Tony

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A military judge must decide if a Navy chief was simply writing research papers for money or if he committed espionage and betrayed the United States. Attorneys for Chief Petty Officer Fire Controlman Bryce Pedicini argued Tuesday the sailor simply copied and pasted information he found on Google.

Military OneSource Newsletter - Apr 17, 2024

The Navy acquired less than 70 percent of its recruiting goals for the first half of fiscal year 2024 — lagging behind the other services who met at least 90 percent of their recruiting targets during the same period. The Defense Department reported that the Navy recruited a total of 9,883 new sailors in the first half of fiscal 2024, roughly 66.5 percent of the service’s recruitment target for that time period.

US Navy warships used a missile interceptor for the first time in combat over the weekend as they defended Israel from an unprecedented Iranian attack. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said American forces fired the Standard Missile 3, or SM-3, to engage Iranian ballistic missiles that were fired as part of the massive barrage, which included more than 300 missiles and drones launched from Tehran and its proxies.

As the USS George Washington reeled from a spate of suicides two years ago, Navy leaders reacted with anger and denial while discussing news coverage of the deaths and whether to promote the sailors posthumously, according to emails obtained by NBC News. After five sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier died by suicide within a year, including three in one week in April 2022, some of the ship’s commanders dismissed claims about poor living and working conditions, and at least one of them admitted to having a weak grasp of the mental health issues that plagued his sailors, the messages show.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Sailors on PCS orders may be authorized reimbursement for costs related to one household pet during a PCS. Members can claim expenses during travel settlement after PCS.

UFOs that have shown the ability to seamlessly transition from air to sea without a splash or crash debris are an "urgent" national security concern with "world-changing" scientific ramifications, an ex-Navy officer said. In July 2019, the USS Omaha recorded a UFO – or UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) – that buzzed a Navy fleet off San Diego and disappeared into the ocean without a trace.

The US military on Saturday shot down drones fired by Iran and headed toward Israel amid Iran's retaliatory strike on the country, Reuters reported.

The upcoming introduction of SDB-II marks a crucial development for the Navy, as the F/A-18E/F becomes the first platform within its fleet to carry this highly sophisticated munition, according to the US Navy. Designed to address targets in dynamic scenarios and adverse weather conditions, SDB-II is capable of engaging both moving and fixed targets with unparalleled precision. Also known as the Ground Bomb Unit-53B (GBU-53B) “StormBreaker,” SDB-II boasts a tri-mode seeker system, incorporating infrared and millimeter wave radar technologies.

WASHINGTON — A 15% pay raise for junior enlisted service members. No more referrals for physical therapy, optometry, women’s health and other specialties. A basic allowance for housing that covers 100% of estimated costs. Those are some of the recommendations of a panel of House lawmakers tasked with improving the quality of life for troops and their families as young service members in particular grapple with soaring living costs, substandard housing, limited access to child care, long wait times for medical care and spousal unemployment. Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-04-12/house-lawmakers-ndaa-military-pay-child-care-barracks-13539152.html Source - Stars and Stripes

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is back in San Diego, Calif., after suffering an engineering casualty, forcing the big deck amphibious warship to return for repairs, USNI News has learned. Boxer and elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit left on April 1 for a Pacific deployment that had been on hold due in part to maintenance issues on the big deck. Following the departure, Boxer operated off the coast of California recertifying Marines with MV-22B Ospreys after a grounding that was lifted last month.

Tricare Bulletin - Pharmacies Restored to Full Operations After Cyberattack

The Marines came out swinging against the Navy amid a hilarious photo scandal. The Navy posted a photo earlier in the week on its official social media channel of a man firing a rifle with a backwards optic, the lens covers appeared to still be on, his arm out like a chicken wing, the butt of the gun riding up his shoulder and it also appeared the selector switch might have been set to fully automatic.

FY25 CPO Selection Board Precept

Alrighty then... After the corrupt database and successful server move someone recently asked for the Chief's thread so here it is. If you have any words of wisdom or questions please chime in. And for those who are not members, feel free to join the forum!

WASHINGTON — On May 31, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs will launch a new program — the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program — to help more than 40,000 Veterans experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. VASP is a new, last-resort tool in VA’s comprehensive suite of home retention options for eligible Veterans, active-duty Service members, and surviving spouses with VA-guaranteed home loans who are experiencing severe financial hardship. Through VASP, VA will purchase defaulted VA loans from mortgage servicers, modify the loans, and then place them in the VA-owned portfolio as direct loans. This will empower VA to work directly with eligible Veterans to adjust their loans — and their monthly payments — so they can keep their homes. With VASP, these borrowers will have a fixed 2.5% interest rate, which will provide a consistent, affordable payment for the remainder of their loan.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 101523Z APR 24 MID600117339921U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 075/24 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/APR// SUBJ/SELECTED RESERVE TUITION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM// REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/4MAR08// REF/B/DOC/NETC/20JAN11// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/281919ZSEP21// REF/D/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/151906ZMAY23// NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1560.9A, VOLUNTARY EDUCATION (VOLED) FOR NAVY SAILORS. REF B IS NETCINST 1560.3, NAVY VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. REF C IS NAVADMIN 214/21, TUITION ASSISTANCE POLICY UPDATE. REF D IS NAVADMIN 112/23, TUITION ASSISTANCE UPDATE TWO.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the continuance of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) Tuition Assistance (TA) Pilot Program. It modifies and amplifies existing policies contained in references (a) through (d) and is in effect for all TA courses approved after the release of this NAVADMIN. 2. This pilot program is open to enlisted SELRES Sailors who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraph 4 of this message. 3. SELRES TA will be limited to a cap of 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or 270 clock hours (or any combination thereof) for each eligible Sailor per Fiscal Year. Eligible SELRES members are encouraged to apply in a timely manner, as funding may be limited based on the approved TA budget. 4. In addition to the TA eligibility requirements in references (a) through (d), SELRES Sailors must also meet the following requirements: a. Be in a pay status and a satisfactory participant in the Navy Reserve. Voluntary Training Unit (VTU) members are not eligible. b. Have served a minimum of three years time-in-service (active and/or reserve) as calculated from Pay Entry Based Date. c. Have taken the most recent advancement exam and passed if eligible (E4-E6 only). If not Time-in-Rate eligible, must have completed Professional Military Knowledge-Exam Eligibility for the next higher paygrade. d. Must not be in a Duty Under Instruction Status. e. Must have at least two years remaining from the course start date until the End of Obligated Service or as extended. f. Not currently authorized to receive Tuition Assistance as outlined in references (a) through (d). g. Be approved for participation by their Navy Reserve Activity (NRA) chain of command via special request chit (NAVPERS 1336/3), which can be found at https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/Forms/NAVPERS/. 5. Pre-screening process. Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) will establish a SELRES TA applicant selection process and select only qualified applicants. To be considered for SELRES TA, applicants must email the following documents to SELRES_TA@us.navy.mil: 6. Applications will be screened to ensure all eligibility requirements are met prior to pre-approval. Incomplete applications will be returned with no action taken. Prior to pre-approval, applicants are highly encouraged to complete the online Virtual Learning 101 training located in MyNavy Education at https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/ and upload an education plan to their MyNavy Education record. Upon pre-approval, the applicant will be contacted by a Navy College representative to receive TA counseling and how to submit a TA application in order to receive an authorized and funded voucher. Pre-approval and TA application forwarding must occur at least seven days prior to course start date. Sailors must not begin a TA course prior to receiving an authorized and funded voucher. 7. Any Sailor participating in the SELRES TA Pilot Program who fails to maintain satisfactory participation, is discharged, or transferred to the VTU or Individual Ready Reserve prior to their TA obligation end date will be subject to recoupment of funds. 8. For questions regarding degree plans or other education funding options, contact Navy College Virtual Education Center via MyNavy Portal Quick Links at https://my.navy.mil/quick-links.html. 9. For questions regarding eligibility to participate in the SELRES TA pilot program and approval process contact CNRFC at SELRES_TA@us.navy.mil. 10. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled. 11. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 101250Z APR 24 MID600117339406U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 074/24 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N9/APR// SUBJ/ATTENDANCE AT THE 2024 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONTINUUM// REF/A/DOC/JTR/01Feb24/ NARR/REF A is the Joint Travel Regulations// POC/Dennis Smith/CDR/OPNAV/LOC: N980A/TEL: (703) 614-2664, DSN 224// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the Navy and Marine Corps Air Traffic Control (ATC) Leadership Training Continuum to be held in Pensacola, Fl from 16-19 July 2024. This is an official training event designed for Navy and Marine Corps ATC leadership and management. a. This forum provides senior air traffic control managers a venue to educate and train on Federal Aviation Regulations, NATOPS, facility management, manpower, technical advances, operational enhancements, unmanned flight operations, and policy changes occurring in the ATC profession. b. Topics to be discussed: updates to Naval Aviation; special use airspace, to include scheduling, encroachment, and authority; NAVAIR PMA update on equipment and budgets; Navy and Marine Corps manning and manpower; detailer and monitor briefs; TYCOM community updates ashore, afloat, and expeditionary; current Federal Aviation Administration issues; management of the National Airspace System; and USN/USMC ATC Roadmap. 2. Navy and Marine Corps ATC leadership participation from expeditionary units, facilities ashore, and afloat is critical in order to effectively address Federal Aviation Administration, International Civil Aviation Organization, and Naval ATC policy and procedures, which directly affect safety, training, and operational readiness. 3. Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense, and Department of the Navy managers who desire to make a presentation should contact ACCM DeAndre Byrd, deandre.s.byrd.mil(at)us.navy.mil, (703) 614-2639. 4. This is mission essential travel, per reference (a), Commanding Officers may issue orders for attendance at government expense. Government expense should be minimized by limiting attendees to ATC Officers, Leading Chief Petty Officers, Staff Non-Commissioned Officers in Charge, and briefers. a. The meeting will be held at Mustin beach Club, NAS Pensacola, Fl. Lodging reservations should be made utilizing the Defense Travel System. b. Use of available government transportation is encouraged to enhance participation and to defray travel expense. TAD orders may cover expenses incident to attendance and participation including transportation and per diem IAW reference (a). There are no additional conference fees. Travel days are Monday 15 and Saturday 20 July. OCONUS authorized to start travel on 13 July. 5. Uniform for this event: Navy: NWU Type III. USMC: MARPAT. 6. This is a coordinated OPNAV (N98) and HQMC (AXE-8) message. 7. Released by VADM James E. Pitts, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9). BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//

The US Navy's third Ford-class aircraft carrier is facing delays that might push its delivery to 2030. The holdup, which Navy leaders said is due to supply chain issues and lingering effects of COVID-19, is the latest problem in the Ford program and comes at a time when some rivals are outpacing American shipbuilding efforts.

The United States Navy really stepped in it on social media Tuesday. Now, I want to be clear that I have nothing but great respect for our big and beautiful Navy. One of my closest friends is a naval officer, and I have another close buddy who spent a long time on SEAL Team 6.

Trial of Navy Chief Petty Officer Accused of Espionage Kicks Off in San Diego

In an effort to push back China’s influence and expand its presence in Oceania, the U.S. is renovating Lombrum Naval Base on the Island of Los Negros in Papua New Guinea. The U.S. recently announced that the U.S. Navy is looking at three projects for Lombrum: a 7,556-square-foot Regional Maritime Training Center; a 7,351-square-foot small Boat Team and Boson Facility; and overhauling a 118-foot-long deteriorated small boat jetty. The combined expected price tag for these projects ranges from $11 million to $25 million.

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Navy recently launched the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims Management Portal, an improved and user-friendly online tool that continues to simplify and streamline the process for claims filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, catching cancer early is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from cancer. That’s where routine cancer screenings come in. Screening tests can find many common cancers before they cause symptoms. “Finding cancer early can make a big difference in your treatment options,” said Dr. Ross Colt, medical director of Clinical Oversight and Integration for the TRICARE Health Plan. “If you’ve been putting off a screening that’s recommended for you, it’s time to make it a priority.” By screening for cancer, you can take control of your health and potentially catch cancers before they progress.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 091326Z APR 24 MID600117334917U FM CHINFO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 073/24 SUBJ/SELECTEES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025 ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY// REF/A/MSG/R 221506Z JAN 24// AMPN/REF A IS NAVADMIN 012/24 REQUESTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM // POC/MCCM Tony Sisti CHINFO SEA/LOC: WASHINGTON DC/ TEL: COMM: 703-692-4704/EMAIL: anthony.b.sisti.mil(at)us.navy.mil// RMKS/1. Per reference (a), the following Sailors have been selected to attend photojournalism training: a. MC1 Daniel Gaither, Naval Special Warfare Group One b. MC1 Jonteill Johnson Montgomery, Navy Office of Information c. MC1 Andre Richard, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det Hawaii d. MC2 Nicholas Russell, USS George Washington (CVN 73) e. MC2 David Negron, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West f. MC2 Mykala Keckeisen, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) 2. The following Sailors have been selected to attend graphic design training: a. MC1 Jacob Bergh, Commander, Navy Reserve Force b. MC2 Tyler Slavicek, PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) c. MC3 Joshua Sapien, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) d. MC2 Mariano Lopez, U.S. Naval Academy 3. Course dates: The estimated report date for both courses is 25 July 2024. Program graduation is projected to be 8 May 2025. Additional information will be provided directly from the point of contact. 4. Congratulations to all selectees. Sailors who applied but were not selected for this highly competitive program will receive a response to their application with guidance for future consideration. 5. Team First. 6. Released by RDML R. M. Perry, Chief of Information.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//