USS George H.W. BushCVN 77

July 27, 2014Issue 21 Volume 8

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LOUD and PROUD

MAGAZINE

FITNESS:Yoga Poses for the Non-flexible

DECODED:OPERATIONAL SECURITY

SAILORS OF THE QUARTER

I joined the Navy:“To pursue an education.”

What is your favorite purchase from deployment?“Handmade Turkish rug.”

My favorite movie is:“Back to the Future.”

My favorite artist/band is:“Lifehouse.”

Favorite quote:“Hurry up and open your eyes before life passes you by!”

Q&A

If you would like to be featured in the next issue of the Avenger contact the media department at *6259.

MEET ME

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What food from home do you miss the most?Q

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SAILORPASSAGE WAY

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MMFA Sloderbeck“A well-seasoned alligator.”

EM1 Mitchell“Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp.”

SN Gandara“Sweet/Spicy Spaghetti and Tamales.”

LS3 Melissa Fahlgren

SAFETY

FIGHTTHEFIRE.

SAVETHE SHIP.

ON THE COVER:

MC3 MAGGIE KEITH

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Lt. Aly De Soto, from Maplewood, N.J., assigned to the “Bear Aces”, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW)124, practices a bridge yoga pose on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

WEEKLY ISSUE JUL2014

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DECODED:GTMO Information Assurance Officials Stress OPSEC Importance

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Commanding OfficerCapt. Andrew J. Loiselle

Executive OfficerCapt. Matthew C. Paradise

Command Master ChiefCMDCM David Carter

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Charles Drey

Senior EditorMCC Christina Shaw

Art DirectorMC3 Chase Martin

Managing EditorMC3 Jeffrey Madlangbayan

Photo EditorMC3 Cecilia Engrums

Staff WritersMC3 Benjamin KellyMC3 Chase Martin

MC3 Jeffrey MadlangbayanMCSN Connor McDermott

PhotographersMC3 Joshua Card

MC3 Lorelei Vander GriendMC3 Maggie Keith

MC3 Preston PaglinawanMC3 Robert Burck

Social Media CoordinatorMC3 Cecelia Engrums

The “Avenger” is produced by the Media Department of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The

editorial content of this newspaper is edited and approved by the Media Department of USS George

H.W. Bush. “The Avenger” is an authorized publication for the members of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and

their families. 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 the endorsement thereof.

GTMO Information Assurance Officials Stress OPSEC Importance

15 Sailors of the Quarter

STORY BY MC2 (SW/AW) JUSTIN AILES NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA PUBLIC AFFAIRS

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Information Assurance officials at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are reminding personnel about the magnitude of observing proper operations security (OPSEC).

According to the installation's Information Systems Division (ISD), since January 2005, both inside and outside the U.S. government, more than 100 million records containing sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and medical records have been potentially lost, stolen, or compromised.

"OPSEC is keeping potential adversaries from discovering our critical information," said Tamara Porter, NS Guantanamo Bay information assurance officer. "As a resident or family member of the military community, you are a vital player in our success, and we couldn't do our job without your support. You may not know it, but you also play a crucial role in ensuring your loved one's safety. You can protect your family and friends by protecting what you know of the military's day-to-day operations."

ISD advises when dealing with information, personnel should ensure documents are not accessible to casual visitors, passersby, or other individuals within their workspace, office, or open viewing area.

"When using social networking sites, do not give details about personnel transactions that occur in large numbers such as pay information, powers of attorney, wills, and deployment information," said Porter. "Do not reveal details concerning

security procedures, details on locations and times of unit deployments or detailed information about the mission of assigned units."

Information security is defined as protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, perusal, inspection, recording or destruction of the information. Information security is protection of the availability, privacy, and integrity of data.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is defined as any data about individuals that could potentially identify them. Some of the identifiable information can be names, fingerprints or other biometric data, email addresses, street addresses, telephone numbers or social security numbers.

"The cost of losing PII to carelessness or theft goes beyond dollars," said Porter. "For organizations that misuse or allow PII data to leak out of their systems, the negative publicity, loss of customer trust, lost business, and legal costs can be severe."

Porter said the Department of Veterans Affairs provided an example of what can happen if PII is not properly protected.

"The [VA] lost more than 26 million records when an employee's unencrypted laptop-carrying PII was stolen," she said. "In 2009, Heartland Payment Systems suffered the largest data breach to date, which compromised nearly 130 million credit and debit cards. Be alert and be careful. By being a member of the military or a military family, you will often know bits of critical information. Do not discuss them outside of your immediate family and especially not over the telephone."

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“My group of friends knew that I was gay, but I didn’t tell anyone else,” said Greene. “Even so, I felt like I was still wearing a mask and trying to hide who I really am. But, I was in band, theater and I was also on the swim team. I didn’t play football or basketball; stereotypical masculine activities that most people would expect from someone like me. It was hard to maintain this image of masculinity while still trying to be myself.”

Toward the end of high school Greene decided to take the first step of a journey that would slowly lead him to reveal himself. His journey to come out would be a long one mixed with both pain and triumphs. Greene had an epiphany and vowed to himself that he would never back down to anyone, and always speak his mind on anything that related to who he is as a person.

“When I got my mind set, my clothes changed,” said Greene, laughing. “Baggy pants were out, and here comes loafers and v-necks.”

Greene is from a Jamaican family, so telling his relatives about his lifelong secret proved to be exceptionally challenging. He explained that in Jamaica there is a law prohibiting h o m o s e x u a l i t y , and that it could be punishable with fines and imprisonment.

“With me being Jamaican, it was hard for me to open up to my family, especially my grandmother” said Greene. Being from an older generation, she’s very traditional and she still held on to old world views. She really started to notice when she saw a change in me the way I dressed and my mannerisms. One day I had a big argument with her, and I finally came out to her. She kicked me out of the house for two months.”

It was something he knew may happen. Some of his friends were close to their parents, and when they came out they were disowned, so he knew he might have to face that too with his grandmother.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t face the same

dilemma of being kicked out of the house, but I knew I had to deal with it and move on,” said Greene.

It wasn’t until he went to college that Greene slowly started to come out and reveal who he really is. The college atmosphere allowed him to meet other people from other parts of the country, many of which being gay.

“Penn State was a time when I was trying to find myself and who I am, and that was difficult,” said Greene. “I would hear some people say derogatory slurs based on my personal tastes in music or what I would wear. However, that didn’t change my experience.”

After graduating from college in 2009, Greene spent a year in graduate school at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. He went through a lot there, still trying to find himself. He went to many of the parties, clubs and communities to see where he would fit in and it all took a toll on him.

“The city, as amazing as it was, affected my studies and took a toll on me personally,” said Greene. “They were dark times - I actually started to think about suicide.”

Greene was tired of trying to maintain an image, even one within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual (LGBT) community. Not only is LGBT its own culture, but there are many cultures within it.

“There are cultures for the more masculine, more feminine, transgender, for the skinny or for heavy set,” said Greene.

“It just goes on and on. There are all these subcultures under such a vast umbrella, and I still had to figure out where I belonged.”

Along with eating disorders, Greene has dealt with a lot of things to try to see where he fits in and to numb the pain of not feeling accepted. He just wanted to end it. He would cry and feel like his back was against the wall with nowhere to go. He sought a new beginning, and the Navy offered the opportunity he was looking for.

“My decision was spontaneous. My

Everyone has their own unique story to tell. Childhood experiences, the birth of certain morals and beliefs, and how they became who they are at this moment. Some would

say they are “normal” and some might say they are “different.” There are no two people in the world, not even identical twins, that are exactly the same. Everyone is unique.

“I remember saying to my Navy recruiter ‘yeah, I’m straight,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Kameron V. Greene. “Even in boot camp I was afraid to show who I really was. It wasn’t until I reached A-School when I met some people I was cool with, and I decided to come out and tell them that I am gay.”

In a small rural town in Pennsylvania, Greene grew up with a small group of friends that he confided in. However, outside of those few friends, he acted as masculine as possible. He faked his mannerisms, the way he talked, dressed, and how he acted socially.

STORY BENJAMIN KELLY

PHOTOS BY JEFFREY MADLANGBAYAN

Loud

“The one thing that people seem to forget about LGBT is that you can say what you want to say about us, but we deal with it all the time. We have really tough skin, so really in a sense we’re immune to all the stares and name calling. It still hurts, but we shrug it off to keep on going and keep on living for

ourselves.”

family didn’t know I was in the Navy until I was leaving for boot camp,” said Greene. “They didn’t even know I dropped out of school. Of course they were upset and didn’t send me a single letter while I was in boot camp. No one came to my graduation, there was nothing from them at all. It hurt.”

The Navy has a lot of diversity in terms of where people come from, views, and opinions. It wasn’t until Greene joined the Navy that everything started to fall into place. It is military courtesy to treat all service members with respect despite personal differences. Some people still do not accept him for who he is, but with so many people from different backgrounds, it makes it easier for Greene to be himself.

“It’s ironic because the military always seemed like such a hyper masculinized community to me,” said Greene.

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PHOTO WEEK

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JULY2014A WEEK IN PHOTOSAviation Boatswain’s Mate Equipment 3rd Class Logan Henderson performs

maintenance on the ship’s catapult system aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

MC3 ROBERT BURCK

AVENGER

Greene’s command involvement and work ethics are a direct reflection of the happiness he has found. He earned Bluejacket of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2013, and in his first year on board USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) he qualified as both enlisted surface warfare specialist and enlisted aviation warfare specialist. He holds multiple command level collateral duties to include Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) and Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD).

“Acceptance has so much to do with my naval success. Your surroundings help develop who you are. On the other hand, personal determination and tenacity has always been fuel to my drive. I have learned to transfer negative energy into

social and environmental responses that aid to maximize my full potential. I have finally learned to love myself, rising above pejoratives and homosexual stereotypes. I am my own acceptance.”

His peers feed off of his positivity. His fellow Sailors feed off of his motivation. He makes the people around him happier, and the workplace all around better and more efficient.

“In the 17 months I’ve known Greene, he has shown me

that as a Sailor and a person he genuinely cares for everyone he encounters, and treats them with dignity and respect,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Eduardo Monson, Greene’s leading petty officer. He is the most nonjudgmental person I know. His attitude, regardless of the day, never changes as he promotes a sanctuary-like

“Acceptance has so much to do with my naval success. Your surroundings help develop who you are. On the other hand, personal determination and tenacity has always been fuel to my drive. I have learned to transfer negative energy into social and environmental responses that aid to maximize

my full potential.”

workplace. His gallant personality portrays who he is as a Sailor, but most of all, who he is as a person. Greene’s eagerness and drive best benefit those around him. He is a fantastic Sailor and a true friend that can always be relied on.”

Greene hopes people remember that it’s ok to be tolerant of different ideas, keep an open mind to look beyond outside appearances and accept people as they are.

“I’ve always had people calling me terrible names” said Greene. “It’s a constant reminder of my battle for self-awareness. The one thing that people seem to forget about LGBT is that you can say what you want to say about us, but we deal with it all the time. We have really tough skin, so really in a sense we’re immune to all the stares and name calling. It still hurts, but we shrug it off to keep on going and keep on living for ourselves.”

Greene has learned that while he wants people to accept him for who he is, he also has to accept people for their views as well. Not everyone is going to tolerate LGBT awareness and he must understand and accept that.

“For a long time, especially when I contemplated suicide, I always prayed to God to help me find my way,” said Greene. “He helped me get through tough times. Even when I was at my lowest, God was there for me. I knew he would not allow me to give up. There was this feeling that I needed to be doing something more with my life. I’ve always known I was destined for something, I just didn’t know what. Whenever I prayed I would always remember that feeling, and that helps me moving forward.”

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Sailors from American Diversity Heritage Observance Committee cook Caribbean food for the crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

MC3 MAGGIE KEITH

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Sailors perform maintenance on the ship’s catapult system aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

MC3 ROBERT BURCK

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Lt. Aly De Soto, from Maplewood, N.J., assigned to the “Bear Aces”, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW)124, attends a yoga class on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

MC3 MAGGIE KEITH

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Sailors direct a F/A 18 Hornet on the flight deck of USS George H.W. BushMC3 JOSHUA CARD

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN CONNOR McDERMOTT

It’s not always easy to get ahead in a Navy career but a strong drive, a positive smile and a kind heart were all contributing factors in these Sailors being recognized for the 3rd Quarter.

Senior Sailor of the Quarter:Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/EXW)

Clay Marrs, from Operation Department’s Security (OF) division, is a native of Albany, Ore., and joined the Navy ten and a half years ago for some excitement and the opportunity to go down range.

“MA1 Marrs is in a unique position,” said Master Chief Master-at Arms Gregory Keefer, Chief Master-at-Arms. “He is filling the Master-at-Arms Chief ’s billet, leading 200 personnel with no chief in between him and I. No one likes to give the Master Chief the bad news, but it really does give the perspective of what his duties will be when he is selected for chief.”

Marrs’ most memorable moment on the ship is being recognized as the Senior Sailor of the Quarter.

His tip for success is always strive to do better.

He says “If you accept mediocrity, mediocrity will be the norm.”

Marrs enjoys brewing beer and mountain biking in his free time.

Sailor of the Quarter:Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (SW/

IDW/AW) Justin Bonnie, from Intel’s OZ division, is a native of Baltimore, Md., and joined the Navy four and a half years ago. He joined to get out of his hometown and make something of himself.

“IS2 Bonnie’s professionalism, expertise and ability to drive those around him to be better Sailors are just some of the qualities that set him apart from his peers,” said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Eric

Twining, Intel Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO). “He optimizes all facets of what the Sailor of the Quarter program is focused on. From briefing Rear Admiral DeWolfe Miller, directing (Ship’s Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Examination) SNOOPIE team employment, or training junior and senior Sailors, his focus remains on the mission and striving to be a leader that all Sailors should emulate.”

Bonnie’s most memorable moments on

board have been while helping other Sailors get their qualifications. His tips for success are to not expect to be given anything, to be kind, and to show respect up and down the chain of command.

In his free time he likes golfing, keeping up his lawn, and spending time with his wife Amy, daughter Peyton, and son Tucker.

Petty Officer of the Quarter:Hospital Corpsman 3rd (SW/AW) Class

Danielle Smith, from medical’s health services, is a native of Wilmington, N.C., and joined the Navy to do something different from her day-to-day part-time job, and get started down her career path.

“HM3 Smith is a stellar performer that

functions well above her pay grade,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marcello Centaure, the ship’s nurse. “She is responsible for the care of critically ill and injured Sailors in the ship’s Intensive Care Unit, as well as the ward. She is the youngest member of the Medical Training Team, a position usually held by an E-6, and is also part of the propulsion plant medical response team. I first met her in the ICU at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, where she volunteered over 50 hours prior to deploying. Her comfort with taking care of high acuity patients in an extremely busy 19 bed ICU was quite impressive. I know that her maturity, motivation, and meticulous attention to detail will take her to great heights in her naval career and I am proud to serve with her.”

Smith said her most memorable moment while on board has been the first port visit of the deployment to Greece.

Her tips for success are to take initiative, plan ahead, and be thorough.

When she has time she likes to swim and surf.

Bluejacket of the Quarter:Quartermaster Seaman (SW/AW)

Treonia Thomas, from Navigation’s N01 division, is a native of Columbus, Ga., joined the Navy a little more than a year ago. She joined to earn money for school.

Thomas has the drive for success,” said Senior Chief Quartermaster John Schools, the Navigation Department LCPO. “She shows what a young Sailor with the right motivation can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time when you put your head down and go for it. Her efforts were noticed by everyone and she was recognized for it. Work hard and people take notice.

Her most memorable moment on board has been hearing her name called over the 1-MC for Bluejacket of the Quarter.

Thomas’ tips for success are to not lose your ambition or drive, don’t settle, and never limit yourself.

She joined right after high-school and hasn’t had a lot of time to develop hobbies, but while she was in school she was in cheer and track.

STEPS FOR SUCCESS:

If you accept mediocrity, mediocrity will be the norm.

- MA1 Clay Marrs

Don’t expect to be given anything, be kind, and show

respect up and down the chain of command.

- IS2 Justin Bonnie

Take initiative, plan ahead, and be thorough

- HM3 Danielle Smith

Don’t lose your ambition, don’t settle, and never limit yourself.

- QMSN Treonia Thomas

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S A I L O R S o f t h e Q U A R T E RSOTQ

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EclipseCrossword.com

2. Fixed wing aircraft used for electronic attack, warfare.3. How many separations are in the Navy?4. The acronym RADAR stands for Radio Detection And _______.6. Fixed wing aircraft used for cargo and personnel transport.7. The failure of a primer to ignite when firing action is initiated is a ____ fire.12. Man Overboard flag.

DOWNACROSS1. Personnel Recall flag.5. Fixed wing aircraft used for electronic surveillance, early warning.8. How many areas comprise the Naval Doctrine?9. What is the name of the crash and salvage crane?10. An accidental-delayed ignition of the primer, igniter, or propelling charge is a ____ fire.11. Fixed wing aircraft used for fighter/attack, ecort.

Geedunk: Gum, snacks, junk food or paraphenelia bought from the ship’s store.

navy jargon

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WHAT JARGONDO YOU KNOW?

How toDo It

PHYSICAL FITNESSFITNESS

SCULPT YOUR BODY

YogaRevolved Low Lunge with Twist (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)

JUL14

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Yoga

TIPS&TRICKS

Yoga benefits your body in a number of ways. The most obvious benefit is flexibility, but did you know it can also serve as a way to strengthen your core, legs, and arms in the form of lean muscle. Yoga also improves balance, joint health, breathing techniques and can help prevent many types of pain.

*What makes yoga, yoga...continuing to breathe during the poses. For example, think of holding a pose on your inhale and moving/changing positions as you exhale.

STEP ONEStand with feet hip width apart, fold forward reaching towards your toes.

STEP TWOInhale your breath and as you exhale, step your right foot behind you into a low lunge and place your hands on either side of your front foot. Make sure your left knee is directly over your left ankle and bend your back knee to where it touches the floor.

STEP THREEPlace right hand next to left foot, left hand on left knee and begin to rotate core towards the left. As you stack your left shoulder over your right, extend your left hand to the sky.

STEP FOURHold for 8-10 seconds, continuing to breathe, and then step right foot to meet the left back to standing. Repeat on opposite side.

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Yoga Poses for the Non-Flexible

DEPLOYMENT 2014

FREEDOM AT

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