SN Joe NavyDept:___ / Div: ___USS BataaN LHD5Fpo ae 09554-1657

Temperatures in the Norfolk area are not just uncomfortable; they can be dangerous to the health of Sailors without proper preparation. Working in spaces like the ship’s laundry, galley, engineering, or on the flight deck can increase the likeliness of a heat-related casualty.

USS Bataan’s first line of defense to heat casualties is the heat stress program. During surveys, a variety of measurements including dry bulb (DB), wet bulb (WB), relative humidity (RH), and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) are taken. Based on the numbers, Sailors are limited to how long they can work in certain spaces.

“We make sure the Sailors that work in each space are working in a safe environment,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Griselda Cuevas, who monitors the automated heat stress system

DoD Mailing Procedures Change, Must Use Zip+4By MCSN Mark Hays

Beating Norfolk’s Summer HeatBy MC3 Erik Foster

Photo by MCSN Mark Hays

As part of this effort, new procedures affecting configuration of mobile Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses have been implemented to completely leverage automated mail sorting equipment and reduce manual sorting workload.”

According to Mabus, “Service members must ensure all correspondence, personal and professional, are aware of and use the full complete nine-digit ZIP Code.”

ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) since 1963. The term ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan. All U.S. addresses have a standard five-digit ZIP code that informs the postal service of the area of the country and the post office where mail is received. In 1983, the USPS added four-digits to ZIP codes to help further pinpoint a recipients location.

Bataan offers many resources to help Sailors accurately send and receive mail. New Sailors checking aboard receive a

July 26, 2013Volume: 1 Issue: 6

Look Inside! First Pitch, Page 2 | August Calendar, Page 3 | Surf Club Comes to Bataan, Page 6 | NWU Wear Mistakes, Page 8

Summer Heat cont. on page 7

card to fill out with the correct mailing address on it. Also there are extra cards available in the Post Office.

“We have 1000 new mail cards in the Post Office with the nine-digit ZIP code on them,” said Anderson. “There is no reason Sailors should miss out.”

Bataan’s nine-digit ZIP code is 09554-1657.

The ALNAV message is available on the BUPERS website at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/D o c u m e n t s / A L N AV S / A L N 2 0 1 3 /ALN13047.txt.

Effective March 13, family, friends, and businesses sending mail to USS Bataan (LHD 5) Sailors must use a nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery. This change was announced in ALNAV 047/13, a message released July 12 by Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus.

Every ship, squadron and detachment has been assigned a unique nine-digit number for all classes of mail. Mail not addressed to Bataan Sailors correctly, will be returned to the sender as undeliverable.

“The United States Postal Service will return mail that doesn’t have the ZIP code (plus four),” said Chief Logistics Specialist Benjamin Anderson. “The military has nothing to do with this.”

According to the ALNAV message, “The United States Postal Service (USPS) is resizing military mail processing operations from two coastal locations to one located in Chicago, Ill. to gain efficiencies in military mail delivery.

Photo by MCSN Nicholas Cottone

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Navy TriviaRating Badges: In 1841, an insignia called “a distinguishing mark” was first prescribed as part of the official uniform. An eagle and anchor emblem, forerunner of the rating badge, was the first distinguishing mark. In 1886, rating badges were established, and some 15 speciality marks were also provided to cover the various ratings. On April 1, 1893, Petty Officers were reclassified and the rating of Chief Petty Officer was established. Until 1949, rating badges were worn on the right or left sleeve, depending on whether the person concerned was on the starboard or port watch. Since February 1948, all distinguishing marks have been worn on the left sleeve between the shoulder and elbow.

“You are all Gridley”

~Rear Adm. Robert O. Wray, Jr.

JULY

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ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4

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BATAAN DAY AT BUSCH GARDENS

ZUMBA 1000, MAG 4DEGLAM DAY

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SAPR AWARENESS

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SAPR AWARENESS

SURF CLUB 0830

SAPR AWARENESS

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Photo by ET3 Eric Diaz

Photo by ET2 Thien Nguyen

Sailors aboard USS Bataan have found an alternative way to relieve excess stress, enjoy some fun exercise and get a tan.

Usually twice a month, Bataan Sailors meet at beaches around the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area to participate in Bataan’s newest MWR group, the Surf Club.

“The Surf Club was started to inform new Sailors that surfing is an option that you can choose relatively close to the base,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Thien Nguyen. “We hope everyone realizes this is something positive they can do with their time off from work.”

Starting out with only a few members who surfed before they joined the Navy, the club now has both enlisted and officers who come out to try a new experience. Open to all crew members and their families, attendance is rising each time the group goes out to surf.

When the club first started, there were only three Sailors involved and now the club has grown to fourty plus, said Nguyen. It’s an official MWR club aboard

the ship since April of this year.The plan for the club in the short term

is encouraging as many people as possible to show up during the summer to raise the awareness about the club and hopefully get some people to come out in the fall and winter before deployment.

“Continuing to surf while on deployment and making surf outings when the ship pulls into liberty ports are some of the long term goals of the club,” Nguyen said

Nguyen added, surfing when the ship pulls into port is an important part of the club since there are almost always places to surf at many of the ports the ship should visit while deployed.

The club has four foam beginner boards and the group brings three of their personal boards for people who are interested in learning to surf.

Nyguyen added, the club is willing to drive anyone interested in coming out to surf. Look for future trips in the plan of the day, email messages, or contact ET2 Nguyen, ET3 Imbimbo, or MC3 Foster for more information.

By MCSN Nicholas Cottone

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 OfficerCaptain 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 BelangerMC1(SW/AW) RJ StratchkoMC2(SW/AW) Gary Prill

MC3 Erik Foster MCSN Mark HaysMCSN Nicholas Cottone

Layout and Design MCSN Nicholas Cottone

Editor MC1 RJ Stratchko

Surf Club Recruiting New Members

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Photo by MC2 Julio Rivera

for engineering and supply department.Heat stress can happen to Sailors outside

the engineering and supply departments. The following are descriptions of the various heat-related illnesses.

Heat rash occurs in hot/humid areas where sweat cannot evaporate easily. Signs and symptoms include a rash of small pink or red bumps, itching, irritation or prickly sensation.

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms and occur when there is a lack of salt in the body.

Hypernatremia is a metabolic condition where there is not enough salt in the body. Symptoms include abnormal mental status, confusion, headache nausea and vomiting.

Summer Heat Cont. from cover Heat exhaustion happens when a

person fails to replace water and/or salt from sweating. Symptoms include sweaty, weak, tired, giddy behavior, and clammy skin.

Heat stroke is a failure of the body to regulate its core temperature. It is uncommon but usually results in death.

“Sailors carry out operations involving high air temperature, strenuous physical activity, or radiant heat sources on a regular basis aboard Bataan,” said Cuevas. “So it’s part of a Sailor’s duty to stay well rested and well hydrated to minimize heat-related casualties aboard Bataan.”

For more safety information, visit www.safetycenter.navy.mil.