Tony

Are you a Veteran who served at least two periods of service? In other words, did you reenlist? If so, there’s a chance that you’re eligible for additional G.I. Bill benefits.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 051401Z FEB 25 MID320000760081U FM CHINFO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 021/25 SUBJ/SELECTEES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026 ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY// REF/A/MSG/R 221506Z JAN 24// AMPN/REF A IS NAVADMIN 180/24 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 Conner Blake, AFN Rota b.MC1 Keenan Daniels, Naval Air Force Pacific c.MC1 Christopher O'Grady, Recruit Training Command d.MC1 Vincent Zline, Chief of Information e.MC2 Simon Pike, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) f.MC2 Jason Waite, Navy Office of Community Outreach g.MC3 Charlotte Duran, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) 2. The following Sailors have been selected to attend graphic design training: a. MC2 Analice Baker, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) b. MC2 Olivia Rucker, USS Tripoli (LHA 7) c. MC3 Travis Hanes, USS George Washington (CVN 73) 3. Course dates: The estimated report date for both courses is 25 July 2025. Program graduation is projected to be 07 May 2026. 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//

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 042304Z FEB 25 MID320000757253U FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 016/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/FEB// SUBJ/ DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK// REF/A/PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM, RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK, 20JAN2025// REF/B/ACTING SECDEF MEMO/GUIDANCE ON PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM, RETURN TO IN- PERSON WORK, 24JAN2025// REF/C/ACTING SECDEF MEMO/IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM, RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK, 24JAN2025// REF/D/JOINT OMB-OPM MEMO/AGENCY RETURN TO OFFICE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS, 27JAN2025// REF/E/SECDEF MEMO/INITIAL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE, RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK, 31JAN2025// REF/F/EXECUTIVE ORDER/LIMITING LAME-DUCK COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS, 31JAN2025// REF/G/DOC/SECNAVINST 12271.1 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY TELEWORK POLICY, 11FEB2019// NARR/REF A DIRECTS ALL EXECUTIVE BRANCH DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO TAKE STEPS TO TERMINATE REMOTE WORK AND REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK IN- PERSON, AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. REF B STATES THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTENDS TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. REF C DIRECTS NECESSARY STEPS BE TAKEN TO TERMINATE REGULAR TELEWORK AND REMOTE WORK ARRANGEMENTS AND REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO RETURN IN-PERSON AT THEIR RESPECTIVE DUTY STATIONS. REF D REQUIRES AGENCIES TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT PLANS TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE OFFICE OF PERSONNAL MANAGEMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM. REF E PROVIDES SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES, SUSPENSES, AND SUBMISSIONS FOR IMPLEMENATION OF RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK. REF F STATES IT IS THE POLICY OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN THE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW PRESIDENT, AND THAT PURPORT TO REMAIN IN EFFECT DESPITE THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW PRESIDENT AND ADMINISTRATION, SHALL NOT BE APPROVED. REG G ESTABLISHES POLICY, ASSIGNS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND IDENTIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON) TELEWORK PROGRAM.// RMKS/1. In response to references (a) through (d), the Secretary of Defense issued reference (e), which requires all covered employees to work in-person at their respective agency worksites during their regular tours of duty. Accordingly, the Department of the Navy’s (DON) telework policy, reference (g), is hereby rescinded until updated DON policy and guidance can be promulgated, consistent with the new Department of Defense (DoD) policy. 2. For the purpose of this memorandum, "commands" refers to all- Commanders/Directors of major commands, field operating activities, direct reporting units, and field commands. Commands are directed to promptly implement a return to in-person work plan, subject to applicable laws and collective bargaining obligations consistent with the guidance provided herein. Agency worksite means the location where an employee would normally work absent a telework or remote work agreement. For purposes of this memorandum, an agency worksite must be under the jurisdiction or control of a DoD Component, such as the Pentagon Reservation, military installations, and DoD-leased facilities. 3. Commands are directed to take the following immediate steps to return their workforces (civilian and military personnel) to in-person work, in compliance with reference (e): a. Verify all personnel received required notification of the in- person work policy per references (b), (c), and (e). b. With respect to employees with alternative worksites within 50 miles of their agency worksite, cancel all regular and recurring telework and remote work agreements, subject to exemptions per reference (e), and direct those employees to report in-person to those worksites no later than 10 February 2025. Exemptions as outlined in reference (e) are as follows: (1) Employees with an approved deferred resignation request; (2) Employees for whom telework or remote work is an approved reasonable accommodation pursuant to applicable law; (3) Employees who are approved for remote work for purposes of enabling them to accompany a Service Member spouse to an assignment that is not in the vicinity of the agency worksite; (4) Employees for whom the DoD Component head has determined there is no suitable office space at the agency worksite; and (5) Employees for whom applicable law or collective bargaining obligations require an exemption. Questions regarding the application of exemptions shall be forwarded through command directors, Civilian Human Resources, to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (OASN (M&RA)). My point of contact for this matter is Mr. Anthony Verducci, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Civilian Personnel. c. Advise personnel who use mass transit to timely re-enroll and/or update their applications for the transit subsidy program. d. Identify numbers of civilian personnel who are bargaining-unit- eligible and review collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in preparation to take necessary steps to bring these CBAs into compliance with reference (a). Provide official notice of the DONs intent to implement reference (a) to exclusive bargaining-unit representatives. e. Identify an internal process for collecting and consolidating data concerning suitable office space availability. Ensure reporting of such data is coordinated through your immediate superior in command and respective facilities management or installation support organization. 4. Commands are directed to take the following steps to return members of their workforce (military and civilian personnel), with alternative worksites more than 50 miles from their agency worksites, to in-person work, in compliance with reference (e): a. Direct all political appointees, members of the Senior Executive Service (and equivalent), and Highly Qualified Experts, to report in- person to their agency worksites no later than 10 February 2025. b. Direct all Senior Professionals (and equivalent) and all GS-15 (or equivalent) employees to report in-person to their agency worksites no later than 21 February 2025. c. Direct all other members of the workforce to report in-person to their agency worksites as soon as possible, but no later than 30 April 2025. d. The provisions of paragraph 3.b., regarding exemptions from the in- person work requirement, shall apply. 5. To accelerate this effort, commands may exercise available authorities to maximize facility space, such as alternative work schedules, the installation of additional workstations in existing facilities, and use of other alternate duty locations at nearby DoD facilities, including military installations and leased facilities, while working towards long-term facilities solutions. The addition of workspaces, including computer and telephone access, shall be in accordance with applicable facilities guidance and subject to availability of funds. This memorandum does not override any such guidance. Commands should assume that they will bear all expenses for the aforementioned efforts unless and until further guidance is issued. 6. To inform the DONs submission in support of DoDs plan for return to in- person work, and to maintain compliance with references (d) and (e), Commands must submit the following information no later than 4 February 2025: a. The number of civilian personnel with approved remote agreements, their remote duty locations, and the most appropriate worksite to assign civilian personnel based on their duties and job functions; b. An estimate of the costs and resource implications if a new agency worksite is more than 50 miles from their current assigned official worksite; c. An assessment of any risks, barriers, or resource constraints that would prevent the return of all employees to in-person work, e.g., availability of suitable office space, budgetary impacts, etc., and the commands plan for overcoming those barriers; and d. Information regarding CBAs containing language which does not align with the new DoD and DON telework and remote work policies, and necessary steps to bring these CBAs into compliance with references (a) through (f). 7. Further guidance will be forthcoming regarding the process for submitting exemption requests. Requests due to lack of suitable office space will require approval by the Secretary of the Navy. Requests for exemptions for other compelling needs, and any additional exemptions, will require approval by the Secretary of Defense; such requests must include information concerning mission impact if the exemption is not granted. 8. Released by Terence G. Emmert, Acting Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//

The U.S. Navy successfully tested its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, system on one of its warships in fiscal 2024, according to a recently released report. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap an aerial drone during a weapons testing exercise in 2024, according to an Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation report published in January.

TEL AVIV, Israel — President Trump floated two bombshell ideas Tuesday about Gaza that has Palestinians, Israelis, and the wider Middle East scrambling. The first: that the U.S. would take over the territory. "The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip," Trump said in a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We'll own it...We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal...the Riviera of the Middle East."

Sensitive veterans data, including information about Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, are among the Treasury Department records Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency now has access to amid his quest to unilaterally cut government spending and personnel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” Trump’s brazen proposal appears certain to roil the next stage of talks meant to extend the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

More formal social media plans and priorities for the Defense Department are expected to be communicated in the next few months, according to an internal email.

Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will need to have a main turbine engine replaced before the ship can sail to San Diego for its combat system activation, after suffering damage to the turbine blades during acceptance trials, the Program Executive Officer for Ships told USNI News.

Patrol and Reconnaissance wings 10 and 11 are conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions on the southern border, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News on Monday The two air wings, based out of Whidbey Island, Wash., and Jacksonville, Fla., are conducting P-8 flights, Lt. David Glaser, a Navy spokesman, told USNI News. Right now, the squadrons involved are VP-45 and VP-46, but they will likely rotate, Glaser said.

VOLED Quarterly Newsletter Feb, 2025

A Message to TRICARE West Region Beneficiaries from the DHA Director

VERMILION, Ohio (WJW) — A man who took off with a donation tin meant for a local fallen sailor memorial foundation has been arrested following a police chase, Vermilion police confirmed.

China's incredible naval expansion and modernization continues. The latest surprise is yet another new and unexplained submarine. The boat, whose designation is unknown, has a distinctive ultra-modern layout.

National security, veterans care and veterans employment could all be harmed by the Trump administration's move to gut the civil service by reclassifying career government employees as policymakers working to advance the president's political agenda, both experts and employee unions are warning.

The tragic story of an American spy plane with the radio call sign Baron 52 began like so many other midnight missions over Indochina...

BRUSSELS (AP) — Denmark’s prime minister insisted on Monday that Greenland is not for sale and called for a robust response from her European Union partners should U.S. President Donald Trump press ahead with his threat to take control of the island.

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) — The tails of the Alabama Air National Guard’s F-35 Lightnings are painted red, like those of the Guard's F-16s before them. It's an homage to the famed Alabama-based unit of the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs during World War II. The squadron, which trained in the state, was the nation’s first to be comprised of Black military pilots, shattering racial barriers and racist beliefs about the capabilities of Black pilots. Their success in combat paved the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military, a story that is interwoven in state and U.S. history. Yet for a moment after President Donald Trump took office, that history was almost scrubbed by the Air Force.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia...

A third-party Navy SEAL instructor who led a strenuous training session that led to the hospitalization of ...

KANEOHE, Hawaii (Island News) -- Two hikers, who were identified as U.S. Navy sailors, were arrested then released for trespassing and theft at Haiku Stairs. A video surfaced earlier this week of group of hikers vandalizing Haiku Stairs, also known as Stairway to Heaven. In addition to the two arrests made today, more hikers from that group are expected to be arrested.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump White House issued a proclamation Friday recognizing February as Black History Month around the same time the Defense Department issued guidance declaring “identity months dead.” The conflicting messages came as President Donald Trump has been targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs for removal in the first weeks of his administration. He has referred to DEI initiatives as “discrimination” and insisted that the country must instead move toward a merit-based society.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced it will provide Veterans additional time to transition to a new online login system that lets them more quickly and securely access information about their VA health care and benefits.

OIX GATEWAY HONOLULU HI SUCCESSFUL PROCESSING REPORT: FY25 GUIDANCE FOR RESERVE FORCE EXECUTION OF THE ENLISTED GOES MSG_ID: 180001577786 RTTUZYUW RHOIAAA0005 0281643-UUUU--RHSSSUU. ZNR UUUUU R 281643Z JAN 25 MID180001577786U FM COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA TO NAVRESFOR NAVOSO INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC COMNAVRESFORCOM NORFOLK VA COMNAVAIRFORES SAN DIEGO CA COMNAVIFORES FORT WORTH TX COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA BT UNCLAS ALNAVRESFOR 004/25 // MSGID/GENADMIN/COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA/N7/ SUBJ FY25 GUIDANCE FOR RESERVE FORCE EXECUTION OF THE ENLISTED LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM// REF/A/DOC/CNO/03OCT23/ REF/B/DOC/CNRF/21JUL23// NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 237/23, UPDATES TO THE NAVY LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. REF B IS COMNAVRESFORNOTE 1570, SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDANCE FOR ASSESSMENT OF WARFIGHTING READINESS IN FITNESS REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS OF LEADERS ASSIGNED TO NAVY RESERVE READINESS UNITS// RMKS/1. In support of CY25 (Junior Enlisted) and FY26 (Senior Enlisted) advancement eligibility deadlines identified in Ref A, this ALNAVRESFOR provides guidance on Reserve Force (RESFOR) execution of the Enlisted Leader Development (ELD) program, change to Enlisted Advancement Eligibility Requirements (EAER) reporting, pre-requisites for course registration, and RESFOR N7 ADT-Schools funding. It also highlights the shift from the Navy Leadership and Ethics Command (NLEC) SharePoint Online (SPO) Portal, to the Enterprise Navy Training Reservation System (eNTRS) for all Reserve Force ELD course advertisement and quota control functions. 2. The RESFOR EAER Program Manager generates monthly EAER reports of completion metrics for ELD, Primary Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE), and Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) advancement eligibility requirements. ELD Regional Coordinators, ELD Managers, and UMUIC/TRUIC leaders can identify training deficiencies by name, prioritize enrollment by Time in Rate (TIR) eligibility, and are encouraged to leverage these powerful tools during Planning Boards for Training (PB4T). A. Ref B outlines the requirement for Navy Reserve Readiness Units (NRRU) to document Warfighting Metrics, to include Professional Development such as ELD, PMK-EE, and SEA, on CO/OIC FITREPs and CSEL Evals. 3. ELD Courses of Instruction. ELD was designed to develop the character of ALL Enlisted Sailors - Active and Reserve. The operational and administrative challenges of the Reserve Sailor mirror similar challenges of the Active Sailor, and both are entitled to outstanding leader development. A. The Command Navy Leader Development Facilitator (C-NLDF) certification course is held at the NLEC Schoolhouses in Dam Neck, VA and San Diego, CA. Both NLEC and RESFOR coordinate Mobile Training Teams (MTT), which are scheduled for areas that do not have enough facilitators. CPO-NLDF courses are conducted exclusively by NLEC MTT's, and coordinated by the RESFOR EAER PM and Region Coordinator. All C-NLDF and CPO-NLDF courses are viewable in CANTRAC and can be applied for in eNTRS. B. Course Length. ELD courses are formal courses of instruction and shall NOT be shortened, edited, or otherwise altered. Days of instruction shall not be broken up; course days shall run concurrently. It is highly encouraged to coordinate courses with regard to SELRES participation over weekends when practical (e.g. ALDC - Thursday through Sunday), and to locate classrooms away from the Navy Reserve Activity (NRA) during scheduled drill weekends to maintain Sailor focus on ELD course curriculum. C. Course Facilitators. Two qualified facilitators are required to conduct all ELD courses whether at NLEC or a local command. Like students, both facilitators are assigned TAD to the course, and shall not be otherwise tasked. Only personnel qualified as a Master Navy Leader Development Facilitator (M-NLDF) are authorized to qualify other personnel to facilitate ELD courses. D. Coalition Approach. Qualified C-NLDF/CPO-NLDF's and ELD leaders throughout the fleet are empowered to coordinate with neighboring commands to work together to pool resources such as facilitators, classrooms, students, and supplies. "ELD Leaders" is an MS Teams Group which hosts thousands of facilitators, local managers, and senior enlisted leaders, and provides private channels based on regional geography and Fleet concentration areas to coordinate coalition-based course logistics. E. Virtual Courses. NLEC Schoolhouses offer FLDC, ILDC, and ALDC virtual courses, which can be found in CANTRAC, and applied for via eNTRS. CPO-LDC, C-NLDF, and CPO-NLDF are not offered virtually. Virtual courses are intended for Sailors in austere locations who have no reasonable opportunity to attend an ELD course in-person. RESFOR C-NLDFs and CPO-NLDFs are not qualified to host courses virtually, and shall only host courses in person. 4. Migration to CeTARS/CANTRAC/eNTRS. RESFOR successfully migrated to CeTARS/eNTRS/CANTRAC in 2021 and remains the primary means to create and advertise ELD classes and manage quotas. A. RESFOR ELD managers, hosts, and facilitators should work with their REGION coordinator to migrate their courses, and drive all ELD efforts through the "ELD Leaders" MS Teams channel and eNTRS. ELD Courses built in eNTRS boost enrollment, increase graduation metrics, and alleviate hosts/facilitators of the burden of quota management. SELRES ELD enrollment should be local, if unable then within region and if unable, then within neighboring region. B. Prerequisites. Sailors shall complete their rank appropriate PMK-EE (e.g. E4 shall complete PMK-EE for E5). Applicants without PMK-EE will be waitlisted to provide time for completion, and the quota request will be cancelled if PMK-EE is not complete 30 days prior to course convening. Chief Petty Officers (E7) must complete CPO-LDC prior to attending C-NLDF. SCPO/MCPOs who wish to qualify as CPO-NLDF (to facilitate CPO-LDC) must first qualify as C-NLDF. C. SELRES students that attend ELD courses managed via the SPO Portal must communicate with their ELD Manager, Regional Coordinator, or RESFOR ELD team as soon as they have a seat confirmation in order to have a Navy Reserve Orders Writing System (NROWS) requirement created by the RESFOR ELD team. Enrollment viewing in SPO ELD courses is not accessible to RESFOR and orders will not be generated unless communicated with. Upon graduation via the SPO courses the facilitator and or student must e-mail their graduation certificate or graduation roster to one of the following NLEC ELD distros: eld-nlec-west-rosters(at)us.navy.mil (ALL E4 TO E6 ELD ROSTERS: WEST COAST, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, KOREA, GUAM, ALASKA, HAWAII) / eld-nlec-east-rosters(at)us.navy.mil (ALL E4 TO E6 ELD ROSTERS: EAST COAST, EUROPE, DJIBOUTI, SPAIN) / eld-nlec-nwpt-rosters(at)us.navy.mil (ALL CPO-LDC ROSTERS). As of 1 September 2024, manual FLTMPS ELD entry is sundowned and can only be entered into Sailors Electronic Training Jacket (ETJ) via the above NLEC email distros. 5. Funding Options for Drilling SELRES. RESFOR N7 ADT-Schools funding remains the preferred funding source for ELD, but Sailors may use various funding options to support ELD course attendance (e.g. Command AT, ADT, IDT, or ATPs can be used at the Command's discretion). A. Active Duty. TAR and SELRES on Active Duty can use no-cost TDY, or Command travel funds as appropriate. 6. Points of Contact A. RESFOR EAER Program Manager. YNCS Shawn Bentley, CNRF Norfolk , VA at (948) 223-6303, or via e-mail at shawn.l.bentley.mil(at)us.navy.mil. B. NavyRESFORELD(at)us.navy.mil for questions and support. C. "ELD Leaders" MS Teams, join using code pxuma00. 7. Released by CAPT Layton, Chief of Staff.// BT #0005 NNNN <DmdsSecurity>UNCLASSIFIED//</DmdsSecurity> <DmdsReleaser>GONZALES.RAYMOND.MONTON.1166176987</ DmdsReleaser>

Garrison spoke to the Center for a New American Security today about the progress being made by the department and what still needs to happen. Some 41 percent of the military identify as members of minority groups, and that number will grow larger, Garrison said. The military must be able to attract, train and retain them for the services to retain competitive edges, he said.