Naval Oceanographic Office

Ocean Frontier

NAVOCEANO Now on Social Media, p. 5

May 2013

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Naval Oceanographic Office

If April showers do bring May flowers, then we should see a veritable flower garden appear across the region. Reports from local meteorologists indicate we received over seven inches more than the norm for the area. It has been a strange and wet spring we couldnt seem to get our 5K fun run in, we continue to have drenching rains and thunderstorms and as I write this, the TD and I are sitting in Omaha, Neb., watching the temperatures drop into the low 30s as the rain turns to sleet and snow. Crazy weather!

May 2013
met and systems are functional, man survey, engineer and ET positions, move those people forward for the surveys, accurately collect incredibly important data in the far reaches of the world and then bring it back to the office. When the data arrives in the office, a whole new set of processes and procedures begin as data is moved, analyzed, corrected, produced, databased and then applied in a variety of manners, at a variety of classifications to warfighter requirements and moved forward to the right decision-makers. All of this takes place in a huge office that is safe, secure and maintained, and it is like a well-oiled machine (or perhaps an orchestra). Each person has a role in this orchestra, and the result is phenomenal to me. Believe it when I say that I am inspired to be a better leader, CO and champion of the office. My reading this month was a John Grisham book titled The Confession. What are you reading? Thank you for your dedication, superb work and for making me proud to be your CO each and every day!

Ocean Frontier

Whats on my mind...

I enjoyed a brief but productive visit to the Naval Ice Center last month. Cmdr. Smith has his team well organized and postured to increase their significant capabilities through partnerships and ingenuity. Well done! Through the SEAC and the creative minds of the workforce, we have new slogans and T-shirts on the way. Congratulations to Bob Goodman, Lt. Thomas Freismuth, Mona Collins and Keith Willis who created the winning slogans. Additional pointswhen I was an officer of the deck on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, I spent time as the getting underway officer of the deck, which means I got to the bridge an hour or so prior to the ship leaving port, istened to reports, watched the bridge team scurry around and make last minute preparations, gave orders to methodically cast off lines, have the tugboats put the ship fair in the channel, and then navigated the ship to sea. It certainly was a stressful time, but it was routine and didnt seem remarkable. One day, I considered all that needed to happen to prepare a warship,of that size and magnitude to get underway. The preparations were complex, difficult and took nearly two full days: teams prepared the nuclear plant (carefully and precisely bringing the reactor to power), hydraulics and sea water systems, lube oil, gears and electrical systems; verified weapons load-outs/handling systems; prepared a multitude of defensive and offensive weapons systems; ensured electronic warfare, communications, radar, medical, IT, oceanographic and meteorological systems were all up, running and prepared. There was also the flight deck, aircraft and anchor systems, and the list could go on and on. All of those things had to be prepared, phased and ready, and thousands of man-hours were exhausted so that the capital asset could get underway at the precise time ordered. It awed me to think in those terms.

with Dr. Edward Hafer, associate professor of Music History at the University of Southern Mississippi, serving as guest speaker. Dr, Hafers presentation, The Art of Survival at the Concentration Camp Westerbork, highlighted the Dutch refugee camp Westerbork that served as a way station through which Jews captured in the Netherlands would pass before deportation to the eastern death camps. Highlighted in the speech were the prominent actors and musicians who formed their own series of cabarets called The Theatre Gurppe Westerbork to performed skits, music, comedy and dancing to entertain their captors and fellow prisoners. The program also featured the Voices of Stennis and closing remarks by Rear Adm. Brian B. Brown, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.

How about some good news? Every day that goes by is one more day closer to NOT having a furlough. No guarantees, but the information coming out of Washington D.C., in the media reports, indicates that the leadership is working hard to reduce the impacts of the sequestration and potential furlough. We will continue to keep everyone informed, but at this point, no news is good news. Other great things Through our exceptional PAO shop, weve embarked on a social media campaign to better inform you and the public on our activities, ideas and new issues. Now well be able to better connect with the use of Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. On these social media pages, the PAO shop will be posting information on upcoming events, community outreach opportunities, news stories, trivia questions, internal announcements and much more. Its our goal to reach 1,000 likes on our Facebook page by the end of the month. Our annual command picnic is coming up on 23 May. Bring your family and enjoy the day with food, games and music provided by Rear Adm. Brown and his Band of Merry Fiddlers. He swears that he will be in standard clothing this time, but with him you never quite know!

Visitors
Taiwan Navy Visits

Upcoming Events
7 MayLunch n Learn Alzheimers Disease and other Dementia 6-10 MayNAVICE Command Inspection 12 MayMothers Day 14 MayDay in the Navy 14 MayTechnical Seminar: A New and Improved Core Deployment System 23 MayCommand Picnic 27 MayMemorial Day observed 28 MayTechnical Seminar: Measuring Bioluminescence Underway: The New UBAT System

On 2 April, Capt. Yi-Feng Tsui, deputy commanding officer and technical director; Cmdr. Chen-Tang Huang, chief of maritime safety information, and Lt. Wen-Long Huang, numerical forecasting officer visited for data exchange agreement discussions.

p.3.....................Holocaust Program Presented .......................................Visitors: Taiwan Navy p.4..........................................................Awards ..................................................................SEAC p.5.................................Department Focus: N3 ...............NAVOCEANO Now on Social Media! p.6...................................Community Outreach p.7.....Employee Spotlight: Casey Taylor, NP6 ...........................................Constitution Corner p.8.......................................Fleet Survey Team .....................DoD Summer Camp Experiences

Whats inside...

Thank you for your dedication, superb work and for making me proud to be your CO each and every day!

Holocaust Program Presented

On 10 April, the Navy hosted the 23rd annual observance of the Holocaust Days of Remembrance as part of the Stennis Space Center Diversity Councils programs. Opening remarks were delivered by Steve Faber of NAVOCEANO,

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I have recently been filled with the same sense of awe as I make periodic reviews of each of our departments. I am not quite half way through with my reviews, and I am both inspired and amazed at what I see within the office. The breadth and scope of what each and every one of you does is incredible. I wish you could all witness the grand scope of what you accomplish because it is like the aircraft carrier in my mind. The complexity it takes to plan our requirements, develop spend plans, review technologies, produce requirements for equipment, legally apply funding sources, complete contract procedures, oversee testing and installation and employment of a multitude of systems, ensure IT requirements are...

2013 Command Picnic Thursday, 23 May Cypress House Pavilion Food, music by Rear Adm. Brown and his band, games and activities

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Naval Oceanographic Office

May 2013

Ocean Frontier

Awards
Three NAVOCEANO employees were the recipients of the 2012 Alan Berman Research Publication Award, which recognizes authors of the best Naval Research Laboratory publications each year. Ray Sawyer, Wade Ladner and Dave Fabre were co-authors with NRLs Dr. Paul Elmore, the lead author of Uncertainty Estimation for Databased Bathymetry Using a Bayesian Network Approach. This is the first time NAVOCEANO authors have ever received the NRL award.

Employees Awarded with Publication Award

for her highly praised efforts in various areas, including developing a comprehensive model to analyze labor requirements and costs, serving on the Production Core Team and Spend Plan Review Team, developing an information package for labor resource tracking and conducting a student manpower study to identify the current state of students. Ms. Wall displays an exemplary work ethic, stated Department Head Rich Sandy, and demonstrates extraordinary analytical, collaborative and communication skills. Bourgeois works in the Ocean Projects Department, where he serves as a METOC program manager, bathymetry data manager and division lead on MSS survey, planning and product development. He is being recognized for developing a new line of METOC products for ODISTA customers, participating in MSS surveys and in three ODISTA REMUS and POSEIDON surveys. Marc has exceeded his performance within N92, stated Division Head Peggy Schexnayder, and continues to improve his technical and GIS skills. Congratulations to both of you! Wellness Fest: In spite of the continuous rain cancellations of the 5k portion of the event, the health fair portion of last months Wellness Fest was a huge success. Over 15 health-related organizations came out to provide wellness screenings for hundreds of employees. Thanks to all who helped coordinate the event and especially to those who participated. Any feedback or ideas for future vendors can be sent to NAVO_STNS_SEAC@navy.mil. Upcoming New T-shirts: Because our survey ended in a PERFECT TIE, both slogans have been used for two different shirts. Congratulations to Keith Willis who coined the slogan NAVOCEANO Serving our Sailors, Serving our Nation and to Mona Collins, Lt. Thomas Freismuth and Bob Goodman who each contributed parts of Oceans are our Playgrounds. T-AGS, youre it! SEAC will be selling these shirts in the lobby of Bldg. 1002 from 1100-1300 Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 May. Cost is $10 for sizes S-XL and $15 for sizes 2XL-4XL. Command Picnic: NAVOCEANOs annual command picnic will take place Thursday, 23 May at the Cypress House large pavilion. This years theme is All that Jazz and entertainment will include music by Adm. Brown and his band as well as several games and activities. Lunch will consist of a sub sandwich, chips, a drink and dessert.

N3: From Monaco to Mission

By Joseph Cotten The Survey Planning Division (N32) is home to NAVOCEANOs ship managers, as well as travel support and survey planning. Ship managers work with the Ocean Projects Department, the production codes and the Engineering Department and are responsible for coordinating support between NAVOCEANO, Military Sealift Command and the ship contractor in support of mission requirements, inspections and habitability issues. One aspect of this effort is the drafting, tracking and management of equipment onloads and offloads. Simply, an onload and offload is the activity required to install, then remove, roll-on/roll-off mission equipment onto the T-AGS. During this process, deck equipment may be removed, re-arranged or reinstalled, which can become a very involved effort. After a reception was held onboard USNS Heezen in April 2012 in conjunction with the International Hydrographic Conference, the ship transited to Rota, Spain, to prepare for a series of missions for the Ocean Projects Department. To perform the mission tasking, HSL 911 and HSL 912 had to be removed and stored for 140 days during the mission operations. This was quite a job for the ship contractor and NAVOCEANO.

Image 2: RO/RO equipment on stern deck ready for mission.

NAVOCEANO Now on Social Media!

NAVOCEANO, along with Capt. Oosterling, are proud to announce the launch of its official social media websites. We encourage you to Stay connected with NAVOCEANO through these sites at work or at home, and please feel free to share these sites with your family and friends. Its our goal to reach 1,000 likes on our Facebook page by the end of May. Like our page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NavalOceanographicOffice Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAVOCEANO_SSC Browse photos on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/navoceano/ On these social media pages, PAO will be posting info on upcoming events, community outreach opportunities, news stories, trivia questions, internal announcements and much much more. Additionally, this will also be a tool utilized by the CDO and Disaster Preparedness Officer to communicate with employees during non-work hours and during a crisis. Ideas and submissions for tweets, posts, photo ops, etc. can be sent to NAVO_STNS_PAO@navy.mil.

NAVOCEANO Hosts All Hands Awards

On 10 April, NAVOCEANO held an all hands awards ceremony to recognize civilian length of service, letters of appreciation and various other honors. Capt. Oosterling commented, I have never seen a work force more dedicated to the mission. To view photos from the event go to S:\STNS\NAVOCEANO\PAO\All Hands Awards.

IT3 Williams Re-enlists

On 5 April, a re-enlistment ceremony was held for ICO IT3 Justin Williams. Follow on orders for IT3 Williams are leaving NAVOCEANO in June, going to GEEKS school in San Diego and then onto USS Blue Ridge, Japan.

Image 1: Offload to remove both HSLs and deck equipment required three days.

Wall, Bourgeois Named 2012 Civilians of the Year

Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Oosterling recently named Heather Wall (senior grade) and Marc Bourgeois (mid-grade) as the 2012 civilians of the year at NAVOCEANO. Wall is a physical scientist in the Plans, Programs and Requirements Department, where she performs specialized duties related to highlevel management of NAVOCEANO programs. She is being recognized

15th annual military appreciation month may 2013

take time this month to recognize all that the military has done, is doing and will do for our great nation!

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Naval Oceanographic Office

May 2013
Thank you

Ocean Frontier

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Banked April Community Outreach Hours
NAVOCEANO Employee Accompanies Veterans to D.C.
A group of 80 World War II and Korean War veterans flew from Gulfport, Miss., to Washington, D.C., on 23 April to see in person the memorials that pay tribute to their sacrifices. Accompanying the Honor Flight V group and serving as chaperone to one of the veterans was NAVOCEANOs Training Officer, Dr. Tony Taylor. The group was led to the WWII Memorial by U.S. Reps. Steven Palazzo and Alan Nunnelee and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker. Veterans and their volunteer guardians gathered around as bagpipes played Amazing Grace and a wreath was hung on the Mississippi column of the memorial. Later, the Honor Flight group visited the Lincoln, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our trip was excellent! said Taylor. It was a personally rewarding opportunity to honor WWII and Korean War veterans. The crowd at the airport was outstanding with cheering people, military formations, and a band playing patriotic music. I highly recommend others to participate as a veteran guardian on future flights, noted Taylor. Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight officials say they hope to be able to fund another flight in the fall. Hancock High School Crystal Robinson (8-5492) AG1 Bradley Ball (8-5410) Hancock Middle School Brein Hennessey (8-4016) Rino Guerrero (8-5622) Hancock North Central Stefanie Barnett (9-8362) AG1 Lisa Sherry (8-5119) South Hancock Ashton Hudson (8-4242) AG2 Kyall (8-5954) East Hancock Jason Pyron (8-4317) AG3 Palka (8-5479) West Hancock Mike Bendzlowicz AG1 Bacon (8-5583)

Amanda English Dunny Green Tony Taylor Patrice Muse Kayla Thigpen Heather Tomasich Kyle Rushing for your community outreach efforts!

Casey Taylor, Computer Scientist, NP6

Originally from Slidell, La., Casey Taylor attended Purdue University for two years before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with a bachelors degree in computer science. After graduating, Casey came directly to NAVOCEANOs Mine Warfare Department (NP6), where has worked for nearly a decade. As a computer scientist within the Departments Emergent Technologies Division, Casey has been responsible for creating an in-situ LIDAR performance model calculator for Airborne Mine Countermeasures, digitizing survey plans to map gravitational anomalies, enabling an inhouse data fusion cell and helping to stand-up the Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center, among many other accomplishments. Caseys current responsibilities include developing analytical software used by NP6 to populate the Master Contact Database, supporting Maritime Homeland Defense and acting as a data clearing house for sensor data and analytical products in international maritime exercises. His coworkers and leadership not only describe him as a dedicated and talented programmer, but as a fun, well-rounded person outside of work. To investigate further, we asked Casey a few questions about his work and home life. What is the greatest aspect of your position here? The best part of my job is definitely the people, as clichd as it sounds. The opportunity to collaborate with experts across many scientific disciplines keeps the job new and

Partnership in Education

Hancock Middle School: The middle school will be holding its annual MCT testing 14-16 May, 0715-1100. If you are interested in proctoring for the test, please contact Brein Hennessey (8-4016). South Hancock Testing: South Hancock is preparing for MCT testing, and 6-10 test monitors are needed. The monitors will take a 30-minute training session, which can be taken at NAVOCEANO. The test will be 14-16 May 0800-1130. If you are interested, contact Ashton Hudson (8-4242). South Hancock Science Fair/4-H Club: The 4-H club began 1 Nov. and takes place every Thursday. It is looking for volunteers to coordinate students and create projects throughout the day to fill different time slots (0800-0900, 1000-1100,1230-1330 and 1330-1430). 2nd grade- Painting recycling bins and placing them throughout the school to collect aluminum cans. They are looking for about 5 donated recycling bins for their project. 3rd grade- Painting birdhouses and placing them on school grounds, also filling them with bird food each week. They would like more donated materials, and they are looking for new project ideas/help. 4th grade- Landscaping and gardening on school grounds. They would also like to add a vegetable garden. They need assistance in purchasing and planting. 5th grade-Building robots working with the We-Do Lego system. They currently have limited supplies and would like to purchase their own class kit. They are looking for volunteers who would like to talk about/demonstrate anything to do with robotics. Please contact Ashton Hudson (8-4242) if you are interested. North Bay Elementary: Volunteers are needed to help proctor the Mississippi Curriculum Test 14-16 May at North Bay Elementary in Bay St. Louis. Individual commitment would be 3-4 hours in the morning on the day(s) of your choice. Please contact Gretchen Darby (228-4674052) if you are interested in volunteering. Send any community outreach opportunities to kaley.turfitt@navy.mil.

interesting. What is the most challenging aspect of your position here? The most challenging part is keeping up with the pace of sensor evolution in both military and industry; the volume of raw data is growing by orders of magnitude. Describe your greatest experience while working at NAVO. Ive sailed twice with Dr. Robert (Bob) Ballard as part of our education outreach program. I left Istanbul for the Black Sea in search of archeological evidence of a great flood in 2009. In 2010, I had the opportunity to pilot the Argus ROV in search of chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Eastern Atlantic. It was awesome to get to share oceanography with students of all ages in America and our host countries. What are your favorite weekend pastimes? I like to build and pilot remote control aircrafts, participate in themed runs (Warrior Run, Zombie Run, Mud Run, etc.) and am currently getting into duck hunting. Im also a member of a few hiking clubs and a perpetual culinary experimenter from beer to prosciutto. Where would you most like to travel? Id love to finally get to Italy. The few opportunities Ive had were cut short by world events. I learned a lot about the food and the culture, picked up some of the language and even planned some side-trips before the Icelandic eruption. The second time I thought I might get to go, the Japanese Tsunami meant we were needed elsewhere. What was your first car? I had a tan 1994 Nissan Stanza. She was named Snaggletooth because the headlights never quite pointed in the same direction after a minor accident. The passenger door didnt work, so braver passengers had to climb over the center console. What was your first job? I was a line cook at a truck stop in Slidell. It was really neat because I got to cook for the occasional celebrity bound for New Orleans shows like Gatemouth Brown and Buddy Guy. At Purdue, I worked at the sports kitchen where I made breakfast for Drew Brees and the boilermakers. I like to think part of the reason he came to New Orleans was my French omelets. What is the best professional advice you have been given? Dan Pink gave an RSA talk about what motivates people. His premise was that to really engage someone, the three primary considerations were autonomy, mastery and purpose. Help someone understand the meaning of their work, give them agency and ownership in that work, and encourage them to learn and grow in it.

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The following is a very limited list of some of those proposed amendments that never left the halls of Congress: 1893: renaming this nation the United States of the Earth 1893: abolishing the United States Army and Navy 1916: all acts of war should be put to a national vote. Anyone voting yes had to register as a volunteer for service in the United States Army. 1933: an attempt to limit personal wealth to $1 million 1947: the income tax maximum for an individual should not exceed 25% 1971: American citizens should have the alienable right to an environment free of pollution

Constitution Corner

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Naval Oceanographic Office

Bishop Receives Hydrographic Certification, You Can Too!
Jediah Bishop, a physical scientist at Fleet Survey Team, has been awarded the National Society of Professional Surveyors Hydrographer Certification. To obtain this certification, Mr. Bishop presented to the Hydrographer Certification Board documentation of 5 years of field work and passed a 3-hour written examination on hydrographic topics. The National Society of Professional Surveyors Hydrographer Certification Program is a peer group recognition of hydrographic competence. The program is a combination of experience, supervisor recommendation and examination. The program is open to any individual meeting the prerequisite criteria of: 60 months of experience in hydrography (office and field work). Graduates of IHO-recognized CAT A programs, such as the USM Ocean Science masters program, can reduce experience time to 24 months. 24 months of field experience in hydrography (TDY performing hydrographic duties). Pass with a score of 70% a 160-question 3-hour examination covering hydrographic material. Individuals interested in applying for hydrographic certification can contact NAVOCEANO Hydrographer Certification Board Representative Ian Fergusson (ian. fergusson@navy.mil, 8-5638) or check out the Certified Hydrographer Program at www.nsps.us.com. these universities, DoD is able to use the expertise of university faculty and staff and offer an amazing camp experience. With more than forty camps across the country, there truly is something for everyone. Opportunities for your teens include: Sailing around Washington States Puget Sound Kayaking through the Florida Keys Wilderness survival camp in Montanas Backcountry Caving, rappelling and rock climbing expeditions in Kentucky These camps are not limited to the summer either. If your teens already have their summer booked, they can participate in a winter survival camp in Washington State or New Hampshire. The DoD also offers camps designed specifically for military youth and teens with special needs. These camps are focused on providing a safe and fun environment that takes into account the specific needs of participants. Depending on the format of these camps, age requirements for participants may vary. For several years, the DoD has supported the Armys Operation: Military Kids program by funding camp opportunities focused on military children and youth going through the military family deployment cycle. Operation: Military Kids supports all military youth, regardless of service branch, whose parents are deployed, deploying or have recently returned from deployment. Camps are offered across the country and vary in their design and activities. Each camp is developed with the idea of providing participants with the necessary skills to navigate the deployment cycle. While fun is the most important aspect of these camps, another key aspect is bringing military youth together who may have had similar experiences and are able to share how they have dealt with these challenges. To learn more, visit the Military Kids Camps website at: http:// www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/EventDetail. aspx?ID=3729 Take advantage of the opportunities the military and its partners offer to enhance the lives of your military children. To find out more about these camps, visit the Military Teen Adventure Camps website at: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campshome.html. For information on Summer Camp activities at CBC Gulfport, call the Youth Activities Center at (228) 871-2251.

DoD Summer Camp Experiences

From Military OneSource During the school year, its easy to fill your childrens schedules with activities, but what about during the summer? If your children are looking for something exciting to do, the Department of Defense is here to help. Each year, the DoD provides summer camp opportunities for your children, giving them a chance to have fun, meet new people and develop skills that will benefit them for years to come. The DoDs Office of Family Policy partners with several universities to offer Teen Adventure Camps for military teens aged fourteen to eighteen. Through partnering with

Ocean Frontier is an internal monthly e-newsletter produced by NAVOCEANO Public Affairs. To submit photos or other information, contact Kaley Turfitt (8-4938), editor; Lanee Cooksey (8-5649), public affairs officer; or Becky Eckhoff (8-4002), contributing writer.

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