Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

The Professional Association Voice of the Navy ReserveNavalReserveAssociationNEWSApril 2008, Volume 55, No. 4Navy ExpeditionaryCombat Command

N AVAL R ESERVE A SSOCIATIONC ORPORATEA SSOCIATESPremier Corporate/Association Team Supportingthe United States Navy and Navy ReservePLATINUM (TEN-YEAR) PARTNERSHIPIBM FederalSILVER (THREE-YEAR) PARTNERSHIPMilitary.comCHARTER MEMBERSLockheed MartinThe Boeing CompanyGulfstream AerospaceUSAAMBNA AmericaJOINED IN 1999 - 2007Rosen Associates Management Corp.Aquila Group of Funds smBB&TCACI International, Inc.Uniformed Services Benefit AssociationThe Shaw Group Inc. ®Veteran Realty Serving America’s Military, Inc. ®Graduate Management Admission Council

VISION OF THE NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATIONThe Premier Professional Organization for Navy Reservists,Committed to Supporting a Strong Navy and National Defense,While Providing Outstanding Service to Navy Families.ContentsNRA NEWS April 2008, Volume 55, No. 4HEADQUARTERS STAFFNATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTORRADM Casey W. Coane, USN (Ret)E-mail: exec@navy-reserve.orgDEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICESCAPT Tom McAtee, USN (Ret)E-mail: stratcom@navy-reserve.orgCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERBob LymanE-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIONCAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)E-mail: legislat@navy-reserve.orgDIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT & MEMBERSHIPCAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USN (Ret)E-mail: record.review@navy-reserve.orgFEATURE15NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND“Our Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), which is the transitionfrom Naval Coastal Warfare (NCW) and has been traditionally all Reservessince Vietnam, recently created two Active Duty squadrons . . . . This is justone of the many areas where we have improved the Active and Reserveintegration.” –– RADM Michael P. Tillotson, Deputy Commander, NECCDEPARTMENTS4 From the Editor6 President’s Message7 Guest Column8 Keeping Up9 Legislative Update10 Health Affairs12 Professional Development13 Letters14 Junior Officers Column24 Retirees’ Corner26 Enlisted Programs27 District News Briefs30 Reservists in ActionDIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES& TECHNICAL SUPPORTCAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USN (Ret)E-mail: memdir@navy-reserve.orgMEMBERSHIP ASSISTANTMark De VilleE-mail: membership@navy-reserve.orgOTHERS2 Corporate Associates Program11 News Notes22 Proper Retirement & TIG WaiverRequest25 Record Review Service28 Pricing Your Home in this DifficultMarket – VR SAM ®29 Consolidated Finance StatementSENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLinda BautistaE-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.orgON THE COVERA pair of riverine patrol boats, assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVERON) 2, move across the waterbornerange at Fort Pickett. RIVERON 2, along with more than 700 Sailors from various NECC units, participatedin Exercise Comet 2007, an integrated maritime operations exercise being conducted in Virginia onboard FortPicket, Cheatam Annex, and Little Creek Amphibious Base. (Photo by U.S. Navy Mass CommunicationSpecialist 1 st Class Curtis K. Biasi)Naval Reserve Association NEWS (ISSN 0162-2129), authorized under PSM, Section 132.22, published monthly by the Naval Reserve Association, is a magazine devoted to the professional interests of theOfficers of the United States Naval Reserve Association. Editorial and Executive Offices, 1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Telephone (703) 548-5800. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA,and other mailing offices. Articles and letters appearing the Naval Reserve Association News do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Executive Committee of the Naval Reserve Association or theEditor, nor are they necessarily to be interpreted as official policy of the United States Navy or Naval Reserve Association. Rates: The Naval Reserve Association News subscription is covered by membership in theNaval Reserve Association. Membership is open to all commissioned or warrant officers and enlisted who are serving or have served honorably as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Subscriptionprice is $7.50 domestic. Single copy: 75 cents. Eligible non-members are not entitled to subscription rates. Photos or articles may be reproduced, providing credit is given to the Naval ReserveAssociation News. Postmaster: Send change of address to the Naval Reserve Association, 1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Printed in USA.

From the EditorIn mid February, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one for almost half an hour withVADM Cotton and, then, to hear him give a presentation. As usual, the Admiral isa wonderful showman when he presents. During the course of his tour, I have watchedthat presentation improve markedly to where it is almost spellbinding. I mean thatsincerely. I wish I were that good. He is an absolute cheerleader for what is going onwith the Navy and its Reserve, as well he should be. After all, for four-and-a-half years,he has been the driving force behind the changes that are taking place. They are his legacy.When you hear that presentation, as they say today – it’s all good.In our personal discussion, we touched on a number of topics. As the Admiral approaches theend of his tour, it is clear that he still believes that your Association just doesn’t get it. When wetalk about our concerns for a Strategic Reserve, he thinks that we’re stuck in the past. When wesay that a Strategic Reserve is a hedge against miscalculating what we will need in the future,he says that we have no peer competitor and that, should China decide to become a threat, wewill have fifteen years to prepare. Hence, no hedge is necessary and we certainly can’t affordone. He speaks of the Taiwan scenario and risk assessment with the confidence of someone whoknows what he is talking about. He speaks of going from eleven carriers to ten then to eight –we just don’t need all that. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with a gentleman who isinvolved in classified high-level war games concerning the Taiwan scenario. He told me thatyou wouldn’t like to see how they are playing out. I don’t know who is correct. I just don’t wantmy grandchildren to find out that, once again, we got it wrong. As I have before, I invited theAdmiral to write for our guest column and educate us.When we discuss the need to hold the line on TRICARE fees for retirees, at least until DoDimplements recommended efficiencies, the Admiral thinks that we just don’t understand that wecan’t buy equipment when medical expenses are eating up the budget. Our position, as always,is that the Association doesn’t live within the President’s budget; and we are free to ask Congressto appropriate the necessary funds to take care of our defense and our veterans whether theDepartment asks for enough or not. Medical care is the most important thing on the minds ofAmericans today. It is a major problem for the Defense Department, but it is too easy just to saypass the cost on to the retirees. We need to follow the best practices of industry, not the worst.Admiral Cotton and I spoke about our legislative success in getting a piece of earlier-thanage-sixtyretirement for Reservists who are recalled. He said that he didn’t understand why wewould want to do that when the whole idea expressed by the Commission on the National Guardand Reserves was to make everyone wait longer before drawing retirement. I confess I didn’tsee that one coming. I thought that he would be pleased that we brokered a better deal forReservists. Our position: If the overall military retirement system is changed (not likely soon),then the Reserve piece should change. In the meantime, the country has changed the contractwith Reservists by changing from the Strategic Reserve to the Operational Reserve that changeshould be compensated. When Admiral Cotton says expect to mobilize one year out of everysix, that is a new ball game and our Reservists deserve a new contract. If that by itselfweren’t enough, let’s consider doing the things that will keep our volunteer Operational Reservesustainable.Differences aside, Admiral Cotton has gotten the force out of reserve centers. He has gottena lot of Navy officials to recognize the value of Reservists. He has created true alignment withthe Navy, and that has meant more meaningful careers for a lot of Reservists. I won’t say thatit is all good, but he certainly can be proud of those things. Fair winds and following seas,VADM John G. Cotton.As always, enjoy the read.Naval ReserveAssociationNEWS1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314Tel: 703-548-5800 • Fax: 703-683-3647Toll Free Voice: 1-866-NRA-4-YOU (672-4968)Toll Free Fax: 1-866-683-3647E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.orgHome Page: www.navy-reserve.orgEDITORIALEditor: RADM Casey W. Coane, USN (Ret)Associate Editor: CAPT Thomas L. McAtee, USN (Ret)Assistant EditorGRAPHICS/PRODUCTIONLinda BautistaADVERTISINGBob LymanSUBMISSIONSLetters to the Editor are encouraged. They may beedited for length, style, and clarity. Mail to Lettersto the Editor at NRA NEWS, or e-mail toexec@navy-reserve.org. Include your name,address, and daytime phone number forverification. Name may be withheld upon request.Articles – For guidelines on article submission,call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mailnranews@navy-reserve.org.SUBSCRIPTIONSNRA NEWS is part of membership in the Association.To join, renew your membership, or to report addresschanges, call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mailmembership@navy-reserve.org.Warm regards,Casey CoaneNational Executive Director4 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

At last, you can have TRICARE coverage at a reasonable cost …PLUS, you’re guaranteed acceptance*for NRA/USBA TRICARE Supplement.Request Your Free TRICARESupplement Kit By Calling 1-800-368-7043WhilenewTRICAREcoverageisnowavailabletoalleligiblemembersoftheGuardandReserve…the new NRA/USBA TRICARE Supplement PlanisdesignedspecificallyforNRAmemberslikeyouand your family.Why consider insurance to supplement TRICARE?EventhoughTRICAREpaysagenerousamountofyourmedicalbillsoutsidethemilitarysystem,yourremainingshareofthecostcouldbeabudget-breaker…unlessyouhavesupplementalcoverage.The NRA-endorsed plan picks up where TRICARE benefits leaveoff (after meeting your deductible). Developed in conjunction withUSBA,itprovidestheprotectionyouneedatapriceyoucanafford:• Out-of-pocket expenses paid according to the Plan you select• Same rates for retirees and spouses• Both TRICARE Standard/Extra Supplement andTRICARE Reserve Select Supplement available• No network restrictions, no gatekeeper• No medical exam required• No "cost penalty" for smokers• Guaranteedacceptance*with30-DaySatisfactionGuarantee*A pre-existing condition may initially limit theextent of your coverage.Learn more about supplementing your TRICARE health carecoverage. Request a free NRA/USBA TRICARE SupplementKit. Call 1-800-368-7043 or visit www.usba.com/nra. There’s noobligation for receiving this information. The Kit includes Planinformationsuchascosts,exclusions,limitationsandtermsof coverage.Brought to you bySponsored byUnderwritten byHartford Life and Accident Insurance CompanySimsbury, CT 06089Policy Form SRP-1269(HL) (5688)P. O. Box 25956Overland Park, KS 66225-0956Administered by Association & Society Insurance Corp.P.O. Box 2107, Rockville MD 20847165-7/07NRATRIBW

NATIONAL OFFICERSPresident’s MessageNATIONAL PRESIDENTCAPT Walter K. Steiner, USN (Ret)E-mail: president@navy-reserve.orgNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VPCAPT G. Mark Hardy, USNE-mail: g.mark.hardy AT usnr.orgNATIONAL VP-SURFACE RESERVE PROGRAMSCAPT Lawrence E. Weill, USNE-mail: captweill@aol.comNATIONAL VP-AIR RESERVE PROGRAMSCAPT John F. Farr, USN (Ret)E-mail: johnffarr1@hotmail.comNATIONAL VP-BUDGET & FINANCECAPT Douglas H. McDonald, SC, USNR (Ret)E-mail: doug.mcdonald@usnr.orgNATIONAL VP-LEGISLATION & EDUCATIONCAPT Paul A. Denham, USNE-mail: paul.denham@usnr.orgNATIONAL VP-MEMBERSHIPCAPT James J. Parker, USNE-mail: jj.parker@cox.netNATIONAL VP-MEMBER SERVICESCDR Kevin C. Hayes, USNE-mail: hayeskev@aol.comNATIONAL VP-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTCAPT William A. Emslie, USNE-mail: bill.emslie@usnr.orgNATIONAL VP-ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAMSCDR Matthew P. Dubois, USNE-mail: mattdubois@earthlink.netNATIONAL VP-ENLISTED PROGRAMSYNCS Ralph H. Hensley, USNE-mail: ralph.hensley@usnr.orgNATIONAL VP-LEGAL AFFAIRSLT Marc J. Soss, SC, USNE-mail: smsoss@aol.comNATIONAL VP-HEALTH PROGRAMSCDR Marian Cioe, NC, USNE-mail: cioemar@aol.comNATIONAL VP-RETIRED PERSONNELVACANTNATIONAL VP-JUNIOR OFFICERSLCDR Steven L. Rogers, USNE-mail: usn227@aol.comNATIONAL TREASURERDKCM Charles E. Bradley, USN (Ret)E-mail: charles.bradley@usnr.orgNATIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERLCDR Joyce Zongrone, USNE-mail: jzongron@houstonisd.orgNATIONAL CHAPLAINLT Matthew C. Fuhrman, CHC, USNE-mail: revfuhrman@msn.comNATIONAL HISTORIANCAPT David L. Woods, USNR (Ret)E-mail: dlwoods70@earthlink.netNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIANCDR Leo Hill, USNR (Ret)E-mail: leohill1936@aol.comThe Association had a great Spring Conference in Hawaii at the end of March,and I want to recognize and thank all those who made it such a success, ourHeadquarters staff, and in particular, Kim Hardy who volunteered great amountsof time and energy. We were very pleased with the level of representationand the content of the messages of our panel of experts and defense leaders.We continue to have large and controversial Association and Navy Reserveissues with which to deal, which you can view at your leisure in the “Minutes of the Conference”on our Web site.On 31 January 2008, the Committee on the National Guard and Reserves completed two yearsof work and analysis, mandated by law, by publishing a major series of 95 recommendationsbased on their study. Many were very progressive and some were deemed highly controversial.Our Executive Director, RADM Casey Coane, and Director of Legislation, CAPT Ike Puzon,did an outstanding job of analyzing and summarizing the CNGR’s recommendations in theMarch NRA News, but I wanted to highlight specifically one of the recommendations that Ibelieve to be of the utmost national importance to the Navy Reserve and to this Association.RADM Coane and CAPT Puzon’s succinct analysis and derived conclusions discussedthe concept of the “Strategic Reserve” vis-á-vis the “Operational Reserve” and the Active DutyComponent, and I invite all of our membership to scrutinize their article in its entirety, as wellas the Report itself. I compliment the CNGR panel’s willingness and honesty in engaging thebroad national issues involved in a part-time militia force that supports a full-time active dutyforce in the execution of the defense of the national interest. But, as a historian, I must saythat our nation has been involved at varied levels in “cold,” “lukewarm,” and “hot” wars forvirtually the entire duration of our national existence. As a result, I am at a bit of a lossin the face of the implied contention that this is a unique time in our nation’s history and thatan Operational Reserve must be maintained exclusively as the only expedient at hand. I amsure that the strategic defense of our nation will simultaneously continue in the face of risingcompetitor nations in the future, as it has presented itself in the past. The reserve “militia”tradition predates the declaration of our nation. That tradition of selfless service in aStrategic Reserve existed even when active forces were disbanded or severely reduced toskeleton levels. The Reserve Components have been a constant bedrock of sustainability andsupport of our national existence and a key reason why we live as free men and women 232years into our national history. That statement is not meant to deprecate the sacrifices andservice of our Active Duty counterparts, but it is meant to indicate the worth that the nationplaces on its Reserve Components, and the individual pride that each and every Reservist andGuardsman (or woman) personally feels.This Association will represent that pride for as long as there is a Navy Reserve. To thatend, we believe that our Reserve Component shares the responsibility with the Active forceto provide direct operational support, as well as strategic forces in depth, to meet both theimmediate national security needs and the longer-term, nascent, and more opaque militarythreats of the future. We will focus on the CNGR’s recommendation, that, “the traditionalcapabilities of the Reserve Components to serve as a Strategic Reserve must be expanded andstrengthened”! And we will interpret it to the benefit of the Navy and the Nation! We willwork with the Navy political and uniformed leadership, as well as the Congress and theAdministration, to define what a future Navy Strategic Reserve will look like. We will workwith our friends and allies to characterize that component of service to the nation. Since theattacks of 11 September 2001, the expeditious use of the Navy Reserve has protected ournation from further attacks; but it is now time to deal with the long-term purposes and effectsof that massive utilization of a very critical, but ultimately perishable, force of dedicatedpatriots. On behalf of this Association, I thank the Committee for profiling these criticalnational issues for discourse and decision. I look forward to the discussion.Walt SteinerNational President6 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

GuestColumnEditor’s Note: NRA News asked the 2007Reserve Force Sailor of the Year, Chief ToddBrooks, to comment for us on his experiencesduring the year.April 3, 2007, I receiveda call from ForceMaster Chief David R.Pennington notifyingme that I had beenselected as one of thetop five CNRFC Sailors of the year. I,along with three coworkers in my office atthe time, remember that call like it wasyesterday; and I remember the overwhelmingfeelings when Vice Admiral John G.Cotton announced my selection as the2007 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year. Thefeelings of that day we’re only surpassedJuly 19 th , when my wonderful mother, Sue,and my incredible son, John, pinned on myanchors and my Command Master Chief,Thomas Whitney, firmly placed mycombination cover and said, “Welcome tothe mess, Chief!” What an incredible wayto bring the Sailor of the Year week to aclose. MCPON Joe R. Campa and his staffensured we had a phenomenal experience.I feel very honored to have been able toshare that week with my “Navy Chief ”brothers Randy Leppell, Marc Stewart, andDavid Hansen; they made it all the morespecial. I am grateful for their friendshipand consider myself a better person forhaving them a part of my life. . . thanks guys!The past year has been a journey thatcould fill many pages, perhaps even asmall book. From all the people that havegraced my life and new friendships forged,to the lessons learned and some I am stilllearning from “Induction”! I was veryfortunate to have had the opportunity towork with the selectees in Dam Neck,Virginia, for a couple of weeks beforeheading up to Brunswick, Maine, to finishout induction season. Wearing khakisand being apart of the induction processalongside the selectees, presented manyawkward moments and many challengingsituations. It certainly was a uniquesituation that produced some veryinteresting dynamics and interactionsacross the board. That which does not killus, only makes us stronger! My heartfeltthanks to “Team Brunswick” for lettingme take part in that once-in-a-lifetimeevent; I cannot ever thank you enough!Diversity in assignments helps buildbreadth in character and experience, andit provides a challenge that serves to buildand develop our leadership ability. I amso grateful for getting the opportunityto serve as facilitator for the Centerfor Naval Leadership. This has beenincredibly rewarding for me personally andprofessionally. Words just cannot describethe feeling you get as you progressthrough a leadership class and you bearwitness to these fine Sailors having that “aha”moment, knowing you just gave thoseSailors a new tool to put in that leadershiptoolbox and, now, they are going to go outand make a difference. With their newlyfound knowledge and skills, they will raisethe professionalism bar a little higher andmake a difference in the lives of others;that is what really fires me up, Shipmates!I’d like to share one of my favorite quotesfrom Dale Carnegie, “You should alwaysseek to learn something from every personthat touches your life.” I can tell you thatwith every class I facilitate, these greatSailors ALWAYS give me something toadd to my leadership toolbox; sometimesit is something profound; sometimes it isjust a slight nuance of an old principle . . .regardless, they are all great lessons.Many Sailors have asked me the question,“How can I get there?” The reality is this:there is no absolute answer. What I canshare with you are the common traits ofthose Sailors I have the distinct honor ofcalling my friends that made it toWashington, DC, both AC and RC. Firstand foremost, have an incredible passionfor our Navy and our Sailors; put serviceover self; have a continuous improvementATC(AW/NAC) Todd P. BrooksCenter for Naval LeadershipMidwest Regionmindset. Each of these Sailors was strivingto be a better person in every facet of his/herlife. Understand that no one is perfect; butbeing able to look at yourself, make anhonest assessment, and, then, work towardpersonal change is a rare, admirablequality. Enthusiasm, determination,initiative, and a genuine care for others areall traits that will never go out of style.They are, indeed, timeless and will help yousucceed in any endeavor. If you wrap allthis up and, then, lead the drive towardaccomplishing the Big Navy mission-unitsupport, sailorization, and teamwork,Shipmate, you’ll be doing everythingwithin your control. The remaining factorsare in the hands of the Chief’s mess andGod!NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 7

Ke e p i n g U p. . .with CurrentInformationforNavy ReservistsandRetireesBy Tom McAteeRetirement Age BelowAge 60 Under CertainConditions(Note – Service performed before 29January 2008 does not qualify underthis new provision of law). The NDAAfor FY 2008 provides for the reduction ofage below age 60 to receive a Reserveretirement. A reduction of 90 days belowage 60 for each aggregate 90 days ofactive service performed in any fiscal yearis authorized. Eligible service includesrecall to active duty for a contingencyoperation or recall to active duty by theService Secretary. Specific eligible recallauthorities are specified in Title 10United States Code sections 101(a),(13)(B), and 12301(d). Eligible servicemust be performed 30 January 2008 orbeyond. It should be noted that servicesand military service organizations, likeNRA, are lobbying Congress to make theeffective date of service performedretroactive to 11 September 2001.Important Medicare/TFLDecision at Age 65Whether you picked up early SocialSecurity benefits or plan to wait untilage 66, if you are still working andenrolled in an employer health plan,you need to contact your local SocialSecurity office at age 65. Why? Twoimportant reasons: 1) If you delayenrolling in Medicare Part B(because you are covered by anemployer plan), you will incur a 10%penalty in premiums for every yearof delay; 2) If not enrolled inMedicare Part B, you have noTRICARE for Life until you enroll.If you are covered by youremployer’s health plan and want todelay Medicare premiums until afteryour working career, you need tocoordinate the deferral of Medicarewith the Social Security office. Youare allowed to defer Medicare if youare covered by an employer healthplan that provides equal benefitsas Medicare. Properly deferringMedicare will negate the 10%premium penalty for each year youdelay in applying for Medicare.However, deferring Medicare,specifically Part B, will also deferyour entitlement to TRICARE forLife. Deferring Medicare properlywill qualify you for a special enrollmentperiod (SEP) when you areready to pick up Medicare. Thespecial enrollment period may occurduring any month you are coveredunder a group health plan based oncurrent employment, or during theeight-month period that begins thefirst full month after employment orgroup health plan coverage ends,whichever comes first.Need a DD-214 Fromthe National PersonnelRecords Center (NPRC)?The NPRC has made the requestprocess for documents a bit easier byinstituting an on-line request. To make arequest for a DD 214, go to http://vetrecs.archives.gov/. The new Web-basedapplication was designed to provide betterservice on requests by eliminating therecords center’s mailroom and processingtime. Other individuals with a need fordocuments must still complete theStandard Form 180, which can be downloadedfrom the on-line Web site.Inactive Point Accrual PerAnniversary Year RaisedFrom 90 to 130 By NDAA2008The maximum total of inactive retirementpoints per anniversary year under 10USC 12733 has been raised to 130. Anyanniversary year that includes the date of30 October 2007 is subject to the newmaximum point rule. Remember, activeduty points are in addition to the newmaximum.Future Active Duty Pay HikeThe Administration’s budget for FY2009 calls for a military pay increase of3.4%.TRICARE for Life EOBNow Mailed OnlyOnce a MonthFor military retirees age 65 or olderentitled to TFL, you can expect to receiveExplanation of Benefits (EOB) on claimsonly once a month. However, you canview EOBs on-line and print them if youare registered for the service. To register,go to:http://www.tricare4u.com.8 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

The Commission, the Future,and Family/Employer ReadinessBy CAPT Ike PuzonLegislativeUpdateRecently, the Commission on theGuard and Reserves (CNGR)released their final report. Manyindividuals, associations, andagencies are reviewing thisreport. We recently providedyou with our initial opinion. The findingsdeserve your attention and considerations. Aswe anticipated when we assisted in the creationof the CNGR, the recommendations areaggressive and deserve national attention priorto being implemented. We have provided a pointpaper on our Web site under “Legislation” thataddresses the majority opinion of the NavalReserve Association and those opinions on theCNGR that we have received to date.The Commission on the National Guard andReserves made 95 recommendations with 163findings. To seek more detailed understanding ofthe recommendations and opinions, on 14 Feb.2008, I led a delegation of 17 Associationsto the Commission’s offices. We had a privatedebriefing with Chairman Punaro, CommissionerLewis (Manpower and Personnel), andCommissioner Ball (Readiness). The followingare “take-aways” from that meeting.The Commissioners strongly reiterated thattheir recommendations are a place to begin thenational discussions and that some recommendationspush the policy and legislative limitsand will take generations to implement. Most oftheir personnel and manpower recommendationswere based on their understanding andview of what the “millennial” (or future) workforcewill be. This future workforce is definedby human capital experts that I am sure knowthe battlefield and the halls of high schools andcolleges.In the vision statement for the Commission,they state: “In the future, National Guard andReserves service members will perform missionsvital to U.S. national interest at home andabroad as part of a flexible, accessible, costeffectiveoperational force that retains anecessary strategic ability to surge.” This visionstatement is packed full of challenges. If youconsider the history of the Total Force policy,what has changed for the National Guard andReserves service members? It is difficult to seehow the Guard and Reserves would haveremained ready for today’s operational reservepolicy, if Congress was not involved.Nevertheless, the Guard and Reserves haveperformed as expected:> Over 615,000 Reserve members have beenrecalled to active duty;> Over 153,000 Reserve members have beenrecalled to OIF/OEF at least twice;> Of the over 799,791 OEF/OIF servicemembers (all service members) separatedthrough August 2007:o 51% are Reserve/Guard Componentso 49% are Active Duty Components> National Guard and Reserves members arebeing asked to leave not just their families (as doActive Duty), but also their primary employers;> It can be shown that in fact the Guard andReserves have always been ready, relevant, andreliable;> Congress in the past believed the Guard andReserve to be a relevant force and provided theassets because the Active Component wouldnot. (For the record, it has taken over 30 years toget the Total Force policy to current levels.)Throughout the history of the National Guardand Reserves Components, their mandate wasthen and is now to be ready and able whencalled for any mission, not just the missionrequirements so stated in mobilization documents.In the overwhelming majority of cases, Guardand Reserves members, their families, or theiremployers were ready, reliable, or relevant.The issue was, and is still, in most cases(which the Total Force policy was an implementationtool for Congress to force the services andDoD) to provide the proper equipment andresources for the Guard and Reserve to be readyand compensated properly when called from thestrategic force. Now the CNGR is calling for theservices and DoD to include Guard and Reserveequipment in a Total Force requirement. Will ittake another 30 years for the equipment to beavailable?Many believe that if Congress had not providedthe directions, resources, and mandates for theNational Guard and the Federal Reserve force tohave the equipment, resources, and manpowerpolicies, today’s Operational Reserve policymay have not been possible. ReserveComponent doubters prior to Gulf War One andcurrent OIF/OEF did not believe that whencalled in mass that the Reserve Componentmembers would be there and be ready. Historyhas once again proven that Guard and Reservemembers are ready and relevant. It is no longerimportant what got these honorable volunteersto this point. What is important that the CNGRrecognized that we have an Operational Reserveand still do need a strategic reserve. I do notagree with the way the CNGR has laid it out,since I believe the effort was to create astanding Reserve Operational force – that looksexactly like an Active Duty force.The massive changes that are recommendedby the Commission on the Guard and Reserveare not necessarily in the best interest of theactual Guard and Reserve members and units,since the recommendations further solidify thereductions in some Reserve Components at atime they are being called on more and more.Family and employer readiness is addressedin six recommendations. But, they are loosesuggestions that do not mandate DoD and theservices to take action. Additionally, eventhough it is mentioned, a Strategic Reserve forceis viewed in passing as necessary.Recently, the majority of the Reserve Chiefsmention that equipment to train ReserveComponent members is a critical need at thistime. Manning policies (recruiting andretaining) with proper end strengths for theirforce is mentioned by all Reserve Chiefs thathave equipment and hardware units. In short,the current round of leaders see; equipment,manpower issues, and family readiness as stilltheir priority needs. These critical needs haveremained constant over the life of the TotalForce policy. The Operational Reserve policyin place does not support a Strategic Reserve,and there is very little direction on how toget there from these recommendations thatensure actual family readiness, employersupport, and manning the force. Withoutthese there can not be an Operational Reserveforce.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 9

Health AffairsThe Skinny on FatCDR Marian Cioe, NC, USNNational VP for Health ProgramsEnergy is stored in the bodymostly in the form of fatthat aids in the absorptionof vitamins A, D, E, and K.When eaten in moderation,fat is important for propergrowth, development, and maintenance ofgood health. As a food ingredient, fatprovides taste, consistency, and stabilityand helps you feel full. Fats are anespecially important source of caloriesand nutrients for infants and toddlers (upto two years of age) who have the highestenergy needs per unit of body weight ofany age group. We all need to includesome fat in our diets to remain healthy, butnot all fats are equal in terms of theireffects on our health.Cholesterol plays essential roles in theformation of cell membranes, somehormones, and vitamin D. Too muchcholesterol in the blood can build upinside the arteries. These deposits, calledplaque, can narrow an artery enough toslow or block blood flow. This narrowingprocess is call atherosclerosis andcommonly occurs in arteries that nourishthe heart. Plaque can rupture, causing bloodclots that may lead to heart attack, stroke,or sudden death. However, the buildup ofcholesterol can be slowed, stopped, andeven reversed. Although it is still importantto limit the amount of cholesterol you eat,especially if you have diabetes, whichincreases your chances of having a heartattack or a stroke, dietary cholesterol isn’tnearly the villain it’s been portrayed to be.There are two main types of cholesterol:Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad”cholesterol which transports cholesterolthroughout your body. LDL cholesterol,when elevated over time, builds up in the10 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008walls of your arteries, making them hardand narrow (atherosclerosis).High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or“good” cholesterol which picks up excesscholesterol and takes it back to your liver.A higher lever of HDL is associated with alower risk of heart disease.LDL Targets:160 mg/dL = high130 mg/dL = good target for mosthealthy people100 mg/dL = target if you have otherrisk factors for heart disease70 mg/dL = target if you already haveheart diseaseHDL Targets:40-50 mg/dL = normal for healthy men50-60 mg/dL = normal for healthywomen40 mg/dL = lower for men or womenis considered risky and the lower thevalue, the greater the riskThere are two types of fat:1) Saturated – the main dietary causeof high blood cholesterol. It is found mostlyin foods from animals and some plants.Animals include beef, beef fat, veal, lamb,pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk,cheeses and other dairy products madefrom whole and 2 percent milk. Plantsinclude coconut, coconut oil, palm oil, andpalm kernel oil (often called tropical oils)and cocoa butter.2) UnsaturatedMonounsaturated – found in canola,peanut, and olive oilsPolyunsaturated – found in sunflower,corn, and soybean oilsIt is the unsaturated fat that is thehealthier choice to make.The process of hydrogenation was firstdiscovered around the turn of the 20 thcentury by French chemist, Paul Sabatier.Shortly after, German chemist, WilhelmNormann, developed a hydrogenationprocess using hydrogen gas, a chemicalprocess that hardens vegetable oils andturns them into solid or semisolid fats(trans fats). They may also be producedwhen vegetable oils are heated to fry foodsat very high temperatures. Since trans fatsare more solid than oil, they are less likelyto spoil. Using trans fats in the manufacturingof foods helps foods stay freshlonger, have a longer shelf life, and have aless greasy feel.The use of partially hydrogenated fatsaccelerated in the 1960’s through the 80’sas food producers responded to publichealth recommendations to move awayfrom animal fats and tropical oils. At thetime, partially hydrogenated fats seemedto be a good alternative, particularlybecause of their stability, cost availability,and functionality. Before the 1990’s,limited data was available on the healtheffects of trans fats. In 1990, scientistsmade a startling discovery: trans fatsappeared to both increase LDL cholesteroland decrease HDL cholesterol – just theopposite of what you’d like to happen.Small amounts of trans fat occur naturallyin some meat and dairy products, but it isthe trans fats in PROCESSED foods thatseem to be more harmful.Since January 2006, manufacturers inthe United States have been required bythe Food and Drug Administration (FDA)to list trans fat content on nutrition labels.Some companies have changed theirmanufacturing process to use little or notrans fat. But, don’t think a trans fat-freefood is automatically good for you. Foodmanufacturers have begun substitutingother ingredients for trans fat. Some ofthese ingredients, such as tropical oils –coconut, palm kernel and palm oils –contain a lot of saturated fat.In the U.S., the labeling requirement hasa caveat. Trans fat that amounts to lessthan 0.5 grams per serving can be listed as0 grams trans fat on the food label.Though that’s a small amount of trans fat,if you eat multiple servings of foods withless than 0.5 grams of trans fat, youcould exceed recommended limits. Ifyou consume 2,000 calories a day, theAmerican Heart Association (AHA)recommends 2 grams of trans fat or less.In the U.S., food nutrition labels don’tlist a Percent (%) Daily Value for trans fatbecause it’s not known what an appropriatelevel of trans fat is, other than it should below. As a result, consumers may see a fewproducts that list 0 grams trans fat on thelabel, while the ingredient list may haveCont’d. on page 25

RECORD RAIL GUN TESTPLANNEDThe Navy had a “record-breaking” testshot of its developmental electromagneticrail gun at the Naval SurfaceWarfare Center in Dahlgren, VA. Thegun fires a projectile with electricity,rather than gunpowder. A shell islaunched at 7 Mach through the electromagneticrails into the atmosphere forabout one minute, flies out of the atmospherefor four minutes, and thendescends to Earth toward its target at 5Mach in approximately one minute. Theprojectile is guided using the GlobalPositioning System.CAPTAIN’S GIG IS GOING AWAYON CARRIERSCarrier skippers are losing a traditionalstatus symbol under a Navy directiveissued in January. The captain’s gig, theNews Notes...motorboat set aside to ferry commandingofficers to shore when their ships areanchored away from land, is beingphased out of the fleet to provide morespace on the inside deck. Under a directiveissued by Naval Air Forces, all 11 carrierswill be required to turn in their captain’sgigs before 30 June 2009. Admiral’sbarges, another variety of boat traditionallycarried aboard carriers, aren’teffected by the gig withdrawal.Captain’s gigs will stay aboard theamphibious assault ships and othersurface ships that now carry them.NEW SUB NAMES HONOR STATES,PREVIOUS SHIPSThe next three Virginia-class attackboats scheduled to join the fleet will beknown as the Missouri, the Californiaand the Mississippi. Missouri Rep. IkeSkelton, the Democratic Chair of theHouse Armed Services Committee,wasted no time praising Navy SecretaryDonald Winter for granting the Missouriname the first of the scheduled ships,heretofore known by its designationSNN 780.Each new submarine inherits a nameused in the fleet before. The newMissouri will be the fourth ship to bearthat name; the new California, theseventh; and the new Mississippi, thefifth.A nonprofit Veterans Service OrganizationNMAA_NRA_Ad_wedding.indd 1PROTECTING THOSEWHO MATTER MOST.Now is the time to provideprotection and peace of mind toyour loved ones.Low-cost dependable life insurance for youand your family: No coverage limits for hazardous duty zones No war, aviation or terrorism clauses No sales fees or commissionsCall 1-800-628-6011 or visit us atwww.navymutual.org today.3/4/08 10:30:34 AMBURIAL AT SEAThe attack submarine USS Pasadenalaid to rest the remains of Rear AdmiralEugene Fluckey over the exact spotwhere his WW II sub, the USS Barb,rescued 14 POWs during the war. Underhis command, the USS Barb sank moreenemy ships than any other submarine inthe war. He was awarded the Medal ofHonor and four Navy Crosses.RESERVIST CLAIMS JOB DENIALFood Lion’s corporate headquarters isinvestigating a claim by a Navy Reservistthat he was turned down for a job atthe chain’s Gray’s Creek grocery storebecause of his military commitments. Ifsuch a denial occurred, it would beagainst the law. It also would violateFood Lion corporate policy, said spokeswomanKaren Peterson. The Reservistsaid he applied for a job stocking shelvesat the Gray’s Creek Food Lion in mid-February.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 11

ProfessionalDevelopmentTime to ApplyCAPT William A. Emslie, USNNational VP for Professional DevelopmentIt is time to get serious about theFY09 APPLY cycle. The timelineis on the NRA Web site athttp://www.navy-reserve.org. Hereis a summary of the importantAPPLY dates and deadlines:* 31 March: APPLY Board and Boardsupport application deadline. Start atAPPLY Web site link from Navy Reserveprivate site at https://navyreserve.navy.mil/Login.aspx.* 30 April: Deadline for COMNAV-RESFORCOM (N12) to notify Boardmembers and support staff of selection viae-mail.* 1 May-13 June: COMNAVRESFOR-COM will advertise billet vacancies forreview only.* 15 June-31 July: First day for applicationand “Dream Sheet” update.* 31 July: Final day for application and“Dream Sheet” updates. On-line APPLYregistration closed at 2400 (CST).* 11 August: FY09 APPLY Boardbegins. NEPLO and Intel panels convene.* 29 August: FY09 APPLY Boardadjourns.* 15 September: Final day to accept ordecline Board selected billet assignmentvia APPLY Web site.* 1 December: No earlier, execute FY09APPLY Board orders.What steps should you take to maximizeyour chances of receiving a billet forFY09? First and foremost, there are nojobs in the Navy Reserve that are assatisfying as that of Commanding Officer.These are the premier jobs, an opportunityto exercise your leadership and get results.You drive the unit. The success of themission and the people depend greatlyupon you. A good CO is an objective andpositive leader who puts mission and peopleat the top of his/her list. If you select anybillet through APPLY, your first choiceneeds to be that of Commanding Officer.I can tell you it is well worth the effort.Here are the five steps to success.Step 1 – Go the APPLY Web site, downloadand read the CNRF 5400 Note, thebasic instruction for APPLY. Key items tolook for include who can apply, scheduleand deadlines, mailing addresses forupdates, letters to the board, preceptsand other items of importance. Yes, youwill need to read this twice so set asidesome time and plan your future. Access theAPPLY Web site from https://navyreserve.navy.mil/Login.aspx.Step 2 – Review your service record.This is what the APPLY Board will seewhen they consider you for billets youhave selected on your Dream Sheet. Ifthey see a record with gaps or missingfitreps, the impression will be that you donot care about your record. This is not theimpression to make. Order a CDROM ofyour record at https://www.bol.navy.mil.Look for missing and illegible FITREPS,missing awards, schools, and NOBCs. Ifyou recently completed a school andhave the certificate, send a copy. ANaval Reserve Association servicerecord review is highly recommended.Go to http://www.navy-reserve.org andlook under the “Career Development” tabfor more information.Step 3 – Register for APPLY. AllReserve officers, regardless of tenure inbillet, should register to validate theRHS/NSIPS databases and to screen yourown service record. Senior officers/mentorsalso do this to understand the process eachyear.Step 4 – Complete your Dream Sheet.What are you willing to accept and where?The more restrictions you place uponyourself with limited choices, the moredifficult it is for the Board to select youfor a billet. To maximize your chances ofselection, do the following: Try to use all35 selections. It may seem like a lot; butwith many people applying for the samebillets, you limit yourself with fewerchoices. Next, check the “I will acceptjobs for which I did not apply” box toallow the Board to assign you other billetsthat you may qualify. Regarding travelradius, select this as wide as you cantolerate. Remember, if selected, the radiuswill be used. If you ask for any billet,regardless of radius, you could findyourself flying out of CONUS. Be careful,but be aware that a small radius willlimit your chances for selection. Oneadditional reminder: If you do not meet therequirements of the job, do not apply. Yourrecord must reflect your qualifications. Ifselected for a job and you do not qualify,you may forfeit the job. Read the billetscreen details carefully.Step 5 – Apply for membership on theAPPLY Board, but only if you are notapplying for a billet this year. If this isyour status, you owe it to yourself toexperience the APPLY Board either as aBoard member or as a Recorder. The chiefadvantage is that you will gain perspectiveas to how the process works and what theBoard looks for when selecting candidatesfor billets. You can then look at your ownrecord with a fresh perspective and makethe changes now that will affect your owncareer. In addition, you will become abetter mentor.Junior officer APPLY began on 1 OCT2007. All Reserve junior officers can nowlog in and register and review non-commandJO billet opportunities. I logged on andwas able to browse through 2,030 billetscurrently available. For more informationon Junior Officer APPLY, go to the link onthe APPLY Web site.Finally, you will be interested in knowingthe rate of selection for your paygrade.For example, the FY06 Unrestricted LineAPPLY Board results looked like this:O-4 O-5 O-6% CO/OIC 18.2% 4.1% 10.6%% Non-Command 0.0% 26.0% 12.4%Total Opportunity 18.2% 30.0% 23.1%Will you be one of those selected?Be competitive. Do what is right.APPLY now. You can reach me atbill.emslie@usnr.org.12 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

Letters-to-the-editor reflect the opinions of their writers only. Neither theofficers nor the staff of the Naval Reserve Association endorse the viewpointsexpressed here. The editor of NRA News reserves the right to publish onlythose letters that appeal to a broad readership and to edit any letter for length,grammar, and clarity.NRA News 08LettersDear Captain McAtee,I have just read your letter (my Happy 64 thBirthday/TRICARE for Life letter). I don’tknow when I have received a document withmore significant information in just over apage. I am impressed and informed! You haveanswered more Medicare/TRICARE questionsthan I have been able to obtain in volumes ofdocuments. And then, I have had to researchthese publications, in detail, to fine theanswers, sometimes reading between the lines.Every month, I read the Naval ReserveAssociation NEWS cover-to-cover. I appreciateall the headquarters staff is doing to keep itsmembers informed and represented. Thank you.Dear Admiral Coane,Dean G. BarberCommander, USNR (Ret)Thank you for providing the interview withSecretary Coulter. It touched on many issuesthat have become so important to me personallyin the last few years. It was also interesting tosee in the concurrent issue of The NavyReservist and all the references to new globalmaritime initiatives. While assigned to U.S.Northern Command, I had the opportunity totalk to RADM Metcalf about the critical needto build strategic partnerships not just withinthe U.S. interagency, but also with internationalpartners who can serve as force multipliers inthe mission of homeland defense.Getting Navy FAO to enter the reserves aftercompleting their active duty obligated serviceshould certainly be a Navy Reserve goal.However, the new initiative to reinvigorate theFAO program is modeled on the U.S. Armyprogram, where an individual opts to become aFAO after qualifying and serving a few years inanother career field, like artillery or infantry.Over the next few years, the Navy FAOcommunity will be grown taking officers froma warfare specialty that are choosing betweenleaving active duty, or entering the FAO careerpipeline. While this renewed initiative to createa FAO community is more likely to succeed,the community won’t mature until about 2015,the RC won’t have much shot at picking upFAOs with AC experience until after that..Not to say we can’t make Navy ReserveFAOs. There should be an option for FTS tochoose the FAO career path, or to allow activecomponent FAOs to transition to the FTScommunity. And as PDASD Coulter pointedout, there is substantial talent already residingwithin the reserve force. I had a couple ofNATO assignments, and served two yearsworking closely with the U.S. Consulate inCuracao (somebody had to do it!). Thoseexperiences all came as a reservist, and qualifiedme to ultimately serve an 18-month tour as theDeputy POLAD at NORAD/US NorthernCommand, to include three months as theacting POLAD when State Department gappedthe billet. Another geographic COCOM had aNavy Reservist deputy POLAD and was soenthused with his ability, they retained him asa civil servant when they could no longer keephim on ADSW (both ADM Keating and GENRenuart felt pretty strongly about keeping thedeputy POLAD at NORTHCOM as a militarymember. My assigned task from ADM Keatingwas to find a permanent replacement, which Idid: a U.S. Army FAO).All this to say, there is more existing baselineknowledge for creating a Reservist FAO thanmight be assumed. Simple JO functions likeusing the Foreign Clearance Guide to plandetachments or planning for Non-CombatantEvacuation Operations (NEO), which areconducted at the direction of and coordinatedwith the U.S. State Department are examples.These tasks provide the initial exposure; withsome foreign language proficiency, and astructured plan for development (with access toSIPRNET resources), a reserve unit supportingmajor staff could build their own surge FAOcapacity.Dear Admiral Coane,Jerry BoutsCaptain, USNRThank you for two inspiring storiesjuxtaposed to one another.LCDR Rogers’ column, Learn to be “nosy,”is a call to all to never quit trying when weknow there is a problem to be solved. Over theyears, I have thought many times that I couldhave, should have, been more persistent,tried harder. This thought is never more heartrendingthan when an individual is involved,a subordinate, an enlisted man, who is lookingto his officer for an answer. My chiefboatswain’s mate father always told me to“Take care of your men, first!” Dad’sadmonition is a good summary of John PaulJones’ dictum. It is a sense of “personal honor.”LCDR Rogers is going to make a fine seniorofficer.Deputy Assistant Secretary Coulter’s inspiringmessage also reminds us to never quit trying.We can learn to work together to solve thenation’s problems, especially terrorism. I ruefullyadmit that I have never been fond of theDepartment of State nor its efforts on behalfof our nation. Rather, I have seen them assubversive on many occasions. SecretaryCoulter has indicated that security professionalsare starting to understand the requirement thatwe work together for the national good. Heclearly demonstrates that an individual, workingon his sense of “personal honor” can, and will,make a difference.I’m proud to be part of a Navy that canproduce men of this caliber.Dear Admiral Coane,Charles E. BlockCaptain, USNR (Ret)As I started to read YNCS Hensley’s “EnlistedPrograms” article, I was hoping to readinspiring stories of enlisted CBs buildingschools in Afghanistan, or Corpsmen savinglives in Iraq, or Information TechnologySpecialists repairing computer networks inNew Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Instead,YNCS Hensley fumes about officers usurpingthe roles of chiefs and how chiefs need to takeback their rightful place and proudly show thatchiefs do make the Navy run. He encourageschiefs to “take back the deck plates.” What ishis point? What is MCPON Campa teachingthe Chief Petty Officers these days?Our nation is engaged in two difficult warsin far-away places. If we want to win thesewars, we will need the skills and experience ofevery Sailor — officers and enlisted. Last timeI checked, we were all on the same team. Solet’s stop all this posturing and bickering, rollup our sleeves —whatever color they are —and get to work. Our Navy ... our Armed Forces... and our country need us!Mike CantwellCommanderNRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 13

Junior OfficersColumnRed Storm RisingLCDR Steven L. Rogers, USNNational VP for Junior OfficersIn a speech made on 7 February2007, Navy Secretary DonaldWinter stated: “Naval forces mustbe ready, above all, to conductmajor combat operations shouldthe need arise. We cannot ignoreevents and trends that reinforce that belief.A recent White Paper prepared by theChinese military outlined a three-stepstrategy for modernizing its defense, toinclude its blue-water ambitions. The thirdstep in their strategy states as a strategicgoal, ‘Building modernized armed forcesand being capable of winning modern,net-centric wars by the mid-21 st century.’This document implicitly suggests thatChina hopes to be in a position to challengesuccessfully the United States, a challengethat would certainly entail blue-wateroperations.”As the American people and leadershave focused their attention on the GlobalWar on Terrorism, China has focused itsattention on building the most powerfulblue-water Navy on earth.The issue of China’s Navy should not gounnoticed by today’s junior officers, forthey may be the very individuals challengedby what has the potential of becoming aserious threat to our national security.On 18 October 2007, the CongressionalResearch Service published a 104-pagereport to Congress, detailing China’s Navymodernization program and the impact itwill have on U.S. Navy operations by themid twenty-first century.The introduction of this report states,“China’s naval modernization has potentialimplications for required U.S. Navycapabilities in terms of preparing for aconflict in the Taiwan Strait area, maintainingU.S. Navy presence and military influencein the Western Pacific, and counteringChinese ballistic missile submarines.“China’s naval modernization raisespotential issues for Congress concerningthe role of China in Department ofDefense (DoD) and Navy planning; thesize of the Navy; the Pacific Fleet’s shareof the Navy; forward homeporting ofNavy ships in the Western Pacific; thenumber of aircraft carriers, submarines,and ASW-capable platforms; Navymissile defense, air-warfare, AAW, ASW,and mine warfare programs; Navycomputer network security; and EMPhardening of Navy systems.”In 2007, GlobalSecurity.org published atelling report on China’s emerging Navywhich can be found in its entirety on theWorld Wide Web. The following are someimportant highlights.“As of 2007, the PLA Navy (PLAN)numbered 290,000 personnel. According tothe U.S. Department of Defense’s AnnualReport to Congress on The MilitaryPower of the People’s Republic of Chinafor 2006, the PLAN had 70 principalcombatants (25 destroyers and 45 frigates);55 submarines (50 diesel and 5 nuclear);some 50 medium and heavy amphibiouslift ships (an increase of over 14% since2005); and about 45 coastal missile patrolcraft. In May 2007, the Annual Reportnoted that the PLAN had 72 principalcombatants, 58 submarines, some 50medium and heavy amphibious lift ships,and about 41 coastal missile patrol craft.“In addition, there is a large fleet ofabout 600 landing craft, both military andcivilian, that could be used for ship-toshoreoperations, as well as a handful ofair cushion vehicles. Using these assets,China can sealift about one division of10,000 men. The PLAN also has hundredsof smaller landing craft, barges, and trooptransports, all of which could be usedtogether with fishing boats, trawlers, andcivilian merchant ships to augment thenaval amphibious fleet. The size of themajor surface combatant fleet has beenrelatively stable, with older ships slowlybeing replaced by newer Chinese-builtdestroyers and frigates.“The PLAN continues to have longstandingconcerns about its capability toengage enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, andprecision-guided munitions. This problemis becoming more significant as the Navystrives to operate away from the protectionof land-based air defenses. PLAN surfacecombatants have a limited, and primarilyself-defense, antiair warfare (AAW)capability. Only about twelve of itsdestroyers and frigates are outfitted withSAM systems; the others are armed onlywith AAA and possibly man-portableair defense systems. In addition, PLANwarships lack the modern air surveillancesystems and data links required for areaair defense missions. The combination ofshort-range weapons and lack of modernsurveillance systems limits the PLAN toself-defense and point-defense antiairwarfare only. Consequently, except inunusual circumstances, no PLAN ship iscapable of conducting air defense ofanother ship. Additionally, the PLANcould not reliably defend against eithercurrent or projected antiship cruise missiles(ASCM). China has recognized theimportance of countering low-observableaircraft and cruise missiles. Engineeringefforts to develop air defense systemscapable of detecting and eventuallyengaging these systems are underway.“The size of the major surfacecombatant fleet has been relativelystable, with older ships slowly beingreplaced by newer Chinese-built destroyersand frigates. To increase the survivabilityof its surface combatants, the Navy seeksto acquire modern antisubmarine andantiaircraft systems. It has had littlesuccess in developing these systems andnow seeks technical assistance fromRussia and, reportedly, Israel. China’smodernization efforts likely are focusedon developing torpedoes with state-of-thearthoming and propulsion systemscapable of operating in acousticallychallenging shallow-water environments.China also may seek advanced torpedocountermeasures like mobile decoysand hard-kill anti-torpedo torpedoes toincrease the survivability of its surfaceships and submarines.”Every present day junior officer in theUnited States Navy should not let escapefrom his/her “radar” the potential storm whichis rising in the Pacific: A storm with cloudswhich are not gray, but, instead, RED!14 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

Navy ExpeditionaryCombat CommandExecuting the Navy’sMaritime StrategyIn an ExpandedBattlespaceBy MC1 Jennifer SmithNavy Expeditionary Combat Command Public AffairsSailors assigned to Riverine Squadron One (RIVRON-1) participate in a combat evolution, during a unit level training exercise. RIVRON-1 is apart of the newly formed Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mandy McLaurin)As the Global War on Terror progresses, the UnitedStates is fighting an enemy that is unpredictable.According to The Honorable William Navas,Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower andReserve Affairs) in the May 2004 issue of NavalReserve Association News, the Navy no longerwants the Reserve force to support simply the Navy. Now it’s becomecritical they fill the same roles, deploy to the same regions, andbecome indistinguishable from their Active Duty counterparts.That vision of Active and Reserve integration Navas spoke ofnearly four years ago is a matter of fact for the Sailors of NavyExpeditionary Combat Command (NECC), the Navy’s typecommander for the Navy’s expeditionary forces. Throughout NECC,Active and Reserve Sailors work and train side-by-side, whetherin realistic training environments or deployments in support ofvarious operations around the world.The Reserve force within NECC is a critical component of theexpeditionary forces worldwide missions. With their Active Dutycounterparts, their contributions have increased force capability andcapacity in the expeditionary environment.“NECC’s Reserve Component forces are operational reserves —they conduct missions just as our Active forces do,” said RADMMike Tillotson, NECC Commander. “Reserves make up nearly 50percent of NECC. They are essential to NECC’s combat capabilityand are necessary to meet mission requirements around the world.”Who is NECC?In the past two years since its creation, NECC has evolved from amere idea of becoming a single functional command for the Navy’sexpeditionary force to ealizing fully that idea and becoming a globalforce provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilitiesto maritime and joint warfighting commanders. In its short two-yearhistory, NECC units have become fully trained and equipped; and theyhave deployed to more than 40 countries in support of worldwidemaritime security operationsAs one of the Navy’s type commanders, NECC centrally managesthe current and future readiness, resources, manning, training, andequipping of approximately 40,000 expeditionary Sailors – includingindividual augmentees – who are currently serving in every theater ofoperation. These capabilities include naval construction, dive andsalvage, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), which have been apart of the Navy for several decades. Not only did NECC bring someNRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 15

existing forces together, but also they introduced and restructured newcapabilities, such as maritime civil affairs, expeditionary intelligence,and expeditionary training.Today, more than 11,000 expeditionary Sailors, more than half ofwhom are serving as individual augmentees, are deployed around theglobe in support of the new “Cooperative Strategy for 21 st CenturySeapower,” a joint maritime strategy signed by the Chief of NavalOperations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Commandant of theCoast Guard that applies maritime power to the crucial responsibility ofprotecting U.S. assets in an increasingly interconnected and multipolarworld.“NECC directly supports all core maritime capabilities vital to thesuccess of the Maritime Strategy,” said Tillotson. “We conduct the fullspectrum of operations, from shaping the environment and preventingwar to major combat operations. In addition, within our existing forces,we have the capability and capacity to conduct humanitarian assistanceand disaster relief operations.”NECC provides a full spectrum of capabilities, which include:RiverineNECC’s Riverine forces establish and maintain control of rivers andwaterways for military and civil purposes, deny their use to hostileforces, and destroy waterborne hostile forces as necessary. The Riverineforce combats sea-based terrorism and other illegal activities, such astransporting components of weapons of mass destruction, hijacking,piracy, and human trafficking.RIVRON-1, conducts an orientation ride on Lake Qadisiya,the man-made reservoir on the north side of Haditha Dam,currently supporting the 2 nd Marine Expeditionary Force inthe Al Anbar province of Iraq. (U.S. Navy Photo by SeniorChief Mass Communication Specialist Jon E. McMillan)Since the Riverines were formally established in May 2006, NECChas stood up Riverine Group (RIVGRU) One and three RiverineSquadrons (RIVRON). In 2007, RIVRON One completed a successfulseven-month deployment to western Iraq, conducting maritimesecurity operations on the inland waterways near the Haditha Triad.RIVRON Two relieved its sister squadron in October.“Our squadron’s mission was successful because we made a hugeimpact on the war in Iraq,” said CDR William Guarini, CommandingOfficer of RIVRON One. “We were very effective in our mission.16 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

We operated with the Marines, Army, and Iraqis. I believe the NavyRiverines have a bright future ahead of them. Riverines have a uniquecapability to operate with foreign navies who don’t have large ships,but have a large navy based off patrol boats.”Naval ConstructionThe Naval Construction Force – commonly known as the Seabees –provide a wide range of construction in support of operational forces,including roads, bridges, bunkers, airfields, and logistics bases. Theyare capable of providing responsive support to disaster recoveryoperations, performing civic action projects to improve relations withother nations, and providing antiterrorism and force protection forpersonnel and construction projects.Builder 2 nd Class Michael Schneider (left) attached to NavalMobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7, rakes concrete with hisNavy Seabee counterpart, Fireman 1 st Class Builder Elmer Ang.They are part of over 50 Seabees working on an Engineering CivicAction Prject (ENCAP). (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass CommunicationSpecialist 1 st Class Dave Gordon)The Seabees – whether Active Duty or Reserves – are deployedthroughout the world, from Pacific Command’s area of operations toIraq to Africa and everywhere in between. Since the beginning of theUnited States’ involvement in World War II, the Seabees have livedunder the motto of “We Build; We Fight.”Seabees enable access for combat forces. Underwater ConstructionTeam (UCT) 2 proved this in Iraq last summer. The small unit of 16divers constructed a boat ramp and floating pier for RIVRON-1, whichenhanced the operability of the squadron by allowing boats to bestaged in a manner that is more expeditious for deployment when thesquadron needs to react quickly. The ramps simplified launch andrecovery of the boats, making the job of maintaining the boats aneasier task to accomplish.Although combat service forces who are operating forward andmoving with combat maneuver forces, Seabees also take part inshaping the global environment with the ultimate goal of preventingwar through their forward presence and theater security cooperationactivities. Operating forward, whether building schools or diggingwells in remote locations around the globe, increases familiarity withregional partners.In addition, Seabees are critical to humanitarian assistance anddisaster relief operations, as in the cases of Hurricanes Katrina andRita, the earthquake in Pakistan October 2005, and the tsunamiresponse in the Pacific December 2004. The expeditionary nature ofthese forces allows rapid response and assistance, whether in theUnited States or around the globe.Explosive Ordnance DisposalU.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) is one of the world’spremier combat forces for countering improvised explosive devices,weapons of mass destruction, and all other types of weaponry. An eliteteam of warriors, Navy EOD technicians are the “first in” – enablingcombat operations in every environment – on the ground, in the air, andunder the sea.EOD technicians are combat enablers – clearing the battlefield of theenemy’s weapon of choice – the IED – and providing access for otherwarfighters to complete their missions.In addition to rendering safe IEDs, EOD technicians collect evidenceand data to allow ultimately coalition forces to track down and stop theactual bombmakers.“EOD techs enable access for combat forces, including the U.S.Marine Corps, U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, and coalitionpartners. [EOD techs] are in combat, up close and personal,countering IEDs and making a difference on the battlefield.“By defeating the IED, we are defeating the enemy and saving livesin the process,” said Tillotson.In addition to their work on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan,EOD has been a major contributor to theater security cooperationengagement throughout the world, covering more than 25 engagementsin the past two years.EOD also recently conducted a coalition force survey of 16-year-oldmine danger areas around the Iraqi oil platforms that were remainingfrom the first Gulf War. Their efforts were instrumental to maritimesafety, the development of the Iraqi economy, and regional stability.To meet the high demand of EOD technicians, a new EOD unit,EOD Mobile Unit 12 (EODMU-12) was established in Janaury.EODMU-12 is unique in that it is the first EOD mobile unit createdfrom the ground up with the command and control structure to deployoverseas as an entire mobile unit. In the past, EOD detachments deployedwhile the mobile unit headquarters element remained in homeport.“[In the months ahead], we will take the entire command cadre, putit through an extensive evaluation process, and push it forward to thebattlefield to bring combat power to the Navy component commandersand combatant commanders in theater,” said CAPT Frank Morneau,Commander, EOD Group Two.Adding EODMU-12 to the East Coast-based EOD Group Twoprovides three mobile units to meet requirements for U.S. CentralCommand, expeditionary strike groups, carrier strike groups, andNaval Special Warfare. The addition of EODMU-12 will ultimatelyincrease time-in-homeport for EOD technicians.EOD Operational Support Unit 10, EOD’s East Coast Reserve unit,mobilized and deployed seven ordnance clearance platoons to conductantiterrorism/force protection diving operations in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom.In another step toward Active-Reserve integration, the Navy createdan EOD technician rating for the Reserve Force 1 Oct. 2007. The newrating aligns the Reserve EOD community with its Active counterparts,as part of the Navy’s continuing Active-Reserve integration, whileincreasing total force EOD readiness and supporting optimal manning.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 17

“As the Active EOD Component remains heavily engaged inmissions in support of the [Global] War on Terrorism, and thoserequirements have significantly increased over the past few years towhat the Active Force has the assets to provide, a decision was madeby the EOD leadership to develop further the Reserve EOD capabilityby establishing a rating in the Reserves,” said Command Master Chief(EWS) Farris Foresman of EOD Group Two.With the new rating, these Sailors are now able to focus onrating-specific technology and training systems, while broadeningtheir professional development, career opportunities, and quality ofservice. In addition to the benefits for the Reserve Force Sailor,Active Duty EOD technicians separating from the Navy are nowable to transfer directly into the Reserves while keeping theirtraining and qualifications.Maritime Expeditionary SecurityThe Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) supplies highlytrained scalable and sustainable security teams capable of defendingmission critical assets in the near-coast environment. These unitsprovide worldwide maritime and inshore surveillance, security, andantiterrorism force protection, ground defense, afloat defense, airfieldand aircraft security, and a wide range of secondary tasks, fromdetention operations to law enforcement.“Our Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), which is thetransition from Naval Coastal Warfare (NCW) and has been traditionallyall Reserves since Vietnam, recently created two Active Dutysquadrons,” said Tillotson. “This is just one of the many areas wherewe have improved the Active and Reserve integration.”MESF works with Iraqi Marines to protect the oil platforms in theArabian Gulf, which are key infrastructures that provide the lion’sshare of Iraq gross domestic product.Last summer, Maritime Security Squadrons participated in ExerciseSeahawk in San Diego, CA. The exercise was intended to increaseinteroperability and enhance cooperation between the Navy and CoastGuard which may be called upon to respond to real-world MaritimeSecurity Operations (MSO). These operations help set the conditionsfor security and stability in the maritime environment, as well ascomplement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regionalnations. They also seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of themaritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel,weapons, or other material.Another exercise that tested MESF’s ability to conduct real-worldoperations was COMET – Command and Control, Operational,Maritime, Expeditionary Training. During that exercise, Sailorspracticed a Level III visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS), whichuses helicopter insertion to land Sailors on the deck in the event of anoncompliant ship boarding.It takes more than just special skills to be able to complete this typeof mission. According to Master-at-Arms 2 nd Class Nathan Connor, ittakes a lot of stamina and determination.“We’re an energetic group, and we keep that intensity with usthroughout the entire search,” said Connor. “There are only 24 of us onthe team, so we’re like a close-knit family.”This level of VBSS, using the helicopters for insertion and thetraining that goes with it, is a new capability for NECC; and as theNavy continues to move forward with its expeditionary force presence,it will be folded into the concept of adaptive force packaging.Expeditionary Diving and SalvageMobile diving and salvage units (MDSUs) provide expeditionarycombat salvage capabilities that include mobile ship salvage, towing,battle-damage repair, deep-ocean recovery, harbor-clearance demolitionand emergent underwater ship repair.Navy Diver 1 st Class Josh Moore welds a repair patch on thesubmerged bow of amphibious transport dock USS Ogden (LPD 5)while the ship was in port at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy Photoby Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Andrew McKaskie)Navy MDSUs provide the only mobile diving and salvage capabilityin the Department of Defense, enabling access to waterways andhelping the Navy transition from the blue and green waters up to rivers.Navy expeditionary divers were in the international spotlight lastAugust when a team from MDSU-2 in Norfolk assisted with recoveryand salvage efforts following the collapse of the I-35 bridge inMinneapolis, MN. The 17 divers and a five-person command andcontrol element from NECC spent 15 days working with local, state,and federal authorities to find the missing victims of the collapse. Thedivers’ efforts helped in the recovery of eight victims missing since thecollapse. They also moved an estimated 50 tons of debris andwreckage during salvage and rescue efforts.MSDU-2’s response exemplified Navy Expeditionary CombatCommand’s adaptive force packaging concept, by providing the rightmix of expeditionary skills that are adaptable, responsive, and ready toaccomplish any mission.Additionally, a command and control element from MDSU-1 inPearl Harbor, HI, deployed in January in support of combat operationsin the Central Command area of responsibility.Navy Expeditionary IntelligenceNavy Expeditionary Intelligence Command (NEIC) deliversflexible, capable, and ready maritime expeditionary intelligence forcesthat respond rapidly to evolving irregular warfare area intelligencerequirements. Intelligence teams supply expeditionary warfighterswith timely, relevant intelligence to deny the enemy sanctuary, freedomof movement, and use of waterborne lines of communication whilesupported forces find, fix, and destroy the enemy and enemy assetswithin the operational environment.18 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

Combat CameraCombat Camera (COMCAM) generates video and still documentationof combat operations, contingencies, exercises, and Navy events ofhistorical significance. NECC-COMCAM Norfolk is a visualinformation acquisition unit, dedicated to providing rapid responseaerial, surface, and subsurface visual documentation of wartimeoperations.Late last year, six COMCAM Sailors received the ExpeditionaryWarfare (EXW) pin, making them the first mass communicationspecialists to receive the Navy’s newest warfare qualification. Inaddition to being able to demonstrate a working knowledge of severalsubjects within the expeditionary warfare world, combat cameraoperators must prove to a panel of board members that they canfunction fluidly within the combat camera realm by mastering bothvideo and still documentation, and basic news writing.Navy Expeditionary Logistics SupportNavy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) deliversworldwide expeditionary logistics to conduct port and air cargo handlingmissions, customs inspections, contingency contracting capabilities,fuels distribution, freight terminal and warehouse operations, postalservice, and ordnance reporting and handling.These forces are critical to the Navy’s ability to project and sustainpower ashore. They assist by offloading forces quickly and enablingthrough-put. NAVELSG provides combat service support to themaneuver forces through Maritime Preposition Force (MPF) offloads,providing logistics over the shore – in short, transferring combat powerfrom sea to shore.NAVELSG Sailors, more then 90 percent of whom are from theReserve Component, support the customs and cargo handling missionsin Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In October2007, Navy Customs Battalion TANGO, the sixth rotation of NavyReservists mobilized to active duty and trained to serve as customsinspectors in support of OIF, deployed to the U.S. Central Commandarea of operation. TANGO’s Reservists hail from more than 90 NavyOperational Support Centers in 36 states; Washington, DC; and PuertoRico.“Our job will be to perform customs inspections for returningservice members before leaving the theater, so they don’t have to do itstateside and can go straight to their families when they return home,”said Hull Technician 3 rd Class Leah Delamarter, of Customs BattalionTANGO.TANGO recently marked a milestone on 15 Jan. when it processedits 100,000 th homeward-bound passenger through a customs inspection.“The completion of 100,000 passengers by Navy Customs duringthis period is a significant milestone for U.S. Navy Customs,” saidCDR Mark Schwartzel, TANGO’s Commanding Officer. “Morepassengers were processed during this short period of time than everbefore. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment and look forwardto their continued support of our returning heroes.”Additionally, more than 240 Sailors forming Port Group GOLFdeployed in November 2007 as the seventh rotation of Sailorssupporting the cargo handling mission in the Middle East. GOLF and theNAVELSG Forward Headquarters oversee two major cargo handlingmissions in Kuwait to support combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.Earlier this year, 27 Sailors attached to NAVELSG left for asix-month deployment with the Army’s Cargo Transfer Platoon 4(CTP 4). Their primary mission while in Iraq is to support the Armyduring cargo transfers via aircraft.RADM Sharon H. Redpath, NAVELSG Commander, who is a NavyReservist, emphasized the value of the CTP-4 mission.“The Army can now limit its ground convoys to deliver suppliespartly because our cargo handlers are there to support their air cargomissions. This lessens the risks that come with convoys and allows ourtroops to focus on other vital work,” Redpath said. “We are proud ofthe contribution our Sailors are making and the value they bring to thefront lines. This is what we train for, and this mission is an excellentopportunity for them to put their expertise to use in a joint environment.”And even more recently, 59 NAVELSG Active and Reserve Sailorstraveled to McMurdo Station in Antarctica to deliver a one-yearsupply of food, equipment, and medicine for researchers living there.Guard BattalionNECC has administrative oversight for the 600 members of theNavy Expeditionary Guard Battalion in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Theyare part of a joint task force there and are responsible for the safe andhumane care and custody of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Theguard battalion is fully educated in procedures, cultural and legaltraining, self-defense, first aid, nonlethal weapons, and qualificationsfor external security.Maritime Civil AffairsOne of the key tenets of the new maritime strategy states that“preventing wars is as important as winning wars.” To that end,building relationships overseas in order to prevent war and increasingunderstanding between the U.S. Navy and the global civil populationis important. Maritime Civil Affairs is an enabling force that worksdirectly with civil authorities and the civilian population to lessen theimpact of military operations imposed during peacetime, contingencyops, and periods of declared war. Maritime civil affairs teams, eachspecially trained with cultural and language skills for a specific region,assess and evaluate a situation and tailor a plan to get the rightcapabilities there to enable the plan.“Essentially, what we do, at the request of the host government, is gointo underdeveloped and undergoverned regions and work with otheragencies to assess the local civil infrastructure,” said CAPT KenSchwingshakl, Commander of the Maritime Civil Affairs Group(MCAG). “We try and see what’s not working and offer our expertiseand assistance to coordinate improvements to their infrastructure.”MCAG has deployed Maritime Civil Affairs Teams to operate indirect support of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa; U.S.Naval Forces Europe’s (NAVEUR) Africa Partnership Station; andcivil-military operations (CMO) projects in the Democratic Republicof the Congo (DRC).When Seabees from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, wererehabilitating a high school in the DRC, they were joined by MCAGReservist Ensign Albert Gembara, the first civil affairs operator todeploy with Seabees to West and Central Africa. The rehabilitation of theschool, which supports 1,500 students, is directly tied to NAVEUR’sefforts to develop maritime security and safety in the region.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 19

While in the DRC, Gembara was a key figure in building a workingrelationship between the United States Armed Forces and theCongolese military and population. While the Seabees were busyworking on rebuilding the school, Gembara was working to buildpartnerships and friendships between the American Sailors and theCongolese natives.“This project demonstrated how we can achieve success when we allwork together. In this case, the Navy component worked together witha foreign military and foreign populace on an important HumanitarianCivic Assistance project,” said Gembara. “This was a joint cooperationamong the Seabees, teachers, parents, students and the Congolesearmy.”In addition, MCAG is leading CMO planning to incorporateMaritime Civil Affairs units into combatant commanders-sponsoreddeployments and missions including Continuing Promise in U.S.Southern Command, Pacific Partnership in U.S. Pacific Command,and in support of Naval Special Warfare Groups in Pacific and CentralCommands.Expeditionary TrainingExpeditionary Training Command (ETC) delivers timely, focused,and customizable training to designated host nations. Mobile trainingteams develop curricula based on host nation requirements, in the hostnation language, on a range of topics such as maritime combat operations,weapons, antiterrorism and force protection, small boat maintenanceand construction, and leadership and professional development.“We are helping to build partners’ capacity and capability so theycan help prevent war with their own forces,” said LCDR Scott Chafian,ETC’s Executive Officer. “Having our expeditionary ability out frontand building strategic partnerships increases their ability to prevent war.”similar to last year’s GFS. One of those countries is Gabon, where ETCSailors will be instructing the local population in small boat operationsin order to provide maritime security for the fisheries in the area.“ETC was originally envisioned as a military-to-military trainingprogram, such as what we did during GFS [Swift],” said Chafian. “Themissions we’re conducting in support of APS have broadened ourscope to paramilitary, the fisheries, and wildlife protection.”So far, the training courses have proven highly successful accordingto the feedback ETC receives from its students. The comments showthe ETC Sailors provided excellent training in native languages andwere enthusiastic.“First, I want to thank you for the instruction given to us,” said onePanamanian student. “I have learned new things that will help with mypersonal and professional life. They were excellent people andinstructors, and I wish them the best. It was a beautiful experience; itwas a complete training lesson, and I feel I have the capacity to fulfilla mission in respect to port security.”“I thank the U.S. Navy for the information I received as well as thegesture of friendship,” said a Nicaraguan student.A majority of the students had one thing they would like to see infuture classes. A Guatemalan student summed it up by saying, “Thetraining was good, but it can be better by bringing more training.”According to Chafian, ETC has already traveled to Senegal toprovide instruction to search and rescue swimmers and is planningfuture trips there. In addition, ETC plans to travel to Panama to instructlocal divers and to the Philippines for antiterrorism and oil platformprotection. They’ve also been requested to perform country assessmentsfor several countries in Southwest Asia.“Our end goal is to go downrange in these various countries andinterdict terrorism before it even starts,” said Chafian.Expeditionary Combat ReadinessExpeditionary Combat Readiness Command (ECRC) coordinatesand oversees all administrative processing, equipping, training,deployment, and redeployment of Sailors assigned as individualaugmentees, in-lieu-of forces, and to provisional units committed tojoint and maritime operations.Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 Sailorsperform freefall jumps from a C-130 Hercules. EODMU-2 conductswater parachute insertion training in accordance with Navytraining requirements to ensure unit readiness. (U.S. Navy Photoby Mass Communication Specialist 3 rd Class Elizabeth Simmons)ETC deployed training teams aboard High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV2) last summer in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern CommandGlobal Fleet Station (GFS) pilot mission. During that mission, theETC Sailors worked with seven countries in Central America, made 13port visits, and provided courses to approximately 1,100 students.Current operations have ETC providing training to four Africancountries in support of the Africa Partnership Station (APS), which isSailors learn the proper technique on the use of an M4 rifle as part ofthe Expeditionary Combat skills course at the Navy ConstructionBattalion Center. (U.S. Navy Photo by LTJG Alphonso Jefferson, Jr.)As the Navy’s central point for individual augmentees, ECRCmaintains a close watch on those Sailors as they train and prepare fortheir nontraditional roles.20 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

“We are retraining these individuals to augment specific nontraditionalNavy roles in theatre,” said CAPT Jeffery L. McKenzie,ECRC Commanding Officer. “They help support of our sister servicesby embedding with Army units or joint units in Afghanistan or Iraq.Some of our provisional reconstruction teams (PRT) are going toAfghanistan to help the government build up and create the infrastructureand services they need to operate the country. Our PRTs are made upof Navy personnel and Army personnel, and they come together as ajoint unit to go out and train.”ECRC created the Warrior Transition Program (WT) which offers IASailors education, programs, and tools that will aid them through themental and logistical transition into and out of their assignments inplaces like Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations while servingdirectly in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).“The Warrior Transition Program offers an opportunity for IASailors redeploying from a combat zone to decompress and receivebriefings from chaplains and health care professionals,” explainedMcKenzie. “The program not only lightens their load by allowing themto turn in their combat gear and weapons, but also provides them withtools to ease their transition back to their home and families.”Although the majority of Sailors going through WT currently areIAs, the plan is for all NECC Sailors to go through a WT programbefore leaving the theater. NECC is working on alternative WTprograms for those serving in other areas such as Djibouti or who donot redeploy through Kuwait. The objective is to have every singleSailor go through a comprehensive, standard WT program beforereturning to the States.According to CAPT Emilio Marrero, Navy Expeditionary CombatCommand’s force chaplain, about 90 percent of redeploying Sailorswon’t have issues making the transition from being in a combat zoneto returning home.“Warrior Transition will equip that 90 percent with tools andinformation they can use to help the other 10 percent who may havedifficulty with the transition,” said Marrero.How does the Reserve Force fit into the NECC mission?The Reserve Force is playing a major role in other missions in allfour corners of the world. But it’s not just a weekend here and there;sometimes, they’re deploying just as much, if not more, than theirActive Duty counterparts.According to CAPT Robert Perry, Commodore of Naval CoastalWarfare Squadron (NCWS) 26, the concept of “one weekend a month;two weeks a year” as a Reserve is completely thrown out the window.As a force that deploys at a moment’s notice, the Reserves are requiredto be just as ready.“Most of the Reserves within the former NCW and the currentMESF have deployed at least twice,” said Perry. “Many have four orfive tours, and there’s always the possibility of more to follow.”Expeditionary CommunityGoing into its third year, one goal for the command is to establish anexpeditionary community which would allow officers and enlistedSailors the opportunity to stay in the expeditionary realm throughouttheir entire careers, much like the aviation and surface communities. Ifestablished and institutionalized, the expeditionary community willprovide warfighter identity, gain efficiency, foster diversity, andincrease warfighter effectiveness in both Active and Reserve forces.However, ensuring missions are successful depends on more thanjust the right people in the right place. NECC has also made stridestoward making the expeditionary community more professional withthe development of the Expeditionary Warfare (EXW) qualification.“The establishment of the EXW pin recognizes how critical theseskills are and how mature our Sailors are,” said NECC Force MasterChief Anthony Santino. “We need fully trained and qualified Sailors tooperate in this dynamic expeditionary maritime environment.”Operational Readiness Depends on Family ReadinessNavy expeditionary Sailors are on the move in support of Joint andNaval Component Commanders every day. Given the stress of continuingdeployments to the combat zone, NECC recognizes a critical requirementfor a focused and properly aligned family readiness program to sustainthe force.Repetitive combat deployments take their toll not only on Sailors’bodies and equipment but on families and souls as well. To ensure optimalreadiness of the total force – including families – Tillotson now has a teamof key leadership and subject matter experts dedicated to establishing aforcewide family readiness policy.This overarching policy will standardize the processes, expectations,and deliverables in support of total family readiness and an overall warriorreadiness continuum. This warrior continuum includes education offamilies and ensuring sustained maintenance and development – whetherprofessional, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual – at every phaseof the Fleet Readiness Training Program (FRTP) training cycle.“The end result is a more combat-ready, more durable force that is asprepared mentally and emotionally as it is physically for the rigors ofdeployment to the combat zone,” said HMCM Denise Becker who isorchestrating NECC’s forcewide family readiness efforts.“Although many of the concerns of our families are shared by Navyfamilies fleetwide, NECC families face some unique challenges as wedeploy in support of the Marine Corps, the Army, and in some veryunique places as the Navy’s expeditionary force. NECC family readinessprograms must be tailored to meet truly our families’ needs.”Filling the GapAlthough NECC is still a new command, the success stories of thepast two years have proven the abilities of expeditionary Sailors insupporting the maritime strategy throughout the world. Whether they’refighting enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting humanitarianassistance projects in Africa, or providing disaster relief in the UnitedStates, these Sailors — Active and Reserve alike — are a testament to theNavy’s commitment to protecting our nation’s vital interests, whilebuilding partnerships and friendships with foreign nations to establishfavorable security conditions.These expeditionary Sailors operate in the seam between the JointForce Maritime Component Commander and the Joint Force LandComponent Commander and provide a continuum of capabilitythrough the near-coast, inner harbor, and riverine maritime environments.The global demand signal for these expeditionary forces and thecapabilities they provide is extremely high and is expected toremain high for the foreseeable future.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 21

Proper Retirementand TIG Waiver RequestBy Tom McAteeMEETING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFERTO THE RETIRED RESERVE (WITHOUT PAY)The most obvious of the three requirements is the attainment of20 years satisfactory federal service (satisfactory anniversaryyears). The other two requirements pertain only to certainReservists and pay grades. Minimum time-in-grade (TIG) requirementsmust be met as follows:O5 and O6 - 3 years TIG, waiverable to 24 monthsO1 through O4 - 6 monthsCWO - one dayE7 through E9 - 24 monthsE5 through E6 - completeobligated serviceFor some, the final requirementincludes that the last six qualifyingyears must be accrued in a ReserveComponent, such as the Navy Reserve.This requirement normally applies onlyto those who served 14 or more yearsin the Regular Navy on active duty.Due to a Congressional change in thisrequirement, the following applies.For those Reservists who complete 20years qualifying service on 25 April2005 or after, the six-year requirementno longer applies. For those whocompleted their 20 qualifying yearson 24 April 2005 or before, the sixyears remain a requirement forentitlement to a Reserve retirement.WAIVER OF TIME-IN-GRADE(TIG) FOR COMMANDERSAND CAPTAINSMany questions arise as to whetheror not they should even attempt torequest a TIG waiver. Navy PersonnelCommand, PERS-9, looks at allwaiver requests and, based on theneeds of the Navy, adjudicates eachrequest. In as many cases as possible,waivers are approved because most fall well under the 12-monthmaximum. So, if you have two years TIG completed and desire totransfer to the Retired Reserve (without pay), request a TIGwaiver along with your retirement request using paragraph 2c ofthe retirement request format. In paragraph 2c, along with askingfor the desired retirement date, include that you request a TIGwaiver for X months to meet the desired retirement date. Whenthe retirement request is received at Navy Personnel Command,they will coordinate the waiver request with PERS-9. Shouldyou have questions regarding a TIG waiver, you can call PERS-91at 1-901-874-4482/4483.FORMAT FOR REQUESTING TRANSFERTO THE RETIRED RESERVE(Ref: BUPERSINST 1001.39E, Chapter 20)From: Rank/Rate/Name, USN/SSN/DESIGTo: Navy Personnel CommandPERS-9125720 Integrity DriveMillington, TN 38054Via: (1) Unit Commanding Officer (see Note)(2) NOSC Commanding Officer or Record Holder (see Note)Subj: REQUEST TO TRANSFER TO THE RETIRED RESERVERef: (a) BUPERSINST 1001.39EEncl: (1) Annual Statement of Service History (ASOSH) or NOE1. Per reference (a), I request transfer to the Retired Reserve.2. The following information is provided:a. Name, grade, rank or rate, social security number,designator (officers only).b. Complete mailing address including zip code.c. Desired date. Per the Uniform Retirement Date Act, 5 U.S.C.8301, the effective date of retirement must be the first dayof a month desired by member.d. Date of Birth.e. (Officer) Reason transfer is requested.e. (Enlisted) Expiration of enlistment or extension.f. Ceremony date (if known).g. Phone numbers where member can be contacted._______________________Member’s signatureNote: Members not assigned to a reserve unit will not have anyvia addresses. Their requests will be submitted directly to NPCPERS-912 at the address above.THE SIGNIFICANCE OFSUBMITTING A PROPERRETIREMENT REQUESTAND OBTAINING APPROVALCANNOT BE OVERSTATEDSubmit requests 12 months, butno later than six months, prior to thedesired retirement date. A properlyapproved retirement:◆ Provides for placing you in thecorrect status – Retired Reserve(without pay);◆ Permits longevity to count up tothe maximum for your retired grade;◆ Verifies your name, address,and birth date in the Navy PersonnelCommand (PERS-912) data systemso that they may correspond with youprior to preparing your applicationfor retired pay as you near age 60;◆ If a SELRES, starts the 120-day clock allowing you to convertSGLI to VGLI without medicalcertification;◆ Provides for transfer orders tothe Retired Reserve (without pay),and, in combination with theNOE, allows issuance of the properidentification card for you andeligible family members.22 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

THE AQUILA SMGROUP OF FUNDSAs many of you know, the Aquila sm Group of Funds provides theNaval Reserve Association and its members with a cash benefit service -The Cash Management Service for NRA Members, a money-market mutualfund. However, this is just one of the ways that the Aquila sm Group of Fundscan be of service to NRA members.Aquila also specializes in single-state tax-free municipal bond funds. Thesefunds are excellent investment vehicles for those members who seek stabilityfor their overall investment portfolio or who are near or at retirement age.If you are a resident of Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Oregon, RhodeIsland or Utah or if you have a permanent active duty station outside theUnited States and are interested in finding out more about a stable investmentchoice, call your financial adviser or Aquila at 1-800-437-1020 or visit ourwebsite at www.aquilafunds.com for a free prospectus. Read it carefullybefore you invest or send money.• Managed for capitalpreservation• Provides monthlydouble tax-free*dividend income• High-quality, locallymanagedportfolio• Broad selection ofbond issues• Ready liquidity• Highly stable share price**• Low initial investmentINVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES,YOUR STATE,YOUR FUTURE ...• Improves quality of lifeby supporting state’sinfrastructure needs -airports, schools,roads, hospitals, etc.Shares of the Aquila-sponsored tax-free municipal bond funds are not deposits, obligations of or guaranteed by any bank;are not insured by the FDIC and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal invested.*For certain investors, some income may be subject to federal and state taxes, including the alternative minimum tax.**Share net asset value and dividend rate of the Aquila-sponsored tax-freemunicipal bond funds are not fixed and vary with interest rate fluctuations.ChurchillTax-Free Fund of KentuckyHawaiian Tax-Free TrustNarragansett InsuredTax-Free Income Fund Tax-Free Fund For Utah Tax-Free Fund of Colorado Tax-Free Trust of Arizona Tax-Free Trust of OregonAquila Distributors, Inc. 7/02

Retirees’ CornerSpace-ABy CDR Ted Lamb, USNR (Ret)Contributing MemberTravel on military aircraft isone of the privileges ofmilitary service, but thereare two things to remember:there has to be a flightgoing where you want togo, and there must be a seat available foryou. When those things come together, youcan travel to some wonderful places, andwith minimal cost. The main thing a retireeor a Reserve member must have is a “planB,” when you can’t get where you want togo, or to return from far away when therejust isn’t a seat for you.A member on active duty or retired withpay may travel anywhere space-availabletransportation goes. Other Reservists,including retired but not yet entitled to pay,are limited to the 50 states plus Puerto Ricoand other U.S. territories. Family members(those with dependent ID’s) may travel withtheir sponsors only if the sponsor is onactive duty (on leave) or retired with pay.There is a comprehensive Department ofDefense regulation governing travel onmilitary aircraft, which includes spaceavailabletravel. Space-available travelersare grouped into six categories, with activeduty on leave being in Category III, and amember not on active duty (either retired orReserve) being in Category VI, the lowestpriority.So, how does one find out about Space-Aopportunities? Just about every base thathandles Space-A passengers has a flightrecording, which gives information aboutupcoming flights. Most bases, for forceprotection reasons, limit information toshort periods, about 48 hours ahead. Somebases will give information further out –you’ll need to call the line of the desireddeparture base to see what information isavailable. You will be given a “show time,”which is the time by which you mustpresent yourself to the counter and let themknow that you are “present” for a flight.Can you sign up at a terminal in advance?Yes – an active duty person may sign up themoment leave begins, and most terminalswill accept e-mail sign-ups. A Category VIperson may sign up at any time, and themember’s name is kept on the register for60 days (but some Navy locations will havea 45-day period). This can be important,because passengers are called based firstupon category, then, within the category,according to the sign-up date (and time).One important thing to remember: aflight may be listed on the departure board,but that doesn’t mean that passengers willbe accepted, or even that the flight will go.Hazardous cargo, medical evacuations andmission changes affect flights, which iswhy having a “plan B” is important.There are several sources of information,both on the Internet and in printed material.Two publishers have reference books:Military Living and Space-A Travel. Theirpublications may be available at yourlocal exchange or may be ordered on-lineat http://www.militaryliving.com andhttp://www.spaceatravel.com. The DoDregulation may be found at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/451513.htm. There is a gold mine of informationavailable at http://www.spacea.net,and there is a bulletin board for exchangeof information at http://www.pepperd.com.Once at your destination, you’re on yourown; but many bases have accommodationsfor the traveler. The Navy Lodge system,for example, has facilities in Japan, Italy,and Spain. Any base where you land willhave an office where a traveler can getassistance with reservations, attractions,and touring. One caution: there may berestrictions on use of exchanges andcommissaries (depending on treatiesbetween the U.S. and the host country).We have traveled to Europe and Japanseveral times on a space-available basissince I began receiving retired pay. It’s agreat way to travel and to meet other nicefolks with military backgrounds.See you at the terminal!UPDATENOW!Have you changed address, telephone, fax, or e-mail?Please contact Naval Reserve Association’s membership assistant atTel: 703.548.5800; Toll free: 1.866.672.4968Fax: 703.683.3647or E-mail: membership@navy-reserve.org24 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

Valuable Benefit to Members of the Naval Reserve AssociationRecord Review ServiceAre you going to apply for a billet through the FY 09 Apply Board?Are your records in order and up-to-date?Our experienced record reviewers have helped thousands of members make the bestpresentation of their service records. If something is missing in your record, we find itbefore your board meets. If there is an opportunity to enhance your record, such asproviding additional information or highlighting activities, our reviewers are there toinform you!Apply Board meets 18 August 2008.This is a good way to “get ahead of the game.”The sooner you start the process, the better we can help you.For more information, please visit our Web sitehttp://www.navy-reserve.org/default.aspx?tabid=77or Google “Navy Reserve Record Review”Health Affairs – Cont’d. from page 10“shortening” (which contains some transfat) and “partially hydrogenated vegetableoil” (another term for trans fat ) on it.Trans fats are even worse for cholesterollevels than saturated fats because theyraise the bad LDL and lower the goodHDL. They also fire inflammation, anover activity of the immune system that hasbeen implicated in heart disease, stroke,diabetes, and other chronic conditions.You may see or hear of fully hydrogenatedoil. It sounds counter intuitive,but “fully” hydrogenated oil DOESNOT contain trans fat. Unlike partiallyhydrogenated oil, the process used tomake fully hydrogenated oil doesn’tresult in trans fatty acids. However, if thelabel says just “hydrogenated” vegetableoil, that usually means the oil DOEScontain trans fat.Go to your pantry and check to see ifyou find “partially hydrogenated” or“hydrogenated” in any of the followingcommon staples:BREAKFAST CEREALCAKE MIXCOCOA POWDERCOOKIESCRACKERSDRIED SOUPSENERGY & NUTRITION BARSMICROWAVE POPCORNPEANUT BUTTERPRETZELSI would venture to say that most, if notall, of these items are partially or fullyhydrogenated. Does this mean that you arelimited to a healthy life with a diet oftwigs and toast? Not at all, it means that itis your responsibility to seek out foodsthat are both flavorful and nutritious byREADING THE INGREDIENTS andchoosing wisely.When foods containing partially hydrogenatedoils can’t be avoided, chooseproducts that list the partially hydrogenatedoils near the end of the ingredient list – thehigher up on the list an item is, the moreof that item is in the product.You don’t have to give up a favoritefood to eat a healthy diet. When a foodyou like is high in any of these cholesterolraisingcomponents, balance it with foodsthat are low in them at other times of theday.Try limiting saturated fats in your dietby replacing them with unsaturated.And don’t forget to recheck yourfavorite low trans fat foods periodicallybecause manufacturers sometimes changetheir ingredients.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 25

EnlistedProgramsIA DevelopmentOne Sailor’s ViewYNCS Ralph H. Hensley III, USNNational VP for Enlisted ProgramsI’m taking this month off to recoverfrom the spring conference and continueworking through A Course in Miracles.Marianne Williams’ A Course in Miraclesis helping me realize my spiritual beingas I venture into my second puberty.The course is free on Oprah’s site:http://www2.oprah.com/xm/mwilliamson/mwilliamson_acim.jhtml?promocode=XMHP.May God continue blessing Sailorsdeployed in harm’s way and their families.This month, AO2 Jason Gaver will tellof his IA deployment in February 2007supporting NAVELSG’s cargo handlingmission. He can be reached atjason.c.gaver@hotmail.com. He servedwith VFA-27 before transitioning to theNavy Reserve. Here’s AO2:On 26 February 2007, Ireceived IA orders.While this was the bestand worst day of myNavy Reserve career, Iwas honored to make acontribution to GWOT and apprehensiveabout what lay ahead.Since transitioning, I had settled into acomfortable civilian life, started college,and met and proposed to my future wife.We settled into our life together.With the looming deployment and aftermuch discussion, my fiancée and I marriedbefore I deployed. We exchanged our vows26 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008before a small group of family and friends.Marriage added a new stressful element tomy predeployment planning.Reporting for duty in Virginia helpedease the transition back to active duty.Each passing day was an incremental steptoward being fully trained and preparedfor deployment. My days were filled withmedical and dental screenings, securitybriefings, reviewing my legal readiness, andforming relationships with my shipmates.During our processing and trainingperiod, our roles and responsibilitiesbecame clear. I was assigned to the armoryresponsible for training in small armspractices, procedures, and qualifications.However, my wife and I were communicatingevery day which eased the difficultyof being apart. My wife was not accustomedto being a military spouse. Being apartwas disconcerting.Kuwait was unlike anything I had everexperienced. I had been told how hot it is,but I didn’t fully understand until I had tolive in 130 degree heat.In Kuwait, I was a duty armorer. With 12other Sailors, I was responsible for twoarmories. We stood watch 12 hours on, 12hours off. Liberty was every three dutydays, which was useless since we couldn’tleave base unless on official duty. Sincewe were in the desert, the only thing to dowas an MWR shopping trip to Kuwait City.Living conditions were not bad if one issuited to open-bay barracks which wereprefabricated, concrete and steel buildingshousing up to 60 people. The gym facilitieswere outstanding. They had every piece ofequipment one could want.The Army dining facility, aka DFAC,provided good food and plenty of it. All ofour basic needs were met.While in Kuwait, staying in contact withmy wife and family was a chore. Mailingletters was free. The best way to stay intouch with my family was through e-mailand phone calls. All phones were satellitelinked and could lose their connection atany time. The e-mail had a pretty steadyconnection, but it was no substitute forhearing my wife’s voice.As newlyweds, the lack of communicationput a strain on our relationship.Communication is important to anyrelationship, especially newlyweds. I wasalways concerned how my wife was doingat home by herself.The hardest thing about being an IASailor was the lack of support my wifereceived. Prior to departing Norfolk, theFleet and Family Services representativetook our family information and promisedto mail a family survival guide abouthow best to cope with a loved one’sdeployment. My wife received her packetabout two weeks after I landed in Kuwait.Newly married, she had never beforeexperienced a deployment.My deployment was very stressful onboth of us and strained our marriage.Three weeks before I returned, my wifereceived one phone call asking if sheneeded assistance. The Navy should havea better system in place to ensure spousesleft behind have better support systems.After completing my tour, coming homeand readjusting was difficult. NMPSprocessing took four days, and I was backhome. My daily routine for the last nineCont’d. next page

Thirteenth DistrictU P DATEJust as warfare has evolved and expanded toinclude more asymmetric ways, so, too, mustthe Naval Reserve Association (NRA) be adaptiveand resourceful in serving our shipmates.One example of an asymmetric tactic related to ourorganization is a pilot program started in theThirteenth District. With the return of the requirementfor official khaki photographs in officers’ servicerecords last year, the Thirteenth District offered freephoto sessions at the Navy Operational SupportCenter (NOSC) in Portland, OR. The photos wereprocessed and mailed to Navy Personnel Command(NPC) free of charge. This opportunity was advertisedthrough the COs of all supported commands. I thankCDR Samuel W. Asbury, USNthe Portland NOSC CO – CDR Jami Mason – for herNRA 13 th District Presidentoutstanding support in this endeavor.The catch, of course, is that all officers must have khaki photos in their records –not just NRA members. Thus, application forms are available for officers to use tojoin the NRA when they come in for a photo. This has been a wonderful opportunityfor me to meet many officers and to serve our membership in a personal andmeaningful way.Change is inevitable; and just last month I started drilling in Everett, WA. Thispresents the opportunity to expand the khaki photo project to the commands at theEverett NOSC. Portland does not have an active chapter or even a named ChapterPresident. For the “smaller” NOSCs such as the one in Portland, I have been askingmyself whether that’s a bad thing.Just as we have experimented with a “virtual” chapter, I believe it is critical to thevitality of NRA that we field new ideas for meeting the needs of our members. As anattorney, personal referrals are my best source of new clients; and those clients arethe most likely to stick with me for the long haul. Likewise, testimonials among bothserving and retired Reservists about how NRA has met their individual needs willhelp membership growth to a degree that far surpasses the effectiveness of advertising.Just as with the evolution of warfare, we, the NRA leadership, should continue toencourage asymmetric ways and means.District NewsBriefsNAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATIONDISTRICT PRESIDENTSFIRST DISTRICTCAPT William S. Joransen, USN (Ret)E-mail: wsjor@weathereye.comTHIRD DISTRICTCAPT Lance R. Mauro, SC, USNE-mail: lmauro58@yahoo.comFOURTH DISTRICTCDR Edward “Andy” Yeaste, USNE-mail: eyeaste@packagingcorp.comFIFTH DISTRICTCAPT Robert F. Urso, USNE-mail: robert.urso@usnr.orgSIXTH DISTRICTLT Louise Anderson, MSC, USNE-mail: louise_anderson@bellsouth.netEIGHTH DISTRICTCAPT Larry W. Roy, USNR (Ret)E-mail: larry.roy@usnr.orgNINTH DISTRICTVACANTELEVENTH DISTRICTLCDR David M. Bradley, USNR (Ret)E-mail: bradsmgtd@msn.comTWELFTH DISTRICTCAPT David Epstein, USNR (Ret)E-mail: davidepstein@sbcglobal.netTHIRTEENTH DISTRICTCDR Samuel W. Asbury, USNE-mail: samasbury@comcast.netFOURTEENTH DISTRICTCAPT Gayle Lau, JAGC, USNR (Ret)E-mail: laug004@hawaii.rr.comEnlisted Programs – Cont’d. from page 26months abruptly changed back to normal. This took some getting used to. All of asudden there were no more 12-hour duty days. I didn’t have to get out of the rack andthrow on my uniform. I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted! Most of all, I was notcarrying a weapon.I had to ease back into my husband role. My wife had her way of doing things. We hada power struggle but worked through it and got back to a happy, loving family life.An IA tour can be an extremely rewarding experience for one’s professional andpersonal career. I had the chance to work and interact with all military branches as wellas foreign soldiers. I met some great people, most of whom I stay in contact with to thisday. The training I received expanded my skill sets and enabled me to market myselfbetter. Before I left Kuwait, I was looking for a new job. Because of my Navy experience,I was able to land a great job with a government contractor.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 27

Pricing Your Home in This Difficult MarketBy CAPT Joe Gladden, USNR (Ret), Realtor®Veteran Realty Serving America’s Military, Inc.VR SAM®You don’t need me to tell you it’s a tough time forsellers throughout most of the country, andmany military families are facing very difficultcircumstances and decisions. But, we can offerinsight to sellers on pricing your home to sell.There are several facets of “marketing” your home,including presentation, timing, and advertising. All are important, butwithout question . . . and please don’t let anyone convince you to thecontrary . . . the most important aspect of marketing, and successfullyselling your home, is pricing it at or near market value.It is important first to get past the understandable emotions of howmuch your home is worth. The home investment isn’t like our TSP ormutual funds. We buy our homes because we like them, decoratethem to suit our tastes, and raise our children in them.The faster sellers get past the emotions and focus on the truemarket value, the sooner they can move on to the next duty station . . .with family in tow. It is very important to get the pricing right thefirst time and thus deserves considerable thought! By so doing, youget the “bounce exposure” when new on the market which increasesthe likelihood of selling. And it beats “eating” the mortgage payment(not to mention the stress) for several months while discoveringmarket value the hard way.Let’s first consider what Market Value is NOT:* The assessed value for tax purposes* How much you paid, improved, or owe for your home* How much cash you need from your home* The sales price of your neighbor’s home or the appraised value ofyour home when you refinanced last year.Market Value is: “the price a home will command from arational purchaser under normal conditions.” Supply and demand,and, thus, market value, will always be a local phenomena. Whiledemand is certainly influenced by national circumstances such asinterest rates, the local economy will generally be the key factor inboth demand and supply of homes.Wait a minute! Why isn’t the current tax assessment an indicator ofmarket value? Just a quick word to address the often confused differencesamong three words;Assessment, Appraisal, Comparative Market AnalysisMany people use these words interchangeably (includingRealtors ® ) and believe them to be clear indications of market “value.”Here are some definitions:“Assessment” – “the tax assessment” is a number used by the localgovernment (county, parish, etc.) to establish the property tax liability.The “assessed value” is multiplied by the “tax levy rate” to determinethe annual property tax bill to the homeowner. Since the tax rate orlevy is usually determined by the voters, the easiest means for thelocal government to adjust the amount of aggregate taxes collected topay for schools, roads, etc., is through the annual “assessment.” Inmost areas this is done by a very impersonal formula. Whileassessments generally follow the market trend, they have little or nocorrelation to the price a house will ultimately fetch on the market!The tax assessor never steps foot in the house; has absolutely noidea of the condition of the home; can only make assessments basedon work performed under permits. The assessor will not knowwhether the kitchen was upgraded with Formica left over from the“I Love Lucy” set or high grade granite, upgraded cabinets, andstainless steel appliances . . . which can easily be a $30,000 difference.Assessments almost never take into consideration surroundingfactors such as the power line that cuts across the property or thespectacular view of the mountains.“Appraised Value” – “an approximate market value” established by anindependent, trained, and certified professional after an on-siteevaluation of the property and condition. The appraiser will comparethe home to recently sold homes with similar characteristics andhomes presently on the market in the same locality.This is the best indication of market value . . . at a specific point intime! But it isn’t perfect. Appraisers can review the listing informationon recently sold comparable homes but, of course, can’t visit them toverify upgrades and conditions. Many savvy sellers invest in acertified appraisal (generally $300-$400) just before they put thehouse on the market to substantiate the list price.Comparative Market Analysis – Through their Multiple ListingService and specialized software, your Realtor ® can compare yourhome to similar model homes in similar local developments thateither sold recently, are active listings, or under contract. They canthen fine tune the analysis with the various options and features inthe homes. When this information is presented in a tabular formatthat summarizes the primary features such as lot size, age, bedrooms,baths, etc., a price range becomes evident. Experienced Realtors ®with good comparables can usually come very close to market value.The more “recent, comparable” homes in the analysis, the better.While the “sold comparables” are more indicative of actual “marketvalue,” the “active listing comparables” paint a better picture of thecompetition in your market. Synthesizing both sold and activelisting information is the key to determining the correct list price.Be certain that smart buyers will consider those active comparables!However, to be effective, Realtors ® MUST be willing to “tell it like it is”even at the risk of delivering news that the client doesn’t want to hear!We hope this helps and always welcome your questions via e-mailor phone call. By the way if you would like a copy of the VR SAM ®Military Seller’s Checklist, please ask. You can contact us at:www.vrsam.come-mail: homesformilitary@vrsam.com703 754-3036 or 877 878-7726Visit the VR SAM ® National and Northern Virginia MilitaryCommunity Forumshttp://vrsam.conforums.com/Find your home, list your home FREE atwww.moresam.net28 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 29

Reservists in ActionONR/NRL Reserve Component ConferenceFocuses on Technology Support to the FleetBy LT Taniel Anderson, USN (RC)Officers in theNaval Scienceand TechnologyReserve Program(Program 38)met from 11-13January 2008 for the WinterLeadership Conference at theOffice of Naval Research (ONR)Headquarters in Arlington, VA.Representatives from Program 38’sfifteen Reserve units gathered fora three-day conference focusingon “Continuing Support forTechnology to the Fleet.” Theconference was hosted by Scienceand Technology Unit 103, whichsuperbly coordinated the logisticsand execution of the schedule.The first day featured severaldistinguished speakers, includingRADM William Landay III (Chiefof Naval Research), CAPT DanGahagan (Naval ReasearchLaboratory Commanding Officer), and CAPT Dale Hafer(outgoing Program 38 Commanding Officer/Director). Thekeynote speaker was VADM John Cotton (Chief of NavyReserve), who delivered a powerful message to the attendees:The Navy Reserve is making a difference! With the aid of asimple satellite image of our planet at night, VADM Cottonmade insightful comments about the global economy, regionalwealth distributions, life expectancies, maritime commerceroutes, and global areas of instability. His slides and commentsresonated with the audience. Additionally, VADM Cottonshared with the Reservists at the conference that he haspersonally canceled numerous several instructions in an effortto streamline administrative requirements that interfere withReservists supporting the fleet. Lastly, VADM Cotton thankedthe Reservists of Program 38 for their dedicated support to fleetoperations, research, and development. The first day concludedwith the Program 38 Change of Command as CAPT Tim Dwyerrelieved CAPT Dale Hafer as the Director of Program 38.Throughout the second day, there were program managementreports and discussions on how to improve integration withthe Naval Science and Technology and the Office of NavalResearch in their respective areas, including administration,manpower, training, public affairs, and operations. Followingan awards ceremony honoring many Reservists, includingmembers new to Program 38, Focus Area Coordinators presentedVADM John Cotton, Chief of Navy Reserve, addressingProgram 38 Leadership during the conference(Photo by John Williams, ONR PAO Video Specialist)briefings on Future Naval Capabilities, International Efforts,Joint Efforts, Maritime Domain Awareness, Science Fairs,Urban Asymmetric Operations, Improvised ExplosiveDevices, Fleet Assessment, and Unmanned Vehicles. Thesepresentations provided Program 38 members with a generalupdate on the various focus areas and gave members new tothe program an opportunity to learn about the projects. Thefinal day concluded with several break-out sessions givingProgram 38 members the opportunity to meet in smallergroups to discuss high priority projects.All in all, the conference was a great success, allowingProgram 38 veterans and new members alike an opportunity tonetwork and to listen to several influential speakers from boththe Navy Reserve and Naval Research communities. In short,after attending the three-day Winter Leadership Conferenceevery Reservist should have walked away with the feeling thathis/her important contributions to Program 38 are recognizedby not only the ONR community, but also by the Navy.30 NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008

Reservists in ActionRIA Southwest Sailor Promotedat the Baghdad EmbassyBy LT John W. Crockett (RIASW)Left photo:MG Robesonpromotes CDR Alvarez(Photo by SSgt GladisVasquez-Schut, USAF)On 1 January 2008, ReserveIntelligence Area (RIA) Southwestmember Enrique M. Alvarezwas promoted to the rank ofCommander by Major GeneralMastin Robeson, USMC, DeputyChief of Staff, Strategy–Plans–Assessments,Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I). The ceremonytook place at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.The Embassy, formerly the Republican Palace, wasused by Saddam Hussein to entertain visiting headsof state before the fall of his regime.A resident of the San Francisco Bay area, CDRAlvarez was mobilized with other members of RIASouthwest as an Individual Augmentee in October2007. Before arriving in Iraq, CDR Alvarez trainedat Camp McCrady, South Carolina, as a student inthe first three-week iteration of the Navy IndividualAugmentee Combat Training (NIACT) Course,where Navy students are trained by Army drillsergeants in basic combat skills, marksmanship,and IED recognition and response techniques.After the completion of NIACT, he and fellowstudents spent a week in Kuwait where they furthersharpened their combat and battlefield survivalskills. CDR Alvarez is on a year-long mobilization,currently assigned to MNF-I stationed in theInternational Zone, Baghdad, Iraq, where he isengaged in fighting the Global War on Terrorism.NRA MEMBERS!Order yourNEW 2008Military Almanac!InsuranceVA benefitsRetirementFederal/State taxesSpace-A travelStatisticsPersonal affairsBurialNew 40 Year Pay TablesNew legislationSpecial compensationprogramsSurvivor benefitsFacilities listingsFamily SGLIOnly$15.50!(Price includes shipping)̌ ̌ ̌ ̌StayInformed!StayCurrent!To order: Send check for $15.50 ($12.00 each plus $3.50 s/h) to U.S.A., Inc., PO Box 4144-NRA,Falls Church, VA 22044. Please add $1.00 shipping for each additional book. VA residents pleaseadd 5% sales tax. Call 1-888-872-9698 or visit www.militaryalmanac.com for credit card orders.Please allow 10-12 business days for delivery.Name: ______________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________Phone: _____________________________________________________Please print clearly or use address label.NRA NEWS/APRIL 2008 31

S:7 inSERVICEIS INTEREST RATES THAT SERVE YOUR INTERESTS.T:10 inS:9.5 inINSURANCE BANKINGINVESTMENTS MEMBER SERVICESA USAA CREDIT CARD MEANS LOW RATES THAT STAY LOW. When you choosean American Express ® Card or MasterCard ® from USAA, you get a credit card withlow rates designed to save you money. Plus, you can choose rewards that suit yourneeds. Low rates and high rewards are benefits our members have earned. Becausewith USAA, you’re more than a member, you’re a part of the family we serve.APPLY FOR A CREDIT CARD TODAY AT USAA.COM/BANKINGUSAA.COMUSAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. Use of the term “member” does not convey any legal, eligibility or ownership rights. Credit cards provided byUSAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC. © USAA, 2008. 69512-0208