journal 012314

Vol. 26 No. 3 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ January 23, 2014

By Mass CommunicationSpecialist 2nd ClassJohn K. Hamilton

NSAB Public Affairsstaff writer

The Warrior Transition Bri-gade (WTB) National CapitalRegion (NCR) held a change ofcommand ceremony recogniz-ing Col. Michelle M. Fraley’saccomplishments and wishedher Godspeed, while welcom-ing Col. Dana S. Tankins as thenew commander of the WTB.

The WTB was activatedApril 25, 2007 to provide com-mand and control primary careand case management for Sol-diers in transition. It estab-lishes the conditions for theircare and healing, and promotestheir timely return to the forceor transition to civilian life. TheWTB was the first of the Army’snew warrior transition units,spearheading transformationin warrior care throughout theArmy.

The ceremony began withoverwhelming words of praisefor Fraley’s many accomplish-ments as commander of theWTB by Northern RegionalMedical Command, Command-ing General, Maj. Gen. M. TedWong.

“A mission as tough as thisrequires a leader who is equal-ly as tough and that would beCol. Fraley,” said Wong. “Herexperience as a commander atall levels and as a staff officerin key assignments in joint,Department of the Army andDepartment of Defense levels,have really prepared her wellto take on the challenges shefaced as a commander of theArmy’s highest profile WarriorTransition Unit and she did aphenomenal job.

“During her tenure, Michelleimplemented procedures andenforced regulatory compli-ance that ensured the safetyand welfare of wounded war-riors and their families, whileimproving the efficiency andresiliency of the staff to help

advance the care of woundedwarriors,” added Wong. “Shewas affectionately known as‘Wonder Woman’ for her abilityto solve huge problems.”

Fraley was not the only onedue for acknowledgment, asWong recognized the forwardmomentum in health care stan-dards that Walter Reed Nation-al Military Medical Center andNaval Support Activity Bethes-da continue to strive for daily.

“It’s fitting that we conductthis change of command onthis campus, a campus thathas a long and distinguishedhistory of healing warriors, acampus that is now a strategicsite where much of the futureof military medicine is being

developed, defined and demon-strated,” he added. “It’s a cam-pus where Soldiers and theirfamilies who have made greatsacrifices are healed. Everyday,Soldiers in the WTB NCR arereaching levels of recovery un-imaginable in past conflicts.”

As Fraley took the podiumto deliver her last addressto her former command, shemade sure to leave with themwords from a great leader whoinspired her during her career.

“Gen. Colin Powell remindsus, ‘the day your Soldiers stopbringing you their problems,is the day you stopped lead-ing them. They have either lost

WTB: ‘Wonder Woman’ Bids Farewell, ‘Superman’ Begins Training

(Center) Army Col. Dana S. Tankins prepares to receive the Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB) NationalCapital Region (NCR) guidon, which signifies his acceptance as the new commanding officer, during the WTBchange of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bethesda in Building 17’s gym, Jan. 17.

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton

(From left) Col. Michelle M. Fraley, outgoing com-mander of the WTB; Maj. Gen. M. Ted Wong Com-manding General, Northern Regional Medical Com-mand Chief and Col. Dana S. Tankins, incoming com-mander of WTB NCR, salute the colors during the na-tional anthem at the change of command ceremony.See BLOOD page 10

2 Thursday, January 23, 2014 The Journal

Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publi-cations, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Navy, under ex-clusive written contract with theWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md.This commercial enterprise news-paper is an authorized publication formembers of the military services. Contentsof The Journal are not necessarily the of-ficial views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, the Department of Defense,or the Department of Navy. The appearanceof advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department of De-fense or Comprint, Inc., of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made availablefor purchase, use or patronage without re-

gard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, maritalstatus, physical handicap,political affiliation, or anyother non-merit factor of thepurchaser, user, or patron.Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided bythe Public Affairs Office, Naval

Support Activity Bethesda, Md.News copy should be submitted to

the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lowerlevel, Room 41, by noon one week pre-ceding the desired publication date. Newsitems are welcomed from all installationsources. Inquiries about news copy will beanswered by calling 301-400-2488. Com-mercial advertising should be placed withthe publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800.Publisher’s advertising offices are locatedat 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md.20877. Classified ads can be placed by call-ing 301-670-1700.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) BethesdaCommanding Officer: Capt. David A. BitontiActing Public Affairs Officer NSAB: John EppersonPublic Affairs Office NSAB: 301-400-2488

Journal StaffStaff Writers Sarah Marshall

Sharon Renee TaylorCat DeBinderRyan HunterKatie MolletKatrina Skinner

Managing Editor MC2 John Hamilton

NSABEditor MC3 BrandonWilliams-ChurchWRNMMC Editor Bernard Little

Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations 301-295-5727Fleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087

NSAB Ombudsman

Michelle Herrera 240-370-5421

Sexual Assault Response

Coordinator Hotline 301-442-2053

Visit us on Facebook:Naval Support Activity Bethesda page:

https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda

Walter Reed National Medical Center page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Reed-

National-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107

Uniformed Services University of the Health

Sciences page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-Health-

Sciences/96338890888?fref=ts

Responsibility for fosteringa climate intolerant of sexualassault lies with our frontlineleaders, our commanding of-ficers (CO). They, along withtheir executive officers andSenior Enlisted Advisors,have the responsibility of cre-ating a professional commandclimate that will not tolerate,condone or ignore sexist lan-guage and behavior, hazing,sexual harassment and sexu-al assault. They ensure everySailor and every victim who reports sexu-al assault is treated with dignity, respectand professionalism. In that vein, we arenow taking the following actions:

• Designating a Flag Officer as theSexual Assault Prevention Response(SAPR) program leader for each installa-tion/Fleet Concentration area reportingto the Fleet Commander.

• Encouraging community outreachand engagement by every region com-mand and base CO.

• Holding monthly coordination meet-ings between the regional Flag Officer,Naval Criminal Investigative Service(NCIS), legal office and regional SexualAssault Response Coordinators (SARC).

• Making changes made to Fitrep/Eval Instructions to stress evaluationof the individual on his or her characterand contribution to command or organi-zational climate.

• Dedicating SAPR officers (O-4 orabove) at 16 Echelon II, type commander,and systems command.

• Ensuring command climate sur-veys are completed within 90 days of aCO assuming command and annuallythereafter. The results are automaticallydelivered to the immediate superior incommand (ISIC) and debriefed by theunit CO to the ISIC and to his or her owncommand.

• Improving special victim capabil-ity, by closing collaboration early andthroughout the process among SARCs,victim advocates, NCIS investigators,

prosecutors and Victims’Legal Counsel (VLC) toimprove victim supportand advocacy, as wellas the investigation anddisciplinary options tohold perpetrators ap-propriately accountable.

This program was es-tablished to provide legalcounsel and, as appropri-ate, advocacy for victims.Navy VLCs will helpprotect victims’ rights

through the investigative and adjudica-tive stages of the military justice system.We expect the VLC program will improvethe number of victims who fully partici-pate in the system from initial report,through investigation, to adjudication.

• Improving sexual assault and com-plex-case training for all Judge AdvocateGeneral prosecutors.

• Producing a monthly publicationof the results of all Navy courts-martialfleet-wide.

Using key metrics, we measure theseefforts: The number of cases investi-gated (this will match the number ofunrestricted reports made), the numberof completed investigations that havecommand action taken and the numberof victims who convert from restrictedto unrestricted reports after consultingwith a VLC.

Shipmates, plain and simple, this isserious business. Sexual assault has noplace in our Navy! Each one of us has arole to play in preventing it. Hopefullythe numbers, or at least their magnitude,will stick with you and demonstrate justhow much our Navy is doing to eliminatesexual assault. Moving ahead, the onlynumber that will matter is zero. Zerovictims, zero events, zero perpetrators.I need your help; your shipmates needyour help. Let’s go after this together!

Rear Adm. Sean S. BuckDirector, Twenty-FirstCentury Sailor Office

Bottom Line: Zero! MLK Jr., Observance TodayThe Bethesda Multicultural Committee will

host an observance celebrating the birthdayof Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., today at 11:30a.m. in the atrium (piano area) of the AmericaBuilding. The event will feature performanc-es by staff members, cake and refreshments.Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.For more information, contact Lt. Irina Romanat 301-319-0177.

Tame the Tobacco CraveCalling all tobacco users at Walter Reed

Bethesda. It’s time to “Tame the Crave.” TheSurgeon General has determined tobacco use isthe most preventable cause of illness and death.Walter Reed Bethesda’s Integrated HealthServices-Internal Medicine Department willhost a tobacco cessation program on Jan. 30 at1 p.m. in the America Building’s Room 2525A.The program will address the base’s policy re-garding designated tobacco-use areas (which ifviolated can result in disciplinary action); nico-tine replacement therapies such as patches,gum and medications; behavioral techniquesto curb cravings; and electronic cigarettes. Allare welcome to attend. For more information orto register, call 301-295-8773, 301-295-0105, orcontact [email protected].

Dental Fair NearsFebruary is National Children Dental Health

Month and the Pediatric Dental Clinics atWalter Reed National Military Medical Centerand Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS)will host a dental fair on Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2p.m. in the America Building Pediatrics Clinicon the 4th floor. Staff from the clinics will per-form oral screenings and care assessmentsduring the event, which will also include facepainting, storytelling, games and informationfor teaching children good oral hygiene hab-its. For more information, call NPDS, PediatricDentistry or Frederick Wynne at 301-295-1364.

Bethesda Notebook

The Journal Thursday, January 23, 2014 3

By Cheryl PellerinAmerican Forces Press

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hon-ored the legacy and memory of MartinLuther King Jr. at the Pentagon’s an-nual MLK Day observance, Jan. 16.

Joining the secretary to give theevent’s keynote speech was Army Col.Gregory D. Gadson, who lost bothlegs above the knee and suffered se-vere arm and hand injuries during histhird deployment to Iraq. Gadson nowserves as garrison commander of FortBelvoir, Va.

King was an American pastor, activ-ist, humanitarian and leader in theAfrican-American Civil Rights Move-ment who was assassinated in 1968 inMemphis, Tenn. In 1964, King receivedthe Nobel Peace Prize for combatingracial inequality through nonviolenceand was posthumously awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom and theCongressional Gold Medal. Martin Lu-ther King Jr. Day was established as aU.S. federal holiday in 1986.

“The rights that make America free,rights that this department protectsand defends, come with heavy respon-sibilities like taking care of our people,looking out for one another and lend-ing a hand to those in need. Martin Lu-ther King knew that,” Hagel told theaudience.

King knew that no matter how oneserves, the secretary added, serviceis ultimately about people, hope for abetter life, a better world and “throughall the struggles and sacrifices turningthat hope into reality.”

King “was a man of vision, a manof passion, a man of commitment” wholeft a powerful legacy, the secretarysaid.

He dedicated his life to a cause larg-er than his own self-interest, a causethat would spread across our nationand around the globe,” Hagel said ofthe late civil rights leader.

Then Hagel addressed Gadson.“What your life has represented,

what you continue to do for this coun-try is pretty special. Your sacrifices, Ithink we all agree, define the power ofthe human spirit and we are especiallyhonored to have you here today, as wecelebrate Martin Luther King Day.”

Hagel said he was serving in Viet-nam in 1968 with his brother Tomwhen he heard about King’s death.

“Everyone was silent,” the secretaryrecalled. The tragedy, he said, threat-ened to deepen a racial divide thatwas already hurting the morale andeffectiveness of his unit and others inVietnam.

“I recall the courage of our companycommander in Vietnam, [Army] Lt. Je-rome Johnson. He was a 23-year-oldAfrican American from Chicago whowas drafted into the Army. He wentto [Officer Candidate School]. Soonthereafter he was in Vietnam. His old-er brother had been killed in Vietnamthe year before,” Hagel added.

Johnson was one of the most effec-tive leaders Hagel had ever seen, thesecretary said, and at a time whenracial problems plagued the Army inVietnam, Johnson brought black andwhite soldiers together.

“He made clear to all of us that thiswas everybody’s fight, that we weregoing to fight together, that we wereall Americans,” Hagel said. “Today, 45years later, Lt. Johnson’s words stillring very true.”

Everyone in the Pentagon and thedepartment knows that serving to-gether means fighting together, headded, and that military membersserve knowing that diversity is at theheart of each service’s strength.

“As Dr. King said, ‘Everybody canbe great because everybody can serve.You don’t have to have a college degreeto serve. You don’t have to make yoursubject and your verb agree to serve …You only need a heart full of grace and

a soul generated by love.’”Hagel said Gadson is an example of

that.“Even after he sacrificed so much

for his country, he refused to let ad-versity keep him down,” Hagel saidof Gadson. “Instead, he continued toserve because, as he once said, ‘Ourlives should not be about what’s in itfor ourselves, but really what we haveto offer to our society.’”

After Hagel and his brother re-turned from Vietnam, he said he losttouch with Lt. Johnson and tried un-successfully for years to find him.

“But I found that it’s easier to findpeople when you’re Secretary of De-fense,” Hagel said as laughter eruptedfrom the audience, “and last week, af-

ter 45 years, Lt. Johnson and I finallyreconnected. It was a humbling mo-ment for me.”

Hagel said Johnson was one of thebest military officers he’s ever known,but first he was a remarkable humanbeing who believed all people shouldbe treated equally and with respect,just as King and Gadson have livedthat belief.

“Today as we celebrate Martin Lu-ther King’s birthday and as we serveour nation and each other, let us re-commit ourselves to realizing MartinLuther King’s vision — the vision ofCol. Gadson, of Lt. Johnson, and of allwho believe in our country, and all whobelieve in each other,” the secretarysaid.

Hagel, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Lead MLK Remembrance Event

U.S. Army photo

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, speaks with Army Col. Greg-ory D. Gadson, the garrison commmander of Fort Belvoir, Va., be-fore the Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at the Pentagon, Jan. 16.


01041282


By Cat DeBinderWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

“Caring is what we do best,”is a motto for Walter Reed Na-tional Military Medical Center(WRNMMC). Although this isa given every day for nurseshere, each month the nation’smedical center honors one of itsnurses with the DAISY Awardfor extraordinary nurses, andEnsign Samantha Diggs earnedthe honor for November.Diggs, who works onboard 3

Center (3-C), was presented theaward among her colleagues, bythe Director of Nursing, ArmyCol. Risa Ware.Brig. Gen. Jeffrey B. Clark,

WRNMMC director, was also onhand to congratulate the nurseand salute all of the WRNMMCstaff.“We see a lot of patients, one

at a time – one patient at atime, one family at a time,” saidClark. “What we get to do is apleasure – it’s called a ‘profes-sion; not a job,’” he added. “Wedo three things at Walter ReedBethesda: accomplish our mis-sion; take care of each other;take care of our families.”

“I was stoked, humbled, andappreciative,” said Diggs of theaccolades. She also admitted tonot being “a big fan of being inthe spotlight.”She received the Healer’s

Touch sculpture, made of ser-pentine stone and awarded toeach DAISY winner. The sculp-tures are each hand-carved bya Shona artist in Zimbabwe,where the Shona people have“profound respect for their tra-ditional healers, who are re-garded as treasures by thosethey care for,” explained JoanLoepkerDuncan, a WRNMMCnurse and organizer for theDAISY program. She andWare,said these are the same senti-ments of WRNMMC patientsand staff for our nurses.Diggs was nominated for the

DAISY award by the daughterof a patient, who wishes to re-main anonymous. The patientsuffered a major heart at-tack following a 17-hour flightfrom Landstuhl, Germany toWRNMMC.“He was in pain and just

couldn’t get comfortable or set-tled,” said the patient’s daugh-ter. [Diggs] comforted him forfour hours until he was able to

calm down and go to sleep,” sheadded.The patient’s daughter said

Diggs “showed absolute com-mitment and extraordinarycompassion, which [the daugh-ter] had never before witnessedin a hospital setting. I was re-lieved to know that my dad wasin such good hands, and thatshe was by his side through thenight,” she said.For her part, Diggs said she

was surprised by the nomina-tion, explaining, “I didn’t thinkI had made such an impact onthat family.”In the Navy for less than

two years, Diggs said one of thebiggest rewards she gets fromnursing is “seeing patients getbetter and healthier. It’s alsonice to work with the familiesand keep everyone at ease.”Ensign Heather Ingalls, also

of 3-C, and Caryn Jaffe, of 3West, were also nominated forDecember’s DAISY Award.The family of Patrick Barnes

established the DAISY (anacronym for Diseases At-tacking the Immune System)award following his death

Walter Reed Bethesda Salutes Nurse with DAISY Award

Photo by Cat DeBinder

Ensign Samantha Diggs, the honoree for the Novem-ber DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, holdsthe certificate and Healer’s Touch sculpture sheearned for providing skilled and compassionate careto patients at Walter Reed National Military MedicalCenter.See DAISY page 8

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By Sharon Renee TaylorWRNMMC Public Affairs

staff writer

Nine services at Walter ReedNational Military Medical Cen-ter (WRNMMC) have mergedto form the new Department ofPublic Health at the nation’smedical center.

The merger, completed in Oc-tober 2013, combined parallelmissions and resources, suchas personnel and informationtechnology, to avoid duplica-tion and maximize efficiency,according to Navy Lt. Cmdr.Daron Patton, public healthoperations officer. The new de-partment has a regional mis-sion, he said.

The Public Health Depart-ment provides services for bothArmy and Navy commandsthroughout the National Capi-tal Region: including NavalSupport Activity Bethesda, thePentagon,Army Research Labo-ratory in Adelphi, Md., and U.S.Army Fort Detrick Forest GlenAnnex (along with its tenantcommands), Patton explained.The department also supports

military sites from Fort Eustisand Fort Lee in southern Vir-ginia, to as far north as FortDrum and West Point, both inupstate New York.

“We cross-train our staff tohelp each site meet its service-or joint-specific regulations,”Patton said. “We support allbranches.”

The Public Health Depart-ment began the transition on

July 1, 2013, after a review ofFort Belvoir Community Hospi-tal and previous arrangementsfrom the former Walter ReedArmy Medical Center and for-mer National Naval MedicalCenter, Patton explained.

“Over the last four years, theface of Public Health at [themedical center] has changeddramatically,” said Navy Cmdr.(Dr.) Shawn Clausen, the pre-

ventive medicine officer forWRNMMC.

Occupational Health, PublicHealth Nursing, Clinical Pre-ventive Medicine, IndustrialHygiene, Occupational Audi-ology, the Physical ReadinessTraining Office, EnvironmentalHealth Services and RadiationSafety form the new Depart-ment of Public Health, alongwith the Command Safety of-fice. The new department fallsunder the Director for ClinicalSupport Services.

“With the standing up ofthe Patient Centered MedicalHome, many of the depart-ments under Public Healthwere moved to other director-ates. In addition, a new directpatient care requirement bythe [Accreditation Council ofGraduate Medical Education]required that we incorporatea strong preventive medicinecurriculum within the Pub-lic Health Department,” saidClausen, who was instrumen-tal in the initial organization ofthe new department during thetransition period. According toArmy Col. Casmere Taylor, whoserves as department chief for

the new public health depart-ment, Cmdr. Clausen was acritical piece in the successfulmerger.

“The future of PublicHealth at WRNMMC is evolv-ing against the backdrop of achanging healthcare deliverymodel,” Taylor explained.

The new Department of Pub-lic Health is aligned with theReadiness Pillar of the medicalcenter’s Strategic Plan for a fitand healthy force, as well asMilitary Health System’s Qua-druple Aim, for readiness andpopulation health, Taylor said.

“The new organizationalalignment will allow us to seekout the most innovative broad-based public health solutionsthat are backed by both sci-ence as well as research.” Tay-lor added. “It will allow us tomove into the mainstream dia-logue and build momentum forchange. If we can address themost pressing health issues [aswell as] improve the well-beingof our patients, workforce andcommunity — one policy at atime — then we have done ourjob as a department.”

Regional Mission Brings New Changes to Public Health

Courtesy photo

Nine services at Walter Reed National Military Medi-cal Center have merged to form the new Departmentof Public Health, giving the department a regionalmission focused on innovative broad-based publichealth solutions backed by science and research.


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6 Thursday, January 23, 2014 The Journal The Journal Thursday, January 23, 2014 7

By Chief Mass Communication SpecialistChristopher E. TuckerDefense Media Activity

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Brian Whitaker sawrecruiting duty as a chance to be close to home. Witha three-year-old daughter and coming off four-and-a-half years of sea duty aboard USS George Washington(CVN 73), he wanted a chance to spend some timefocused on his family.

So when he entered his detailing window, he askedif there was a recruiting billet close to Richmond, Va.He was in luck. There was a billet in Fairfax, only 100miles north of his hometown, but he had to qualify.

“My daughter was with me in Japan, and I wantedher to get to know her aunts, uncles - get to knowher family,” Whitaker said. “I wanted to spend a littlemore time with her on shore duty as well.”

Fortunately, he was a top-notch Sailor with solidevaluations and no physical fitness shortcomings. Hischain of command endorsed his special-duty screen-ing package.

Whitaker is one of literally thousands of Sailorsfrom the fleet who are selling the Navy to poten-tial recruits around the country, and in some casesaround the world. (The Navy has recruiting stationsin Guam, Europe and Japan.)

In fiscal year 2013, Navy recruiters brought 40,681enlisted Sailors into the Navy across 1,450 recruitingstations. The vast majority of these recruiters are justlike Whitaker, fleet Sailors who take special duty andwork outside of their rating. (Whitaker is a NATOSea Sparrow missile technician by training.)

For some Sailors, the transition from fleet Sailorto recruiter might be a breeze, especially if they arenaturally outgoing and have an extrovert personality.For others, like Whitaker, learning the art of sales-manship can be a bit more challenging.

“It was a difficult transition, especially for me,”said Whitaker. “I really didn’t have any experience insales before recruiting. The only training I receivedwas the one-month course the Navy offers in Pensac-ola, Fla.”

Whitaker said his challenge was learning to listento people when he talked to them about the Navy;learning to have a conversation. He also had to learnthe finer points of public speaking. He said it tookhim about three months to begin to feel comfortablewith the job.

“People are looking for information about the Navyfor a reason,” he said. “I’m not going to figure outwhat they want if I’m just rambling on about why Ijoined the Navy or how my time has been. [I’ll never]find out those reasons without me paying attention towhat it is exactly they need.”

Three-and-a-half years later, Whitaker is now oneof his recruiting district’s top recruiters. In fact, hewas credited with being the number two recruiter forbringing in candidates into the Navy’s special war-fare program. During his tour, he was responsible forbringing more than 70 people into the Navy.

“He is my best recruiter. He always strives toachieve,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Charon Bing-ham, the leading petty officer for Navy RecruitingStation (NRS) Fairfax. “He’s always the one that goesout and makes up for where we fall short.”

At NRS Fairfax,Whitaker works with three recruit-ers and a leading chief petty officer. On a typical day,(Whitaker said there are no typical days in recruitingbecause every future Sailor presents a unique set ofcircumstances,) he gets visits from people who are invarious stages of joining. Some people just want basicinformation; others are trying to get their personalaffairs in order to meet Navy requirements.

Each time a future Sailor visits the station, Whita-ker goes over a checklist on what stage of the processthey are in - he reviews with them the 11 generalmilitary orders, facing movements, Navy ranks, andchecks height and weight to make sure the futureSailor will be within standards when he or she “shipsout.”

Other days, he finds himself visiting a nearbyschool to talk to students during lunchtime, or es-corting a future Sailor to the Military Entrance Pro-cessing Station (MEPS) at Fort Lee, Va., to meet withmedical screeners. While the hours can be unpredict-able at times, Whitaker said the effort is worth it.

“I would really love to run into some of my Sailorsin the fleet,” said Whitaker. “I feel like I’ve put somequality Sailors in the Navy.”

For every six people he talks to about the Navy,Whitaker said he may find one qualified applicant.

On a wall at the Fairfax recruiting office is a sta-tus board that has the chain of command for futureSailors enrolled in the delayed entry program. Thereis also a stack of about 20 letters posted on the boardfrom recruits at Recruit Training Command thankingWhitaker for helping them get in the Navy, and let-ting him know how they are adjusting.

“That’s a feeling you can’t get from a paycheck,”Whitaker said. “I love it.. It feels like I always getthose letters on those days I’m coming from MEPSat 9 p.m. [with someone who] wasn’t able to get in.That’s the best feeling; they’re simply saying ‘Thankyou.’”

Know Your AudienceThe Fairfax, Va., area is one of the most affluent

areas in the nation. In 2009, it was listed as numberthree on Forbes’ list of “Top 25 Towns to Live Well.”With a median income around $86,000, recruiting inFairfax presents its own unique challenges.

“How do you entice an applicant [here] who haseverything he needs and everything he wants? Hecertainly doesn’t need a scholarship,” said Lt. Cmdr.Lily Burchill, the division officer for Division 4, whichencompasses Washington, DC, Fairfax, Silver Springand Gaithersburg, Md. “Well, money can’t buy a chal-lenge or facing that leadership challenge and risingto the occasion. That’s what [the Navy] offers.” Bing-ham agreed that it’s about tapping into the person’sneeds and desires.

“You have to listen,” she said. “If you don’t listen,somewhere in that conversation the applicant is go-ing to say a need. If you don’t listen, you’re never go-ing to find out the applicant’s need.”

Making a Successful RecruiterFor Sailors considering recruiting, the recruiters in

the Northern Virginia region offered some advice onwhat type of person makes someone successful..

“It’s not a normal shore duty,” said Bingham. “It’s

not a 9-to-5, 7-to-3, or a watch bill. It’s a self-paced,self-motivated duty. You have to want to be here.”

Burchill added that those who are not enthusias-tic about the Navy should not apply for recruitingduty.

“You have to love the Navy. You have to believe init,” said Burchill. “This is not a job, it’s a lifestyle,it’s a career. You’re the face of the Navy itself. Peoplewill quickly see through someone who is faking it.If you don’t really buy in, you’re never going to bea successful recruiter. You have to believe in yourproduct, and our product is the Navy.”

Chief Navy Counselor Jide Azeez, the divisionleading chief petty officer for Division 4, said re-cruiting duty needs Sailors who are self-starters anddon’t require someone constantly looking over theirshoulder.

“This job requires you to follow up with people,”said Azeez. “You talk to people who have very little

understanding about the Navy, and sometimes youhave to help them understand what the Navy has tooffer them.”

For Whitaker, he’s wrapping up his tour as a re-cruiter and excited to return to the fleet. His nextduty will be to attend C-school to become a RollingAirframe Missile technician with a follow-on assign-ment to a ship.

Sailors who find they love recruiting can request

to cross rate into the career recruiting force to be-come a Navy counselor (career recruiter). Currently,the NC(CRF) rating is at 85 percent manning, andthe field is taking applications for conversion intospecific year groups.

Sailors around the fleet interested in recruitingduty should talk to their chain of command, theircommand career counselor and their detailer.

Finding Tomorrow’s Sailors

The Benefits of Recruiting Duty

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Laird

Fire Controlman 2nd Class (FC2) Brian Whitaker, a Navy recruiter stationed at Navy Re-cruiting Station Fairfax walks with a future Sailor after he took the oath of enlistment andofficially entered the delayed entry program at the military entrance processing station atFort Lee, Va.

FC2 Whitaker, goes over paperwork with Daniel J. Roy, a recruit candidate in the delayedentry program.

FC2 Whitaker, speaks to a student duringa visit to Herndon High School in NorthernVirginia.

FC2 Whitaker, records the height and weight of Nick Lipnicky, a recruit candidate in the delayed entry program (DEP.) Individuals in theDEP program attend monthly meetings with their recruiters to prepare them for Recruit Training Command.


from an autoimmune disease in 1999.The award and foundation were estab-lished to show the appreciation felt bythe Barnes family for the nursing carePatrick received during his hospital-ization. Since its inception, there have

been 30,000 nurses nominated for theaward by their patients, patient’s fami-lies and colleagues, at more than 1,600healthcare facilities around the world.

Bonnie Barnes, DAISY cofounder andstepmother of Patrick, said, “Nurses arethe unsung heroes of health care; de-livering clinical skill with compassion,kindness and sensitivity to patientsand their families.”

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confidence that you can help or conclud-ed you do not care. Either case is a fail-ure of leadership,’” said Fraley. “I wantto give my personal thanks to Lt. Gen.Horoho, Lt. Gen. Linnington, Maj. Gen.Wong, Maj. Gen. Buchanan, Gen. Bish-op and Gen. Kutz for their leadershipand coaching to allow us to address ourwounded, ill and injured Soldiers andcaregivers’ concerns, despite the factthat sometimes the problems took thescenic route through the White House,the Pentagon or members of Congressand even Fox News.”

The outgoing commander suggestedthat the mission of helping wounded,ill and injured Soldiers could not havebeen completed without the help of astrong and supportive team.

“It was a privilege to have been se-lected to command for a sixth time inour military career. My husband Tomand I were honored to have this op-portunity again,” said Fraley. “After27 years of marriage we have had thegood fortune to grow as a couple whilehelping others. We came into commandknowing that we share this respon-sibility with an exceptional staff ofhealth care providers, chaplains, socialworkers, counselors and mission com-mand cadre members, who touch theeveryday lives of our wounded, ill and

injured Soldiers and family members.Our nation’s [ability] to take care of ourwounded, ill and injured Soldiers is ateam effort.”

Tankins, the incoming commanderfor WTB, assured his new team that hewas well aware of the challenges his

new position would present, but putthem at ease as he insisted he was upfor the task.

“Over the years I have heard thatold age question, ‘what comes first, theSoldiers or the mission?’ Well in thisposition it all comes together,” saidTankins. “The sole mission is takingcare of our Soldiers ... to heal, edu-cate and transition, wounded, ill andinjured Soldiers back to the force orprepare them to serve as productiveveterans.

“I cannot think of a more importantmission in the Army,” he added. “I willdo everything in my capacity and lever-age every resource available to accom-

plish it. And along with my wife Joy, wewill put the same effort into supportingtheir families.”

Tankins thanked the Soldiers intransition at the WTB for their serviceand sacrifice and ensured that he woulddo the same for them - serve and sac-rifice.

“I promise to provide you with thebest service and support possible andwill not rest until that standard is met,”said Tankins. “The strength of our na-tion is our Army, the strength of ourArmy is our Soldiers and the Strengthof our Soldiers is our families. This iswhat makes our force Army strong.Heal, educate and transition.”

Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton

Col. Dana S. Tankins, commander, WTB NCR takes to the podium to deliver his first of many wordsto his team as the new commanding officer of the WTB NCR.

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