating in the
central Arabian Gulf Feb. 12.
     The San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser responded to
a distress call from the cargo dhow Soroosh, en route to
Iran from Qatar.
     The Antietam rescue and assistance team boarded and
discovered flooding.
     The dhow was no longer seaworthy, so the crew was taken
aboard Antietam, then taken to Qatar.
 -USN-
NNS0810. Notable Quotable:" I challenge you to stay
committed to excellence. Commitment builds character,
character builds courage and courage builds leadership."
CAPT Donald E. Peters remarks at a Recruit Training Command
graduation recently.
 -USN-
NNS0811. Status of the Navy: Feb. 18, 1997
Personnel: 405,645 active duty; 237,977 Ready Reserves,
213,048 civilians
Aircraft:            4,754
Ships:               352
At Sea:              171 ships (49%)
Deployed:            101 ships;(29%) 47,967 personnel
Exercises:           5
Port Visits:         14
SSNs at Sea          35 (47%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: INSPIRED ALERT 97-1, Arabian
Gulf
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: port visit, Livorno,
Italy, Mediterranean Sea
     USS Constellation: JTFEX 97-1, eastern Pacific
     USS Nimitz: local ops, eastern Pacific
     USS Independence: local ops, Sea of Japan
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: port visit, Fremantle, Australia
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: local ops, Mediterranean Sea
     USS Boxer: JTFEX 97-1, eastern Pacific
     USS Guam: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS Saipan: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS New Orleans: transit, western Pacific
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     INSPIRED ALERT 97-1, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     JTFEX 97-1, eastern Pacific
 -USN-
NNS0812. This Week in Navy History: Feb. 20, 1966 -- Fleet
ADM Chester W. Nimitz, the Navy's last five-star admiral,
dies at the age of 81 at his home on Yerba Buena Island in
San Francisco bay.
 -USN-
NNS0813. Navy/Marine Corps News highlights
     Navy/Marine Corps News is a videotaped newscast for
Navy-Marine Corps fleet and shore units. The next Navy-Marine
Corps News (program #708) includes the following stories:
     --High tech shipboard medical care saves the life of
     merchant seaman
     --Sailors aboard USS Antietam rescue crew of Iranian
     Dhow in Arabian Gulf
     --FOCUS ON THE FLEET: Norfolk's WTKR TV-3 takes a
     ride on the Mark V Patrol Boat
     --Quantico Marines get study time for Professional
     Military Education
     --Tuition assistance program helps Sailors and Marines
     get ahead
     --USS Hue City pays tribute to Vietnam Veterans of the
     Battle of Hue City
     --TAX TIME:  News you can use on what tax forms to file
     --BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURE: Boiler Technician makes
     a difference
     --Navy Leader Planning Guide charts yearly path for
     Sailors
     --USS George Washington Sailors and Marines visit
     George Washington University 
     --Hang Loose at Waikiki's Hale Koa Hotel on your next
     R&R vacation
     --MOVIE CALL: Gridlock
 -USN-

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 009/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0901.  Dalton says America's naval services are focused
and efficient
NNS0902.  Ney Award winners announced
NNS0903.  Supply Corps celebrates 202nd birthday
NNS0904.  Survey shows satisfaction with TRICARE Prime
     Personnel Notes
NNS0905.  BUPERS implements changes to performance
evaluation system
NNS0906.  Summary of NAVADMIN's
      Around the Fleet
NNS0907.  AT&T commemorates the final flight of the
Intruder
NNS0908.  2nd Fleet takes the technological lead in warfare
team training
NNS0909.  Navy Air traffic controllers assist disabled
commercial airliner
NNS0910.  Navy Band announces national tour schedule
NNS0911.  Notable Quotable: Secretary of Defense
NNS0912.  Status of the Navy: Feb. 24, 1997
NNS0913.  This Week in Navy History: Feb.  28, 1942
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS0901.  Dalton says America's naval services are focused
and efficient
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy John H.
Dalton told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that
the Navy Department is well-positioned to tackle the tough
issues ahead.
     "Operationally, programmatically and in personnel, the
Navy-Marine Corps team is answering all bells," said Dalton.
"We are focused and efficient, operating forward to protect
American's interest around the world. Our forces are second
to none...,"
     Stressing the forward posture of naval forces he
sighted today as a typical day in the Navy, "Today more than
half of our Navy is underway, 29 percent or 102 ships[are
deployed] and nearly 50,000 Sailors and Marines are forward
deployed, protecting American diplomatic and economic
interests around the globe," Dalton said.
     "This forward presence--and the sacrifices associated
with being underway," said Dalton, "is the price we pay for
freedom," stressing that the Navy needs a force ready for
the 21st century to maintain this forward presence.
     "Overall, I am very impressed with our aviation and
ship construction programs as we work the FY98 budget," said
Dalton. "Programs like the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet--which
just completed its carrier suitability testing on John C.
Stennis last month--immediately come to mind when I think of
intelligent, innovative and efficient acquisition programs."
     Dalton said he is pleased with the Navy's shipbuilding
plans for CVN 77 in FY02, LPD 17 and DDG 51.
     The Secretary is optimistic that the Navy's research
and development for the next generation aircraft carrier,
the CVX, the new generation surface combatant, SC21, and
innovations like teaming construction yards for the New
Attack Submarine will give the Navy the ships and aircraft
it needs.
     "I am extremely proud of our Sailors and Marines -- of
the job they do day in and day out," Dalton said. "We have
the best people serving in the Navy and Marine Corps that
we've ever had," he said, noting that enhancing quality of
life, including compensation and services, will be critical
to retaining our people.
     "The Department is putting additional resources toward
more and better housing, libraries, computer centers and
fitness facilities," Dalton said. "Quality of life is the
single most frequently questioned area during my many visits
to ships, squadrons and shore installations... and it's an
issue on which I will continue to work very closely with
this committee."
     Dalton also stated that the Department has faced some
difficult social issues, particularly as the integration of
women has continued into the Navy and Marine Corps.
     "The Navy Department is making significant strides in
that regard," he explained. "Cultural change presents a
challenge, and I'm confident we will meet that challenge,"
he said. "We will meet it with our core values of honor,
courage and commitment."
 -USN-
NNS0902.  Ney Award winners announced
courtesy of NAVSUP Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSB) The 1997 winners of the Navy Captain
Edward F. Ney Memorial Awards for outstanding food service
in the Navy and Marine Corps were announced Feb. 14 by Navy
Secretary John H. Dalton.
     Formal presentation of the awards will be made in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, March. 15, during the International
Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA) Annual
Conference and Seminar.
     Ney Awards are presented in Afloat and Ashore
categories.
First place Afloat galley winners are:
     Submarine           USS Indianapolis (SSN 697);
     Small Afloat        USS Rentz (FFG 46);
     Medium Afloat       USS Shiloh (CG 67);
     Large Afloat        USS Emory S. Land (AS 39);
     Aircraft Carrier    USS Constellation (CV 64);
First place Ashore galley winners include:
     Small Ashore        NCTAMS East Pacific, Honolulu, HI;
     Medium Ashore       Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, HI;
     Large Ashore        Naval Air Station North Island, CA;
     Small Hospital      Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan;
     Medium Hospital     Naval Hospital Charleston, SC;
     Large Hospital      Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA.
Ney runner-up awards in the afloat category are:
     Submarine           USS Philadelphia (SSN 690);
     Small Afloat        ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT TWO (ACU 2);
     Medium Afloat       USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44);
     Large Afloat        USS Peleliu (LHA 5);
     Aircraft Carrier    USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Ney runner-up awards in the Ashore category went to:
     Small Ashore Galley      NAS Brunswick, Maine;
     Medium Ashore Galley     NAWS Point Mugu, Calif.;
     Large Ashore Galley      Naval Station Pearl Harbor
     Small Hospital Galley    Naval Hospital Twenty-nine
                              Palms, Calif.
     Medium Hospital Galley   Naval Hospital Camp
Pendleton, Calif.
     Large Hospital Galley    Naval Medical Center
Portsmouth, Va.
     The Ney Awards recognize overall food service
excellence by judging key areas in customer service,
restauranteurship, cleanliness and management. Each category
was evaluated by an independent team which reviewed food
preparation, management, administration, equipment safety,
sanitation, plastic waste and disposal.
     The Sailors - the people who eat in the mess hall or
the general mess - are the ultimate winners. Over 430
general messes competed initially for the Navy Ney Awards.
The Ney Awards are administered by the Naval Supply Systems
Command (NAVSUP).
 -USN-
NNS0903.  Supply Corps celebrates 202nd birthday
courtesy of NAVSUP Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA)-- The U.S. Navy Supply Corps
celebrated its 202nd birthday Feb. 23, continuing a
tradition that started when the Corps was formed in 1795 to
support a fledgling Navy of six wooden frigates.
     Today its nearly 3,000 officers, as business managers
of the Navy, have supply support responsibilities for all of
the ships of the active fleet and hundreds of naval shore
installations.
     Supply Corps Officers wear the "Oak Leaf" insignia and
oversee supply operations, contracting, resale, fuel,
transportation, security assistance, mobile fleet hospital
support, food service, and other programs.
     "Throughout its 202-year history, the Supply Corps'
record is one of outstanding service to the Fleet, clearly
demonstrating the value and necessity of a Corps of
dedicated professionals who provide supply support to the
Navy's unique mission of sustained, independent operations
at sea," writes RADM R.M. Mitchell, Jr., Chief of Supply
corps, in a birthday message to its members.
     The Corps has as its continuing commitment the
assurance our Navy will always be "Ready for Sea."
 -USN-
NNS0904.  Survey shows satisfaction with TRICARE Prime
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- DOD has released preliminary data
from a comprehensive survey looking at the new military
health care program called TRICARE.  The survey indicates
the majority of active-duty and retired military personnel
and their families are happy with TRICARE Prime and plan to
re-enroll in the program.
     The data also show an increase in satisfaction with
health care at military hospitals and clinics since the
introduction of the Prime program.
Prime enrollees said they were most satisfied with the
customer service and quality of medical care and less
satisfied with the number of providers in the network and
their ability to access specialists.
     The survey results show that 89 percent of non-active
duty TRICARE Prime participants are likely to re-enroll in
Prime, while only 7 percent said they are unlikely to re-
enroll.
     The satisfaction survey, sponsored by the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Stephen C.
Joseph, was conducted from October through December of 1996
in areas where TRICARE has operated for at least one year.
The survey sought a broad perspective from respondents about
their overall health care rather than a view of their last
patient encounter.  Survey respondents included nearly 8,000
active-duty personnel and their adult family members, and
retired military personnel and their adult family members.
The survey's margin of error is 2 percent.
 -USN-
   Personnel Notes
NNS0905.  BUPERS implements changes to performance
evaluation system
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Operations
recently approved several changes to the new Performance
Evaluation System.  Details are in NAVOP 003/97, released
this week.
     The Fitrep-Eval Working group, made up of 30 active and
reserve officers and enlisted from around the fleet, met in
October 1996 to review the system after one year.  A second
working group, which included most of the October group, met
again in February to make final adjustments to the original
recommendations.  They concluded that the new system is an
improvement over the previous process but that minor
adjustments and corrections could refine the evaluation
system further.
     Among the changes is a one-time resetting of the
reporting senior cumulative trait grade averages.  The
majority of reports are now complying with the intent of the
new system, but some early reports were inflated.  All
reporting seniors' cumulative averages will be reset and a
new, permanent average will be calculated for reports
written for periods ending Jan. 1, 1997 and later. The
averages for 1996 will continue to be displayed on the
performance summary record alongside reports written for
that year.
     Another major change removes most restrictions on the
content of narrative comments, allowing reporting seniors to
break out individuals in separate categories in the
narrative and make recommendations and supplemental
comparisons.  However, restrictions remain for handwritten
comments, underlining and font size.
     Other changes include creating a separate category for
anyone who has an approved resignation, transfer to the
fleet reserve, or retirement request; "not observed"
detachment reports with comments for reserve personnel on
annual active duty for training to document training; and
including more education on the system in the leadership
continuum and PCO/PXO pipeline training.
     Further details on changes that will continue to better
the new performance evaluation system can be found in
NAVADMIN 49/97, released by the Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS).
 -USN-
NNS0906.   Summary of NAVADMIN's
     NAVADMIN 029/97 (DTG 122107Z FEB 97) -- Extension of
Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) application window
     NAVADMIN 031/97 (DTG 14001Z FEB 97) -- Solicits
nominations for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
     NAVADMIN 033/97 (DTG 122100Z FEB 97) -- Selection of
applicants for permanent appointment to Limited Duty Officer
and Chief Warrant Officer in the Naval Reserve
     NAVADMIN 036/97 (DTG 211054Z FEB 97) -- Per Diem rate
revision for Masirah Oman
     NAVADMIN 037/97 (DTG 211336Z FEB 97) -- Revised
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) instruction
     NAVADMIN 038/97 (DTG 212046Z FEB 97) -- Secretary of
Defense Superior Management Award
     NAVADMIN 039/97 (DTG 220012Z FEB 97) -- Selection of
applicants for appointment to Limited Duty Officer and Chief
Warrant Officer
     NAVADMIN 042/97 (DTG 242148Z FEB 98) -- Transfer of
Flag Officer Management and Distribution office (BUPERS PERS-
00F)
     NAVADMIN 043/97 (DTG 242223Z FEB 98) -- Selection of
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy selection process
changes
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS0907.  AT&T commemorates the final flight of the Intruder
     VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (NNS)-- Former A-6 crew members,
retirees or anyone else unable to attend the A-6 Intruder
retirement at NAS Oceana, Va., Friday, Feb. 28, can still
join the ceremony through a live national audio broadcast
established by AT&T especially for the event.
     Listeners can call toll-free to 1-800-248-7600 starting
10 minutes before the 2 p.m. ceremony from anywhere around
the country.  AT&T will replay the audio broadcast for 24
hours starting Friday at 8 p.m., EST. The call-in number for
the replay is 1-800-248-7600.
     AT&T Teleconferencing Services is making the broadcast
available as a way of saying "thanks" to the thousands of
Sailors who became part of the A-6 family over the years and
to make sure as many of them as possible can join their
shipmates in saying farewell to the Intruder.
     The company is also making special commemorative AT&T
Pre-paid Calling Cards and other souvenirs available at the
ceremony.  Additionally, AT&T is offering a free Intruder
poster until April 1, 1997 to callers to 1-800-292-1900.
The poster, and the call to get it, is free.
 -USN-
NNS0908.  2nd Fleet takes the technological lead in warfare
team training
     NORFOLK (NNS) -- Ships of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV
67) battle group became the first to use the Navy's newly
improved Battle Force Tactical Training (BFTT) system Feb.
26, preparing for deployment.
     "We are pushing hard to get BFTT completely installed
in all our battle groups," said Second Fleet commander Vice
Admiral Vern Clark.  "It opens up a whole new range of
possibilities for training our forces while making the most
of our resources."
     The new BFTT lets battle group units train together
from their own tactical spaces while inport, reducing taking
Sailors from the ship for classroom training ashore. It can
also incorporate units from other military services for
joint training exercises.
     Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, controlled the
exercises sending exercise data directly from Dam Neck to
the combat information systems in BFTT-equipped ships. This
permitted crews to interact with other battle group units
and practice fighting their ships as they would at sea.
 -USN-
NNS0909.  Navy Air traffic controllers assist disabled
commercial airliner
by JOC Dave Marr, NSA Joint Reserve Base Forth Worth Public
Affairs
     DALLAS (NWSA) -- Two Naval Air Station Dallas air
traffic controllers guided a commuter airliner to a safe
landing at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport
Feb. 12 after a lightning strike crippled all of the
airliner's on board navigation systems.
     American Eagle Flight 544, on a flight from Houston's
Hobby Airport to Dallas-Ft. Worth International with 38
passengers on board, was approximately 50 miles southeast of
DFW when it declared an in-flight emergency.  Controllers at
DFW contacted the NAS Dallas tower at 12:20 p.m. to request
radar assistance for the ATR-72 twin-engine turboprop.
     Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Thomas B. Chapman, a
14-year Navy veteran from Arlington, Texas, was the duty
radar branch manager when the call came in.  "Approach
control at DFW informed us of the situation and asked if we
could give the aircraft a precision radar approach down
below the cloud layer," he said.  "By doing this, the pilot
could land at either NAS Dallas or DFW once he obtained the
ground visually.
     "The pilot and I discussed the possibility of landing
at NAS Dallas because we had an 800-foot broken ceiling and
four miles of visibility in rain and fog.  Apparently, he
felt the weather was good enough to proceed to DFW safely,"
Chapman continued.
     Chapman directed the aircraft to a westerly heading
using a "no-gyro," or no-compass, approach -- in essence,
telling the pilot when to start and stop his turns.
Simultaneously, Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Marco A.
Smith assumed duties as the final approach controller and
guided the pilot's descent.
     Chapman did not let the significance of the emergency
distract him.
     "I was trying to get him to the extended final
(approach) as quickly as I could," he recollected.  "You
don't think about the number of people on board.  If you do,
it would drive you crazy.  We treat each aircraft the same,
no matter if it is a single-person aircraft, a Navy C-9 with
90 passengers or a civilian airliner with 38 passengers."
     Flight 544 landed safely at 12:41 p.m.
     "Sure I was nervous at first, but with all that
training, (it) became second nature once I started to take
care of business, said Smith, from Fayetteville, N.C.  After
that point, you don't think twice about what you're doing
and what could happen if something goes wrong.  You have to
remember your training and get the aircraft down safely."
 -USN-
NNS0910.  Navy Band announces national tour schedule
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The U.S. Navy Band has released
the schedule for its next series of appearances around the
nation:
     March  1, Cheyenne, Wyo., 7:30 p.m., Civic Center.
     March 2, Rawlins, Wyo., 3:00 p.m., Rawlins High School Auditorium.
     March 3, Provo, Utah, 7:00 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, Brigham Young University.
     March  4, St. George, Utah, 7:00 p.m., Dixie Center/Cox Auditorium.
     March 8, San Diego, 8:00 p.m., Point Loma Nazarene College.
     The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters group:
     April  7, Minneapolis, 7:30 p.m., Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.
     April 8, Fargo, N.D., 7:30 p.m., Festival Concert Hall,
Reineke Fine Arts Center, N. Dakota State University.
     April 9, Bismarck, N.D., 7:30 p.m., Belle Mehus City
Auditorium, University of Mary.
     April 10, Glendive, Mont., 7:30 p.m., Dawson High School.
     April 11, Lewistown, Mont., 7:00 p.m., Fergus Center for the Performing Arts.
     April 12, Cody, Wyo., 7:00 p.m., Wynona Thompson Auditorium.
     April 13, Powell, Wyo., 3:00 p.m., Powell High School
Auditorium, Northwest Community College.
     April 15, Gillette, Wyo., 7:30 p.m., Cam-Plex Heritage Center.
     April 16, Rapid City, S.D., 7:30 p.m., Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
     April 17, Chamberlain, S.D., location to be announced.
     April 18, Yankton, S.D., 7:30 p.m., Dakota Theater.
     April 19, Minneapolis, 8:00 p.m., Ted Mann Theater, University of Minnesota.
     Schedules for the Commodore Jazz Ensemble and Country
Current groups have not been released.
 -USN-
NNS0911. Notable Quotable: "There is no question that our
military cannot maintain the best fighting force in the
world if we exclude or impede qualified Americans, or if we
fail to treat every man and woman in the force with equal
dignity and respect. And so, as Secretary of Defense, I will
be clear: I will tolerate no activity or behavior that
undermines the human dignity, respect and honor of the
individual. This means we must be intolerant of racism,
intolerant of brutality, intolerant of sexual harassment or
abuse. Those who wish to serve their country must
demonstrate this intolerance of discrimination and abuse -
by their deeds and by their words - if they hope to succeed
in the Department of Defense." Secretary of Defense William
S. Cohen. Feb. 19 during DOD's Black History Month
observance.
 -USN-
NNS0912. Status of the Navy: Feb. 24, 1997
Personnel: 404,975 active duty; 236,414 Ready Reserves,
213,048 civilians
Aircraft:            4,754
Ships:               352
At Sea:              164 ships (47%)
Deployed:            102 ships;(29%) 47,278 personnel
Exercises:           7
Port Visits:         11
SSNs at Sea          36 (49%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: transit, Gulf of Oman
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: ops, Mediterranean Sea
     USS Independence: ops, Philippine Sea
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: transit, Gulf of Oman
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: port visit, Naples Italy
     USS Saipan: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS New Orleans: work-ups, western Pacific
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     MINEX/EODEX 97-1JA, Sea of Japan
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     Dogfish, Mediterranean Sea
     Joint Maritime Course 97-1, North  Atlantic
 -USN-
NNS0913. This Week in Navy History: Supply Corps 202nd
Birthday. Congress established the Office of Purveyor of
Supplies Feb. 23, 1795.
 -USN-

     TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 010/97
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1001.  BUPERS updates FY97 personnel funding
NNS1002.  3rd Fleet conducting fleet battle experiment
NNS1003.  March is Women's History Month
NNS1004.  ADM Smith knighted
NNS1005.  Flood delays March issue of ALL HANDS
     Personnel Notes
NNS1006.  BUPERS extends aviation continuation pay
application deadline
NNS1007.  BUPERS seeks nominations for National Image, Inc.
Meritorious Service Award
NNS1008.  Keep beneficiary information current
NNS1009.  Summary of NAVADMINs
      Around the Fleet
NNS1010.  Navy Medical Corps celebrates 221st birthday
NNS1011.  Naval Support Force Antarctica returns permanently
NNS1012.  Notable Quotable: Secretary of the Navy
NNS1013.  Status of the Navy: March. 3, 1997
NNS1014.  This Week in Navy History: March 3, 1776
NNS1015.  Navy/Marine Corps News
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1001.  BUPERS updates FY97 personnel funding
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Some personnel programs in the
Navy's FY97 budget will be affected by this year's budget
shortage, according to the Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS), but several key programs that are important to
Sailors will be maintained.
     The primary impact will be in the permanent change of
station (PCS) budget; not all Sailors who had planned to
move this year will be able to do so. BUPERS detailers have
already cut the number of unfunded moves, originally 12,000,
to 10,000.  The number is expected to come down even further
in the coming months. BUPERS originally projected a
requirement for 89,000 PCS moves this fiscal year while the
budget provides only enough money for approximately 73,000
moves. Priorities include moving Sailors to and from sea
duty and overseas, avoiding pools in training pipelines, and
moves for critical health or safety reasons. All other
requirements will be on a case-by-case basis.
     The Chief of Naval Operations has directed more money
to personnel accounts to sustain key programs important to
Sailors, including maintaining enlisted advancements at the
same rate as in FY96 (with the exception of E-8 due to
constraints of law); proceeding as planned with officer
promotions and commissioning (from all programs); not
adjusting approved separation dates for those voluntarily
leaving active duty; keeping enlistment bonus and selective
reenlistment bonus (SRB) programs on track (NAVADMIN
251/96); extending the enlisted early out program (NAVADMIN
007/97); and releasing some officer training program
attrites. Other programs in BUPERS operations and
maintenance accounts, including installation of Program
Afloat for College Education (PACE) and Academic Skills
Learning Centers (ASLC), are on track.
     In order to sustain personnel programs the Navy will
accelerate a few thousand end-strength cuts from FY98 into
FY97. This additional downsizing in the final years of the
post-Cold War draw down will also bring the Navy's personnel
numbers in line with force structure requirements driven by
the 1993 Bottom Up Review.
     "This additional cut to end-strength will be relatively
small in scale, as compared to previous years, and will come
primarily from reducing our accessions," said VADM Daniel
Oliver, Chief of Naval Personnel. "The cuts will not impact
our career Sailors. We will continue to keep faith with our
career people and their families. Strong support from the
CNO, the fleet CINCS and other leaders make it possible to
sustain our most important programs, even in these austere
times."
     BUPERS will continue to update Sailors on the latest
personnel policy changes as the information becomes
available.
 -USN-
NNS1002.  3rd Fleet conducting fleet battle experiment
     SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- Advanced warfare concepts are being
put to the test as 3rd Fleet conducts Fleet Battle
Experiment Alfa (FBEA) and the Marine Corps Hunter Warrior
Experiment aboard the command ship USS Coronado (ACF 11) off
the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3-13.
     The program is evaluating advanced naval surface fire
support using a prototype for the Arsenal Ship/Naval Surface
Fire Support Weapon Control System and advanced munitions
concepts including integrated Theater Ballistic Missile
Defense (TBMD).
     The first objective of FBEA is to demonstrate a common
communications link between the two participating parties to
ensure a shared tactical picture of both afloat and ashore
assets.
     FBEA will also test TBMD concepts by demonstrating the
system's capabilities. Other objectives of FBEA include a
demonstration of the Arsenal Ship and Naval Surface Fire
Support (NSFS) operational concepts and the evaluation of
Groupware systems provided by the University of Arizona.
     FBEA is a part of the Navy's continuing commitment to
modernize operational concepts and to closely examine
emerging technologies.
 -USN-
NNS1003.  March is Women's History Month
by LT Pamela Kunze, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON  (NNS) -- March is Women's History Month and
this year's theme for observances is "A Fine and Long
Tradition of Community Service."
     Women's History Month is an opportunity for all Navy
personnel to commemorate the contributions of Navy women to
our military community and acknowledge the expansion of
women's role in the Navy.
     Navy activities will sponsor local programs and
exhibits, publish items of interest, and educate personnel
through command bulletins and periodicals.  Maximum
participation in appropriate observances of Women's History
Month is encouraged for all hands.
     For additional information on the National Women's
History Month Project, visit the web site at <www.nwhp.org>.
Information on women in the Navy is available at
<www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/people/women/wintop.html>, or
by contacting the office of the Special Assistant for
Women's Policy at BUPERS, commercial (703) 695-9232/30 or
DSN 225-9232/30.  Also see NAVADMIN 55/97.
 -USN-
NNS1004.  ADM Smith knighted
by Deedee Doke, Stars and Stripes
     UNITED KINGDOM (NNS)-- Retired Navy ADM Leighton W.
(Snuffy) Smith Jr. received an honorary knighthood Mar. 5
from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
     The title Honorary Knight Commander of the Most
Excellent Order of British Empire Military Division (KBE) is
being bestowed on ADM Smith for his role in directing the
multinational peace implementation force in Bosnia and
Herzegovina as NATO commander, officials said.
     "His skill and perceptive judgment earned the respect
and admiration of the 12,000 United Kingdom troops under his
command and greatly contributed to the overall success of
the IFOR mission," a ministry statement said.
     ADM Smith turned over the reins of IFOR, and command of
NATO's Southern European forces to ADM T. Joseph Lopez July
31, and retired from active duty in October.     ADM Smith
was notified of the honor by Field Marshal Sir Peter Inge,
GCB, Chief of the British Defense staff. "He informed him
personally with a letter he handed to him," said Dottie
Smith, ADM Smith's wife.
     The last American military member to receive similar
honors was Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, in 1993.
 -USN-
NNS1005.  Flood delays March issue of ALL HANDS
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Flooding in the Louisville, Ky.
area has seriously affected Gateway Inc., the printing
contractor for ALL HANDS magazine.  The distribution of the
March issue has been delayed.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS1006.  BUPERS extends aviation continuation pay
application deadline
by LT Pamela Kunze, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON  (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) recently released NAVADMIN 029/97 to announce the
extension of the Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) application
window to March 31 for select aviation sub-communities.
     Pilots qualified in the F/A-18, F-14, EA-6, S-3 and E-6
airframes who meet the eligibility requirements listed in
NAVADMIN 250/96 may apply for ACP. C-130 pilots who are TARs
may also apply.
     Additional information on ACP application eligibility
and guidelines is available in NAVADMIN 250/96, or by
contacting the BUPERS point of contact, CDR Rick Ryan, Pers-
211, at (703)693-2306 (DSN 223).
 -USN-
NNS1007.  BUPERS seeks nominations for Meritorious Service
Award
by LT Pamela Kunze, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON  (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) recently released NAVADMIN 034/97 to solicit
nominations for the 1997 National Image, Inc. Meritorious
Service Award.
     National Image, Inc. is an Hispanic organization that
has maintained close ties with DOD for 25 years. Each year,
National Image, Inc. salutes Hispanic Americans in the
military by presenting their Meritorious Service Award to
two members from each service who have significantly
contributed to increasing opportunities for Hispanic
Americans.  The presentation will be made during the group's
national convention in May.
     Commands may nominate one officer and one enlisted
member who have displayed the distinguishing characteristics
outlined in NAVADMIN 034/97. Nominations are due to BUPERS
(Pers 61) no later than March 31, 1997.
     Additional information on award criteria and submission
is available in NAVADMIN 034/97, or by contacting the BUPERS
point of contact, CDR E.D. Olmo, at (703)614-2007(DSN 224).
 -USN-
NNS1008.  Keep beneficiary information current
by Michael McLellan, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Two of the most important
documents in every Sailor's service record are the NAVPERS
1070/602 Dependency Application/Record of Emergency Data
(Page 2), and the form SGLV 8286, which is used to designate
who will receive your Servicemember's Group Life Insurance
(SGLI) in the event of your death.
     Navy officials use the information on your Page 2 to
notify next of kin and other designated family members if
you die or become gravely ill or injured.
     The family members you designate to receive your death
gratuity and any unpaid allowances are also listed on your
Page 2.  Your Page 2 is the form you use to apply for
dependency allowance and document family member data.  The
important information on your Page 2 should be updated
whenever there are changes in family members status.
     The SGLV 8286 form is used to designate who will
receive your SGLI benefits. Each beneficiaries name,
address, percentage of shares and option of payment must be
designated. Use of the phrase "by Law" to designate SGLI
beneficiaries is not authorized.
     Your SGLI is one of the most valuable benefits
available to Sailors. Coverage of up to $200,00 costs $.90
per $10K of insurance. You can determine the amount of your
coverage by checking your Leave and Earnings Statement in
the "deductions" section. If there is no deduction listed,
then you are not covered. That can be easily rectified by
visiting your personnel office to adjust or obtain coverage
by filling in form SGLV 8285.
     Additional information about these benefits is
available from your PASS Liaison representative, your
personnel office, NAVADMIN 040/97 or by calling Mr. Peter
Darby (Pers-662) at (703)693-0804 (DSN 223).
 -USN-
NNS1009.   Summary of NAVADMIN's
      NAVADMIN 044/97 (DTG 251357Z FEB 97) -- Shore rotation
tour length revisions for some rates
     NAVADMIN 045/97 (DTG 251458Z FEB 97) -- Statutory
selection boards
     NAVADMIN 046/97 (DTG 251459Z FEB 97) -- Naval Reserve
promotions to the grades of CAPT, CDR, LCDR, LT, CWO, line
and staff corps
     NAVAMDIN 049/97 (DTG 260015Z FEB 97) -- Summarized
results of the performance evaluation system
     NAVADMIN 050/97 (DTG 262118Z FEB 97) -- Active Duty
promotions to the permanent grades of CAPT, CDR, LCDR, line
and staff corps
     NAVADMIN 051/97 (DTG  262119Z FEB 97) --  Active duty
promotions to the permanent and temporary grade of LT, line
and staff corps
     NAVADMIN 053/97 (DTG 281331Z FEB 97) -- Award point
credit for Navy enlisted divers
     NAVADMIN 054/97 (DTG 010018Z MAR 97) -- FY97 Training
and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) Officer Transfer and
Redesignation Board convenes
     NAVADMIN 055/97 (DTG 010019Z MAR 97) -- Observance of
Women's History Month
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS1010.  Navy Medical Corps celebrates 221st birthday
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Navy Surgeon General VADM Harold
M. Koenig sends the following Medical Corps birthday message
to the fleet:
     "As we celebrate the 221st anniversary of the Medical
Corps, I extend my personal thanks and congratulations to
Medical Corps officers worldwide for completing another year
of distinguished service in support of the Navy and Marine
Corps mission.
     "During the past year, the Medical Corps supported
operational missions worldwide.  During Operation Pacific
Haven, Navy Medical Department personnel helped care for
more than 2,000 Kurds who were evacuated to Guam.  Navy
Health care providers treated more than a hundred Chinese
citizens whose ship was diverted to our naval base at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during Operation Marathon.
     "Medical Corps officers can be found on board Navy
ships, supporting our Fleet Marine Force, serving with
aviation squadrons, ashore at medical and research
facilities and even aboard a space shuttle.  Whether in a
clinical setting, administrative role or in an operational
front, the Medical Corps distinguishes themselves as leaders
among leaders.
     "The Medical Corps also leads the way in military
medical research on a myriad of topics in both scientific
discovery and in product development.  Through your
dedication and hard work, new medical technologies are being
developed to prevent suffering and save lives of military
personnel for years to come.
     "I am proud of the many accomplishments and
contributions each of you continue to make on a daily basis.
It's members of the Medical Corps who are the key to
reengineering how Navy medicine does business.  You have
made it possible to take health care to the deckplates and
keep our Sailors and Marines on the job.
     "As we look to the future, I know each of you will
continue to meet each new challenge with the same lofty
degree of determination and harmony that you have exhibited
in the past.  You should be proud of your accomplishments,
and I salute you.
     "Happy birthday, Medical Corps, and thanks for a job
well done."
 -USN-
NNS1011.  Naval Support Force Antarctica returns permanently
by JO2 Trevor Poulsen, NSFA Public Affairs Office
     ANTARCTICA (NNS)--When Naval Support Force, Antarctica
(NSFA) returns to homeport this year, its long commitment to
exploration of the world's most southern continent will come
to an end.
     The 100-plus member command from Port Hueneme, Calif.,
has been making yearly deployments to the Antarctic since
Operation Deep Freeze I during the 1955-1956 austral summer
season. That year, 1,800 men aboard seven ships came to Ross
Island with a mission to establish an airfield and base of
operations.
     The Sailors of NSFA succeeded in building McMurdo
Station, thereby opening up the continent for long-term
scientific research. Today, McMurdo is the largest
settlement in Antarctica, with all of the infrastructure,
buildings and comforts of a small town.
     NSFA has become considerably smaller in recent years as
private contractors have taken on a larger role in the
United States Antarctic Program. Since the departure of the
Seabees and the Public Works Department in 1993, NSFA's
contributions include, but is not limited to, meteorology,
air traffic control and communications.
     Meteorology Division Leading Chief Petty Officer AGC
Matt Young is currently on his fifth deployment and has seen
the transition evolve over time. "I wish we were still here,
but our days are numbered," he said. "This is a civilian
operation now."
     Electronics Division Maintenance Chief ETC(SW) Charles
Gagnon said NSFA was once a popular assignment. "Sailors
will now miss an opportunity to come down and support the
program," he said. "A lot of people in the Navy asked to get
assigned here."
     Air Traffic Controller AC2 Dustin Barrett has been with
NSFA since 1993.  He said many people will miss the
command's presence in Antarctica. "I hate to see us leave,"
he said.  "We've had a long tradition here."
     After redeployment in February, only 23 NSFA personnel
will remain in McMurdo as the last winter-over detachment.
NSFA will formally disestablish in March 1998, but the
transition to civilian contractors is well underway.
     A civilian contractor replaced NSFA's disbursing and
Morale, Welfare and Recreation divisions in February.
Contractors are set to take over the remaining command
functions in October. An administrative staff will remain
with the command until disestablishment.
 -USN-
NNS1012. Notable Quotable: "I am reporting to you that our
Navy and Marine Corps are on course and speed--now, and for
the future ... We are focused and efficient, operating
forward to protect America's interests around the world. Our
forces are second to none -- and, with your help, I intend
to keep it that way." -- Secretary of the Navy John Dalton
in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
 -USN-
NNS1013. Status of the Navy: March 3, 1997
Personnel: 404,471 active duty; 236,704 Ready Reserves,
213,048 civilians
Aircraft:            4,754
Ships:               351
At Sea:              158 ships (45%)
Deployed:            99 ships;(28%) 47,343 personnel
Exercises:           5
Port Visits:         11
SSNs at Sea          27 (36%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: transit, Indian Ocean
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: INVITEX 97,
Mediterranean/Adriatic Sea
     USS Independence: transit, western Pacific
     USS Nimitz: local ops, eastern Pacific
     USS George Washington: local ops, western Atlantic
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: port visit, Sydney, Australia
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: INVITEX 97, Mediterranean/Adriatic
Sea
     USS Saipan: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS New Orleans: transit, western Pacific
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/eastern Pacific
     MEF 97-1, Mid Pacific
     Joint Maritime Course 97-1
 -USN-
NNS1014.  This Week in Navy History: March 3, 1776 -- The
Naval Medical Corps was created. Happy 221st Birthday BUMED.
 -USN-
NNS1015.  Navy/Marine Corps News
      Navy/Marine Corps News is a videotaped newscast
generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and shore
units. The next Navy-Marine Corps News (program #710)
includes the following stories:
     --Chief of Naval Operations tells Senate that Aviation
Officer Retention is a high priority
     --Projected Rotation Dates for the summer may extend
into next fiscal year
     --Focus on the Fleet: KAKE TV-10, Wichita, Kansas,
visits forward deployed Sailors and Marines of USS
Theodore Roosevelt Battlegroup in the Mediterranean
     --USO-Grams help Sailors and Marines stay in touch with
family and friends
     --New skills and technology put to test during Joint
Fleet Exercise
     --Deck Department Chief motivates Sailors, leads his
team aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
     --Navy medical specialists volunteer time, skills and
money to help Guatemalans
     --Navy Medical Corps celebrates 221 years of
distinguished service
     --News you can use: Tips on preparing for advancement
exams
     --Marines, Sailors and civilians keep Maritime
Prepositioning ships, equipment ready to go at Blount
Island, Fla.
     --Movie Call: Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman star in
"Absolute Power"

-USN-

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 11/97
Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1101.  CNO in Australia for Exercise Tandem Thrust
NNS1102.  MCPON testifies about quality of life
NNS1103.  Team Spirit canceled
NNS1104.  Chinese navy ships to visit Pearl Harbor
NNS1105.  Navy astronaut honored at Black Engineer of the
            Year awards ceremony
NNS1106.  VA publishes new Veterans handbook
NNS1107.  Pacific surface force names Sailors of the
          Year
     Personnel Notes
NNS1108.  Summary of NAVADMINs
      Around the Fleet
NNS1109.  2nd Fleet prepares next deployment
NNS1110.  USS Cowpens shines during Exercise Inspired Alert
NNS1111.  Navy ELF shows you the money
NNS1112.  RADM Wagner named Navy's "Old Salt"
NNS1113.  Volunteers needed for National Boy Scouts of
     America Jamboree
NNS1114.  Notable Quotable: Chief of Naval Operations
NNS1115.  Status of the Navy: March. 10, 1997
NNS1116.  This Week in Navy History: March 5, 1942
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1101.  CNO in Australia for Exercise Tandem Thrust
     AUSTRALIA (NNS)-- Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jay
L. Johnson is in Australia this week visiting units
participating in a major military exercise with Australian
forces and meeting with Australian defense officials.  The
trip is Johnson's first to Australia since assuming duties
as the Navy's top ranking officer.
     CNO will observe aspects of Exercise TAMDEM THRUST
which involves more than 28,000 troops, 250 aircraft and 40
ships.  It is being held on land and off shore in northeast
Australia from March 1 to 22, to train 7th Fleet and
Australian Defense Force staffs in crisis action planning
and contingency response operations.
     Tandem Thrust '97 is the fourth in a series of
exercises that began in 1990.  This year's is the first
with Australian forces and the first to use Australia's
Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
     The exercise will include carrier battle group and
amphibious ready group operations, amphibious landings,
live fire exercises, ground maneuvers and parachute
landings.
 -USN-
NNS1102.  MCPON testifies about quality of life
by JOC Cleve Hardman, Public Affairs Assistant to the MCPON
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Navy, ETCM(SW) John Hagan, and the senior enlisted leaders of
the other armed services, recently appeared before the House
Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction
(MILCON) to discuss quality of life issues.
     The MILCON subcommittee plays a major role in deciding how
much the government will spend on building and maintaining
family housing, bachelor quarters, and child development
centers.
     "Navy's MILCON needs must be prioritized to meet the
specific, unique needs of Sailors with a special emphasis on
single Sailors serving at sea and living on ships," MCPON Hagan
told the committee.  "We have issues that are difficult to
overcome so we simply must do better at providing home port
pier side facilities for Sailors who endure the most arduous
sea-intensive careers."
     Hagan urged the committee to give special consideration to
the difficult life faced by Sailors at sea. To illustrate this
point, he displayed a series of photographs of crews berthing
onboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS John Stennis
(CVN-74).
     "This committee has recognized the difficult life faced by
Sailors living onboard ships," MCPON said.  "You have
spearheaded efforts to change the law to allow single shipboard
Sailors in pay grade E6 to move into the barracks or draw
housing allowances.  By July 1 this year, E5's will also have
that opportunity."
     "Sailors at the deck plate level understand the tightness
of the budget and the difficulty of making budget choices," he
said.
     Hagan also emphasized the need to recognize and eliminate
remaining inequities in the laws guiding our pay and allowances
and to explore every possible opportunity to provide for single
Sailor initiatives.
 -USN-
NNS1103.  Team Spirit canceled
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The governments of the Republic of
Korea and the United States have decided not to hold the Team
Spirit exercise in 1997.
     The decision takes into account the recent overall
security situation on the Korean Peninsula and will have no
impact on the defense readiness of the ROK-U.S. forces on the
peninsula.
     The Department of Defense said the decision to cancel Team
Spirit is part of efforts by the two governments to build
confidence and to create an atmosphere conducive to the
reduction of tensions on the peninsula.
 -USN-
NNS1104.  Chinese navy visits Pearl Harbor
by JOC(SW) Jim DeAngio, Naval Base Pearl Harbor Public Affairs
     PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NWSA) -- In the midst of a rare
eastern Pacific cruise, three People's Republic of China Navy
ships arrived at Pearl Harbor March 9, for a four-day visit.
     Festivities for the destroyers Harbin (DDG 112) and Zhuhai
(DDG 166) and the oiler Nanchang (AO 953) included a welcoming
ceremony, a sports picnic, ship tours, receptions, a wreath-
laying ceremony and a combined band concert.
     Crew members from three U.S. host ships, USS Ingersoll (DD
990), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Cimarron (AO 177)
participated in reciprocal ship visits and familiarization
training, commonly referred to as "cross-decking."
     The three ships depart Thursday and sail next to San Diego
where they'll visit March 21 to 25.
     The last visit by a PRC Navy ship to a U.S. port was in
1989 when the training vessel Zheng He pulled into Pearl
Harbor.
 -USN-
NNS1105.  Navy astronaut honored at Black Engineer of the
Year awards ceremony
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- A Navy astronaut was honored recently
at the Black Engineer of the Year awards conference
in Baltimore.
     CAPT Winston E. Scott received the Black Engineer's
Professional Achievement in Government Award.  Chief of Naval
Operations ADM Jay L. Johnson made the presentation.
     Although he majored in music at Florida State University,
Scott had always dreamed of flying in space. After graduation
he visited an Air Force recruiter.  While in the waiting room,
however, a magazine article told him the majority of astronauts
were naval aviators and that headed him to the Navy recruiter.
After earning his master's degree in aeronautical engineering
at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School he began flying
helicopters and later switched to the F-14 Tomcat.
     During his career, Scott has logged more than 3,000 hours
in 20 different military and civilian aircraft and served as a
test pilot.  In 1992, he was one of four African-Americans to
be selected by NASA to become an American astronaut.  In 1995
Scott flew more than 200 hours in space aboard the Space
Shuttle Endeavor, including a space-walk of more than six
hours.
     The Navy has been a strong supporter of the Black Engineer
of the Year Awards since the program began in 1987. Many major
engineering companies participate in the program as sponsors or
attendees.  More than 7,000 people attended this year's
conference.
 -USN-
NNS1106. VA publishes new Veterans handbook
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The latest edition of "Federal
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents" is now available from the
U.S. Government Printing Office.
     Published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
handbook has been revised to include changes in laws for 1997.
     The 87-page handbook describes federal benefits for
veterans and family members including medical care, education,
disability compensation, pension, life insurance, home loan
guaranty, vocational rehabilitation and burial assistance. It
also outlines claims procedures and includes the latest
information on changes in eligibility for VA medical care.
     "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents" sells for
$5.50 a copy, but is available free via the Internet
<http://www.va.gov/benefits.htm>.
     Addresses and phone numbers of all VA benefits offices,
medical centers, national cemeteries, counseling centers and
other VA facilities are listed.
     To order, ask for GPO stock number 051-000-00212-1 from
the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh,
PA 15250-76954.  To order with VISA or Mastercard call(202)512-
1800.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS1107.   Summary of NAVADMIN's
     NAVADMIN 058/97 (DTG 072212Z MAR 97) -- Navy Foreign Area
(FAO) Officer program
     NAVADMIN 059/97 (DTG 080022Z MAR 97) -- Acquisition
professional community (APC) selection board results
     NAVADMIN 060/97 (DTG 080023Z MAR 97) -- Command managed
equal opportunity officer training
     NAVADMIN 061/97 (DTG 090024Z MAR 97) -- Linguist
opportunities
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS1108. 2nd Fleet prepares next deployment
     OFF COAST OF CAROLINAS (NWSA) -- More than 20,000 service
members from all branches of the armed forces are participating
in Joint Task Force Exercise 97-2 from March 6 to 25 off the
Carolina coast.
     Participants in JTFEX 97-2 include the USS John F. Kennedy
(CV 67) Carrier Battle Group and the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)
Amphibious Ready Group; elements of the 2nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit; elements of the Army's 18th Airborne Corps,
82nd Airborne Division and 18th Aviation Brigade; the Air
Force's Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command; the U.S.
Special Operations Command; the U.S. Space Command; the Coast
Guard and a Canadian Maritime Force.
     "This exercise prepares our carrier battle group and
amphibious readiness group to forward deploy and conduct joint
operations with the Army, Air Force and coalition forces
anywhere, anytime and with virtually no notice," said VADM Vern
Clark, Commander, 2nd Fleet and Commander, Joint Task Force
950.  "We are molding and shaping our battle forces to deal
with an uncertain world.  Our deployed naval forces will be
ready to provide the critical operational link between
peacetime operations and developing crises enhanced with the
ability to integrate joint and combined operations."
 -USN-
NNS1109.  USS Cowpens shines during Exercise Inspired Alert
by ENS Chad Sloan
     INDIAN OCEAN (NWSA) -- USS Cowpens (CG 63) recently
participated in Exercise Inspired Alert off the coast of
Pakistan.
     Held in conjunction with Pakistan's military, the exercise
provided training for surface and aviation units from both
nations.
     The San Diego-based guided missile cruiser coordinated 380
sorties simulating bombing runs, air strikes and air-to-air
combat scenarios by Carrier Air Wing 11 aircraft from USS Kitty
Hawk (CV 63).
     According to Operations Specialist 1st Class Randy
Hamilton, of Santee, Calif., the most valuable part of the
exercise was the "mutual training and interaction between the
United States and Pakistan."  Hamilton noted that while
Pakistan operates familiar aircraft and other military
equipment, their tactics and maneuvers differ from those used
by U.S. pilots.
 -USN-
NNS1110.  Navy ELF shows you the money
by LT Tony De Alicante, Office of the Judge Advocate General
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Mid-way into the 1997 tax filing
season, the Navy's Electronic Income Tax Filing program (ELF)
has already surpassed the total number of tax returns filed for
Sailors in 1996. With six weeks to go in this year's stateside
tax season, the 119 Navy ELF sites have already filed over
53,000 ELF returns compared with 45,000 returns for all of the
1996 tax season.
     Navy tax assessors have provided Sailors with tax
assistance services worth over $5 million and expedited $42
million in refunds for Sailors.  Navy tax assistance centers
are expected to have prepared over 100,000 state and federal
returns by season's end.
     Feedback on the program has been overwhelmingly positive.
ELF saves money for Sailors who would otherwise pay for tax
preparation and electronic filing services.  The average value
of ELF services per return is just over $100.  In addition, the
program reduces the number of tax-related problems encountered
by Sailors.  The accuracy rate for ELF returns is over 99.5%,
thirty times better than the accuracy rate for paper returns
which are handled by at least a dozen individuals before a
refund check is prepared.
     Military ELF returns are transmitted via computer modem to
a stateside transmitter and then retransmitted to IRS.  Sailors
get refunds much faster with ELF.  A Sailor INCONUS who mails a
paper return to IRS will wait 45 days or more before the check
arrives in the mail.  That same Sailor using ELF can expect
that the refund will be directly deposited in his or her bank
account within 9 to 15 days.  Direct deposit not only takes the
hassle out of dealing with the refund check, but it is
particularly useful to deployed Sailors.  This year, Navy has
34 shipboard ELF programs with the capability of filing ELF
returns via satellite link while underway.
     Navy offices sponsoring ELF programs include Naval Legal
Service Offices, 34 ships, Staff Judge Advocate offices, and
Family Service Centers.  In addition, many ELF sites operate
satellite offices at surrounding commands.  Sailors should
contact their nearest legal assistance office or Family Service
Center to find out where ELF services are available in their
area.
 -USN-
NNS1111.  RADM Wagner named Navy's "Old Salt"
courtesy of Surface Navy Association
     ALEXANDRIA, Va. (NWSA) -- The Navy's title of "Old Salt"
was passed recently to RADM George F.A. Wagner, commander,
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).  VADM Philip
M. Quast relinquished the title during his retirement ceremony
Feb. 14.
     The "Old Salt" award is given to the longest serving
surface warfare officer on continuous active duty.  It was
established in 1988 by the Surface Navy Association to honor
the most senior surface warfare officer.  The title "Old Salt"
represents the ideals of the Surface Warfare Community and the
values of the surface warrior.
     The title is accompanied by a bronze statue depicting a
World War II naval officer on the pitching deck of his ship. It
is cast from metal salvaged from historic U.S. Naval ships,
most notably the battleship MAINE.  Inscribed on them trophy's
base are the words of ADM Arleigh Burke, "Keeper of the Seas"
and "Dedicated to Service."  A miniature replica of the statue
is presented to each "Old Salt" when he retires from active
duty.
     RADM Wagner graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was
commissioned an ensign in 1962.  His at-sea assignments
included command of USS John Rodgers (DD 983).  Prior to
assuming command of SPAWAR, Wagner played an important role in
the development of the Navy's missile systems.  He served as
program manager of the Navy ship-launched Tomahawk Cruise
Missile Program and was program executive officer of the Cruise
Missile projects and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Joint programs.
 -USN-
NNS1112.  Volunteers needed for National Boy Scouts of
America Jamboree
     ALEXANDRIA, Va. (NWSA) -- Sailors are needed to volunteer
their support for the 1997 National Boy Scouts Jamboree July 7
to Aug. 7 at Fort A.P. Hill, near Fredericksburg, Va.
     Commander, Navy Recruiting Command is coordinating Navy
participation in the quadrennial event.  The jamboree brings
Boy Scouts and their adult leaders from throughout the country
together for training and experience in outdoor living and
related fields.
     More than 250,000 scouts, leaders and visitors are
expected to attend.  Volunteers will man training booths at the
jamboree merit badge midway.  Six Sailors from the following
career fields are needed to man subject-specific booths:
     -- Atomic energy:  Nuclear qualified individuals
(including at least one officer);
     -- Weather:  Aerographer's mates, operations specialists
and electronics technicians;
     -- Fire Safety:  Qualified fire marshals, repair party
leaders or damage controlmen;
     -- Energy:  Machinist's mates, boilers technicians,
engineering officers of the watch and Nuclear Power Program
personnel;
     -- Wilderness survival:  SEALS;
     -- Aviation:  Qualified aviators (officers);
     -- Oceanography:  Aerographer's mates, ocean systems
technicians;
     -- Computers:  Data systems technicians, data processing
technicians, electronics technicians, other computer intensive
ratings.
     10 additional personnel are needed to support other Navy
exhibits and provide security for the Navy contingent.
     Commanding officers may authorize no-cost temporary
additional duty orders for volunteers. Interested Sailors
should submit their request, along with a command endorsement,
to Commander, Navy Recruiting Command by April 30.
 -USN-
 NNS1113.  Pacific surface force names Sailors of the Year
     SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific
Fleet has announced its Sea, Shore and Reserve Sailors of the
Year for 1996.
     Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) George J. Ezell was selected
as the Sea Sailor of the Year.  He is assigned to USS Merrill
(DD 976), homeported in San Diego.
     Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) Derrick S. Maloney
is SURFPAC's Shore Sailor of the Year.  He is assigned to
Assault Craft Unit 5 located at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
     Hull Technician 1st Class (DV) Gregory P. Hejko was named
the Reserve Sailor of the Year.  He is assigned to Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 7 at Naval Station San Diego.
 -USN-
NNS1114.  Notable Quotable: "I said that one of the first
obligations I felt as the new CNO would be to get out to the
fleet and see how (the Sailors) were doing... I've been all
over the world and reaffirmed what I thought on the front end,
and that is that they are indeed operationally focused. They
are very much upholding their reputations as the premier
maritime force in the world. They're intensely proud of what
they're doing." Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay Johnson in
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
 -USN-
NNS1115. Status of the Navy: March 10, 1997
Personnel: 403,341 active duty; 234,858 Ready Reserves, 213,048
civilians
Aircraft:            4,754
Ships:               351
Underway:            179 ships (51%)
Deployed:            101 ships;(28%) 47,343 personnel
Exercises:           5
Port Visits:         10
SSNs at Sea          40 (54%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: port visit, Fremantle, Australia
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: port visit, Rhodes, Greece
     USS Abraham Lincoln: CQ, eastern Pacific
     USS Independence: transit, western Pacific
     USS John F. Kennedy: JTFEX 97-2, western Atlantic
     USS Dwight D. Eisenhower: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS George Washington: local ops, western Atlantic
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: port visit, Sydney, Australia
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: inport Valleta, Malta
     USS New Orleans: transit, western Pacific
     USS Kearsarge: JTFEX 97-2, western Atlantic
     USS Guam: local ops, western Atlantic
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/eastern Pacific
     TANDEM THRUST 97, western Pacific
     IRON SIREN, Arabian Gulf
 -USN-
NNS1116.  This Week in Navy History: March 5, 1942-- "Seabee"
name and insignia authorized.
 -USN-

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 014/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1401.  CNO flies Super Hornet
NNS1402.  SECDEF Cohen gives green light to F/A-18E/F production
NNS1403.  Navy prepares for Earth Day 1997
NNS1404.  JTF Silver Wake completes evac ops
NNS1405.  FBI recognized Navy divers
NNS1406.  DOD announces Operation Be Fit
     Personnel Notes
NNS1407.  BUPERS correcting Selective Enlistment Bonus errors
NNS1408.  BUPERS announces new SRB levels
NNS1409.  Household Goods Helpline expanded
NNS1410.   Summary of NAVADMINs
     Around the Fleet
NNS1411.  Four Deep Freeze commands earn award
NNS1412.  Italian bank brings service to NSA Naples
NNS1413.  Maritime Prepositioning Force trains at Souda Bay
NNS1414.  Notable Quotable: Chief of Naval Operations
NNS1415.  Status of the Navy: March 31, 1997
NNS1416.  This Week in Navy History: April 1, 1972
NNS1417.  Navy/Marine Corps News highlights
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1401.  CNO flies Super Hornet
courtesy of CNO Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay L.
Johnson got a first-hand look at the capabilities of the Navy's
new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter from the controls of a
two-seat "F" model during a flight March 28 at Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Md.
     "This was an excellent opportunity to experience what this
airplane is going to represent for the U.S. Navy," said Johnson.
"It really is the future of tactical aviation."
     After putting the airplane through its paces, Johnson told
reporters and test team members gathered on the ground about his
thoughts on the future of naval aviation.
     "We're going to have new F/A-18Fs replacing Tomcats, and
we're going to have the F/A-18Es replacing the F/A-18Cs as we
move into the first decade of the 21st century.  By the middle of
the second decade, what I see on our carrier flight decks are F/A-
18 Es, Fs and Joint Strike Fighters."
     The aircraft flown by Johnson was the second "F" model
assigned to the Super Hornet test program and serves as the
weapons and avionics test platform.  The test fleet consists of
five single-seat "E" models and two dual-seat "F" models.
     Flying with the CNO was CDR Tom Gurney, the test program's
Lead Carrier Suitability Pilot.  Gurney was the first pilot to
experience a catapult launch in the Super Hornet during sea
trials on board USS John C. Stennis in January.
     "It felt very good to be back in the cockpit," said Johnson.
"I kept asking CDR Gurney, would it be all right if we just
stayed upside down a little while longer?"
 -USN-
NNS1402.  SECDEF Cohen gives green light to F/A-18E/F production
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Department of Defense approved the
low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super
Hornet fighter March 26, giving the Navy the green light to
proceed with the fighter.
     Plans call for the purchase of 62 Super Hornets over the
next three years.  The Navy has a requirement for 1,000 aircraft
over the duration of the procurement program.
     The Super Hornet program is a success story:  the planes are
under weight, under cost and on time.
      "This is good news and the right answer for our Navy," said
Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton at this year's Sea-Air-Space
symposium.  "It is an important milestone in our efforts to get
the E and F to the fleet."
     Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay Johnson said, "It is the
right plane at the right time to lead Naval aviation into the
21st century."
     The decision to go forward with the LRIP avoids program
disruption and possible nonprogrammed costs that might result
from delays or work stoppage.
     The FA-18 E/F completed its first carrier launches and
landings on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in mid-January.
The first Super Hornets are expected to reach the fleet in FY00.
 -USN-
NNS1403.  Navy prepares for Earth Day 1997
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- "Securing Our Habitat: Earth," is the
Navy's theme for Earth Day 1997 on April 22. The Navy has many
environmental accomplishments of which to be proud and Earth Day
provides an occasion to highlight those successes.
      Earth Day is an excellent opportunity to showcase the
contributions your command is making to maintain and improve the
environment.
     Information on potential Earth Day programs will be provided
by the Office of Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Safety
and Occupational Health Division (N45). If you are planning Earth
Day events at your activity, please forward information to N45
via the chain of command.  N45 points of contact are Gina Moore
at DSN 664-5434, (703) 604-5434 <[email protected]. navy.mil> and
Catharine Cyr at (703)602-5335,(DSN 322)
<[email protected].>
 -USN-
NNS1404.  JTF Silver Wake completes evac ops
     ADRIATIC SEA (NWSA) -- Joint Task Force Silver Wake
completed non-combat evacuation operations in Albania March 26.
In more than a week of sustained effort USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS
Pensacola (LSD 38), USS Nashville (LPD 13) and embarked elements
of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit safely evacuated 889
people, including 400 Americans, from continuing civil strife in
Albania.
     USS Nassau left the operation March 24 for the Atlantic
coast of Africa to be in position in case the continuing civil
war in Zaire leads to an evacuation of American civilians from
that country.  USS Nashville remains on patrol in the Adriatic
near Albania.
 -USN-
NNS1405.  FBI recognized Navy divers
     NORFOLK (NWSA) -- Navy divers who participated in the diving
and salvage operation supporting the investigation of the crash
of TWA Flight 800 received Letters of Appreciation from the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Law
Enforcement Foundation.  The ceremony was held Wednesday, April 2
at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.
     FBI deputy director James Kallstrom, who heads the ongoing
investigation, presented the awards.  He recently described the
Navy divers supporting the operation as "the true heroes of
Flight 800."
     The crews of USS Grasp (ARS 51), USS Grapple (ARS 53), USS
Trenton (LPD 14), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and divers from Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Unit 1, Colts Neck, N.J.; Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Unit 6, Charleston, S.C.; Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit
2 from Little Creek, Va.; and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 2,
Little Creek, Va., participated in the operation.
 -USN-
NNS1406.  DOD announces Operation Be Fit
courtesy of Air Force News Service
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Defense Department is starting a
new program to improve physical fitness.
     "Operation Be Fit will serve as a blueprint to foster a
renewed emphasis on the physical fitness of the entire military
community," said Fred Pang, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Force Management Policy.  "It will also let the Department of
Defense set the standard and assume national leadership in
comprehensive physical fitness programs and activities."
     The operation will focus on improving and expanding programs
in fitness and sports, plus recreation activities involving
physical activity.  DOD also will take steps to encourage all
members of the military community to participate in the programs.
     This initiative will build on programs already within each
of the services by combining expertise within the Department.  It
will add DOD emphasis and endorsement to these efforts.
     Pang praised the initiative. "Maintaining the peace through
military training and preparedness -- and fighting a war if
necessary -- calls for men and women who are extremely fit," he
said.  "It's the human side of force modernization.
     "When military community participation in regular physical
activity increases," he added, "we free up health care dollars
that can be used for other critical needs.  We also get the
significant benefit of having a total work force that does the
job better than ever before."
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS1407.  BUPERS correcting enlistment bonus errors
by JO3 Brenda Granberry, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
officials have taken steps to correct errors in some enlistment
bonus (EB) contracts written between Oct. 1, 1993, and Jan. 31,
1997.
     As a result of apparent administrative errors some incorrect
EB amounts were entered on contracts.
     Sailors with an EB contract written between Oct. 1, 1993,
and Jan. 31, 1997, who think they may have been paid less than
the correct amount, should forward the incorrect contract to
BUPERS (PERS-204), via their Personnel Support Detachment or
training activity.  BUPERS will then take measures to correct the
errors and pay Sailors the correct bonus.
     "I recognize and appreciate the concern of those who have
been denied the EB for which they contracted, and the efforts
required administratively to correct the problem," stated Chief
of Naval Personnel VADM D. T. Oliver.  "We are revising
procedures to prevent this from happening again."
     BUPERS will submit corrective paperwork, if required, to
Board for Correction of Naval Records directly, without more
action by individual Sailors.  Submission procedures and
additional information are available in NAVADMIN 065/97, or by
contacting BUPERS (PERS-204) at (703)614-2067, (DSN 225).
 -USN-
NNS1408.  BUPERS announces new SRB levels
by JO3 Brenda Granberry, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Bureau Naval Personnel recently
announced new Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) levels.  Award
levels that increased were effective April 1.  Awards that
decreased will go into effect May 1.
     The actual amount of an SRB is determined by the number of
months a service member reenlists beyond the End of Active
Obligated Service (EAOS) date.  Members may request to reenlist
anytime during the same fiscal year as their EAOS or Permanent
Change of Station (PCS) orders.  However, to take full advantage
of the program, Sailors should reenlist as close to their EAOS as
possible.
     Any member who has already submitted a request for SRB, but
would benefit from a higher award level under this plan, must
resubmit their request and ensure the dates coincide with those
outlined in the new plan.
     SRB requests should be submitted at least 30 days prior to
the reenlistment date to make sure there is adequate time to
process their reenlistment request.
     Additional details, requirements for submitting requests and
the revised award plan are available in NAVADMIN 068/97 or
contact BUPERS (PERS-255) at (703)695-0654 (DSN 225).
 -USN-
NNS1409.  Household goods helpline expanded
courtesy of Naval Supply Systems Command Public Affairs
     MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NWSA) -- Sailors stationed at several
overseas locations needing assistance in moving their
household goods can now get toll-free help.
     Sailors overseas can call the Naval Supply Systems
Command (NAVSUP) Household Goods helpline service at 1-800-14-
2402 from within Australia, (030) 008-00-12-4861 in Greece,
(039) 167-87-4113 from within Italy, and (884) 0038-12-0124 in
Korea.
     Sailors in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and
Tunisia receive similar assistance by calling 1-800-444-7789.
Other worldwide callers may reach the Helpline at (717) 790-
2448 or DSN 430-2448.
     Helpline hours will be expanded to 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
Eastern time, Monday through Friday beginning in June.
     Efforts are underway to expand the toll-free helpline
service to England, Japan, Norway, Panama and Spain by this
summer.
 -USN-
NNS1410.   Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 065/97 (DTG 251354Z MAR 97) -- Enlisted Bonus
Program
     NAVADMIN 066/97 (DTG 251914Z MAR 97) -- Naval Reserve
promotions to the grades of CAPT, CDR, LCDR, LT, CWO, line and
staff corps
     NAVADMIN 068/97 (DTG 261430Z MAR 97) -- Selective
Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)
     NAVADMIN 069/97 (DTG 261432Z MAR 97) -- Navy test pilot
selection board results
     NAVADMIN 070/97 (DTG 261913Z MAR 97) -- Active duty
promotion to the permanent and temporary grade of LT, line and
staff corps
     NAVADMIN 071/97 (DTG 261914Z MAR 97) -- Active duty
promotions to the permanent grades of CWO, W-4, W-3
     NAVADMIN 073/97 (DTG 281346Z MAR 97) -- 1996 VADM Robert F.
Batchelder award
     NAVADMIN 074/97 (DTG  281917Z MAR 97) -- Active duty
promotions to the permanent and temporary grade of CAPT, CDR,
LCDR, line and staff corps
 -USN
     Around the Fleet
NNS1411.  Four Deep Freeze commands earn award
     PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NWSA) -- Four Navy commands received
the Meritorious Unit Commendation March 14 for supporting
scientific exploration in Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze
1995/96.
     The award was presented to U.S. Naval Support Force,
Antarctica; Antarctic Development Squadron 6; Naval Support
Force, Antarctica Detachment McMurdo; and U.S. Naval Antarctic
Support Unit, Christchurch, New Zealand.
     The units transported more than 50 million pounds of fuel,
cargo and more than 5,000 passengers to and around the Antarctic
continent.  The award also recognized the units' rapid response
to two life-threatening medical emergencies.
 -USN-
NNS1412.  Italian bank brings service to NSA Naples
by JO1 Mark K. Hollis, Naval Support Activity Naples
     NAPLES, Italy (NWSA) -- Banca Commerciale Italiana, also
known as Banca COMIT, opened for business March 13 at Naval
Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy.
     NSA Naples has been without an Italian bank since December
1994 when the Deutsche Bank closed operations there.
     Banca COMIT will provide checking and savings accounts to
U.S. personnel and their families and for Italian nationals
working at the facility.
     "Banca COMIT plans to open new offices at Capodichino and
the Gricignano Support Site as the customer base moves in that
direction," said Gaetano Dublino, one of the lead negotiators.
"Our contract calls for Banca COMIT to install a Bankomat machine
at Capodichino within six months. This machine will dispense Lire
to those with Italian checking accounts."
     The initial contract between Banca COMIT and NSA Naples is
for three years.
 -USN-
NNS1413.  Maritime Prepositioning Force trains at Souda Bay
     SOUDA BAY, Crete (NWSA) -- The Maritime Prepositioning Force
(MPF) recently completed its first Naval Support Element training
in Europe at Souda Bay, Crete.
     Two ships from Maritime Prepositioning Squadron (MPSRON) 1,
SS PFC Eugene A. Obregon and SS SGT Matej Kocak, and 175 active-
duty and reserve personnel from 11 different commands and
organizations participated.
     CAPT David C. Rollins, Commodore of MPSRON 1, said the
training was the first of its kind for the unit since the ships
moved to Europe two years ago.
     Souda Bay was chosen as the site, Rollins said, "because of
the excellent support from our Greek hosts, the harbor's natural
protection from the elements and the superb support from the
Naval Support Activity here."
     The squadron carries the equipment and supplies needed to
sustain an 18,000-man Marine Air Ground Task Force for 30 days of
combat operations.  The five ships assigned to MPSRON 1 are
forward deployed to the Mediterranean.  Other maritime
prepositioning force squadrons are deployed to the Indian Ocean
and the western Pacific.
 -USN-
NNS1414.  Notable Quotable: "The way we are going to take
ourselves and keep ourselves relevant as we punch our way into
the next century is with a vision that has us looking out ahead
and steering by the stars that are up there instead of looking
over our shoulders and steering by the wake that is behind us."
Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay Johnson at the Sea-Air-Space
Exposition March 26.
 -USN-
NNS1415.  Status of the Navy: March 31, 1997
Personnel: 401,233 active duty; 234,383 Ready Reserves, 98,787
Sel Reserves, 135,596 Indiv Ready Reserves; 213,048 civilians
Aircraft:            4,754
Ships:               351
Underway:            153 ships (44%)
Deployed:            110 ships;(31%) 53,801 personnel
Exercises:           6
Port Visits:         11
SSNs at Sea          26 (36%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Kitty Hawk/CVW 11: transit, western Pacific
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: local ops, Arabian Gulf
     USS Independence: port visit, Sydney, Australia
     USS George Washington: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS John C. Stennis: local ops, western Atlantic 
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Essex/11th MEU: transit, western Pacific
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: transit, Gulf of Guinea
     USS Boxer: transit, Mid Pacific
     USS New Orleans: transit, Coral Sea
     USS Inchon: transit, eastern Atlantic
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Silver Wake, Mediterranean Sea
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
 -USN-
NNS1416. This Week in Navy History: April 1, 1972 -- The Navy's
last in-country combat unit, Light Attack Squadron (VAL) 4, is
withdrawn from South Vietnam.
 -USN-

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 018/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1801. JFK Carrier Battle Group deployed
NNS1802. USS Clark returns from counter-drug operations
NNS1803. Navy demonstrates newest aircraft camera
NNS1804. Atlantic Fleet selects Sea, Shore Sailors of the Year
NNS1805. Naval Facilities Engineering Command 1997 Sailor of the
Year chosen
NNS1806. CNP meets with fleet
     Personnel Notes
NNS1807. CNP Discusses QDR
NNS1808. CNP stresses stability and choice as commitment to
Sailors
NNS1809. BUPERS changes policy to correct inequality
NNS1810. BUPERS announces the disestablishment of the CWO
Designators for Photography
NNS1811. BUPERS announces new REGA and CREO listings
NNS1812. BUMED regulations and directives now on CD-ROM
NNS1813. Enterprise Family Association lends a hand to Fisher
House
NNS1814. Surface forces kick off new health award
NNS1815. Summary of NAVADMINs
     Around the Fleet
NNS1816. DOD announces winners of Commander-in-Chief's
Installation Excellence Award
NNS1817. Navy community outreach program selected by White House
NNS1818. Sailors save $10.5 million
NNS1819. Notable Quotable: Chief of Naval Operations
NNS1820. Status of the Navy: April 21, 1997
NNS1821. This Week in Navy History: April 24, 1862
 -USN-
NNS1801. JFK Carrier Battle Group deployed
     NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 10,000 Sailors and Marines sailed
from their home ports and bases April 29 for a six-month overseas
deployment as the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Battle Group (CVBG)
and the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).
     The JFK Battle Group includes the aircraft carrier USS John
F. Kennedy, with Commander Carrier Group 2, Commander Carrier Air
Wing 8 and eight aircraft squadrons embarked, three guided
missile cruisers, two destroyers, a frigate, a fast combat
support ship and two attack submarines. They will relieve the USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) CVBG, which has been operating in the
Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf since
November.
     The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, with nearly 3,000
Sailors and Marines aboard, left port two weeks early, on April
15, to relieve USS Nassau (LHA 4) off the west African coast. The
other two ships in the Kearsarge ARG, USS Ponce (LPD 15) and USS
Carter Hall (LSD 50), departed Norfolk on schedule with the JFK
CVBG April 29 and will relieve the two other ships of the Nassau
ARG in the Mediterranean Sea.
     The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will deploy with the
Kearsarge ARG.
     The JFK CVBG and Kearsarge ARG completed a Joint Task Force
Exercise(JTFEX) last month, the culmination of about six months
of pre-deployment training and work-ups. The joint service
exercise included surveillance, rescue, humanitarian assistance,
maritime interdiction, embassy support and non-combatant
evacuation operations, all of which have been recently performed
by Navy and Marine Corps units deployed overseas.
     "Last month, I observed the JFK Battle Group and Kearsarge
Amphibious Ready Group in action during JTFEX. They are fully
prepared to deal with whatever crises they may encounter over the
next six months," said VADM Vern Clark, Commander, 2nd Fleet. "We
train the way we fight, and today, that means being able to
operate effectively with the other military services and with
allied nations. These Sailors and Marines are trained, motivated
and ready to respond to any tasking."
     Ships included with the JFK CVBG are: USS Vicksburg (CG 69),
USS Hue City (CG 66), USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), USS Spruance
(DD 963), USS John Hancock (DD 981), USS Taylor (FFG 50), USS
Arctic (AOE 8)and submarines USS Albany (SSN 753) and USS
Jacksonville (SSN 699).
 -USN-
NNS1802. USS Clark returns from counter-drug operations
     NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Clark (FFG 11) returned to Norfolk
April 25 after completing a three-and-a-half deployment to the
Caribbean conducting counter-drug operations in support of Joint
Interagency Task Force, East.
    The 150-person crew of Clark supported by Selected Reservists
and law enforcement personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard,
performed detection, monitoring and boarding operations on
vessels suspected of smuggling illegal drugs or immigrants. Teams
from Clark boarded 20 vessels, one of which was carrying more
than 1,100 pounds of cocaine and they interdicted a migrant
smuggling operation during the deployment.
     The guided missile frigate also conducted exercises with the
Dutch navy to help strengthen relationships among navies in the
Caribbean.
     Crew members completed community relations projects in Haiti
and Trinidad that included renovating orphanages. The ships also
visited Caracas and Aruba.
 -USN-
NNS1803. Navy demonstrates new aircraft camera
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy demonstrated its newest high-
tech aircraft camera, the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System-
Digital Imagery (TARPS-DI), April 23 for DOD officials in
Washington.
     In the demonstration, two F-14's from NAS Oceana flew over
the Pentagon and photographed the Pentagon, and transmitted
digital images of the "target" directly to a computer in a HUMVEE
in the Pentagon parking lot.
     In the fleet, TARPS-DI will send images to the flagship,
ground force commanders ashore, and other ships supporting an
operation.
     The test showed the speed with which the system will give
force commanders "real time" pictures of significant targets,
explained CAPT Chuck Nash, Senior Requirements Officer for the
F-14 TARPS-DI program.
     The old TARPS systems used highly sophisticated film
cameras. But, just like aerial reconnaissance as far back as
World War I, the aircraft had to fly home and the film processed
in a photo lab before anyone could see the pictures.
     "The new system will [positively] affect the PHs and
ISs, and even the Sailor who shoots the Tomahawk Cruise missile,"
said LT Scott Raveling, the F-14 Operational Test Director.
     One of the principal uses for TARPS-DI will be to locate and
identify hostile targets so they can be quickly neutralized by
aircraft, cruise missile or naval gunfire strikes.
     The Navy plans to build 24 pods by 2003 at a cost of between
$6-8 million.
 -USN-
NNS1804. Atlantic Fleet selects Sea, Shore Sailors of the Year
     JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- ADM J. Paul Reason, Commander in
Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet, named Petty Officer 1st Class Robert
W. Betts the 1997 Sea Sailor of the Year; and Petty Officer 1st
Class Leander Jerome Sackey as the fleet's top Shore Sailor for
1997 during a banquet at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in
downtown Jacksonville, Fla., April 24.
     Although only two candidates were selected Reason said,
"This award honors all nine of these exceptional Sailors. Each
(of them) should be very proud because they represent the best
the fleet has to offer."
     Betts will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer
and serve with the Atlantic Fleet Master Chief for a two-year
tour of duty. He will also travel throughout the fleet, serving
as a role model for Sailors.
     Sackey will go on to compete against the top shore Sailors
from Pacific Fleet, Naval Forces Europe and Vice Chief of Naval
Operations for the Navywide honor. That winner will also be
meritoriously promoted and will serve a tour of duty as a special
assistant to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in
Washington, D.C.
     Betts, a native of Amsterdam, N.Y., joined the Navy in 1986.
His first Navy assignments were at the Naval Aircrew Candidate
School and Rescue Swimmer School in Pensacola, Fla.; and Aviation
Systems Warfare Operator "A" School at the Naval Aviation
Technician Center, Millington, Tenn. He ranked first in his class
and was selected for accelerated advancement to petty officer
third class. From "A" school, Betts reported to Helicopter
Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 1 in Jacksonville, Fla., for fleet
replacement aircrew training. His first sea duty assignment was
with HS-15 in Jacksonville, where he made three deployments to
the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59). During this
tour, he was selected as Sailor of the Month, advanced to second
class and first petty officer and qualified as an Enlisted
Aviation Warfare Specialist. Betts transferred in March 1992 to
the Naval Air Technical Training Center for instructor duty
training, then to HS-1 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Aircrew
Instructor. In June 1996, he reported to his current assignment
with HS-11 in Jacksonville as Operations Department leading petty
officer. He has been named HS-11's Sailor of the Year and
Aircrewman of the Year for Commander, Helicopter Wings, Atlantic.
     Betts lives in Orange Park, Fla., with his wife, the former
Angela Jo Stewart.
     Sackey, a native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, joined
the Navy in 1983. He was first assigned aboard USS Coral Sea (CV
43) and served as a maintenance technician and plane captain,
making two major deployments. After attending and completing
Aircrew Candidate School, Sackey reported to Naval Air Test
Center, Patuxent River, Md., in April 1988. He was assigned to
Air Operations Department as a rescue swimmer. In April 1991,
Sackey transferred to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 where
he served as an aircrew/rescue swimmer, detachment assistant
leading petty officer, Quality Assurance Representative, NATOPS
Instructor and Maintenance Control Chief. In March 1994, he
transferred to Naval Air Station Oceana's Operations Department,
Aircraft Organizational Maintenance Division, where he serves as
Maintenance Control Leading Petty Officer, responsible for
maintaining the station's two US-3H helicopters and supervising
39 people.
 -USN-
NNS1805. Naval Facilities Engineering Command 1997 Sailor of the
Year Chosen
     Alexandria, Va. (NNS) -- Construction Mechanic 1st Class
Kevin M. Hughes, of Bellmawk, N.J., is the Naval Facilities
Engineering Command (NavFac) 1997 Shore Sailor of the Year.
     Hughes is assigned to the Mobile Utilities Support Equipment
(MUSE) Department of the Naval Construction Battalion Center,
Port Hueneme, Calif.
     He saved the Navy more than $100,000 in future operating
costs by consolidating diesel engines in MUSE generators from 18
to 10. He also managed more than $30 million in contract
overhauls and repairs of MUSE generators, and led a team of Army
and Navy MUSE technicians to Hong Kong in support of submarine
replenishment operations.
 -USN-
NNS1806. CNP meets with fleet
by JOC Kaylee Eger
     As part of his continuing efforts to meet with fleet
personnel, VADM Daniel Oliver, Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP),
held all hands calls during his recent visits to NAS Cecil Field
and NavSta Mayport, Fla., and Subase King's Bay, Ga. Several
hundred Sailors and officers attended the presentations which
were followed by question/answer sessions.
     The CNP said he realized the best way to ensure new
initiatives and policies designed to help Sailors are working is
to visit the fleet and ask for feedback.
     Several questions were asked by concerned Sailors regarding
advancements, sea time, recruit training and retirement pay
benefits. CNP assured his audiences that these issues were top
priorities for the CNO.
     "In Washington, we pursue policies we think are in
everyone's best interest. I want to obtain feedback and ensure
these policies have the intended effect on the individual
Sailor," Oliver said.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS1807. CNP discusses QDR
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Personnel VADM Dan Oliver
said any potential personnel cuts stemming from the Quadrennial
Defense Review (QDR) will likely be relatively small and
manageable compared with the still ongoing post-cold war
drawdown.
     The QDR's recommendation is due to Congress on 15 May.
     "If the QDR does, in fact, reduce the size of the Navy, my
guess is we won't see the same size reduction that we experienced
during the past Cold War drawdown. We will have time to make
these changes and reductions will be gradual compared with the
past 4-5 years."
     Oliver said balancing Sea-Shore rotation would remain a top
priority. "The QDR may bring down sea as well as shore billets,
and if that happens we won't have a Sea-Shore rotation problem.
We're also doing `smart ship' and any reductions achieved by this
initiative may allow us to reduce additional sea billets. We'll
continue to watch Sea-Shore rotation to ensure any decisions made
do not adversely impact our sea going Sailors."
     The most important thing to remember, Oliver said, is that
any potential reductions would take place over time, giving Navy
leadership the opportunity to carefully control each step in the
process.
     Emphasizing that Navy leadership is fully committed to
keeping faith with its people, he said, "The CNO factors people
into every decision he makes. We know how hard Sailors are
working and we won't ask people to do more with less. Quality of
life and professional opportunity will remain top priorities."
 -USN-
NNS1808. CNP stresses stability and choice as commitment to
Sailors
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Personnel, VADM Dan
Oliver, said one way to keep faith with career Sailors during the
end of the post Cold war drawdown is to provide as much choice
and stability as possible.
     "We want to give Sailors two things to the best of our
ability. One of them is choice - give them as many choices as we
can in making their life decisions, and the other is to provide
as much stability as possible, so when they make these choices
they don't worry about the Navy changing its policies or
programs."
     Oliver said the Navy's Homebasing Concept and closely
watching Sea-Shore rotation were two primary ways to honor this
commitment.
     "Our people are working very hard and we have no intention
of working them any harder," he said. "Sea-Shore rotation is
about as extreme as we want it. We're committed to not making sea
shore rotation any higher on the sea side."
     The CNP also reiterated his strong support for homebasing by
stating that increased stability offered by homebasing is
necessary today with more Sailors having families and working
spouses.
     "Homebasing is a good concept," Oliver said. "It is a long
term process and will take time to see its full effect, but the
good news is that we've had an immediate cultural change, in that
homebasing is no longer a negative term. Today the detailers are
encouraging people to do back-to-back tours in the same
geographical location and we're trying hard to provide choice and
stability for our career force."
 -USN-
NNS1809. BUPERS changes policy to correct inequality
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
recently announced a change in policy to correct an inequality
between Sailors with and without dependents.
     As long as Sailors without dependents retain private
quarters, they will now be permitted to continue receiving
BAQ/VHA or OHA when excuting a close proximity PCS move. Sailors
without dependents will be permitted to continue receiving
BAQ/VHA or OHA when on TEMDUINS over 30 days under this
circumstance.
     The change, which was a result of input from the fleet and
MCPON's Senior Leadership Forum, became effective 30 April 1997.
     Eligibility criteria, amplifying examples and additional
information are available in NAVADMIN 102/97.
 -USN-
NNS1810. BUPERS announces the disestablishment of the CWO
Designators for Photography
by LT Pamela Kunze, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)
recently announced the disestablishment of the Chief Warrant
Officer (CWO) designator for photography (747X).
     Significant technology improvements in the area of
photography have eliminated the requirement for continuation of
the CWO photographer's designation.
     Consequently, BUPERS can no longer accept accession
applications for the 747X designator. Additionally, billets
currently designated as CWO (747X) will be redesignated as LDO
Imaging Management (647X).
     CWO's currently holding the 747X designation are encouraged
to apply for LDO (647X) provided all eligibility requirements are
met.
     CWO's presently designated as photographers will continue to
be assigned in challenging imaging/photographer billets. They
will be allowed to complete full and productive careers
consistent with normal CWO promotion selection processes.
     Additional information is available in NAVADMIN 100/97, or
by contacting the BUPERS points of contact, CDR Jerry Hart, the
LDO/CWO community manager, at commercial (703)693-2309 or (DSN
223) or LCDR Rob Fiegl at commercial (703)614-4596 or (DSN 224).
 -USN-
NNS1811. BUPERS announces new REGA and CREO listings
story by JO3 Brenda Granberry
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel recently
published NAVADMIN 095/97 which provides rating availability for
non-designated strikers, advancement forecasts, CREO rating
classifications and critical skills lists.
     Career Sailors who are considering a change of rating and
are concerned about career advancement in their present rating
should review the CREO categories to determine the best
opportunities. Conversions will only be considered when a Sailor
is attempting to leave a rating that is in CREO 2 or 3 and enter
a CREO 1 rating.
     This version of CREO/REGA has eliminated separate categories
for male and female Sailors. First-term and career Sailors now
reflect a single category for manning classifications and several
rates have merged or will merge in the near future.
     First term Sailors are encouraged to carefully review the
information in the NAVADMIN before making a rating entry
decision. Further, it is recommended that Sailors review their
plans with local career counselors to ensure all requirements and
qualifications are met.
     Additional details are available in NAVADMIN 095/97 or at
your local career counselor's office.
 -USN-
NNS1812. BUMED regulations and directives now on CD-ROM
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED)
regulations and directives are now available on CD-ROM.
     The BUMED Directives CD-ROM is being distributed to all
ships and stations with medical department personnel assigned.
Instead of a shelf with 20 manuals, Navy medical personnel can
carry the same amount of information in their hand.
     The BUMED Directive's CD-ROM has information ranging from
BUMED instructions to the Radiation Health Protection Manual to
the Manual of Naval Preventive Medicine.
     Putting BUMED's directives on CD offers many advantages.
     "They're easy to store and easy to distribute, and are also
durable. Each copy you print off is an original, so it will be
clear, not like a copy that has been repeatedly copied," said
Laura Frantz, head of BUMED's regulations and directives branch.
     For more information about BUMED's directives on CD-ROM,
call the regulations and directives branch at (202) 762-3250.
 -USN-
NNS1813. Enterprise Family Association lends a hand to Fisher
House
by JO3 K. Scott Cook, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
     NORFOLK (NNS) -- The USS Enterprise Family Association
recently donated $750 to the Zachary & Elizabeth Fisher House
Apartments in Portsmouth, Va.
     Fisher House, located near Portsmouth Naval Hospital,
provides lodging for service families with a member receiving
care at the hospital. The Enterprise Family Association knows
this is a service worthy of support.
     "This is the only money we're spending outside the
Enterprise family," said Janet Malone, who advises the Enterprise
Family Association. "We presented the gift to Fisher House
Apartments because it will go right back to the service members."
     This generous donation couldn't have come at a better time
for the Fisher House. "When service members or their family
members are placed in the hospital it can be a stressful time.
The last thing their immediate family should have to worry about
is finding a nearby place to stay," said Mary Johnson, the
executive director of the Fisher House Apartments. "This is the
largest donation we've ever had. This money will allow us to do a
lot of things to make guests' lives easier."
     This six-apartment complex is unique from other Fisher
Houses around the world in that it is privately owned.
     "When we opened April 1, 1989, we had enough money to place
a down-payment," said Johnson. "We were about ready to close the
following year because of a lack of money. Then Mr. Fisher
stepped in and paid our mortgage and gave us a little nest egg to
keep the house going."
     Guests are asked to pay $30 a night for each apartment or
$15 per bedroom, but the money is not important. "We'll never
turn away anyone in need," said Johnson. "Everyone has a place to
stay."
     Now, with the help of the Enterprise Family Association,
those who stay at the Fisher House Apartments will be a little
more comfortable so they can concentrate on important things.
The Enterprise Family Association is also donating $1,000 to
support the Sailor of the Quarter and Year programs on
Enterprise. They will also provide $2,000 in scholarships to the
spouses of Enterprise Sailors.
 -USN-
NNS1814. Surface forces kick off new health award
by Jan Davis, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The green "H" isn't a new super hero.
It's an award that recognizes the healthiest units in the
Atlantic and Pacific surface fleets.
     To enhance battle readiness by promoting health and fitness
in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet surface forces, the two are co-
sponsoring an annual Wellness Unit Award. Winners will signify
their success by painting a green "H" for health on their bridge
wing alongside other battle "E" competition departmental awards.
     Commands qualify for the "H" by the fitness of their Sailors
and the health promotion activities they participate in, such as
tobacco cessation, weight control, pregnancy awareness, injury
prevention, and anger and stress management.
     There are no limits to the number of ships that receive the
award.
     "If a ship meets or exceeds all the standards, then they can
earn a green 'H'," said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Antonio C.
Abad, with the Fleet Surgeon's office at Surface Force Pacific
Fleet. "I'd feel like the green `H' (award) would be an
outstanding success if I could walk down the pier and see every
ship there with a green "H."
      The Pacific Surface Force will award its first "H" in June
1997. The Atlantic Surface Force will present its first awards in
1998.
     COMNAVSURFLANT Instruction 6100.2 and COMNAVSURFPAC
Instruction 6100.1 provide more information.
 -USN-
NNS1815.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 098/97 (DTG 211446Z APR 97) -- 25th National Naval
Officers Assistance (NNOA) Conference.
     NAVADMIN 100/97 (DTG 231750Z APR 97) -- Disestablishment of
the Chief Warrant Officer photographer designation
     NAVADMIN 101/97 (DTG 231751Z APR 97) -- CAPT Joy Bright
Hancock leadership award.
     NAVADMIN 106/97 (DTG 251751Z APR 97) -- Active Duty
promotions to the permanent grades of CAPT, CDR, LCDR, line and
staff corps.
     NAVADMIN 107/97 (DTG 252339Z APR 97) -- National Physical
Fitness and Sports month.
 -USN-
NNS1816. DOD announces winners of Commander-in-Chief's
Installation Excellence awards
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen on
April 23 announced the winners of the 1997 Commander-in-Chief's
Award for Installation Excellence.
     They are:
     -- Naval Station Ingleside, Texas
     -- Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.
     -- Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
     -- Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas
     -- Defense Supply Center Richmond, Va.
     The Commander-in-Chief's Award for Installation Excellence
recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people
who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. The five
recipients were selected for their great support of the
Department of Defense mission.
     Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent
working, housing and recreational conditions.
     An award ceremony will be held at the Pentagon May 2.
 -USN-
NNS1817. Navy community outreach program selected by White House
     PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- STARBASE-ATLANTIS, a Navy-run DOD
educational outreach program was invited to attend the
President's Summit for American's Future April 27 - 29 in
Philadelphia.
     STARBASE-ATLANTIS, one of only two DOD programs invited,
gives fourth through sixth grade children and teachers unique
opportunities to learn about real world applications of
technology through experimental learning, simulations and
experiments in aviation and space-related fields.
     The program, administered by the Chief of Naval Education
and Training (CNET), Pensacola, Fla., provides mentoring to the
students through interaction with Sailors and Marines. Students
and teachers spend five days over a five week period at a Navy
base working with instructors learning the basic physics
associated with flight.
     The Summit invited 50 programs that are exemplary in
providing five fundamental resources to children and youth:
     -- An ongoing relationship with a caring adult such as
mentoring, tutoring or coaching;
     -- Safe places and structured activities during non-school
hours to learn and grow;
     -- A healthy start in life emotionally, intellectually and
emotionally;
     -- A marketable skill through effective education; and
     -- An opportunity to give back through community service.
      Patricia Church, National Director of the program at CNET
said, "We are thrilled to be given this opportunity to share with
America's leaders the tremendous impact of Department of Defense
STARBASE programs in shaping the future of thousands of America's
youth."
     STARBASE-ATLANTIS and the STARBASE-ROBBINS Program, a
similar program administered at Robins Air Force Base, Warner
Robins, Ga., received the invitation jointly. Two delegates, one
from each program, attended the summit as a team with a display
set up at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The team answered
questions and served as a teaching example to delegates from 140
communities around the country.
 -USN-
NNS1818. Sailors save $10.5 million
LT Tony F. De Alicante, Office of the Judge Advocate General
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- By the end of the day April 15, the
Navy's team of tax preparers had electronically transmitted
81,000 federal tax returns, prepared another 27,000 federal tax
returns for mailing and almost 27,000 state tax returns.
     These figures represent a 70 percent increase over 1996,
previously the Navy's best year ever.
     With 119 shore and afloat sites this year, the Navy's
Electronic Tax Filing (ELF) program has grown nearly 800 percent
in three short years to become the largest, broadest network of
tax assistance sites within the armed forces. Sailors worldwide
embraced the program as one of the best Quality of Life (QOL)
programs to come along in years.
     The Judge Advocate General, RADM H. E. "Rick" Grant agreed.
"The electronic tax filing program has been one of our greatest
successes. No QOL initiative has grown as quickly or been so
universally praised from the deckplates to the Pentagon E-ring.
This program demonstrates the tremendous impact we can have on
the morale and welfare of our people when we combine technology,
vision, hard work and Sailors dedicated to taking care of each
other."
     While most tax centers were staffed with permanently-
assigned or TAD personnel, the program could never have served so
many Sailors without the contributions of other Sailors, retirees
and dependents who volunteered in their free time to help others.
     The tax representatives, who worked under the IRS Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, expedited more than $85
million in federal and state tax refunds, and provided tax
services valued in excess of $10.5 million. Sailors who worked as
VITA representatives said that they enjoyed helping shipmates
with their taxes and most plan on helping out again next year.
The Office of the Judge Advocate General expects the program to
build on this year's experience to be even bigger and better next
year.
     Although overseas offices will continue offering tax
assistance into June, most domestic ELF sites wrapped up on April
15. While most stateside tax centers have secured operations, tax
advice and assistance (other than preparation) are available to
Sailors at Legal Assistance Offices year-round.
 -USN-
NNS1819. Notable Quotable: "When you have that kind of (all
volunteer) force it's wonderful, but it also carries with it an
obligation to take care of people, and we understand that very
seriously. We do the best we can, and I think we're making great
strides. People are number one...as they should be." Chief of
Naval Operations ADM Jay Johnson.
 -USN-
NNS1821. Status of the Navy: April 28, 1997
Personnel: 397,884 active duty; 233,892 Ready Reserves; 97,116
SELRES; 136,776 IRR; 211,118 civilians
Aircraft:      4,754
Ships:        350
Underway:      166 ships (47%)
Deployed:      108 ships;(31%) 57,994 personnel
Exercises:      6
Port Visits:     13
SSNs at Sea     45 (62%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Constellation/CVW 2: transit, Coral Sea
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: ops, Mediterranean Sea
     USS Independence: port visit, Port Kelang, Malaysia
     USS Nimitz: COMPTUEX 97-2, eastern Pacific
     USS Dwight D. Eisenhower: local ops, western Atlantic
     USS George Washington: local ops, western Atlantic
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Boxer: transit, South China Sea
     USS Kearsarge/22nd MEU: transit, Mid Atlantic
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: Guardian Retrieval, Gulf of Guinea
     USS Belleau Woods: ops, East China Sea
     USS New Orleans: transit, Mid Pacific
     USS Inchon: Blue Harrier 97, North Sea
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Silver Wake, Adriatic Sea
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     Exercise Eager Sentry 97
 -USN-
NNS1820. This Week in Navy History: May 4, 1917-- The first U.S.
destroyer squadron arrived in Queenstown, Ireland, to help the
British in escorting convoys. When asked by the English admiral
when his ships would be prepared for duty, CDR Joseph K. Taussig
replied, in a manner characteristic of "tin can" Sailors, "We
will be ready when fueled, sir."
 -USN-

Subj:	Navy News Service -- 07 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR NAVNEWS 019/97
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS1901.  SECNAV receives international security leadership award
NNS1902.  CNO addresses Center for Strategic and International
Studies
NNS1903.  WWII Sailor receives Navy Cross
NNS1904.  CJCS recognizes Public Service
      Personnel Notes
NNS1905.  Time to re-certify special duty assignment pay
NNS1906.  Nominations sought for CAPT Hancock Leadership Award
NNS1907.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     Around the Fleet
NNS1908.  USS Nashville departs Albanian coast
NNS1909.  Leroy Grumman aiding evacuation efforts in Zaire
NNS1910.  Seabees train during "Sharp Wedge '97"
NNS1911.  Reservists enhance medical services
NNS1912.  Ford Island development plan unveiled
NNS1913.  Navy dedicates Acquisition Hall of Fame
NNS1914.  A million April hits for the Navy's web site
NNS1915.  Guided missile destroyer Donald Cook christened
NNS1916.  Top Navy Lodges honored
NNS1917.  Family Service Center opens Email "Post Office"
NNS1918.  Notable Quotable: Chief of Naval Operations
NNS1919.  Status of the Navy: May 5, 1997
NNS1920.  This Week in Navy History: May 10, 1986
 -USN-
     Top News and Policy
NNS1901.  SECNAV receives international security leadership award
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton is
the 1997 recipient of the International Security Leadership
Award.
     Dalton is the first service secretary to receive the annual
award from the bipartisan National Security Caucus, the largest
congressional member organization, made up of 290 congressional
members.  The award recognizes "his leadership and vision in
promoting American seapower and a bipartisan maritime strategy."
It was presented by House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt in a
7 May ceremony in Washington, D.C.
     "I must say that this award truly belongs to the Department
of the Navy - to our Sailors, Marines and civilians that make our
force the finest the world has ever known," stated Secretary
Dalton in his remarks to the National Security Caucus.
     According to House Representatives Chet Edwards and Randy
(Duke) Cunningham, co-chairmen of the caucus, "By all accounts,
Secretary Dalton's operational strategy has been both aggressive
and forward-looking, and under his guidance the Navy has been
able to match tactics with the appropriate technology and
equipment."
     Only one individual is selected to receive the prestigious
award each year.  Past recipients include former Presidents
Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and former Senators Sam Nunn (Ga.)
and John C. Stennis (Miss.).
     As part of this recognition, the John H. Dalton
Congressional Fellowship in Maritime Strategy Studies has been
established by the non-profit NSC Foundation, which also sponsors
the annual award. The program is designed to honor the leadership
role of Dalton and his efforts to promote American seapower and
develop a comprehensive national maritime strategy.
 -USN-
NNS1902.  CNO addresses Center for Strategic and International
Studies
by CNO Public Affairs Office
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- "Forward deployed naval forces are
critically important to the national security strategy and the
economic well-being of the United States and the world,"
according to Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay L. Johnson,
speaking to a Center for Strategic and International Studies
symposium May 6.
     He gave the audience an overview of our Navy forward
deployed today doing what it does best, and what it does every
single day of the year - forward presence. ADM Johnson
highlighted that on an average day about 30% of Navy ships are
forward deployed and about 50% are underway.
     "The role of naval forces enhancing regional security,
reacting to crises, and providing critical warfighting support
has never been greater," said ADM Johnson.
     "I believe that the relevance of our naval forces of today,
and the ones we're building for the next century, will endure as
far into the future as these eyes can see," said ADM Johnson.
"There is simply no substitute for being there. That's what naval
forces are all about."
 -USN-
NNS1903.  WWII Sailor receives Navy Cross
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- "This award ceremony should have taken
place 50 years ago," said Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton,
"we are gathered here to set the record straight."
     To set the record straight, Dalton presented Steward Third
Class Robert Jones, USNR, (Ret.), with the Navy Cross for his
extraordinary heroism under fire. In the presence of Jones' wife
Minnie and nearly 40 other family members, an act of exceptional
courage was finally and fully rewarded.
     At age 19, Robert Jones was a young petty officer on USS
Intrepid (CV 11) in the Leyte Gulf. Trained and assigned to a gun
tub on the port side, he was in position on October 29, 1944,
when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the ship from starboard,
aiming directly for Jones' position.
     Grabbing his 20mm anti-aircraft gun and pointing it across
the flight deck, Jones began firing. He remained at his post and
continued to shoot until the plane finally crashed - its wings
shot off - into the gun tub, severely burning the young Sailor,
injuring others and killing ten of his fellow gun crew.
     Jones and several other members of that gun crew, composed
entirely of African-American Sailors, were promised the Navy
Cross - the highest Navy award after the Medal of Honor - but it
never came. Busy working to support his family, Jones didn't
pursue the unfulfilled promise until earlier this year when he
viewed a videotape produced by the USS Intrepid Museum in New
York City and recognized another shipmate - Alonzo Swann - on the
tape. Swann had received his Navy Cross in 1988. Jones' daughter
asked Congressman Robert C. Scott of Virginia to request a review
of the former Sailor's record.  Within two months, an upgrade was
approved and the ceremony scheduled.
    Holding the citation over his head, the 71-year old Jones
beamed with pride. "I thank God I'm here to get this. I'm filled
with joy!"
 -USN-
NNS1904.  CJCS recognizes Public Service
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sends the following:
     "Greetings to the outstanding military and civilian members
of the Department of Defense on the occasion of Public Service
Recognition Week.
     "The annual observances nationwide serve to remind us in a
special way of the magnificent service of America's public
servants -- individuals who have made freedom's cause their own.
As members of the Armed Forces or of the civilian work force, you
protected the national security interests of the United States
and upheld the principles upon which this great nation was
founded. Your dedication, patriotism and loyalty in support of a
strong and free America make us all proud.
     "On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, heartiest
congratulations on this extraordinary recognition."
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS1905.  Time to re-certify special duty assignment pay
by Michael McLellan, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Navy commands must certify the
eligibility of each member receiving Special Duty Assignment
Pay (SDAP) no later than Aug. 31.
     The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) says re-certification
is necessary to prevent overpayments of SDAP to members who are
no longer eligible.  SDAP will automatically stop for members not
re-certified, retroactive to June 1.
     Sailors must meet three requirements to receive SDAP:
possession of a SDAP-eligible Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC),
be assigned in an SDAP-eligible billet as listed on the command
Enlisted Distribution Verification Report, and be certified by
the commanding officer as actually serving in the SDAP billet for
which payment is received.
     Procedures for certifying SDAP-eligible personnel and a list
of the eligibility requirements are contained in OPNAVINST
1160.6A and NAVADMIN 103/97.  Additional information can be
obtained by calling the BUPERS Recertification Coordinator, PN1
E. M. Galit at DSN 223-1335 or (703) 693-1335.
 -USN-
NNS1906.  Nominations sought for CAPT Hancock Leadership Award
by JO3 Brenda Granberry, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Washington, D.C., chapter of the
Women Officers Professional Association (WOPA) is accepting
nominations for the 1997 CAPT Joy Bright Hancock Leadership
Award.
     This award was established in 1987 to recognize the
inspirational leadership of a reserve or active duty woman in the
United States Navy.
     Nominees should be Navy women who have demonstrated
inspirational, innovative and imaginative leadership, made
significant and lasting decisions impacting the lives of those
around them, and improved the working conditions and the quality
of life for their peers, subordinates and the Navy as a whole.
     Commanding officers, officers-in-charge or peers may
nominate an active duty or reserve women officer or enlisted (E7-
E9).  The nomination packages should be received by WOPA no later
than June 15.
      The WOPA Board of Directors will announce the award
recipient at the Annual National Capital Region WOPA Symposium
Aug. 8 in Bethesda, Md.
     Nomination criteria and additional information is available
in NAVADMIN 101/97.
 -USN-
NNS1907.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 108/97 (DTG 281855Z APR 97) -- USO-GRAM Program.
     NAVADMIN 112/97 (DTG 022230Z MAY 97) -- 250th Anniversary of
the birth of John Paul Jones
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS1908.  USS Nashville departs Albanian coast
     USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) (NWSA) - After 49 days on "Buffalo
Bill Station" 20 miles from the coast of Albania, "Topcat," AKA
USS Nashville (LPD 13), prepared for return after a six month
deployment.
     Nashville's involvement in Operation Silver Wake again
demonstrated the operationally flexible, mission effective
capabilities of a forward deployed amphibious ship. Since March
13 the flight deck crew moved 2,450 passengers and 467,094 pounds
of cargo in 825 landings.
     Much needed supplies and personnel of the relief force
transited across Nashville's flight deck from Italy via
Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 (HC 4) and then to Tirana
via the Blue Knights of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365
(HMM 365).
     Participation in the operation had a strong influence on the
Sailors aboard USS Nashville. QM1(SW) Ron Smith, of San Antonio,
Tex., has served on 13 different ships, and sees amphibs as the
most versatile and flexible platform the military operates.
     "Amphibs are the best because we can do so much with so
little for so long," Smith said.
 -USN-
NNS1909.  Leroy Grumman aiding evacuation efforts in Zaire
     COAST OF WEST AFRICA (NWSA) -- USNS Leroy Grumman, a
Military Sealift Command ship, has been supporting Operation
Guardian Retrieval off the western coast of Africa.  The
operation ensures the safe evacuation -- if necessary -- of U.S.
citizens from Zaire, which has been embroiled in civil war.
     Since the beginning of the operation in March, the underway
replenishment oiler has supplied more than 2.1 million gallons of
fuel and 300 pallets of supplies to the amphibious assault ship
USS Nassau (LHA 4) steaming off the coasts of Zaire and Congo.
USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) will take over the mission in early May.
     Leroy Grumman has been sailing down the African coast to
replenish its fuel and supplies in Cape Town, South Africa -- a
port that does not routinely see U.S. Navy ships.
     Leroy Grumman had been working for the 6th Fleet out of
Rota, Spain, spending nearly four months in the Mediterranean Sea
when it was called to assist with Guardian Retrieval.
 -USN-
NNS1910.  Seabees train during "Sharp Wedge '97"
     CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NWSA) -- Nearly 600 reserve and active
duty Seabees gained combat, construction and command and control
skills during exercise Sharp Wedge '97 at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
     The exercise provided training and tested the Seabees'
ability to operate effectively with a Marine Expeditionary Force
(MEF).
     "The teamwork relationship shared between Seabees and
Marines has always been solid," says CDR William S. Duffy,
operations officer for the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade.
"What's changing is how we are working toward better integrating
our command and control capabilities to ensure we can respond
quickly when tasked to provide construction support."
     During the four-week exercise, Marines gave Seabees hands-on
training in defensive combat skills, heavy weapons and perimeter
security tactics.
     Several base construction projects were part of the
exercise, including troop housing structures, observation range
towers and two water wells.  There was also a three-day combat
scenario to test individual and unit reactions to wartime
situations.
     "This is definitely some serious, realistic training," says
Utilitiesman 3rd Class Joseph Benoit, from Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion (NMCB) 27, Detachment 1602.  "We're
getting a great opportunity to apply what we've learned in
maintaining security in the field."
     Seabees also operated a 24-hour Command Operations Center,
and organized and maintained convoys when moving outside the base
camp.
     "If I had to go to war, I'd want to go with the Seabees,"
says Chief Personnelman Penny Demers, with NMCB 27, Detachment
0427. "With so much regional instability today we need the
realism and the sense of urgency that exercises like 'Sharp
Wedge' provide."
     Participating units included:  3rd Naval Construction
Regiment, Atlanta; NMCB-24, Huntsville, Ala.; NMCB-14,
Jacksonville, Fla.; Naval Construction Force Support Unit 3, Fort
Jackson, S.C.; 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, a deployable
unit of the 2nd Naval Construction Brigade, Norfolk; NMCB-27,
Brunswick, Maine; and NMCB-26, Mount Clemens, Mich.
 -USN-
NNS1911.  Reservists enhance medical services
by LCDR Karen Schaffer, NH Jacksonville
     JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NWSA) - When patients talk, Naval
Hospital (NH) Jacksonville and its reservists listen.
     When reservists heard the hospital had a backlog of patients
waiting for surgery, they coordinated their weekend drills so
they'd be able to "operate" a same-day surgery unit the first
weekend of each month.
     "The reserve same-day surgery unit performs approximately 15
surgical procedures each weekend in such specialties as plastic
surgery, general surgery, orthopedics, GYN and podiatry," said LT
Linda Finnestad, who is the active duty division officer for the
same-day surgery unit.  "The reserves are great.  They really
expand the number of surgeries our doctors can perform and make
it easier on our patients who may have (scheduling) conflicts
during the week."
     The reservists include Navy and Army anesthesiologists,
nurses and corpsmen.
     "They all combine to create a great pooling of expertise
from different health delivery institutions all over Florida and
parts of Georgia," said LCDR Chris Bernier, the Reserve division
officer of the unit.
     In addition to providing convenience and more available care
for patients and exceptional training for reservists, there's
another reason the weekend surgery unit is so popular at NH
Jacksonville -- money.  The hospital estimates it saves more than
$20,000 each weekend the reservists drill in the same-day surgery
unit by performing surgeries that would otherwise be performed at
area civilian hospitals and same-day surgery clinics, and paid
for by CHAMPUS.
 -USN-
NNS1912.  Ford Island development plan unveiled
by JO2 David Nagle, Naval Base Pearl Harbor Public Affairs
     PEARL HARBOR (NWSA) -- A plan to develop Pearl Harbor's Ford
Island into a residential, historical and cultural showcase was
unveiled recently by the Ford Island Steering Committee.
     The concept calls for a planned community that maximizes the
island as a resource for development of the entire Pearl Harbor
complex.  Highlights include new housing, a large park, a
historical and cultural complex and a museum.
     "The concept is based on dual use, both operational for Navy
requirements and residential," said RADM William Sutton,
Commander, Naval Base Pearl Harbor, during a local press
conference.  "We're going to do this while maintaining the
historical and cultural significance of Ford Island."
     Plans call for the construction of 500-600 housing units and
the development of operational facilities, including headquarters
and administrative buildings.
     Ford Island's runway and the surrounding area will be
developed into a large open park, while retaining the runway
tower and hangar as historical landmarks.
     In addition, planners have designed "Navy Square:" a
historical and cultural complex showcasing the role of the Navy
in the Pacific. Designers also have plans for a Navy museum in
the square to show the history of the Navy in Hawaii and the
Pacific.
     The $250-500 million plan is expected to be implemented
within ten to 12 years.
 -USN-
NNS1913.  Navy dedicates Acquisition Hall of Fame
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The newest Department of the Navy
display in the Pentagon was dedicated recently by Navy Secretary
John H. Dalton.  The permanent exhibit -- the Acquisition Hall of
Fame -- promotes and recognizes highly successful procurement
programs in the Navy and Marine Corps past, present and future.
     Emphasizing the value of the contributors and their
contributions, Secretary Dalton commented, "How much different
would today's Navy and Marine Corps be without the pioneers we
are about to honor and induct into this Hall of Fame?"
     Two of the first seven individuals recognized accepted their
awards in person: RADM Wayne E. Meyer, who led the Navy's effort
to develop the AEGIS Combat System and RADM Walter M. Locke for
his work in cruise missile development.
     Also honored were John Ericsson, designer and builder of USS
Monitor; RADM William Moffett, pioneer of naval aviation; Maj.
Gen. Emile P. Moses, pioneer of World War II Landing Craft; ADM
Hyman G. Rickover, pioneer of nuclear power; and VADM Levering
Smith, pioneer of Poseidon and Polaris Missiles.  Awards for
these five honorees were received by immediate family members.
     The new Hall of Fame will be included on the Pentagon tour
route.  For more information call the Department of Navy
Acquisition Hall of Fame at (703) 614-5316.
 -USN-
NNS1914.  A million April hits for the Navy's web site
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- What's the most popular address in the
United States Navy? Cyber-surfing Sailors, proud parents and old
salts will recognize it immediately as www.navy.mil, the Navy's
official web site. It is so popular that it broke the monthly one
million access mark in April, recording 1,147,155 "hits" or
accesses.
     The site went online in November 1993 and has been
undergoing a steady growth, but since the change of URL (uniform
research locator - or address) to www.navy.mil in March 1997,
there has been a strong surge in visits to the site. The site,
and its more 4,500 pages of information and links to more,
attracts a diverse audience. Sailors who served years ago (1950-
1954), new recruits and a Naval Science Instructor are among the
visitors who surf in and leave notes at www.navy.mil.
     Writes a Vancouver, Wash., Navy father by email: "These are
the best designed home pages that I have encountered. Our son is
with a helo group at NAF Atsugi, Japan, and we "drop in"
periodically to feel closer. Well done!"
     The content and links are managed in Washington, D.C., but
the equipment which makes the information available to millions
of people around the world via the Internet is located in
Pensacola, Fla.
     "The success of the web site would not be possible without
the superb technical support of Naval Computer and
Telecommunications Command in Pensacola," says Alan Goldstein,
Director, Technology Integration, who manages the site for the
Navy's Chief of Information.
     From answers to frequently asked questions about the U.S.
Navy to the current status of the fleet (updated weekly), the web
site is an electronic almanac of Navy facts and figures, sounds,
sights and speeches. And it's all there, at www.navy.mil.
 -USN-
NNS1915.  Guided missile destroyer Donald Cook christened
     WASHINGTON (NWSA -- The guided missile destroyer Donald Cook
(DDG 75) was christened May 3 in Bath, Maine.
     The ship is named in honor of Marine Corps Col. Donald G.
Cook (1934-1967) who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
for gallantry while a prisoner of war in Vietnam from December
1964 through December 1967.
     During his imprisonment, Cook never veered from the Code of
Conduct while he resisted all attempts to break his will.  He
died in captivity in December 1967.
     The ship has a crew of 25 officers and 350 enlisted
personnel.  Donald Cook will join the U.S. Atlantic Fleet,
homeported in Norfolk, following commissioning in 1998. It was
built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
 -USN-
NNS1916.  Top Navy Lodges honored
     VIRGINIA BEACH,  Va. (NWSA) -- Three Navy Lodges have been
selected by the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) to receive
the Edward E. Carlson Award for Navy Lodge excellence.  Selection
was based on five performance indicators:  occupancy, other
direct expense, payroll, net contributions and a review of
customer comment card ranking.
     The 1996 winners and runners-up are:
     Small (1 - 27 units) -- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,
Wash.  Runners-up are Naval Security Group Activity Edzell,
Scotland; and Navy Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.
     Medium (28 - 53 units) -- Naval Air Station Sigonella,
Italy.  Runners-up are Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Wash.; and
Naval Education and Training Center Newport, R.I.
     Large ( more than 53 units ) -- Naval Station Roosevelt
Roads, Puerto Rico.  Runners-up are Naval Station Mayport, Fla.;
and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
     Based on comment card ratings alone, the Navy Lodge at Naval
Education and Training Center Newport, R. I. was given the 1996
Hospitality Award.
     The Carlson Award was established in 1989 by NEXCOM to
recognize excellence within the Navy Lodge Program.  The award is
named for Edward E. Carlson, who served on the Secretary of the
Navy's Exchange System Advisory Committee from 1965 to 1989.
     To receive a copy of the Navy Lodge directory or to make
reservations, call 1-800-NAVY-INN or visit the website at
www.navy-nex.com.
 -USN-
NNS1917.  Family Service Center opens Email "Post Office"
     NAS NORTH ISLAND (NNS) -- Gone for many are the long waits
for crumpled letters, delayed answers and late news. NAS North
Island's Family Service Center (FSC) can arrange for many family
members to communicate with deployed Sailors or other personnel
at the speed of - "`trons!"
     The FSC is now offering free e-mail service to clients who
wish to e-mail their active duty family members, (usually
deployed units). This service was well received and proved very
successful during USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) Battle Group's most
recent deployment. Now the families of USS Constellation (CV-64)
Battle Group are benefiting from the Center's program.
     Like many other services, this one is on a schedule, but the
FSC makes it easy to arrange a time slot by telephone. Return
e-mails are printed and the recipient notified their mail is waiting
for them.
     It's not the same as perfumed envelopes, crayon drawings and
wallet photos, but it helps families make quicker decisions without
the delays of regular mail.
 -USN-
NNS1918.  Notable Quotable: "Our Sailors are operationally
focused, they work intensely to better themselves both personally
and professionally and they remain, without question, our
greatest asset." ADM Jay Johnson during remarks to the U.S. Naval
Institute April 23, 1997.
 -USN-
NNS1919.  Status of the Navy: May 5, 1997
Personnel:
396,976 active duty
211,118 civilians
233,982 Ready Reserves:
97,325 SELRES/136,657 IRR
Aircraft:      4,754
Ships:         350
Underway:      172 ships (49%)
Deployed:      121 ships;(35%) 63,394 personnel
Exercises:     5
Port Visits:   12
SSNs at Sea    28 (39%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Constellation/CVW 2: port visit, Fremantle, Australia
     USS John F. Kennedy/CVW 8: transit, Western Atlantic
     USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW 3: port visit, Palma, Spain
     USS Independence: port visit, port visit, Singapore
     USS Nimitz: COMPTUEX 97-2, eastern Pacific
     LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Boxer/15 MEU: transit, Indian Ocean
     USS Kearsarge/22nd MEU: Guardian Retrieval, Gulf Of Guinea
     USS Nassau/26th MEU: transit, Eastern Atlantic
     USS Belleau Wood: local ops, East China Sea
     USS Inchon: port visit, Arhus, Denmark
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Paul Hamilton, USS Leftwich, USS Fletcher, USS
Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Nicholson, USS Halyburton, USS Thorn
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
     Exercise Linked Seas 97, eastern Atlantic
     Exercise Distant Thunder 97, Aegean Sea
 -USN-
NNS1920.  This Week in Navy History: May 10, 1986 -- The
battleship Missouri (BB 63), scene of the ceremony in Tokyo Bay
that ended World War II in 1945, was recommissioned at San
Francisco.
 -USN-

     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS2201.  CNO speaks to Senior Enlisted Leadership Forum
NNS2202.  CNO visits hometown, speaks to graduating high
school class
NNS2203.  Winners of fleet safety awards announced
NNS2204.  Leftwich, Paul Hamilton, Fletcher return from
deployment
NNS2205.  1997 Naval Reserve Sailor of the Year
          -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS2206.  Seaman-to-Admiral Program applications due soon
          -USN-
NNS2207.  Summary of NAVADMINs
          -USN-
NNS2208.  Notable Quotable: VADM John J. Mazach, USN,
Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS2209.  USS Independence Battle Group Sailors crossdeck
with Royal Australian Navy
NNS2210.  Three Norfolk ships depart for BALTOPS '97
NNS2211.  Hospital corpsman wins 1997 National Image
Meritorious Service Award
NNS2212.  Coastal Mine Hunter Shrike christened
NNS2213.  USNS Gilliland named after Medal of Honor
recipient
NNS2214.  Memorial ceremony in Italy remembers U.S. military
NNS2215.  Specialist keeps Sailors mentally fit
NNS2216.  BUMED, Recruiting Command co-produce dental video
NNS2217.  SIMA San Diego Sailor wins Southern Pacific
Racquetball Tournament
NNS2218.  Loose change tightens relations in Far East
NNS2219.  Status of the Navy: May 27, 1997
NNS2220.  This Week in Navy History: May 30, 1868
NNS2221.  Navy/Marine Corps News highlights
          -USN-
     Top News and Policy Stories
NNS2201.  CNO speaks to Senior Enlisted Leadership Forum
courtesy CNO Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Chief of Naval Operations Admiral
Jay L. Johnson spoke to Fleet, Force and CNO-directed
Command Master Chiefs at the CNO Senior Enlisted Leadership
Forum May 22.
     The Forum, a semi-annual event, was hosted by Master
Chief Petty Officer of the Navy ETCM(SW) John Hagan. It
brought the Navy's senior enlisted leaders together to
discuss updates on existing Navy programs, initiatives and
policies of importance to Sailors.
     The CNO talked about personnel readiness, operational
tempo, changes to the enlisted warfare qualification system,
uniform standards and, most importantly, leadership. He also
described how the recently released Quadrennial Defense
Review (QDR) validates the Navy's "Forward... From the Sea"
strategy.
     Admiral Johnson praised the senior enlisted leaders for
their service. He said good leadership is of the utmost
importance as the Navy prepares to implement the
recommendations of the QDR.
     "Focusing on example and leadership is how we will get
through QDR and force structure changes," he said. "You are
the key to this focus, and I'm really proud of the CPO
community."
     Admiral Johnson also emphasized the importance of
setting a good example.
     "You are the role models," he said. "You are who our
young Sailors look up to. Carry that proudly and use it to
the maximum advantage. Be true to your principles, values
and standards, and show them to our young men and women
coming up the ladder."
 -USN-
NNS2202.  CNO Visits hometown, speaks to graduating high
school class
     WASHINGTON -- Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jay L.
Johnson was in his hometown of West Salem, Wis., over the
Memorial Day weekend, speaking to the graduating class of
West Salem High School, his alma mater. He also met with
area recruiters and recruits in the Delayed Entry program
(DEP).
     At the high school graduation, Admiral Johnson told the
Class of 1997, and a gymnasium packed with their families
and friends, that the Navy's Core Values are values he
learned growing up in West Salem.
     "I learned about honor, courage and commitment right
here," he said. "These values have been the instruments with
which I've navigated the seas and skies of a 33-year Naval
career and a half-century of life. They will serve you well
in whatever endeavors you undertake."
     While visiting with the area recruiters, Admiral
Johnson thanked them for their education and hard work,
acknowledging that the area's low unemployment rate and
excellent educational opportunities makes their job
especially challenging.
     "You have a tough job, but none is more important," he
told the recruiters. "The future of the Navy is in your
hands."
     To the "DEPpers," Admiral Johnson spoke of the
outstanding opportunities awaiting them in the Navy, and
emphasized the importance of staying physically and mentally
fit to meet the rigors of boot camp.
     "Stay focused and be ready to accept those challenges,"
he said.
     Admiral Johnson told their parents that the Navy takes
its obligations to its recruits very seriously.
     "You hear us talk a lot about ships and aircraft, but
it's our people who are most important to us," he said.
 -USN-
NNS2203.  Winners of fleet safety awards announced
     WASHINGTON -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Peleliu
(LHA 5) and Commander, Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Wing,
U.S. Atlantic Fleet, (COMHSLWINGLANT) are winners of top
aviation safety awards.
     Vinson and Pelelieu are the 1996 winners of the Admiral
Flatley Memorial Award; runners-up are USS George Washington
(CVN 73) and USS Saipan (LHA 2). The award recognizes the
aircraft carrier (CV/CVN) and amphibious warfare ship
(LHA/LPH/LHD) that surpass all competitors in overall
contributions to aviation safety. The basis for selection is
operations readiness and excellence, and safety record.
     COMHSLWINGLANT was awarded the CNO Readiness Through
Safety Award and the Daedalians Admiral James S. Russell
Naval Aviation Flight Safety Award for 1996. This award is
presented annually to the command that contributes the most
toward readiness and economy of operations through safety.
The command selected must have an outstanding safety record
and an aggressive safety program.
 -USN-
NNS2204.  Leftwich, Paul Hamilton, Fletcher return from
deployment
by JO2 Greg Cleghorne, Naval Base Pearl Harbor Public
Affairs
     PEARL HARBOR (NWSA) -- USS Fletcher (DD 992), USS Paul
Hamilton (DDG 60) and USS Leftwich (DD 984) returned to
their Pearl Harbor homeport May 17 from a six-month western
Pacific and Middle East deployment.
     While in the Arabian Gulf, Sailors conducted maritime
interdiction operations in support of United Nations
sanctions against Iraq.
     Each ship sailed more than 30,000 miles since leaving
last November, making port calls that included Hong Kong,
Singapore, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and
Fiji.
     "The most significant thing about deploying is it makes
you feel like you're playing a large role in world events,"
said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Adam Humphrey, assigned to
Leftwich, describing his first deployment. "When we pulled
into port, and I read a newspaper or watched television, I
saw the results of our enforcement of United Nations
sanctions. It made me feel proud to enforce international
policy."
 -USN-
NNS2205.  1997 Naval Reserve Sailor of the Year
courtesy of Naval Reserve Force Public Affairs
     NEW ORLEANS (NWSA) -- Electronics Technician 1st Class
(SS) Kevin W. Hall is the 1997 Naval Reserve Sailor of the
Year.  Hall drills with NR AS-40 Cable Detachment B at the
Naval Reserve Facility Pocatello, Idaho.
     As the Naval Reserve Sailor of the Year, Hall will
receive a meritorious advancement to Chief Petty Officer; an
expense paid trip with his family to Washington, D.C., to
receive Department of the Navy recognition; appointment to
the Commander, Naval Reserve Force Policy Board; five days
of rest and relaxation at a selected site in the continental
United States; and appointment to the 1998 Reserve Sailor of
the Year Selection Board.
 -USN-
     Personnel Notes
NNS2206.  Seaman-to-Admiral Program applications due soon
by LT Lydia Robertson, BUPERS Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) is accepting applications for the FY98 Seaman-to-
Admiral program.  Applications from eligible Sailors for the
officer commissioning program are due July 7 to BUPERS.
     The program is open to enlisted personnel of the
Regular Navy and Naval Reserve on active duty, including
Training and Administration of Reserves.
     A selection board convenes Sept. 8 to select 50
candidates best qualified for appointment as officers in the
unrestricted line. The selectees will be announced in a
NAVADMIN message. Selectees are appointed as ensigns in the
U.S. Naval Reserve after successful completion of Officer
Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla.
     Following commissioning, officers are assigned to
warfare community training in naval aviation, submarine,
surface or special warfare/operations, based on the needs of
the Navy, individual qualification, aptitude, experience and
each selectee's preferences.  An overview of individual
community career paths can be found in "The Officer Career
Planning Guidebook," NAVPERS 15605.
     NAVADMIN 121/97 details basic requirements for
eligibility and gives general program information.
     For more Seaman-to-Admiral policy information, contact
Pers-21, LCDR M. Calif.   hill at (703) 693-2325 (DSN 223).
For application processing information, contact Pers-251, LT
R. H. Green at (703) 614-2166 (DSN 224).
 -USN-
NNS2207.  Summary of NAVADMINs
     NAVADMIN 124/97 212229Z MAY 97 - Remaining FY97 and
Tentative FY98 Ship and Aircraft Squadron Decomissionings
     NAVADMIN 125/97 231335Z MAY 97 - FY97 Cycle 149 (E8/9)
Advancements
     NAVADMIN 126/97 271734Z MAY 97 - FY98 Temporary Early
Retirement Authority (TERA) Program
     NAVADMIN 127/97 272307Z MAY 97 - Naval Reserve
Promotions to the Grades of Captain, Commander, Lieutenant
Commander, Lieutenant and Warrant Officer, Line and Staff
Corps
 -USN-
NNS2208.  This Week in Navy History: May 30, 1868 - First
formal observance of Memorial Day.
 -USN-
NNS2209.  Notable Quotable: "The folks aboard today are just
as excited about the business of launching and recovering
aircraft from the decks of these aircraft carriers as any of
us old guys ever were. . . . These men and women represent
everything that is good and great in our Navy. They're
energetic, they're intelligent, they're thoughtful, they're
courageous in the face of intimidating challenges. And
they're unabashed in the love of their country and their
families." -- Vice Admiral John J. Mazach, USN, Commander
Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during change of
command ceremonies on USS George Washington (CVN 73) May 7,
1997.
 -USN-
     Around the Fleet
NNS2210.  U.S. naval forces to participate in Teamwork South
97
     SAN DIEGO--U.S. naval forces assigned to the THIRD
Fleet will participate in the annual Chilean naval exercise
Teamwork South 97 off the coast of Chile from May 26 to June
10, 1997.
     Participating are guided missile destroyer USS
Callaghan (DDG 994), attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN
752), three P-3 Orion aircraft assigned to VP-37 based at
NAS Moffett Field, Calif., and three S-3 Viking aircraft
assigned to VS-35 based at NAS North Island, Calif.
     Teamwork South 97 is a combined maritime exercise
including a variety of evolutions in several warfare areas
including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface-warfare and
anti-air warfare. Nine ships, 22 aircraft, 3 submarines and
nearly 2600 personnel from Chile, Canada, Great Britain and
the United States will participate in this year's exercise,
making it the largest held to date.
     This year's exercise marks the first time the Chilean
air force, forces from Great Britain and a U.S. Navy
Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit are participating. This is
the third time the U.S. and Chilean navies have conducted
Teamwork South.
 -USN-
NNS2211.  USS Independence Battle Group Sailors crossdeck
with Royal Australian Navy
by JOSN Joseph L. Rehana, USS Independence Public Affairs
     Sailors from the USS Independence (CV 62) Battle Group
and four Royal Australian Navy ships are changing places
while the two groups operate together between May 21 and May
28.
     Training during the crossdeck sessions focuses on
integrated battle group exercises in a number of tactical
scenarios and individual skill exercises in communications,
signaling and shiphandling.
 -USN-
NNS2212.  Three Norfolk ships depart for BALTOPS '97
     NORFOLK (NWSA) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS
Anzio (CG 68) and USS Estocin (FFG 15) departed May 23 for
operations in the Baltic Sea. They will join 47 other ships
from 12 European nations for the 25th annual BALTOPS
exercise, held this year from June 16 to 27.
     RADM James B. Hinkle, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer
Group 8, will command the exercise from his flagship, Anzio.
     BALTOPS involves two at-sea phases. Phase one covers
response to maritime disasters, maritime search and rescue,
maritime surveillance, and customs enforcement training. It
begins June 16 in Gdynia, Poland, and concludes June 20 with
a port visit to Kiel, Germany.
     Phase two will take place June 23 to 27. Participating
NATO nations will conduct multilateral training in air
warfare, shallow water operations, air defense, seamanship
and mine warfare.
 -USN-
NNS2213.  Hospital corpsman wins 1997 National Image
Meritorious Service Award
courtesy of Naval Reserve Force Public Affairs
     KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NWSA) -- Hospital Corpsman 1st Class
Marcos A. Castillo, of Naval Reserve Readiness Center Kansas
City, Mo., has been selected as the Navy enlisted winner of
the 1997 National Image Meritorious Service Award.
     This award is presented each year to one officer and
one enlisted member of each military service by National
Image Inc., a Hispanic organization with a 25-year history
of close ties to the military.
     Forty-one nominations were reviewed for this year's
awards and the winners selected upon the basis of their
contributions in the areas of civil rights, equal
opportunity and community service.
     Castillo, born in the Dominican Republic, was
overwhelmed by the attention that accompanied his selection
as the Navy enlisted winner.
     "I am really happy to win this," he said. "But all the
letters and newspaper articles have surprised me; I really
like working quietly behind the scenes."
     Castillo has volunteered with the Greater Kansas City
(GKC) Community Blood Center, GKC Christmas Fund Drive, U.S.
Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Cub Scouts and the American Red
Cross.
     "I've always tried to be very involved with the
community because every time I've needed it, somebody in the
community has been there to give me hand," said Castillo.
"But a few years ago, I became deeply involved in the
American Red Cross and found I really enjoyed it."
 -USN-
NNS2214.  Coastal Mine Hunter Shrike christened
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Coastal Mine Hunter Shrike (MHC
62) was christened May 24 at Intermarine USA, Savannah, Ga.
     Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia was the principal speaker.
Ship's sponsor was Janet Gehman, spouse of Vice Chief of
Naval Operations ADM Harold W. Gehman Jr.
     Coastal mine hunters are named after North American
birds of prey.  One previous ship (1955-75) was named
Shrike. Originally laid down as AMS-201, the first Shrike's
classification was changed to MSC-201, a minesweeper.
     The current Shrike is the last of 12 Osprey-class ships
authorized by Congress.
     Following its commissioning next year, Shrike will be
homeported in Ingleside, Texas.  LCDR Henry D. Derbes II
will be the commanding officer of a crew of six officers and
46 enlisted personnel.
     Ships of this class are the world's largest mine
hunters to be constructed entirely of fiberglass. The ship's
primary mission is reconnaissance, classification and
neutralization of moored and bottom mines in littoral areas,
harbors and coastal waterways. The ship is armed with two
.50 caliber machine guns; a high-definition, variable-depth
sonar; and a remotely operated, robotic submarine used to
neutralize mines.
 -USN-
NNS2215.  Memorial ceremony in Italy to commemorate U.S.
military
by JOC(SW) Eric S. Sesit, Naples Public Affairs
     NETTUNO, Italy (NWSA) -- A Memorial Day remembrance
ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial
in Nettuno, Italy, was held May 26.
     Each year, personnel from Navy commands in Naples,
members from the other U.S. services, and the Italian armed
forces honor the 7,862 U.S. military personnel buried at the
Nettuno Cemetery.
     The ceremony traditionally includes the laying of
memorial wreaths donated by commands throughout the Naples
area and a classical music prelude by the Alfonso Volpi
Middle School of Cisterna di Latina.
     The graves in the cemetery represent one-third of all
U.S. military burials in Sicily and Southern Italy during
World War II. Nearly 500 of the graves contain the remains
of unknowns.  3,000 names of men listed as missing in action
or buried at sea are engraved on the walls of the cemetery's
chapel.
     Most of those interned at Nettuno lost their lives
during the 1943-45 campaigns in Sicily, the landings at
Salerno, Anzio and Nettuno, and in the advance leading to
the liberation of Rome. They were buried at Nettuno at the
request of their next of kin.
     The cemetery is located in the area of the U.S. 3rd
Infantry Division's northern advance during the Italian
Campaign.
 -USN-
NNS2216.  Specialist keeps Sailors mentally fit
by JO3 Russell Fleming
     USS CONSTELLATION (NWSA) -- Most service members are
able to deal with the stresses of everyday life. Even the
problems associated with long deployments are usually
handled with little difficulty, and the Navy maintains a
variety of resources ashore for family members who need an
extra helping hand. However, sometimes Sailors and Marines
afloat need a little extra help to cope with the demands of
ship board life, being away from loved ones and other
situations unique to sea-going commands.
     For Sailors in the USS Constellation (CV 64) battle
group, help is as close as the carrier's Medical Department,
where a trained psychologist is available to assist.
     "I volunteered for this assignment," said LT Beverly
Dexter, ship's psychologist. "I feel very lucky to be out
here. I like the fact that I'm working for every person in
the battle group."
     Her main goal is to head-off anxiety levels.
     "There are a number of things I'm doing to help," she
said. "I conduct six or more workshops per week and see no
less than 10 patients per day."
     Many of her patients are from other ships in the battle
group. "I've gone to them and they've come to me," she said.
"It's really wonderful that we have these facilities."
     For Dexter, this is an exciting assignment. "But it's
only a temporary billet," she remarked. "I'm hoping that the
decision will be made to make it permanent, because it fills
a tremendous need."
     "I'd also like to take these programs to the other
ships and invite those Sailors to come here," she said. "I
want to do everything I can to serve the men and women of
the battle group."
     Dexter, a wife and mother herself, said she believes
her personal experience gives her qualifications beyond her
academic credentials. She understands what the average
Sailor is going through because she is often away from her
own family.
     Dexter said that reaching out to the Sailors in the
battle group is the reason she is here. "People should know
that there is an answer for any problem they may come
across, and I'm always here to help."
 -USN-
NNS2217.  BUMED, Recruiting Command co-produce dental video
     WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Think a career in the Navy as a
dentist might be for you? The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
(BUMED) and Navy Recruiting Command have co-produced a new
video for college students that shows what life in the
Navy's Dental Corps has to offer.
     "We found from research conducted with 'focus groups'
that people had a lot of misconceptions about military
dentistry," said CAPT George Graf, deputy to the chief of
the Navy Dental Corps. Graf said the video helps dispel the
beliefs that Navy dentists work out of antiquated spaces,
spend all their time aboard ships, have no time to relax and
have few professional challenges.
     Graf said that these myths are exactly that -- myths.
     "Navy dentists have the same challenges and
opportunities as dentists within the civilian community and
additional opportunities unique to military service," said
Graf. Graf also said the video illustrates some of the many
advantages to being a Navy dentist, including top-notch
equipment and office spaces, postgraduate educational
opportunities, great liberty, regular work hours,
professional camaraderie and world travel. Two individuals
interviewed in the video are a married couple who discussed
their exceptional professional development and quality of
life as Navy dentists.
     The video also stresses scholarship programs available
to students in dental school and entering freshmen.
     The eight-minute video will be mailed to recruiters,
naval dental clinics, and college juniors and seniors
interested in attending dental school or entering the Navy.
 -USN-
NNS2218.  SIMA San Diego Sailor wins Southern Pacific
Racquetball Tournament
by SN Jenny Hassell, San Diego Public Affairs
     SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- Data Processing Technician Seaman
Cody Matteucci won first place in the Southern Pacific
Racquetball Tournament for the second consecutive year.
     Matteucci is assigned to the Information Resource
Management Department of Shore Intermediate Maintenance
Activity (SIMA) San Diego.
     Second place was taken by Ferdinando Gambriazo from
Camp Pendleton. Third place went to Machinist's Mate 2nd
Class Ed Reed, also of SIMA San Diego.
 -USN-
NNS2019. Loose change tightens relations in Far East
by CPL Heath Taylor, 15th MEU SOC
     USS BOXER (NWSA) -- Sailors and Marines deployed on USS
Boxer (LHD 4) emptied their pockets and change wallets to
put stray quarters, pennies and bahts to work for charitable
organizations in the western Pacific.
     The program collected $330 worth of foreign coins
accumulated during port visits to Hong Kong, Singapore and
Thailand.
     Some of the money will be donated to the U.S. Navy
Chapel in Singapore to support U.S. servicemembers and
Singapore residents through the chapel's Helping Hands fund.
     In Thailand, funds will be used to purchase building
and maintenance supplies and perform general upkeep on an
elementary and middle school that serves 850 students.
 -USN-
NNS2220.  Status of the Navy:
Personnel: 395,075 active duty
211,118 civilians
231,321 Ready Reserves:
96,799 SELRES/134,522 IRR
Aircraft:            4,732
Ships:                 350
Underway:              179 ships (51%)
Deployed:              112 ships; (32%) 52,032 personnel
Exercises:               8
Port Visits:            14
SSNs at Sea             31 (43%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
     USS Independence: port visit, Hong Kong
     USS John F. Kennedy: ex. ILES D'OR, Mediterranean
     USS Constellation: ex. INITIAL LINK, Arabian Gulf
     USS George Washington: COMPTUEX, west. Atlantic
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
     USS Boxer/15th MEU: ex. INFINITE MOONLIGHT 97, Red Sea
     USS Essex: local ops., east. Pacific
     USS Kearsarge/22nd MEU: trans., east. Atlantic
     USS Belleau Wood: ex. PHATTAYA, Indian Ocean
     USS Inchon: ex. ILES D'OR, Mediterranean
     USS Wasp: Fleet Week, New York, NY
Ships Assigned to the Middle East Force:
     USS Ardent, USS Dextrous, USS Thorn, USS Nicholas, USS
Foster, USS Ingraham, USS Fitzgerald
Other Exercises/Operations:
     Operation Teamwork South, coast of Chile
     Operation Southern Watch, Arabian Gulf
     Maritime Interception Ops, Arabian Gulf
     Counter Drug Ops, Caribbean/East Pacific
 -USN-