Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display - RNLI Severn Lifeboat
MSW Crew-mate Keith Richardson (beefy66) shares a gallery of images of his Airfix RNLI Severn Lifeboat in this "On Display" feature.
Navy Announces Plans to 'Can' Paper Leave Chits
Source: US Navy
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy announced plans March 22, to begin phasing out traditional paper leave chits, replacing them with a new electronic leave request system.
The new system, called Self-Service Electronic Leave (E-Leave) is a Web-based program that Sailors can access through their Electronic Service Record.
Processing leave requests accounts for 21.6 percent of all pay transactions submitted each year, according to NAVADMIN 103/10. E-leave is projected to provide significant savings in man-hours and processing time and serves as a more convenient option for Sailors.
The new method allows Sailors to electronically route leave chits through the chain of command for approval. It automates the command's leave control log and ensures pay and entitlements are properly credited.
"It will make it a lot easier to route the chit and I won't have to worry about my personal information sitting in an inbox on somebody's desk where it may get lost or misplaced," said Senior Chief Yeoman (AW) Theresa Bell, assigned to Navy Personnel Command.
Shore-based implementation of E-Leave is scheduled to begin in August. An afloat version will be phased in over the next 24 months as shipboard Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) servers are upgraded.
Sailors who have not yet established a Self-Service ESR can create an account at https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil or on the NSIPS server on board ship.
NAVADMIN 043/09 announced the requirement for all active-duty and Reserve personnel to establish and maintain a Self-Service ESR as the Navy phases out paper service records.
Nation's Largest Force Protection Exercise Begins
Source: US Navy
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) will begin their annual weeklong security training exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2010 (SC/CS-10) Mar. 22.
The training will be conducted on naval bases and installations throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and Guam.
The nationwide exercise is the largest anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) exercise in the country. It is designed to enhance the training and readiness of naval security force personnel to respond to threats to installations and units, leveraging all processes security forces would implement in the event of an actual emergency.
"This training is vital to maintaining security for our forces," said Capt. Eric Patten, former director of operations for Navy Region Southwest. "It lays the foundation for the way we will respond in real life, without a good foundation it couldn't be done."
USFF and CNIC are working closely to plan and execute the combined exercise. USFF controls Exercise Solid Curtain, while CNIC controls Exercise Citadel Shield.
The exercise will consist of more than 250 individual training events across the country, each designed to test different regional AT/FP operations.
Scenarios range from recognizing and countering base surveillance operations, to high-tempo and active simulated emergencies such as small-boat attacks on waterfront bases and cyber attacks on installations.
"This training is one of the few opportunities we get to interact in a controlled environment," said Patten. "Training is all about learning and getting better. Training this way helps us, to respond quicker, resource correctly and most importantly defend better."
During the exercise, training with new communication tools will keep base personnel informed about exercise security situations and potential threats. New technology, such as computer network alert systems, will be used to distribute messages during SC/CS-10, allowing the Navy to stay at the forefront of AT/FP capabilities.
This annual exercise is designed to enhance training and ensure a high level readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats. SC/CS-10 is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly scheduled exercise.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to normal base and station operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see increased security activity associated with the exercise. All installations will inform the local community of any potential significant effects to the area and will endeavor to minimize impacts.
USS New Mexico SSN 779
Today’s website is USS New Mexico SSN 779. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1815 - USS Hornet captures HMS Penguin in a battle lasting 22 minutes.
1882 - The Secretary of the Navy, William H. Hunt, issues General Order No. 292, creating the Office of Naval Intelligence.
1917 - USS New Mexico (BB 40) is launched as the first dreadnought with turboelectric drive.
1945 - Carriers begin pre-assault strikes on Okinawa; kamikaze attacks follow.
1958 - Simulated Polaris missile is launched from a submerged tactical launcher facility off California.
1965 - Lt. Cmdr. John W. Young, pilot of Gemini 3, completes three orbits in four hours, 53 minutes, at an altitude of 224 km. Recovery was by helicopters from USS Intrepid (CVS 11).
Photo of the Day
5"/25 (12.7 cm) AA guns on USS New Mexico BB-44 in June 1944.
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