Tony

RHODE ISLAND, UNITED STATES 09.25.2025 Story by John Goulette Surface Warfare Schools Command NAVAL STATION NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 25, 2025) – The U.S. Navy’s Military to Mariner (M2M) program, managed at Surface Warfare Schools Command (SWSC), is helping Sailors turn their sea time into credentials that matter long after their time in uniform. The program provides Sailors with pathways to earn merchant mariner licenses, which are issued by the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center. By recognizing Navy training, qualifications and operational experience, M2M ensures Sailors leave service with certifications that carry weight in the civilian maritime industry. “One of the newest certificates is for the Qualified Member of Engineering Department (QMED),” said Kara Krenisky, SWSC’s Military to Mariner program manager. “Any engineer, designated or not, that leaves boot camp and completes the Engineering Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (EPACT) course at Surface Warfare Engineering Schools Command (SWESC) Great Lakes can go to their ship, finish a Job Qualification Requirement (JQR) on board, get it signed off, spend 180 days at sea, and get a license.” Krenisky noted that most requirements are met during the EPACT course, with the remainder covered by online learning and shipboard qualifications. “Once a Sailor is done, they can send me an email requesting their certificate, they get their certificate, submit their application, that’s it.” The program is also expanding opportunities for other ratings. “We are working on a 200-ton master program with Japan, so the Boatswain’s Mates (BM) out in Japan that run the tugs for our ships can get licensed,” Krenisky said. “Another certification in development is Able Seafarer for BM, Quartermaster (QM) and Operations Specialist (OS) ratings.” Earning a license benefits Sailors in and out of uniform. “For those who stay Navy, it strengthens their records,” Krenisky said. “For those who separate, it provides a credential that translates directly to the civilian world.” SWSC is the only Navy command operating a M2M program. Since joining SWSC in 2021, Krenisky has guided Sailors through the application process using existing Navy records such as histories of assignments, fitness reports and designation letters. Sailors also complete a medical certificate before submitting packets to the National Maritime Center. Application usually takes about a month to process. Once approved, Sailors have one year to schedule and pass their exam at a regional exam center. Importantly, the program is open to all Sailors. Everybody can do this,” Krenisky said. “Any rate, any designator, any level. Some ratings may get a leg up, but anyone with sea time is eligible.” Krenisky’s advice is straightforward: start early. “The earlier they start, the higher a license they could end up with by the time they’re done and retired.” Krenisky also emphasized the program’s broader value. “We’re building a workforce that is more versatile—able to serve both in the Navy and across the civilian fleet that supports it.” For more information, please reach out to the M2M program manager at: SWSC_NWPT_M2M@navy.mil or 401-841-3149.

SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES 09.25.2025 Story by Amanda Surmeier Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Northwest awarded a $183 million contract to Contrack Watts, Inc, of McLean, Virginia, for electrical upgrades to support the simultaneous mooring of CVN 78 class and CVN 68 class aircraft carriers in Bremerton, Washington, Sept. 23. The firm-fixed price contract covers electrical, civil and structural upgrade work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s (PSNS & IMF) Pier D, located at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, with an expected completion date of September 2027.   “This project installs capability to support the Navy’s most advanced platforms here at PSNS” said Cmdr. John Daly, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction - PSNS. “Generations of Sailors will rely on this infrastructure, and we’re excited to bring this investment to life.” The project will enhance high-voltage capacity and reliability under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). Work includes the construction of a substation, demolition of four existing facilities and a different substation, and the installation of power distribution systems and supporting facilities to meet homeporting requirements. “This project is another very important infrastructure investment here at Naval Base Kitsap,” said Dave Sweet, SIOP department director, PSNS & IMF. “The increased capacity at Pier D will allow the Navy to homeport its newest aircraft carriers here for the foreseeable future, with increased reliability. This project continues the Navy’s efforts to have a strong foundation with improved electrical utilities on base.” SIOP is a comprehensive, long-term recapitalization effort that is delivering integrated investments in infrastructure and industrial plant equipment at the Navy’s four public shipyards, expanding shipyard capacity and optimizing shipyard configuration to meet the Navy’s nuclear-powered fleet maintenance requirements. Recapitalizing the shipyards' century-old infrastructure increases maintenance throughput and improves quality of service for the Navy’s 37,000 shipyard employees.

Some social media accounts appearing to belong to service members have been identified online by other accounts for comments, including “racists should get shot” and reposts saying, “MAKE NAZIS DEAD AGAIN,” according to a review of X posts by Military Times. Other service members have been targeted online for calling Kirk or his comments “racist” and “sexist” while also explicitly stating that they do not condone his killing. It is not clear whether any of these service members are under investigation.

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A man enlisted in the U.S. Navy could face life in prison if found guilty of raping a child in Jonesboro. Special Judge Ralph Wilson found probable cause Wednesday to charge 25-year-old Brandon Kyle Moore of Virginia Beach, Virginia, with rape/sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years of age.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Authorities in Jacksonville Thursday announced the arrest of a former U.S. Navy sailor in a 31-year-old cold case. During a press conference, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced the arrest of 52-year-old Michael Ziegler in connection to the 1994 murder of Tina Heins.

Family Advocacy Program, Coast Guard Resources, EFMP Support & More

Hundreds of US generals and admirals around the globe have been called to Virginia for a meeting with Secretary of Waah Hedgehog next Tuesday, several US officials told CNN, though the reason for the meeting is unclear. The meeting is expected to be held at the military installation in Quantico, Virginia, multiple officials said, adding that no one seems to know what the meeting is about, including the general and flag officers themselves, or why it was suddenly added to the calendar.

ALNAVRESFOR 025/25

His executive orders punishing law firms for their expressive activity (by the way, the firms that challenged the executive orders are 4-0 in the courts) were compelling evidence that he disdains the First Amendment. His attacks on universities stand as Exhibit B. And after CBS cancelled Stephen Colbert, Trump boasted on Truth Social that Jimmy Kimmel would be next. So we saw this coming.

The Pentagon has announced plans to terminate a 75-year-old advisory committee serving female service members, citing a “divisive” and harmful agenda — days after a previous memo established plans for reactivating it.

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk sailor facing charges of killing a fellow sailor in May is also linked to assaults of four other women, prosecutors said in a Thursday pre-trial hearing. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jeremiah Copeland faces a premeditated murder charge in connection with the May 29 death of CS3 Angelina Resendiz, as well as the alleged sexual assault of two other sailors, the sexual assault of a civilian in Norfolk and abusing a domestic partner.

Washington is looking to set up a military storage facility in the Philippines at the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay by the summer of 2026, according to new documents. A request for lease proposal identified the need for a 25,000-square-meter climate-controlled warehouse and maintenance shop to be used by the U.S. Navy within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Freeport area. The request follows an April solicitation that sought information for storage facilities within Subic Bay and near the former U.S. Air Force base at Clark.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. “Managing a chronic condition is easier when you have the right support and resources,” said Dr. Stacy Usher, lead nurse, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “TRICARE-covered services for chronic health conditions give you the tools and guidance you need to manage your health.”

NAVADMIN 204/25

West Point and other U.S. military academies have been at the center of culture war issues that have been the focus of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a fierce opponent of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military. Hegseth argues that discussions surrounding diversity divide the military. Under his watch, the Pentagon has purged language he deems divisive from websites and U.S. military facilities. He has also banned celebrations like Black History Month and Women's History Month.

Your next camping adventure could be the next winning pledge!

Everything Green and her ilk says is a bastardization of the Christian faith, and it is harmful not just to the church but to all Americans. Christians will not ignore this hateful hijacking of Jesus’s name. And we will stand against America’s false prophets in this fall’s midterm season and beyond.

So while the names of the players and some of their rhetoric may change, the essence of the MAGA movement will not. Nor will appropriating the language of Jesus or the Bible make those with hate or greed in their heart holy. This is why our forefathers came up with the concept of separation of state and religion. It was a lessoned learned that resonates to this day... The principle in the U.S. is based on two clauses of the First Amendment: The Establishment Clause: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." This is interpreted to mean the government cannot establish an official religion or favor one religion over another. The Free Exercise Clause: "...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This protects the right of individuals to practice their religion freely. The First Amendment is a part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects five fundamental freedoms: Freedom of religion Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of assembly The right to petition the government The U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights and Later Amendments

This is no longer a democracy... During the event, the White House shared an image of the president standing in front of the crowd on their official Twitter (X) account with the caption, "This is the turning point."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to oust service members celebrating or mocking the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk online has already seen at least eight people suspended or placed under investigation, with legal experts warning of a chilling effect on free speech.

NAVADMIN 201/25

NAVADMIN 202/25

NAVADMIN 200/25

This escalation is in my opinion, a direct consequence of trump's prior statements about clearing Gaza and turning it into a resort. As a result of his stupidity, Israel took those comments seriously and has been pushing to get rid of Palestinians in their own homeland. Egypt for its part has slowly begun to build up forces on its border including the Sinai... Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the trump administration to press Egypt to scale down a recent military build-up in the Sinai Peninsula, one U.S. official and two Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: Israeli officials say the Egyptian military build-up in Sinai has become another significant point of tension between the countries as the war in Gaza continues. ** trump has done the complete opposite in bringing peace to two different conflicts. The Gaza conflict as well as the invasion of Ukraine has escalated thanks in part to trump's very strange way of thinking, the words that come out of his mouth, & his consequential actions that have made things worse.

JALALABAD, Afghanistan -- The Taliban government on Sunday rejected U.S. President Donald trump’s bid to retake Bagram Air Base, four years after America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left the sprawling military facility in the Taliban's hands. Trump on Saturday renewed his call to reestablish a U.S. presence at Bagram, even saying “we’re talking now to Afghanistan” about the matter. He did not offer further details about the purported conversations. Asked by a reporter if he’d consider deploying U.S. troops to take the base, Trump demurred.