Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) are scheduled to participate in the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP), June 17.

The ASBP is a Department of Defense program to collect, process, store and distribute blood worldwide.

“The blood is processed as a national asset, tracked and then spread to service members overseas, here at home or in conflict,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest.

Donated blood is not only important to service members during conflict, but also important to their families, explained Guest. The blood is used for family members with serious conditions from car wrecks, major surgeries and babies being born early.

“With a blood program like ASBP, blood is available very

Bataan W.O.R.T.H Program Supports Female SailorsBy MC3 Erik Foster

Bataan Sailors Participate in Medical Blood Drive for TroopsBy MCSN Mark Hays

Look Inside!June Calendar, Page 3 | Replenish at Sea, Page 4 & 5 | Career Waypoint, Page 6 | Command Picnic, Page 7 | Navy Ethos, Page 8

Female Sailors aboard Bataan held a meeting May 19 to connect crew members and brainstorm ideas for future events.

Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Katherine Gutierrez and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Crystal Starneswright led the charge to establish the Women’s Organization to Reach, Teach and Help (W.O.R.T.H.)group.

“Throughout the history of the Navy, women had to prove themselves, so at every command I want to make a difference,” said Gutierrez, president of W.O.R.T.H. “This is important because it involves our females in events and fundraisers which increase friendship and trust among the female Sailors.”

W.O.R.T.H. Sailors came together and brainstormed a few events planned for the near future to help new and experienced Sailors connect, have fun, and help in the community.

“Our new program has various committees,” added Gutierrez. “Community relations, fund raising, 5k runs, group work-out sessions, female self defense courses and women health talks. We also made t-shirts to show pride for our organization when we are attending events.”

With Bataan’s upcoming deployment, Sailors said they are hard at work and find it difficult to find time to ask questions.

“W.O.R.T.H.. helps identify female Sailors who have Navy experience and are willing to help fellow Sailors,” said Starneswright. “Since we got back from our last deployment, the work load has increased. Junior Sailors need to have a smooth transition to the command and they need to know who they can trust to receive quality mentorship.”

Capt. John “J.C.” Carter, Executive Officer of Bataan, donates blood during Bataan’s Armed Services Blood Program drive at Naval Station Norfolk. The program provides blood to active duty and reserve service members and their families.

Photo by MC3 Erik Foster

June 14, 2013Volume: 1 Issue: 3

HM1 Starneswright and AGAN Plascencia cut the W.O.R.T.H cake at the first official meeting of the year.

Photo by MC3 Erik Foster

BLOOD cont. on page 7

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Chaplain LCDR William Dermottdermottw@lhd5.navy.mil Chaplain LTJG Hardy Owensowensh@lhd5.navy.milTo set up an appointment with one of the Chaplains contact the RPs.

Armed Services Blood Program Blood Drive

Support the troops downrange and our hospital patients by donating the gift of life

www.militaryblood.dod.milQuestions email: ralph.peters@med.navy.mil

When: Monday June 17, 0800-1200Where: USS Bataan, Registration @ Medical

Why: Your Donation Will Save Lives!

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4 ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4 ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4 ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4 ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4DEGLAM DAY

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4BLOOD DRIVE3M INSPECTIONSAPR TRAINING

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

3M INSPECTIONSAPR TRAINING

3M INSPECTIONSAPR TRAINING

3M INSPECTIONSAPR TRAINING

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

3M INSPECTIONSAPR TRAINING

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

SAPR TRAINING

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4SAFETY FAIR COMMAND PICNICSAPR TRAINING

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

SAPR TRAININGSAPR TRAINING SAPR TRAINING

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The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) initiated the Career Waypoints Program, replacing the Perform to Serve (PTS) process and other associated programs, June 3.

The new system differs from the previous PTS as Sailors are guided toward a more decisive action instead of having to make a last minute decision to reenlist, convert rates or join the selected Reserve.

“This program only starts to affect Sailors with [end of active obligated service] of July 2014 and later,” said Chief Navy Career Counselor J.D. Jenkins.

Sailors whose EAOS falls before then will be under the old PTS system.

There are three phases to the program beginning 13 months from the expiration of a Sailor’s soft EAOS. The first phase, consisting of four reviews, allows Sailors to reenlist in-rate, convert rates or transition to selected Reserves. The second phase, also four reviews, gives Sailors a choice to convert or transition. The third and final phase, only three reviews, will only give Sailors the opportunity to transition.

Under the old PTS system, a Sailor could elect to keep trying for approval in-rate up through their final review. If they were not approved, the other options to convert or transition were no longer available and they would be forced to separate.

“After those first four months,

you already know you’re going to have to make a decision as far as what other kind of job you’re going to want or whether or not you’re going to stay active duty or selective Reserve,” said Jenkins. “It’s cut and dried, black and white. It’s a stricter system than it was before.”

According to Navy officials, 100 percent of eligible, command-approved Sailors who are in undermanned or balanced skillsets will receive approval to reenlist on their first application,

and within 30 days. All command-approved first class petty officers will also be approved on their first review.

The new program will be accompanied by information technology (IT) changes giving Sailors and commands immediate confirmation upon submittal.

“Sailors can actually log on and check their own applications in Career Waypoints,” said Jenkins.

Once the IT software is available at the end of 2013, Sailors can verify their requests and check their status.

“I’ve always been a proponent of empowerment for the Sailor,”

said Jenkins. “There’s no question or confusion.”

Another benefit is alignment with orders negotiation giving Sailors more opportunity to choose orders they want.

“The way they did the timeline, it coincides with (Career Management System Interactive Detailing) CMS-ID, so now you can negotiate for orders instead of being deep in your negotiating window,” said Jenkins. “You’ll be approved prior to your window.”

Before any Sailor enters their

window, they need to inform either their divisional, departmental or command career counselor of their career intentions so they can accurately predict the number of billets that can be filled with the number of Sailors who want in-rate approval.

“We’ve got a lot of folks who are on the fence,” said Jenkins. “But the sooner they make that decision, the better and easier it is for them, the better it is for their application to go in.”

For more information on Career Waypoints and how these changes will affect you, see your career counselor.

Career Waypoint Replaces Perform to Serve for NavyBy MC1 Dave Hites

The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by Bataan’s Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services at sea. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof.

Commanding OffficerCaptain George J. Vassilakis

Executive OfficerCaptain John “J.C.” Carter

Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SW/AW) Kevin M.Goodrich

Public Affairs Officer MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis Herring

News Team 5MC1(SW/AW) John BelangerMC2(SW/AW) Gary PrillMC3 Hannah Wilhide

MC3 Erik Foster MCSN Mark HaysMCSN Nicholas Cottone

Layout and Design MC3 Hannah Wilhide

Editor MC1 RJ Stratchko

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quickly to military and their loved ones.”

Without service members donating blood to ASBP, the military would have to order the blood from the Red Cross, which is costly, time consuming, with a price based on the particular blood type and availability.

“Blood is a vital commodity with a short shelf life,” said Guest. “Type-O blood is most valuable because it’s universal to all blood types and has a longer shelf life than other types.”

Blood donated by Bataan Sailors will be distributed throughout the

world to other service members. Information gathered during the donation process is also saved for emergencies, when blood is important to save a shipmates life.

“Fresh blood is crucial during a mass casualty,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st class James Barrier. “The Sailor’s information gathered helps for a quick response during a mass casualty.”

Guest said that a successful turnout for Bataan would be 100-130 Sailors and Marines contributing. This type of participation will produce 40-60 units of blood.

BLOOD cont. from front page

DCFN Ricky Kringle checks the condition of SCBA’s in preparation for INSURV inspections. Photo by MC1 RJ Stratchko

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