May 25, 2012www.roosevelt.navy.mil

EAWS Rodeo: Helping Sailors SucceedDuty Section Holds Egress Training

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Sailors perform egress drills Tuesday. During the drills, sailors are required to exit out of their berthing compartments and make their way to either the hangar bay or open air while blind folded.

USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) duty sections started conducting egress training as part of crew move aboard (CMA) effective this week and will continue the training throughout the year until CMA is complete. Egress is required by anyone on a ship to be able to get out of either a berthing or work space in the dark to a safe area. “It’s very important that we are conducting egress training because crew members have not been living aboard since the beginning of Refueling Complex Overhaul,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Noel Genao, TR’s Fire Marshal. The training shows sailors they don’t know the ship as well as they thought. “I felt lost trying to find my way around the berthing I didn’t know.” said Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Tatyana Johnson, “In order to get out of the berthing I had to use my hands as eyes and I was not able to hear anything.” It’s important to have the effort of everyone in the duty sections to conduct this training. “We train the duty sections by putting on goggles so they can’t see and have them get out of their racks, feel for their emergency escape breathing device, feel their way out of their berthing and find the escape routes on port or starboard side of their berthing to their safe zone,”

said Genao. It is important to know how to get to your safe zones, which are on the weather decks, the flight deck, mess decks, or hanger bay. “We don’t want people trying to veer off the paths we train them in the dark, not to end up running into trouble somewhere else,” said Genao. Overall, it was a huge learning experience “I’ve noticed it is important to know the ship and where the fire exits are to get to safety,” said Johnson “It will be good for everyone on the ship to go through the Egress training to see how well they really know the ship.” Egress training prepares sailors for when causalities strikes. “Causalities are going to happen. We just need to be ready in every way to make sure everyone is safe,”

said Genao. “Egress training helps build the confidence needed to survive causality,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Jeremiah McGill, duty section seven’s fire marshal.

Sailors receive refresher training on the emergency escape breathing device Tuesday.

Story by MC3 Kimberly RomanowskiPhotos by MCSN Katie Lash USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

Walking BlindEgress Training For Duty Sections

be moved aboard. The duty section will also be able to use berthing areas on the ship and various departments will begin moving and working aboard the ship as well.

“I think we are doing great as far as getting spaces ready,” said Cmdr. Chad Hixson, strike operations officer and CMA coordinator. “Spaces that are groomed and ready to be lived in look great.”

The second phase, ‘eat aboard’, scheduled for June, will feature the ship’s galley opening to serve meals to the crew onboard the ship.

CMA is scheduled to end in September after the third phase, ‘work aboard’, where all departments will be expected to be operating on the ship, is complete.

“CMA is about us taking back our house and getting back onto our turf,” said Hixson. “It’s about ownership. This is our home. This is what it’s all about.”

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Story and photos by MCSN Katie LashUSS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) began the first phase of the ship’s crew move aboard (CMA) process May 21 after nearly three years in Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) and marks a major step for the crew as they inherit the ship to start living, training and operating onboard.

CMA, which marks a major milestone for the crew as the ship enters its final year of RCOH, is a 4-month process where TR will gradually move supplies, equipment, workstations and portions of the crew back onto the ship.

“Team Theodore Roosevelt has put forth outstanding effort and dedication towards getting ready for the Crew Move Aboard process,” said TR Commanding Officer Capt. Billy Hart. “RCOH is one of the world’s most complex industrial jobs, and deckplate by deckplate, we’re taking back the ship so our Sailors can live, train and operate aboard to return TR to the Fleet.”

During the first phase of CMA, supplies such as mattresses, new damage control equipment, computers and communication equipment will

Sailors move mattresses into the duty section berthing compartments. New mattresses and linens and linens will continue to be loaded onto the ship as part of the crew move aboard process.

Sailors started the crew move aboard processt by moving the first of hundreds of mattresses and linens into the duty section’s berthing compartments.

TR Kicks Off CMA

Sailors assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Berthing Team have refurbished 53 living quarters in time for the ship’s crew move aboard (CMA) process, which began May 21, and are continuing to overhaul more spaces ensuring they are up to safety and living standards as part of the ship’s Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH).

The berthing team is in charge of performing one job, to make ready all the berthing spaces

on the ship. The team is led by Weapons Department and consists of a team comprised of up to 50 Sailors who work strictly on the transformation of the spaces. As the initial phase of CMA starts for TR, countless hours of hard work were put into the preparation for living on the ship.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more from my Sailors,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW) Jason Burch, chief in charge of the berthing team. “They came in and

worked long hours and were able to see the end product, I couldn’t be more impressed by their dedication to get the job done.”

With so many spaces on the ship needing to be rehabilitated, the team had their work cut out for them.

“We have 59 berthing spaces on this ship that need to be worked on,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Devin Thompson, berthing team leader. “This is more than any ship has seen in any RCOH process ever.”

To help sort out the amount of work needed with each space the berthing spaces are classified into two categories. Category one is the most labor and time intensive consisting of a complete overhaul of the entire compartment.

“Going through the spaces we came to the conclusion that 99 percent of the berthing spaces were category one,” said Burch.

The team begins by removing all equipment from the berthing, in essence starting from scratch. The space is then cleaned from top to bottom and painted. This is when the equipment is brought to be installed in the space. Equipment is transported from the flight deck or hanger bay to the compartment via

Story and Photos by MCSN (SW) John KotaraUSS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

A Sailor from Weapons 3G division prepares for installation of hardware on a rack Wednesday by drilling out holes.

During the final stages of a berthing overhaul, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Gregory Breedlove wipes down all surfaces.

working parties. “Doing this is a time

consuming process, the items passed from person to person range from five pounds to 80 pound lockers or racks,” said Thompson.

After doing this the team focuses on installing new rack lights and finally resurfacing the deck. After the space is completed the old equipment is not thrown out. The team will salvage every useable piece of gear and use it in other compartments. This is what is used in a category two compartment.

A category two berthing is one that does not have to be revived from the bottom up. This is because the condition of the space is good enough to warrant only a few repairs and installations. The gear salvaged from the condition one berthing is recycled into the condition two berthing. This helps save time and money in an attempt to re-establish the berthing in a timely manner. The bulk of the work is comprised of the division that owns the space, with help provided from the berthing team.

“With our efforts more than 300 mirrors were recycled and used in the category two berthing,” said Thompson.

With all the work accomplished by the berthing team, spaces are now completed and ready to sleep in. With TR entering its final year of RCOH, and 53 out of 59 crew berthings complete, the berthing team is nearing the end of its rehabilitations and is slowing down production..

“Everyone needs to go the extra mile,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class (AW) Corely Simon, a Sailor on the berthing team. “This isn’t just a rack and deck, this is where we are going to live and everyone needs to do their part to preserve the quality and cleanliness of the spaces so that others in later years don’t pay for what we do.”

Airman Apprentice Justin Myszynski removes lighting fixture cover to inspect for bulb integrity.

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Sailors gathered for the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) rodeo in the brown bag area of the floating accommodation facility (FAF) to get signatures for their EAWS qualification card Wednesday. The EAWS rodeo was put together by Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Equipment 1st Class (AW/SW) Shane McNutt, the assistant EAWS Coordinator and consisted of multiple stations where representatives from a variety of

Story by MC3 (SW) Sean Weir USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

EAWS related departments were made available to sign off on Sailor’s qualification cards. “The rodeo is a chance for sailors from all departments throughout the ship to come to a central location and get signatures that they need,” said McNutt. “Being in the refueling complex overhaul environment can make it challenging for some sailors to get in contact with all the departments. A lot of sailors haven’t even experienced their true job. There are a lot of temporary assigned duties and our ship’s force is spread out

in a lot of different locations with the GE Warehouse, LIFAC, the 2600 building and the FAF.” When it was time to begin the rodeo, the brown bag was left with little free space, as an unexpected amount of Sailors attended the event. “It was a great

turnout,” said McNutt.

“I was unsure how many people would come, but after today I definitely plan to schedule another rodeo. Only next time I hope to have it in a better position somewhere on the ship where departments can take groups on walkthroughs of their spaces. That won’t be until July or August though.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handling Airman Blake Miles. “It makes it convenient. A lot of times when you go around to get signatures, they will either be busy or out of the office. This helps us get the signatures out of the way so we can get down to studying.” The signatures are only the first step in earning an EAWS pin. After the rodeo, Sailors will still have to study and pass a written exam, pass a board held by 1st Class Petty Officers and another board held by Chief Petty Officers. “We are just giving these sailors the tools to succeed. It is still up to each individual sailor to study and make sure they understand the material and take the initiative to complete the rest of the process,” said McNutt.

With the extended Memorial Day weekend ahead of us, everyone is encouraged to exercise caution and safety. Whether you are staying home and grilling or going out for a night on the town, everyone is expected to use Operational Risk Managment. Evaluate the risk

level for all activities and utilize proper planing. Never take the risk of drinking and driving. You have many options to get home safe. The safe ride program, local taxis, and your chain of command are available options to keep you safe and out of trouble.

Never forget the Captain’s three rules; one and your done, nothing good happens after midnight and have a plan and stick to it. Have a great weekend TR.You have earned it!

TR Sailors gather around the Air department table getting notes and signatures during the EAWS rodeo Wed. May 23. Photo by MC3 (SW) Sean Weir

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Commanding OfficerCapt.William HartExecutive OfficerCmdr. Mark J. ColomboPublic Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Karen EifertMedia OfficerLt. j.g. Michael LarsonSenior EditorMCCS (SW/AW/EXW) David Collins

StaffEditorMC2 (SW) Austin RooneyLayout and DesignMC3 (SW) Sean WeirRough Rider ContributorsMC2 Christopher ChurchMC3 Kimberly RomanowskiMC3 Tyrell MorrisMC3 William McCannMCSN (SW) John KotaraMCSN Katie Lash

Command OmbudsmanApril Kumleycvn71ombudsman@yahoo.com

The Rough Rider is an authorized publication for the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by,

the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of TR.All items for publication in the The Rough Rider must

be submitted to the editor no later than three days prior to publication.

Story by MC2 Christopher Church USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

This week’s USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Rough Rider of the week is Mass Communication Specialist (MC) (SW) Christopher Church. Church, a native of Penacook, N.H., followed his state motto of “Live Free or Die,” and joined the Navy in February of 2009. Working in the Media Department, Church’s responsibilities have included Video production as well as supervising Media Department’s video projects. He also led 21 MCs as Media’s acting Leading Petty Officer for the past month. “I had big shoes to cover for, and being in any leadership role is a challenge in itself,” said Church. “Luckily I work with the best Sailors on the ship and they guide me along just as much as I try to help them.” In addition to his primary duties, Church is also Media’s training petty officer and career counselor, implementing a new training program and helping a

sailor successfully cross-rate to MC. “MC2 Church’s work ethic is the standard bearer for the department, and it’s a catalyst for his juniors and seniors alike,” said LTJG Michael Larson, Media Department division officer. “He leads well, he mentors even better, and is never satisfied with ‘good enough.’ He is out front in this department and his fellow MC’s are following right behind.” In his free time, he enjoys coaching and playing for TR’s soccer team as well as taking online courses to pursue his Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health.

“Don’t ever stop,” Church said. “There’s always something new to accomplish, something big and better to get.” Church plans on attending the Navy’s Advanced Visual Journalism Motion Media Course at Syracuse University and going to Combat Camera. “I want to have a large part in documenting history,” said Church. “It would be pretty cool to someday see my footage on some documentary or history channel feature.”

Photo Find

Can you find the 8 hidden objects?

TR the Man1. Wrench2. Earth3. Phone4.

Hammer5. Ball Cap6. Diamond Ring7. Ruler8.

Photo illustration by MC3 (SW) Sean Weir

TR’s Executive Officer, Commander Mark J. Colombo, reads to Christ the King Catholic School’s Kindergarten students in Norfolk, VA dur-ing a community relations project May 18.Photo by MC3 William McCann