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Everything posted by Tony
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UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 211933Z OCT 21 MID200001234020U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 233/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/OCT// SUBJ/ENLISTED WOMEN IN SUBMARINES RATING CONVERSION PROCESS// REF/A/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/23APR16// REF/B/DOC/BUMED/20FEB19// REF/C/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/24APR18// REF/D/DOC/COMNAVPERSCOM/24APR18// REF/E/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/141354ZMAY18// REF/F/DOC/OPNAV/6OCT21/ REF/G/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/151555ZJUL19// NARR/REF A IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1306-618, CLASS A SCHOOL AND RATING ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. REF B IS MANUAL OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT (MANMED), NAVMED P-117. REF C IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1440-010, CONVERSION AUTHORIZATION. REF D IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1306-402, QUALIFICATION FOR ASSIGNMENT TO SUBMARINE DUTY. REF E IS NAVADMIN 118/18, PROFESSIONAL APPRENTICESHIP CAREER TRACK PROGRAM CHANGES. REF F IS OPNAVINST 1220.1F, CHANGING OR REMOVING NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATION CODES FOR NUCLEAR PROPULSION PLANT PERSONNEL. REF G IS NAVADMIN 159/19, ENLISTED WOMEN IN SUBMARINES RATING CONVERSION PROCESS.// RMKS/1. The Navy and the Submarine Force are pleased to announce that applications for female Sailors in pay grades E-1 through E-8 to convert to Submarine Force non-nuclear trained ratings are being accepted on a continuous basis. Applicants will be considered for conversion to fill open billets on previously integrated submarine crews and for initial enlisted integration of submarine crews as part of the Submarine Force integration plan. Integrated submarines include USS OHIO (SSGN 726) and USS MICHIGAN (SSGN 727) in Bangor, WA and USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728), USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729), and USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) in Kings Bay, GA. 2. Applications will be processed as they are received. There is no specified due date. Since available rating quotas will be filled as applications are processed, it is recommended that interested Sailors submit applications as soon as possible. Applicants can expect to be notified by the Navy Personnel Command Enlisted Nuclear/Submarine Assignments Branch (PERS-403) and the Military Community Management, Enlisted Branch (BUPERS-32) of results within two months of submission. 3. Sailors from all communities are eligible to apply for submarine service as part of this initiative. Additional information regarding the selection process and application requirements is available via MyNavy HR at https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Community- Management/Enlisted/Submarine/Enlisted-Women-Submarines/. a. For E-6 and below, the following submarine career fields are open for conversion. The Non-Nuclear Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) will best fit each Sailor to a rating based on their application package inputs and continued need for each rating. (1) Service support career field includes yeoman submarines (YNS), culinary specialist submarines (CSS), and logistics specialist submarines (LSS). (2) Submarine electronics career field includes sonar technician submarines (STS), fire control technician (FT), electronics technician- navigation (ETV), missile technician (MT), and information systems technician submarines (ITS-electronic warfare and communications career paths). (3) Mechanical career field includes torpedoman (TM) and machinists mate-auxiliary (MMA). b. Applications for pay grades E-7 and E-8 will be accepted in the following ratings: ITS (see note 1), LSS, CSS and YNS (see note 2). c. Sailors interested in serving as an independent duty corpsman (IDC) on submarines should contact the applicable force IDCs listed below for additional information regarding volunteering for this program. Note 1: E-7 and E-8 ITS conversions must have one or more of the following Navy enlisted classifications (NEC): 742A, H08A, 746A or equivalent. Note 2: E-7 and E-8 personnel specialists (PS) are encouraged to apply. Each application will be assessed to ensure the chief petty officer has the experience and expertise to manage and oversee all administrative and personnel actions to support the crew in the role of leading YNS aboard a submarine. 4. All Sailors, regardless of rating or rank, must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible for conversion: a. Be a U.S. citizen already in possession of, or capable of receiving, a secret security clearance. b. Meet armed services vocational aptitude battery (ASVAB) requirements for the desired rating(s) as outlined in reference (a). c. Have no non-judicial punishments or convictions in civilian or military courts within the past 24 months. d. Be medically screened and suitable for duty onboard a submarine in line with reference (b), chapter 15. Further information regarding this requirement is provided in subparagraph 5.a.(7). 5. Applications a. The following is required for applications in line with reference (c): (1) Enlisted personnel action request (NAVPERS 1306/7) signed by the Sailor and endorsed by the commanding officer (CO) that clearly states the following: (a) Recommended earliest and latest release dates from the current command. (b) The submarine career field choices of the Sailor in order of preference. (c) Homeport preference for either Kings Bay, GA or Bangor, WA. (2) Last three performance evaluations. Sailors with minimal service and less than three evaluations are still eligible and should submit all evaluations on record. (3) Physical readiness information maintenance system data covering the last four years of physical fitness assessment information, as available. (4) ASVAB scores (E-6 and below only). (5) Official statement volunteering for submarine service as outlined in reference (d). (6) CO recommendation letter (optional). (7) A completed submarine duty physical is not required for processing of applications. However, candidates must have a current submarine duty physical approved by an undersea medical officer (UMO) within 30 days of application submission. Due to the nature of submarine service, medical fitness for duty standards are stringent. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to start this process as soon as possible following their decision to apply. The Medical History Form (DD Form 2807-1) and Physical Examination Form (DD Form 2808) may be completed by any Department of Defense privileged provider. However, a UMO is required to review and approve the overall submarine duty physical on DD Form 2808. UMOs are located at all submarine homeport medical departments. Contact numbers and locations of submarine homeport medical departments and UMOs: (a) Submarine Readiness Squadron 32 (Groton, CT): (860) 694-2470/2795. (b) Submarine Readiness Squadron 34 (Norfolk, VA): (757) 967-6175. (c) Naval Branch Health Clinic Kings Bay (Kings Bay, GA): (912) 573-4230. (d) Submarine Readiness Squadron 31 (Bangor, WA): (360) 396-6789. (e) Submarine Squadron 11 (San Diego, CA): (619) 553- 8719. (f) Submarine Readiness Squadron 33 (Pearl Harbor, HI): (808) 473-2899/1080. (g) Submarine Squadron 15 (Guam): (671) 343-2191. (h) Submarine Group 7 (Yokosuka, Japan): DSN (315) 243- 7101. (i) For applicants not in proximity to a submarine homeport listed above, contact the Force IDC, Submarine Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT): (757) 836-1351/1354 or Force IDC, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC): (808) 473- 1479/5788 b. Sailors are encouraged to contact Submarine (Non-Nuclear) Branch (BUPERS-322) (see paragraph 9) to discuss ways to improve chances of selection and update their application. c. Professional Apprentice Career Track (PACT) Sailors and junior rated Sailors are encouraged to apply, even with limited time in service, no warfare qualification or at-sea experience. In line with reference (e), PACT Sailors selected for submarine service will be eligible for advancement to E- 4 upon successful completion of the training track for the selected rating and attainment of the required obligated service. 6. Applications must be scanned and delivered to BUPERS-322. If the social security number of the Service Member is included in the application, an encrypted email is required for submission. An example package is available via MyNavy HR at: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Community- Management/Enlisted/Submarine/Enlisted-Women-Submarines/. 7. Prior to detailing selectees, PERS-403 will coordinate with commands to minimize the impact on the mission of the specific command as the Sailor transitions to submarine service. 8. If a selectee is required to conduct a conversion from the reserve component to active component before eligible for orders, the selectee is required to coordinate directly with BUPERS-322 to allocate a career waypoints reenlistment application quota for conversion. Failing to do so will result in a delay in receiving orders and follow-on assignment. 9. For questions about the application process or about submarine service, contact BUPERS-322 Submarine Enlisted Community Manager: a. CDR Steve Halle, (901) 874-2082/DSN 882, steven.a.halle.mil(at)us.navy.mil. b. LT Rafael M. Byron, (901) 874-2081/DSN 882, rafael.m.byron.mil(at)us.navy.mil. c. STSCS(SS) Ernest W. Scott, (901) 874-4367/DSN 882, ernest.w.scott8.mil(at)us.navy.mil. d. ITSCS(SS) Jimmy R. Long, (901) 874-2819/DSN 882, jimmy.r.long.mil(at)us.navy.mil. 10. Nuclear-trained women are selected from the Nuclear Power Training Units (NPTU), and thus applications for nuclear-trained Sailors are no longer required. Nuclear-trained women volunteering for submarine service will be detailed by PERS-403 in accordance with current policies and procedures. Female junior staff instructors or Sailors in initial training at NPTU interested in volunteering for submarine duty should inform their chain of command as soon as possible in order to adequately manage their career timing. Surface nuclear-trained female Sailors, desiring to serve on submarines, may convert their N2XO or N2XS NEC to a N1XO or N1XS NEC by following reference (f), paragraph 4.a.2(b). Submarine duty physicals must be completed prior to nuclear NEC conversion. Nuclear-trained Sailors may contact the Nuclear ECM Team with any questions at the following: a. CDR James Kepper at (703) 604-5493/DSN 664 or via e-mail at james.h.kepper2.mil(at)us.navy.mil. b. ETNCM Jeffrey Neese at (703) 604-5492/DSN 664 or via e- mail at jeffrey.m.neese.mil(at)us.navy.mil. 11. This message supersedes reference (g) and will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 12. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//
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The top two lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee want to “significantly” increase service members’ pay and benefits as part of next year's defense spending bill. Committee ranking member Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said proposals to boost compensation and benefits for troops will be a top priority as he and Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) put together the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 2022.
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WASHINGTON — The second highest ranking admiral in the Navy explained Wednesday what the service must do to prevent another major ship fire like the one aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard that gutted the amphibious assault ship last year in San Diego. Adm. Bill Lescher, vice chief of naval operations, said the force must create “better mechanisms to recognize when our people need help or need intervention” with firefighter training after a report on the July 2020 fire released Wednesday found the Bonhomme Richard crew was unprepared to fight the flames.
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Senate appropriators are worried about the Navy’s budget tactics and are calling upon the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to address their concerns. The Senate Appropriations Committee wants the comptroller general, which leads the GAO, to assess the procedures both the Navy and the Pentagon’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) use when planning for multi-year procurement contracts and provide a report to lawmakers within three months of the Fiscal Year 2022 defense spending bill becoming law, according to the explanatory statement accompanying a draft of the legislation. The statement language specifically raises concerns over how the Navy has handled its multi-year procurement deals in recent years.
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(Tribune News Service) — A dozen state lawmakers are asking a top U.S. Navy official to support an independent investigation into whether people under his command sought to hide details about a fuel leak into the waters of Pearl Harbor from state health officials and the public out of concern it could jeopardize the Navy's permit to continue operating its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
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WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) — A senior Senate Republican’s call for a suspension of mandatory coronavirus vaccines for U.S. troops and Pentagon civilians could fuel partisan divisions over the pandemic and add a defense element to the debate. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, in a letter Monday to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III called the Pentagon’s vaccine mandates “haphazardly implemented and politically motivated.”
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PENSACOLA, Fla. - Occupational and Readiness Standards (OaRS) for active-duty and Selected Reserve (SELRES) E-3 enlisted personnel are now provided as a component within the E-1/E-2/E-3 rating Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDRs). Naval Education and Training Command Updated annually, LaDRs are documents that outline training and education milestones for each rating at each pay grade. Sailors and leaders can use LaDRs to optimize a Sailor’s naval career path and learn about advanced educational opportunities and professional certifications. OaRS in the E-1 through E-3 LaDRs may be used to validate minimum competencies for performing various rating-specific tasks in paygrade E-4. While OaRS is voluntary and does not replace the Navy Wide Advancement Exam, E-3 enlisted personnel are highly encouraged to begin working toward completion of their OaRS shortly after reporting to their initial permanent duty station, or immediately if not new to the command. Command leadership may use OaRS as an additional measure to train and mentor Sailors based on demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities as related to expected minimum occupational requirements within a rating at the apprentice level. “We recommend that commands establish a local program to guide Sailors in completing their OaRS,” said Naval Education and Training Command’s Force Master Chief Matthew Harris. “OaRs is another example of how the MyNavy HR team is improving and providing career Force Development tools for our Sailors. It’s a great way for our junior Sailors to prepare for advancement and show that they’re ready to perform as an E-4.” OaRS is also not intended to replace Personnel Qualification Standards or other professional qualification programs, but if a Sailor has already completed any OaRS tasks through these types of programs, then that can be used to sign off items. Access LaDRs through MyNavy Portal (https://my.navy.mil), Navy COOL (https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn), and the Navy COOL mobile app (Android and iOS), which improves the speed and transparency of OaRS and LaDR execution. Once an individual Sailor's OaRS are done, the command pay and personnel administrator (CPPA), training officer, or other authorized command representative documents the completion via the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) within the Personnel Qualifications section, or Advanced Skills Management within the Qual/Cert records tab. This generates an Enlisted Service Record and Electronic Training Jacket entry. These entries provide Sailors with electronic documentation of OaRS completion as well as command leadership and Navy stakeholders with the ability to monitor the execution of OaRS.
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WASHINGTON -- Master-at-Arms Senior Chief Michael Haberstumpf, assigned to Joint Special Operations Intelligence Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, passed away due to COVID-19 related complications at UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Oct. 10. Haberstumpf, 42, tested positive for COVID-19 Sept. 2, and was hospitalized Sept. 9. We will continue to support his family and shipmates during this difficult time. For questions related to this release, please contact the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342 or ptgn_chinfonewsdesk@navy.mil
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WASHINGTON - As part of the requirements established in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Commander, Navy Installations Command will be facilitating third-party home inspections for all Navy privatized military housing units beginning in October 2021 – October 2022. The inspections include all Navy privatized family housing in the United States, approximately 39,000 units, with exception of homes scheduled for disposition or demolition. “The inspections are one of the mandates set by the FY20 NDAA to improve the privatized military housing program and coincides with the Navy’s commitment to increase government oversite of our housing portfolio,” said Edward Cannon, Fleet and Family Readiness Director. “The insight we stand to gain from these inspections will inform decisions to make improvements to the homes, so I thank all residents in advance for their participation because it not only positively impacts current residents but also your shipmates that follow.” If you are a resident of Navy privatized housing you will receive notification from your local Housing Service Center (HSC) regarding the inspections in your area. The notification will communicate the inspection dates, information regarding how the inspection will be conducted and points of contact should you have questions or need to reschedule. Initial notices will be sent to neighborhoods at least 2 weeks prior to inspections by the HSC and will also be posted on the inspection website: https://navyppvinspections.com/. On the day prior to inspection, door hanger notices will be delivered by the field inspectors. Per policy, residents will be provided advance notice prior to any inspections taking place. The inspections are being conducted by Jacobs/HDR JV and every inspection will be signed off by a certified inspector. Inspections will include unit interiors, building systems, common areas, building exteriors, equipment drainage, and landscaping. Only components, systems and elements of the property that are readily accessible will receive inspection. If inspectors identify any issues or repairs needed to correct life, health and safety concerns they will contact the HSC immediately. Reports for each home along with a summary report of project areas will be produced and submitted to CNIC. The reports will include assessment of the physical and operational condition of the property, identifying specific deficiencies which will provide CNIC a snapshot of current conditions in home across the full Navy privatized housing portfolio. “The upcoming inspections are just one item in a long list of recent efforts CNIC has made to increase the quality of our privatized housing,” said Greg Wright, CNIC Housing Director. “We have improved our procedures to carry out more effective oversight of the program and having this up-to-date inspection analysis will position CNIC to continue aggressively pursuing improvements where they are needed most.” If you have any questions regarding the upcoming inspections, please contact your local HSC. A directory of CNIC HSC’s, along with information about the privatized housing program, can be found on our website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/housing/contact-housing.html
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The Navy has denied the medical malpractice claim filed by the family of a junior sailor who killed himself in a military jail. The parents of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Macoy Hicks, 20, filed the claim in January, alleging that their son received subpar mental healthcare from the Navy, and that Army jailers failed to properly care for him when they issued him a belt he used to take his life while confined for 25 days at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, in February 2019.
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The days of “Love Boat” ridicule for the Navy over unplanned pregnancies are a distant memory now. The destroyer tender USS Arcadia gained the nickname during the Gulf War when at least 36 of its service women had to be transferred off the ship while deployed to the Persian Gulf due to pregnancies. In the years since, the Navy has surpassed the other services in providing access to contraceptives, including those considered the most foolproof and effective.
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WASHINGTON — A Navy report has concluded there were sweeping failures by commanders, crew members and others that fueled the July 2020 arson fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard, calling the massive five-day blaze in San Diego preventable and unacceptable. While one sailor has been charged with setting the fire, the more than 400-page report, obtained by The Associated Press, lists three dozen officers and sailors whose failings either directly led to the ship's loss or contributed to it. The findings detailed widespread lapses in training, coordination, communication, fire preparedness, equipment maintenance and overall command and control.
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TOKYO — A flotilla of Russian and Chinese warships transited a narrow waterway separating the major Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido for the first time on record Monday, according to the Japanese government. Five Russian and five Chinese vessels, including destroyers and frigates, passed through the Tsugaru Strait — 12 miles wide at its narrowest point — from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean, Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said during a news conference Tuesday.
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NUMAZU, Japan — A U.S. naval officer charged in a car crash that killed two pedestrians broke down in tears as a Japanese judge found him guilty of negligent driving on Monday. Lt. Ridge Hanneman Alkonis, 33, was sentenced to three years in Japanese prison during a hearing at Shizuoka District Court in Numazu, a punishment just short of the 4½-year-sentence requested by prosecutors. Alkonis’ defense attorneys, on the other hand, had asked for a suspended sentence, effectively a term of probation.
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UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 181942Z OCT 21 MID600051053154U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 230/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/OCT// SUBJ/CHANGES TO THE LIMITED DUTY PERSONNEL TRANSACTIONS PROCESS// REF/A/DOC/BUPERS/05SEP21// REF/B/DOC/OPNAV/25SEP18// NARR/REF A IS MILPERSMAN ARTICLE 1300-1400, LIMITED DUTY. REF B IS OPNAVINST 1300.20, DEPLOYABILITY ASSESSMENT AND ASSIGNMENT PROGRAM.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the release of reference (a) which provides guidance for the assignment, accountability, follow-up care and disposition of Active Component Service Members placed in, or removed from, a limited duty (LIMDU) status. 2. The Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNP) is the single process owner of the LIMDU Administration Program. The Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel Command (for Career Management (PERS-4)) is the program manager. 3. The Deployability Assessment and Assignment Branch (PERS-454) will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Personnel Support Detachment/Transaction Service Center regarding LIMDU accounting category code (ACC 100 to 105) changes, projected rotation date changes, and return to duty availability (ACC 105 to 100). The creation of this centralized office will provide subject matter expertise to manage, assist and respond to administrative questions related to LIMDU in order to mitigate gaps at sea. 4. In line with reference (b), commands shall designate a command deployability coordinator to function as the liaison for the deployability program. A copy of the signed designation letter shall be provided within five working days from designation via email to the servicing military treatment facility (MTF) deployability coordinator and PERS-454 at: mill_DAOPers-454(at)navy.mil. 5. Commands with 50 or more LIMDU personnel are encouraged to appoint a command deployability coordinator as a primary duty and assign collateral deployability coordinators on a 1:50 ratio to assist in the management of LIMDU personnel. It is also recommended commands establish a deployability coordinator functional email address to facilitate communication with MTF deployability coordinator and PERS-454. 6. For assistance or further information, contact the LIMDU Administration Help Desk at (901) 874-3867 or via e-mail at: limdu_admin.fct(at)navy.mil. 7. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//
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After a ship gets a certain age, it is not economically feasible to refurbish it. Additionally, new technologies will limit the use of older ships that cannot use that technology because of structure and/or size limitations. That eventually happened to the USS Midway which had two "blisters" added that made the ship wobble (For lack of a better word.) The Liaoning Carrier was mainly used to learn how to make carriers. It's pretty much limited in range and capabilities but what the Chinese have learned will help them make future versions that are more powerful aircraft carriers.
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The U.S. Navy has agreed to review more than nine years’ worth of “bad paper” discharges given to thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or certain other trauma-related health conditions. That announcement follows preliminary court approval Tuesday of a settlement of a 2018 lawsuit alleging that a Navy board had improperly denied a Marine Corps veteran’s request for a better discharge status.
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A military judge issued a reprimand for a Marine lieutenant colonel and ordered him to forfeit $5,000 in pay Friday for his criticism of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, his attorney said. The decision from Col. Glen Hines followed the guilty plea Lt. Col. Stephen Scheller entered Thursday during a special court-martial at Camp Lejeune. Scheller faced six charges, including contempt toward officials and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
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Newsletter for Navy Sailors
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The U.S. Veterans Affairs Department plans to hire 2,000 new workers starting this month to deal with an expected increase in backlogged claims which have tripled since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic last year, VA officials announced Wednesday. VA officials hope the new hires will help them slow the backlog which they expected to grow from about 204,000 overdue claims at the end of September to some 260,000 by the end of October, according to a VA statement. In addition to adding claims processors, the VA intends to mandate overtime work for its current processors to cut into its backlog, which it intends to pay for with emergency pandemic funding.
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A Marine officer pleaded guilty on Thursday to several criminal charges in connection with viral videos he posted criticizing senior officials during the messy U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that he knew he was being disrespectful and wanted to call out what he perceived as "incompetence." Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, a combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, testified that he knew he was defying orders and that his life began "spiraling" after he posted his first video in August. He said his wife left him, fellow Marine officers turned their backs on him and the Marine Corps opened an investigation into his actions. Scheller said he continued posting after receiving positive feedback from backers, including elected officials.
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WASHINGTON - With COVID-19 vaccines now mandatory for all military members, the Navy has announced plans to start processing for discharge those who refuse vaccination without a pending or approved exemption. The Navy’s mandate began at the end of August after the release of the Secretary of Defense memo instructing military departments to enact the new vaccination requirement for DoD uniformed personnel who are not medically or administratively exempt. With the release of ALNAV 062/21 and NAVADMIN 190/21, all service members were given 90 days to comply. Now, NAVADMIN 225/21, released Oct. 13, sets a deadline for all active-duty Sailors to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 28, while those in the selected reserve have until Dec. 28. The message also outlines the consequences for failing to comply. This deadline makes Nov. 14 and Dec. 14 the final days active and selected reserve, respectively, can receive the second of the two required shots for a two-dose vaccine or the single dose of a one-dose vaccine, and complete the 14-day waiting period required to achieve full vaccination. Sailors must be prepared to execute their mission at all times, in places throughout the world, including where vaccination rates are low and disease transmission is high. Immunizations are of paramount importance to protecting the health of the force and the warfighting readiness of the Fleet. “To date, over 98 percent of active-duty U.S. Navy service members have met our readiness responsibility by completing or initiating a COVID-19 vaccination series, ensuring the continued readiness of our worldwide deployable Navy” said Adm. William Lescher, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, in the message. The Navy’s policy goal is to achieve a fully vaccinated force against the persistent and lethal threat of COVID-19. “Tragically, there have been 164 deaths within the Navy family due to COVID-19, far exceeding the combined total of all other health or mishap related injuries and deaths over the same time period,” wrote Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr., the Chief of Naval Personnel. Of those, he noted, 144 were not immunized. The vaccination status of the remaining 20 remains undetermined. To oversee the administrative discharge process for those refusing the vaccine, the Navy established the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority (CCDA). This, Lescher wrote, will “ensure a fair and consistent process” for separation determinations. The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) is the CCDA for the administrative separation processing of Navy service members, with the Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) providing support to the CCDA for cases involving Navy service members in the Selected Reserve. The Vice Chief of Naval Operations retains authority for non-judicial punishment and courts-martial. Administrative actions may begin as soon as a Navy service member meets the definition of “refusing the vaccine”, which is a Navy service member who received a lawful order to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, is not or will not be fully vaccinated on the date required by the order, and does not have a pending or approved exemption request. Effective immediately upon the release of the message, commands shall not allow Sailors refusing the vaccine to promote or advance, reenlist, or execute orders, with the exception of separation orders, until the CCDA has completed disposition of their case. Transfer orders may be cancelled by Navy Personnel Command. For officers and enlisted serving in Navy leadership roles refusing the vaccine, they will be notified immediately in writing that they have five days to either begin a vaccination series or request an exemption before being relieved and have detachment for cause initiated. Senior leaders are members of command triads and those key staff positions, including any flag officer or flag officer select, regardless of their current billet. A complete list of these positions is found in the message. With COVID-19 vaccination now mandatory, commanders, commanding officers, or officers in charge, with the concurrence of the first flag officer in the chain of command, are authorized to temporarily reassign Navy service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of exemption status, based on operational readiness or mission requirements. Commanding officers must identify those refusing the vaccine and verify that the Sailors have an initial counseling NAVPERS 1070/13, or “Page 13”. Within thirty days of a Navy service member refusing the vaccine, reporting seniors must submit a special evaluation or fitness report. In addition to documenting failure to comply with individual medical readiness responsibilities, the report shall document other facts as appropriate, including any misconduct related to UCMJ Art. 92. Commands are required to report Sailors refusing the vaccine to Commander, Navy Personnel Command. Rules differ depending on whether the member is an E-6 and above or officer, or an E-5 and below. Information on reporting procedures for each, along with points of contact, are available in the NAVADMIN. For Navy service members refusing the vaccine, the CCDA also retains the authority for administrative processes regarding removal of warfare qualifications, additional qualification designations (AQD), Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC), or sub-specialties, except in cases where removal authority is otherwise authorized by law or Executive Order. The CCDA may also seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine. Those separated only for vaccine refusal will receive no lower than a general discharge under honorable conditions. This type of discharge could result in the loss of some veterans’ benefits. Navy service members who started terminal leave on or before the applicable deadlines are administratively exempted from vaccine requirements. Sailors seeking an exemption to the vaccine mandate can apply for medical reasons or a religious accommodation. Details on how to apply for each are available in NAVADMIN 190/21. Complete information on the administrative ramifications of vaccine refusal can be found in NAVADMIN 225/21. Information on the Navy’s COVID-19 policy is in ALNAV 062/21 and NAVADMIN 190/21