July/August

NASA Comes to San Diego

Capt. Chris Cassidy shareshis experiences aboard theInternational Space Station.

2014

FEATURE STORIES

ON THE COVER

15

SAN DIEGO- Astronaut and Navy SEAL Capt. Christopher J. Cassidy poses with children at Murphy Canyon Chapel during a Driven to Explore mobile multimedia exhibit. Cassidy led the children in exercises, signed autographs, and discussed what it is like to be an astronaut. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Black)

5

July/August

2 More Training, Less Water

Ordnance Paperwork Reducing Kit Tested at Seal Beach

3

Lemoore Strikes Back

9

Surviving An Active Shooter

7

11Destination Station

Camping With Allen

SNI Wind Turbines Closer to Completion

13

Ceremony Marks End of an Era for NMPS San Diego

Can I Kiss You?

4

CONTENTSjuly/august

Stories Around Region

JULY/AUGUST 20142 |

Northern Nevada is on its third year of drought conditions. With a major drought affecting the entire

west coast this year, the military’s use of water has become more than just an exercise in conservation. The Navy has set service goals to reduce our consumption of utilities by 3% each year, and most years, this doesn’t get much focus. But with a record low snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and with the entire State of California classified as drought conditions, Navy Region Southwest is pretty sensitive to how we are meeting those goals. When the NAS Fallon usage figures for June 2014 were briefed to Rear Admiral Patrick Lorge, the commander in charge of all naval installations in the six southwestern states, it was a shot of good news. The data for May showed the base usage of water delivered via the combined NAS Fallon/City of Fallon potable water system as 3,862,700 gallons, down from 5,373,800 the previous year. And while June was one of the best months in fiscal year 2014 when compared to the previous year, the strength of the local conservation efforts are remarkable in the context of the amount of training done at the base. On a normal workday, NAS Fallon has approximately 3000 people onboard. When Carrier Air Wings come through for training, that population can jump to over 5000. Due to budget issues and training schedules, 2013 did not have a very heavy throughput of training groups. 2014 has been a different story. The base has had an

almost constant air wing presence since January. From the year prior, jet fuel use has jumped 37%, and the “bed nights” for transient personnel barracks have increased 45%. This would normally lead to greater demand on the base utilities, so the June figures are a welcome surprise. While drought conditions have an immediate impact on surface water users in the Lahontan Valley, such as the local alfalfa farmers and dairymen, it doesn’t directly affect the Navy’s wells. The drinking water the base uses comes from the basalt aquifer, over 500’ below ground level. But the Navy’s approach to conservation is not driven by the drought. Continuing reductions in utility usage is a constant goal, and the results get briefed up the chain of command to Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) every month. “We’ve addressed most of the ‘low-hanging fruit’ as far as our conservation efforts are concerned” said Justin Sielsch, the Installation Energy Manager for NAS Fallon, “but there are some larger measures that can be implemented.” These include installing low-flow shower heads in the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites temporary billeting, and looking critically at the amount of grass in base housing. “Half of our water is used by the residents of base housing, and half of that, 25% of our total, goes to lawns.” Since the deploying air wings will continue to train at the base, every little bit of conservation helps.

By Zip Upham, Naval Air Station Fallon Public Affairs

JULY/AUGUST 20143 |Ask First, Respect the Answer

?By Maile Baca, Naval Base San Diego Public Affairs

Service members and civilians at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) participated in an open

discussion about sexual assault prevention, bystander intervention, survivor support, healthy dating, intimacy and marriage. The Date Safe Project’s “Can I Kiss You?” engaged the audience in tough topics ranging from why sexual assault and rape occurs to addressing intimacy and communication in marriage. Mike Domitrz, founder of The Date Safe Project, started his organization as a way to handle his anger and make a difference after his sister was raped in 1989. “I started speaking out in 1990, did it full time though college and then came back to this full time in 2002 and since then, I’ve been travelling the world and spreading these lessons and our mission.” Through the entire session, Sailors were able to dissect situations from the perpetrator, victim, and bystander viewpoints, asking questions and being given new tools for sexual assault situations discussed numerous times in power point or standard Navy training. “It was very innovative training, something totally different than we are use to. There was a lot of interactive participation, which I think draws Sailors in because it isn’t the normal dry training… death by power point or talking,” said Logistics Chief Petty Officer Shavonne Banks, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego. “I’ll take this back to my Sailors and actually will take this home as well.” Domitrz shared a four step program in preventing sexual assault. The first step is to identify the situation in order to prevent it and the second step is to connect to the scene. “You need to imagine the victim as a loved one so it becomes your problem,” stated Domitrz. The next steps are geared towards bystanders

uniting and actively intervening with the last step of remaining calm in the situation. Another major topic discussed was how to support victims after the incident. “You don’t want to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ it comes off as pity. You don’t want to say, ‘Who did it?’ It sounds like you are focused on the wrong person. Instead you want to look this person you care about deeply in the eyes and simply say, ‘Thank you so much for sharing. Clearly you are strong, you are courageous. What can I do to help?,’” shared Domitrz. The namesake of the presentation, “Can I Kiss You?” addressed why people are afraid of asking the simple question in an intimate situation. The discussion focused on the awkward factor and also the fear of rejection when asking the question. Domitrz offered alternative views of why asking to kiss someone is a good thing, what situations it can prevent and also how to answer a “no” response. “We need “how to” skills on how to ask for things,” said Domitrz. The training also goes beyond the typical dating or bar scene, it also translates to marriages. “It is information that enlightened me not only for work, but in my own marriage. Things I do that it made me aware of… how I approach my wife and it makes me want to improve my communication with her,” says Steelworker 2nd Class Terry Williams, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303. At the end of the training, audience members received blue bracelets with the words, “Ask First, Respect the Answer.” Sailors took time to walk up to Domitrz to share what they liked about the training and thank him for the new perspectives. “When I receive information like this, I like to apply it. This is something that should be in every sexual assault training,” commented Williams.

Can IKiss You

Navy Compass Magazine | 4 Ask First, Respect the Answer

U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kenneth Abbate

Ordnance Paperwork Reducing Kit Tested at Seal BeachBy Gregg Smith, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs

U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Eli J. Medellin

The tedious task of processing munitions records aboard Pacific Fleet warships may soon be a distant memory

following testing of the new Cruiser/Destroyer Automated Information Technology (AIT) kit at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The new system uses two-dimensional bar code technology to replace the “pen and paper” ordnance accounting common among surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers. The system, a product of the Naval Supply Systems Command’s Ordnance Information System enterprise, is expected to reduce accounting errors while dramatically streamlining the paperwork requirements for ships’ personnel. “Larger ships like aircraft carriers and amphibious vessels have had this capability for some time,” said Pacific Fleet ordnance program manager Mark Mentikov. “What has been lacking until now is a cost-effective way to get this system onto smaller fleet units.” The new system was tested aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) throughout the week of April 7 during regular ordnance transfer operations at the weapons station. The crew’s initial impressions were favorable. “The old way took lots of manual inputs, having to type everything in,” said Chief Gunner’s Mate Dion Eisman. “With this new system you just scan it and it automatically uploads into the system, so it saves the user plenty of time.” The AIT kits include everything needed to process munitions transfer records, from hand-held bar code scanners, printers and docking stations to cables and printer ribbons. Once set up, ship’s personnel can scan in and out ordnance items in the

same way that food products are scanned at a supermarket checkout. “This is much faster and more accurate because all of the numbers come up right on the screen,” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Alyssa Fessler, a USS Dewey crew member training on the system. “Verify what is on the screen with what is on the tag and you’re done. I hope that we can get this to every ship on the waterfront.” The kits will be located at five weapons stations and other ordnance hubs throughout the Pacific Fleet, and used by visiting ships,” said Navy Munitions Command CONUS West Division project manager Steve Braun. “We can save money by reusing a few kits for all our ships, instead of a mass purchase for each cruiser and destroyer.” With validation of the AIT kits nearly complete, the next step will be to deploy the system at other weapons stations and train up ship’s crews. “Dewey’s crew quickly learned and used this equipment on their first day pier-side, and cut their processing time down by two-thirds,” said Mentikov. “What we really want to do is give more time back to the ships, and this system accomplishes that.”

JULY/AUGUST 20145 |

Photos and Story By MC3 Todd C. Behrman, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

Camping With Allen

Camping With Allen

Keenan Allen, wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers, held a free, two-day football training camp

at Naval Base San Diego for more than 150 military children in the local community. The camp, sponsored by Proctor and Gamble and ran by ProCamps Worldwide, specialized in football fundamentals, with campers receiving instruction from Allen and the area’s top football coaches. “It’s awesome,” said Allen, whose father was in the Marine Corps. “The military does great things for us, not just in San Diego, but worldwide, so it’s always good to give back. For the kids to be able to do something like this, have fun and come out here with a guy who’s in the league, it’s great for everyone involved.” Campers were split into teams in three different age divisions. After running numerous football drills, which included route-running instruction and catching passes from Allen, the campers participated in a playoff-style tournament of games. “A lot of these kids move around quite a bit and they may not get the chance to play on the same team every year when they go to school,” said Rod Huber, the director of football camps for ProCamps Worldwide and head football coach at the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. “This is a great chance to come out during their summer break and have a two-day, three-hour a day football camp with an NFL star in their local community.” Proctor and Gamble sponsors camps run by ProCamps Worldwide all over the country, and have held camps recently in North Carolina, South

Carolina, Florida, and California with NFL players such as Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and Larry Fitzgerald. “It’s all about showing the kids a great time,” added Allen. “Making sure they’re having fun but also making sure they’re learning quality things about the game of football.” Naval Base San Diego won the free two-day camp in a Proctor and Gamble sponsored contest held in commissaries throughout the country by having the best display of a Proctor and Gamble product. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for these kids and it’s obviously well deserved,” said Huber. “A lot of times their dads or moms are deployed, so for us to be able to help these kids enjoy their summer break and have a great time, we’re honored to do it.” The camp supports the Department of Defense Healthy Base initiative, which helps service members, their families and DoD civilians make healthier choices and live healthier lives through nutrition and fitness.

JULY/AUGUST 20147 |

Two decades of planning are expected to finally pay off later this summer as seven wind turbines are

erected on San Nicolas Island (SNI) — the goal being to start generating electricity early next year. All the equipment is now on the island, part of Naval Base Ventura County 65 miles south of Point Mugu. What’s left is to insert the 117-foot towers into their foundations and install three 30-foot-long blades on the top of each tower. A 100-ton crane is being used for the task. The wind turbines are half the size of the ones the public is used to seeing in the Mojave Desert, but their purpose is the same: Use the wind to generate electricity and save money. In the case of SNI, the wind turbines are expected to save up to $800,000 a year in energy costs. Currently, the generators that are used to supply electricity to all facilities and equipment on the island are powered with jet fuel. Money will be saved in two ways: Less jet fuel will be used, and less will have to be transported out to the island. And a big added benefit as the Navy goes green: Wind power is cleaner, with fewer emissions and less waste. Wind turbines aren’t without their critics. When the project was first proposed, concerns were expressed about birds dying in the spinning blades and the habitat of the Island Night Lizard — then on the

Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife — being destroyed during construction. The smaller size of the towers and blades were in direct response to the bird concerns, and biologists continue to monitor the construction site because of the Island Night Lizard, even though it was removed from the federal list earlier this year. The $17 million project has been a complicated one. It started with a proposal for nine turbines, but that was scaled back to seven due to concerns about soil stability and the project’s interference with military operations. Soil testing took place — and construction continues — in an area with not only active military operations, but also sensitive archaeological sites related to early Native American populations. SNI is, after all, “The Island of the Blue Dolphins” made famous in the Scott O’Dell children’s book that is required reading for all California fourth-graders.Radar and telemetry operations make up a big part of the work that goes on at the island — operations that could be affected by towers and spinning blades. The wind turbine generators had to be designed and sited accordingly. The project brought together contractors from all over the country. Some of the equipment was manufactured in Vermont. The blades were made in San Diego. The towers were made in Wisconsin, and

By Andrea Howry, Lighthouse News Editor

SNI Wind Turbines Closer to Completion

Navy Compass Magazine | 8

U.S. Department of Energy Photo

How they work

Wind turbines operate on a simple principle.The energy in the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground, they can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind. Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building, or they can be connected to an electricity grid for more widespread electricity distribution. (Energy.gov)

each of the seven 16-foot-deep concrete foundations was precast locally. A construction project on an island 65 miles off the coast is never easy, let alone one that is home to protected marine mammals and endangered species. The dock on SNI is a winding road away from the ridgeline where the wind turbines are being erected, meaning all the materials have to be driven up to the construction site after being barged in. One sharp turn was especially problematical for the 100-ton crane. Once construction is complete and the system is turned on, the wind turbines are expected to generate up to 30 percent of the island’s electricity needs. Each turbine can generate up to 100 kilowatts, and the island’s average daily usage is 700 kilowatts, but there’s an assumption that only five will be working at any one time, with one down for maintenance and one not working at all. The turbines generate electricity when they’re hit by winds of 8 miles per hour. Wind speeds average 16 mph on the island — 18 mph for six months of the year, 14 mph the other six months. The island has seen winds of 85 mph; as a safety measure, the wind turbines will automatically shut down when winds reach 65 mph.

SNI Wind Turbines Closer to Completion

Sailors, civilians, and family members attended a disestablishment ceremony for Navy Mobilization

Processing Site (NMPS) San Diego at Naval Base San Diego. The ceremony featured remarks from Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge, commander, Navy Region Southwest, to highlight the legacy of NMPS San Diego in the Navy and feature the accomplishments of Sailors at NMPS. NMPS’s primary mission was to provide integrated Individual Augmentee (IA) processing for active duty and Navy Reserve members deploying and returning in support of combatant commanders as well as response to Navy supply Integrated Logistics Overhauls, military contingency operations and national crisis requirements. “The NMPS staff in its entirety is composed of reserve Sailors,” said Lorge. “Our citizen Sailors here today are school teachers, students, ministers and insurance brokers. These patriotic Americans from cities like Miami and Arlington put their civilian careers on hold, said goodbye and answered the call to care for our Sailors going and returning from war.” During the ceremony Lorge awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and Flag Letters of Commendation to Sailors assigned to NMPS for their service throughout the years. “They not only provide world-class customer service, our Sailors listen to the Sailors demobilizing, they talk with them, pray with them and pray for them,” said Cmdr. Eric Johnson, commander, NMPS San Diego. “Week in and week out, they shook those Sailors’ hands and said welcome home, thank you for your service. Today we recognize their efforts and thank them for their

service.” NMPS San Diego was one of 15 sites established in September 2001 in response to 9/11. In 2006, processing sites consolidated into four sites and by 2013 only NMPS San Diego and Norfolk, Va. were left. Since its establishment in 2001, NMPS San Diego has processed more than 41,000 active and reserve Sailors. Johnson explained that with the draw down in Afghanistan, the number of Navy Sailors being processed through NMPS San Diego has gone down and as the numbers dwindle there is no need for two sites anymore. All processing will shift to Norfolk. “When we first heard that NMPS was closing we were all in shock,” said Master Chief Yeoman Kevin Murray, NMPS’s senior enlisted advisor. “We always figured that an NMPS would be needed on each coast. But looking at the numbers it was obvious, we couldn’t justify keeping both sites open.” Many of the Sailors assigned to NMPS returned to their home towns. Some were reassigned to NMPS Norfolk, with a few remaining for the disestablishing ceremony. “This means we no longer have jobs,” said Murray proudly. “Our mission is over. It’s a good thing though because it means we are no longer needed and we can return home. It’s time to move on.” After reading the orders of disestablishment, the command’s flag was ceremonially presented to Lorge. Following the final words of goodbye from their commanding officer, the now 28 remaining NMPS Sailors were dismissed, marking the end of the site’s 13-year presence in San Diego.

Ceremony Marks End of an Era for NMPS San DiegoPhotos and Story By MC2 Carla Ocampo, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

Navy Compass Magazine | 10

JULY/AUGUST 201411 |

Driven to Explore

Story by MC2 Timothy M. Black, Naval Special Warfare Public AffairsPhotos by Lt. Benjamin Addison, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

A Navy SEAL who is also a NASA astronaut met with military families at a multimedia

mobile exhibit called “Driven to Explore,” July 14. Capt. Chris Cassidy of York, Maine, the second SEAL launched into space, met with local military children at Murphy Canyon Chapel in San Diego. Cassidy talked with Sailors and their families about his experience aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Cassidy participated in two space missions to the ISS, and has spent a total of about six months in space. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1993, Cassidy completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, Calif., and was the honor graduate of BUD/S Class 192. Cassidy spent more than 10 years with the SEAL Teams. He was a platoon commander at SEAL Team 3 in Coronado, and deployed to Afghanistan several times. Cassidy was awarded two Bronze Stars with Combat ‘V’ and a Presidential Unit Citation for missions with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. At the Murphy Canyon Chapel, Cassidy led physical exercises with children who came to meet him during the “Train like an Astronaut” event, signed autographs and took group photos before talking about his experience in space. When asked about going to the moon, he said he would love the opportunity, and to test

the Orion spacecraft there before they take it to Mars or an asteroid. Cassidy is still on active duty status in the Navy while assigned to NASA, and reflected on the opportunities the military has afforded him. “One of the main reasons I am able to go to space is because of the Navy,” he said. “I feel strongly that I wouldn’t have been selected if it wasn’t for all my experience gained while I was in the Navy. In the final week of SEAL training, if you start at the beginning thinking about the end of the week, you are never going to make it. The key to surviving is dividing the week into smaller intervals - meal to meal. You go from breakfast to lunch, and then lunch to dinner. Perseverance and hard work is rewarded with some kind of opportunity.” Approximately 180 parents and children showed up to the event, exploring the mobile exhibit, where they were able to touch a moon rock, put on astronaut gloves and helmets, and feel the vibrations of a shuttle launch. “I want to be an astronaut and see all the stars and planets,” said one 8-year-old. “It was fun, and I loved it, and someday I want to fly a spaceship.” Cassidy is hopeful that he is a small part of inspiring the kids he talked to today to be the astronauts leading a mission to Mars or beyond in the future. “I love it! I feel extremely privileged that I am able to positively influence kids,” said Cassidy. “Occasionally I get to go to space and still be on active duty in the Navy.”

Driven to Explore

JULY/AUGUST 201413 |

Story by Joe Johnson, reprinted with permission of the Lemoore Navy News, copyright 2014Photos by Melinda Larson, Naval Air Station Lemoore Public Affairs

Naval Air Station Lemoore is now home to an internationally-acclaimed bowling team.

It all started back in January, when the Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC) and bowling products manufacturer STORM Bowling teamed up to create the Base Bowling Challenge. Their plan: Divide the globe into six regions and let Naval installations worldwide duke it out on the lanes.Chief Warrant Officer Four Jeffery Gac stepped up to meet the challenge head-on. As a 30-year veteran bowler who has served on the All-Navy bowling team twice now, Gac was an easy choice to lead the Lemoore team. “My Dad introduced me to bowling. He was in the Navy and bowled regularly while we were living at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam,” Gac said. “I would go with him to the bowling alley and he decided to teach me how to do it right. I’ve stuck with it ever since.” He gathered 10 like-minded bowlers together to form

the local team. The normal team size is eight, but Gac had at least two players scheduled to ship out midway through the season and needed to compensate. Team members included Gac, Master-at-Arms Second Class Donald Eady, Marine Staff Sgt. Bart Rohlfing, Hospital Corpsman Third Class David Keeling, Lt. Todd Anderson, Aviation Structural Mechanic Petty Officer First Class Jose Bustillos, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Petty Officer Justin Newman, Aviation Electrician’s Mate Petty Officer First Class Brian Johnston, Airman Brandon Stiverson and Petty Officer Third Class Greg Krug. The team faced off against more than seven teams in the southwest region over the course of several weeks, including Naval Base Ventura County and Naval Base San Diego. But they did it all without ever stepping foot off the base. That’s because this is a “non-travel” league. Each team plays their matches at the base bowling alley. Scores are sent to the league secretary in Coronado, who compiles the results and notifies each team whether they won or lost. “We had to wait three or four days to see how we did. It was pretty nerve-wracking. We were biting our nails a couple times,” Gac said. “It’s hard not being able to see the other team. You don’t know how they are shooting. You just hope you are doing better than the other team.” To keep things competitive, the league would dictate certain lane conditions before each match up. At the professional level, bowlers have to deal with factors like the amount of oil spread on the lane. The more oil and the longer the slick, the greater the impact on ball spin and control. “The lane patterns make a big difference,” Gac said. “Certain patterns, stretched over 44 feet or so, means the ball is not going to curve as much. If there is not a whole lot of oil, then the ball will curve a lot. The shorter oil patterns are the hardest. You have to be very precise about where you throw your ball. There is less

Lemoore Strikes Back

Navy Compass Magazine | 14

Story by Joe Johnson, reprinted with permission of the Lemoore Navy News, copyright 2014Photos by Melinda Larson, Naval Air Station Lemoore Public Affairs

room for error.”“We have to adjust over the course of the six games, because the oil dries out more and more as we play. People don’t realize there is actually a lot of science involved,” Gac added. “It changed every two weeks, so you constantly ended up bowling at a higher level.” Bowling Center Manager Delores Noland reserved lanes for the team and kept them updated with the latest patterns so they could practice frequently between matches. “I try to do everything I can for our servicemembers,” Noland said. The early games matched a bowler from each team to an opponent. After a head-to-head match, the winner would add two points to his team’s overall score. Later matches were entirely team-based, with overall team scores added together. “We would meet every Sunday and bowl six games together,” Gac said. “The scores from those games were sent to the league and we’d wait for the results.” NAS Lemoore climbed to the top in the southwest region. They competed in a roll-off against against other finalists and finished in third place, allowing them to graduate to the semi-finals. There, they defeated a team from Yokosuka, Japan, and moved on to the finals. “I used to work at the bowling alley in Yokosuka,” Noland said. “That’s a huge bowling center with 42 lanes. For our little 12-lane center to compete with them, it was like a kindergartener going up against an eleventh grader. But it doesn’t matter how many lanes

you have, it’s who has the best bowlers.” In the championship match, the Lemoore team went up against a base in Kings Bay, Ga. It was a close match, but Lemoore won the day with a final score of 4626 to 4620.Their prize is a trophy, which will soon be put on display at the base bowling alley. Each team member also received a certificate and a custom bowling shirt, declaring them the champions. “It does feel pretty good to win, and to know that it was Team Lemoore who did it,” Gac said. “We did really well out there. It was a younger group than I’m used to bowling with, but they worked really well together and formed a cohesive, strong team.”But the team is not resting on their laurels. Gac is already looking forward to next year. “We plan to start again next January,” he said. “I plan to do some recruiting from September through November. We’ll have a full new, dynamic team. I’m looking forward to seeing if we can win the championship a second time.”

Lemoore Strikes Back

JULY/AUGUST 201415 |

A bone-chilling crack intertwined with sharp screaming echoes through the halls as you sit at your desk replying to emails. This isn’t supposed to happen. Your heart immediately starts racing, you begin to panic and then you freeze. According to an April 2014 story by NBC News there have been 17 shootings on military installations nation-wide since 2008. No one can ever predict it, but the possibility of an active shooter is there. So, it is imperative that Sailors and civilians know what to do in case it does happen. “The odds of an active shooter happening are

extremely low, but it is a possibility that we need to be prepared for,” said Mark Lechner, Region Emergency Management Planner. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. Lechner explained that active shooters pose an immediate risk of death or serious injury to anyone in the vicinity. They are often on the move and will accept random victims of opportunity while searching for intended victims because they know that their time is

short and police are on their way. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and reduce harm to victims. DHS states that since active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. “Training is about shaving seconds off your reaction time,” said Lechner. “If you can react faster, it increases your odds of survival. People think five seconds isn’t a lot, but it is. I can get out of this room in less than that.” You can’t plan for every conceivable

“Bang, bang.”

By MC2 Carla Ocampo, Navy Region Southwest Public AffairsPhotos by Kevin Dixon and MC2 Carla Ocampo

Surviving An Active Shooter SituAtion

Navy Compass Magazine | 16

situation, but training can definitely save lives by reducing reaction time. Deciding today what options are available will enable people to react more quickly and effectively. “The issue with active shooter is that the decision to protect yourself is an individual choice,” said Lechner. “There is no plan that tells you exactly what to do in every circumstance. When there is an active shooter you have options and those options are dependent on a number of things.” Lechner said one of the early options to consider is running and escaping the shooter before he/she gets close. Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow. If escape isn’t possible, the next safest thing to do is hide. If you are in an office, stay there and lock or barricade the door. If you are in a hallway, you should get into a room and secure the door. Close, cover, and move away from any nearby windows. Don’t seek out the shooter. If you are forced to fight as a last resort, it is important to act as aggressively as possible and be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter. Every situation is different, but it is important to be able to quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect yourself.

U.S. Navy Photo

ac-tive shoot-er /ak-tiv shoo-ter/noun1. a person(s) who appears to be actively engaging in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no apparent pattern or method to their selection of victims

Surviving An Active Shooter SituAtion

Preparing for an active shooter is similar to preparing for a fire or a natural disaster. How? In case of a fire there are emergency routes set up and a meeting place. It’s important to have a similar emergency action plan (EAP) in case of an active shooter. Lechner said such a plan is critical, and that each employee should be familiar with it. A good plan is something that people can read, understand and train to, so that there is a standard and everyone is following it. An EAP can be created with input from several team members, training department, local law enforcement and/or emergency responders, but most importantly with members of your office or team. Things that should be covered include: Where you can hide and how you can barricade yourself. Each team should also plan emergency escape procedures and all possible routes to escape. Another important approach to preparedness is conducting active shooter drills. Conducting base-wide training exercises enhances knowledge for all personnel. Being able to exercise with mutual aid partners brings a tremendous amount of experience during valuable training evolutions for all first responders. “The training is important because it helps us to improve how we respond during any crisis, whether it’s the active shooter or any disaster,” said Jerry Blunck. “Specifically

we want our Navy family and our first responders to be prepared.” Navy Region Southwest recently conducted an active shooter training exercise at the navy Broadway Complex Headquarters, where local law enforcement including Navy Region Southwest, Harbor, National City Police Department and Naval Criminal Investigative Service came together to provide real-world practice and to establish a timely response to an emergency in addition to testing of proper evacuation procedures, medical assistance and apprehension of suspects. Evaluating communications and interaction between the multiple departments participating was also a crucial component.

Navy Compass Magazine | 18

recognize SignS

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs• Unexplained increase in absences or tardiness• Depression, withdrawal, paranoia, talk of revenge• Increased severe mood swings and noticeably unstable, emotional

responses• Increased talk of problems at home• Increased unsolicited comments about violence, firearms, and other

dangerous weapons or violent crimes

Be aware of indications of workplace violence and take remedial actions accordingly

Lechner explained that this was the first time personnel did not have a scripted response. They were just told to follow their training. Mock scenarios like this test the capabilities of base members for an actual active-shooter incident and helps ensure they’re prepared. “People shouldn’t walk around scared, but they should be aware,” said Lechner. “When the training comes, participate, there’s no need to go for a lunch break during the exercise. It has value. I want people to have a level of awareness. We are here to help them prepare, but the decision is up to them.” Lechner explained that it is going to be a terrifying experience, but if you have thought it through and practiced you will have enough of an idea on what to do. The fear won’t be so crippling that you won’t know

how to react. Active shooter scenarios can happen at any moment. It is important for everyone to be prepared in case it does. All Commander, Navy Installations Command members are required to complete online active shooter training. The Training and Readiness Active Shooter lesson provides awareness and responsibilities to ensure the safest possible outcomes. Though it may not seem important, it keeps Sailors and civilians informed. It is the first of many steps in preparing for a possible active shooter. To get more of an idea on what to do during an active shooter situation you can view the DHS’s “Run. Hide. Fight” video http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cirg/active-shooter-and-mass-casualty-incidents/run-hide-fight-video.

Saturday, August 30Military Family Tailgate San Diego State vs Northern Arizona presented by San Diego Family Housing, LLC and Navy Federal Credit Union

Tuesday, September 9Fleet Week Kick Off Reception

Friday, September 12Fleet Week Enlisted Golf Tournament

Wednesday, September 17Fleet Week / SDMAC Breakfast presented by General Atomics

Thursday, September 18Fleet Week Enlisted Recognition Luncheon

Thursday, September 18Coronado Village Car Procession

Saturday & Sunday, September 20-21Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival

Saturday, September 27MCRD Boot Camp Challenge

Saturday & Sunday, October 4-5Miramar Air Show

Friday, November 21Fleet Week Football Classic

2014 Fleet Week San Diego

« SC HEDUL E OF E V ENTS «

« H O N O R I N G T H E M I L I T A R Y T H R O U G H O U T T H E Y E A R «5330 Napa Street, San Diego, California 92110 « 619-858-1545 « www.fleetweeksandiego.org

For More Information Contact: Brian O'Rourke at (619) 532-4717

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This comprehensive exhibition documents the profound impact of the U.S. Military on the growth and development of our region, past, present and future, presented in engaging formats and interpreted through three major themes: Political & Economic Impact; Land Use & Infrastructure; Social & Cultural Impact. The exhibition is also presented at nine satellite locations throughout the county. Presidio to Paci�c Powerhouse is underwritten by Wells Fargo, Cubic Corporation, Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation, Helen and Webster Kinnaird, Northrop Grumman, Sempra Energy / San Diego Gas and Electric, Reuben H. Fleet Foundation and Sudberry Properties. Additional support is provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the County of San Diego.

www.sandiegohistory.org/PresidioToPaci�cPowerhouse

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE

EXHIBITIONNOWOPEN APRIL 26, 2014 to JANUARY 4, 2015THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTERINVITE YOU WITH FAMILIES AND GUESTS TO THE HISTORICAL EVENT

San Diego History Center, Balboa Park

NAVY REGION SOUTHWEST

Public Affairs Office937 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92132

619.532.1430 www.navyregionsouthwest.com

Commander, Navy Region SouthwestRear Adm. Patrick Lorge

Public Affairs OfficerCmdr. Brad Fagan

EditorMC2(SW) Carla Ocampo

Compass Staff / Asst. Graphics Specialist

MC2 (SW) Carla Ocampo

The Navy Compass is published and managed by Commander, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs Office team. This magazine is an authorized publication for the members of the Department of Defense, dependents and retired service members. Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or the endorsement of, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy. The Navy Compass reserves the right to edit submissions within Associated Press Stylebook guidelines and subject to current Public Affairs review prior to publication. Submission ideas can be sent online via www.navyregionsouthwest.com.

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July / August 2014 EditionVolume XX • Issue 2

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